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Last year, I made 30 Bags.  They were each sold to raise money for the Avon Breast Cancer Fund.  I have had many people request more of them.  I decided to take the time to make 20 of them this year, with the plan to use the funds raised through the bags, to help pay for the transition to the new sewing school space.  I hope you will be able to contribute $85 to this use and receive a bag in return.

The materials used are of the best quality.  The black exterior is made of Marine grade, Sunbrella acrylic canvas.  It will not fade, or bleed, or abrade and is weather resistant.  The straps are made to carry far more weight than you could put in this bag, small children included.  6 pockets are formed by the sewing themed fabric panels on the sides of the bags.  Each embroidered logo patch has colorful, mother-of-pearl buttons sewn on them.  No 2 are alike!  The interior fabric is an indoor/outdoor fabric.  With four prints to choose from, it could be a hard decision.

I have put all my years of sewing expertise into making this bag.  It is NOT your average tote bag.  The materials alone are worth a pretty penny.  So, if you are interested in a bag, you can buy one through this website.  Use the registration form, to the left.  The checkbox for the bag is at the bottom of all the class choices listed on the form.  Once we have received payment, arrange to stop by to pick out your bag, or tell me which one you want sent to you.  (There may be a small shipping fee.)  You can also pay in person.  Thank you in advance for your support.  I only have 10 left.  (last updated 8/20/10)

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of summer vacation time.  Sorry to bring it up.  But, we are now in our new space and it is wonderful!  You can read more about it below this article.

We have doubled the number of classes we offer and will be adding to our schedule in the next couple of weeks.  Wonderful teachers to share their knowledge and love of anything to do with fabric and fibers.  I will continue teaching 10 classes each week, mornings, after-school and evening.  Denise will be adding to her schedule of teaching clothing.  Mickey Hudson will be back sharing her knowledge as an Islander Systems instructor.  Jan Bickford returns to help us understand and explore working with a serger.  She will be teaching an evening class, too.  So, if you would like to try a serger, to see if you like it, we can provide one for you to learn on (for a small fee.)  Carol Pietravalle will be joining us in September to teach fitting, couture techniques, pattern making and general sewing help.  She is a wiz at Home Dec and knows how to copy a garment from just a photograph!  Vicki Massaro will be returning on Tuesday evenings with her pattern fitting class.  You take a commercial pattern and learn how to fit it to YOUR body, in a flattering way.  Liane Weber will be back teaching yarn skills, knitting, crochet to kids, teens and adults.  We will be having a drop-in night for adults on Wednesday evenings, read more below. Beth McKay, who has a shop on Etsy, will be teaching fabric dyeing and batiking.  There are so many ways to create your own beautiful fabrics, and she will show you how.  Our new space has the perfect spot for these classes, downstairs, where getting messy is not a problem.  (last updated 8/28/10)

Here are the classes we now have scheduled to begin the week of September 13, 2010:

Daytime Adult Classes:
All classes meet for 3 hrs/wk for 6 weeks.
Cost is $270 unless otherwise noted.
Limit 5 students per class.

Monday Morning Sewing Class with Laura
9:30am-12:30pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Monday Mid-day Clothing Class with Denise
11am-2pm
Any experience level.

Tuesday Morning Sewing Class with Laura  FULL!
9:30am-12:30pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Tuesday Afternoon Galaxy of Islander Techniques
with Mickey
This class begins on October 5, 2010
3-5pm  Cost: $270
Clothing Sewing Experience Required!

Wednesday Morning Sewing Class with Laura FULL!
9:30am-12:30pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Wednesday Mid-day Clothing Class with Carol
11am-2pm
For experienced sewers who want to learn fitting, couture and designing techniques

Thursday Morning Serger/Knits Class with Jan
9:30am-12:30pm Cost: $270
Any experience level, sergers available if you need one ($30/6wks)

Thursday Mid-day Sewing Class with Laura
11am-2pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Friday Morning Sewing Class with Laura
9:30am-12:30pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

After School Classes for Kids & Teens:
All classes meet for 3 hrs/wk for 6 weeks
Cost is $195 unless otherwise noted

Monday After-School Teens Clothing with Denise
3-5pm
Any experience level

Tuesday After-School Kids/Teens Sewing with Laura FULL!
3:30-5:30pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Wednesday After-School Kids/Teens Knitting with Liane
3-5pm
Any experience level

Wednesday After-School Teens Clothing Design with Carol
3-5pm
Any experience level

Thursday After-School Teens Clothing with Denise
3-5pm
Any experience level

Friday After-School Kids/Teens Sewing with Laura FULL!
3-5pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Evening Classes:
All classes meet for 3 hrs/wk for 6 weeks.
Cost is $270 unless otherwise noted.
Limit 5 students per class.

