Late Spring 2013 Class times and dates are shown below.  The classes will run for 3-5 weeks so that they all finish by the end of June.

The class times and dates are on the registration form as well as below.  Summer Adult Classes will be open for registration the second week of June, 2013.  They will meet for 6 weeks starting in July.

To view the table below, click on it and it will enlarge.  To return to this page, click on the “back” button of your browser.

One of my students, Elena, commented that I’ve been very prolific this year, more than she has ever seen me to be.  I’m not sure why that is.  Maybe, because I am not being hindered by RA (rheumatoid arthritis) which is now under control.  Or, it could be that I love my new sewing school space and I am inspired to sew to decorate it, as well as make samples to inspire you, as students, or potential students who like to peek in the windows…..

Whatever the cause of my large sewing output, I have been excited to produce many a project this year.  It started with quilts.  One lead to another, like pieces of chocolate, or the oft mentioned Lays potato chips…….I made a quilt for my daughter, inspired by a fabric one of my students brought to class.  Then, since I wasn’t crippled by RA, I could then quilt it myself at Laurena’s Longarm studio in Burlington, MA.  I then made a quilt for each of my nieces, then another for my daughter.  Then, I thought I do one for myself.  I finally finished a quilt I started at least 8 years ago, and hung it in the new sewing school bathroom.  It matched the decor so well.  Then, another student, Sherry L, brought in some blocks she was working on that involved folding the fabric like you would paper for Origami.  I had her show me how to do it, and by the end of the day, I had 25 blocks folded.  I made a wall hanging quilt and had it done within a week.  I finally stalled out on my 8th quilt of the year, when I g0t stuck on finding the right fabric for the border…….It’s still on my design wall.  I thought I’d take a break from it.

More recently, I was dabbling in clothing, for myself, my daughter, and my sister.  One of the most recent items I sewed is the skirt made from sneaker themed fabric (made by Timeless Treasures, C5522 Brite.)  Again, the fabric caught my eye, when Avery, a teenage student, brought it in to make pajama bottoms.  I purchased what was left on the bolt, thinking I would do the same.  My daughter loves her high top Converse sneakers.  When I showed her the fabric, she said that she wanted a skirt that she could wear with her high tops.  Then, she told me exactly how it should look.  And, it should have randomly placed zippers on it.  So, having been given this task, I designed a skirt to those specifications.  I like to use a pattern that is close, has the right sizing and then alter it from there.  I often get donations of sewing fabric and materials.  So, I reached into a box of donated zippers and brought them out to see if any would work in this project.  I had eyelets, like what you find in sneakers or sometimes in belts.  They were years old and I wasn’t sure that I could find them.  But, miracles of miracles,  I did find them.  And, the pliers to set them into the fabric.

I decided to put in to parts in the back of the skirt that have shoe lacing.  I used white eyelets, since most of the sneakers on the fabric have white eyelets.  I used white shoelaces as well.  It was really fun to play around with these things.  So far, all the girls in my classes love this skirt.  My daughter does, too.  I had to bring the waist in, it was too big, but other than that, it’s well liked, and will be worn.

I’ve never been one to make bags much or purses or totes.  But, since I came across the Weekender Totes over a year ago, I have been hooked.  With the use of fusible fleece and peltex and other fabric stiffeners and stabilizers, we can make some pretty amazing bags out of quilting fabric.  And, Very Bradly being such the rage, these bags are really in!  I think the photos pretty much show off why it has been so fun for me to make these.  And, it’s a new kind of challenge, working in ways that I haven’t much in the past.  Plus, as I say in one of the photo captions, it’s an opportunity to play with mixing colors and prints on a smaller, quicker scale than making a quilt!

I hope you enjoy these photos.  If you want a closer look at a picture, just click on it and it will expand to fit your window.  To get back to this page, just hit the “back” button.

Fall Sewing Classes Beginning September 8-14, 2012

Zoe in her great fitting dress. Can you see that it has cars on it?

Our classes are different from most venues in these ways:

• We have small class sizes, 5-6 students per class
• Each student works on projects of their choosing
• Everyone works at their own pace
• Every student receives individual instruction
• We customize our teaching style to our students’ needs.
• You can be a beginner in any class, you don’t have to know anything about sewing to join us!
• You don’t even need to own a machine, we have several available for rent during class time.

Pedro and his first project, PJ pants

Our next session of classes will begin the week of September 8-14, 2012 The session will be 6 weeks long and each class meets once a week.  You can see the dates and times below.

