Sewing

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First Samples

by 4 Comments

As a sewing instructor in Los Angeles, I am always on the lookout for other sewing classes around the country. I love to know that there are others like me who adore sewing and want to share this fabulous skill with others.

I came accross FirstSamples in Austin, Texas. Ah, it is SOO great to see schools offering sewing classes that don’t include the damn PJ Bottoms! Seriously, besides Ward Cleaver, who wears these anyway?

Their classes include the fantastically named Sewing Boot Camp and the Simple Summer Dress Series teaches you how to make a chic little pleated summer dress among other inspiring designs.

If you are in the Austin area and lookin’ to sew- check them out!

First Samples
512-326-3393
120 Academy Dr.
Suite 303
Austin, TX 78704

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Comments

  1. I too look for other sewing schools around the country because I teach in South Florida which is how I found your blog.

    I opened a couple of years ago. No one is teaching the art like I do here in SoFlo. People drive over an hour to take my classes.

    I let them make what they want. Most kids do want to make the pants 🙂 It’s all good though. When they make what they want the sewing seed is planted.

    I have people calling me from all over the country to find out if I know anyone near them that teaches sewing. Time to expand the business?

    I love teaching. It’s very rewarding.
    http://www.learn2sewflorida.com/
    http://learn2sewflorida.blogspot.com/

    Gook Luck and
    Enjoy your moments ~ make them “sew” much fun,
    Cindy

    Reply

  4. I teach sewing to teenagers at The Indianapolis Art Center. We did really fun simple green market totes/laptop bag for the only boy in the class. We also made pillows with pockets or appliques. This Fall it’s
    DIY “Sew” My Room. Wish I had my own studio outside of my home and in addition to teaching at the IAC.

    Reply

Have you read?

DIY Kids Gingerbread House Bag with Free Pattern

I am just smitten with this felt gingerbread house bag.  This would make such a sweet special Christmas accessory for a kid.  It’s a free pattern at Benzie Design, designed by Gracie from Hello Gracie Makes.  It’s packed with adorable gingerbread house details, like swirls and stripes and scallops adoring the doors and windows. 

And while all those details might seem like this would be a complicated pattern, it’s actually not.  The bag itself is made from felt, which makes finishes edges unnecessary.  (All of those scalloped edges are just cut from felt, no edge finishing required.)  The strap is super simple, made from rope with knotted ends.  And all those details are made with some basic hand embroidery stitches.  Sparkle felt makes it extra cute.

The striped scallop roof is actually the top flap of the bag. A magnetic snap makes it a secure closure.  The rope straps are attached through felt loops at the side of the bag. 

They rate this project as an intermediate level, and it should take about 6 hours to make start to finish.  That’s doable for a Saturday project or a couple of evenings.  Full color photos step you through the entire process.

The project includes a shopping list for all of your supplies.  They’ve got a shop so you can order all of them from Benzie if you like and get exactly the supplies used in the project.  I noticed it includes a pair of scallop shears, which makes cutting all the scalloped edges for the roof and around the door a breeze.  

Finished dimensions of the little felt gingerbread bag are approximately 6 ½” wide x 7 ½” tall.  That’s the perfect size to hold a small book, a small toy, or a notepad and some cute pens.

Go to Benzie Design to get the tutorial and free pattern for the felt gingerbread house bag.

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