Time to say Goodbye

But don't get upset, I am not going forever, just moving.

From today I have moved my blog to www.sewcialsewing.co.uk 

It's a website I have designed and hosting all by myself.  So when you visit, please be kind as I am very new at this.

Sew hope to see you over there.

TTFN

Claire

New Year - New Beginnings

The sewing machines arrived as promised . . . 

. . . but only on Monday.  So hastily put them in the bags, quick test and took them to classes yesterday.

So far only one person turned up to my teens class, but I know the word will spread.

As for the adults, lots got done last night.  One lady learnt how to put in an invisible zip.  On lady brought in her finished jacket 

This is the back of the jacket

Here is the detail of the bound buttonholes and covered button.  Both techniques she hadn't done before and were perfect for the style of jacket.  Last night I got her to use the overlocker, she was terrified at first, but soon loved it.  She noticed how quick it was.

One of my novices finished a summer top.

This was her first attempt at doing gathers, and she was very pleased (as she should have been) with herself for getting them so neat.

Teaching Teenagers

Today I have taken the plunge and advertised this on Facebook . . . .

Starting Tuesday 10th January 2017, I'm going to start a new sewing class. This is because of the kind generosity of Penistone Round Table who have provided funding for 3 Sewing Machines.
The classes will be from 4pm to 6pm at St John's Community Centre in the IT Room. The cost will be £6 per evening. This will be every Tuesday during term time. Free tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits will be available as well as the use of the 3 sewing machines and an overlocker.
This is ideal for beginners, improvers or anyone interested in sewing. Maybe you are doing textiles at school and are wanting to finish it at home? If you have your own machine, you are welcome to bring it along. It is recommended you bring a project along with you as I do not stock any material. I have patterns for free loan and I also have a small stock of haberdashery to buy.
As for me, I have been sewing for over 40 years, and been teaching for four. My main passion is clothing, historical costume, corsetry, lingerie, but I also do patchwork and quilting, up-cycling, free machine embroidery, toys and soft furnishings.
If you need to speak to me, either message me on here, or come and see me at the Crafty Business Makers Market on Sunday 11th December 2016 between 10pm and 4pm.
Please share this with anyone in the Pensitone area you think would be interested.
Thank you for reading and sharing.

Let's hope I get plenty of interest!

Starting a new venture

Met the lovely Sam at Just Because and we are hoping to start regular sewing classes in her shop.  The first one in time for Christmas.  To book a place ring her on 07908 461101.

Community Spirit

Starting my sewing classes at Penistone has led me to get a grant for equipment from the local town council.

I have put the money towards getting an overlocker for the group.  It came with plenty of freebies and was also on sale.  So lots of value for the money.

One great feature of this overlocker is that it has a free arm, perfect for doing cuffs and hems on trousers.  I got it out and tried the stitches, and wrote on the material what stitch it was.

When I finished playing with the new machine and put it away, I finished this dress.  It is s free pattern from Threadcount and is the dress from pattern number 1607.  I have made it slightly smaller than I normally make as I am at the moment losing weight.

The fabric is a cotton lawn and the collar and cuffs are made using tailoring techniques.  I really enjoyed going back to more technical techniques and my new machine made me proud with the precise buttonholes it made.  I even cheated and sewed the buttons on with my machine.

Busy Two weeks

Having visited a local pet supplies, I got talking to the owner.  She makes cushions for dog beds stuffed with memory foam pellets.

That got me thinking and I was soon down to Dunelm Mills and bought some memory foam pellets and some material to make him a cushion for his basket.

I made it 10" deep so that it would be doubly comfy.

Next was  a cover for Ruby's bed.  She sleeps in an envelope and this was easy to make, especially as I bought some double sided fleece from Harrogate.  

We then bought 8 cu feet of memory foam pellets and Red's night time cushion was made from the waterproof material bought from Pennine Outdoors.

The left over fleece was made into a blanket.

Then I washed the cover from his old night time cushion and transformed it into a cushion for his summer house bed.

Then the spare night time cushion was unstuffed and made into a cushion for Dan.  Not that Red would get out of the basket so that I could photo it.

Whilst on a roll, I have made a cushion for the living room out of the spare material.

Now it's time to make something for myself, I think I've earned it.

PS

Where do you think Dan and Red are sleeping now?  Dan is on the landing at the top of the stairs and Red is on the sofa. 

Phew - Assignments Completed

In May of this year I thought it would be a great idea to learn more about using my overlocker, so I enrolled on the Martha Pullen Serger II Licensing Agreement internet course.  This course would not only be teaching me new skills but giving me a license (if I pass) to teach the lessons they have on the course.

In May the deadline of the 30th September seemed so far away.  Then I started the course and panicked.  There were videos to watch, new feet for my overlocker to buy and lots of supplies to get - most of them not available in this country.  Oops.

But on Sunday I finished the last piece and I have today submitted the assignment.  All I need to do now is wait for my accreditation.

Martha Pullen is mainly known for her Heirloom Sewing and the intricate and delicate nature of that style of sewing.  Tiny stitches and delicate fabrics spring to mind.  This course was mainly to do Heirloom Sewing on an overlocker!  How?  Was my first question.  But as the months went by and the number of practise pieces you have to do were completed, I soon understood how delicate sewing was achievable on an overlocker.

As well as inserting lace and bridging, I have learnt how to insert zips with an overlocker.  Not as strange as it sounds, and really very easy - just different.

We even had to complete some patchwork using an overlocker.  For me, though, this technique is superfluous and uses far too much thread.

One of the first things was to attach bridging and lace to fabric and to make pin tucks.  I got the bridging wrong, so had to resubmit it.

This was resubmitted and I got it right this time.

 Patchwork with an overlocker, not only that, but 1/4" seams and a bowtie patch as well

Then making a small zipped bag.  With lace and ribbon insertions.

Two placemats that are bound in two different ways.  I thought this was a waste of thread as all the seams are flat-locked.

Now for something more associated with an overlocker and that is jersey.  So next came a cotton jersey camisole, but just to make it a little bit more difficult, we had to add a ribbon trim.

Now for the last piece using some heirloom techniques.  This is an underneath slip for a 4 year old girl.  Frills and skirt gathered and attached by overlocker.  My sewing machine didn't feel left out on this project because there are 4 tiny buttons and buttonholes on the back.

Lets hope I have done enough, and I can't wait to do some sewing lessons on these techniques.

There are other lessons as well and I hope to do some of these and show you pictures in time, but please do not hold your breath.  I have endless dog cushions to make at the moment.