A Stitch in Time... Works Just Fine!

I love the sewing machine! I consider it one of the greatest inventions. It allows me to make more homemade projects, make more quickly, and with more uniform stitching than by hand. Right now is a great time to purchase a new sewing machine. You can find great deals… and stretch your precious dollars. Even the least expensive machines have great features – ones that used to come only on higher-end machines just a few years back. The trend now is to have both a new machine and an older machine. For instance, a lot of quilters have antique Singer featherweight machines to take with them to their guilds, while they leave their fancy computerized machines at home. I do have a Kenmore computerized sewing machine, which I love by the way, but would love to own a featherweight one. What I have instead is my grandmothers 1940's vintage MontgomeryWards sewing machine. It is great machine that works just fine. Since it is a cabinet-style machine, it is not portable, so I can't take it with me. But that is okay, besides it has many wonderful attachments. I do not use it very often because I don't have a good location in my home for it. Someday I will have a place for it in my sewing room and be able to use it more frequently. [caption id="attachment_911" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="My Grandmothers Vintage Sewing Machine"][/caption] It is wonderful to be able to use both old machines and new ones, side by side – they both have their place and serve a function… and they both get the job done! Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Price is the Mother of Invention – Sewing Handmade Items $aves You Cash!

One of my daughters was shopping at a baby boutique and while there something called a stroller blanket caught her attention. These blankets are so popular and they are the rage right now in the world of infants. This particular blanket was made of a cute designer cotton fabric on one side and a super soft Minkee fabric on the other side. These blankets are small, light, and warm – making them great for travel, whether on an airplane or in a stroller. They work where you need something that doesn't take up much space. My daughter believed one of these blankets would be great for their trip to Reno last Spring. Finding the price of that store-bought blanket a bit rich for her budget she went to the fabric store. With a store coupon in hand she bought the needed cotton and Minkee fabrics - for a ¼ of the cost of a store-bought blanket. Together we made her not only a stroller blanket, but two bibs and burp cloth. I copied the pattern for the bib from another bib she had, and just put together the burp cloth from left over fabric. The sewing went fast and easy, and the project ended up so very cute! [caption id="attachment_895" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Natalie enjoying her Stroller Blanket"][/caption] She saved ¾ of the cost of that store-bought blanket she saw, plus she got to pick out her own fabric. You can do the same - I challenge you to make your own Minkee stroller blanket. You start with a yard each of cotton and Minkee. You don't need to quilt the blanket, just wash the fabric. Place the right side of cotton to the Minkee sew together. You will have to trim some of the Minkee to be the same size as the cotton piece. Leave a 6 to 8 inch unstitched gap on one edge to be able to turn the piece inside out after sewing. Sew, turn, and top stitch… and whalla, you have a cute one of a kind handmade stroller blanket. [caption id="attachment_896" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Homemade Baby Stroller Blanket, Bib and Burb cloth"][/caption] Good luck and Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Children have “SEW” much fun as they prepare for Fair!

Wa-hoo!.. Country Fair season is here once again. I love the Fair with its unique, familiar, and embracing sights, sounds, and smells – which include; the exhibits, crafts and pavilion filled with handmade items. You can't forget Fair food; elephant ears, corn dogs, sno-cones, and cotton candy… or overlook the rides, games, and entertainment. As a child the Fair was a highlight of my summer. Now as an adult the Fair is the highlight of my sewing school year. My sewing students are so very excited as the local Multnomah County Fair approaches. The buzz is in the air and you can feel it – you should hear my students talking about which items they will be entering into the Fair, and about sewing carefully and doing their best work. I will have about 30 students entering their projects, totaling about 90 pieces. I am so very proud of all of them and their hard work. [caption id="attachment_874" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="2010 County Fair prize winning student sewing projects"][/caption]

 

Last year my students experienced much success exhibiting at the Fair. I had 12 kids enter with a total of 21 items. They earned; 14-3rd place ribbons, 5-2nd place ribbons, and 2-1st place ribbons! One of the 1st places was a stuffed rabbit by Ingrid and she also received best-of-show in the children's division. A great job was done by all – and a great time was had by all. I am so looking forward to another wonderful Fair. [caption id="attachment_875" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="2010 prize winner - sewing projects"][/caption] Please come to the Fair and see all our entries and take in all those fabulous Fair sights and sounds. Historic Oaks Park with its riverside setting is again the perfect venue and host for the Multnomah County Fair. The Fair is open May 28, 29, and 30, 2011 from Noon to 7pm. All my student's Fair entries are on display in the pavilion hall – just follow the signs. Good news… there is again this year NO entrance fee – Free admission, Free parking! Hope to see you there. Check out my Fair blog from May of last year. As always, Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Sew What?… and Then Take the High Chair with You!

