tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post7629172546008651512..comments2024-03-27T10:04:51.949-05:00Comments on ikat bag: A New PursuitLiErhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-50521113950023543602021-12-28T09:54:39.465-06:002021-12-28T09:54:39.465-06:00This post was forever ago, so sorry to just happen...This post was forever ago, so sorry to just happen upon it now! I spent some of the summer teaching kids how to sew, and it really is remarkable what people of any age can do if they are not told from the beginning that it's supposed to be "hard". One of the projects we did was a similar flat beach tote, but the applique design was up to them. It was wonderful to see how creative the final projects were.Reeni Espinohttp://chefreeni.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-16171820605381243862021-11-19T12:43:30.301-06:002021-11-19T12:43:30.301-06:00You amaze me in the best way! The sample could hav...You amaze me in the best way! The sample could have options for next steps that build on the last: applique on flat fabric > flat pouch > flat bag > boxed bottom > closure > pocket > button > zip and on and on :)Kathy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07985702024707805018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-831545961562559632021-11-19T00:01:21.119-06:002021-11-19T00:01:21.119-06:00MaryAnne: yes, I did! It's been on my heart fo...MaryAnne: yes, I did! It's been on my heart for the longest time. And you're absolutely right about the extra challenge empowering the students. Thank you for the encouragement!LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-74485254443343245632021-11-18T19:21:05.222-06:002021-11-18T19:21:05.222-06:00I think you actually wrote about this dream once, ...I think you actually wrote about this dream once, years and years ago? Anyway, I am so excited that you are doing this. And the bag looks great! I think if they can manage the button it will feel empowering to them. I bet they can do it.MaryAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13253503049272771754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-36840616129109973122021-11-18T09:58:04.188-06:002021-11-18T09:58:04.188-06:00Thanks, Trish! I'm sorry your class didn't...Thanks, Trish! I'm sorry your class didn't turn out quite the way you'd planned but I will take those lessons into my own. Thank you for sharing your story! I agree: learning to think and execute in 3D is such a fundamental skill in making anything, really, and the sooner we introduce that, the better we're preparing our learners to take the next step (or any step!)LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-91422046481207995702021-11-18T08:17:19.912-06:002021-11-18T08:17:19.912-06:00Do the 3D!
Long ago I taught a summer long sewing ...Do the 3D!<br />Long ago I taught a summer long sewing class that I simplified for beginners. All crafty things, each focused on a specific new skill. End of summer, they wanted to do a "masterpiece" and wanted clothing. I picked a Hawaiian shirt pattern because very boxy and simple lines.<br /><br />They could not get past putting on a sleeve, because one piece curved and the other didn't! "That's so it will fit over a shoulder!" In my zeal to keep it simple, all we did were straight lines, or matching curves. 100% my fault. <br /><br />That teeny little box corner is the simplest way to introduce how we go from flat to 3D. I now do that little corner as early as I can in sewing classes, to help learning minds grow. Trish Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08527029974901007635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-34033867344201880122021-11-17T20:25:04.018-06:002021-11-17T20:25:04.018-06:00Laurinda: I totally agree about what you said abou...Laurinda: I totally agree about what you said about buttonholes. I grew up learning buttonholes without realizing that they'd had a bad reputation for being hard. I can't remember the curriculum offhand, but I'm pretty sure that buttonholes will be introduced in one of the later lessons. And these days, many sewing machines come equipped with automatic buttonhole-making stuff, so it's really not any harder than, say, a zig zag stitch. In fact, I wish my somewhat-outdated sewing machine had one of those fancy gadgets!LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-68900812957483172142021-11-17T20:21:48.383-06:002021-11-17T20:21:48.383-06:00Lodi - thanks! And in spite of my hesitation, I ha...Lodi - thanks! And in spite of my hesitation, I have a feeling that if these brave ladies have moved countries AND learned to use a sewing machine without a manual, they're not likely to be deterred by a fiddly closure!LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-85989583888371564122021-11-17T20:19:30.743-06:002021-11-17T20:19:30.743-06:00Cecile: that is a very good point about both ways....Cecile: that is a very good point about both ways. After all, the students are going to first make a flat tote anyway before adding the darts to give it the three-dimensional structure. We can always ask them if they like it as is, or if they want it to "look more like the sample" and let them pick. <br /><br />This organization is called Salem Arts Exchange and they operate out of a building near the Lake Street are in Minneapolis (it's about 5 minutes from the Target Field, so it's pretty centrally located. SAE is part of a larger ministry called ARRIVE Ministries, which offers different services to refugees and immigrants new to the Twin Cities. You can read about them here:<br />https://arriveministries.org/<br /><br />and the Salem Arts Exchange (SAE) specifically here:<br />https://arriveministries.org/sae/<br /><br />And yes, they are always looking for new sewing instructors. The default sewing class was Tuesday nights but this year, students who work night jobs have been interested in a daytime class, which was how this Friday one came to be. <br />LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-68327595076708376772021-11-17T20:10:01.706-06:002021-11-17T20:10:01.706-06:00Thank you for encouraging me, Karen!
