2013 and soon 2014!

I taught so many sewing classes in 2013!  It was an amazing year.  My Intro classes at Sew to Speak were my favorite.  I love the enthusiasm that new sewists have.  The second runner up was my open forum type classes at my house.  Sometimes they were hectic, sometimes they were silly and laid back...but I always enjoyed seeing people trying new techniques and helping demonstrate as best I could. 

My 2014 will be pretty busy too but in a much different way.  I am going back to school!  Yes, I will be a college student once again.  I want my masters in Education so I can be a teacher.  I am not sure what to expect since it's been 20 years since I have taken college level classes...ACK!!!!

I will still teach 2-3 classes a month at Sew to Speak...just Intro for now.  If time permits, I will add a few home classes once I get into the swing of school.  Private lessons can still be scheduled upon request and as time permits as well. 

I am really excited for 2014!  Bring it on...

 

O-H!

Holiday Sewing Class

Come join me at Whetstone Community Center for a sewing class for all levels of sewists.  You can make presents for the Holidays!!

You can bring your own projects or I can provide you with some ideas:  stockings, napkins, totes...

$40 for 3 classes:  Tuesdays - Dec. 3, 10 and 17.  Register online or call 614-645-3217
Ages 18+ and you can use our machines or bring your own! 

I hope to see you there!

What is a group of giraffes called?

A tower or herd of giraffes.  That's what I am making!  Super cute softie giraffe family. 

 

Michelle

Hanna Thomas

I have told a few people this....but for those who do not know, I am collaborating with my cousin Andie Hanna on a project.  She is an amazing designer and has tons of experience in the industry of fashion.  We initially thought we could make a book.  I really wanted to make a beautiful book of sewing projects and be published.  But once I started tackling some of the initial steps of putting a book together, I was completely overwhelmed.  So now BABY STEPS.  Instead of a full blown book, why not start with some patterns first, right?  The scope of that is much more manageable to me and doesn't freak me out. 

We had to come up with a name that worked for both of us.  Naming stuff is so hard for me!  It needed to be something that we both liked.  It had to be usable for both kids clothing, adult clothing, bags, accessories, baby items... all of it.  So nothing too cutesy or too boring.  Why not our last names?  And so Hanna Thomas was born.  I think I need to thank Sam from Sew to Speak who suggested it to me.  Look for us soon!

Here is our logo...I think.  I love it.  The fronds and the font are cool, right?

Classes and updates

I have had an amazing response to my private classes lately!  You all want to learn various patterns and projects so the idea of an "open forum sewing" class was a perfect solution.  All my June and July dates are full right now, but I will add some for August and September and post soon. 

In the meanwhile, here is a looky-loo and the Sew to Speak class schedule:  Click Here

I also have decided to put the daunting task of book writing aside for the moment and concentrate on patterns.  BTW... I had "patterns coming soon..." on my business card for 2.5 years now...or maybe longer.  So it's time to get my act together and make it happen.  My cousin Andie Hanna is partnering with me and somehow this makes it seems more doable for me.  We are brainstorming a name for our joint venture...I am so bad at this part.  Time to get the thinking cap on!

Also another side note - I have made 4 Staple Dresses!  3 of them are tunic tops and one is a real dress.  I really like this pattern!  April did a super job on it.  I made a few tweaks to each one I made to try some new things out, but all-in-all, her pattern is best when left alone and directions followed.  You can tell she put a lot of time and effort in perfecting it.  I think I like knit fabric best for this pattern.  Super comfy. 

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

 

sample making

So here are some super cool fabrics I will be working with soon.  My cousin Andie Hanna dropped some Modern Bliss off so I could make a few samples for the upcoming trunk show at Sew to Speak. I can't wait!  LOVE the color palettes....

these are so cheerful ...ready for spring and summer!!!

vintage...so pretty and subtle.  Just lovely!

Happy Anniversary Sew to Speak

5 years!!  Wow...time flies.  And I have been teaching for about 4 1/2 of those 5 years.  So come visit and wish Sew to Speak a happy anniversary this Saturday, March 9.  Here are a few things I made as samples for the party. 

Some new placemats and napkins...a white and linen palette. 

 

 

A nice new kid's apron.  I had some old lace/doilies so I cut them up and added as trim. 

Kinda cute, I think. 

Spring is coming? really?

I am done with winter.  Really done. 

So here are some events and classes we can all look forward to in the spring. 

Saturday, March 9 - Happy Birthday to Sew to Speak!!!  Come visit for some treats and great fabrics.  Has it really been 5 years?!  I am so happy to teach here. 

Sunday, March 17 - Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  I will be watching my daughter in the Columbus St. Patrick's Day parade while she high kicks and jigs her way down Broad St. 

Sunday, March 31 - Happy Easter!  Let's hope the snow is gone by then...please!!


Saturday, April 6 - Andie Hanna trunk show at Sew to Speak.  This is my very talented cousin.  She is a new designer for Robert Kaufman fabric and her new line called Modern Bliss will be at the shoppe soon.  We will have samples to show everyone and even a give-away! Come meet Andie and check out her very pretty fabrics. 