My little sister Tonya was born when I was 12 years old – she was like having a live doll to play with. We took her with us to many places when she was but a baby. Most of those places did not have a high chair – with its tray to hold her in. To resolve that problem Mom placed her in a regular chair then took a large dish towel, wrapped it around her and tied her in. I am sure people still do this. Recently my daughter took a trip to Reno with her husband and kids. She was sure that most of the places they would be going to there would not have a high chair. In preparation for the trip she asked me to sew up something that would hold her eight month old baby in a chair. Searching the Internet I located a cute, portable fabric travel high chair. I found the pattern easy to follow – in fact it took just me an hour to make one from start to finish.  Here is the link for the pattern: http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2009/11/fabric-travel-high-chair.html [caption id="attachment_811" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Here is how the cloth chair appears when laid out"][/caption] The below photo shows my beautiful granddaughter in the one I made. Both child and mother loved it. It saw a lot of use on their trip. This fabric high chair design holds and supports a child in almost any chair. They can be used at home as well. [caption id="attachment_812" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="The supportive and cute portable cloth chair in use!"][/caption] Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Sew When?... A Coming of Age Tale

What is the 'right age' at which a child can be taught to sew? Well, that is a very good question that has been asked of me many times.  I teach children students to sew using the award winning, 'Kids Can Sew' program and curriculum. This successful sewing program for children enables those as young as six years old to sew. In my experiences seven years of age seems to be the magic age where they are more than ready to learn the vanishing art of sewing.  I've found that the 'right age' is child dependent – as it is based on a particular child's hand-eye coordination, as well as their dexterity level. I am sharing this 'right age' question as I recently I started teaching four kindergartners (all are five years old!). I've discovered when you empower kids to do things that they and others think they shouldn't be able to do… you will be pleasantly surprised how well they perform. I am teaching these kindergartners a little differently than my older kids. I have them sew a simple project each week – and they just love it. They are so cute!!!... and they say the darnedest things. I want to share this cute picture of these five year olds and their first finished project. [caption id="attachment_804" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="5 year olds can Sew!"][/caption] One of their Moms shared this: "The class was AMAZING! The girls got their materials, pinned their cloth, sat down, turned on their machines and got to work. They knew exactly what to do and were totally focused. I was so proud of them all. And they were very proud of their bags." [caption id="attachment_805" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Fabric fun for 5 year olds yields cute bags"][/caption]  My point being that… if these five year olds can learn to sew, you and your child can too!  Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Memories and Fabric Make Cherished Holiday Gifts.

I love to give and receive homemade gifts for birthdays, Holidays, and special events. As a matter of fact the gifts I treasure most are the homemade ones family and friends have given me. One of my most cherished gifts is a pillow that my sister Tonya made and gave me a few winters ago. That simply designed and constructed pillow touched me deeply… let me explain how mere fabric could mean so much. I was blessed with a wonderful father. He had an engaging sense of humor – always cracking jokes, playing practically jokes, laughing and making everyone around him laugh. He also loved to sing us silly songs. Using that sense of humor he would take songs and change the words, or he would take two songs and combine them. As kids we just loved those songs, and as adults we sang those songs along with him and laughed. He was a man loved by many. He was taken from us five years ago when he lost his battle with brain cancer. Our family truly misses that loving, funny man. His chosen profession was that of a paint contractor. Many times he remarked that, "everything he owned had paint on it". While pondering what meaningful Christmas gift she could make the family that would recall our father… that remark came to my sister's mind. So several years ago my sister took some our father's old painting pants and made us pillows as gifts for Christmas – on which she embroidered words from those silly songs of his. Words can't express much I love this special heartfelt, handmade gift.  Handmade items from our loved ones and dear friends are indeed the most treasured of gifts. This holiday season at my sewing school for children the students will have the opportunity make some of those treasures themselves. I am offering wonderful holiday gift workshops for kids ages 7 to 14. Children will select and make three to five items for gift giving, from 20 unique items – 15 of which are new this season! The items are ready to sew, allowing your child to make those three to five items during the three-hour workshop.  They then go home with handmade gifts guaranteed to touch the hearts of friends and family.  Those 20 gift items include; a purse organizer, soda or juice can cover, wallet, placemat bag, hooded fleece scarf, stuffed toys, purse, pincushions, book covers, everyday bag, headband and much more. I'm holding eight workshops in four days, two per day, on; November 13^th, 27^th and December 11^th and 18^th. Workshop times are; 9-12am and 1-4pm. Each workshop has room for just four students. The sewing machines and all sewing supplies needed to complete the projects are provided.  Children will have a great time while making gifts for family and friends. Workshops are filling fast, so call 503-804-7259 now and reserve a spot.   Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Autumn brings new kids sewing classes and an Open House

