Lots - O - Classes!

Fall is getting here... and now is the time to sew!  Here are the details on some classes I have coming up: 

Sew to Speak classes (Intro classes not included): 

Wed, Sept 11 from 6-8:30pm – Flouncy Apron

** Fri, Sept 13 $ 20 - The Staple Dress - NEW for me!!!

Sun, Sept 15 from 10am-1pm – Pillows

Wed, Sept 18 from 6-9pm – Baby Gift Set

Wed, Sept 25 from 6-9pm – Gypsy Sling

Wed, Oct 2 from 6-9pm – Pillows

Wed, Oct 9 from 6-8:30pm – Ruffled Knapsack

Wed, Oct 16 from 6-9pm – Beginner Tote

Sun, Oct 27 from 10am-12:30pm – Flouncy Apron

 

Call 614-267-3011 to register or stop in the shoppe!  Click here to see pictures and further information regarding Sew to Speak classes. 

 

Whetstone Community Center – registration begins Sept 3

Kid’s Sewing Class – Sept 10, 17 and 24 from 6-7:30pm.  Cost is $40, limit 5.  We will go over the operation of the sewing machine and make some great beginner projects. 

Adult Sewing Class – Oct 1, 8 and 15 from 6:30-8pm.  Cost is $40, limit 6.  This is an open forum style class and you can bring any project you like. I am there to help and guide you through it.  I can even give some suggestions for projects if you are not sure what to try next.  This class is intended for those who know how to operate and thread their machine. 

 

In home studio classes – open forum style

The open forum style of class is where any student, any skill level can come to my studio and work on a project for 2 hours.  The minimum is 2 students and maximum of 3 students.  Cost is $20 per student.  You sign up for a date and let me know what project you want to work on.  I can help and guide you through it.  I am asking that payment be made prior to class time (via paypal, cash or check) because I have had a few cancellations and then already told other students I was full.  No refunds, but transferring to another class is possible if you give me at least 24 hour notice. 

Saturday, Aug 31 from 9-11am - one spot left

Monday, Sept 9 from 6-8pm - 3 spots left

Saturday, Oct 5 from 9-11am - 3 spots left

**Register soon because dates do fill up quickly.  I will email a paypal invoice if you choose that method of payment. 

Michelle Thomas

264 E Schreyer Pl

Columbus, OH 43214

News!

Yes, I am alive and still here sewing away.  I can't believe my last post was March 5.  Whew...

THIS WEEKEND at Sew to Speak - Andie Hanna Trunk Show!  Come in and enter to win some free fabric.  There will be give aways all day long and you will LOVE this new line called Modern Bliss.  And lets support our local artisans!  Andie lives right here in Central Ohio. 

Here is a small preview of samples made with Modern Bliss: 

This is the vintage color way

This is the bright color way

I can't wait to see the Anna Tunic that was made up in the black and white chevron!  It will be there tomorrow and for a few weeks at least.  But stop in and say hi and enter to win some lovely fabric.  What will you make with Modern Bliss? 

Also in other news.... Summer classes!

Tomorrow - June 1 is open registration at Whetstone Community Center.  I am doing 2 kids camps this summer. 

Kids Sewing Camp #1 – June 10, 11, 12 and 13 from 10am to 11:30am

Kids Sewing Camp #2 – Aug 5, 6, 7 and 8 from 10am to 11:30am

Cost is $40, ages 8+, limit 5.  In these classes you will learn the basics of the machine sewing.  We will make several projects that the kids will get to choose.  Some of the projects offered are drawstring bags, headbands, PJ pants, wallets, totes and an animal softie.  Supplies can be provided for some of the smaller projects, but for larger projects you may want to supply the fabric of your choice.   The kids can make as many of the projects as time permits.  Nice to bring:  cotton thread and scissors. 

Have a wonderful summer and keep creating!!

Hugs,
Michelle

 

Farewell 2012, bring on 2013!

A few sewing class for 2013.....

