A long title, I know. But, this happens often. You decide that you want to take a sewing class, find my website, but the classes just started, or they start tomorrow and you cannot free up your schedule until next week. If we have the space in the class you want, we can take late registrations and charge you a pro-rated fee. So, don’t be afraid to contact us when this happens. If you are a beginner, or any other level, you won’t have missed anything, because everyone works on their own projects, at their own pace.

I have been sewing since middle school. I could not even begin to estimate how many items I have sewn. Not only for myself, but gifts for friends and family, plus as part of the many sewing jobs I have done in my life.

Here are some examples of my work. I will post pictures as I find them. Click on image to enlarge it. Then use the back button of your browser to return to this page.

This picture is of several projects. I painted and decoupaged the dresser on the left of the photo. The little dress above it, I made for my daughter when she was a baby. I came up with a way to cover gripper snaps with fabric for the back, so they would be less bulky than buttons. The quilt above the ironing board was a project my daughter chose to do. She picked the pattern, the fabrics and then helped with the construction. She loves ironing, so she pressed the folded centers of the flowers. She was worried about not being able to sew straight, so she press the clutch of the sewing machine while I guided the fabric for some of it. It’s like driving a car while someone else has control of the accelerator. Luckily, we all arrived safely. At the time, I was a member of the Quilter’s Connection. I was entering my Elephant walk quilt in the show. My daughter wanted to enter a quilt but didn’t really get serious about it until the Saturday before the Thursday morning deadline. You can guess what I worked on almost exclusively those 4 1/2 days. It was fun to work together with her. She was 5 years old at the time. She has been using a sewing machine since she was 4. Now, she is 8.

Before and after pictures of a chair I slipcovered for my sister. I did it in one day, while I was visiting her in Maryland. I brought along my Bernina Activa.

I made these blue sheers for my sister, Peggy, too. They had some navy valances in place already, along with some cellular shades behind them.

I had window lettering done by Tricia O’Neill in December 2006. Just a short time before opening my new space for classes. I felt for awhile that a sign above the shop was needed. The framework for the old metal sign was still attached to the front of the building. I measured it and decided to make my own sign. I used outdoor friendly fabric. First I traced the letters on my window and enlarged them 150% with a pantograph. Then I fused the cut letters to the background fabric. I had drawn chalk lines on the red fabric to help me space the letters. Then, I stitched them around the edges with UV protected thread. One I was done, I sewed heavy duty velcro to the edges. With help from my friend, Cynthia Murray, and her husband, we mounted the fabric sign to the framework on the building. Luckily, it fit. Now, I just have to get some lighting on it.

Over the summer, we offered week-long, sewing classes for kids & teens. The kids would meet in the morning and the teens in the afternoon. It’s is amazing what they accomplished in 5 days. Almost all of them were beginners. The youngest was 8 and the oldest 18.

Usually, I start beginners off with a simple apron. It is a project that is finished rather quickly and gives us a chance to talk about many of the basics about sewing: the grain of the fabric, pinning, cutting, prepping with the iron, how a sewing machine works and how you go about sewing a straight line of stitching. Also, it gives me a chance to determine how each student learns, so that I can give them the instruction they need.

After the apron, the most popular projects were; tote bags; fabric-tied, flip flops; pajama pants; quilted triangle bags, ribbon bulletin boards and several other items. Here are some examples of the work the kids did. Truly inspiring!

Click on image to enlarge it. Then use the back button of your browser to return to this page.

I think it is important to share what students have completed during classes here at Laura’s Sewing School. The pictures are just a small fraction of the work completed by students over the years I have taught in both of my studios. I have also taught workshops for outside groups for which I do not have any photographs. If by some chance you were a part of one of those sessions and would like to post your work here, please contact me. And, if you were one of my regular studio attendees and would like to send me a picture to post, I would love to share it with others.

Click on image to enlarge it. Then use the back button of your browser to return to this page.

Finding Laura’s sewing school was a great opportunity for me, someone
who always wanted to sew but didn’t have the confidence to attempt it
on my own. I learn the basics of sewing in an extremely friendly, hands
on environment where no question was too stupid and mistakes were a
vital, accepted part of the learning process. In addition, I gained the
knowledge and understanding of the logic and background behind sewing
that makes me able to attempt projects on my own that I would never
have dreamed of trying before, with professional looking quality and a
sense of pride that you could never get from buying something in a
store. I would highly recommend that anyone interested in sewing,
whether their interest is in clothing, furniture upholstery, home
goods, accessories or any other category, sign up for a class with
Laura, where you can go at your own pace and chose projects that
interest you, because you won’t be sorry!

These pictures are of a bag designed by Lizzy. She has attended classes since January 2007. She made the pattern, quilted the fabric, inserted a welted zippered pocket on the outside and a double compartment pocket on the inside. The closure is made with a fabric covered button and a black elastic loop. Lizzy made this during a week-long, summer teens class.

We are excited to offer our new schedule of classes for the summer. Fun items to make are summer clothing, beach bags, hats, quilts, and projects to brighten the home or gifts for friends and family.