I love Summer with its warm sunny days filled with swimming, gardening, long walks, trips to the beach, sleeping in, Fairs to attend, and so much more. But, all good things must come to an end, and then better things follow… the FALL. I love Fall even more than Summer, with its bright Autumn colors as leaves change, cooler days, harvesting the garden, harvest festivals, and the children head back to school – but most of all I enjoy Fall because my sewing school starts back up for the season. I must say I have the best job in the world! Sewing is my passion and teaching it to others has become my second passion. What a great feeling it is to share with others something that makes me so happy – the vanishing art of sewing. I love teaching kids to sew. It brings me such joy as I observe each child as they gain sewing skills and grow in confidence. That joy is soon surpassed as I witness the look of excitement on the children's faces when their project actually turns out looking like it is supposed to. I am so delighted by the variety of personalities and talents of the children. Teaching children to sew is one main of the reasons I get out of bed each day. I openly invite all to attend my Fall Open House event. When: Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. at my home-based school: 6018 SE 56 Ave. Portland, Oregon 97206. Or another session may be arranged if you need.  Why:

• Meet me of course, and learn of my passion for sewing
• Learn about my sewing school and its classes, camps, events, and schedules
• See examples of my students hand work – from clothing to stuffed toys
• New students enjoy a free mini-sewing lesson and then they try out one of my sewing machines

 Sewing is more than something that is fun and exciting – it is an important life skill that you can rely on over the years. Teaching a skill like sewing makes me recall the often recounted saying, 'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime'.  Happy Fishing (Sewing)!, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

The Cat, the Bug Bomb, and the Broken Leg – The Fall of a Sewing Teacher.

Once upon a time… well, that is how many stories start out, but this one starts out a little differently... Our cat is a house cat in the winter and an outdoors cat in the summer. This summer she has fleas, which she brought inside the house and shared. If you have ever had a flea infestation in your house you know how intense it can get, and fast. We tried to get rid of them by various methods, but they kept getting worse by the minute it seemed. As a last resort we decided to try bug bombs. We were making last minute preparations prior to heading out the door to the store before I set off the bug bombs… and as I was making my way down the stairs I slipped on the 3rd stair from the bottom. I soon discovered that one little misstep can change your world. There I lay sprawled out on the floor… with a useless foot, caused by the broken bones in my leg. My life changed in a flash - EMT's, an ambulance ride to the local ER, pain meds., an overnight splint, surgery the next morning, a walker, crutches, and nights spent in a hospital. Over a week has passed and I'm feeling better. As I mend now with a rod in my leg I face a long road to recovery and rehabilitation. I just wanted you all to know I appreciate your prayers and good thoughts in my behalf. For those you who are hearing of my fall for the first time, and those of you that are already aware of it – my summer sewing camps are still going to be held as scheduled, but many sewing classes had to be canceled.

• If you are already signed up for a sewing camp nothing changes – just show up on the scheduled date and time for which you have registered.
• If you want to sign up for a sewing camp you still can. Just go to my web site or call me at: 503-804-7259, as there are still camp openings.

I believe that challenges are put in our lives to make us better people and make us stretch ourselves to do and learn things we might not otherwise have had the opportunity to. I am up for the challenge – with a little help from my friends. I will be here for all camps and I will have friends supporting me to continue to help you. Have a great summer, and I hope to see you soon at camp. Happy Sewing, Jolene.

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Simple Alterations Breathe New Life Into Old Dresses

I have a granddaughter named Sariah. She would rather wear dresses or skirts (preferably skirts) than pants or shorts. Sariah outgrew all of her skirts, but she kept wearing them even though they were too small. It seemed that no matter where we hid them she would find them.

So, finally my daughter headed to the second hand store to shop for more skirts for Sariah – in her size. But she could not find any. For a few dollars she managed to find dresses that were too small for Sariah, but just right for altering… into skirts.

[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Sariahs new skirt begins"][/caption]   Here are the four finished four skirts (that were once dresses). I cut off the top under the arm holes. Then I zig-zagged the edges and turned the top edges over and sewed. [caption id="attachment_558" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Sariahs many 'new' altered skirts"][/caption]

After that put in elastic, and now Sariah has some smart and styling little skirts. I call the pink one her Dora skirt. I altered and sewed all these in one evening within a couple hours time.  You too can try this on special dresses that your child or grandchild outgrows and is not yet wanting to part with. This gives the garment one more year of wear, bringing your child one more year of pleasure. Write me and tell me of something you altered so you or your children/grandchildren could get a little more use out of them.  As Always, Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

First-hand experience altering second-hand garment yields a fit.