Monday Evening Sewing Class with Laura FULL!
7-10pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Monday Evening Sewing Class with Teacher to be chosen
7-10pm

Tuesday Evening Pattern Fitting Class with Vicki
7-10pm  8 weeks Cost: $360
Clothing Sewing Experience required!

Tuesday Evening Galaxy of Islander Techniques
with Mickey
This class begins on October 5, 2010
6:30-9:30pm  Cost: $270
Clothing Sewing Experience Required!

Wednesday Evening Sewing Class with Laura
7-10pm
Any experience level, any sewing project.

Wednesday Evening Serger/Knits Class with Jan
6:30-9:30pm Cost: $270
Any experience level, sergers available if you need one ($30/6wks)

Wednesday Evening Knitting/Crochet Drop-In with Liane
7-9pm  Cost: $30 single class/$150 for 6 punch card
Limit 8 attendees
Any experience level, any project.

Thursday Evening Clothing with Denise
6:30-9:30pm
Any experience level

Saturday Classes:
All classes meet for 3 hrs/wk for 6 weeks.
Cost is $270 unless otherwise noted.
Limit 5 students per class.

Saturday Morning Clothing with Denise
9:30am-12:30pm
Any experience level

Saturday Morning Sewing with Carol
9:30am-12:30pm
Any experience level, any sewing project

Saturday Morning Fabric Dyeing with Beth
10am-1pm, Cost $240 + materials (this is an introductory rate)
Any experience level, Ages 15 and up, Limit 6 students

Saturday Afternoon Clothing with Denise
1:30-4:30pm
Any experience level

Saturday Afternoon Sewing with Carol
1:30-4:30pm
Clothing fitting and design

Beth McKay’s Fabric Dyeing class will be taking place on Saturdays 10am-1pm.   If there is interest in a weekday class, let us know and we will see about arranging one.  Due to the nature of the class, it is open to ages 15 to adult.  We have now finalized times and topics.  Classes are already filling up.  So, do not wait too long to reserve your space.  If you should have any questions about the classes or teachers, etc., please feel free to contact me by phone or email.  I look forward to seeing you soon.

Laura

So, if you haven’t heard through my email newsletters, we are moving!  The new storefront is only 3 blocks away at 91 Warren Street, same town, zip and phone as before.  If you click on the address, you will see how close it is to where we were.  There was a last minute out pouring of packing help and we were able to get nearly everything over to the new space.  After the movers left on Saturday, we worked to get the place ready for our morning and afternoon sewing camps.  The space is great and seems to be working fine.  Everyone, who has seen it, loves it.  I will be posting pics again, when the space is set up, so you can see the difference.

I thought I would include some pictures here:  (You can click on a picture to zoom in, and then press the back button on your browser to return to this page.)

We have been cleaning and painting since these pics were taken.  All of the painting is done except for the kitchen.  I am waiting for the tile to arrive before choosing the wall color.    All classes which take place after August 15th will take place in the new location.  We will not be having classes from August 28 until September 13th.  But, I may be doing some workshops during that period on decoupaging furniture and making your own ironing surface.  We can even do one on building your own design wall.  Denise will be teaching a class on Silk Slips and I may have some drop in times for you to come and sew in the new space before mid-September.  I will send out email notices about those classes.  If you haven’t been receiving our email newsletters, you can sign up right now.  The link for joining our mailing list is in the upper corner of every web page on this site.  You do need to confirm your email address through the automated response you will receive in your email account.  You can unsubscribe at any time.  There is a link in all newsletters for you to manage your subscription.

This fall, we will be having a free event to introduce sewing to people in honor of National Sewing Month.  There will be a Grand Re-Opening, too.  We will be hosting a neighborhood group of the ASG (American Sewing Guild) each month.  At least one evening per week, there will be an open knitting night.  For a small fee, you can come and knit or crochet and get help when you need it from our knitting expert, Liane Weber.

I will have our full fall schedule posted by the end of this week, which is August 20th.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

We are very happy to have Liane Weber join our teaching staff here at Laura’s Sewing School & More.  We may offer many sewing classes, but our goal is to be able to give you the opportunity to learn how to work with fibers in many ways.  Sewing, first, Knitting, then crochet or felting or whatever you want, we will try to provide.

