last sewing class!!

Today was my last sewing class at Sew Green! It may not be my last EVER though. I really did enjoy going to these, it was a nice way to spend my evenings and the people were really genuine. It was nice to get out side my "comfort zone" and work with complete strangers! and laughing over little details we couldn't get quite right, or trying to decide between all the different patterns (that was probably the hardest part of the all 3 classes) Everyone was in the same boat for the 3 classes, and unlike some wise projects it kind of felt like I had a class full of people who were trying to do the same thing as me! Like my own little support group! I definitely enjoyed that aspect of the class, and I told the two teachers Hope and Louise they would probably see me again buying materials at Sew Green!

On my way out I also got talking to Lucy, (who has an accent I would die for) and I got talking to her about my project and we found out we have mutual friends! Ithaca is such a small world! Anyways I gave her the web address and told her to check out my blog! Which was really exciting to be able to do! I'm glad I had the opportunity to share it with someone in the class :)



Okay so tonight we made another bag! But this time with a zipper! and a really funky shape! It's actually really cute! I thought the zipper was going to be a lot more complex, however once we were showed how to iron down the edges and tape the zipper in, all that was really left was to sew it on! We had to change the pressor foot for this job though, and we switched in a foot that allowed us to sew closer to the fabric. It was important we could see where we were sewing as to not sew on the zipper. I had a little difficulty  my fabric got moved and didn't get completely sewn to the zipper the first time, so I had to go over it again. Other than that this felt really easy to do! and it was also really helpful that the teachers left it up to us a lot more today. They still helped when necessary, but I felt like we were all a lot more confident in threading our machines and cutting the fabric to the correct lengths without much assistance. It was nice to be able to be independent! It also only took us about an hour to finish the bag! which was surprising! So they showed us our additional project which was to make a little stuffed bird.. or chicken! Whatever you want to call it! And so we picked out more fabric and sewed on the beak and crown, and then left 2 openings 1. for the stuffing and the 2nd to sew on the tails!

Stuffing the birds was fun! and then to close it up we had to hand stitch it! HA. I can tell you right now... I LOVE the sewing machine when you compare it to hand stitching. My closing looks like really bad surgery.. but it was fun to end the class with a little hand stitching, it definitely made me appreciate all that the machine can do!

I'm really glad that I took this class! It has really allowed me to see just how much attention and detail must go into sewing. I definitely can't say that I love it! and by no means would it be a means of relaxation for me.. however, it is useful, and I'm confident I could whip out quite a few more bags and birds! I still definitely want to create a dress as one of my final projects but I think the idea of having a "tutor" to help would be great! I'm going to speak with my family/friend Nancy Pepin soon about setting that up! Other than that I feel like I've gotten off to a great start!

back of the bag

front of the bag. and my dog :) 

Bird/Chicken 

bird/chicken

IDEAS GALORE

http://www.vanillajoy.com/tutorials/t-shirt-bag-tutorial

The tshirt bag! This looks really cool and totally doable!

http://www.kimberlymichelle.com/2009/01/27/adventures-with-bleach/

Bleach adventures!

http://www.lubirdbaby.com/2009/06/5-min-braided-headband-tutorial.html

Totally do able! and awesome idea!

http://madebyrachel.com/dyi-woven-top/

LOVE that!!



http://www.squidoo.com/altering-embellishing-decorating-t-shirts-fashion-sewing

this is the source of my other sources! Infinite amounts of ideas!


I really would like to have some nailed down by the end of this week to complete!!

Internet problems!!!

sometimes my posts really don't go through and it's so aggravating! well this one is from Thursday after my mentor meeting!


