Seam and Seam Allowances

Seams are lines of stitching that put 2 pieces of fabric together. The seam allowance is how much fabric was allotted to sew the two pieces together. The seam allowance can be anywhere from ¼” to 1” depending on what you will be sewing.

Finishing your seams keeps your seam allowances from fraying and gives your project that finished or polished look. Look for ways to finish your seam allowances on my blog titled “Finishing your seams”.

This past week I had 2 students making their first pair of Pajama bottoms. Both women (yes, sometimes I do have grownups in my classes) were working with pretty cotton fabrics. Cotton is wonderful for PJ bottoms because the fabric gets softer with each wash which makes them very comfy for lounging or sleeping at night. However, cotton fabric does fray meaning the threads of the cotton become loose at the cut ends and loosen. If not finished in some way, the seams can become weakened from washing or wearing the garment.

There are many types of seam finishes but let’s look at 3 simple ways of finishing the seams.

Pinking Shears

Pinking shears are scissors with a sawtooth blade that cut the fabric in a zig zag pattern. Sew the seam, press it open, and then pink each side of the seam allowance. Be careful not to cut too much seam allowance!

Zig Zag Stitch

For this seam finish, before sewing each seam zig zag all the edges of the fabric pieces. As you sew the seams of the project, the seam allowances will be finished and press seams open when finished

2 Rows of Stitching

Before I had a fancy machine or a serger, I liked to finish my seams with 2 rows of stitching. First, sew the seam as stated in the directions. Next, sew a second row of stitches about ¼” form the first. Finally, trim your seam about 1/8” away from the second row of stitching. Press seam to one side.

Finishing your seams not only helps your fabric from fraying with washing and just wear, it also gives your project a professional look.

Now you know…

Do you know the difference between ironing your fabric and pressing your fabric?

• Ironing is moving the iron back and forth over your fabric or garment to remove any wrinkles or creases.
• Pressing is gently moving the iron up and down over your project. Pressing doesn’t distort the fabric and helps to set the stitches and seams as you construct your project.

@pressing, @ ironing, @sewing, @kids sewing

Teach Your Child To Hand Sew

Your young child can have a fun and creative experience learning to sew with just a few items to get you started.

You will need:

• Several pieces of colorful felt
• Several skeins of embroidery floss
• Size 18 chenille needle
• A pair of craft scissors (blunt ends are a good choice)
• A basic knowledge of beginning hand sewing stitches

See my new blog!

Pick these items up at a Michaels store or Hobby Lobby and start that sewing journey with your kids!

@hand sewing, @kids sewing, @basic stitches

Recently I had a young student named Vera that decided she wanted to learn to sew. Not machine sewing, no way! Hand sewing would be her choice. So, we gathered up some supplies and started our sewing journey. Here are some basic supplies we needed to get started:

1. Several colors of felt (doesn’t fray and you don’t have to put it into a hoop)
2. A few skeins of embroidery floss to coordinate with the felt
3. A size 18 chenille needle (Bigger size needle for smaller fingers when learning to sew and it has a bigger eye to pull the thread through it)
4. A pair of 5” scissors preferable blunt at the ends of the scissor
5. Thimble (Optional)

The hardest part for Vera was choosing the colors of the felt and the embroidery floss! After all, even if it was just a doodle cloth to practice beginning stitches, it had to be perfect! Next, she needed to learn to thread her needle.

Very carefully, we pulled the end of the floss out of the skein. I told her to try not to pull out more than about 18” at any one time. We cut the floss and I had Vera hold the needle in one hand and the floss in the other hand. I told her to squeeze the end of the floss between her thumb and index finger. Then bring the needle to the thread and push the thread through the eye of the needle. Continue to pull the thread through the eye until she had a tail of about 4 or 5 inches.

Almost ready to sew but we had to knot our thread. At the bottom of the thread opposite the needle, I showed Vera how to make a small circle with the thread and bring the end up through the circle and pull to form a knot. Or she could twist the end of the floss around her finger and roll the end through to knot. It was easier for Vera to do it the first way. Now we were ready to stitch

Running Stitch

The running stitch is the simplest of the hand stitches. I showed Vera that they could be even, long, or short stitches depending on what you are sewing and the look you wanted to achieve.

