Kids Clubhouse November 14th

Sierra Exif JPEG               Hey everyone!  I am so excited!  If you will recall,  Linda T. wrote a post called “Recipe For An Apron“. These aprons are a wonderful quick Christmas gift.

So Zede and I decided we would host another Kids Clubhouse class on November 14th from 10:00 am – Noon.  The kids will be making an apron from a dish towel.

Zede has an assortment of towels for the kids to pick  a towel they will transform into an apron.  This will be a Fun Fast, and Fascinating class.  So be sure you are signed up as aoon as possible.

Stay tuned to the blog for my next post about our Annual Fashion Show!

Make it a fantastic day!

SIGN-UP Rocci’s Sewing School Christmas CAMP

christmas-quilt

Hey happy sewing students, November is fast approaching and the sign-up list is growing for Rocci’s Sewing School KIDS CHRISTMAS CAMP at Zede’s Sewing Studio on November 16th & 17th, 2009.

Be sure to get your name on the list to reserve your special place for this wonderful sewing camp.

A Cozy Christmas Lap Quilt is our special project.  This project will teach the students basic strip quilting techniques. These techniques will further the students sewing knowledge and sewing skills.

See you all at the CHRISTMAS SEWING CAMP!

Bobbin Play Class with Linda Bratten

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA         Well, I just have to let everyone know that last night Linda Bratten gave another fantastic class on embellishing fabrics.

This time we learned how to use amazing threads, like heavy triple twisted metallics wound on the bobbin, and free hand embellished fabrics to create works of art.

If you were interested in this class and were unable to attend, please check out SewHere.com class list and be sure to mark your calendars for all of Linda Bratten’s classes.

She is an amazing instructor.

Thank  you Linda for your wisdom and the time you dedicate to teach us your sewing skills.

Glitzy Halloween Pumpkin – Kids Clubhouse

Glitzy-Halloween-PumpkinWe had another great Kids Clubhouse at Zede’s Sewing Studio this month! And of course, it was all about Halloween. The kids loved making their stuffed Glitzy Pumpkin. Just look at those grins.

This project was a bit more challenging to them. Curves were sewn to form the shape of the pumpkins. As we all remember, sewing on a curve takes patience and skill. The kids did great. In addition, we added black studs for the pumpkin faces. Just look at those grins! ;)

Our next HUGE event is in November and we are hosting a Holiday Sewing Camp for the kids. We will be making a Christmas Lap Quilt. The students will learn several new sewing skills while assembling this project. Be sure to call Zede’s Sewing Studio to make sure your child’s name is on our list for the Holiday Camp.

PS – Mark your calendars for the annual Rocci’s Sewing School’s Fashion Show on November 22 from 2-4pm.

Baby Lock Tech was a BLAST!

Zede’s Wonderful Team and Sales Representative What an adventure! I loved Baby Lock Tech (Baby Lock’s annual dealer conference and training conference) and had a fantastic time with the team from Zede’s Sewing Studio.

The Baby Lock sewing machines sew with such precision and silence. One can sit in a sewing class with 25 Baby Lock Sewing Machines and still be able to talk without feeling as if the machines over power our voice. Don’t you love your Baby Lock?!

I had the opportunity to learn much more about the Baby Lock Sergers and a wonderful innovative feature called: ExtraordinaAir Threading. This feature makes Baby Lock’s new Evolution Serger (link opens a new window) an amazing, one-of-kind, best in Baby lock's New Evolution Serger the world serger. You’ll be extraordinarily surprised and awed when you take it for a test drive.

Amazing sewing machines! I predict in the future we will have robotic sewing machines that will sew at the command of our voice. Science fiction? Probably not.

Now to get much needed rest after 4 fun-filled, technical, and innovative days.

Psst… Zede will have a Baby Lock Evolution in the store shortly. Make sure you come in and play (link opens in new window)!

10 sewing tips and tricks

top-10After sewing for many years and watching others learn around me, here are 10 sewing tips for the beginner that I always share with students. If you have more, feel free to add your tips in the comment section.

  1. To begin, take your time, be patient and absorb the craft.
  2. Learn to have fun, it’s supposed to be a fun and rewarding experience, this way it will never feel like its a task chore.
  3. Learn to appreciate your work and the work of others even if its loaded with mistakes.
  4. Also, expect to make mistakes even when you become an advanced Seamstress. After all, seam rippers were designed to rip out mistakes made. Personally, I almost always make a mistake where I have to use a seam ripper and I’ve been sewing for over 30 years.
  5. Designate a pair of scissors only for cutting fabrics and threads. Tie a string onto the thumb loop of them so they will not get mixed up with other scissors and tell others at home not to use them. If you use your scissors to cut more than just fabrics, they will dull quickly and not cut your fabric with the same precision as they would had you followed this tip.
  6. Practice sewing often to build your ease and skills. Start out with small projects like pillow cases and potholders, clothing for dolls, etc.
  7. Be as organized and neat as possible.
  8. Take good care of your sewing machine(s) and supplies. If you take good care of them, then others will take your craft seriously.
  9. Always plan your projects even if its a small one. Planning saves time; you’ll have fewer headaches, and save money. It also increases the excitement and enthusiasm of completing what is being made.
  10. Everyone has their own unique style, do not be afraid to explore and express yours as well as appreciate and try the styles of others.

