New Sewing Class: Introduction to Sewing.

I will be teaching a sewing corse "Introduction To Sewing". In this corse we will learn the very basics in sewing. Such as:

How to thread your machine,
Basic machine settings,
How to start and stop a stitch,
How to take proper body measurements,
How to understand Fabric grain,
How to pick fabric and how to read the bolt tag,
How to hem and narrow hem,
How to make casing for elastic.

We will also be completing two sewing projects that utilize these skills.

This will be a three week corse starting on Thursday, July 28th at 5:00pm.
August 12th at 5pm. The cost of the corse is $45.00

Please e-mail me for full details or to register for this class. Space is limited.

Please let me know if you would like a class given on different day or time.

Thank you, and happy sewing!

UPDATE:
Class start date has been moved to Thursday August 12, 2011 at 5pm
We will meet 8-12, 8-19 and 8-25. Thank you!

Sewing with PUL

I started using cloth diapers on my youngest DD the end of last year (about 7 months ago). When I first looked into them I could not believe how easy they were. I had this picture in my head of burp cloths and diaper pins... Leaky messes, no fun! But that was not it at all. The choices were great, the issue I had was the price (although when you look at what you are saving by not buying disposable's it far outweighs the cost). I figures why not make my own. So the search is on for pattern's, fabric choices fastening options. Lets just say I ended with Pocket diapers, Kam Snaps (http://www.kamsnaps.com/) to fasten them though hook & loop (Velcro) works great too., Micro Fleece to line them, many types of soakers and waterproof PUL for the outer.

Sewing with PUL can be a little tricky because while one side of it is fabric the other side is sticky plastic. So when sewing the plastic sticks to the machine/foot rather then smoothly passing through. I hear a walking foot helps with this which would be great if I had one, but being that I don't, I set out looking for a low tech solution. What I found... tissue paper! It's that easy. Just put the tissue paper on the sticky side of the PUL before running through the machine, stitching over it then pull it off when your done.

I've taken to saving the paper left over when you cut out a store bought pattern. It works GREAT!

Here is my sweet girl napping with one of her cute diapers.

Swim Suit Season!

It's hot here in sunny California so I set off to make swim suits for my girls and myself. We have a high modesty standard in our home so the project came down to finding the right pattern.

At last, after searching the web I found Fashionably Modest swimsuit pattern http://www.fashionablymodestpatterns.com/ I made the girls suits and they are adorable. I am working on mine now.

I had trouble finding fabric. You really need 4 way stretch lycra and our Joannes only has a few solids, no cute girl prints. So off to www.etsy.com I go, did a search for "swimwear fabric" and found just enough for my girls suits. I ended up getting a solid for me at Joannes so I could use my 50% off coupon I had.

What I've learned through this so far is that:
1. You need 4 way lycra for swim wear and Etsy is the best place to find it.
2. Most elastic is chlorine resistent, Just read the box.
3. I LOVE my serger. It's great for stretch fabric.

My DD, AM

My DD, S

Let the Blogging begin:

Hello! I am new to Blogging however I have been enjoying (and learning from) other bloggers so I thought I would give it a go.

I am a mommy of 3 great kids My boy "A" 8 years and my girls "S" 3 years and "AM" 1 year this month. I also have a great husband who supports me in all my craziness. Thanks hun!  We also have 2 dog's.

I run a Daycare in our home so you can imagine it gets a little crazy around here most days, but it allows me to be here with and for my kids and I would not change that for anything.
I am glad to say that as of today I am officially on vacation for just over 2 weeks! A much needed break to hang with my fam.

I LOVE to sew! That it what I will be blogging about the most. I get a kick out of creating my own designs. I may even give tutorial writhing a try... we'll see how well that goes :)

I hope you check back or better yet follow my page see where this adventure can take us.