To start the stitch, I had Vera bring her needle up from the back of her felt and pull the thread all the way through. About a quarter inch away from where she came up, I told her to put the needle back down in the fabric to the back and pull it all the way through. Her first stitch!  Then I told her to come up right in front of her first stitch and continue the up and down motion as she continue to sew the running stitch along the felt. As she became familiar with the stitch, I showed her how the running stitches could be small to go around a curve. She could vary the size of the stitches to add interest to her projects. She had fun with the stitches and was excited about her accomplishments.

As her thread became smaller, I wanted to show her how to tie off her thread so her stitches would not come undone. We took the needle to the back of her felt and I showed her how to make a small stitch near the last stitch. Before she pulled it all the way through I had her put her needle through the loop and then pull to knot. I had vera do this 2x and then cut the thread about ¼” from the knot.

Eager to try out her new skills, I sent her home with several pieces of felt and some floss to create some simple projects that she could design and make them her own. She couldn’t wait for our next lesson. Learning to sew and loving it!

Kids Can Stitch References

Below is a list of sewing books that you can use to teach children, tweens and teens how to sew by hand and/or machine. The books are grouped into categories: Doll Sewing, hand and Machine Sewing, Quilting, and Smocking. I have given you a short synopsis of each book, the ISBN, and the price. Most of these books can still be purchased in bookstores or Amazon. Some are available in Kindle or e-book editions. Your local libraries might also carry many of the books on the list.

As a sewing teacher teaching kids from 5 through adult to sew, I have used many of these books in my classes. If you have a favorite book that I have not mentioned, please let me know and I will add it to my list. Let’s get the kids sewing!

Bobbi Smith Fascination in Fabrics

 

Kids Can Stitch References

Below is a list of sewing books that you can use to teach children, tweens and teens how to sew by hand and/or machine. The books are grouped into categories: Doll Sewing, hand and Machine Sewing, Quilting, and Smocking. I have given you a short synopsis of each book, the ISBN, and the price. Most of these books can still be purchased in bookstores or Amazon. Some are available in Kindle or e-book editions. Your local libraries might also carry many of the books on the list.

As a sewing teacher teaching kids from 5 through adult to sew, I have used many of these books in my classes. If you have a favorite book that I have not mentioned, please let me know and I will add it to my list. Let’s get the kids sewing!

Bobbi Smith Fascination in Fabrics

Doll Sewing

Hentzel, Erin. Sew in Style: Make your Own Doll Clothes. C&T, 2014.

• Make, mix, and match super-cute clothes, bags, and jewelry for all your dolls.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-795-6 $22.95

  
  

  Hinds, Joan

  Joan Hinds has published a number of books for clothes for an 18” doll. Many

  you might find on Etsy, Amazon, or in your library or used bookstore. Below is a list of books by Joan Hinds.

  
  

• Doll Fashion Studio: Sew 20 Seasonal Outfits for your 18-Inch Doll

• Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls

• Sew the International Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls

• Sew the Essential Wardrobe for 18” Dolls

• Sew Todays fashions for 18-Inch Dolls

• Heritage Doll Clothes: Sew 20 American Outfits for Your 18-Inch Doll

• Sewing secrets for Doll Clothing

• Doll Costume Dress Up

• Sew Baby Doll Clothes

• All Dolled Up

• Doll Clothes for Everyday Play

• Action Wear for Dolls

• Best Doll Clothes Book

  
  

  Embroidery

  Baumeister, Jeannie Downs. Jeannie B’s Book of Heirloom Embroidery Designs and Stitches. Book 1

• Great diagrams and descriptions of embroidery stitches and designs.

• $20.00

  
  

  Brown, Christen. Embroidery Stitching: Handy Pocket Guide. C&T, 2018.

