Technology Tips for Teachers: SUMMER FUN OF SEWING!

I am busy and then I find things to make me BUSIER! :)

I have thought about learning to sew for many years. I didn't really want to, but my daddy used to tell me I would like it. (He was usually right about these things.) I kept putting it off. We used to talk about "making" a quilt of his clothes. This was on our list of "adventures" we were going to try. After my mom passed, we spent most weekends together and his last year he stayed with me full time. He did help me pick out what shirts to use in the "memory quilt" we were going to make. We did watch a few videos and bought a t-shirt square so we would know what size to cut them. I had no idea what to do or how to do it. Of course he made it sound "EASY" because you just have to sew a straight line. Well, we all know I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. LOL

So...... I finally decided that I have been working on all this homework for my masters program (side note: do not sign up for Lamar classes - they are on my bad side right now) way too much and did something for myself. I took a sewing class!! We made a tote bag in 2 hours. WHAT? YES, we made a small tote bag in 2 hours. We cut the pattern, pinned it, sewed it - we did it all!! I did a good job and didn't even have to take out any stitches. SOOOOOO I was inspired to start looking at sewing machines. WOW! There are tons of them!

I found one at Humble Sewing Center and Jennifer there was super nice and showed me how it worked. I practiced making a few things....... like bean bags and this "dress" towel. I just winged it and was a little impatient when I made it. I was just having so much fun doing it. I know now what to do and not do on it, so I might make another one later. (The good part is, the towel was for Dollar Tree and the material was scrap that I bought at a garage sale.)

Now for my new sewing adventure. I want to make a pin cushion for my machine because I saw some cute ones on Pinterest and thought - welllllll I can make that! I found this picture on Pinterest. Here is the LINK to that picture. (Do I need to APA format that at the end of this blog?)

Here is what I did to make mine:

1. Measure the machine all the way around where you want it.
Mine is 24 inches. You need to know this, so you can cut the ribbon that length.
I cut the ribbon about 30 ish inches. It has to be longer than the circumference, because you need extra to tie it onto the machine.

2. Decide how big you want the cushion.
I decided to make it about 3x5, so I cut the material 4x6.

*** By the way, I read the directions, but I am winging this.

I am going to add a magnet in mine, because pins are magnetic and I think that will help them stick to it.

3. I folded the edges inside and ironed them down.
(I used the salvage edge - just to save the pretty part.

4. Then, attach the ribbon to the "right" side of the fabric. I folded the ribbon in half and ironed it so there would be a crease in it, just so I will know where the center is. Then, find the center of your fabric so that it will be even...... now you are ready to sew it. (I folded it in half and the ribbon is in the middle of one side.