New Class: Basic Knitting

The Winter schedule of sew-op classes has been posted. You'll find a sign-up sheet in the check-out area of the Upper Valley Food Co-op.

In addition to our popular Basic Sewing and Mending Monday classes we're proud to offer Basic Knitting, taught by the lovely and talented Judith. We'll have a better description available soon but I'm very excited for this class. Every fall my fingers start to get itchy and I know it's time to take out my knitting again.

Be sure to check out our remaining Fall classes as well as the new Winter classes.

Around the Web

We've had so much fun teaching the classes that we're busy coming up with a bunch more. Look for a new schedule to be posted here soon.

Meanwhile here's a few quick links to peruse while you wait:

Sew Mama Sew is running their annual Handmade for the Holidays meme. Check back daily for tons of ideas for projects to make and other people's handmade products to buy. Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for prizes.

Centsational Girl has some great tips on learning to sew.

Angry Chicken has a lovely tribute to sewing and her mom.

Announcing the 2010 Fall Schedule!

Monday nights, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

October

             4 – Open Studio

            11 – Open Studio

            18 – Basic Sewing Class

            25 – Open Studio: focus on costume-making

November

            1 – Mending Monday Class

            8 – Open Studio

            15 – Basic Sewing Class

            22 – Open Studio

            29 – Open Studio

December

             6 – Basic Sewing Class

            13 – Open Studio

            20 – Open Studio: focus on holiday projects

            27 – Closed for the holidays

Basic Sewing Class

This two-hour introductory class will teach the basics of sewing machines and how to operate them; the basics of fabric; and how to pin and sew seams. You will make a simple project that you can take home. The sewing machines and all supplies are provided. Completion of this class is advised for those who want to attend Open Studio Hours but have no prior knowledge of sewing machines.

Teacher: Martha McDaniel.

Mending Monday Class

In this workshop, you will learn basic mending skills including how to sew on a button and basic hand sewing; iron-on or sew on a patch; and hem a skirt or pair of pants. You will also learn how to mend holes in socks or sweaters. Teachers: Jennifer Lynn and Martha McDaniel.

Open Studio Hours: Free. No registration required. Bring your own projects. Sew-Op volunteers will be available to help, but a basic knowledge of sewing machines & sewing skills are required.  

Classes: Registration required; $20 fee (scholarships available). Class size is limited to six students per session, ages 14 and up.

Registration: To register for a class, email uppervalleysewop@gmail.com; call Kye at the Upper Valley Co-op, 802-295-5804; or sign up at the front counter of the Co-op. The Sew-Op is located on the second floor above the Upper Valley Food Coop, with entry at the back of the building (follow signs). 

Kids

We're busy planning the next round of classes but that doesn't mean you can't be sewing. I just discovered the Kids Clothes Week Challenge over at Elsie Marley. The challenge is to spend at least one hour a day for an entire week sewing kids clothing. Starting...today! The flickr group is already showing signs of productivity. For additional inspiration, check out Sew Mama Sew's roundup from their Back To School Series. Jump in and join the fun.

Summer Break

We're on Summer Break during August and September. Fall classes and schedules are being planned and will be posted in a couple weeks.

Childcare at Sewing Class

Just a quick announcement: we've managed to arrange free childcare for the July 20th Learn the Basics of Sewing class.

Working With What You Have: At Home Version: Skirts

Today is Made Marion's first sheet workshop at the Sew-op. Her project for the day is a throw pillow cover. I've got my eye on the weather today so my first project for you is a summery skirt.

Here's a cute one with ruffles, courtesy of Amazing Mae. The tutorial is for a linen skirt but a sheet will work nicely. And it requires no supplies other than the sheet and some thread.

Now if you happen to have some wide elastic on hand, this is a very easy skirt pattern. Disney at Ruffles and Stuff put it together in 15 minutes while taking pictures. Since she's an experienced sewist I'll estimate it will take a beginner an hour from gathering materials, preheating the iron, checking the instructions multiple times, to the final seam.

Here's a lovely version featured on Sew Mama Sew recently.

I'll have another project for you in a few days. Meanwhile you could scout around for some pretty ribbon to match one of those sheets or vintage pillow cases you found. Or maybe a tee shirt for your favorite little girl.