• Quick and easy reference to over 30 embroidery stitches

• ISBN-13: 978-1-61745-779-1 $7.95

  
  

  Cressy, Judith. Bandana-rama: Wrap, Glue, Sew. C&T, 2014.

• Give yourself a total Bandana makeover!

• Make over your clothes and make new stuff with super cute and colorful bandanas.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-921-9 $21.95

  
  

  Kim, Maryellen. Ribbon Girls: wind, weave, twist, & tie C&T, 2014.

• 26 easy projects that will get you crafting in no time!

• Fab up all your stuff with just ribbons, buttons, and string!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-987-5 $14.95

  
  

  Koolish, Lynn, Kerry Graham, and Mary Wruck. The Wonderful Colorful Wonder Wheel of Color. 2014.

• Great book exploring color!

• Ages 8 and up. Cute hand sewn stuffies for you to try!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-892-2 $12.95

  
  

  McLauchlan, Shirley. Girls Get Stitching! C&T, 2013.

• Personalize your clothes, your room, and your stuff!

• 10 embroidery stitches, 20 projects

• ISBN 978-1-60705-833-5 $21.95

  
  

  Montano, Judith Baker. Embroidery and Crazy Quilt Stitch Tool. C&T, 2008.

• Compact, take anywhere guide to more than 180 stitches and stitch combinations.

• Use for hand embroidery, silk ribbon embroidery, and crazy quilting.

• ISBN 978-1-57120-533-9 $22.95

  
  

  Nicholas, Kristin. The Amazing Stitching Handbook for Kids. C&T, 2015.

• 15 easy projects and 17 stitches show you how to personalize all your stuff!

• Great illustrations.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-973-8 $16.95

  
  

  Oldham, Todd. Kids Made Modern: All About Embroidery. Ammo Books.

• Designer Tod Oldham explores one of the oldest art techniques used to decorate fabrics.

• www.kidmademodern.com

• ISBN 978-193442991-4 $8.95

  
  

  Sutcliffe, Kristen. Fabric Paper Thread: 26 Projects to Stitch with Friends. C&T. 2013.

• Restitch, Repurpose, Reuse, and Get Crafty!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-715-4 $21.95

  
  

  Vodicka-Paredes, Lenka and Asia Currie. Forest Fairy Crafts. C&T, 2013.

• 28 Projects to Create and Share.

• Enchanting Fairies and Felt Friends from Simple Supplies.

• Learn easy crafting skills like hand sewing, finger knitting, sewing buttons, beads and sequins and using patterns.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-690-4 $19.95

  
  

  Vodicka-Paredes, Lenka A. Currie. Forest Fairy Crafts Through the Seasons.C&T 2008.

• 25 Enchanting Forest Fairies, Gnomes, and more to Create and Share.

• Learn easy crafting skills like hand sewing, finger knitting, sewing buttons, beads, and sequins and using patterns.

• ISBN -13 978-1617456619 $21.95

  
  

  Hand and Machine Sewing

  
  

  Benyon, Ali. Stitched Paper Art for Kids. C&T, 2014.

• Paper your way to pretty things!

• Mix and Match designs and colors to make fab stuff that is just your style!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-927-1 $16.95

  Figueroa, Shelly. Ms. Figgy’s Garment School for Girls. C&T, 2015.

• Learn to sew 15 Classic Pieces.

• Create a totally new look by choosing different sleeves, necklines, and lengths on clothes you make yourself!

• Step by step photos guide you through making a new wardrobe.

• Tweens and Teens (11and up) Patterns included Sizes 10 – 16.

• ISBN 978-61745-062-4 $19.95

  
  

  Colin, Jennifer Pol. Sew Creative. C&T, 2018.

• 13 Projects to Make Your Own with tons of techniques! Ages 8 and up.

• Patterns can be found in the book or available online as PDF’s to

  download and print on your computer.

• ISBN -13 978-1-61745-685-5 $19.95

  
  

  Gratz, Wendy with Jo Gratz. Creature Camp. C&T, 2013.

• 18 Softies to Draw, Sew, and Stuff.

