Sewing classes in Gainesville -- new listings!

Pressing the seams open
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I've ironed out the details for the sewing classes I'll be teaching this spring in Gainesville, and the good news is that I've added two new ones to the mix!

As usual, I'm offering the classes through the UF Leisure Course program. Here are the details on the two repeat classes:

Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
One three-hour class
Saturday, Jan. 16 from 9am to noon or Saturday, April 3 from 9am to noon
This crash course will take the mystery out of sewing and get you comfortable with using a sewing machine. You'll learn the basics of threading a machine, winding a bobbin, straight stitching, back stitching, zig-zag stitching and other key topics. You'll even leave with a finished project! Bring your own sewing machine, manual, and bobbins, as well as a pair of sharp scissors. Don't own a sewing machine? Use one of mine for an additional lab fee of $15. Just be sure to email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students will pay a lab fee of $10 in cash to cover the cost of handouts and materials.

Sewing: Learn to Work with Patterns
One three-hour class (may be taken back-to-back with "Learn to Use a Sewing Machine")
Saturday, Jan. 16 from 1-5pm or Saturday, April 3 from 1-5pm
Know how to use a sewing machine but still want to learn how to work with patterns? This class will teach you the basics of working with commercial patterns, whether you want to make clothes, crafts, or other fun things. I'll guide you through making a pair of simple drawstring pants (great for casual wear or pajamas). Bring a sewing machine, manual, and an extra bobbin. Or if you don't own a machine, you may use one of mine for an additional lab fee of $15. Just be sure to email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students must bring a pair of sharp scissors and pay a lab fee of $25 in cash to cover the cost of the pattern, fabric, elastic, and coordinating thread.

And here are the two new classes:

Sewing: Make Reusable Cloth Napkins
One three-hour class
Monday, Feb. 15 from 6-9pm
Many people are switching to cloth napkins in an effort to "go green." In this class we'll make a customized set of four napkins that you can keep for yourself or give as a gift. I'll give you tips for making napkins with crisp hems and neat corners. You should already understand the basics of using a sewing machine and must bring a sewing machine, manual, bobbins, sharp scissors, pins, thread, and 1.5 yards of 100% cotton or linen woven fabric that has been washed and ironed. Students who do not have their own machine can use one of my machines for an additional fee of $15--just contact me in advance to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students will pay a lab fee of $5 to cover the cost of handouts, additional embellishments for napkins, and use of irons in class.

Sewing: Make a Zippered Bag
One three-hour class
Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 6-9pm
In this class, we'll learn how to use a zipper foot to create a zippered bag that's perfect for holding pencils, makeup, sewing supplies, or other small items. These bags also make great gifts! You should understand the basics of using a sewing machine and bring a sewing machine, manual, zipper foot, and bobbins, as well as a pair of sharp scissors. Don't own a sewing machine? Use one of my machines for an additional lab fee of $15. Just be sure to email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students will pay a lab fee of $10 in cash to cover the cost of handouts, all materials, and the use of irons in class.

You can register for all of these classes through the UF Leisure Course site. Registration opens on January 11. And if you have any questions about what class might be right for you, feel free to email me (sassycrafter@gmail.com).

Later this week I'll put up a post about Atomic Holiday Bazaar, the awesome craft show that I participated in last weekend.

Free craft workshop Sunday at Downtown Library

Felt workshop at Tower Road Library
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

This Sunday I'll be teaching the last felted sweater workshop through the library district. We'll transform felted sweaters and cool metallic threads from Kreinik into one of a kind flower pins that you can wear. Or if you're not into flower pins, then you can make a java jacket to keep your coffee hot and your hands cool.

As I said, the workshop is free. All you need to bring is your crafty self and a pair of sharp scissors.

Headquarters Library
Sunday, May 17 @ 1:30 p.m.

All of the photos in this post are from the workshop that I taught a few weeks back at the Tower Road branch. 

(More) Sewing Classes in Gainesville!

Sewing on my Vintage 1958 Brother sewing machine
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Yet again, I'm offering sewing classes. I'll be teaching two introductory sewing classes this June through the UF Leisure Course Program. The classes are open to anyone and are scheduled so that you can take them back to back, if you're interested. Here are the details:

Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
Saturday, June 6 -- 9 a.m. to noon
Take the mystery out of sewing and learn how to use a sewing machine. Course is taught by Kim Taylor, aka “The Sassy Crafter” (http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com), who will teach the basics of threading the machine, winding a bobbin, straight stitching, back stitching, zig-zag stitching and other key topics. You'll even leave with a finished project!

Sewing: Learn to Work with Patterns
Saturday, June 6 -- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a great class for anyone who already knows how to use a sewing machine but doesn’t know how to work with patterns. The class is taught by Kim Taylor, aka “The Sassy Crafter” (http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com), who will teach you the basics of working with commercial patterns, whether you want to make clothes, crafts, or other fun things. The instructor will guide each student through making a pair of simple drawstring pants (great for casual wear or pajamas).

If you don't have your own sewing machine, I have three sewing machines that can be reserved for an additional fee of $15. You must email me to reserve a machine in advance. (Email: sassycrafter-at-gmail-dot-com.)

For full details and to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Free felted fun coming to a library near you!

Orange felted flower pin
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Local blog readers listen up -- I'm teaching free, yes FREE, crafting workshops this spring through the Alachua County Library District. The first workshop takes place this Saturday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m. at the High Springs Library.

We'll transform felted sweaters and cool metallic threads from Kreinik into one of a kind flower pins that you can wear. Or if you're not into flower pins, then you can make a java jacket to keep your coffee hot and your hands cool. All you need to bring is your sassy self and a pair of sharp scissors.

Here's the skinny on the other three upcoming workshops:

(Click on the links and scroll down to "Sewing Hip Accessories from Recycled Sweaters" for a full description)

Hawthorne Library
Saturday, March 28 @ 2 p.m.

Tower Road Library
Thursday, April 2 @ 6:30 p.m.

Headquarters Library
Sunday, May 17 @ 1:30 p.m.

In these tough economic times, how can you pass up the chance to craft for free? Hope to see you there!