Hi all!
Spring caught me by surprise! Flowers started popping up everywhere and I had to make myself pause to consider them as time flew by here at Patchwork. If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ll know that I’m very attuned to the seasons. Spring is a good opportunity to recenter and take notice. Things are blooming!
This season has me jumping for more bright colors, gauzy fabrics, and floral fancies. I’ve been going out a lot more in recent days, so I’m starting to ramp up my brain to consider fancy and experimental attire. I’m thinking: Sheer fabrics with applique, eco printed ribbons, summer camp counselor shorts, a net-like crochet t-shirt, and maybe a floppy hat of some kind.
Tell me, is Spring inspiring your sewing fantasies? Tell me about what sort of whimsical things you’d like to make!
In this newsletter…
May & June Classes ✤ Loose Ends ✤ 3D Printed Fabric ✤ A Truckload of Fabric ✤ An Adventurous Playlist!
May Classes
…are here and I’m so excited about them! I’m planning for June classes currently and will announce them as well in the next week or two.
Sew Your Favorite T-shirt - $120
3 Tuesdays 7-9 pm // Starts May 2nd
This class is an introduction to sewing with knits! You'll begin by making a pattern from your favorite basic t-shirt. Then, you'll learn tricks and techniques for working with knit fabric as you put your shirt together.
Block Printing on Fabric - $80
Saturday 1-4pm // May 20th
Join artist Alexandra Williams to create a block printed bandana! In this workshop, you'll design and sketch personal symbols and carve them into stamps. Then you'll use your hand carved stamps to create a unique arrangement on a cotton bandana.
Make Your Own Patterns - $160
4 Mondays 10am-12pm // Starts May 1st
This is an introductory course in pattern making. Learn the basic fundamentals of taking a pattern block and turning it into a unique clothing design. Students will leave this class with a custom designed pattern and a foundation for developing their own designs.
Clothing Projects is now Open Sewing Studio! And we have two monthly sessions starting in May: Wednesday Evenings and Friday Mornings
Open Sewing Studio - $130 a month / $40 per session
Wednesdays 7-9pm -or- Fridays 10:30am-12:30pm
Do you want to create your own clothing that fits your body and style? In this 'open sewing' class for adults, bring whatever clothing project excites you! For beginners, choose a simple garment and focus on building construction skills like sewing collars or inserting zippers. More experienced students can try their hand at pattern changes, embellishments, and getting a custom fit. Focus on one project for the whole class or get help with works in progress that have hit a snag. Make something from scratch or alter a pre-existing garment. Basic sewing machine skills are required but beginners are welcome!
And of course, if you’re a newbie and interested in learning the basics, check out our monthly Learn To Sew: Throw Pillow Workshop !
New Fabrics at Patchwork
Last week, Patchwork got a very generous donation from a designer workroom! I am not kidding when I say that I filled up my entire truck. Designer denim, tencel wovens, organic knits, and more! All fabrics are $5-10 a yard.
A wide array of fabric bolts leaned up against the wall.
We’ll be open from 10-4 on Friday and Saturday! Come shop this amazing collection of donated fabric for all your spring makes!
Tying up loose ends
Two women sit on a couch holding knitting and crochet projects, smiling. Photo by © Winky Lewis.
I recently learned about Loose Ends, an organization that, “connects volunteer finishers to unfinished projects left behind by deceased or infirmed crafters.” Founders Masey Kaplan (Portland, ME) and Jennifer Simonic (Seattle, WA) were inspired by the joy they felt being able to finish knitting projects for friends and family. Now, the organization has over 8000 project finishers in multiple countries around the world.
3D Printed Capsule Wardrobe
A close up of a pink 3D printed jacket being assembled
I love this video from Krizia (Sew Printed) that walks through her process of creating a 3D printed capsule wardrobe for a trip to NYC. 3D printing is such a cool and novel technology and it’s incredibly fun to see the clever ways people use it to create clothing items. Krizia uses a special elastic filament to create these garments, making them surprisingly wearable! I’d love to try my hand at printing some garment embellishments one day. Have you used 3D printing in your sewing?
This Month’s Studio Playlist
Click here to listen on Spotify (or use the embedded player below!)
Sometimes I like to pick a very literal playlist theme and run with it. Or in this case, hike with it. 🏞
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter! Feel free to share with a friend.