• Features different shapes, critters, and monsters that get your creativity going while learning to hand and machine sew!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-784-0 $22.95

  
  

  Hardy, Emma. Sewing for Children. CICO Books, NY. 2010.

• 35 step-by-step projects to help kids aged 3 and up learn to sew.

• ISBN 978-1-907030=23-9 $19.95

  
  

  Haxell, Kate. me and my sewing machine: a beginner’s guide. Stash Books, 2010.

• All the info you need to choose your first sewing machine.

• Detailed step-by-step techniques that make sewing simple.

• Gorgeous projects to get you started.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-078-0 $22.95

  
  

  Haxell, Kate.me and my sewing adventure: an intermediate guide. Stash Books, 2014.

• Advance your skills in garment, home dec, and accessory sewing with this practical guide.

• Detailed step-by-step techniques that make sewing simple.

• Gorgeous projects to get you started.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-876-2 $22.95

  
  

  Kerr, Sophie with Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. A Kid’s Guide to Sewing. C&T, 2013.

• 16 Fun Projects You’ll Love to Make and Use

• Ages 11 and Up

• Kid friendly and easy to follow with lots of photos and illustrations.

• ISBN 978-60705-751-2 $21.95

  
  

  Lan, Angela. #00TD: Outfit OF THE DAY. Stash Books, 2016.

• From self-motivated, 14-year-old clothing designer and popular blogger behind lovespunk.com

• 6 fashion patterns, ideal for beginners, with styles geared toward tween and teens. Patterns included XS-XL.

• In-depth garment sewing primer with 4 skill-building chapters for a professional, store-bought finish.

• Customize it! How to alter patterns, choose the perfect fabric, and sew Fashion- forward

• clothes.

• ISBN – 13 978—1-61745-136-2 $24.95

  
  

  Long, Abigail A. Modern Prairie Sewing. Stash Books, 2014.

• 20 beginner friendly projects

• Follow a pattern, learn to sew, and have a lot of fun making bags, skirts, scarves, quilts, and so much more.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-878-6 $24.95

  
  

  Low, Rachel. Girl’s Guide to DIY Fashion. C&T, 2015.

  From mood boards to sewing your own fashion…this is your DIY Learn how to make hip clothes from a New York City- based author! Ages 8 and up.

  ISBN 978-1-60705-995-0 $19.95

  
  

  Milligan, Lynda and N. Smith. Sewing Fun for Kids:Patchwork, Gifts, & More. C&T, 2006.

• Project packed companion to Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids.

• “…. colorful, kid-friendly and packed with information. The projects are easy, fun, and produce things that kids actually think are cool.”

  Creative Needle

• ISBN 978-1-57120-410-3 $16.95

  
  

  Maloney, Brenna. This is Mouse: An Adventure in Sewing. C&T, 2014.

• Make Mouse and Friends.

• Travel with Them from Africa to Outer Space!

• 25 easy projects show you how to make your own stuffed animals!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-977-6 $16.95

  
  

  Mortenson, Melissa. Project Teen. Stash Books, 2014.

• 21 Projects, specifically for teens and tweens (ages 11+)

  including quilts, T-shirts, tech covers, totes, accessories, and so much more.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-884-7 $23.95

  
  

  Perri, Kate. Easy Singer Style: pattern-free fashions & accessories. Creative Publishing International, 2007.

• Discover the basics of sewing and move on to making 15 great fashions, accessories, and room accents for yourself or friends.

• Step by step photos for each project.

• ISBN – 13 978-1-58923-312-6 $21.95

  
  

  Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make. Storey Publishing, 2010.

• Ages 5 and up

• Great book for beginners.

• 21 Kid-tested projects that are fun with clear instructions.

• Most projects are stitched by hand.

• Book includes practical introduction for adults, a glossary, a list of recommended blogs, and sources of tools, supplies, and fabrics.

• ISBN-13 978-1603425780 $18.95

  
  

  Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing; 20 Projects Kids Will Love to Make. Storey Publishing, 2013.

• Ages 7 and up

• Great book for beginners.

