We had some very fun finishes today!
Look how creative this camper is - she used just a portion of fabric to create the mouth on her stuffie. Then she used fabric for the eyes and sewed on buttons for the pupils! LOVE IT!
After her wrist warmers were complete, she wants to make a hat. OK, time to cast on 84 stitches!
Both these campers have finished one wrist warmer and their second ones will be finished tomorrow.
We had such a blast today at camp!! First we started out with our knitting and made great progress on our projects.
This is what our work table looks like after a morning of hard work :o)
We took a small snack break at the half way point.
And of course the chicks had to come out to play! After our short break we went straight out to prepare our yarn for dyeing.
Should we gently set our yarn in the water, or should we just drop it in?
Making sure the yarn is completely wet.
Make sure the yarn is not dripping but just damp.
More students preparing their yarn for dyeing.
They carefully spoon dye onto the yarn in the places that they want it. Notice the ultra snazzy aprons they are wearing to protect their clothes!
After dyeing yarn, the campers worked more on their pin weaving and on their knitting. Tomorrow should see some completed projects!
As always, each day at camp proves to be fun filled. Today we did a lot of knitting.
And we learned something new...Pin Weaving!
We also played with the chicks during break time.
Holding and playing with the chicks is a huge enjoyment for our campers!
We started knitting camp today!
Yarn and projects were chosen.
And we got started right away.
Everyone had such great concentration!
We took our break about half way through the morning and then created these cute little fellows!!
This 9th grader had been working on a scarf prior to class and finished it in class this morning. Tomorrow will be another great day!
Today was a fantastic day at camp. All the students finished up their projects and were so thrilled!
There were headbands.
Stuffed animals.
Fun with our enthusiastic helper, "Tux"
"Spot" the dog hot off the sewing machine and ready to be stuffed. Look, she is almost as tall as one of our other campers!
Take a look at that snazzy beaded collar and earrings!
Look how thrilled this camper is with her stuffie!!
Isn't this clever? She combined her name with her friend's name and made a pillow!
This is such a nice color layout on this quilt.
She made this for her sister!
Sewing and quilting are such great community builders. These students are all working together on this quilt.
This is such a lovely quilt. So many different colors!
Another lovely quilt.
It's hard to see, but this camper embroidered her name on her pillow in rainbow colors! The entire week was fantastic - this was a great group of students! I can't wait for next week - Knitting Time!
As always, as camp winds down to the last two days, our students are working to finish up their projects and the energy level is super high! Today was no different.
This camper made her little chihuahua totally by hand. Then she decided that it needed a boat. Not completely satisfied with that she decided her little chihuahua needed many more things to be comfortable...
He needed a bowl, a bone, a bed, toys and of course a little bag for his toys. He also needed water to swim in. How creative she is!!! It was so fun helping her make all these things completely from her imagination!
Break time is quite the exciting time now that we have chicks. The campers love the chicks and as you can see, the chicks love the campers!
These chicks are all getting so much bigger. They are really comfortable with the campers and like just hanging out with them.
After break it was back to work.
You just gotta love this fabric!!
Doing the last little bit to close up her pillow.
This camper is making a quilt that can cover her. Here she is measuring for the next sashing to be added.
Lots of fabric to choose from, lots of choices being made, and lots of projects being worked on.
The absolute best way to do some hand sewing.
This pillow is completely the design of this camper. She drew out what she wanted and took off! On the back is a little pocket for her phone. How creative!!
This camper made two headbands in the space of about 15 minutes! You go girl!
This camper was all wrapped up in another camper's quilt. A great way to see just how big your quilt is - try it out on someone else!
We were so incredibly busy and had so very much fun today!
We are all set up and excited for our new week of sewing camp! Our studio has been transformed once again from a...
Weaving Camp.
back into a...
Sewing Camp.
We are looking forward to another fantastic week of camp here at Let's Go Crafting!! Woo Hoo!
Everyone finished their final projects today! Woohoo! Job well done!
This was the first project of the day off the loom! The hem stitching is done - now this camper wanted to turn it into a pillow.
But first she wanted to embroider her name on it. What a great personal touch!
All done!! This is such a fantastic pillow - the fabric was completely woven by her, embellishment added, and hand sewn together. Simply a great job!
A scarf that had been previously finished, needed the addition of beads to the end.
Actually, it needed the addition of beads to both ends!
Ahh! Now the scarf is complete!
This camper worked so hard today to finish her weaving.
And so did this camper.
Once, this student's pillow was done, there was not time to warp up another project on the loom. So...we made a little pin loom so she could do some pin weaving.
Ta-Da! Another mat hot off the loom!
Success!! A finished pillow! Look at those specialty stitches - they are quite time consuming as they require the manipulation of the loom threads entirely by hand. Great Job, Weavers!!
The weaving today was incredibly impressive!!
This camper is putting the final finishing touches on her mat that she wove in just two days.
Here she is modeling it as a shawl :o)
Doesn't this look fabulous? She included pile weave and danish medallions in a pattern throughout.
A close up of her handiwork.
