Spring Basics Class 2 (of 3)
29 Apr 2010 Leave a Comment
We reconvened last Saturday for the second part of the three-part Basics Session with our newest group of sewing students. Students reviewed basic sewing machine parts that they had become acquainted with the week before, as well as basic usage of the sewing machine. One fun activity revisited was the “driving test,” which each student did last week without thread and this week with thread. This is a simple but straightforward way to see progress being made on learning to manage the machine along different turns and curves. (It is basically a piece of paper with lines drawn on it that students are supposed to sew along.)
Students then proceeded to practice these new skills by making a small drawstring bag. The bag is a project that was chosen to help students further their ability to maneuver the machine, as well as fine tune their accuracy and precision in stitching. There are also some steps involved in making the bag (such as putting in the drawstring, finishing off edges at the end of the casing, etc.) that are helpful for students to learn now so that they can easily be applied to future projects that students might even take on on their own. At the same time, the drawstring bag is a very forgiving project when a high amount of precision has not yet been developed, and it is a project that becomes immediately practical; students place all their sewing supplies right into this handy little bag when they finish. (See some of the photos included here.)
We once again had a great time and finished the morning’s class with lots of smiling.
We will gather again this coming weekend to complete the third lesson, thus finishing up this Basics course. Students will complete this class by making sewing machine covers for the new sewing machines they will receive. We anticipate there being lots of joy surrounding the conclusion of Saturday’s class, since not only smiles will send us off. This Saturday, new friends will be proud of each other, and graduates of this Basics session will bear certificates of completion and their new (generously donated) sewing machine. It will be a splendid third class and we look forward to keeping you posted upon its conclusion!
