New Classes at Bolt

I just updated my sidebar with the classes that I'm teaching this summer at Bolt.

There is still space available in the Learn To Sew class, and the other classes are wait list only.

Please, please, please consider being on the wait list for classes that interest you! In the Invisible Zipper class that I just taught, we had three people have to cancel at the last minute. The SIXTH person on the wait list was able to get in! So even if there are a lot of people already on the wait list, I really recommend giving it a try!

Have a great summer and hopefully I'll see you in class!

Did you know?

... that Jo-Ann Fabrics is now carrying organic cotton quilting fabric?! On the whole I think the quality of their fabrics is disappointingly low, but I'm willing to give the organics a shot! Especially with my 40% coupon...

Also - if you haven't gotten the bolt newsletter, there are a few classes on the books for July.
Amy Butler Birdy Sling, Jenna Lou's Fiona Handbag, and the Learn to Sew: Farmer's Market Tote. Right now the first two of those classes are full, but there is still some space available in the Learn To Sew class - it is Tuesday nights, July 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 7pm-9pm, $60. Call 503-287-BOLT (2658) to sign up!

Coming in August will be a Jalie t-shirt class and another Cute Skirts class. And then I'll be done with classes until after the bambino is born. Time flies!!! The August classes aren't set in stone, so be watching for the bolt newsletter in your inbox to learn the dates and times.

See you in class!

What's your favorite?

It's getting to be time to write up the class list for July and August! What classes do you want to see offered? We're thinking about another bag class or two, maybe a t-shirt class, and of course, more cute skirts!!!

Are there other things that you'd like to see? More challenging? More gifty? More garments? More bags?

Let me know!!!

I'll teach through about mid-August and then will take a break to birth this baby! I think I'll be back to teaching by the end of the year - hopefully in time to whip up some holiday gifts!

Come learn to sew!

I am getting ready to email out the supply list to the students signed up for the Learn To Sew class that we have coming up, and saw that there are still TWO SPOTS open! The class is held at Bolt, on NE Alberta and 22nd -- if you've been thinking that there is someone you know who would love to learn to sew and hasn't made the leap yet, NOW is the time!!!

We will be making the Favorite Things Lunch Bag, which is totally adorable! I made up a sample about 6 weeks ago and we've been using it almost daily. It has just enough padding to protect the apple at the bottom of the bag when my three year old drags the bag through the house. And it fits just the right amount of food, napkins, drinks that the two of us need for an outing.

Class will be held on THREE consecutive Sundays, May 18th, 25th, and June 1st, from 4:30pm-6:30pm, and costs $60.

Call Bolt at 503-287-2658 to sign up! You'll love the class!

MORE Cute Skirts!

This just in!

We've added two sessions of the Cute Skirts class to the schedule at bolt!

Classes will be held TUESDAYS, 7pm-9pm on May 20th/27th and June 10th/17th. So you can sign up for class in May or you can sign up for class in June. Or you could sign up for both, but that would be a little selfish, don't you think? If you were previously on the waiting list for the class that starts this Sunday, you get first dibs at the new classes. Which is why I say to ALWAYS get on the waiting list!!!

And since the frantic whirl of newly added classes does cause some people to sign up now and cancel later, I still really recommend GETTING ON THE WAITING LIST if you can't get the class you want!

See you in class!
Now you don't have an excuse!

Scissors and things that cut

I have a good sized collection of things that cut and I love them all! By my cutting table, I have the rotary cutters and large scissors and by my machines, I have the small scissors. As you can see by all the blue ribbons, I label my scissors, etc as MINE with the same blue ribbon. That way, when I travel to the super fun Sisters Gig and other places where someone else might have the same tool, I know which one is mine!

The scissors I use are all Ginghers. Back in the day, they were made in Germany and Italy, and were stamped with that information. I've heard that the company has been recently bought by Fiskars and the scissors are now being made in Mexico. Mine are all old enough that I haven't had any experience with "new" ones to know if quality has been compromised. I will say (and I tell this to all my students) that although a pair of Gingher shears cost twice as much as Fiskars, they will last 10 times longer. My 7" shears were a gift when I turned 13, I've never had to have them sharpened, and they still cut fabric like it's butter. My 8" shears were a Christmas gift a few years ago and are noticibily sharper, and can cut through much thicker layers with ease. Since my hands are quite small, I really like owning both pairs. That way I only tire my hands with the big ones when I really need to.

