Coming in like a lion–classes next week at Sewtropolis!

Whew! As everyone digs out from the last storm, we’re gearing up for spring with our March classes! Check out these classes – all happening the very first week of March!

March 1st – Perfect Wrap Dress

We’ll kick off the month with the Perfect Wrap dress – perfect for Spring! This super flattering dress is easy to make (no zippers or buttons!) and is as comfy as it is cute. The class is two parts, so make sure to get registered and make it to both sessions. We’ve graded the class as a level 3 – it’s perfect for students who’ve taken Sewing Essentials and one of our level 2 classes (apron? pajama bottoms?) and are looking for the next project. The class is taught by Patty – here she is modeling her version in a lovely double gauze from Echino.

March 2nd – Sewing Essentials

Dying to make the wrap dress, but can’t remember how to wind your bobbin? Sewing Essentials is perfect for you! Half the class is devoted to a full review of the sewing machine including threading, bobbin winding, cleaning and oiling. During the second half of the class we’ll put your new knowledge to practice and make some funky pillowcases that fit a standard size pillow. Great for beginners or those who want to brush up rusty skills. Bring your machine so you’ll know what to do when you get back home, or use one of ours.

March 3rd - Hostess Apron

OK, we’re all about spring, but Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will be here before you know it! Take our Hostess Apron class and get your gifts ready early. Make mom’s from this gorgeous fleur de lis cotton and make dad a barbeque-ready from this woodsy cotton laminate – both fabrics from the Kate Spain Central Park line from Moda. This is a level two class – so if you’ve graduated from Sewing Essentials, you’re ready to tackle the Hostess (or Host) Apron!
  

March 5th – Quillow

At the end of the week we’ll hold the Quillow class… what’s a quillow you ask? Half quilt, half pillow, this level two class is perfect for beginner sewers who’ve taken the Sewing Essentials class and are looking for a fun project to sew for kids. We’ll be using Valori Wells’ Blissful Turnaround pattern.

March 5th – Pincushion of the Month Club

Rrrawr! This month’s pincushion of the month club features lion and lamb pincushions! These simple and adorable pincushions are almost too cute to stick a pin in! Learn how to play with a bit of yarn to make a mane or some wooly fleece and have fun making faces out of buttons! Workshops are open to all levels and last for one hour where we’ll go over the specific techniques for the month’s pincushion. Kits are available for an extra fee with all the materials to make a lion and lamb of your own and your class fee includes two hours of Q&A Studio Time to use anytime during the month of March – the perfect amount of time to make a lion and lamb of your own!

Registration and materials.

Whew! That’s a lot going on in one week! To register, call the shop (612-827-9550) during business hours – Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. In most cases, materials are not included in class fees. We offer a 10% discount on materials purchased at the shop for a class.

See you next week!

Do-It-Green Workshop - Repurposed Sweater Tutorial

If you missed out on today's Do-It-Green upcycling, repurposing and clothing swap at the store you'll be happy to know that there was such a good turnout that I'm sure we'll be doing it again soon. 

At the workshop I promised to blog about how I turned a old out of fashion sweater into a sweater that I'll actually wear!  (which is the whole purpose behind repurposing).  

Supplies you will need:
old sweater
thread
scissors
pins
sewing machine or serger

Before we begin, here is the before picture of me wearing a sweater that is in no way, shape or form flattering on me at all.

Lay your sweater out on a flat surface and start cutting!  

First, start with the sleeves, you can either leave them long or short or do what I did and make them 3/4 length.  This is your sweater make it work for you!  

Next if your sweater has a turtle neck like mine you can either leave it or cut it off.  I chose to cut mine off because I plan on wearing this sweater in the Spring when the weather turns warmer.  If you decide to leave the neck intact, you'll cut right through it in the next step. 

Next I made a cut about 3" - 4" off center to the left from hem to neck.  If you decided to cut the neck off - this is where you'll do it.

You're now ready to sew it all back together.

Once again, starting with the sleeves I used the serger to finish the edges.  You don't have to use a serger - a simple zigzag on a conventional machine will work. 

 I then serged (or zigzaged) around the bottom edge, up one side of the front, around the neck, and down the other side.  Doing this will ensure a nice 'finished' look for your sweater. 

Next, pin the two front edges together - with the insides t ouching.  Now stitch (serge or zigzag) starting at the bottom edge of the sweater, working your way towards the neck and stopping about 4" - 6"  from the neck line.  (Where you stop will depend on how low a cut you are comfortable with - again this is your sweater - make it work for you)!

Here is my "after" sweater - now this is something I will wear! 

Thanks again to everyone who attended the Do-It-Green workshop. 

For a tutorial on how to make leg warmers out of a wool sweater check out my personal blog.