Date Change for Two Sewing Classes

The dates for two of the Learn the Basics of Sewing classes have changed:

July 13th 9-11 has changed to July 20th 9-11
July 15th 6-8 has changed to July 22nd 6-8

As of right now we do not have childcare available for the July 20th class but we are working on it.

Working With What You Have: At Home Version

Made Marion's classes this month sound fantastic, but the sad truth of it is there is only space for 24 people. So if you can make it, go sign up. But if you can't I'm designing a Play at Home Version. For the month of July, I'll be posting projects and tutorials as I find them around the web specifically related to reusing sheets. I'll expect you to have a basic knowledge of sewing, but the projects will all be at beginner level.

First step is to get some sheets. So raid your linen closet or make a trip to Listen and stock up on sheets, run them through the wash and make sure they're relatively wrinkle free and ready for this month's set of projects. Don't pass up any of those vintage pillowcases if you have any little girls in your life, I'll be posting a use for them later. The first project will arrive on Friday.

New July Open Sewing Hours

At Open Sewing, you're welcome to bring your own projects or project ideas and ask for help from the skilled women who will be on hand. Or you can just hang out and sew with other folks who like to hang out and sew.

July Open Sewing Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 am - Noon.

New Sewing Classes for July

Two New Summer Classes are here!


Learn the Basics of Sewing
If you've ever wanted to learn how to sew but didn't know where to begin, this workshop is for you.

Each workshop covers the following:
• an introduction to sewing machines and how to operate them
• the basics of fabric
• pinning and sewing seams
• making a simple project to take home

All Learn the Basics use Sew-Op machines, materials and tools. You just need to bring yourself.

Learn the Basics of Sewing workshops are scheduled four times in July:
Tuesday, July 13 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (free childcare available)
Thursday, July 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 27 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Wednesday, July 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This workshop is appropriate for ages 16 and up. Space is limited to six and reservations are recommended. The cost of the workshop is $20 with scholarships available.

For workshop registration or more information, contact Birdie at the Upper Valley Co-op at (802) 295-5804 or email UpperValleySewOp@gmail.com.

Learn the Basics Workshops are taught by Sonja Hakala, author of Teach Yourself Visually Quilting, Visual Quick Tips Quilting, American Patchwork and Gifting Green.


Working with What You Have: Sheets
The first in a series on sewing with materials we have in our homes.

In Marion's July workshops, she will demonstrate the basic techniques for designing and creating throw pillow covers, placemats and table runners, curtains, and aprons. All projects are made primarily from old sheets.

Basic sewing skills are helpful and there is plenty of room for creative variations.

Working with What You Have schedule:
Friday, July 9 from 2–4 p.m. — throw pillow covers
Friday, July 16 from 2–4 p.m. — placemats and wall hangings
Friday, July 23 form 2–4 p.m. — curtains
Friday, July 30 from 2–4 p.m. — aprons

These workshops are appropriate for ages 16 and up. Space is limited to six and reservations are recommended. Cost of each workshop is $20 and scholarships are available.

For workshop registration or more information, contact Birdie at the Upper Valley Co-op at (802) 295-5804 or email UpperValleySewOp@gmail.com


Marion's creative re-use of fabrics is on display in her Made Marion line of clothing at Revolution in White River Junction and other stores.

If there is anything you'd like to learn or teach,contact us at
uppervalleysewop@gmail.com.

Update

I know it's been quiet around here. We're busily getting ready for the summer classes. Meanwhile we still have Open Sewing hours three times a week so stop on in and see what we're up to.

Sew Mama Sew is busy planning their next series: "The Make It, Wear It! Challenge." All about making your own clothes. My guess is it starts in June. If you've got a lot of time on your hands you can peruse the 400+ comments for tidbits and ideas.

All sewing and craft projects are welcome at the Sew-Op Open Sewing hours: Tuesdays 11-2 pm, and Wednesdays 5-8 pm, and Fridays 1-3 pm.

News

Happy Monday, Everyone!

We've got some changes happening at the Sew-op. First of all, Open Sewing with Marion is moving to Fridays starting this week. There will be no Tuesday evening open sewing tomorrow but stop on by Friday afternoons between 1 and 3. I think a few of us will also be keeping her company for the first few weeks.

Second, we have some beginning sewing classes in the works! We're still in the planning stages but look for our first class to happen in June. None too soon, since the Valley News reported Sunday that we're already offering classes.