Sew to Speak

Sun, Jan 6 from 10am-12:30pm - Intro to Machine Sewing
Wed, Jan 9 from 6pm-9pm - Beginner Pillows
Sat, Jan 12 from 4pm-6:30pm - Intro to Machine Sewing
Sun, Jan 12 from 10am-1pm - Baby Gift Set: Bib, Burp Cloth and Giraffe Softie
Sat, Jan 19 from 9am-11:30am - Intro to Machine Sewing
Sun, Jan 20 from 10am-1pm - Gypsy Sling
Wed, Jan 23 from 6pm-8:30pm - Intro to Machine Sewing
NEW!! Sat, Jan 26 from 4pm-6pm - Ruffled Drawstring Bag
Sun, Jan 27 from 10am-12:30pm - Intro to Machine Sewing
Wed, Jan 30 from 6-9pm - PJ pants
NEW!! Saturdays, Feb 2 and 9 from 9am-11am - Kid's Sewing Camp:  We will make 3 small projects for the new sewists ages 8+. 
Sun, Feb 3 from 9am-noon - Beginner Pillows

Whetstone Community Center

Winter session registration begins 1/2/2013 at 9am. Register online, in person or

over the phone (614) 645-3217.   

• Tuesdays, Jan 8, 15 and 22 from 6pm-7:30pm - Kids Sewing Camp: In this class we will make a softie penguin and an apron. 
• Tuesdays, Jan 29, Feb 5 and 12 from 6:30pm to 8pm - Adult Open Sewing Forum:  You bring your projects and I can help you tackle them.  I also will demonstrate a few techniques in making an apron and PJ pants if you do not have a project already in mind. 
• Tuesdays, Feb 19, 26 and Mar 5 from 6:30-8pm - Adult Beginner Sewing:  We will go over the operation of a sewing machine and make 2 projects - a zipper pouch and an envelope style pillow. 

new space

I have been inspired by all of the cool sewing rooms I have seen on Pinterest.  I decided to clean up my basement and make it a proper sewing space.  Here are some pictures: 

Why did they put fireplaces in basements in 1940?  I like it though...

 

I love this little ottoman.  The kids wrecked the top so I recovered it. 

Super cute now and has storage inside. 

 

Believe me...this is a vast improvement over what it was.  Still a work in progress but at least now having classes here is a possibility.  And yes, for those who have been here before - the Pepsi machine is still down here (boo!...don't read this Brant). 

 

Pumpkin!

Tis the season....

Make a large yo-yo.  I used a large dinner plate as my circle template.  Sew a gathering stitch around the edges...fill with some fluff.  Get a twig and some twine, hot glue it on.  Viola!  Make your own pumpkin patch with various fabrics.  So easy and fun!!

Fall line up...CLASSES!

Hello fellow sewists! 

(This is a long one …so sorry for the lengthy post!)

Summer was wonderful but now I am ready for fall.  Which means cooler weather, football games, kids back in school and more time for me to sew! Here are the fall offerings I have and look forward to see some friendly faces in these classes.  As always, please let me know if I can answer any questions for you!!

 

WHETSTONE COMMUNITY CENTER CLASSES

Fall Session I and II 2012 Schedule

Fall Session I

Kids Machine Sewing Class – Mon, Sept 10, 17 and 24 from 6-7:30pm. $40 ages 8+ Limit 6

In this class we will go over the basic operation of a sewing machine. There will be 2 projects: A wallet and an upcycled tee shirt skirt. You will need to provide the tee shirt. All other materials provided.

 

Adult Beginner Machine Sewing Class – Mon, Oct 1 from 6-8:30pm $30 18+ Limit 6

This class is for the true beginner who would like to learn how to operate a sewing machine. If you have a machine, I suggest you bring it but if not, there are some to share. We will go over threading and sewing basics while making a useful wallet. Materials can be provided but if you prefer to bring supplies, please do so.

 

Adult Sewing 2 – Tues, Oct 9 & 16 from 6-8pm $40 Limit 6

Open forum sewing. You can bring projects you are working on and I would be available for help. I will demonstrate a few techniques along the way such as zippers, bias tape and French seams. Open to anyone who can thread a sewing machine.

