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.

Catch Up

As promised I am letting you see what I have made recently.

In October a student wanted a pattern for a twist front t-shirt.  She showed me a picture and after a few tries I managed to draft a pattern and make a t-shirt.

Needless to say my student hasn't made hers and I haven't worn this either.

To test out my new overlocker I then bought some t-shirt material to make a long sleeve t-shirt for myself.  Using Simplicity 1070 I was able to make a beautifully fitting t-shirt.

This t-shirt fits lovely and the hems look really professional using my coverstitch function on my overlocker.  I wore it with jeans to teach sewing.

It was time now to tackle my nemesis full in the face - trousers!  I have such a strange shape that I can not buy ready made trousers and I wanted to make some trousers, just so that I can say to my students that I can.  

I wore these for teaching that night and they fitted great, except they were too flared for me.  So back in the wardrobe they have gone and I will make them narrower when I get time!

I was now to go to India for three weeks and was determined to buy some fabric whilst there.  Not until the last day was I allowed to go to a fabric shop, with only about half an hour I bought some fabric.

The first three were in a pack to make an indian outfit, enough for a smock, trousers and a scarf.  I will make two dresses and a scarf.  Despite being told they were cotton, after washing they were obviously poly cotton.  But for six metres of material for £12, it was still a bargain and the colours are my favourites and they will remind me of my holiday.

The purple flowered material is also a poly cotton and washed really well, I bought three metres and hope to make a fifties styled dress from it.  

The emerald green material was sold to me as silk, but is a man made fabric, I loved the colour, was short of time and it was cheap, only £18.00.  It too, has washed well and I have a lovely pattern to make another fifties style dress from it.

At the end of November I was asked to teach yet another tunic dress.  For this time I made a light denim dress.

I have to say it looks better on the mannequin than it does on me.  I wore it to teach and don't think I will wear it again.  Hopefully the trend for tunic dresses is over, as I haven't found anyone they suit.

In early December I took my sister, Rachel, to Fabworks. To get some material for me to make an outfit to wear on Christmas day and also to get Rachel her Christmas present as well.  I bought her some tweed material and she took this home to make a shawl.  I bought some jersey and made her a dress, here it is and she loved it.

I have enough material left to make me a sleeveless top.

I bought some scuba and jersey to make a skirt; jacket and t-shirt for me.  Using the Simplicity 1070 pattern and on the 23rd December I finished the skirt and top, just in time for Christmas.

The jacket I finished at the end of March

The outfit looks great together and I wear it often to teach.

During December I started to take my overlocker to classes every week.  I tried to get a wheeled case for it, but these have been discontinued.  So I made myself a cover.  It is however waiting for a frame to protect the overlocker - hubby?

As it was made from materials and other items that are surplus or given to me it actually cost me nothing.

In February I found a jacket pattern I loved,  it is Kwik Sew K4139 and I found some gorgeous material from Stitch Fabrics.  It's called Blake Winter and is very soft.  the jacket is lovely to wear, but more for spring or autumn.

I hope you like my finished projects.  Hope not to be so long in writing again.  But I need to get lots of sewing done now that Neve will let me sit for hours on end.

New Teaching Venue

From this Wednesday 13th January 2016, I am now teaching Dressmaking and Machine Sewing from Crofton Academy, Wakefield.  The classes are still 6pm to 9pm, £12.00 per session with free tea and coffee. Anyone interested can contact me at claire.jakins@gmail.com.

This is great for me as I am venturing out on my own.  I can't wait, will let you know how I am getting on.

A Perfect Day

Do you ever get the feeling of total satisfaction and a sense of peace?  Yesterday I did, it was ten past eight in the evening and I was feeling relaxed, fulfilled and at peace with myself.  So I got to thinking about what had made my day like that.

As usual my day started with walking my dog, Red is his name.  Always happy to see you and eager to go out for a walk.  The ground was damp from overnight rain making everything look new and washed.  The spring flowers, including the late daffodils in my front garden, were nodding their heads in the breeze.  The air was fresh and clean and with no traffic noise I could almost believe I was on holiday.