My daughter is quite the second-hand shopper. She and I can go down the same store isle yet she will come out with several great things, and I come out empty handed. I have discovered that when you go on one of these second-hand shopping trips do so with something in mind and you will be successful. So with that said I want to share a story of one of my daughters shopping finds. Among the items she brought home from one such second-hand shopping trip was this skirt. [caption id="attachment_544" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The skirt before alterations"][/caption] As you see it is a newer style skirt with sequins on the front.  It was a size 10 and she wears a size 8 or smaller. Even though she is pregnant she figured she could get away with wearing it with a longer shirt over the top. (She is one of those that doesn't get very big during her pregnancies).  I picked the skirt and was admiring it. I noticed it looked quite small. It was then that we both realized that it was a child's size 10, not an adult size 10. We both laughed. That is what can happen when shopping second-hand stores. Often time you don't try them on or you get them home and something is wrong with them. But that is okay, because when you shop these kinds of stores you have to expect such things will occur. So, what does one do with an under-sized skirt. Re-donate it or alter it. My daughter decided to alter it for her daughter that is a child size 6x. Well, from a 10 to a 6 is quite a big size difference, but because of the style of this skirt it would not be hard to alter. So we decided to fix it.  I am going to show you how easy it is to alter this cute little skirt: First I cut off the waist band and cut the side seams off, leaving ¼ inch seam allowance. (I tried the skirt on the child inside out and pinned parallel to the seam and got a good fit. I also figured out how much to cut off of the top).

1. I sewed the sides together, and at this point you can zig zag or surge the edges if you would like.

I am going to show you how easy it is to alter this cute little skirt: 

1. First I cut off the waist band and cut the side seams off, leaving ¼ inch seam allowance. (I tried the skirt on the child inside out and pinned parallel to the seam and got a good fit. I also figured out how much to cut off of the top).

The skirt during the alteration process

2. I sewed the sides together, and at this point you can zig zag or surge the edges if you would like.

1.      3. Next I cut out a new waist band. I sewed elastic to the back, sewed the elastic waist band to the skirt, and then sewed the front waist band to the skirt.

4. 1.      Put in elastic. At this point I tried it on the child. You can shorten a little if needed, which is what I did. [caption id="attachment_546" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Alterations complete - the finished skirt!"][/caption]  

1.      5. Taa… daa… a skirt finished, not for the daughter, but for the grand daughter. I hope this helps you see that altering a garment can be relatively simple, and you might need to try it the next time your second-hand shopping finds you with an item that doesn't fit just how you thought it might.

 

As always,

 

Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Fond memories and handmade items are true treasures

I must miss the Idaho home of my youth, as this is the second time recently I have shared memories from my childhood there. Hope you don't mind my strolls down memory lane. When I was young I remember that church bazaars were a big thing. All the churches had them. It is one way they raised extra funds. The bazaars' were put on by their women's groups. I can recall those bazaars having the best food and every kind of craft you can imagination. They had quilts, toys, pot holders, baby clothes, and more… you name it they made it and sold it. A few weeks ago the mother of one of my sewing students brought in the cutest stitched toys which were handmade by her grandmother. She had originally intended these toys for sale in the bazaars, but of course these toys often ended up in the arms of her grandchildren. 

[caption id="attachment_538" align="alignleft" width="1024" caption="Grandma's homemade toy treasures"][/caption]

I think they are so cute – won't you agree? They are the Three Little Bears, a Bear and Mouse. These are such treasures!!! I think we are all of the same opinion that handmade gifts from the heart and hands of loved ones and friends, like these, are the very best of treasures. A few years ago I made the decision that I would only make homemade gifts as presents. I hope they become treasures like the toys made by this wonderful dear grandmother.  Do you have treasured gifts from someone special? Will you share with us the story behind your treasured gift?  As always, Happy Sewing, from JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

16 Hands + 4 Sewing Machines + 2 Hours = A Baby Quilt Stitched with Love

Recently I had eight teenage girls from the youth group of the church I attend over to my house. They were there because they wanted to make a baby quilt for an expecting and slightly older friend.  Although most of them had never sewn before they were up to the challenge. I gave them pointers and they were off and stitching. What fun we had as they built the quilt.  As they only had 2 hours in which to complete this project I cut the fabric squares out ahead of time. They put their heads together and decided on a pattern and how they wanted the finished quilt to look. Having just four sewing machines on site these eight girls took turns sewing and ironing, and we the finished quilt in the time allotted.  The current trend quilting is to line the finished piece with 'Minkee', a very soft and luxurious fabric, which is perfect for baby blankets and quilts. After the girls left I put the 'Minkee' on the back, turned it, then sewed around the edges and… tah dah!... a baby quilt made by friends with love. The project was relatively quick and easy. [caption id="attachment_533" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The baby quilt love built."][/caption] What do you think? Cute Huh!!! Happy Sewing, JoLene.

