My Weekend Plans: Sewing!!!

It is suppose to rain most of this weekend, so inbetween shuttling my moping basset hound to and from the dog park, I plan to sew. (I almost wrote "mopping" instead of "moping" and believe me, if he could mop I would be thrilled...Heck, I'd be thrilled if he could even vaccuum.)

The season has changed from winter to summer and, since I joined the Sew-Your-Own-Wardrobe-For-One-Year challange, I have been reduced to the few items I have in my wardrobe from last year....

So, I need to make several t-shirts. The first set will be Renfrews because I know and love the pattern and I can churn out four or so over the weekend.  I have red fabric, green fabric and a few patterned fabrics for this venture. I will have substantial scraps left over, so you may even see a hybrid t-shirt too!

Next, I'm making pants. Just a quick pair of slip-on pants (no waistband, just darts and a side zipper). These additions will see me through the next few weeks.....

Sewing Studio Safety

I spent some time this school year sewing with a few students during  lunch hour. It wasn't a rewarding activity. Sewing is an expensive hobby and it takes a lot of time and patience. And there are always safety issues with any machinery.

Below are a list of sewing room safety rules that I got from a high school teacher. It assumes more independence than my 7th graders have.

source

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

1. Follow all directions given by the pattern.
2. Inform the teacher if there are broken material / tools in the room.
3. Keep a clean workspace while working and clean up your area when you are done.
4. Think before you sew!  Be resource savvy.
5. Choose the proper tool for your task - ask the teacher if you need help.
6. Concentrate on your task:  avoid distractions and do not rush.
7. Cooperate with others and take turns as needed.
8. Goofing around and throwing things can cause injury and will not be tolerated.
9. Report any injury no matter how small to the teacher.
10. IF IN DOUBT, STOP AND ASK YOUR TEACHER FOR HELP!

SAFETY IN THE SEWING LAB

Equipment

• Choose the proper tool for your task – NEVER use fabric scissors for ANYTHING but fabric!
• Keep your work area clean and return material to their storage when you are finished.
• Keep pins in a pin box, never in mouth or clothes.
• Keep scissors closed when not using.
• Pass sharp objects, sharp end down, to another person.
• Keep all supplies in your sewing box when not in use.

Sewing Machine

• Wear safety eyewear. (Or choose eye glasses over contacts during sewing class)
• Keep the sewing machine cord out of people’s way.
• When sewing, keep hands flat on material, fingers away from the needle, and guide the material through the machine. Never push or pull the material as it could cause the needle to break.
• Use a slow speed when learning how to use the machine. Keep your machine under control at all times. Do NOT speed!
• DO NOT sew over pins!
• Do not place objects in openings on the machine.
• Use sharp needles – replace bent or blunt needles.
• Switch the machine off when threading the machine.
• Switch the machine off if you leave your workspace.
• Unplug the machine by pulling on the plug, never on the cord, when you are finished.
• Replace the sewing machine cover when you are finished sewing.

Iron

• Don’t touch a hot iron except on the handle.
• Iron on the ironing board only.
• Keep your fingers and face away from the steam.
• Keep the electrical cord out of the way to avoid tripping and pulling the iron off the ironing board.
• Rest the iron on its heel when not in use.
• Unplug the iron when finished. Empty water when not in use. Let the iron cool and then store properly.

What do you think? Is anything left out?

'How Much Fabric' winners!

I have some exciting news to announce.....the winners of the "How Much Fabric" cards give-away....

These cards are your handy-dandy reference for when you are fabric shopping without your patterns in hand (or even picked out yet). Gwyn Hug has referenced hundreds of patterns and made calculations to save you time and money.  She has done all the work to save you from buying too much or too little fabric.Honestly, I've used them so much since I got them.

Here is a link to purchase your own set of cards.

And if you aren't ready to purchase a set yet, why not save the link and let a friend or relative buy you a set for your next birthday or Christmas? These are on my list of stocking stuffers for the sewists I know....

But I digress....

                  the winners are....Dorothy DotDot and Judith. Congratulations ladies. I've emailed you both with instructions on how to claim your prizes. And remeber the small print: as a winner, you've agreed to help us spread the word about these dynamic cards. Please review them on your blog or elsewhere.....