The registration is now open, and your space is reserved upon receipt of payment.  Our registration form is located at the bottom of every page on our website.  Or, you can find it by clicking on the Class Registration/Contact Form link in the Green Column to your left.

Adult Sewing Classes meeting Morning or Evening, 3 hours a week for 6 weeks.

Kids and Teens (9+) Sewing Classes meet After School, 2 hours a week for 6 weeks.

All classes are taught by Laura, unless stated otherwise.

• Darlene and her first apron.

• Monday Morning Sewing with Jan Bickford, 10am-1pm, $270, September 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15
• Monday Evening Sewing 7-10pm, $270, September 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15

• Tuesday Morning Sewing, 9:30am-12:30pm, $270, September 11, 18, 25, Oct 2, 9, 16
• Tuesday After School Sewing for ages 9+, 3:30am-5:30pm, $195, September 11, 18, 25, Oct 2, 9, 16
• Wednesday Morning Sewing, 9:30am-12:30pm, $270, September 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17
• Wednesday After School Sewing for ages 9+, 3:30am-5:30pm, $195, September 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17
• Wednesday Evening Sewing 7-10pm, $270,  September 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17
• Thursday Mid-Day Sewing, 11am-2pm, $270, September 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18
• Thursday After School Sewing for ages 9+, 3:30am-5:30pm, $195, September 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18
• Friday Morning Sewing, 9:30am-12:30pm, $270, September 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19
• Friday After School Sewing for ages 9+, 3:30am-5:30pm, $195, September 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19
• Saturday Morning Sewing for All (Ages 9-Adult), 9:30am-12:30pm, $270, September 8, 15, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20

Just a few updates.  Classes have been rolling along smoothly in our new space.  We all LOVE that we are in the same building as Fabric Corner.  How nice is it to just go out the door, around the corner and be able to pick up needed supplies.

3 Quilts are now hung on the walls.  1 of my giant pairs of scissors are hanging and I am figuring out where to put the other pair.  We have a bulletin board, newly painted by Sandy Brooks in the entryway.  I plan to post pictures of students and their projects there.  And any Breaking News, of course.

Over the holidays, more painting will be happening.  Those of you who have been taking classes know that the bathroom and back hallway are way below the standards I usually have for my space.  I love to decorate the bathroom.  It can be a place to inspire you for the possibilities in your own home.  Right now, there is a big hole in the wall between the toilet and sink.  There are places needing patching, and the whole room needs painting.  The back hallway walls are in need of attention and I don’t want it to become some junky catch all.  So, you can let me know what you think when you come see the place early next year.

I have been working on curtains for the front window.  They are almost done.  I used the fabric as inspiration for the paint colors I used around the sewing school.  I have some antique sewing machines on display in the front window.  Recently, someone gave me an old Singer, with Egyptian themed decals on it.  I have wanted one like that for years, so it is fun to put it out for everyone to see.

In January, I plan to have an Open House and will post that here and through a newsletter when I have determined the date.  I wish you all well in the mean time.  Happy Holidays! and thanks for your support.

As of Wednesday, December 7, 2011, we are resuming classes at Laura’s Sewing School & More.  The help I have received has been instrumental in making this opening happen so quickly.  We moved our stuff in on November 26th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  1 1/2 weeks later, we are ready to start classes!  There was a LOT that needed to be done.  A huge amount of electrical work, all of the space needed to be painted, most walls required 3 coats of paint.  Baseboards needed to be installed and painted, cabinets hung and then all of the equipment and furniture put in place and stuff unpacked.

I am myself amazed that we are ready so soon.  I have felt overwhelmed at times, working 12+ hours a day, most of these past weeks and it’s all been possible with a lot of help from many of you, students, and friends.  Thank you.  I will see you soon in our new space.

Hi Everyone!

Our phone/internet service was installed on Weds. Nov 30th at our 785 Mass Ave location.  We can now receive messages, and as soon as we find the phone (it was packed) we will be able to answer the phone when it rings.  You can email us if you know my email address or use the contact/registration form.  I get email notices on my smartphone, so I am not out of the loop.

Right now, the electrical work is pretty much complete.  Inspection was passed and most of the ceiling tiles are back in place.  There are still some more things that need to be accomplished before we can resume classes.

• Most of the painting is complete, but one more wall needs to be finished
• The baseboards need to be installed (Barry is hired to do that on Dec 3) and painted (by us.)
• The HVAC needs to be checked, which we hope will be done on Monday
• Half of the space has new flooring, it needs to be cleaned and sealed.
• Finally, the furniture needs to be put in place, according to plan, and then unpacking and installation of the gravity feed irons and task lighting.