The final product! Simply fantastic!
Another weaver chose the same stitches, pile weave and danish medallions, but with a very different look. This is so fun and festive!
The start of more danish medallions!
This piece is just about ready to remove from the loom. I can't wait to see her finish!
WOO-HOO!! Today everyone finished their first project!
Our first finish of the day!
The second finish of the day!
New weaver experimenting with different weaving stitches. The pile weave and some danish medallions are being done here.
This student is preparing her loom for her next project.
TAAA-DAA That is such a beautiful scarf!! So many lovely colors!
And another lovely, colorful scarf!! By the end of camp tomorrow everyone will have started their next project. Yeah!
Take a look at the beautiful things our students are making!
A few campers finished their weaving this morning and started the finishing process. Here this student is learning how to hem stitch.
This student completed all her finish work and then decided to sew her scarf in half to turn it into a skinny scarf.
Isn't this scarf lovely?!
The same student immediately wanted to start her next project. She picked her warp and started measuring it out.
Another student finished all her weaving and started the hem stitching.
More hem stitching. These students should be so proud of themselves!
Of course we had break time and our new baby chicks were enjoying some play time.
Back to work and the measuring of the warp was finished, then it was wound onto the back beam. Now it is time to thread the heddle.
This scarf is just about done!! Tomorrow the weaving will be completed and the finish work will start.
After break, we took our dyed yarn and started winding it into balls.
This is what it looks like after it has been dyed but before we wind it.
Don't you just love how different each one turned out?
After finishing the scarf, it was time to start a new project. So it was time to learn how to measure warp.
The first warp is all tied on and the waste yarn has been woven. New weft yarn has been chosen and the real weaving will begin tomorrow. Can't wait to see what these campers will be up to tomorrow morning.
I always love the first day of a camp where students meet each other and they begin learning a new fun skill!! None of the campers (except for one) had ever done any weaving before today.
But they all took to it very quickly. In this picture, you see two of the students weaving with waste yarn. We always start a project with waste yarn and soon move into the more fun and colorful yarns.
All of the campers got quite far on their scarves today.
After break time today, we learned how to dye yarn. They had all different colors to choose from and it will be so fun to see what their yarn looks like when it is dry.
Don't you just love those stylish aprons?!! They have to wear aprons because the dye will stain clothing. I made these out of trash bags :o)
Look at that bright, yummy yarn! I really like the contrast with the dark colored warp.
One of our students finished weaving her scarf today. Woo Hoo!! She hem stitched and finished the other end and now she just needs to finish up this end. Tomorrow she will learn to warp and also learn some specialty stitches along with some beading if she wishes.
We are ready for our weaving camp that starts tomorrow!! Our studio has had a change from...
Sewing Camp to...
Weaving Camp!
Each loom had to be warped in preparation for our students tomorrow, but I had a lot of help! Two of my daughters helped to measure warp,
and thread the looms. I tied the warps onto the front apron rod. It's great to have help :o)
All of the looms are warped in this black yarn.
And these are the yummy, bright colors that we will be using as our weft. I can't wait to see which colors each student will choose.
Lots and lots of bright solids and variegated yarns.
Something for everyone!
Friday was our last day of this session of sewing camp and the campers really worked hard to finish their projects!
We started out the day with a cute pair of jammie shorts.
And started new projects.
And more ironing.
And more hand sewing.
Second finish of the morning - a very bright a lively stuffed dog.
The next finish of the morning.
This camper was VERY busy today :o)
Purse strap designed by this camper and sewn on the machine - all other sewing done by hand.
This fawn stands up independently and is sewn completely by hand.
Same bag started by this 3rd grader, but then turned into a top. Such creativity!!
Another project that stands independently and is sewn completely by hand.
I am completely amazed and impressed by these students! They can sew so well and are so very creative! It was a huge joy to teach them.
Our fabric painted pillows are done!! And they look great! First we removed the freezer paper from the fabric and then we picked fabric for the pillow backing.
After cutting and pinning...
We sewed up our pillows, then ironed them and stuffed them. They all turned out great! And they are all so different from each other.
All the campers were thrilled with their pillows! Many other things got done today as well.
This camper was making letter pillows for family and friends.
This camper is finishing up her jammies. In this picture, she is working on her waistband which is now complete. Tomorrow she will hem them and they will be done.
Such cute fabric - and look at those prairie points at the top. They are perfect!
These two students have spent all their camp time standing at the table working on their various projects. Such small projects require great concentration, lots of fine motor skills for all those tiny stitches and loads of patience.
Nothing better than picking fabric and starting a new project.
This student decided to turn the owl pillow pattern into a bag. I love her fabric choices and just look at the buttons she chose! Cute, cute, cute!
This 3rd grader is amazing. The coin purse is also a very small project that cannot be sewn on the sewing machine. It is all hand sewn and has a zipper inserted into the top.
Tomorrow she wants to make a strap for it. I love how these students take a pattern and put their own spin on things to make it just the way they want.
A pillow of her own design. Recognize that fabric? It's some of the left overs from her robe :o) Take a look at the photo bomb of our other student having some fun.
