Private Sewing Lessons In Ottawa

4-Hour One on One Sewing Lesson
$140 ALL INCLUSIVE

This lesson is broken into two two-hour visits.

The 4-Hour Lesson is good for you if:

• You have sewn in the past but need a refresher course
• You need to re-learn your old or new sewing machine
• You've been fiddling around with your machine but fear your vigilante sewing is getting the best of your patience
  

During the 4-hour lesson you will learn how to:

• Read your pattern
• Cut your fabric
• Sew your pieces and
• Finish your skirt

$140 gets you:

• Custom Skirt Plan
• Custom A-Line Skirt Pattern
• Fabric for the skirt
• Thread to sew the skirt
• Pins with which to sew
• Sewing Machine Needle
• Invisible Zipper
• Interfacing
• Information
  

You provide:

• The interest
• Your sewing machine
• The tackle box it comes with
• The sewing machine manual
• The sewing machine pedal
  

We meet for about 15minutes, a few days before your lesson, so I can take your measurements, and then I draft your custom A-line skirt.

This skirt is a basic A-Line with centre back zip, darts in the front and back, and facings. The pattern is in four pieces, and you get to keep it. It is stored in a large manila envelope for reuse.

The Fine Print for the 4-hour lesson:

• I appreciate and require 24 hours notice to cancel
• $30 deposit - which covers the cost to draft your skirt. Would that you need to cancel, the pattern is yours-- I would then post it to you
• $55 payable at the end of each following lesson
  

The lessons are conducted in my home studio


6-Hour One on One Sewing Lesson
$210 ALL INCLUSIVE

Basically the same as the 4-hour lesson with an extra two hours for learning your basics.

This lesson is broken into three two-hour visits.

The 6-Hour Lesson is good for you if:

• You have a machine but haven't a clue how to operate it
• You never took a sewing lesson before
• You've sewn before but you're frustrated and you want to reconcile with your machine and with your patience
  

During the extra two hours you will learn how to:

• Thread your machine
• Wind your bobbin
• Operate your sewing machine
• Read the seam allowances
• Sew a few samples which have pivots, curves, and darts
• All the samples for you to sew are included in the cost of your lesson.
  

The class is six hours, breaking it up into three time slots is the best way for you to understand sewing and construction.

Some homework may be given between lessons.

The first lesson is all about preparing your pieces to sew. Which requires an introduction to the pattern, reading your fabric, cutting the pattern out of the fabric, transferring markings, interfacing the facing, getting behind the sewing machine, and sewing samples.

The second lesson is a refresher of sewing the samples, sewing the darts, basting the waist line, sewing the side seams of the facings and the skirt

The last lesson you will be installing the zipper, installing the interfacings and the finishings (hemming, stitch-in-the-ditch, and tacking)

If we are not able to complete each lesson each additional hour required is $40. Within any additional time you need I will review any problematic areas with you.

The Fine Print for the 6-hour lesson:

• I appreciate 24 hours notice to cancel
• $30 deposit - which covers the cost to draft your skirt. Would that you need to cancel, the pattern is yours - I would then post it to you
• $60 payable at the end of each following lesson
  

The lessons are conducted in my home studio

It is very important to teach new students the proper ways to sew and understand their sewing machine.

Building solid sewing skills prevents future frustration and fosters problem solving. If you are not sure how to solve your problems, you might become frustrated and you may not want to continue to sew.

I want interested sewers to continue to sew and to develop their sewing skills. I want to teach you the skills to help you build your confidence in sewing any project you want to take on.

Thank you for your interest in sewing and for your interest in learning to sew.
Pass it on.

e-mail me for booking: Laura.Twiss@gmail.com

Upcoming Event: Clothing Re-Mix + Re-Make IN APRIL

Want to get involved at a Spins & Needles event? They're planning a big clothing and modification swap and we're on the lookout for some volunteers to:

*Sort clothing

*Assist at sewing stations (must have knowledge of how to use a sewing machine)

*Assist at embellishment stations (must have knowledge of how to add beads, buttons, other embellishments to clothing)

*Assist at printing/stencilling stations (must have knowledge of a printing technique)

If you're interested, send us an e-mail at spinsandneedles@gmail.com.

A Shout Out

After a wonderful Turkey time with the family I decided to take some time for myself. Something that hasn't happened for a while. So, I'm in my studio and tidying up, passing the vacuum, arranging, observing, enjoying, it dawned on me: I've been sewing (domestically) for over twenty years! Why was it important for me to learn to sew?

What was it that drew me to want to sew or to want to learn to sew? Below is a sampling (not in any order) of some answers that could:

• the economy (my own lack of $)
  
• the environment
• personal expression
• availability
• quality
• material
• vocation
  

Over the years the priorities change. Today, when a recession, life style choices and attitude adjustments are imminent, would learning or picking up sewing be a part of your life?

Please let me know by either taking my poll (on the right of this post) or by dropping a comment.

I'd love to learn what you have to say about sewing.

This poll is on until November 25, 2009!

REVOLUTIONARY ART @ CYCLELOGIK

This neighbourhood girl, knitter of fine yarn, sewer of ladies apparel, appreciator of ladies' roles, borrower of good ideas, composter, recycler, bicycler, and tap dancer is participating in "Revolutionary Art" at CYCLELOGIK this Friday, July 4th.



Do read the top right column. C'est moi! I'm submitting a piece. Now off to attaching ruffles!

SUMMER SESSIONS: Private Sewing Lessons

Yes, Private Sewing Lessons are available!

It has been a very busy season and I'm happy to report there are a few spots available for July and a whole lot of spots for August. Just in time for a new High Summer skirt!

Woo! CBC Ottawa Morning Interview

Listen to Hallie Cotnam and Me talk about Lunch Apparel by visiting this link and click on "Fruit cover-ups"!

Lunch Apparel: Hand Knit in Ottawa

• Hand knit sweaters to keep your apples, peaches, plums, & bananas from the sharp objects in your bag.
• Encourages the eating of more fruit.
• You know what they say: "An apple a day keeps you healthy"
• Brighten up your fruit basket at home.
  
• Yes, these sweaters will keep your fruit warm, too.

Available at:

• Heaven's To Betsy, 1243 Wellington Street West, Ottawa CANADA
• Workshop Studio & Boutique, 242 1/2 Dalhousie Street North, Ottawa, CANADA
• Ladyfest Ottawa Not Your Grandma's Craftsale, Saturday, May 10th, 2008 @ Jack Purcell Community Centre, 10 am - 5 pm, $2 Suggested Donation

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yarn Studio is having a Birthday and 500th Post Celebration Contest. Check her out and submit your entry! Don't forget to say that you found her through this blog.

Sockem Socks

The first of a pair. And the first attempt at Waving Lace Socks, by Evelyn Clark. Pattern is found in Interweave's, Favorite Socks.
This yarn is Wolle Rödel Sport & Strumpfwolle Mini-Ringel, in gold tones. It is a wool and nylon blend, and not soft.
The needles I used are bamboo and 2.5mm.

Hustle Bustle Skirt End-Result

This is the beautiful Sophie H.
She modeled for me for a photo-shoot in early February.
I'll post some pictures of the shoot later-on.

Thanks for your comments.

Hustle Bustle Tutorial Part V

Here is the back of the skirt.

And the front of the skirt.