Drew and I met after practice today an discussed my sewing and future plans. my class ends this coming week and once it's over I really need to have the next "project" in mind. I told Drew about my talk with mrs. gergely and how I might venture away from a strictly sewing project. although I still want to make a dress I think that may be something I do with my family friend some weekend, because I still think I'm going to need a little guidance. Drew suggested that I look into some non sewing projects, even just cutting shirts with the fringed edges or tying the backs together. (I'll post pictures). I'm much happier when I think about all these mini projects as my big project. I think having an array of different techniques that ill have tried is better then just learning how to sew!! I also told drew I wanted to read a book! or at least something pertaining to time management. an then seconds later I saw Dennis!! so I asked him to bring the book he read, that inspired him to disconnect his Internet, for me on Monday! hopefully he remembers! I also discussed with drew picking up on my research! once this class ends I think I will be much better at that because I will need ideas to Pursue!
all in all I'm quite happy with the way everything has been going!

emma

Catching Up

Just getting home form work. Another late night at the Antlers!

But not wasting anytime! back to last night!!

so I got to class.. chatted with some of the ladies for a little bit. We shared what we had done outside of class regarding sewing! and I told them about my blog! Next we pick fabrics for our Apron. A front and back, as well as straps. We sewed the straps together and then we took measurements of our waist! from our belly betton to our side was one measurement. Then we doubled that, and added 2 inches for seam allowance and human error. Mine was 22 inches. We also took a measurement from our belly botton to the bottom of our hand, when held at our side. This was 18 inches for me! Then we learned the best part yet! and that was how to cut fabric! we use a special self healing cutting board, and a slicer that looks like a pizza cutter. The technical term is rotary cutters. Its alot like slicing paper.. I used to slice photo paper like crazy during photography class! but this is a little different. You really have to apply pressure to the ruler thats holding your fabric down. AND make sure your fingers are out of the way and not likely to get sliced! and then also apply pressure to the cutters. We did a practice run, and then measured out or dimensions and wallah!! fabrica!

Next we sewed these pieces on 3 sides... ironed the seams, turned it right side out (because you always sew fabric on the inside out side.. DUH) and then sewed it shut. Next we sewed on the straps! This was the most challenging because the straps are longer than my armspand! That is one LONG "straight" line. Its also tricky because you're dealing with a lot of fabric on both sides, and it sometimes covers up your guide, by which you are using to keep you stitches straight.



Once I finished putting straps on it was already 8 o clock! And we still had pockets to add! I decided on just doing one because I knew I needed to get home. I measure and cut more fabric and then ironed and sewed it on! I never realized how much ironing went with sewing! its so helpful to iron the seams and flatten out the material, it definitely makes the sewing smoother! And plus I feel all grown up using an Iron!

I really liked that we got to do some measurements of ourselves and fabric cutting! I didn't know that was part of the class and I can see where they are vital skills to know! I was really happy with how class went. I didn't feel rushed to finish.. I didnt get frustrated with my string! It did break once, and I learned how to rethread it, and check the bobbin (the underneath thread) but I never got frustrated! Which I was happy about, because last time, when my stitches wouldn't go straight I was upset! This time I took my time, and handled the foot pedal a lot better!

I'm excited for the next class! I think we are making another bag, but this time we're learning how to put a zipper in! I think I'm going to bake the instructors cookies too! They put a lot of time in and I just think it'd be a nice thing to bring to the final class!


I'm sad there is only 1 left :(


Emma

Product #2 from class!

Okay so I just had a mini meltdown... just a series of compiling events that mehh. So I'm posting these pictures now but I'm going to blog more about my class experience tomorrow because I just am overwhelmed with things to do tonight. Overall, it was another great class and my stitches have gotten so much straighter!!

                                                    (It's an Apron in case you couldn't tell)

Look how much straighter they are!!!!!! 

Weekly plan for 3/18 - 3/24

Monday- Class, talked to Mrs. Gergely! I feel good about my project. And I liked the input she gave me! I still want to stick with my "learn to sew" project, however, I do like the idea of really making it my own. having some kind of signature even? She was very encouraging in that I could take my project in a different direction then I initially intended. Whether thats messing around with some old converse and bleach or tie dye! we'll see!
Tuesday- Sewing class 6-8 (lets hope the roads are okay)
Wednesday- I have work 6-10.. so I'm thinking this is a day where I should use my morning time to get work done! I'm going to look into other techniques in the fashion industry and look for some unique ideas that I could add to my final products.
Thursday- Take a book out of the library! Whether its sewing or fashion! or time management! I need a book!!! Also mentor meeting!
Friday- Continue research.. and Find out about my friends sewing machine to borrow!
Saturday and Sunday- Read said book! and more research emma! I really need to research macro and micro! otherwise I'm not gonna find creative directions to take my project in!!



