Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst
Sewing Refresher
Sewing is a lot of fun, it is like origami with fabric, and I love origami. Unfortunately, I do not get to sew as often as I like, busy with the kid, life, work, etc.. Lately though, social distancing and all, I have had some free time. However, what I needed first was a sewing machine refresher so online I went.
There are plenty of sites out there with sewing tips. Youtube is my go-to for how-to, but it can be a bit of a rabbit hole. Sometimes the suggested videos grab, let us just say, too much of my attention. So off to Skillshare and luckily I found the perfect course, Quick & Dirty Sewing: Machine Crash Course. It is good, as long as you have some experience with a sewing machine, and it is quick 25 minutes. The production quality is a little dirty but the info is just what I needed. If you are wondering Skillshare has some excellent courses. Now they are offering 2 months free with a subscription, and you can cancel before they charge you.
The next thing I did was a quick online search for our sewing machine manual, I love the web!! The manual is always good to have and a digital copy on your phone is great. Digital manuals are searchable and always onhand, cause we are all attached to our phones. Another cool find the Kenmore Sewing Machine 19233 instructional vids:
Remember DVDs, I do, but I also remember watching my first Betamax tape, the making of Thriller, too funny.
Research: Lined Zipper Pouch
Why sewing and why cases you ask? While working on my Masters I became fascinated with printing photographs on canvas and fabric, then embroidering the prints. Embroidery adds another dimension to a print, it is tactile, rasied and it gives the print a completely different feel. Here are a few pics of David from the Street Portrait series.
After completing a few pieces I wanted to experiment with sewing the printed works. Life got in the way, so the idea ruminated with me for a few years and then I thought how about pouches/cases. I love pouches I have quite a few and use them for storing and organizing everything from my change to audio gear.
So once my refresh was complete time for some project research, making pouches/pencil cases how-tos videos. I found MADE Everyday the instructor, Dana, is very knowledgeable. Her teaching style is relaxed, and the video and audio quality are excellent. I like watching videos that are well produced as they help me focus, as I am not distracted by the bad video or audio quality or editing. Dana’s, How to sew a lined Zipper Pouch--great for Beginners! covers everything you need to make very cute pouches and cases.
She also has a few other related vids:
How to Laminate Fabric & How to Sew a Zipper, TWO ways
I did not know that you could easily make those cute laminated pouches/cases that are so popular, the ones you see by the art supply store checkout, with fabric. Her zipper vid covers everything you need to know about zippers. She also has plenty of other vids on just about everything to do about sewing a great resource.
end goal
What I would like to do is produce and sell a line of pouches, all handmade. Something to support a charity or a local charity. Food, food security and food education has always been a passion of mine. So supporting the Parkdale Food Centre would be my charity of choice. Lindsay and I were tossing out ideas the other night about a line of pouches/cases of local business and their owners, or of colourful locals and landmarks of a neighbourhood, i.e. Hintonburg. Then branching out to other neighbourhoods in Ottawa.
Happy sewing, and if you have any questions feel free to send me an email, reach out via social media, or post a comment below.