As a Consumer Science professional (the new title these days for a Home Economist) I am thrilled that so many kids are getting involved with sewing and needleart classes. These classes give kids a chance to test their creativity while learning age old skills that used to be passed down from generation to generation through moms, aunts, grandmoms, and friends. My classes are full with a waiting list at Tower Hill School in Wilmington DE. My students not only learn machine techniques but hand sewing techniques as well. Lifelong learning skills to be enjoyed during the course of their lifetime. Many of my students continue sewing lessons through middle school and beyond. Their love of sewing just keeps on going as does their creativity and self expression. Share the joys of sewing with your kids and don't forget grownups can sew too! Everyone, say yes to sewing!

Betsey Johnson 

Designer

 

  

New this year is "Afternoon Sewing with Ms Bobbi". Sign up for a few days when time is available or gather a few friends, choose your projects, and have a personalized camp for you and your friends! Working parents can sign their children up for a morning camp and together we can work out an afternoon camp for your camper. It's sewing at its best and personalized too! I can also offer these afternoons at Tower Hill, my home classroom, or at a client's home. Availability for these afternoons will be based on a first come- first serve basis. Register early for best selection of times and dates. Learning to sew and loving it!

Parents and kids alike are always asking me what are some of the "have to have" notions for their sewing baskets. I tell them that when you are starting to sew there are basic notions that you should have in your sewing basket. Scissors ( 5" blades for clipping threads and seams, 8" shears for cutting fabric, and a pair of paper scissors for cutting anything that is not fabric), pins, hand needles, tape measure, Chacoliner or other marking notion,and a seam ripper are all basic necessity items. 

 

Variations for these items come in the form of good, better, best. Take for instance scissors. When a sewer starts out Fiskars might be a great purchase for all of the scissors needed to sew. However, as the sewer gets better and learns how to cut, Gingher scissors might be a better option.

 

Pins are another example. For my young sewers I always suggest long "Pearlized Pins" by Dritz. The kids love the colored heads and I find the long pins are easier to handle. For my adult clients I will usually recommend purchasing glass head pins. Glass head pins heads will not melt under the heat of the iron and therefore makes iro ning easier while sewers are constructing their projects.

 

There are hundreds and hundreds of notions on the market to serve sewers in every sewing discipline. Read the sewing magazines and ask other sewers what they like to get the information you need to make wise purchases. Some notions are just for fun purchases like pincushions shaped into hearts or couches. What matters is that you enjoy sewing and your tools help you do just that! Check out my blog for more info on sewing tools.

 

That's a wrap for me for now. Keep checking back on my site at www.fascinationinfabrics.com  for new products and information. And be sure to contact me for your sewing related questions. 

 

Until next time.....