I also need to respond to Devin Case's journals again because we got specific guidelines today in class and my current one doesn't quite meet that!

Reflection

After reading through another persons journal from a couple of years ago there are definitely some helpful things I've learned. Devin Case (the girls project I just read through) Also did a sewing project, very similar to mine. Her final product was mainly a dress, and a few other articles she made along the way. She learned how to sew all from her mentor! The process sounds very similar to what I've learned so far from sewing class.. the only difference is that her mentor helped her make her final project. They would sit down once a week and together make the dress. Although I can see where this is helpful, I feel as if she should have done a little more on her own. I understand that after these 3 classes I'm still going to need guidance on how to sew a dress, and look into patterns and etc. But I'd really like to be able to do a lot more on my own. Its clear after reading her journal that she put a good amount of time into research as well. This has really motivated me to go take out a few books about sewing, and the fashion industry. I even have a few of her sources written down that she seemed to think were most helpful to her. Devin was also good about making a weekly plan. So far I've kept up with that, and I'm going to continue to because it really seemed to help her meet her goals and stay on task!

overall it was fun to see how someone else did a similar project, but also how I have my own ideas, and goals to accomplish, much different from hers.



Em

Here we go again!

http://www.freepeople.com/shoes-sneakers/skull-studded-high-tops/?&productOptionIDs=b943893f-0b54-441e-b1c3-af4aa76fc1d1 

So this is exactly what got me going on this idea to begin with! The thought that wow thats expensive... and "hey I bet I could make that!"

I love converse. They are like my go to shoe. The older and more warn out they look the better!
Okay so this store wants like $120 some dollars for a pair of chuck tays that have some bleach thrown on them, with some studded add ons.... I would totally love to experiment with this.... It would be such a fun project and if the come out looking remotely close to the ones for sale at Free People I'll be psyched!

Just an idea to keep in mind!!

Post Practice Chatter

Drew and I met today after a very long and tiring practice.. He was happy to hear that my class had gone really well and was impressed by the bag I made!! Which I have been showing off for the past few days, to anyone who will look. Drew asked if I was going to do the class Autumn Newell had suggested to me. As much as I really wanted to take this specific class about commercial patterns, time was not permitting. The last two nights I didn't get home until late, and I felt like I didn't even have time to eat dinner, and even less time for homework. (Food>Homework) So I really didn't feel like I could go to another class tonight. On the up side I did get home from track and get a lot done! My tummy is full, my homework is done. I had time to talk with my family. I'm currently sitting on the couch next to my Dad and Sister. We're all doing our own thing but its the little things that I appreciate. That being said, I've also had time to surf the web for a little inspiration. Drew really wanted me to have a goal for my final project, and I think I'm really set on making a dress. He thinks I should make two a rough draft and a final. I agree. Seeing how much there is to try out and how un straight some stitches may be.. having a rough draft or two sounds necessary. I'm focusing on looking for inspiration! We also talked about the sewing machine. I'm not positive buying one is my best option? I like the ones we used in the store, it seems like owning one that I'm learning from would be ideal. If I can find a singer for a reasonable price I would likely invest. As of right now I have some family and friends who have offered me theres to borrow for my project.

I feel good about the direction I'm headed! I realize time management is one of my goals, but I don't think that because I didn't take this class tonight means I've failed. It was me realizing that I had a lot on my plate this week and I really couldn't add this to it.

Also here is a look at the sewing machine I used in class! Next class I'm going to ask about the exact model....

EMMA 

One More Thing..