Classes at Sew to Speak
Wed, March 13 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Sat, March 16 - Intro from 9am-11:30am
Tues, March 19 - Gypsy Sling from 6-9pm
Wed, March 20 from 6-8pm and Sat, March 23 from 9am-11am - Tote Bag
Wed, March 27 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Wed, April 3 - Napkins and Placemats from 6-8pm
Wed, April 10 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Sun, April 14 - Intro from 10am-12:30pm
Wed, April 17 - PJ pants from 6-8pm *change to this class
Sun, April 21- Beginner Pillows from 10am - 1pm
Wed, April 24 & May 1 - Kid's Camp from 6-8pm, ages 8+
Wed, May 8 - Intro from 6-8:30pm
Sat, May 11 - Intro from 9-11:30am
Wed, May 15 - Beginner Pillows from 6-9pm
Sat, May 18 & 25 - Kid's Camp from 9-11am, ages 8+


* my PJ pants class has changed somewhat. I have removed the pattern drafting portion of the class and I provide the pattern and you make the PJ's. We were not getting the pants done in time while doing the drafting as well. Cost is now $30.


Whetstone Community Center - spring session REGISTRATION opens on March 11 at 9am. 

Kids Sewing Camp – Mondays, April 8, 15 and 22 from 6-7:30pm.  Cost $40, limit 5 students ages 8+.  In this beginner class, we will review the operation of the sewing machine.  We will make 2 projects:  Fabric flowers for adding to headbands, bags or to hair clips…fabric scraps will be provided.  The second project is a pair of pajama pants.  I will provide a pattern, but fabric will be need to be purchased for the pajama pants. 

Adult Open Forum Sewing – Mondays, April 29, May 6 & 13 from 6:30 to 8pm.  Cost $40, limit 6 students ages 18+.  In this class, you bring whatever project you would like help with and I will be there to assist you.  If you do not have a project in mind, I will demonstrate a few techniques such as zippers and cording for pillows and you can incorporate these into a project. 

 

As always, let me know if you have any questions!  I look forward to hearing what you have been working on. 

 

Take care and Happy Sewing!!

 

XOXO,

Michelle

 

quilts...

I am new-ish to quilting.  I have probably made about 8-9 quilts in the whole of my sewing life (I started when I was 13).  So that is a pretty small number for the years I have been sewing.  I have never had the patience for it.  I made this little quilt to be a wall hanging in my basement studio.  Well, needless to say that patience for sewing straight lines and straight cuts is never more apparent than when you want to hang something on the wall.  It all shows.  Really glaringly.  So my appreciation for those who are meticulous quilters has grown and I have a renewed desire to master this craft.  So take 2... for now this little quilt will get hung on my quilt rack, it didn't make the wall hanging cut.  I think I will try a pattern next instead of one of my designs...chances are better that way!

stuff I have made...

I have been so busy with classes that I haven't had a chance to share my recent creations.  Here are a few: 

a cover for my mixer

Brant's OSU themed rag quilt

It is minky and flannel on the other side

 

Some wallets

 

Mr. Penguin - whetstone kid's class

 

an apron for Sarah (kid's class at Whetstone)

And I have a matching apron...aren't we cute?

the start of a new quilt - using windmills and wonky log cabin blocks

Hello little snail

I loved this little elephant fabric...wish I had more of it

thanks for looking!

Happy Sewing,

xoxo

Michelle

drawstring bag

So I got a ton of these cute little squares from Quilt Market and I have to do something with them.

 

So I am going to make a little drawstring bag.  I have someone in mind that I want to say thank you too and this would be a cute gift. 

 

I started by sewing a chain of squares together.   

 

Then I pressed them down and sewed a 2 rows of them together. 

 

Then pressed the backs.

How stinkin' cute is this fabric?  Glamping by Mary Jane (moda fabrics)

 

These squares are just a punch of fun in the drawstring bag.  I have no patience for piecing much more than this!  :)

 

Add your additional fabric:

 

Make a liner

Make a channel for the drawstring

 

Sew together

 

Sew shut the opening used for turning

 

press and add your cording or ribbon with a safety pin through the channels

 

Pretty cute, huh?

 For Martha at the Community Center...a favorite senior of mine.  I hope she likes her little surprise!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

another reason why I need an iPhone

(hint, hint...Santa might want to get me one this year)

So I forgot to take my camera to quilt market.  I know - not too bright of me.  There was so much visual candy to take in too.  I really enjoyed perusing my photos from the last trip I took and I am bummed that I forgot this time around.  Good news...my cousin had me covered and took lots of great shots.  Here is her account of our trip: 

http://www.andiehannadesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/quilt-market.html

You must check her out.  And did you see those pillows from Tula Pink?  I have to repost those: 

 

I have to figure out how to make some of these.  They are stinking cute!  I love the magic bus. 

 

I had so much fun at Market.  I need to find a way to get to Quilt Con too.  My family rocks.  Thanks Andie and Aunt Mary for a great trip!

seam allowance guide

As a beginner, I wish I had one of these....a magnetic seam allowance guide.  What a great idea!!

It gives you a hard edge to move the fabric against as a guide.  It's magnetic and you can move it around to various seam allowances.  It works best on a machine that has a large metal plate area.  There are some machines that have tiny plates...painters tape or masking tape might still be a good idea for those types of machines.  It really has improved the kid's sewing by using this guide!  Give it a try if you struggle with consistent seam allowances. 

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!!

Gypsy Sling

This one is mine! 

 

I know...I didn't use Amy Butler fabric.  I had some stash I wanted to use up and black and white is always a good choice.  Plus, the pop of pin dot red on the liner is fun too.  Diapers fit great in these large pockets.  Now if I could just Sammy potty trained, I would have to tote those around anymore!!

Some more yo-yo projects...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal Cover

I found this great tutorial...but of course, I just made it my way after reading it.  I am not good at following specific directions sometimes.  But it turned out cute anyway. 

Here is the link to the original tutorial by Bloom:  http://bloomandblossom.blogspot.com/2009/02/journal-cover-tutorial.html

Here is my finished project...