get classy
We’ve been working hard developing some new class curriculums around here, and we’re pretty exited about it. The first two classes in September are my own newest, Clothing Construction 101 and Thread Doodling, which both came about after some sewing projects that I ended up loving and thought you guys might too.
A few months ago I made the Roundabout Dress pattern by Anna Maria Horner…
but the blouse version…
which looked like this on me…
but only when I wasn’t making this face…
Anyway, all the while I sewed, I kept thinking what a great beginning pattern it was. It’s clearly written, so it will be great for learning how to read and understand patterns. It has pleats and gathers, great techniques for beginning clothing sewists to learn. It doesn’t have buttonholes, zippers, or set-in sleeves, which can be saved for the post-beginner clothing class. Other elements of this blouse give us the chance to teach about bias trims, cuffs and waistbands, and basics of custom-fitting a pattern. Not to mention that it’s just a really great shirt! You’ll actually like to wear the first piece of clothing you sew. I can’t say the same for the first shirt I sewed, in a class my freshman year of college. It was a white button down, and looked like an oversized janitor’s uniform. It went missing long ago. That will not be happening with the Roundabout. My blouse was made with Triflora voile in Mermaid (notice my note about voile on the supply list if you sign up). Class stars September 6. Follow the link for Clothing Construction 101 for all the details, including supply list and how to register.
Thread Doodling all started when I made a little zipper pouch, which I posted previously. It combined machine applique and free-motion machine embroidery. I found the technique irresistible and did some more…
I called it thread doodling, because there was no pre-planning or marking lines, no fixing mistakes, and it had the playful feel of the doodles you probably did all over your notebooks when you were a student. You don’t have to be a good drawer or have an impressive vision. I like to start by remembering what kinds of things I used to doodle as a kid, and go from there…
These flowers became a throw pillow, which is one of the options for how to use your thread doodle in our class.
Once we go over how to prepare your materials and practice the free-motion technique, the project will be very freestyle. It can take on endless incarnations depending on who’s doing the thread doodling, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with in class. Thread Doodling takes place in exactly one month on September 16.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’ll feature more of our classes here on the blog soon, in the mean time check out our entire Fall class line-up. And I hope you’ll join us in the classroom!
August 17th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
love the thread doodling! it is amazing, and i will have to try it out on my next project.