Hi, I’ve been a member for a while, and my wife finally joined last month.
She’d like to work on a sewing project at the space, but we’re not sure what classes are required to certify for using the sewing machines so she can assemble her outfit she’s wanting to work on.
I’ve not done any creative arts classes before either, so I could not tell her who to talk to and/or how to get certified, nor could I find any classes coming up.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are waiting to get this outfit together for Halloween.
My wife is also interested in taking a sewing class. She has some basic experience, but wants to further her skills. Would she be able to join, or should she wait until there is an official class for this?
If I get other agreement to the time, it’s going to be an official calendar class. In fact, if your wife can show up Wednesday at 7pm, I’ll go ahead and put the class on the Calendar now. This week doesn’t have many options for me, though.
I’ll happily come too. I have a blanket i need to finish by Christmas. I need to finish the serger part and i want to put a back on it. I am not sure how to put a back on it.
I also have a canvas bag somewhere that i think i cut all the pieces for but haven’t started sewing yet. A class might give me the jumpstart i need to finish it.
You have two options; more if you want a frayed, raw edge blanket or if you’re working in fleece.
Both options would be done with the conventional sewing machine.
(1) The easier option is to place the blanket atop your backing, right sides together, stitch around 3-1/2 sides leaving an opening in the middle of one straight edge but making sure both corners are stitched. Turn it right side out, press, fold under the raw edges of the open section, and then topstitch all the way around.
(2) Second option is to place the blanket atop the backing with right sides OUT and then bind the edges like a quilt.
Either way, I think you are going to have to do some stitching in the center of the blanket to keep it stabilized (otherwise it’s just like a big empty pocket). Walking foot is your best bet if we have one.
I’m not real familar with baby needs, but I suspect two layers of fleece may be too heavy (warm). You might consider flannel as your “back” side. Since it’s for a baby, I wouldn’t recommend any of the easier fleece-friendly edges (i.e., fringes or crinkle cut).
With one layer fleece and one layer flannel, you could do either of these approaches above. First one is easier and certainly appropriate. If you take the second approach, make the binding from the flannel - not the fleece.
EDIT: For your “middle”, easiest approach is to “stitch in the ditch” along the seams of whatever you have pieced together. “Stitch in the ditch” means you top stitch along the seam. This gives a convenient place to somewhat hide the top stitching.
I recently made a car seat “blankie” and was warned that babies can’t do a very good job of regulating their body temperature.
Also, if it’s that super soft, kinda long haired slippery fleece like Minkie, it’s going to be a challenge to work with two layers of it without it sliding all over on you.
If it’s not that large, you can usually bypass stitching in the middle of the blanket, just the outer edge is sufficient. Astrud regularly does twin/full size fleece blankets with no issues. The fleece tends to stick to itself so that you don’t really run into any problems.
Also, in our experience a double layer of fleece is fine assuming it’s a cool/cold day for a 1 year old.