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

A stroll down memory lane for sewing inspiration…

I recall the joy I discovered as a child in going to the Twin Falls County Fair. Growing up in southern Idaho this fair was a highlight at the of the summer season. It was always held on the first the week of September. It was a popular event and a big attraction – so much so, that the schools closed for a day.             My mom, my sister and myself always went to the Fair together. The carnival rides were the big draw for us. We loved the food… elephant ears, chocolate-covered frozen bananas, and corn dogs. You might find this funny, but we all loved the exhibits as well. Mom said the rule was to go the exhibits first (sounds like a mom). Our favorite exhibits were the animals and the handcrafted items. Since my mom grew up on a farm she had a special love for the animals and horses. After we had seen all of the exhibits and gone on the rides we would then end up at the rodeo.             Today, what I want to talk about are those handcrafted exhibit items. The exhibit hall was just huge and packed with all kinds of things from quilts, to clothing, knitting, crocheting, canning, cookies, and pies – you name it someone had made it. I loved the quilts the most. They were hung high up on the walls of the building and they looked so big. I was so amazed that someone had sewn those all by hand.             When I started Jolenes Sewing School one of the things I really wanted to do was to have my students enter and experience a County Fair – to have the opportunity to see what other people have created, and to encourage and inspire them to stretch themselves as sewers. Well, we'll have the opportunity to do just that. This year the Multnomah County Fair will be held on May 29^th, 30 ^th, and 31^st from 12 noon to 7 pm daily at Oaks Park in southeast Portland. I'm encouraging my sewing students to enter the items they have sewn into the Fair. Four of my students have been sewing since September 2009, and the rest have started since then – with three newer students attending and sewing for only a few weeks. If you live around here I would invite you to come and support all the people that enter this fair. The Multnomah County Fair may be small as fairs go… but it is wonderful. Like the Twin Falls County Fair of my youth the Multnomah County Fair has carnival rides, crafts, exhibits, and much more. Here is a link to the Fair's web site so you can see all the fun stuff happening over the three days it is open. www.multnomahcountyfair.org             One of the things the Fair does to raise money during the event is to hold a silent auction. They have businesses and people donate items for baskets that visitors then bid on during the Fair. I have created and donated a Sewing Basket filled with sewing supplies and a $130.00 sewing camp certificate. The total value of my baskets contents is $190.00.  The Fair's silent auction will usually have around 60 baskets filled with all kinds of things. Toward the end of the final Fair day (about 5 or 6 pm) the baskets get awarded to the highest bidders. I bet there will be a basket of something you just can't live without.             So plan to attend the Multnomah County Fair to support local crafters, and experience the fun and festivities – all for free as there is no admission fee! Don't you have something that you can enter? See you there! And as always, Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Back to School

Machine cover, pincushion, sewing supply organizer for under machine. Patterns provided. Supply list provided at time of registration. [wp_eStore_category_products:category_id:22:end]

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Cool Sewing Decor

Machine cover, pincushion, sewing supply organizer for under machine. Patterns provided. Supply list provided at time of registration. [wp_eStore_category_products:category_id:21:end]

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Rag Doll Camp

Make an 18" Rag Doll and at least one outfit. All supplies and workbook are included in the price of camp. [wp_eStore_category_products:category_id:3:end]

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Make a Quilt Camp

Make a small quilt to wrap up in while reading your favorite book. Pattern and fabric for top provided. Yardage for backing and batting provided at time of registration. [wp_eStore_category_products:category_id:20:end]

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Make a Dress × 2

One for you and one for your American doll. Supply list provided at time of registration. [wp_eStore_category_products:category_id:19:end]

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Mother / Daughter Cook 'Em Up Camp

Come and make an apron, chefs hat, hot pad, oven mitt and as much fun kitchen stuff as there is time for. Supply list provided at time of registration. [wp_eStore_category_products:category_id:18:end]

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

Dress a Doll Camp

Make a simple wardrobe for an 18" doll. Doll not included, but all other supplies provided. Kit and pattern are included in price of camp. [wp_eStore_category_products:category_id:5:end]

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/