Fall Session II

Kids Machine Sewing Class – Mon, Oct 29, Nov 5 & 12 from 6-7:30pm $40 Limit 6

In this class we will go over the basic operation of a sewing machine. There will be 2 projects: Headbands and drawstring pouches. All materials can be provided but if you would like to bring your own supplies, please do so.

 

Adult Beginner Machine Sewing Class – Mon, Nov 19, 26 & Dec 3 from 6:30-8pm $40 18+ Limit 6

This class is for the true beginner who would like to learn how to operate a sewing machine. If you have a machine, I suggest you bring it but if not, there are some to share. We will go over threading and sewing basics while making a zipper pouch and envelope style pillows. Materials can be provided but if you prefer to bring supplies, please do so.

REGISTRATION BEGINS September 4, 2012 for Fall session I. 

Whetstone Community Center

3923 N. High St.

Columbus, OH 43214

 

And now for the classes at Sew to Speak: 

(please check the website for details on times and level of sewist)

·         Sept 5 – Beginner Pillows

·         Sept 12 – Intro to Machine Sewing

·         Sept 19 & 22 – Jane Dress (by Figgy’s Patterns)

·         Sept 23 – Intro to Machine Sewing

·         Sept 26 – Pajama Pants

·         Sept 29 – Gypsy Sling (by Amy Butler patterns)

·         Oct 6 – Peasant Skirt

·         Oct 10 – Baby Gift Set

·         Oct 13 – Intro to Machine Sewing

·         Oct 14 – Beginner Pillows

·         Oct 21 – Kids Tee Shirt Skirt

·         Oct 24 – Intro to Machine Sewing

·         Nov 3 – Napkins and Placemats

·         Nov 7 – Intro to Machine Sewing

·         Nov 10 – Beginner Pillows

·         Nov 11 – Napkins and Placemats

·         Nov 17 – Intro to Machine Sewing

·         Dec 5 & 12 – Kids Holiday Sewing Camp

·         Dec 8 – Intro to Machine Sewing

Please contact Sew to Speak by phone 614-267-3011 or in person to register:  4610 N. High Street, Columbus, 43214

 And now drumroll please…..

I will be offering classes out of my home!  I have been wanting to do this for a while now and I am giving it a go.  I do have a sewing space set up in my basement and I have held private lessons here before, but now I am scheduling some classes in hopes of spurring some interest from my friends and sewist that have moved beyond the beginner level.  These classes are for sewist that can operate and thread their machines. 

 

Amy Butler’s Frenchy Bag –Wed, Oct 3 from 6-9pm.  Cost is $36, Limit 3.  This is a super cute bag that can be made in 2 sizes.  It has a great shape and sew-in interfacing and a snap closure.  All pattern pieces must be cut out prior to the class.  Construction of the bag will be done in class.

 

Amy Butler’s Sweet Greeting Portfolio Covers – Mon, Oct 22 from 6-9pm.  Cost is $36, Limit 3.  These covers will make any old notebook or binder look very special.  There are 2 sizes available and the pattern is FREE from her website!  All pattern pieces must be cut out prior to class.  Construction of the covers will be done in class. 

 

Amy Butler’s Gypsy Sling Bag – Sun, Dec 2 from Noon to 3:30pm.  Cost is $40, Limit 3.  In this class, we will use Amy Butler’s Gypsy Sling pattern to create this wonderful bag. The bag has leather handles, many pockets and is generously sized. You will learn basic construction by following a pattern. Precutting the fabric, interface and adhering (fusible/iron-on) the interface is required prior to coming to class. Cutting the leather handles can be done in class since it requires a special leather cutting tool (provided).