Liane has a huge amount of experience in knitting and has a strong background in teaching.  She was on staff at Wolcott in Harvard Square.  Unfortunately, they closed this past year, but that has been good for us, because, Liane is now available to share her knowledge with us.  Would you like to learn how to knit a Mobius Hat?  How about a shawl, mittens, a stuffed animal?  Maybe, a sweater or some other great project?  Whether it is learning from square one with 2 sticks and a string, or expanding your skills into knitting with color or texture, Liane can help you.

To start, we will be offering one Adult Knitting class on Tuesday evenings.  It will begin on February 23rd, meet for 2.5 hours from 6:30-9pm.  The cost is $195 plus materials.  Limit of 6 students per class.

For Kids, we will be holding an after school class on Wednesday afternoons.  It will begin on February 24th and meet for 2 hours from 3-5pm.  The cost is $175 plus materials.  Limit of 6 students per class.

We have a great living room space at the front of the Sewing School, which will make a comfortable space for you to learn your craft.  We look forward to having you join us.  If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone or email.

Flexible design curve

Variform Curve

French Curve

C-Thru Ruler (2" x 18")

The following are the extra items needed for the Pattern Fitting Class.  I am still having problems loading pictures with the new website software, so please be patient with me.  You can contact me and I will send you an attachment, which has this list with all of the accompanying photos.

Most rulers can be found at an art store. Also, look online at various tailor supply houses: Atlanta Thread, Clotilde, Staples, Playtime, Sew True.  Some of the Tailoring sources offer a whole patternmaking kit.  If you are serious about fitting patterns, altering styles of patterns, knocking off garments (copying), or actual patternmaking, you may want to go ahead an buy one.  They usually come in a large zippered portfolio, which makes it easy to store.  They usually run $95+.  For this class, you don’t need all of that.  What you do need are the following:

Variform Curved Ruler

French curve (clear plastic in this case)

Measured Design curve.  You can bend it to take whatever shape you need it to.  Great for copying curves.

C-thru ruler, clear plastic, 18” x 2”

Various colors of marking pens

Commercial Clothing pattern, you know, McCall’s, Vogue, Simplicity, Burda, etc.  Find one which is fitted, rather than loose.  Choose one garment, pants, or blouse or jacket.

Purchase twice the muslin or other inexpensive fabric you need to make the garment.

Contrasting threads

Tape measure (you will be given one at the first class)
All the basic sewing tools. The list of which can be found on my website at: www.laurassewingschool.com/category/sewing-tools-supplies

If it has anything to do with fabric, fashion, design, production, and especially shopping, it must be worth going, right?  Well, I did go on a couple of small trips with my students this year and we had a great time.  Organized to be fun, relaxed, include a bit of eating and shopping for good materials, what more could you want?

I am planning on organizing more jaunts around New England.  There are so many great places to go see in relation to sewing.  I mention in my current newsletter a variety of interesting destinations:
Here are some ideas:

Attend the Iris Apfel Exhibit at the PEM Tour the American Textile History Museum
Take a Trip to the Portsmouth Fabric Co
Go to Sawyer Brook in Clinton
Day trip to Osgood Textiles in Springfield
Visit a Sewing Factory

To find out more about each of these places, following the links in the list.  Better to go get the info directly from the source.  Here are some of my comments.  The Iris Apfel exhibit is only at the PEM until February 7th, so I would vote to go there sooner rather than later.  The American Textile History Museum is in Lowell, is easy to find, has parking and has a great exhibit demonstrating the history of textiles.  They also have a really nice cafe in the lobby. I never tire of seeing this museum.  Also, in Lowell, are the New England Quilt Museum and Georges Textiles (mostly Home Dec Fabric.)

Area Fabric Stores to check out, could be as close as the Quilter’s Way, in West Concord, or the Fiber Loft in Harvard, MA.  They are a good resource for knitting, weaving, spinning and fibers.  The Boston ASG had a meeting there late this Fall.  I think any place that is within an easy day trip can be considered.

You tell me what you want to see or where you want to go, and I will try to accommodate your request. The best days for me to lead a trip, are Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Please give me feedback and I will let you know what I have set up.  We can probably do any of the trips with just 5 people and who knows what the upper limit would be?  Being an informal trip, we would carpool, get there at the appointed time and if possible, stop at a pre-arranged location for lunch.  (preferably a nice soup/sandwich kind of place) There is a lovely orchard near Sawyer Brook in Sterling which serves lunch and homemade bake goods.  And earlier this year, we went to Popovers for lunch on our trip to Portsmouth, NH.

Click here to go take our “Field Trip” Survey. I’d like to set up our first outing for January.