My morning coffee tasted especially good, warm and full and satisfying.  It's deep rich aroma filling my nostrils with memories of eating breakfast with my friend in Germany.  Breakfast in Germany being a leisurely affair, with fresh baked bread and tantalising cheeses and succulent cold meats.  Laughter filled the air as we talked of things done and dreams to fulfil.

Once my breakfast had settled, it was time to get down to things more serious.  The laundry was sorted and started whilst I got on my exercise bike.  With a body tingling and feeling alive I showered and let my hair dry naturally.  

Time for my mid morning coffee.

Knitting was my next past time and I duly sat down, with my coffee at my side and started my next mammoth knitting project.  It is a coat by Kate Davies called Westering Home.  I am making it in a teal blue and now can't wait to finish it.  But for now I have made a start and the cable pattern is now set.

The postman arrived with my 72 plug plants, and in the beautiful sunshine I potted them up.  Red laid on the decking in his usual spot to sunbathe.

The laundry now washed and dried it was time for some more knitting.

As it was Wednesday I was teaching in the evening.  A lovely, lively class of 11 women all learning to dress make.  I set off one of my students on drafting a skirt pattern and then one by one taught four of them how to put in zips.  The pleasure on their faces, when they performed the simple task of opening and closing a zip that had been sewn in correctly, never ceases to surprise me.  Until teaching, I hadn't realised that putting in zips was so daunting to so many people and that when taught correctly, how relaxed people became.  It was at this time (8:10pm), that I vowed to get myself a bottle of wine and when I got home, finish of my perfect day with a crisp cold glass of white wine.

Perfect.

New Classes Starting Soon

It's now official, starting on 14th January I will be teaching dressmaking.  This is a sceeen shot of the entry on Oh Sew Sweet Shops' website.  

These classes have now been postponed until the first week in February.

DRESSMAKING WITH CLAIRE JAKINS (WEEKLY)

Every Wednesday evening from 14th January 6.00pm – 9.00pm for 6 weekly blocks £80

A six-week modular course that takes you from the basics of how to sew using your machine to unraveling the mysteries of modern patterns. By the conclusion of the course you will have made a garment and built up your knowledge and theory. You will be able to go away and make your own garments with your very own portfolio of sewing techniques. This evening class is also for those who wish to work on a project at their own pace with help and advice. You will need to book the whole 6 weeks. Suitable for complete beginners or those wishing to brush up on skills

Close

Starts On:

January 14, 2015

6:00 PM

Ends On:

January 14, 2015

9:00 PM

More Dates

BOOK

Nothing much happening

For the last couple of weeks, my sewing has taken a back seat.  Have have been sewing, don't think I haven't, but it is December and the days are short and the sun low.  I like to sew in natural light, so after 4pm is too late and at this time of year in mid afternoon the sun is in my eyes.

But don't think I haven't been sewing.  I finished my pinafore dress and have started a blouse.  

I am making view A in a silver coloured satin backed polyester crepe, I have only got the sleeves to do on it now.  The fabric was in my stash and one of my students was wanting to make the blouse, as she is a beginner, I needed to check out the pitfalls.  But it is vintage and I wanted to make a vintage blouse anyway.  Interestingly it has a zip in the side seam!  I'm hoping to get it finished and wear it on Christmas day.

Hopefully today I will pin the Indigo quilt to it's backing and wadding, but not sure how I am going to quilt it.  But as it is all squares I think circles will look good.  

Today I will be putting up my tree, not a Christmas tree, but a mid winter tree.  I like to put it up a week before midwinter and take it down at least two weeks later (I'm late this year).  However, there are a couple of Christmas presents to put under it as well, so it doubles up as a Christmas tree.

My sewing classes have now finished and will continue in the New Year.  It is hoped I will run a beginners' class, with a pop in class for the intermediates at the same time.  Watch this space.

You will notice that on the front page of my blog I now have a button linking you to my Folksy Shop.  I am in the process of opening the shop again and will be putting kits and supplies on there very soon.

Busy Week

Time to reflect on how busy I have been this week and all in all I think it has been a very successful week.

Again I have been struggling to sleep, so have found myself in my work room at 6am in the morning (it is 6:30am as I am writing this blog).  I have found this a great time to finish off things.

The first thing to be finished was my Seamstar Lucky Elephant Hanging.  It now takes pride of place above my sewing machine.

This table runner was the next thing to be finished and is now posted to Germany.  It was a piece of material that came with the December 2014 issue of Love Sewing Magazine.

Thursday afternoon saw me glueing and sewing the rings onto my IMA Double Wedding Ring Quilt.  I have omitted the small segments, as I am fed up of making the applique pieces.  As I have already said it is something that I have enjoyed learning, but don't wish to do again.  Obviously, I may need to use the technique for other items, but the rings were not my favourite.  I now can't wait to quilt it, but first I need to buy a small amount of material for the sashing on the border.  I am thinking of trying to get a yellow close to the centre ring colour.  It's sort of mustard/greenish/yellow.  The border and back will be made in the dark grey, which has lovely butterflies on it.

When I finished the top of the quilt (that has now been put away), I cut out the lining for my grey and purple tartan pinafore.  This has now been sewn together waiting for a zip, which has been ordered.  Hopefully I will have it finished for the 10th of December.  This date is very significant.

Last Wednesday the 26th of November, was the last lesson in my Beginner's Dressmaking Course and the ladies were so sad to see it finish that they have asked for a further lesson.  This will be on the 10th December.  I was so chuffed, that I couldn't say no.  They want to come every Wednesday, but alas, we are waiting for Lorrayne to confirm the dates of next year.

So to say thank you for my ladies who have stuck by me I have made them Christmas presents and here they are:

They are 5 needle cases and each one is slightly different.  The patchwork cotton was from Seamstar and part of one of their craft kits; the linen on the outside is also left over linen from one of their craft kits, as is the wool felt on the inside and the grosgrain ribbon; the lining is from an old pair of linen trousers.  I hope they like them and think of me when they are sewing in the future.  I know one of the girls will keep coming on the odd Wednesday, as she will want to make a dress for a wedding she is going to.  

I just hope next year will be more successful.

As for today, will I be sewing?  NO.  Not until the zip comes for my pinafore, I won't be sewing . . . . . . but I have fabric and buttons for a blouse . . .

IMA

Or Invisible Machine Appliqué.

Yesterday (instead of going to work) I went on a one day course to study this technique with Dawn Cameron-Dick.  Dawn travels the country (and further afield) giving lessons, talks and demonstrations and if she is near you in the new year, go to one of her classes.  They were chilled and relaxed and Dawn has a depth of knowledge to draw on, I certainly picked her brains and taken away things to add to my classes.

I have always loved the look of the wedding ring quilts, but didn't fancy all the piecing of those fiddly little bits, but Dawn has a great way of making them.  I have to admit, that, once this quilt is done, I won't be making another.  But, never say never, as I will be using the technique for other applications.  The day was great, and I for one, learned loads and took away ideas for my dressmaking classes.
Here is my quilt so far, all the rings are pinned for transport and ignore the freezer paper ring.

The fabric was from Seamstar and is a collection called September Blue.

Loosing My Mojo

Yesterday I was sewing away and felt completely uninspired and my fingers felt like sausages.  Most of this could have been because I am getting over a cold, but it could also be I have been doing too much.

Even so, I have been beating myself up for it.  I've been making myself feel bad.  So this morning I thought it is time for reflection.

Something useful I learnt on teacher training, was the art of reflection.  We very rarely stop to think where we are in life, or how far we have come.  Life is a journey after all, but unlike a journey we have no map, we rarely stop at a roadside cafe and get the map out, see where we have been, calculate how far we need to go and what our are aims should be.

To start reflecting we need a starting point.  I mainly have three things, when it comes to my sewing, to help me do this.  I have three books, one for "Things to Do", one for "Development" of designs/kits, and a third that is a "Journal".

The book of "Things to Do" comes into use now and again, I am after all a Pisces and hate being tied down to demands!  At the moment though it is in vogue with me and I am sticking to it.  I started it again when I felt my Mojo was waning and also because my stash was getting out of hand (again).  Yesterday, when I didn't feel like sewing, I opened my "Things to Do" book and completed 3 items from the list.  So on reflection, yesterday was very productive.

