Kristi Borchardt
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Article
Sewing Class: Sew Unique
One of the greatest things about sewing is the opportunity to express yourself, be creative, and show your unique style.nnI read a great quote (unfortunately I didn't write down the author in my journal) part of which stated, "the problem with many human systems and organizations is that they... promote unity to the extent that the individual becomes a member of the herd and loses himself".nnAny of us who have gone to school as a child, can understand this statement. How sad
September 7, 2007
Article
Sewing Lessons: More Tips for Teaching Children to Sew
The tips presented here are for those who are working with one or more children, and/or teaching someone else's child. I have learned these things through experience, and they have helped tremendously.nn1. Kids are very good at knowing whether you are telling the truth or not. Don't praise for the sake of praising, only praise for a job truly well done. But don't forget to praise the little steps i.e., having a good eye for threading the needle easily, good pedal control...nn
July 26, 2007
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Sewing Class â Learning to Sew Through Quilting
Quilting is a fabulous way to learn some of the basic skills in sewing. Although there are some very intricate and complicated quilts, there are also a huge amount of very simple patterns. Not only are they full of straight lines, the finished products are magnificent, and plentiful. nnWhat we love the most is, despite the simplicity of some patterns, the finished products look quite difficult. When my daughter started sewing, at the age of 3, she completed several quilting p
July 12, 2007
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Sewing Class: The Difference Between Pressing and Ironing
Next to your sewing machine, your iron is your most important piece of equipment for sewing.nnFor the best results with your sewing projects you should start every project by pressing the pieces of fabric to be cut, and then pressing in between every line sewn. This allows you to have good crisp edges, corners, and seam lines. It sets your stitches (this means the thread is blended in with the fabric instead of sitting on top of the fabric), flattens and smoothes any puckers,
July 3, 2007
Article
Children Sewing: The Hidden Benefits of Repeating Projects
As I mentioned in one of the earlier articles, you should encourage your kids to repeat projects. Just by changing fabrics you are giving: variety, an opportunity to master skills, and the chance to practice visualizing the construction of the project. nnRepeating projects is also a great way to teach your kids to see things differently. Ask them, "what can we change this time/or add, to give this project a special touch"? nnMy youngest automatically repeated every project sh
June 30, 2007
Article
Teaching Your Child To Sew
I upgraded my Serger to one that can handle more work. I got one with a computer screen. This required us to take some classes on how to use the machine. When I signed up for the classes (from the same place I bought the machine) I told them that I wanted my oldest daughter to take the class with me, since she would be using the machine as much as me. n nI was amazed at the response, "we do not allow for a parent and a child to be in class together. We believe that children d
June 28, 2007
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Sewing Class: Important Step in Learning to Sew
SEWING MACHINE MAINTENANCEnIf your sewing machine isn't taken care of, your frustrations will lead to quitting. There is nothing worse than sitting down to sew and your machine won't work properly! nHere are two things you need to do to keep your machine in shape and ready.nn1. All threads produce lint. Thankfully the kind we are all going to use, now, doesn't produce as much as the inexpensive kind! However, you still MUST clean the lint out of your machine. Lint builds up i
June 22, 2007
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Sew: Key to a Good Sewing Experience
The key to a good sewing experience is Organization! nnWhen you sit down to sew you don't want to have to spend time searching for the stuff you need to complete a project. It can also be frustrating to have some spare time and be out of what you need.nnThere are some great ways to organize your space. I will share with you what we have done.nnWe are plastic container crazy!! We use all sizes from small to extra large. I have also chosen clear boxes so that we can easily see
June 20, 2007
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Learn to Sew: The Effects of Cheap Thread
I am all about saving money when I can. There are so many ways to save money when sewing: from making your own patterns, to shopping sales for your fabric, notions, and patterns. nnWhen we first started sewing I would hear people talk about the differences in threads, only to go to the store and find four spools for a $1.00, and buy them.nnNot until we were sewing weekly were the effects of cheap thread on our machine understood.nnFirst, all threads throw off lint in the mach
June 13, 2007
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Teaching Children to Sew: Portfolios
As your child starts learning to sew, take the time to make these two Sewing Notebooks. Your child will be inspired and encouraged by them, and you will find one of them priceless!nnYour Assignment:n1. Let your child choose 2 special 3 ring binders. Buy the kind with a clear pocket on the front.n2. Have them decorate 2 pieces of paper with the following labelsnA. PortfolionB. Sewing Ideasnn*Let them decorate it any way they want - with crayons, paint, stickers, cutting out pi
June 11, 2007
Article
Teaching Children to Sew: Which Sewing Machine To Use
Even if your child is 3 years old, the only question you must ask yourself to determine if a person is ready to learn to sew is: Will they obey the MOST important rule in sewing? nnWhat is this rule? - Keep your fingers out from under the needle!!!!! When our daughter was 3, I knew that she could understand the dangers and would obey that rule. We bought her an inexpensive sewing machine and three months later she was sewing pillows, and by 6 months she had sewn her first lap
June 7, 2007
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Teaching Children to Sew: Your Sewing Space
WHERE?nAlthough we would all love to have our own sewing /craft room, most of us have to find a small corner in the house where we can sew. Through experience I have learned, that if you want to learn something, or more importantly you want your kids to learn something, the source needs to be readily available. Otherwise, "out of sight, out of mind". nI started very early having "centers" around the house (primarily in the areas where we "lived" the most) for my girls. Some y
May 19, 2007
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