 

 

To register, please call me at 614-507-5849 or send me an email at michelle@babygees.com.  Payment is required to register.  I can send a paypal invoice for credit card payments or you can mail or drop off cash or a check.  Your spot is secured when payment is received.  If you need to cancel or reschedule, please allow for 48 hrs notice.  If an emergency occurs, arrangements can sometimes be made but if you are a no-show and no contact is made within 48 hours of the class, a refund cannot be given.  Sorry…but I have had many last minute cancellations and I often arrange for child care for my kids in order to teach out of my home.  Plus, there is sometimes a waiting list and it is not fair to those on the list.  Thanks for your understanding!!

Thank you all so much for being a student of mine!  I appreciate you and hope to see you again.  If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Happy Sewing!

Michelle Thomas

Baby Gee’s

Sewing with knits

I have always been scared to sew with knits.  But I once I changed my needles to ball point, lengthened my stitch a bit it, it "seamed" to work like a charm.  Funny, huh? 
I also have a walking foot that helps too but I don't always use it. 

Here are a Fall pair of leggings for Sarah:

My little Irish dancer with super strong legs!!

The ruffled bottoms are cute!

Now to make a coordinating tunic for her to go with the leggings.

Peasant skirt

I teach a beginner class at Sew to Speak and we make a 3 tiered little girls skirt that is super cute.  I modified this adult size pattern to accomodate the kiddos.  If you want to try an adult size skirt, here is a great tutorial: 
http://www.taunton.com/besewstylish/media/SSBlogPeasantSkirt.pdf

And here is what the kids version looks like: 

no more ears

For those who make pillows....a trick that I have stumbled across and wish I would have used sooner.  Trimming the "ears" off of your pillows.  Here is what you do (and I will be updating these instructions for my class as well). 

Cut your pillow panels the same measurement as your insert.  So if you have a 18" by 18" pillow, cut 2 at 18" by 18"....no extra for seam allowance.  I have found that the inserts usually run smaller than stated and/or are fuller in the middle and not flat.

Then fold and press the panels in half and then quarters.  Measuring 1/2" down from raw edge, draw a line to the press mark in the center and trim.  This allows the pillow to look full and not pointy with ears.  I will be using this REALLY soon to cover some pillows that have mysteriously been adorned with popsicle stains.

picture not to scale....just trying to illustrate the cut lines

Mine!

This was supposed to be done for Easter.  Better late than never. 

Freshen

Why is it someone has to be coming over before I freshen up stuff around the house?  Surely I am not the only one who does this.  I have a sewing class here at my house tonight.  My ironing board was looking sad.  So I made a cover.  Cheery!!

It was really easy.  I layed out some fabric on the floor.  Put the ironing board upside down on it and added 3" going around.  Cut it out.  Hemmed it with a 5/8" channel for cording to go through and an opening at the bottom.  Fished some nylon cord through it with a safety pin and put it on.  Very simple and satisfying.  Now if we could just haul all of my sewing stuff out of the basement and sew outside.  It is so pretty today!!

What to call it?

I have been teaching a basic tote bag class now for about 3 1/2 years and I have noticed the class wasn't filling up as often as it had in the past.  Time to change things up a bit...for me and for students.  I was going to call it a gathered tote but somehow that does not feel right.  It is a one shoulder strap bag with a round bottom and a drawstring top.  The bottom has a bit of cording around it and the ties have cute little "stops" so the ribbon doesn't come out of the channel very easily.  It reminds me of an old bag I used to carry to college classes that was very hippie.  This one is updated with pretty Amy Butler fabric from the Lark line and a fabric staple I love...full moon dot.   What about Hobo bag?   I kinda like that....

Classes will be at Sew to Speak: Wed, May 23 from 6-9pm and Sunday, June 24 from 9:30am-12:30pm.  Cost is $40 and you will learn how to make cording, straps, drawstrings and liners for bags. 

What do you want to learn?

I am so grateful that I got students to sign up for classes at Whetstone Community Center!  I have already begun to think about the projects for Spring session.  I will be offering the following classes again: 

Sewing for Kids
Beginner Sewing for Adults
Sewing 2 - the next step...

What are some techniques or projects you would like to learn?  I would love to hear any feedback!

Thanks SEW much!
Michelle

What I did when Sam slept...