My "Development" book, is one that I am very proud of.  This came about when I started teaching at Oh Sew Sweet Shop.  My lessons, kits and ideas to develop go in there.  

The journal has now been running for over 3 years and everything I sew goes in there.  (I knit and make lace as well, but they don't go in.)  This was started because I work shifts and was thinking that I didn't sew much, so, everyday that I sew I make an entry, sometimes only one or two lines, but mainly a page.  I then bought a POGO printer (these are great, a Polaroid(R) printer producing business card sized pictures that are self adhesive) and take pictures to put in my journal.

Along with quilts, craft items and gifts, I have also been adding to my wardrobe.

These are my wardrobe items so far:

A-line skirt developed for sewing lesson

Linen Dress for a Wedding

A-line skirt variation 

Pillowcase dress variation

Kimono style dressing gown

Dress Upcycled to skirt

Skirt upcycled to a top

Silk Maxi dress

Librarian Blouse in Liberty Cotton

A pair of jeans and a dress upcycled to a skirt

Shift dress in John Kaldor polyester

Mock wrap dress in John Kaldor jersey

Blouse made from left over silk

Pencil skirt made from stash

These are items I have made for my wardrobe, as well as these I have made 54 other items either sewn or knitted.  That is more than one item per week finished, plus working full time, plus teaching 3 hours a week.

On reflection I have made loads of things this year so far,  I should be very proud of the new items in my wardrobe, also I have a right to be tired - I've been busy.

Now where is that grey and purple tartan . . . . . 

More Miniature Bears and Bunnies

Today I have been mainly getting lessons ready.

I started with finishing my two miniature samples and getting them photographed.

Christmas Bear

Spring Bunny

Grandma's button box came in handy, as when I opened it I found a packet of small plastic white buttons, ideal for their joints.

Once I had finished making and photographing these two, I then wrote the instructions for the Hipster Brief.  This has gone really well and is looking good.  

I am going to relax tonight and get some knitting done!!!!

One Week On

It has now been over a week since my first session of teaching  "Beginners Dressmaking" and I think it went well.  

There were nine students in total, three more than I would have liked and also my timings for the lesson plan were for six. Despite this we got most of it completed as I had planned, they didn't seem to notice they hadn't done them all and really the things they didn't do, were on the more advanced side and can be done later in the course.

All of them are a great bunch of ladies and they have mixed skills.  One of them was a complete beginner and hadn't even got her own machine; three of them did mainly patchwork and quilting and were now ready to "cross over" to dressmaking; a young girl is doing her Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award and had chosen to do dressmaking as her skill; the others, were what I would call dabblers, had come to expand their knowledge.

I was listening to some of the remarks that they were making, (when they thought I wasn't listening) and they were all encouraging.  But, they are so loud, they also said how difficult it was, but surely if it was so difficult, why were they talking so much? 

I was so happy to see, that, when they arrived, they all had fear in their eyes, but on leaving, they looked tired, but happy and many left talking happily about their experience and their joy in coming.

Here are pictures of some of the class,  

Hard at work, but smiling

Some are laughing

Can't wait to see them all next week!

First Day

Today feels like a first day at work.  Tonight I will be teaching the first lesson in a course of lessons I have developed.  I have been working hard all summer to put it together.  The lesson is full, I would have preferred to teach to only 6, but there will be 9 in total.  Yikes!  Nothing to do now, but to take the plunge, how many can say they have a dream come true?

Miniature Teddy Bear

Delivered this chap to the sewing school the other day.  In October I will be teaching how to make him, and they needed a sample.  He is quick to make, takes about an hour to two hours.   I love to give him as presents to people (adults mainly, due to him having small buttons) and he's great for using up scraps.

I will have to redraft him as his nose is a bit too long and thin and not at all cuddly bear shaped.  Also I am going to have to make a brother of him that is a bit more photogenic. In real life he is great and has a very soft check, but under harsh light, he doesn't look so great.

I am also thinking about making him a little brother, but I have very little time and I'm not sure what making a smaller teddy would prove.