So, I never realized how much many of you like my ironing table top.  I am making a new one this week for the shop.  When I mentioned it in class, I had a large number of people offering to either take the old one off my hands or they requested that I show them how to make them.  SO, I have schedule a one-time workshop to do so.  It will take place on Sunday, January 24th, from 1-4pm.  I will provide all of the materials and the cost of the class includes those.  I am charging my cost for the materials and having them all delivered to my school.  The final board will measure 28″ x 80″ x 2″.  It will be nicely padded with a material meant for this purpose and a nice drill cloth also designed for this use.  We will simply work in teams, cutting and stapling the padding and then the cover in place.  You will be able to take it home with you at the end of the class.  Make sure that you have a vehicle that can carry this for you.  It isn’t so heavy as it is awkward to maneuver.

I searched and searched my photo library to show you the ironing surface.  My usual focus, when I take pictures, is the student and her project, not the shop.  I finally found one from when I was getting ready to open my current location.  You can see the ironing surface on top of the cabinets.  That is what we will be making.

Here’s a summary of the information:

Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010

Time: 1-4pm

At: Laura’s Sewing School

Cost: $120, this includes the class time and materials.  You need bring nothing, other than a vehicle in which to take this home.

Limit of 6 students.

Please sign up ASAP.  I need time for the materials to be shipped/delivered.  So, I would say that my deadline is January 12th.  If there are more people wanting to take this workshop than I have space for, I will schedule another date for this same class.

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

All the rage here at Laura’s Sewing School, we are having such fun and interest in making Amy Butler’s gumdrop pillows that I have scheduled a one day workshop for us to go wild and make them together.  I will order the stuffing and patterns and you will purchase the fabric of your choice.  You can see the details (dimensions, materials list) about the pattern on Amy Butler’s website.
These cushions are made of drapery weight fabric.  You can find that weight of fabric here in Arlington, at Fabric Corner, at Freddy Farkel’s in Watertown (also known as Fabric Showplace) and online.  Fabric Corner just ordered a large selection of Amy Butler home dec fabrics and they have received 12 of them! They will go fast, especially because they will be posting them for online sale, too. So, you may want to get there as soon as you can to pick up the fabric.  If the weight is fine, it can be any brand of fabric.  You just don’t want a fabric which is too loosely woven, or unravels easily.  Fabric.com has a nice selection of Amy Butler printed twills if you want to use her fabric designs.  There are 8 panels, all the same, which are sewn together like sections of an orange.  They are packed with a LOT of stuffing.  I found hand sewing the first one, Amy Lou actually did that work since it was her project, rather tedious.  So, when I made MY first one, I used an invisible zipper to close the pillow once it was stuff.  Much easier and quicker.

Kids absolutely love this pillow. They have found it as a great place to sit and bounce and roll on or off.  Adults do find it useful as a footrest.   You can make them with one fabric or two.  If you cut it from one fabric, you fussy cut it, making sure that it is cut in the very same place on the fabric, for all the pieces.  This makes interesting, kaleidoscopic patterns, especially if the fabric has symmetry.  You can see this on both of Amy’s pillows.  Even though I used 2 fabrics in the pillows for my nieces, I did cut all of the large-scale, patterned fabric in the same place.  There is an octagonal patch on the top of the cushion.  I fussy cut that, centering it on a flower or pattern.

I propose that the workshop be on Sunday, March 15th.  From 10am-4pm.  That should give us plenty of time to work and eat and stuff and finish one gumdrop cushion.  The next one, you will be able to do on your own and much faster.  I will provide the stuffing and the pattern. You provide the fabric, thread (good quality polyester like Gutermann or Mettler) and an invisible zipper in a matching color.  The only part of the zipper to show will be the tab.  Buy a 12-14″ zipper or longer.  It will work for either size pillow.  And, if you have to buy a longer zipper to get a color match, it is very easy to shorten.  Better too long than too short!  The Fabric Corner sells invisible zippers and the presser foot to apply it to your project.  I just talked to them about ordering enough for all of you.  The presser foot is adaptable to most sewing machines and can be used over and over again.  It is reasonably priced and worth buying.

I will have to price out the patterns and stuffing.  So, I will have to get back to you on the price for the class.  I think that we can have 5, possibly 6 students for the day.  Let me know if you want to take the class and I will let you know the price.  If the 22nd of March is better than the 15th, let me know.  I am flexible about the date.  If you are available during the day, M-F, I could possibly meet with you for a workshop on a Thursday.  I am excited about this project.