Autumn Newell, the youth coordinator from sew green emailed me back earlier today. She reccomend I sign up for another class.. the details of it were "PATTERNS DEMYSTIFIED"

Thursday, March 14, 6 to 8 pm. Repeated Thursday, May 9 

Take the anxiety out of working with commercial sewing patterns! This class covers how to choose, read and understand patterns. Participants will learn about sizes and fit, laying out pattern pieces, transferring markings, and more. Glossary and other handouts included. Fee: $30.

This sounds like it would be really helpful, especially If I want to design my own dress, or whatever I end up making. However, 2 days from now is really short notice. With class tonight, and work tomorrow, I'm afraid my school work is going to suffer from all this late night chaos! AND I hate leaving track early! AND during my morning free periods I have to lift to make up what I miss at track... It's just beginning to pile up really high. 

On the bright side, I talked to the instructor Hope and she said that instead of buying a machine, I may just be able to use the ones they have. I emailed Autumn for more information on that.... 

I'm exhausted. 4 mile run.. 2 hours of sewing. now homework. 

EmMEH 

Proof

This is the muslin piece of fabric that we began practicing on... 

                                                                This baby is my bag!

Hands on!!

OH MY GOSH! I made a bag. like I sewed a bag together. straps and all... 

alright so I had my first class at sew green tonight! I got there at 6 and right away we began. There are 6 of us including me in the class. It's a very nice size and there are two teachers, who are ready to help! 

We all went around and shared what brought us to the class.. most women said they had never sewed before, or had minimal experience and really just wanted to be able to know the basics. I then shared about my project and how I really didn't know anything at all about sewing or a sewing machine. (oh also... I'm by far the youngest in the class) 

The teachers then explained briefly what all the sewing machine parts did and which way to crank certain parts, and how the pressor foot must always be down when we sew... etc etc. (next time I think I'm going to bring a notepad and take some notes on specific functions) 

We then were given a piece of muslin fabric.. and began making stitches along the side. We use a foot peddle to control how fast the needle moves... and well it took me forever!!! to perfect the speed. It was either waayyy to fast, or hardly moving at all... but as the time went on it got better. After we felt more comfortable with the machine we learned to back stitch... which is VERY important in making sure your stitches are strong, and will hold. The back stitch does just what it sounds like.. It goes backwards over a previous stitch and stitches more. 

We then got to pick fabric and straps that would soon become a bag. sewing the bag closed was easy and pretty enjoyable. We used the typical 5/8 of an inch width, which is a good distance from the outside. (I preferred this, because it was easier to keep the fabric in a straight line)

Next we sewed our straps on all 4 sides... now these straps are pretty big.. like the length of my arm. and we also were supposed to sew as close to the edge as possible. You should see my lines... they are more like circles. I was theee last person done with the straps. I just kept having to straighten out my fabric again and again... I definitely got a little frustrated, and I can see how its easy to get discouraged... and also how its easy to make mistakes... and not be able to fix them. I've always felt like sewing was a permanent thing.. once its stitched there just is no un stitching... maybe my take on that will change though? 

all in all the bag came together quite well! and I feel very accomplished for never having used a sewing machine before! I can see where I have a lot to learn.. and also how a lot of discipline is involved by training yourself to check and make sure the machine is doing what you want it to be doing.. before you do it! 

I really felt comfortable in this class... it was a nice atmosphere and all the beginners were friendly. I'm excited for next week! 

Practice

Today in class we read an article about practicing. How you can play the guitar everyday, but never really get out of your comfort zone. Learning something new, and beyond what you're used to, is practicing. It's trying to get better! Its expanding what you already know and making you better!

But I'm sewing... then I talked to Lauren and she made me realize I still can practice.. I can be stitching now! without the sewing machine! I know we have a needle and thread lying around, and I bought fabric. It's not a lot but its something!

http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques?category=3&most_recent=1

I just got a great idea.... okay well I know I have a pair of jeans with a whole right in the crotch.. that could use some patchwork! and I have buttons lying around, I can totally practice sewing some buttons. I think by the end of this week I want to have repaired some of my own clothes!