Classes for young people will take place during the day, Monday through Friday. Adults may sign up for evening classes on Mondays or Wednesdays. Beginners are welcome!
As in past years, I will be teaching 6-hour workshops on Saturdays. Summer lends itself to this format for weekends. You can sign up for one workshop or as many as you want. You need basic sewing experience to attend. With everyone’s varying schedules for vacation, a single class can be a great opportunity to hone skills, make a quick project, get help finishing a partially made item, or just come and have some fun.

The shop is air-conditioned and easily accessible by bus or car. We look forward to seeing you this Summer!

EVENING CLASSES

Monday Evening:
July 2-August 6, 2007 Sorry, this class is full!
7-10pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $210 for 6 weekly, 3 hour classes

Wednesday Evening:
June 27-August 8, 2007 (no class on July 4th)
7-10pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $210 for 6 weekly, 3 hour classes

SATURDAY One Day Workshops:

These classes are for adults and young people. You can work on any topic, at your own level and pace. Sign up for any 3 and save $30.

Summer Saturdays
9:30am-3:30pm
June 30, July 14, 28, August 11 & 25
Limit of 5, basic sewing experience required
Cost: $80 per 6 hour class
Sign up for any 3 sessions and pay $210, a savings of $30.

SUMMER MORNING CLASSES FOR KIDS

Session I
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Friday
July 2-6, 2007
9:30am-12:30pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $150 for 4 daily, 3 hour classes

Session II
Monday-Friday
July 9-13, 2007
9:30am-12:30pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session III
Monday-Friday
July 16-20, 2007
9:30am-12:30pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session IV
Monday-Friday
July 23-27, 2007
9:30am-12:30pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session V
Monday-Friday
July 30-August 3, 2007
9:30am-12:30pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session VI
Monday-Friday
August 6-10, 2007
9:30am-12:30pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

SUMMER AFTERNOON CLASSES FOR TEENS

Session I
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Friday
July 2-6, 2007
2-5 pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $150 for 4 daily, 3 hour classes

Session II
Monday-Friday
July 9-13, 2007
2-5 pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session III
Monday-Friday
July 16-20, 2007
2-5 pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session IV
Monday-Friday
July 23-27, 2007
2-5 pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session V
Monday-Friday
July 30-August 3, 2007
2-5 pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Session VI
Monday-Friday
August 6-10, 2007
2-5 pm
Limit of 5, no sewing experience required
Cost: $175 for 5 daily, 3 hour classes

Classes started Saturday, January 6th. It reached 72 degrees that day! It was a lot of fun teaching in the new space. The sun was shining and we had the door open. People stop by to check us out. Fresh flowers, homebaked banana bread, and some sewing, (oops), made it a great day!

It has been a little while since I have posted. We worked very hard in the last 2 weeks and Christmas was in the middle of it.

My sister, the talented web designer who built my 2 sites, and I took a day trip to IKEA last week. It was the perfect time to go. Hardly anyone was there and I had all the help I needed from the kitchen and office designers. We ended up with 3 carts and they all fit in my sister’s Honda Element. They man who packed it did an amazing job fitting it all in.

The traffic back to Arlington was a breeze. When we got to the shop, we started unpacking the vehicle and it seemed a daunting task. I spied 2 strapping young men walking buy and offered to pay them to help us. They unloaded everything in a matter of 15 minutes and offered their services in the future. It was a great topper to a busy day.

Just this week, Donna found a fellow who assembles “anything in a box.” His name is Paul Dennehy. He and his son showed up Wednesday morning and by 6 pm, everything was built and installed. They were pleasant and hardworking. Since the doors and drawer fronts are being shipped, Paul will be returning to install those for me, too. I will post his phone number for anyone who is interested in using his services. His price was reasonable and relieved me of a large chunk of work.

That same day, I had 2 electricians by, and 4 old friends of mine showed up to do whatever needed to be done. I likened it to a Marx Brothers movie. Have you ever seen “Night at the Opera?” There is a scene where Groucho Marx’s character is shown to his stateroom, which is barely bigger than his bed. While he is there, every service imaginable comes into his room, from the maids to room service to a manicurist to the engineering crew. It felt that busy for me that day. But, it also felt like everything is working well and that I have a huge amount of support for all these changes going on in my life right now.

Yesterday, Tricia O’Neill, came to do the window lettering on the shop. It looks wonderful. The 2 large panes of glass say, “Laura’s Sewing School & More + website address.” The doors has a list of areas of interest taught. Let me know what you think. I do have some pictures. I will be learning later this week how to load them onto this site. It will make it all more interesting to look at.

I am pleased to announce that we will be offering a class on pattern fitting starting in January.  It will be meeting Tuesday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm.  The teacher is Vicki Massaro.  She has a certificate from the School of Fashion Design in Boston, MA.  Vicki has done many bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses.  She always has a solution to fitting and construction problems.

Vicki has worked on contract for Wirkkala Designs for many years.  She has been a great sounding board for me.  She embodies the teaching philosophy I have.  She is flexible and encouraging and positive.  Don’t miss this chance to get some great insight on how to make your patterns fit you beautifully!

Begins January 9, 2007.  Cost is $210 for 6 weekly, 3 hour classes.  You must be an experienced seamstress to take this class.  Working with a commercial pattern, of your choice, you will be making a “muslin” of it to learn how to adjust to your body and transfer those markings and knowledge to your pattern.  Feel free to contact us for more details.