Thank you for encouraging me, Karen!<br />LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-50593551351989856682021-11-17T20:09:44.733-06:002021-11-17T20:09:44.733-06:00Kathy: Thank you! I think I will go ahead with the...Kathy: Thank you! I think I will go ahead with the corners and fastener - all the comments here seem to be indicating that the pros far outweigh any (imagined) cons, anyway. Keep that dream in your head and heart - the time will come when doors will open.LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-81045652550433726042021-11-17T20:06:50.881-06:002021-11-17T20:06:50.881-06:00Marina: thank you! Yes, it's always that delic...Marina: thank you! Yes, it's always that delicate balance, isn't it? I look back now on all the times something like this COULD have happened but didn't, and am glad it's happening only now. I couldn't have done this when my kids were little.LiErhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13022645291278425282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-34234317219935548942021-11-17T08:35:35.669-06:002021-11-17T08:35:35.669-06:00The bag is cute, & I think your students shoul...The bag is cute, & I think your students should be able to handle it with few problems. & teach them buttonholes now, before they decide that they're too difficult to tryLaurindanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-43051947554048464292021-11-17T08:30:22.823-06:002021-11-17T08:30:22.823-06:00I'm with boxing the bag. And the closure could...I'm with boxing the bag. And the closure could be optional to beat back the 'fear factor'. 😂 <br />Best of luck with your newest endeavor - what a delightful detour. Please keep us posted!Lodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13777295136016723298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-65597478236894753342021-11-17T08:29:59.995-06:002021-11-17T08:29:59.995-06:00I love it! I think you could show them both ways s...I love it! I think you could show them both ways so they can do eitehr one according to their level. And I have one question for you: could you share the name of the organization where you teach? I live in Saint Louis Park, MN, and that is something I would love to do, if they need more people to teach. Thank you!cecilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14116848705011146000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-4695394144240488962021-11-17T07:50:29.580-06:002021-11-17T07:50:29.580-06:00Loved hearing your story and how teaching people t...Loved hearing your story and how teaching people to sew. Its what we need more of. Thank youKaren Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14186776255627465769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-64069107836347299072021-11-16T22:16:03.188-06:002021-11-16T22:16:03.188-06:00Love the bag. I too, fantasize, but about teaching...Love the bag. I too, fantasize, but about teaching just plain beginners, especially kids, to sew. Haven't made it a priority yet, but it rolls around in my head. I'm glad God worked it out for you! Love the bag, I think the corners and button closure are not too much. If they are going to sell their items, every additional extra adds some "chic", as my sweet Mother used to say. Kathy Rockeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540761711646097949.post-68553549321518522512021-11-16T18:37:58.739-06:002021-11-16T18:37:58.739-06:00Love the bag, love that you get to follow your dre...Love the bag, love that you get to follow your dream to share your passion without sacrificing being there with your family. God is pretty amazing that way, right!<br />I don't think boxing the bag is that hard, and it increases the cuteness level - and therefore the possibility to sell a bag like this - a hundredfold.<br />Keep up the great work; we love hearing about all your creative endeavors with a bit of family life thrown in!Marinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15798301828618344594noreply@blogger.com