New Sewing Classes coming up!

The new year is well under way and I will be teaching a variety of new classes.
I also teach private lessons in Park Slope, Soho and Chelsea. Email me for more info on those. tracey@traceytoole.com

available for purchase  Cover Me Apron

INTRO TO SEWING: Adjustable Apron
Feb 6th, 13th, 20th
6 to 8 pm
at Purl Soho
$150 for 6 hours
Learn to use the sewing machine and make an adjustable apron.
Pre-wash your fabric before your first class.
Find more info here.

Call or email Purl Soho to register store@purlsoho.com or 212-420-8796

Hand Stitching Techniques: Bunny Hand Puppets 
2 hour workshop

I made these last Easter for my nieces, they absolutely adored them. Learn hand sewing techniques in this class while making a Bunny Hand Puppet.  These little tricks will help you sew buttons on properly, repair minor tears, and you will leave with some cute friends.

March 22nd
5 to 7
$50
at Purl Soho
Click here for more info

LAP DUVET

This is an intermediate class, some basic sewing knowledge required.  You will be making a cozy throw blanket or give as a great baby gift.
Feb 27th and March 6th
6:30 to 8:30
at Purl Soho
click here for more info

INTRO TO SEW: Liberty Scarf

Learn the basics of the sewing machine and make yourself a beautiful Spring Scarf using Liberty of London Fabrics.
April 24th and May 1st
6:30 to 8:30
$100.00
at Purl Soho
click here for more info

NEWBORN KIMONO: One day workshop

Since I am expecting a baby in June I should start building up inventory of clothing. I love this little kimono and it is a perfect beginner project. No prior experience needed.
You will learn machine sewing and some hand sewing tricks.
April 7th
12 to 5
$125.00
a one day work shop!
Click here for more info

For all classes at Purl Soho you can call or email to register.
212.420.8796
store@purlsoho.com

And if you have any questions on the supply list or class descriptions feel free to email me at tracey@traceytoole.com OR tracey@purlsoho.com

Please pre-wash all fabric before your first class. This is very important, you will find out why in class!

Thanks and have a great day!

5 things A New Sewing Student Should Have

Happy Monday! It's quite cold here in New York City and this past weekend at work (Purl Soho) we were very busy! I usually work in fabric land and during the winter yarn is usually busy but this past weekend we were non stop cutting fabric and advising people on all of their sewing projects.  It was exciting to see that in this chilly weather people are sewing up quilts and dresses for themselves or kids.  This past weekend I also had a second sewing class with a new student named Lily, she is 10 years old and amazing!  Lily received a sewing machine for Christmas and she is picking up the skill very quickly.  Speaking with so many newbie sewers this weekend I realized how many people who don't take a class are unaware of all the useful sewing utensils.  So to start the week here are five pretty awesome sewing supplies to make your life easier!

1. Measuring tape -  a good one. What's a good one? Buy one that won't stretch over time. Tapes come in paper and woven fabric.  Also sometimes there will be a brass tab on the end, this I find annoying because it covers up the measurement. But that's just me.  I do find useful to have inches on one side and centimeters on the other.

2. Sewing gauge - Recently I started using these and love them! They are the best way to make sure your seam allowance is perfect all the way across.  I also find my students like them as much as I do.  There is a slider on this little ruler so can you butt it up right next to your seam. 

3. Tailors chalk - I've tried all sorts of pencils for sewing but I always go back to tailor's chalk or my new fave toy, the Chaco. Tailor's chalk is used for tracing your patterns and penciling in where you need to sew. I find many pencils don't transfer to fabric, don't come off when you steam them and the lead breaks easily.  The Chaco by Clover, has this cool little wheel on it.  The chalk comes out as you wheel your lines along. 

4. Pin Cushion - an easy way to keep your pins tidy.  You can buy a magnetic one or a cute stuffed one from etsy.

Magnetic Pin Caddy from Purl Soho

Needle Felted pin cushion on etsy

5. Good scissors - I always tell my students, invest in a decent pair when you first start sewing and don't cut paper with them, ever.  It dulls the edge.  Once you become a sewing fanatic I recommend buying a rotary cutter or a lovely pair of ginghers.