Rocci’s Sewing School Summer Fun Sewing Camp – Flip & Flop Camp

FLIP & FLOP CAMP Sewing Camps are a fabulous activity for kids during the summer months. Most parents welcome this activity for their children. The sewing camps are geared toward education and fun! The child must be willing to sew at a faster pace and be up for the challenge.

The camps welcome any student that has had some beginning sewing experience. The type of experiences would Include: monthly sewing classes, the once-a-month KIDS CLUBHOUSE and previous camp experiences. The foundation for successful sewing is found in Rocci’s Sewing School. Kids can and will sew when given the opportunity. Our goal during the Camp is to be sure the student has a positive and fulfilling experience and leave with a finished project.

My greatest reward from the students once they have finished their projects…their great big smiles and hugs!

Is the Baby Lock Sofia the best kid-friendly sewing machine?

In my last post, I talked about four questions to ask when buying a sewing machine for a child. Now we’ll focus on why Baby Lock’s Sofia machine may be one of the best kid-friendly sewing machines available.

First, take a look at this cute thing…

machine-for-a-child-sofia

Isn’t this machine absolutely beautiful? I love the way Baby Lock names their sewing machines. It definitely makes the machine more personable. Beyond the name and cuteness, the Sofia offers:

  1. An advanced needle threader – This is an amazing feature. It sure makes threading this machine a breeze.
  2. Top load bobbin – What a great feature for children. I have found this feature really helps a child see so much better how the bobbin should be placed in the machine and how it functions correctly.
  3. 67 built in stitches – 46 of these stitches are considered utility stitches. It has wonderful varied choices of stitches which makes sewing fun and creative for students. There are also an additional 19 decorative stitches as well.
  4. Variable needle positions – This is an absolute must to enable the student to sew much closer to the edges of fabric and have great control of their project.
  5. Start/Stop button.
  6. Reverse sewing button.
  7. Needle up or down button –  WOW this feature is a must for teaching students pivoting and turning right angles. I love this feature. It is also a great safety feature for little fingers.
  8. Variable sewing speed control –  This feature is my #1 SAFETY feature. I love the way I can slow this sewing machine down when teaching a beginner student to sew. It gives the student confidence and security that they can control the sewing machine.

I haven’t even touched on all the wonderful embroidery features the Sofia offers – there are so many features to go over. Maybe a future post?

What questions do you have about buying a machine for a child or specifically about the Sofia? Ask below!

How to buy a sewing machine for a child

buy-a-sewing-machine-for-a-childWhenever shopping for a sewing machine with a child in mind, be sure to ask all the necessary and important questions. Questions I think are important to ask a dealer are:

  1. Is the sewing machine user friendly?
  2. Does the sewing machine have the option to slow the speed down for a child to sew carefully?
  3. Is threading of the sewing machine easy for a child?
  4. Is there a needle down option on the sewing machine?

These features allow a beginning sewing student to sew with safety and with confidence.

In my next post, we’ll review Baby Lock’s Sofia (opens in new window) and why I believe it’s a great machine for any child.

Share your tips on picking out a machine for a child in the comment section below…

Kids Sewing Classes – Class 3 of 3: Kids Can Sew Camp

teaching-childrenWOW is this an adventure! Camps are held in the summer for 7 hours total. Usually the camps are hosted 2 days in a row for 3.5 hours. The students make fantastic items that they can take home and use and be very proud of their accomplishments. The camps are fast-paced, so we encourage students that have had beginning sewing classes to sign-up for camp. All materials are supplied for the camp.

Our first CAMP for the summer of 2009 is called “The Flip and Flop Camp”.

The students will be making an adorable HIP SKIRT and decorating a pair of flip flops to match the skirt.

selah

My grand daughter, Sélah, is modeling her hip skirt that she thinks is absolutely wonderful.

paulaThis is Paula. She is very proud of her Big Foot pillow and Tie Blanket made at our very first CAMP! Just look at that smile!

Be sure to reserve your child’s place for the CAMP. The dates are July 29th and 30th. Call Zede’s Sewing Studio at (573) 874-2500 if you have questions or to register.

Two other kids classes include: