Creating: Learn to Sew week 4

So  it is week four  of learn to sew and this week was strange to say the least.  We were locked out of our class for an hour because security  didn't open the door.  Another teacher stole our classroom in the rudest  way possible..And two student  from another class came to our session and took most of the teacher's energy.

I finally learned how to do a French seam on the upside..

Step one to a french seam- sew a seam with the wrong side facing together and the right sides of the fabric facing outward.

Miami Dade non credit courses seem disorganized.  I dropped one class  I was going to take.  I called and they said it was under enrolled... and I am hoping to take one more course that Starts on Sunday, I am hoping that the teacher has assignments  in which we produce something right away.

Creating: Fashion Design Class Broward College

Last night was my first fashion design class.  I was so excited.  I met Kristii first, she is a nineteen year old musician that has a talent for drawing and would like to attend SCAD. She shared her sketches and they are amazing.  Ms. Davidson, the teacher pointed me out and asked Melina? I had been emailing her via facebook to make sure I was ready for class.  It upsets me when people come to class late and don't have a pencil, which happened last night - it is disrespectful. I strive to be prepared and on time.

 Ms. Davidson announced that we were going to hit the ground running and she was not kidding.  With only seven classes left there is so much to do  already, but this is what I signed up for. She said that the purpose of the class was to prepare people for the fashion design world, meaning if you are curious about what the grueling fashion industry is like, this class will give you that fast paced taste.  The class actually is part of the Fast Track continuing education courses for Broward College.  And so it is exactly that fast.

When Ms. Davidson spoke about students cutting themselves, I blurted out, "What does it mean when the teacher mentions blood on the first class?!" Then she kept saying, not to panic.... And something about having the need to call her at 3 am!  I was thinking WHAT?! So I asked her,  "why would I be calling you at 3 am?"  Because  I am thinking, there is no way  I am going to ever be up at 3 am working on homework...then I remembered I used to do homework at 3am in university over 20 plus years ago.  Am I there again?   Oh no, I signed up for this!

So our first assignment was to draw the proportion of the head and to draw a static croquis figure.  I have practiced this before  but not the way she taught it, so  I was like ok here we go.... For homework 20 head drawings and three croquis figures  two of which are action with figure analysis.  I will be posting that once I do it.

So  I realized that Saturday to Saturday is 7 days and Wednesday to Wednesday seems like two days with all that stuff I have to do in between.  This is going to be a busy summer and I plan on blogging the whole experience.

Here is the class kit and book

regular price $80, this term it was free.

I love this book.  This is actually my second copy.

Sample from my practicing heads homework.

Creating: Craftsy A line skirt

When I subscribed as an online reader to threads magazine, they started to send me emails.  In one of the emails, I learned about Craftsy.com.  I signed up for a few classes, one being the zipper pouch class.  I decided to sign up for the A line skirt class, because it included pattern drafting and I wanted to get my "feet" wet before my fashion design class starts on Wednesday.  Here is a picture of my very first  attempt at pattern drafting.

Creating: Learn to Sew Class Week 3

June 8, 2013, class thinned out a little bit - less people showed up.  I really  don't blame them.  All we are doing is drill and kill assignments.  If are super new to sewing  I could see how this could be a turn off.  I thankfully know a little  something about sewing,  so these drill and kill assignments  are more like  tests  of my ability  to be accurate.  It tests my patience too, and I have re-named the class  "The Zen of Sewing."  The teacher Rucht  is getting more strict.  Even though it is a noncredit class, she checks the homework  and expects  that you give it your all.

Last week was about  sewing hems.  This week  I thought  was about  seams..  which is what I really  wanted to learn, but she changed it to pleats.  Yes, pleats!!! So  we did  one inch side pleats  and box pleats..  and the homework is  to practice.  I just might rebel  and show up with my first  made from scratch skirt instead, because that is really  what I want to do this week.

one inch side pleats

half inch side pleats

box pleat

Creating: sewing zipper pouch

I have been wanting to create a zipper pouch for awhile.  So I found a tutorial online and I am super happy with the results.

Creating: Learn to Sew Class Week 2

The homework  from last week also included  taking measurements. Again this week  the homework included taking measurements.  Nothing is being made in the class; it is just sewing straight lines so far.

The homework and classwork this week  included  working on creating hems.  Getting the stitches as close to the edge as possible.

 My goal is to try to the get the stitches as consistently spaced from the edge as possible.

Creating: Learn to Sew Class Week 1

I got into the Miami Dade College sewing class Learn to Sew Summer 2013.  The original teacher scheduled for the class decided  not to teach it and lucky for me  the new teacher Rucht D'Oleo decided to take the class.  When I found out she was the teacher I was excited!  She is a professional in the fashion industry.

The class supply list is as follows:

1. Pins and hand sewing needles with cushion
2. Dotted pattern paper (this one has been challenging to find a source, so I don't have any yet.)
3. Fabric scissors and paper scissors
4. Seam ripper
5. Threads
6. Thread clipper
7.  Curve and straight rulers
8. Tape measurement
9. Transparent tape
10. Mechanical pencil 07
11. Notcher ( still need to get this)
12. Tailor chalk
13.  5 yards of Muslin fabric
14. Tracing wheel (plan on getting a better one)

*Loop tuner

*Awl

*3 yards of your favorite fabric for the last project

* pattern hangers

*suggested but not required 

The homework is to practice measuring figures and  sewing straight lines on muslin.

creating: cat muzzle -sewing

So  I have a muzzle for my cat. I know what you are thinking-  cruel  right.  It is more  of a calming thing.  He purrs when you put it on.

 Well the seams inside always bothered me..that  doesn't seem comfortable  so I finally  decided to try to make one by putting all the seams on the outside.

 It is a mess of a sewing job, but he purred the moment  I put it on.

 I love the contour it created on his nose!.

Creating: Fashion Design Class Miami Dade College a dud

I signed up for the  Fashion Design class with Jill Odermann as the teacher  at Hammock Middle  and the class was cancelled  2 hours and 45 minutes  before the class!  To me that is not cool  -I have things  I had planned out  to go there. And I was already there, I drove an hour to get there.  I missed the email  that was sent cancelling the class because I was driving there.  I just  thought Miami Dade College's policy to cancel  that  last  minute  is disrespectful to everyone's time. it is making me rethink the other  class I signed  up for.  i know the universe is doing me a favor though and for that  I am thankful, even though it doesn't feel good  now  because I was looking forward to the class.

Creating: fashion design

So  I tried this before and I am trying it again - to learn to sew.  I signed up for the fashion designing class at Broward College   called Fashion Designing.  If you click on that link you can sign up just  go to register and you will see a list of classes.   The teacher is Asanyah Davidson and I am looking forward to learning from her.  Classes start June 12.   I am also taking sewing classes  at Miami Dade College  starting in May.  I will be blogging more and sharing the experience.