Even when these classes are over, I'm not going to forget that I can still learn more! and practice different techniques! It's definitely a good perspective to have!


Until tomorrow!!

Emma

Jitterbug

well I think that's the longest I've gone without blogging and I didn't like it. I like having this daily, or almost daily, dump of words. I need to just rant!

alright so I'm going to lay out the week here because so far that has really helped me be more successful in what I actually get done. Also shout out to Dennis for cutting off his internet access! I think that's just awesome! I've already wasted a sufficient amount of time tonight online shopping for PROM! which is sort of  project related.... it has crossed my mind to make my own dress... but I don't want to get ahead of myself...

So tonight, Monday. I've emailed Autumn Newell from sew green. She is the youth coordinator there and I explained about my project and that I would like her advice on a final product.
Tuesday- I have my first sewing class from 6-8! I'm definitely a little nervous! I'm not going to know anyone! AND I don't really know the first thing about using a sewing machine.... but still I'm very excited!
Wednesday. ha. well.. wednesday I'm pretty booked.. I have track 4-6 and work 6-10....
Thursday I have my mentor meeting with Drew.. where I will hopefully have a more focused final project to report about! and hopefully my first crafted item from class to show!
Friday-Sunday I want to read something. I told Drew today I want a book. I know my project is sewing.. but maybe like Dennis, I could find a time management book. Just something that I'll enjoy reading that can be related to my project!

I've also been a little unenthused about my project. I think thats mostly because I've felt stuck.. not knowing how to use a sewing machine and what not, I'm hoping these classes will lift my spirits! I'd also really really really like to somehow incorporate photography. Drew had once mentioned printing photos onto fabric, which could be really cool.. but maybe I could also have a photo shoot with my friends! not necessarily clothes I've made.. but just capturing fashion and the secrets behind modeling? just some late night thoughts!

Emmmmm

doo wah ditty

Drew and I chatted today about my upcoming plans! He's really encouraging I get a better idea of what my final product or project is going to be. I agree I need to have a destination in mind because that is what is going to get me moving toward something!! although I feel like my perspectives are going to change once I've started this class... I've also been considering doing some work with bleach and embroidery... and patchwork even... I want to make something really different.. but fashionable! and renewable. I want to use some of the scraps sitting in my closet! This is already a costly experience with the cost of the class, and the sewing machine I still need to get. I do need a sewing machine don't I? I think that I do. I'm hoping that I like the ones we use in class at Sew Green, because they also sell them their. Although I'm not sure how much. I'm sending out an email to Autumn Newell in the morning. Life has gotten rather hectic lately.. and so I'm trying to catch up by going to bed fairly early and getting up at a reasonable time to do my unfinished homework.... so far its been going well....

meh

emmeh

Check

I dropped off the check at sew green!! and I got my new shoes :)
I have my mentor meeting with Drew tomorrow and tonight I'm sending out more emails!

things are going well :)

Emma

YAY!

so checking my email paid off! All I have to do is pay and I'm IN! wooo! okay so the plan is to stop there tomorrow morning and pay my fees, that way I'm guaranteed IN! I'm gonna get up early and get a move on. The store doesn't open until 10am but I have to get new running shoes at the running store on the commons so I'll get to Sew Green right when it opens! And then at work tomorrow night I'll make sure and ask for those tuesdays off so I can definitely attend! Also I'm going to email Autumn Newell right away and explain my project to her as best I can and see what advice she can give me.

I also just looked up some sewing machines on craigslist... they range from 50-300$ :O I have no idea what kind I'll need but I'm really hoping to be able to squeak by with one thats only around 100$. Hopefully Autumn can help guide me in that area..

EXCITED EMMA  

Always a Pleasure

so today in wise class I learned that people EAT human placentas.... there is even a place in Ithaca that will turn them into pills for you!!!! like what??? am I missing something? no thank youu...



but anyways.... we also got handed narratives and old journals of former wise students and we get to evaluate their projects to some extent! I got someone who did a sewing project which is really neat and I'm excited to see her ideas and also what her final project is because I'm still really iffy on what mine is going to be...