Tailor's shears are good for cutting our fabric on flat surfaces.  A favorite store in the garment district is Steinlauf and Stoller. Check out their awesome collection of shears. 

What are your favorite sewing supplies?

Do you have a fave pair of scissors?

Have a great week!

Tracey

New class! Holiday Workshop; Make some ornaments!

I am so excited about this class coming up on December 9th.

And I am so excited to start making samples. I love Christmas! So much that my sister calls me Tracey Christmas.  I love Secret Santa, love leaving cookies out for Santa, love the real Christmas Tree, the list goes on.  On December 9th I will be teaching a Holiday Craft Workshop at Purl Soho.  Don't worry if you don't know how to sew because I will be teaching hand sewing and machine sewing techniques.  We will be making three projects; a felt star tree topper, a felt snowflake ornament and a fabric stuffed bird ornament. You can choose whatever colors and fabrics you want to adorn your tree with. Or why not  hang the bird as a desk ornament. It just doesn't have to be for the holidays!

Photos from the Purl Bee website.

Are you a Christmas fanatic like me?

What is your favorite part?

Now teaching at Purl Soho

Many of you know I started working at Purl Soho.  Purl is a wonderful and inspirational fabric and yarn shop in the Soho section of NYC.

If you haven't been and you are a designer, sewer, crafter or knitter you need to come by. Beautiful fabrics, gorgeous yarns and it's like being in a candy store.

Well starting on May 8th you can find your's truly teaching the Intro to Sewing class. I will be teaching the Unisex Adjustable Apron. This is a perfect 101 project. In this class you will learn how to use the machine and make an adjustable apron. Perfect for Father's Day or those upcoming bbq's. 

So call the store at (212) 420-8798 or or click here for more info.   The class runs Tuesday evenings May 8th, 15th and 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 at the store.

Modern Quilts....Denyse Schmidt

My mother is a quilter. I thought quilting was basically patchwork although this isn't the type of quilting my mother does. Since working at Purl I am slowly learning more about quilting. I have learned what my mother does is whole cloth quilting. I remember as a child she would have quilts set up in our living room and all the Polish ladies from the Christian Mother's (a PTA type group) of our school would come to quilt. My mother is of Polish descent, her mom and dad came over.  I was thinking the other day of a picture that was taken when I was probably second or third grade. I was wearing a bandana on my head and helping thread needles for the quilts. I guess this must be my first exposure to quilts. If I find the picture I will post it for you all. My mother is still quilting but her hands do bother her. She has made all of us, my 4 brothers and sisters, their children and numerous aunts and uncles quilts. I wonder how many she has made. I have two she has made for me. The latest one was a wedding gift, see below. Absolutely beautiful.

Oliver of course is happy to bless any new cloth item in the apartment.

 The edging here is all hand done.

I do want to learn how to quilt and it is much more complicated than I thought. Maybe my mother will give me some lessons over Easter weekend.

 Denyse Schmidt, a well know quilter based out of Bridgeport Connecticut, has come out with a new book. Her quilts are patchwork quilting. Her fabrics are gorgeous and there is a new collection we carry at work called flea market fancy. What a great name! I realized I actually have some of her fabric from a few years ago. They are colorful and sweet and modern. So I was quite excited when I learned Purl was having a book release party for her at the store on March 29th....and I am working at it!  If you live in NYC you should come by and get some inspiration.

LOVE!

Flea Market Fancy comes in 4 colorways.

