Sewing School: February 2009

Quilt Family Day

If you are in the Memphis area, stop by the Brooks Museum Saturday from 10-1pm for Family Day. I am looking forward to making fun quilt-related things and checking out the new exhibit with Phoebe. Hope to see you there!

Sock Snowman

When I saw this great project on Kleas I got all excited and had to share. I love them and her step-by-step pictures are great. Hopefully we'll find time to make these, although it is beginning to look like Spring here in Memphis....

Quilts and pillowcases, oh my!

Brr, it's still cold outside - at least here in Memphis!

Good thing I have lots of quilts on my bed to cover up at night.

My favorite is a replica of a Gee's Bend quilt. It looks a lot like the quilts on display at the Brooks Museum's current exhibit, Pieced and Patterned: Southern Quilts, 1840-1940, which just opened last weekend.

I missed the opening because I went to visit my mama for Mardi Gras. She sent me home with a knitted blanket that someone had made for my doll's bed when I was a little girl. I remember the red and white stripes vividly, and when my mama gave it to me, all these memories of playtime came flooding into my mind...

I bet your doll could use a new pillowcase and quilt to keep her warm.

The recycling craft blog Fun in the Making has great patterns for making both projects here and here.

The best part about making a quilt is that you can recycle all those little scraps of fabric that are too small for anything else.

Home School

I just had to share this picture from a Sewing Club student. It seems that the sewing bug has traveled to the home. This little Kindergartener sewed a pillow for his brother. I've heard that he's also taught the little brother (3 years old) how to sew as well!

Sweet Dream Mask, Redux

The Sweet Dreams Mask pattern was revived during Sewing Club. I love the addition of buttons and cotton fabric. Not sure how comfortable it will be, but it sure is fun!

The pattern is just an oval with notches on either side for the nose.

After cutting out the fabric, get a friend to help measure elastic around your head. You don't want it to be too tight.

Sew on the elastic (careful so it doesn't get all turned around) on either side. Try on and say "Goodnight!"

Little Blue Ridinghood

Sometime during Sewing Club, these girls got together and created costumes. At the end of the hour there they were - The Big Bad Wolf, Little Blue Ridinghood, and Grandma. But you already knew that - right?

Rainbow Tapestry - Week 1

We started a new tapestry on the Tapestree Table. This one is a rainbow which goes nicely with our Science Lab theme of colors. Last time, we just explored the table and learned to use it. This time, we are sewing a picture. I drew a rainbow on the burlap with a Sharpie and labeled each band.

Here is what we have so far. The kids are really thinking about the size of their stitches, making sure the colors match and staying in the lines.

Mending Day

This is my growing pile of "to be mended." It is filled with all sorts of cute clothes with missing buttons, undone hems, and little tears. I'm afraid that Frank can no longer fit into the super cute overalls that just needs a button reattached.

Despite my love of sewing which includes making clothing, I can't seem to find it in me to mend. I guess, it's just not creative, or much fun...

Are all sewers like this??

Ugly Dolls!

I had no clue that Ugly Dolls were all the rage with 3rd graders. My friend's daughter celebrated her birthday with an Ugly Doll theme. All the girls sewed their very own Ugly Dolls!

Katie found some patterns to get the girls started. I also lent her my collection of nearly a dozen dolls.

Q is For Quilt

Our letter study this week was /Q/. In an effort to teach that Q is always followed by U, we created our own "Q Quilts." After drawing and writing 4 Q words, the paper squares were glued on to a fabric piece. They look so cute hanging on the clothesline in our classroom.

Inspiration was created by working on a quilt spread on the floor.

My Valentine Bag

My class stitched these sweet Valentine bags to collect their valentine cards in tomorrow. They look so cute hanging on their cubbies.

It took me awhile to figure out how to get their names on the bags. I decided made patches out of muslin and wonder under. The kids wrote their names on with fabric markers and watched in awe as they were ironed on and stuck to the bag.

Simple, cute, and easy...a kindergarten teacher's dream!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Boys Can Sew!

This semester in Sewing Club we have 5, yes 5, boys! And boy-oh-boy are they excited about sewing. Especially when it involves camo fabric!

Present From Miss Andria

Miss Andria made Phoebe this cute Princess Heart Pillow for her 4th Birthday. Phoebe loves the princess crown embroidered on the front....

And on the back is a sweet pocket holding a heart.

The heart is attached to the pillow with pink rick-rack. Perfect for cuddling with.

Modern Poodle Skirt

I've been obsessed with this idea of a modern poodle skirt for some time. A little A-line number with an oversized pink poodle. Very mod, yet at the same time a classic.

The poodle is from a Simplicty pattern that I had lying around. It has a little collar of turquoise sequins that you really can't see in the picture. I made the skirt and poodle out of a super soft flannel. For the waistband, I used Fold Over Elastic which I learned all about it from the Angry Chicken.

Phoebe has been dancing around all day. Now I may have to make one for myself.

Hold My Place Bookmark

The inspiration for these super cute Valentine bookmarks came from How About Orange. She has a great tutorial on how to make them. I introduced it to Sewing Club and they took off! I also played around with only covering one side of the card stock with fabric and writing a little message on the blank side. Easy gift idea that your kids can do! Shhh...don't tell Phoebe's teachers!

Special Delivery!

It's easy to make a Sewn Valentine. Just draw your image on a blank card and embroider it. But make your handmade Valentine even more special with a fabric envelope! These "Special Delivery" pouches were a big hit at Sewing Club this week.

Materials Needed: fabric, needle and thread, button, scissors

Step 1: You can make a pattern for your envelope. This one is 5 inches wide by 13 inches long. At the top of one end, there is a notch for the flap.

Step 2: Cut out your fabric.

Step 3: Fold in half with flap at top.

Step 4: Sew up sides with running or whipstitch.

Here is the pouch all sewn up!

Step 5: Add a button. Only sew through the top piece of fabric!

Step 6: Cut a buttonhole on the flap.

Step 7: Add your card and hand deliver your Valentine!

More Valentine's Day Projects

Over at Martha Stewart, there's a "Felted Heart Scarf" that can be made from discarded wool sweaters, felt, or fleece. It's a great "Wear" project for beginning sewers, who can get lots of practice with the scissors (cutting out all those hearts!) and sewing simple "x's" with embroidery thread.

The Crafty Crow has links to several great Valentine's Day projects up already, including these "Woven Hearts" (courtesy of Maya Made), which could be made from fabric or paper. Instead of gluing, you can make a treat bag by whipstitch 2 finished hearts together, leaving an opening at the top.

If you've got a younger brother or sister, you could make them a Valentine's Day Busy Book (courtesy of Lavender and Limes), which mainly involves sewing on lots and lots of buttons, and cutting out felt shapes.

I Heart You Cuff

Show off your love with these super cute and simple Valentine cuffs.

Materials Needed:
felt scraps, button, needle and thread, chalk

Sewing Level: Easy Peasy

Step 1: Cut felt 8x2 inches. Cutting with pinking shears is also cute.