We also watched a video of a former wise student named Sky (Love that name) and he built a barn. Like he chopped down the trees, hauled them out of the woods with a very old, very rusty tractor. And these were BIG trees. Then he hired a friend to bring this machine that would chop the oak (I think it was oak?) into long boards that would eventually be used to build the barn. This process of rolling the 3  ton trees onto a metal clampy thing that would then raise it and send a blade through to chop it to a normal length, flip the tree, and do the same thing again. I MEAN LIKE OH MY GOSH. This must have taken hours and not to mention it's just a lot of hard labor. Sky was clearly really dedicated and set on accomplishing his goal. I was impressed by how much this family knew! and how they all pulled together to make this barn happen. My Uncle Jim has been a logger most his life. Like thats what he does for a living. He has a skidder and has all these connections with the truck drivers, and mill owners because he's been in the business for so long. My dad has always been involved in helping him drag out the trees from the woods, tying up the logs in heavy chains as my uncle then drags them away on his skidder. I've been around chain saws and tractors my whole life and I know what a sweat they work up and how much time goes into getting out a "good load". With that being said, I really can't believe how much time Sky must have put into his project everyday. Those are long hours of fitting the wood to fit the beams and like I can't even imagine all the technicalities that go into such a process. It really makes me think that I need to get a serious MOVE ON!

props to Sky for his hard work and dedication, and I'm really taking something away from what I got to see in class today.



Meh. I think I'll go check my email now... slash I just got called for dinner... FRENCH TOAST!

:)


Emma

Ahead of the Game

well it's 12:23!!! AT NIGHT! and I guess I'm a little restless.. tomorrow is my last first day of high school track practice! I'm so excited and sad and AH! so I'm looking through old photographs and nostalgia is really setting in.. the home stretch of senior year is really here! So besides the fact that I can't sleep I figured I should try and check some things off my to do list and put my insomnia to good use! I was hoping to just go to the sew green website and fill out some information, put in my credit card number, and presto! be signed up for the class.. instead I was directed to an email coord@sewgreen.org and was told to give my information and yatta yatta about what class I was interested in! Not really anything harder then entering a credit card number.. and maybe even a little more human contact which is good in any case! so I'm not complaining.. Just slightly different than what I expected. ANYWAYS. I sent the email, and hopefully that means by Wednesday I'll be assured a spot in the class.. we shall see, but I'm glad I got the email out tonight.. or this morning?


Also, I hope it's not weird I start my entries with a little of whats going on in my life. I figure It's pretty cool I'm going to be able to look back at this someday and see what I was doing related to my WISE project on any given day.. it might also be neat to see what I was doing in my everyday life too. Its my blog so I'm guessing I can do whatever I want! SO SORRY IF YOU DONT LIKE IT BUT ITS HAPPENING.



okay. I need sleep.

Night all,
EmMa

Sickling

I wasn't in school at all friday because well I couldn't make it out of bed. Being sick is no fun :( and then I had to go to work!! Which actually wasn't all that bad because I made good money :) Okay I should probably talk about my project.. whoops. Well I talked to my mom and she's really encouraging me to take these sewing classes and I agree it's a no brainer decision to sign up for them. I just think I'm lucky to be supported so well by my family and felt I should give my mom some credit for that :) The classes I'm considering taking are 3 tuesdays in a row in March. As seen below they are the 12, 19, and 26. This works perfectly because its after track practice so I wont have to miss any of that and it's before our meets start! I also think it's important that I start taking them soon because time is flying and I really need to get some hands on work done! I'm planning on signing up by Wednesday! and also I'll need to ask for those nights off of work! I'll put a reminder in my phone!! Next on my list of things to do is get some EMAILS out!! and I really need to make a stop in our school library and see if there are any sewing/fashion books I can check out!