Love of Liberty... Fabrics

Happy Monday! It is beautiful in NYC today, high 60's. Spring is in the air and I am feeling invigorated and ready to start planting my garden. But more of that later, in the mean time there is still a slight crisp in the air and I've come up with a new design, well not that earth shattering new, but an old favorite being revamped. The scarf bandanna. I mentioned last week or so that I made a large scarf bandanna for a colleague at Purl Soho.  Also, Shag, a store in Brooklyn who sells some of my items has requested some bandannas. They are the perfect, chic solution to this in between weather.
I've decided to use Liberty of London.
I'm becoming addicted to Liberty of London Fabrics.  They are known for little ditsy flower prints and beautiful soft cotton fabrics. In the past few years their designs are becoming more brilliant and beautiful. The fabric feels likes silk but it is 100% cotton, fine cotton.

                                         

Rich in history going back to 1875 and based out of London, Liberty puts you in the mood for being in England, having a garden party or sewing something up.  As a designer I admire the prints so much, you can see the talent and beauty in each one. Little flowers that aren't flowers but rather stars.

I picked up 2 new fabrics at Purl my new place of work. Of course it was hard to choose but I think with these ones I will be making a double sided bandanna.

I used a neon pink thread for the top stitching. 

So the bandanna is double sided and keeps my neck warm in the 40 to 70 degree temps. Also doubling as a head scarf.
I wore it to work yesterday and am on the fence of whether to keep it double sided. I think I probably will but also make some more that are single sided. I already have a single sided on which I do like alot.  These are easy to make, just a 19" square. That's all you need with this luxury fabric. Do you have any thoughts on single or double sided?
If you don't feel like making one stay tuned, I will be selling these beauties in my etsy shop!

Felt Candy Hearts for V day

This is a great project to do this weekend! Purlbee.com has posted the cutest project from Molly's Sketchbook for Valentine's day that can be given to any of your Valentine's no matter what the age. Felt Hearts that you can tuck some candy into. I worked on putting these felt bundles together and the colors are so inspiring, the bundle is called Fuschia and you can purchase it here. Yesterday at work I looked at the samples we have there and the stitching is incredibly perfect!  I am so jealous. I changed my hearts a bit. Instead of using one color of felt per heart I used two. Also just a tip, in the beginning I was using embroidery floss that was about 6 strands thick. It looks nice but it is easier to do the running stitch using 3 strands. And for those of you who do not know what a running stitch is this is how you do it.

Insert the point of the needle in and out of the fabric several times before pulling the thread through. This way you are completing a few stitches at one time. Try to keep the stitches and spaced between them small and even. 

 

These little treats I will be sending to my nieces and nephews. They are flat enough to pop in an envelope to mail. Hopefully the USPS won't loose them!
Happy V day!

Regular Guy Beanie....my guy ain't regular!

I have mentioned in the past,a few weeks ago, that I was knitting a scarf and hat for my husband using Madeline Tosh Merino. Awesome soft yarn that I bought from Purl Soho where I work part time. Being a designer and sewer and working at Purl I get to see (and drool) at all the new fabulous fabrics that arrive daily.  I also get to learn way more about yarns, knitting and crocheting. I'm such an amateur hobbyist when it comes knitting and crocheting. To be safe I stick to knit purl knit purl and that's it. Last year, 2010, I tried a hat for Christmas. Ooh so bad. This year I knitted a hat that was to be a skull cap, beanie, is there a difference?  I found this  free pattern on Ravelry.  The hat was finished by Christmas Day but was much too big and long, especially since my husband has no hair to fill the hat. It was like meant for someone with very long dreadlocks.

Today I finally finished the second try. Not perfect but I am so happy it's done.
The scarf I also messed up but I was so far along that when I brought it to work at Purl
and Faye recommended I take it apart.  I really did not want to do that. What I did was knit the whole thing...I should just follow a pattern next time.
The second suggestion was blocking it. So I blocked it and it is still curling a little but hubby is happy with it. (or he is a good liar).


Any comments? Feel free to post, would love to hear.

Strawberry Pillows!

OMG these are so cute!
I love Purl Soho! Such a great store, inspirational and fantastic fabrics. This was just posted on their blog this morning! Get started and send me your pics!

http://purlbee.squarespace.com/the-purl-bee/2010/8/21/mollys-sketchbook-strawberry-pillows.html