I took a class in sewing with knits. I decided that I do not like wearing tee shirts and wanted to make some knit tops. I have had quite a time working with knits in the past. The class was taught by Linda Lee, the owner of the Sewing Workshop. I love her clothing patterns for their simple looks. The top we made was called the Eureka Top. We used an easy-fit pattern which is perfect for layering and by changing the hemline, you have several great tops. We used a regular sewing machine instead of a serger so that anyone could make the top. We also learned the best industry standard method of sewing the perfect neck binding. Did you know that expensive ready to wear does not use the twin needle to sew the hem (two rows of stitching)? They just use one row or do not hem the garment at all. I checked a couple of my expensive knits and sure enough, one was unhemmed and the other only had one row of stitching.
(disclaimer, this is not the top I made but one made by the instructor)
I love surface design. I took a class by June Colburn. The idea of the class was to wake up tired bedroom linens by creating one of a kind sheets and pillowcases. We all brought a pair of pillowcases to decorate with a product called deColourant. We used stencils to get our designs. After heat setting and washing the fabric was soft as its original hand. Absolutely no stiffening.
My next class was called Tie Up A Bag taught by one of my favorite creative designers, Barb Callahan. She had bag kits contained three ties. Using decorative stitches and a special closure, all topped with a rose created with part of the tie, everyone left with a handbag. I did not make shoulder strap because I had brought clips to wear the bag at my waist.
(Instructor modeling a classmates bag)
The Knotted Scarf class taught by Linda Lee's daughter, Alex Woodbury, is going to be a staple in my RV wardrobe. We made an infinity scarf by hand tying knots. The scarf is made from jersey knit fabric that is cut into one inch strips and stretched to make it curl on itself. You can make the knots any size.
My next scarf will be made with black jersey and where the knots are, I am going to put a bead.
(classmate styling her scarf)
My next class was called Tints and Textiles: New Effects in Surface design taught by Cindy Losekamp. We made a notebook that I have to admit, I have not finished. The class description said that we were using Lutradur and T.A.P. (Transfer Artist Paper) for surface design and art quilts. I've found that the Lutradur is just too stiff for clothing.
(Above is some of the classmate notebooks.)
I like contemporary quilts and found that at this event they did not have any. An artist by the name of Marlene Glickman did have a series called Doorway Series: Colorwheel Thirteen panels that I found fascinating.
She used repurposed fabrics, hand dyed, collage, fusing, foil, hand painted, wire, 3D Sheers, color pens and pencils, sheer overlays, raw edge applique, free motion drawing and quilting. All and all, very unique.
Then, with regret, it was time to leave Camp-N-Aire Camping Resort. I had met some really nice people that made me feel very welcome. But.... it's now time for me to move on.
I met up with my friends, Jean and Kyra, at the Tower Rd. Campground which is a boondocking area near Lake City, FL. We will probably be here until around April 15th. There is no assigned parking, just park anywhere you like. The Escapees group is parked together but most people are parking deeper into the woods.
As soon as I arrived, I was invited to happy hour and told about the "potato bake" the next day.
Jean and Kyra had brought the potatoes and everyone was bringing fixings. I had not gone to the store yet so I did not have anything to contribute, however there was plenty food.
It is my understanding that we are going to a flea market on Friday or Saturday. On to new adventures!
