Netta has been making sewn pottery with clothesline wrapped in strips of fabric.
A beautiful, Lotus decal, Singer sewing machine from the 1930's. I was fortunate to buy this a few years ago, and recently found a beautiful treadle cabinet for this machine.
Frances loves her new pillowcase.
Aurora made her dress for the first day of school. I think she was only 7 years old at the time. She has an unusual talent.
Laura's Sewing School both at Arlington Town Day.
Sophia and her mustache pillow. All her own idea. We made the pattern together.
Umbrellas! I made both and have the kits and patterns available.
Sherry copied the image of the painting, her friend made, onto fabric. Then she made a bag in colors that complement to the painting and included the painting in a panel on the side of the bag.
And iPad cover and a GPS case that I designed and made.
The girls both made blankets in a class together.
This is a quilt I made for my friend's daughter.
This is a bag that I helped the student design and make.
This lovely tuffet is made out of 64 strips of fabric. It's a beautiful project and it's fun to make.
Shelley had a quilt that was falling apart. She decided to cut it and make two pillows out of the parts of the quilt that were still in good condition.
One of my favorite students, Betty. I taught her how to sew and knew her for at least 6 years. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2015.
Susi is making buttonholes in her camp shirt.
Sherry found an art print in Maine, and she was inspired to re-create it out of wool and needle felting.
Here is a photo of Sherry with both her work and the print that inspired it .
While Norma is not in this picture, she made this bench cushion and the bolster pillows at each end.
Ruth made this jacket out of silk dupioni. The buttons are made out of the same fabric.
A local Brownie troop came and made some little drawstring pouches.
Sherry is always good for fabric art. She did a fiber version of a photograph in which she captured a hummingbird in flight.
Jeanette (on right) and her daughter, Stephanie. Steph is wearing a lovely dress that Jeanette made from a home dec fabric.
Alex is 9. He made this zippered pouch for his mother, for her birthday. He's been sewing for 6 months and has made even harder projects than this. His second project was plaid PJ pants.
Alex made these plaid PJ pants as his second project. I showed him how to match the patter at the front and back seams, as well as the inside leg seams. He's got talent and patience.
Sewing in the time of the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
I am disappointed to say that we are suspending classes as of Monday, March 16, 2020.
We are making protective masks for health care providers!
On March 19, medical organizations started reaching out to me asking me to coordinate making masks for their health care providers. As many of you know there is a terrible lack of Personal Protective Equipment (or PPE) available in this time when they are desperately needed. A cloth mask is better than no mask at all. Cotton alone can prevent 50% of pathogens from being breathed in.
I have designed a mask that is two layers of cotton fabric, and has a pocket to insert a filter material. This means that they can discard the filter material and wash and reuse the mask. That filter material can increase the efficacy of the mask to 75 or more percent. Another use for the mask is for providers to put it over their N95 mask to keep it clean and extend its useful life.
I have made a video on how to make the mask and posted it on YouTube. It’s linked below. If you have any troubles with the link you can go to my YouTube channel which is called SewInGenius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkkwJ8DQjD8
I have also made written instructions which are downloadable, printable, and include the pattern pieces, along with a pleating template.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkkwJ8DQjD8
I have also made written instructions which are downloadable, printable, and include the pattern pieces, along with a pleating template.
Get the written instructions by clicking here:
https://drive.google.com/file/
You can help by donating to the effort:
We are organizing and distributing kits. Many people have offered to sew. We are coordinating their efforts as well. We are all called the Mask Brigade!
We are in contact with the various health organizations to deliver the masks to them. We have purchased a good number of materials required for this effort. And, Laura, has had to close her school due to the current Covid-19 crisis. She is working to provide what is needed to help our frontline workers.
We are in contact with the various health organizations to deliver the masks to them. We have purchased a good number of materials required for this effort. And, Laura, has had to close her school due to the current Covid-19 crisis. She is working to provide what is needed to help our frontline workers.
What the donations will be used for:
We need to be able to purchase more elastic for securing the masks on the health worker. And, we are looking at alternatives, like ties, but are needing to purchase bias tape in bulk, when we find it. The fabric usually runs around $12/us and we are making thousands of masks. There is a cost to running the sewing school space and keeping it open while we pursue this endeavor. Any amount you can donate will go directly to supporting this project. Thank you.
We are thrilled to be asked to coordinate this project. Our skills are contributing to the health and well being of our medical community. It helps give us focus during a strange and scary time. Any donation is welcome and will be put to good use.
Click here to donate to the Mask Brigade!
Click here to donate to the Mask Brigade!
