Getting started

We are off to a great start. In all the years I have taught sewing, I can't remember getting as far as we have gotten in just two class meetings. You are all great listeners, respectful, hard workers, and a lot of fun to have in class.

What we have accomplished:

Week 1 -

* identified our sewing supplies, talked about choices of projects for the semester, learned how to do the "even running stitch" and a "basting stitch".

* discussed the craft of sewing

* talked about a quote from Shakespeare - "What is won, is done. Joy lies in the doing." I hope that you all are happy with the final outcome of all the projects you take on, but it is my hope that the "doing" will bring you joy as well.

Homework:

* practice and perfect the even running stitch and basting stitch - bringing those back to class with an "assignment" sheet attached

* cut muslin strips

Week 2 -

* did a tiny bit of review and then got out the machines and went through all the parts and what they do. Everyone got used to learning how the foot control works on their machine by sewing lines on notebook paper.

* threaded the machines and practiced on strips. Everyone is getting the hang of remembering to put down the presser foot BEFORE beginning to sew :o) Remembering to backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitching was also practiced. It will all become like second nature after you have been sewing for awhile.

Homework:

* 2 worksheets on parts of the sewing machine

* Practice on notebook paper, pivoting at end of lines

* practice sewing lines on strips - remembering to start at the top of the strip and sew all the way down to the bottom, but don't go off the end of the strip - backstitch at both ends :o)

* vocab words: muslin, even running stitch, basting stitch

Next week:

* review to reinforce what has been covered so far

* go over worksheets

* history of the sewing machine

* learn a new technique