Hi everyone,

Fall is here and it’s a great time to get back into sewing and knitting!  Check out my fall class listings…

-Knitting I, 2 weeks, Monday 7:00-9:00 pm, 10/5 & 10/12, $50

Age 15 and up.  Learn the basics of knitting in two classes by making a scarf.  Left-handed knitting will be taught to left-handed class members.  Materials included.

-Knitting II, 3 weeks, Monday 7:00-9:00 pm, 10/19-11/2, $65

For students age 15 and up; prerequisite Knitting I (or equivalent).  Make a hat or dog sweater and learn intermediate knitting techniques such as increasing, decreasing, and using double-pointed and circular needles.  The studio provides basic patterns; students provide their own yarn and needles.

-Sewing I, 4 weeks, Tuesday 6:30-9:30 pm, 10/6-10/27, $135 + $10 materials

For beginners age 15 and up or those who haven’t sewn in quite a while.  Learn machine-sewing skills (or further develop your skills) by making a purse, tote bag, or messenger bag that expresses your style!  Patterns will be provided; materials fee gives you access to the Studio’s stock of fabric and supplies.

Intermediate Skill Workshops (prerequisite Sewing I or equivalent):

-Working with Bias Tape, 1 session, Saturday 10/17, 1:00-4:30 pm, $50

Bias binding is a neat and decorative way to finish raw edges, but creating it can be tricky!  In this workshop, students will learn how to calculate yardage, cut bias strips, join them, press them into binding, sew on binding by three different methods (topstitched, stitch-in-the-ditch, and by hand), and create mitered corners.  Students should bring 1 yard of cotton fabric and 3 flour sack dishtowels or plain, rectangular placemats to bind during class.  A bias tape maker is included in the cost of the class. For students age 15 and up.

-Zipper Workshop, 1 session, Saturday 11/7, 1:00-4:30 pm, $50

Learn three types of machine-sewn zipper installations: invisible, lapped, and faced.  Zippers and muslin will be provided, and each student will try all three methods during the workshop.  Fly zippers will not be covered in this class.  For students age 15 and up.

-Hand-stitching Workshop, 2 sessions, Wednesdays 12/2 & 12/9, 6:30-8:30 pm, $50

Learn functional hand stitches useful in sewing clothing during two sessions.  Students will make a stitch sampler to take home for reference.  We will cover the following stitches and their practical applications: slipstitch, catchstitch, prickstitch, herringbone stitch, blanket stitch, tailor’s tack, threadmark, basting stitch, and running stitch. For students age 15 and up.

Find more information at www.craftandsewstudio.com.

I hope to see you all in class

-Kristin G.

Open Studio is a time for you to come in and make some headway on your sewing projects (in relative peace and quiet, in the company of other stitchers) and get help and advice on tricky steps. 

I will be available to help up to four students at a time during these sessions, and access to the sewing machines and tools is included.  You may bring in any sewing project you like, or even multiple projects, and you may come in for 1, 2, or 3 hours at a time.  Take advantage of the Studio’s big cutting tables, easily accessible machines and supplies, and my sewing and pattern-reading skillz.  Sometimes you just need to get away from the distractions of home to get things done!

Alternating Sundays 1:00-4:00 pm and Wednesdays 6:00-9:00 pm

Summer 2009 Open Studio dates: July 1, 5, 15, 19, 29; August 2

for more information, visit Craft & Sew Studio’s website:

http://www.craftandsewstudio.com/craftandsewstudio/Open_Studio.html

I have also started a new Sewing Circle that will meet once a month at the Studio!

Stitchers of all levels (including beginners) are welcome to attend.  This group is sponsored by www.burdastyle.com, which is an amazingly stylish and useful open-source sewing website.  Here is what they have to say about the aims of the group:

“A BurdaStyle Sewing Club is a group that meets on a regular basis where people can drop by and ask questions, practice their craft and be creative together.”

The focus of this sewing circle is mainly on fashion sewing, but quilters and stitchers with other areas of interest are welcome as well.  It’s a chance to get together with some like-minded diy folks, make new friends, and get advice on sewing dilemmas. We may also do some stitch-alongs or tutorials if members would like to!

Our first meeting is on this coming Sunday, June 28^th, at 6:00 pm.

Attend a Burdastyle Sewing Circle meeting at Craft & Sew Studio during June, July, or August and receive a 20% discount on one class.

Join the Meetup Group here:

I hope to see you all at the Studio soon.  I can’t wait to see what you’re sewing this summer!

-Kristin

Saturday I zipped over real quick to the open house for Craft and Sew Studio in Virginia Beach. Craft and Sew Studio is a new-ish business the likes of which I am thrilled to see in this area.

The studio is actually a converted garage, although you would never know it once you step inside. It’s very cozy, brightly lit with modern furnishings and really cute decor. There are four sewing machines, a serger and an ironing station.

It’s also stacked with fabric, notions, books and patterns. Kristin Glans, the owner and instructor, is a member of the 7 Cities Crafters and let me tell you she has an impressive resume. She not only holds a BA in Theatre Costume Design, but worked as a costume designer in Boston and New York for many years. She is an alumnus of NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts as well as London College of Fashion!

Her gorgeous custom sewing projects were on display and the details and finishing were impeccable. We got to talking and it turns out we are neighbors! She lives a few streets down from me. I look forward to taking full advantage of having her right down the street and forcing her to become my own personal Tim Gunn. (Only kidding, Kristin. Sort of.)

We had a great time and I signed up for her Perfect Pants class, which will run for four weeks. I am SO looking forward to learning to alter the pattern before I start sewing and pants are something I never could picture myself doing without some serious professional help. I can’t wait! I encourage everyone to check out her site and the current list of classes! Happy sewing!