• 20 Kid-tested projects that are fun with clear instructions.

• Graduate from hand-sewing to the endless possibilities of sewing with a machine.

• Learn the basics- threading the machine, feeding the fabric—and then work your way through 20 fun projects that will carry your stuff, keep you warm, and decorate your room.

• ISBN-13 978-1612120492 $18.95

  
  

  Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School Fashion Design: Make Your Own Wardrobe with Mix- and- Match Projects. Storey Publishing, 2018.

• Specially designed for kids ages 8 – 12

• Master three basic garments- a top, shorts, and a skirt- then pick and choose from fashionable variations to create clothes that show off your personal style

• ISBN-13 978-1612128597 $18.95

  
  

  Smith, Nancy and Lynda Milligan. The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids. C&T, 2003.

• 13 kid-friendly projects teach children aged 7 and up how to sew.

• Projects build on skills learned as kids work their way through the book.

• Games, puzzles, and stitching practice allow kids to learn at their own pace.

• Easy to follow instructions and safety precautions.

• “Helper Star” notes offer guidance for the adults in charge.

• ISBN 1-57120-254-4 $16.95

  
  

  Trail, Sara. Sew with Sara. C&T, 2009.

• Teens and Tweens: Learn to sew for fun and profit!

• 9 beginner-friendly projects include PJ’s, pillows, a tote bag, a cell phone or MP3 player cover, an apron, a notebook cover, and more.

• ISBN 978-`-57120-603-9 $19.95

  
  

  Ward, Alexa. Sewing for Kids: 30 Fun Projects to Hand and Machine Sew. Rockridge Press, 2019.

• The perfect introduction for both children and grown-ups into the wonderful world of sewing.

• Ages 6 and up!

• Visit author at www.BrooklynSewcial.com

• ISBN -13 978-1641526647

  
  

  Wrigley, Annabel. We Love to Sew. C&T, 2013.

• 28 super cool projects to create your own style.

• Great illustrations.

• Lots of info for the beginner sewer!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-632-4 $22.95

  
  

  Wrigley, Annabel. We Love to Sew: Bedrooms. C&T, 2014.

• 23easy-to-sew and no- sew projects in 5 unique styles; mix and match for a complete bedroom makeover.

• Great illustrations.

• Lots of info for the beginner sewer!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-824-3 $21.95

  
  

  Wrigley, Annabel. We Love to Sew: Gifts. C&T, 2015.

• Make 23 awesome gifts to give to your pals and family for their birthdays and holidays!

• Great illustrations.

• Lots of info for the beginner sewer!

• ISBN 978-1-60705-997-4 $19.95

  
  

  Quilting

  
  

  Anderson, Alex. Kids Start Quilting. C&T, 2002.

• 7 Fun and Easy Projects

• Quilts for Kids by Kids

• Tips for Quilting with Children

• NOTE: Alex has wonderful books on quilting that would be great resources for help on any aspect of quilting

  
  

  Nicoll, Allison. Sew It! C&T, 2014.

• Make 17 Projects with Yummy Precut Fabric.

• Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, Charm Packs, & Fat Quarters.

• 17 easy projects teach you quiltmaking and sewing basics.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-874-8 $19.95

  
  

  Plumley, Amie P. and Andria Lisle. Sewing School 2: Quilts. Storey Publishing, 2018.

• Ages 8 and up

• Introduction to patchwork, applique, and quilts.

• Graduate from hand-sewing to the endless possibilities of sewing with a machine.

• Authors teach a variety of techniques using both hand and machine sewing.

• 15 projects range from decorative to practical.

• ISBN-13 978-1612128597 $18.95

  
  

  Walters, Angela and Cloe Walters. Get Quilting with Angela and Cloe. C&T, 2015.

• Learn patchwork from top to bottom with 14 fun projects.

• Loads of how-to photos and page references make it easy to find help.

• ISBN 978-1-60705-955-4 $24.95

  Smocking

  Country Bumpkin. A-Z of Smocking. Country Bumpkin. 2000.

