Sew Risky!
In the spirit of practicing the craft of sewing, I have been diligently and excitedly making anything and everything I know how. This pretty much consists of three things. Cushion covers, zipper pouches and simple small bags.
So in an effort to keep up the good work, I eagerly took advantage of the ½ price three day sale at Fabricland on Saturday. I came away very pleased with my purchases, discounted fabrics, a $1.99 pattern and change out of $50. I came home and sat myself in front of the sewing machine from 1pm until 10pm that evening. Exhausted and dehydrated, I finally tore myself away. I get so ‘in the zone’ when I’m sewing and time just slips away. It’s just me, the fabric and the machine 
… But that’s on a good day.
The next day was not so good. I couldn’t do anything right. I cut the fabric too small, I constantly had to rethread the bobbin, I sewed incorrect seams together and had to unpick them all, my zippers wouldn’t co-operate (obviously faulty!) and having persisted too long with it… I finally sewed over my finger. Yep, the needle went through the tip of my finger People… and wripped it off. No word of a lie! Needless to say, my sewing machine is sitting in it’s ‘Time Out’ Chair.
The lesson I suppose is, you have good days and bad. AND… when you see the needle going up and down, it’s not a good place for fingers.
-Katie-
Look What I Made!
Since taking the Introductory Sewing class @ The Sewing Studio I have become obsessed with practicing my new skills. It’s all about DIY baby! I even committed to buying my own machine. Possibly the best $400 I have spent in a long time. Honestly… I think it may even be saving me money. I’m making my own gift cards, attempting to make my own clothes and even trying my hand at a few simple gift ideas. Check out the iphone cover I made my brother, and the case I made for my new camera. So simple, so much fun and so rewarding. All made with the left over material from my skirt!
Not Sew Easy!
So I thought I would try and tackle the last steps of making my skirt at home, on my own shiny new sewing machine. I figured I had done enough lessons to go it alone, without supervision or instruction. Boy, was I wrong!
Don’t worry… I didn’t sew the openings together, nor did I put the zipper in the wrong way (only two of many possible unthinkables). I didn’t even get that far! I read the next step in the pattern instructions and could not make head or tails of it. Is it just me, or do the people who write these things deliberately attempt to confuse beginners like me? Let me share with you what it said –
‘With RIGHT sides together, pin yoke facing to upper edge of RIGHT yoke front and back, matching centres and RIGHT side seams, having raw edges even. Baste.’
Um… ok. I scratch my head and re-read the instructions. Still confused, I read them again – slower. Nope… no good. I understand some of it… but not enough to proceed. I don’t get it… I’ve been doing all my class homework, taking notes, listening intently and sitting up straight in class. Why doesn’t this make sense? 
Aaarrrrgggghhhhh!!!!
Frustrated, and with my tail between my legs I accept defeat and give up. Two more sleeps till my next class. Until then, my shiny new sewing machine will have to wait.
-Katie-
It’s Sew Easy …
Ok, so we’re 6 weeks in.
You’ve pinned your pattern, chalked your fabric, nervously cut out the pieces and started sewing your skirt. For some of us, we’ve re-pinned and re-cut… but that’s ok, that’s why it’s called ‘Introductory Sewing’. You can finally see it come together. You may even be one of the brave few sliding the ‘speed dial’ on the sewing machine up a notch. Your confidence is growing. It feels good!
With any luck, (and some serious weather improvements) in a few short weeks you’ll be strutting your stuff in your new skirt and singlet ensemble on The Beaches promenade. Whether it was an experience fraught with pin jabs and constant unpicking, or simple and straightforward … stand proud and tall, knowing that you created something, from SCRATCH. I know in my case, that’ll be reward enough. My only problem now is deciding which class to do next!
-Katie-
Fabric Odds and Ends.
Are you at a loss about what to do with your fabric scraps? How about using them to decorate your own home made gift cards? Stop paying $7 for a Hallmark card and have some fun with this easy DIY project. All it takes is some brightly coloured paper, fabric scraps, and your very own creativity. It’s that simple!
Your friends and family will be impressed with your creations, not to mention filled with warm fuzzies knowing that you took the time and effort to make something from scratch. Have a look at a few I prepared earlier! 
They only took about 10 minutes each. I simply sewed the fabric directly onto coloured foam squares that I found at my dollar store, then I glued the squares onto cardboard. I also used some beads I had lying around for extra embellishment. And as you can see my home badge/button making kit came in handy too! (I’m a nerd, I know).
Have fun!
-Katie-
Inspiration is in the Bag!
For those of you who joined us last week in the Intro to sewing class, you probably left your class the proud new owner (and creator) of your very own draw-string bag. For the over-enthusiastic, like me – you may have gone home to make another one, and maybe another one. Well… maybe not. But I confess. I did! I started adding pockets and embellishments on the front, mismatching different fabrics and ribbons, even conceiving ideas for a draw-string bag business! It just goes to show what inspiration can come from something so simple, yet gratifying. It also demonstrates that these skills can be learnt and with practice, perfected! Yes, there is hope.
I don’t know about you, but I thoroughly enjoyed last weeks class and left pretty chuffed with my new creation. I can’t wait for week 4!
Now if you’ll excuse me… I’ve got a business plan to write.
-Katie-
Diarize This!
If you’re looking for something to do tomorrow night (April 2nd), why not pop down to the Gladstone Hotel between 8pm and midnight for the SpeakEasy Craft Show. SpeakEasy is a monthly gathering of Toronto’s creative community. It’s an opportunity to network, share ideas, and keep in touch with the pulse of Toronto’s creative professionals. Since 1996 it has grown from a get-together of a few friends to an event that now draws regular crowds of up to 300. Tomorrow nights’ craft show is notorious for bringing together Crafters, Artists and Designers in a unique venue to share their creations with the community. The vendors are chosen for their individual style, quality and originality of design.
Some of the featured artists include Rae Brenne, Cake Fashion, MisFitChic, Brit Boutique, Kuku Caju, and S’up Cuz T-shirts to name a few.
So if you’re not busy sewing up your own creations or taking a Sewing Studio class, you might want to drop in for a beverage or two and have a look at what the creative minds of Toronto are producing. See you there!
The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen West
Second Floor Lobby + Studios Rooms
Cover
Pay What You Can ($4.00 Donation Suggested)
http://www.gladstonehotel.com/abouthotel.html
http://www.blttogo.com/
-Katie-