All sewing and craft projects are welcome at the Sew-Op Open Sewing hours: Tuesdays 11-2 pm, and Wednesdays 5-8 pm, and Fridays 1-3 pm.

Baggin' It

Last Wednesday, the Sew-Op open hours support team of Martha McDaniel and Sonja Hakala had the supreme pleasure of welcoming two brand-new-to-sewing sisters, Meredith and Natalie Morhun, to our sunny spot.

The girls, ages 6 and 8, had come to either knit or sew. But as soon as they saw our sewing machines, we were off to fabric land.

Martha and Sonja introduced the girls to measuring out fabric to make two drawstring bags. The girls selected their fabrics from our donations, and two hours later, they were the very-obviously-proud owners of their own bags. Mom Susan reports that the bags are already in use, and have made appearances at show and tell as well as in the halls of the Ray School in Hanover.

We all had a great time. We may be moving along to quilting next!

More Quilts!

Sew Mama Sew isn't the only site to be thinking about Quilts. Care over at Obsessively Stitching is starting a "First Quilt Ever" series.

I've been thinking of making a quilt for some time now. I figured something like the Easy Lap Quilt from Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Carol (Angry Chicken) would be a good start and my daughter would be the beneficiary. I've been slowly collecting fabrics and may be ready to lay them out and see where I'm at.

What projects have you been dreaming about since the Sew-Op opened? Stop on by and get started.

All sewing projects are welcome at the SewOp Open Sewing hours Tuesdays 11-2 and 5-8 and Wednesdays 5-8.

Prettying Up the Place

Have you seen the air conditioning cover being made at the SewOp? It's a lovely work of cooperative quilting art between Sonja and Helen and will hide a sad, built-in air conditioner in the sewing room. Pictures coming soon. The project is like a Round Robin letter, Helen got it started, Sonja added some, Helen added some more, and so on. Each has worked on it during her time at Open Sewing. That's actually a great idea for some other projects. What other things can we work on Round Robin style? Stop in and see the cover and let it inspire a Round Robin or Pretty-up project of your own.

All sewing projects are welcome at the SewOp Open Sewing hours Tuesdays 11-2 and 5-8 and Wednesdays 5-8.

How'd you do?

Darling Petunia completed her pledge to refashion 5 skirts from her pile in a week. Four of them stayed skirts and one was turned into a cute purse.

Elsewhere, Quilting Month II is in progress over at Sew Mama Sew. A month of tutorials and lots of lovely quilts. Plus a weekly contest you can enter simply by commenting on one of the week's posts.

Did you know two of our staff sewists here at the SewOp are quilters? Helen Dicke (Tuesdays 12-2) and Sonja Hakala (Wednesdays 6-8) would be happy to help you get started or solve a problem. We even have plans for a hanging quilt board at the SewOp so you can easily play with patterns and colors. The rest of us may not have quilting expertise but are happy to offer an opinion.

All sewing projects are welcome at the SewOp Open Sewing hours Tuesdays 11-2 and 5-8 and Wednesdays 5-8.

Take the pledge

Darling Petunia has vowed to take five items from her refashioning to do pile and finish them.

I hearby pledge to make a dent in my pile by sorting out FIVE of those skirts. In one week's time, I will transform those five unwearable skirts into five useful items, and I will not do it by half measures as evidenced above.

If this reminds you of your refashioning pile, pick an item, or 5, bring them to Open Sewing this week and create something new. Mending and new sewing projects are also welcome.

Hours are Tuesdays 11-2 and 5-8 and Wednesdays 5-8.

Alabama Studio Style

Sew Mama Sew has a wonderful interview with Natalie Chanin, the author of The Alabama Stitch Book and the new Alabama Studio Style.

Tuesday Open Sewing

How overflowing is your mending basket? Mine is in a pretty sorry state. Mending is just not as fun or glamorous as making a summery skirt or a pretty braided rug. But I'm going to be brave and face it on Tuesday. My daughter's favorite pair of jeans are in there and she'll be really excited to get them back. If I get through enough of my mending I'll work on turning a couple of too small skirts into something I can wear now.

So bring your current project or your mending pile and join Helen and myself at Open Sewing this Tuesday from 11-2. See you there!