• A Complete Manual for the Beginner Through to The Advanced Smocker.

• ISBN 0-957715935 $29.00

  
  

  Durand, Dianne. Diane Durand’s Complete Book of Smocking. Prentice-Hall, 1982.

• Provides a wealth of smocking tips.

• Step – by-step directions and detailed photographs of stitch patterns for all projects.

• ISBN 0-671-60990-4 $19.95

  
  

  Knott, Grace L. English Smocking Revised Edition. G. Lyons Litho LTD. 1976.

• Profusely illustrated and includes helpful hints and suggestions for both old and new smockers.

  
  

  Pullen, Martha. The Joy of Smocking. Martha Pullen Company, Inc. 1993.

• A book of instructions written so clearly and simply that smocking will indeed be a joy to learn.

  
  

  Wolff, Colette. The Art of Manipulating Fabric. Chilton Books, 1996.

• Beautiful book showcasing three-dimensional manipulation of fabric.

• Shirring, gathering, pleating, tucking, and quilting.

• 350+ diagrams support the extensive how-to’s

I always feel like a proud Mom when my students reach the level of confidence that they push me away and say “Ms. Bobbi, I got this!” For example, for the past several weeks we have been practicing sewing curves. February is the perfect month for this skill. We stitched big hearts and little hearts. They weren’t all perfect, but they were stitched with love by the kids for their parents. And, best of all, they started to understand how to stitch a good-looking curve and without my help! Learning to sew and loving it!

I find that the hardest part of teaching sewing is to remind each student that sewing is a learned skill. It is not a competition with anyone else. It is individual journey. For each project in sewing that you stitch your goal is to understand the techniques used to complete the project. Whether it takes one class session or five class sessions, the mindset should be one of understanding the process and not who is finished before you! The main goal of all my classes are centered around learning to sew and loving it! Sewing is a creative art form meant to enjoyed in a stress-free environment. The joys of sewing last a lifetime for my young sewers and each student will have a different journey based on personality and their individual tastes. My continuing goal is that each of my students will have a positive and very rewarding experience learning to sew. And, I am so honored to teach all my students the joys of sewing and will continue to do so for a long time! It is after all my passion and my life!

I love teaching kids to sew. Once they start on their creative sewing journey a world of opportunities seem to open up to them. Suddenly the teddy bear that has a torn arm gets fixed and buttons get resewn on a shirt. School projects that they stitch in class get wrapped for a mom or grandmother and other projects are planned and stitched with love. And once they start sewing and have mastered basic sewing skills I introduce them to the wonderful ways that they can make a difference in their own communities.

Sometime during the fall, I talk to my students about stitching for their communities. Together we choose a charity for the year and my kids use some of the classes to complete projects for distribution to that charity. Even my brand new sewers with just with the basics of sewing can take part in stitching for many of the service organizations in our community and the people that they serve. There are so many opportunities to give back and give thanks and all my kids love these service projects.

One of the service projects that we sewed for was for A. I. Dupont Hospital in Wilmington Delaware. All my fall classes sewed pillowcases for the hospital and each pillowcase had a hand written note attached. One of the moms worked at A.I.Dupont and she was able to take the pillowcases and give one to every patient that had to stay in the hospital over Christmas that year. What a beautiful day it was to learn that the 50 pillowcases that we stitched brought so much joy to the kids in the hospital. And they LOVED the handmade tags that were attached to each pillowcase. I was a proud sewing teacher!



Well after that community service was finished, months later the pillowcases would make another appearance at A.I. Dupont hospital. Allison, daughter of the mom that distributed the pillowcases at Christmas, decided to organize another group of girls, teach them to make the pillowcases, and send them to the hospital to earn her Gold Award in Scouting. Once again, as her sponsor I was beaming with pride not only because of the pillowcases but also because she was passing on her sewing skills to a new generation of sewers. Don’t you just love it?

Another great service project that we stitched was pillows for the veterans living on the campus of the VA Hospital in Elsmere Delaware. My fabric rep had lots of fleece samples that he donated for our project. The fleece was soft, washable, and perfect for pillows made to make wheelchairs and hospital beds more comfortable. We made 50 pillows in our classes and we brought sewing machines to show them how we made them and to take requests.