During the next month or so, the rest of the work can be done around scheduled class times.

Before you head to class the week of December 5th, please check the website or call the school phone to confirm that your class is meeting. We will have a better idea of a reopening date after this weekend, Dec 3-4.

We have been painting at the new place.  Most of it is complete.  You can see pictures in my most recent email newsletter (12-2-11.)  Norma Osborn has been a huge help with painting, at the old space as well as the new.  Sandy Brooks, my daughter, Amelia, and several others have lent a hand with the big job painting entails.  I thank all of you named, and un-named, who have contributed to this move.  It wouldn’t be possible without all of your support.  Thank you!

If you should have some time available this week, especially now that we have passed the electrical inspection, much help is needed to move furniture into place, as well as unpacking.  Anyone who contributes 3+ hours will received a discount on a future 6 week class.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Laura

Current students have already heard the news, as well as others have heard the rumors, and what you heard is probably true.

We had the opportunity to move into the empty space in the Fabric Corner building and couldn’t pass it up.  We are working on finishing the space right now, so that we can resume classes as quickly as possible.  One of my students said that moving there  would be like a Drug Dealer setting up shop across from a Rehab Center.  How can we control our fabric addictions when my sewing school will be located above the Fabric Store? But, then, why would we want to?

But, imagine, you forget to buy something for your project?  You just go downstairs.  Need thread, a zipper, some interfacing?  Go Downstairs!  Want some inspiration? Go Downstairs!

I think you will love the new location.  Not only for being in the same building as the Fabric Corner, but it is next door to Bagels by US, 2 doors from Cakes Bakery, and next to that is Arlington House of Pizza.  If you feel like you have overindulged, you can go to Get in Shape for Women just past the pizza place.  If you forgot to pre-wash your fabric, there is a laundromat on the next corner and before or after class, you can get your groceries at Johnny’s Foodmaster across and down the street.

We are going to be only a couple blocks from the heart of Arlington Center, which boasts a great variety of restaurants and small businesses.  At least 3 bus lines (77, 79, 67) go right past the new shop, so those of you who do not drive, can easily reach us by mass transit.

At the new place, we had to remove a bunch of walls, put in a new floor, and are having some major electrical work done.  The electrical work is taking longer than expected, so that is delaying how soon we can resume classes.  Also, painting has to take place and then everything needs to be unpacked. Once the dust settles, I will post pictures and show you the ongoing process of fixing the new place, both in the email newsletter, as well as my Facebook page.  You can link to Laura’s Sewing School on FB by clicking here.

If any of you would like to help pack, or clean, or paint, I would welcome the assistance.  I am writing this late on Thanksgiving.  We still need packing assistance on Friday, Nov. 25, and then some painting and cleaning assistance after the move happens to make sure the Warren St place is ready for whoever moves into it.

The new space needs painting and UNpacking help, too.  I was stumped for colors for the new place.  Several friends/students & my daughter (thank you Norma, Sandy, Veronica, Amelia) have been painting the colored walls back to white in the old shop.  They said they were looking forward to painting colors in the new shop.  I said that I thought we should just paint everything white and then add colors later.  Norma made a good point, saying that I won’t be inclined to do any painting once everything is in place.  I was in the Fabric corner on Wednesday, waiting for a friend to meet me, and I found a fabric that inspired me for the colors we will be using.  I am very excited about it.  You’ll have to let me know what you think when you see it.  If you can volunteer 3+ hours of your time, you can receive a discount on a future 6 week class session.  Feel free to call or email, to let us know if you can donate your time to our transition.  We thank you  for your support, both in the past and the future.

Keep checking back for more information.  Within the next couple of weeks, I will be having a Fabric Stash Bash. I have way too much fabric and will not be able to use it all within this lifetime, so I thought I would pass the riches on to you.  Great fabric, great prices and I can put the receipts toward the cost of the move and renovation.  It is definitely a win/win situation.

Also, I have some older sewing machines that I can pass on to others.  I love older machines.  They are all metal, smooth and quiet and need little maintenance.  I usually sit at an older straight stitch machine to sew most of my clothing projects.  I still have the machine I was given in High School.  So, if you are looking for a machine that has been well used and loved, that will be a quiet workhorse in your sewing room, contact me.  I know I have at least 3 to 4 of them.  A couple of them are in cabinets and the others are portable.

Our new address, as of November 26, 2011 is 785 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA  02476.

The following pics are from 2009.  These are just a portion of what students have accomplished here in their classes.