Sew Fun Kids Class – Winter 2011 report

What fun we have been having in my Sew Fun Kids Class!

Once a month we descend upon the classroom at Wooden Gate Quilts in Danville, California. Pretty soon it is filled with positive creative energy and the hum of the sewing machines. (And an occasional hiccup from a broken needle or empty bobbin)

Most of the students begin with little or no sewing experience and they are always ready to jump in and get going! They work fast and try very hard. And we get so much done!

One of our first projects was a totally practical and super cute two-sided apron, complete with fun pockets.

We were all a little surprised to learn that Alaina was 19 years old, since she looks about 12. But we loved having her in class while she was home from college. Here she is in her yellow gingham apron. Maybe we will see her back in class on the Christmas vacation.

We had the opportunity to try a little fusible applique on these binder and composition book covers.

How cute us this?

Another great project that everyone loved were these crafty bags. We used fabric-covered hair bands for the button loops – so clever!

Can you say Dar-Ling?!?

Another style of bags we tried are these three-color bags. We used the same technique from a French-seam pillow case and added the straps to make a completely finished , perfect-sized bag.

One of our classes was the weekend of Halloween. Our super-mom Hilda made us this fabulous cake.

The next day I was teaching another class and Amelia came by to show me the Trick-or-Treat bag that she made at home overnight. She had learned to sew the day before and was already designing her own projects – and finishing them. I was so proud!

One of the most delightful things about working with the students is seeing their smiles when they complete a project!

Our secret to success and those happy smiles is our marvelous assistant, Maddy. Much of the time she is literally run off her feet fixing the sewing machines.

This banner was a special gift, but with all the letters and fabrics it was a huge undertaking for our short class.  Adrine and Maddy worked very hard and finished it just in time! Great job!

These banners went together very well, and they look great!

Our December class fun with the girls making sachets as gifts.

These two darlings had their first sewing day and they didn’t hesitate to jump in and create many sachets and even a pillow – way to go!

We experimented with the new shipment of fleece and will be making everything we can think of out of fleece in the next class.

Until then…