A small group of girls, parents, and my husband who is a team leader of the Veterans Center in Sussex County Delaware drove to the VA Hospital one Sunday in January. At first there were only a handful of curious vets pushing their wheelchairs into the recreation room to see us set up our presentation and curious about our bags of brightly colored pillows. We introduced ourselves, gave a small presentation, and then several of the girls sat down at the machines to stitch some pillows I had precut for the demonstration.

Our initial group of veterans quickly chose their favorites and sped off to their rooms to put them away. As if by magic wheelchairs of other vets started to flow into the recreation room. Soon the pillows were flying off the tables and there were lines of vets waiting to get a customized pillow. The girls relaxed and started conversations with the patients and soon the room was full of stories about the wars that they fought, their families, and their lives as a soldier. Pictures were taken, friendships were started, and a sense of gratitude was felt by all the girls as they realized the bravery of all these men and women. It was a powerful day for all of us and an experience never to be forgotten!

While most of these girls and boys are five years old (yes, I do start teaching them at 5 in my classes)and up, I have worked with the preschool kids on several community service projects. For these service projects I like to sew for places like the Humane Society, Animal friends or the SPCA. The little ones can relate to the animals and they are full of stories of their own pets. A few years back at Tower Hill School in Wilmington Delaware, all the preschool classes got a chance to practice hand stitching by making kitty toys for the cats at the Delaware Humane Society. Boys and girls alike tried their best to master the running stitch and the overcast stitch.

We also made quilted liners for the cages at the shelter. Again, using the fleece samples so generously donated by my fabric rep, we cut 9 squares to equal the dimensions of the bottoms of the cages. Each child helped stitch 2 squares together by guiding it through the machine under a teacher’s supervision. After they were stitched, several of the teachers finished the quilts. They were donated to the shelter the next month. Lots of happy four year olds doing wonderful things for an organization in need! Awesome…

These are just examples of the many service projects available for kids or adults to pursue within their own communities. What kinds of other projects would be fun to stitch for an organization? Better yet, what new projects could you come up with that might help a group in need? Get involved and be a volunteer. What better way to pay it forward and make this place a better place! Just get stitching….

September is National Sewing Month everyone! That means it’s time to go searching in attics, basements, and closets for those awesome sewing machines that will help you take your creativity to the next level! Take the sewing machines out of the boxes or take the gently used machines to the sewing machine store to get cleaned and checked. After that task has been accomplished you need to find a sewing teacher or class in your area and take a beginning sewing class. These classes will teach you how to operate your sewing machine as well as basic sewing techniques to get you started. Most beginning sewing classes will get you started making a pillow or even a pair of pajama bottoms. It’s ok if it doesn’t turn out perfect because it’s your first project! Just enjoy the class and the skills you are learning. Relax and have fun! Sewing is a great destressor!   If you’re already a sewer, September is your month to shine! Try a new kind of sewing, sew some community service projects, or sew for a special little one in your life. Finish all those unfinished projects that you’re hiding in closets and under beds (I speak from experience). Or just choose a project for yourself and sew it!   September is also a good month to join your sewing friends in a sewing organization. The American Sewing Guild has a great publication called “Notions” and has many chapters all across the country. Quilting Guilds also have chapters all over the globe and their meetings are full of learning, sewing, and just plain sewing bee style chatter. If needlearts are your would be passion look for a chapter of the Smocking Arts Guild of America.The nice part of many of these organizations is that if there is not a chapter in your area you can be a member-at-large. And as a member-at-large you will receive all the publications, be able to attend any seminars or conventions that the organization might have, and even start a chapter in your area! How cool is that?   Sewing is a wonderful pastime and a lifelong learning skill. The joys of sewing allow an individual the freedom to express their personalities in the projects that they stitch. The need to be creative and express ourselves can come in many forms. Sewing is my form of personal expression and I hope it soon will be yours!