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!!!

Space open in Frenchy Bag class!!!

I just got news that there is an opening in the Frenchy Bag class that is starting THIS SUNDAY, March 9th. If one of you kind folks is interested in the class, call bolt fabric boutique at 503-287-2658. Call early to nab the space! This class was wait list only and we just had a cancellation!

And who doesn't need a bag like this? The one in the photo is the shoulder bag, and there is also a handbag option that is proportionally smaller, with shorter handles. Very cute! There is a magnetic snap closure, and haven't you always wanted to learn how to put one of those in?!

Come join us in class! Class will be held on two consecutive Sundays, 4:30-6:30pm at bolt -- 2136 NE Alberta St.

March of the Tools

Over on Heather Bailey's website, I saw she started a month of talking about tools! As any of my students and friends will tell you, I love good tools! They make sewing easier and WAY more fun!

So I'm going to be posting information on the tools I use. All of them can be had at your local sewing store, and I'll post more details about the really unique or hard to find ones!

To start with, let's talk about "pincushions". There are so many cute ones available to buy, and so many darling patterns to make your own. But I use none of them. They all make me crazy, because you have to stop sewing, glance at your pincushion and carefully stab the pin in before you can resume sewing. Who has time for that? In the crazy rush that I have for my sewing time, I need to sew at full speed with as few pauses as possible (this might explain the embarrassing topstitching on a baby blanket I just made for a friend. Oops.)

So I use two magnetic "pincushions". One is a Grabbit - and I love it! It is just the right size and weight, the magnet inside is well placed, and while I sew, I can just toss the pins in the general direction of the Grabbit and it sucks them on to the top. The pins all lie straight and flat on top, ready for me to use them for my next pining.

Last year I got the Fons and Porter red heart magnetic pincushion. It was so cute, I couldn't resist. But it's such a drag to actually use because the magnet is poorly placed. This causes pins to stick to the bottom of it (if you set it on the table near some pins) and when you causally toss pins at it, they don't lie flat. They stick up. Straight up. Pointy end up. This is a real drag when you reach for the pincushion without looking at it, thinking you can grab a pin to help feed your fabric through the machine. It's also a drag when you are pinning anything. Imagine a tomato pincushion where half the pins where pointy end up.

So for now, I use the red heart to catch pins next to my machine. I use the Grabbit when I need to actually reach for a pin. And I regularly move the pins from the heart to the Grabbit when I run out of pins. It works. But it makes me want another Grabbit. ;)