Some new wallet samples for the Intro to Machine Sewing class at Sew to Speak.  Made from Amy Butler's Lark line.  Love these prints!

And here is Sam.  I don't know if you will be able to see him with all the camouflage going on but look hard!  He is so cute when he sleeps. 

half a checkmark

It's better than nothing, right?  So I have really under estimated how much time and energy goes into quiltmaking.  And color selection is hard for me.  I have tons of scraps but I am over thinking all my choices.  But... I HAVE MY QUILT TOP DONE PEOPLE.  Yes, I cheated a bit because it was supposed to be all stars and log cabins and then my 3 kid blocks.  Not happening.  I have substituted some gingham and a cute branches fabric to make up for some of my blocks.  I was getting burnt out!

I am happy with it...so far.  I have some cute spikey edging to add still.

And here are some of my favorite blocks up close

(the kid blocks are a given so I will show those later):

Now back to work...lots to do!

Quilty goodness

I have tried to quilt before.  It didn't go well.  I think my thoughts about quilting were more about precision and making all seams align...you know, that is what good quilters do, right?  Not anymore.... I have been LIBERATED.  I don't want to go burn my bra or anything but the principles are loosey goosey and that is a nice change.  Don't get me wrong, I still like things to match up.  It's hard to un-learn what has been ingrained for so long about sewing.  I started Mary's class Design Your Own Modern Quilt at Sew to Speak and last night was the first class.  I made this wonky star:

and this wonky log cabin block:

It was fun.  Now I am going to plan my official quilt that we will make in class.  I can't wait!

my next project...and maybe a new class

New at Sew to Speak!  I just opened the mail and got a nice surprise...the Jane Dress pattern.  By the pictures...so cute!!  This picture above does not do it justice...click the link for more detail.  I can't wait to make one.  I went to work last night to teach a pillow class and low and behold, they had the Jane Dress too!  I feel a new class might be coming soon.  And the Bubble skirt class is back!  I asked specifically if the Figgy's Bubble Skirt could be stocked and they are in the shoppe now!  I like this pattern for many reasons:  EASY, REVERSIBLE, ELASTIC...all good.

I will be posting dates and times soon...stay tuned!!





Pajama Pants

I love pajama pants.  I wish it was appropriate to wear them at all times.  I am all about comfort.  I made these for my daughter but I am thinking I need a pair too.  These are made from adorable Amy Butler fabric so they are cute as well as comfy.  Wide leg, elastic waist, cute ruffles at the bottom, what's not to like?  I think I see a new class coming at Sew to Speak... what do you think? 

I waited and waited and waited... it was worth it!

I am a stalker.  At least that is what my husband calls me.  I loooove Amy Butler.  For those who don't know she is a fabric designer, sewing pattern designer, an author and many more things I am sure.  She resides and works in Granville, OH and she was at Sew to Speak tonight. 

If any of you have been in the shoppe before you know it's smallish.  I have never seen so many people fit into this space before.

I knew so many people. It was great.  I talked to former students, friends, colleagues and Amy!!

Don't we look like stairs?  Amy is the tall one.  Esther (a friend and my CCAD teacher) is the short one.  Sorry Esther...should I say the one in the blue top?  You hung in with me till the end and it was so nice to chat with you :)

And here....the book Santa brought me is now SIGNED:



And she gave us a free pattern for the bed bug pillows.  So cute.  I have to say that she was approachable, sweet and even though she had spoken to a ton of people tonight and went over her scheduled time, she still was gracious and it made me respect her even more.  Thanks Amy and I hope to see you again soon!  xoxo



 

Bring on the new year...

Christmas was lovely and not quite over for us yet (hello inlaws, Christmas part 2) and I am excited to embrace the new year.  Welcome 2011! 
I also have been perusing some new blogs and drooling over some new fabric lines coming out.  I saw this one at Market and I cannot wait until April.  Sherbet Pips by Aneela Hoey (Moda).  I especially like her reds and grays together...good for us buckeye fans.  Can't you just see a little girl's skirt made with some of these? 

Come on school start already...so I can start some sewing :)