Today is the halfway point of our sewing camp this week. We worked on our projects and completed some fabric painting that was started yesterday.
Yesterday, we started work on some fun freezer paper stencil art on fabric.
Today we took our stencil art and added additional details with more paint.
Everyone worked on one and ALL of them are different and beautiful. Tomorrow we will remove the freezer paper, iron them to set the paint and turn them into pillows.
Even with all the painting, this student managed to finish up her quilt. Don't you just LOVE those fabrics?!
Gotta LOVE these letter pillows!
We have so much fun and accomplish so much, I am always surprised when noontime rolls around and it's time for all the campers to leave.
Today we had another major Taa-Daa moment for one of our students!
This student finished her robe today!! This was a very long term project, that required lots of patience and determination. And she is ROCKIN' it!
I can't believe this student and another student were able to make these! The look and fit great - good job girls!
Lots of other things were going on today as well. Starting on the second day, the students know where everything is stored and can start right up as soon as they arrive - no waiting :o)
These two are really enjoying their tiny work. Tiny pieces of fabric and tiny stitches! They enjoy it so much, I couldn't get them to take a break or get snack!
Campers can work anywhere they wish. Some stand, some sit on the floor, and some use the shelf top to work. Whatever makes them comfortable is perfect.
Today two students decided to make letter pillows to spell out their names. Such fun to pick fabric and sew these up.
She finished her apron!! Great job!
It is fun to work on sewing with others.
Tomorrow will bring more fabulous fun!
Another week begins with Let's Go Crafting Sewing Camps!
New students have joined us and all are sewing on the machines now. It only takes about twenty minutes for them to learn to sew a straight seam and to make crisp corners - they are amazing!
We usually start with a sachet as a first project because there are a ton of skills packed into such a fun project. The students learn about the right side and wrong side of their fabrics, 1/4" seam allowances, how to sew a straight seam, how to turn corners, the importance of ironing seams, hand sewing a neat edge and putting on a button. WHEW!! That's a whole lot!! But no matter the age, they are all up to the task.
Every new sewer finished their sachet and started a new project this morning.
This student was with me last summer and decided to renew her skills by making a bean bag first this morning.
It was a little cold and windy this morning so the campers decided to have snack time inside. At least the ones that I could convince to take a break :o)
Once the students have made their sachet, they have many other projects to choose from. Everyone found something that appealed to them and jumped right in.
Some chose bigger projects and some chose smaller projects - there is something for everyone.
Everyone had so much fun picking their fabrics for their projects!
This week of camp has been so much fun. Although not all the campers knew each other in the beginning, they formed friendships the first day that continued until today. And hopefully when they meet up again around town, they will continue to be friends. It's fun to see them all working together and supporting each other. I am sad to see this group go. I am excited that some of them will be joining us next week!
Today was an exciting day of finishes. Earlier this week we did some painting on fabric.
I had squares of white fabric ready for the students. They taped the fabric to newspaper and then proceeded to tape out designs on the fabric.
Everywhere tape was placed, the paint would be blocked.
Some of them got really creative and made circles and flowers.
Others were equally creative by cutting the tape "thick and thin" to make lines of varying widths.
After each student was finished with their design, we painted on the open fabric areas.
When the fabric was ready, the campers turned them into pillows.
They picked out a backing fabric, sewed the front to the back, stuffed it and TA-DA a pillow is complete.
Each pillow came out different.
And the backing fabrics chosen were also very different.
Talking and sewing :o)
Working on the finishing touches to his project. Will he finish by the end of today?
After completing their pillows, these campers were ready to start on something new. They decided on headbands - could they be any cuter?
This stuffed animal is deceptively difficult. It appears to be just a simple sewing project, but it really is complicated. There are many, many pieces. Most of these pieces have darts that need to be sewn to add depth and structure. Additionally, it is much harder to sew small pieces on the machine than larger pieces. She did a fantastic job!
Note the skirt she is wearing - this camper came to camp last summer and that is the skirt she made!! It was so great to see her in it.
She made her next two items so quickly there was no time for a photo in between so here you have it, her headband and her letter "H" pillow, both together.
Once their headbands had been made, they still had a few minutes left of class. They decided to make one last project before the day was done. Bean bags!!!
I just LOVE the face on this bean bag!
Check out that super cute flower. She cut 28 individual petals, assembled them and added a button all on her own - no pattern - no picture- just an idea in her imagination. Fabulous!!
With six minutes left to the end of class this camper decided to make yet another pillow! I love it when they enjoy sewing so much, they don't want to stop. Again, note the skirt she is wearing :o)
That student we were looking at earlier and asking if he would finish his "bug" pillow? Well, yes he did!!! He learned something new on this pillow - sewing in "relief". Usually, for this pillow, the kids cut out circles of fabric and sew them to the front. In this case, he sewed a lining fabric to the back of the front fabric, traced circles onto the front fabric, sewed on those lines, cut out the center circle and now he has some POP in his project! Doesn't he look proud?
I am excited to see what sewing camp next week will bring!