But why tire the hands and induce carpal tunnal when there is the good friend the rotary cutter? I also have an assortment of those - one just for cutting fabric, one for cutting paper, and one with a "pinking" blade. I don't really recommend the pinking blade, because I find it really damages my self-healing mat when I try to cut curves with it. When the blade gets dull on my regular fabric cutter, I switch the blade to the paper cutter, saving on the cost of replacement blades. In addition to my 45mm rotary cutters, I also have the 18mm cutter, which is great for cutting curves. It handles better, twisting and curving around garment patterns (think armholes and neckholes) without marring the mat or skipping over fibers.

In addition to a rotary cutter, you also have to invest in a good self-healing mat and some clear rulers. The biggest issue I find with the mats is storage. Unless you have a cutting table where the mat can always lie flat, I recommend buying a medium size mat (18"x24"). That way it can easily be tucked behind a bookshelf when it isn't being used. If they aren't stored totally flat, they buckle and warp and can't be used.

Happy Sewing!

One spot left in the Anna Tunic class at Bolt

This just in: We just had a cancellation for the Anna Tunic class, meaning there is ONE SPOT AVAILABLE! This is seriously the cutest top that we'll be offering all summer, so hop to it and call the shop to sign up! Class will be held Sundays, April 13th and 20th, 4:30pm-6:30pm. Call bolt at 503-287-2658.

Marching On

So much for all those posts I had planned for March of The Tools. I may just have to March into April with my tools... Mercifully, our weather has turned from slushly snow and hail to some beautiful blue skies! We're on day two of good weather and I love how it lifts everyone's mood!

Unfortunately, I'm having some odd technical problems getting my photos uploaded to Blogger. And I have such a cute little photo of my "tool" box and of a little wooden box that is labeled "tools". Soon, folks.

Anna Tunic class at Bolt

I just learned that due to a cancellation, there are TWO spots open for the Anna Tunic at Bolt! This is a totally cute tunic with great details and the class will cover all sorts of interesting things - fit: what to do when your bust and hip measurements don't "match", buttons with loop closures, gathering, facings, and more!

Class is for "intermediate" seamsters, meaning you need to have successfully finished a project or two, preferably a garment. So if you've made the Cute Skirt, you are ready to move to the Tunic!

Grab a friend and call Bolt at 503-287-2658 to sign up!

New Classes at Bolt!

The new schedule of classes at bolt is now available! Since the owner just had her baby, the website might not be updated for another day or two, so I'll put all the info here and create the links when the website is up. There are a few new classes, so read on!

As always, call bolt fabric boutique at 503-287-BOLT to sign up.

All classes are held on Sundays, 4:30pm-6:30pm.

April 13th and 20th: Amy Butler Anna Tunic
With it's clean lines and modern style, this tunic will be great for any spring or summer wardrobe. You will learn to properly measure yourself for a good fit and you will learn techniques to modify the tunic if you are between sizes or if your bust measurement doesn't match the hip measurement listed for your size. The tunic has a neck facing and gentle front gathers, two useful skills skills to learn! Intermediate skill level please. $40.




April 27th and May 4th: Cute Skirts
It’s that one–the one we keep offering, since you seem to just love it! We use the Favorite Things “cute skirts” pattern-a paneled skirt with a flat front waist and elastic in back. It’s a great first project if you’ve played around with your machine a bit. You’ll learn how to measure yourself to make the right size and have a skirt that you’ll love to wear. Advanced beginner. $40.

May 18th, 25th, and June 1st: Learn to Sew: Lunch Bag
Have you been looking for a good replacement to that disposable bag you pack your lunch in? This is a "learn to sew" class, which means all you need is a working machine (and the manual if you aren't sure how to thread it and wind the bobbin). We will use the Favorite Things pattern to make this great bag. You will choose fabrics for the outside and the lining and will make a bag that includes two handy pockets. Beginner. $60.

June 8th: Zipper Clinic
Are you ready to learn zipper applications? Come learn easy ways to sew zippers in your garments and craft projects. In this hands-on class, we will cover centered zippers and lapped zippers, making you ready to tackle any project that calls for a zipper, from a throw pillow to a prom dress. Advanced beginner. $27 (includes materials fee)

June 22nd: Zipper 2 Clinic (Invisible Zippers!)
Do invisible zippers seem mysterious to you? Have you wondered about their uses and applications? Come take this one evening class and learn to apply invisible zippers. We will discuss the proper uses of invisible zippers, where they are best used, and how to make them look great! Advanced beginner. $27 (includes materials fee)

I'd love to see you in class!!!