Dress from Man’s Shirt Tutorial
This is a fast and dirty way to transform an oversize men’s button-down into a super cute dress just in time to hit the town!
Another construction update
Things are really moving at the new studio space. This weekend we moved in the furniture, had our built in sewing tables made and painted, unpacked a whole bunch of new machines and began settling in. Here is a look at the space as of yesterday afternoon:
Check our construction update to see just how far we’ve come. Looking good, right? We officially open our doors Thursday night for the big party we keep hyping. But on Tuesday morning, you can tune into Toronto’s breakfast television to watch the (heavily caffeinated) team on Live Eye with Jennifer Valentyne. On Sunday we will host our first class at the new digs, an Alterations Workshop (there are two spots left, so register quick!).
Meanwhile, at 266 Avenue Road, we have a whole bunch of classes beginning this week. We have two sections of Kids After School running, one on Wednesdays and one on Saturdays. We also have a Mommy & Me class beginning next Sunday. Just a note, all of the Intro Sewing classes at 266 are totally full, but we are running a bunch beginning next week at 1225 Yonge.
That’s today’s news. Hope to see you all at the big party on Thursday!
xo
The Sewing Studio
Construction Update
Our new studio space, at 1225 Yonge Street, is getting a major face lift before we open our doors. It used to have a mishmash of lighting fixtures, blah-white walls, and… not much else! We’ve put in new floors, painted, and put up some beautiful lights. This weekend we move in and our fifth year anniversary party will officially open the space on Thursday, September 24th at 7pm. See you there!
Guilty Pleasures: I Made It!
This is Eve’s first post for The Sewing Studio. Eve studies costume design in Montreal. Check back, or subscribe to our feed for more of Eve’s witty take on fashion, and her helpful tutorials!
This is Eve!
Since this is my first blog post for The Sewing Studio, actually my first foray into the world of posting altogether, I suppose I should start by introducing myself. A little bit about myself, I’m currently studying fashion design in Montreal (specializing in costume design) and I love it! I first started sewing when I was about ten, so I’ve had about 14 years of sewing experience and experiences (like the time I stepped on a needle but that’s another story for another time), don’t let the big number fool you though it’s only in the past four years that I’ve really started to perfect my craft.
So now, to complete my inauguration into the blogosphere I leave you a little reminder of why we all love to sew so much.
Guilty Pleasures: The “I made it” feeling.
It could happen on a bus, on a plane, in the snow or in the rain, but wherever it happens you can be sure that it will brighten your day. Usually when somebody gives me a compliment on something I’m wearing I politely say “Thank You” and smile shyly until the moment is over. Other times though, when I want to feel extra special (and when it’s true), I can’t help but blurt out “I made it!” This usually results in the person who gave the compliment looking at me in disbelief when they say, “you made that?” which leads to a prideful “yes!” on my part.
Many of you have probably experienced that very same “I made it” feeling, and wholeheartedly agree when I say it’s glorious! Doesn’t it just tickle you when somebody pays you a compliment for something that you’ve put time and effort in to making with your own two hands? Furthermore, isn’t the feeling amplified when the item in question cost less to make than it would have had you purchased it in a store? I love knowing that what I can make myself is thought to be on par, or even better, than what’s being offered in stores. That feeling of accomplishment when someone recognizes a job well done is the fuel that keeps me dreaming, scheming and creating to the very end.
So go ahead, wear your creations with pride, and don’t be ashamed to bask in the glory when someone tells you they really like your skirt, hat, or one of a kind tote bag because after all you’ve made it!
Upcoming classes at our new studio
Our third studio space will officially open on Thursday, September 24th at 7pm when family, friends, and students new and old join us for our fifth anniversary party. Classes will begin on Sunday, September 27th. You can see the full schedule. Here are a few highlights from our upcoming classes.
Intro Sewing: All of IS classes starting this week are full, but you can still get into a class soon. We are running IS beginning Wednesday, Sept. 30, Thursday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Oct. 3. Or, you can sign up for an IS bootcamp. You’ll come in for three hours a day from Monday to Friday of that week!
Sewing Plus: Work on any project you like, with guidance from one of our lovely and extremely knowledgable instructors. Sewing PLUS will run on Monday the 28th from 3-5.
Quick Start: Take our start sewing, fast! class on Mondays at 8 or Thursdays at 1:30.
Ready-to-Wear: This course is perfect for the recent intro sewing grad. You’ll work on any advanced pattern you like. Blazers! Pants! Blouses! A holiday party dress! The choices are endless. This class will run Thursdays at 7pm.
All class registration can now be done online! We hope you will join us for classes (and our party: cupcakes and goody bags!) in our newest digs. And if you don’t see something on our schedule that fits nicely in yours, call us at 416-901-0758 or email us at info@lovesewing.com.
Learn About: Woven Fabrics
This post on the nitty-gritty details of woven fabrics is a part of series by Jacqueline Gross, our stateside connection (she hails from Michigan) and resident fabric and textile guru. Check back (or subscribe to our feed) to learn about knits, and common fabrics.
Knowing the type of fabric you are using is important! (You can tell because I put an exclamation point). The weight, stretch, as well as, other important fabric qualities will affect the look of your finished project. In the next few weeks, I’ll be taking you through the ins and outs of fabrics. Today, we look at woven fabrics.
When you think woven fabrics think of looms. Woven fabrics are produced on looms. Understanding the creation of woven fabrics helps us to understand their nature. A woven fabric is created when you have warp yarns and filling yarns. Weaving (what you do on a loom) is interlacing these two yarns. There are three basic types of weaves, and regardless of the complexity of the weave they still fall under these three classifications. They are: plain weave, satin weave, and twill weave.
Sewing Studio News
So much has been happening at The Sewing Studio lately. We’ve got a third studio space, a fifth birthday party, tons of additions to our class schedule, a website redesign, a blog redesign, the imminent launch of our magazine, and a television appearance. Whew!!
Dyeing with Natural Dye
Going green is an active part of our lifestyle today, so why not take that a step further and move it into the wilderness. By that I mean dyeing fabric with natural dye (duh!). Summer is ending and fall edging its way in. This is the season of harvest, so after you are done picking apples and blueberries, let’s talk clothes.
People have been dyeing with natural dyes forever. I mean that is how it all began until we realized that we had alternatives… called chemicals. So go on a nature-hike, explore the wild, or go online and order natural dye, but you have to try it out!
The Sewing Studio 