Palmer/Pletsch Level 1 Beginning Series Completed!

 The Palmer/Pletsch Level 1 Beginning Class Series came to a close June 27, 2015.  My students were so happy with their apron project.  They were excellent students and all felt they learned so much.

One student had been a private sewing student of mine earlier in the year, so she knew the basics of using her sewing machine and how to complete some basic sewing techniques.  She had received her sewing machine only a few months prior to her private lesson with me and had no experience using it.  In her lesson, we went over machine basics and she made some technique samples, so she was fairly familiar with her machine.

Another one of the students had never sewn anything before and didn't even have a sewing machine until the third week!  She did an amazing job with her apron project!

Still another student had to miss the fourth week, due to a family situation.  She was a more experienced sewist, so she was able to finish her apron project on her own.
 

 I'm really looking forward to these Level 1 students returning for the Level 2 class series.  In Level 2, we'll be making a kimono-type wrap robe that has patch pockets and a contrasting band  This robe can be made in any length and out of most fabrics.  The class sample, at left, is made from quilting cotton and can be a transitional garment going into the cooler temperatures of fall or coming out of the colder temperatures of winter, going into spring.




Lighter weight fabrics for summer in a light-weight cotton such as broadcloth, silk, a cotton/polyester blend (a silky), even a light-weight knit would work well, I think.  Of course, a warmer fabrics for winter would be appropriate, such as flannel, velour or corduroy.

If you live near the Louisville, Kentucky area and have beyond basic beginner sewing machine skills and knowledge, please consider signing up for this Palmer/Pletsch Beginning Level 2 class series. (Pattern and fabrics are not included in the class fee.)  It starts on October 3 and runs for four weeks at Austin's Sewing Center in Fern Creek (Call 502-239-2222 for details).  I'd love to have you in my class and to see how creative you can be with your fabric combinations.

"Be creative and learn to sew!"
SewNSan

Week 1 of Palmer/Pletsch Beginning Sewing Complete!

We've finished week 1!  The first of 4 weeks in the series I'm teaching of Palmer/Pletsch Beginning Sewing classes at our local Babylock dealer is now complete.  I have 3 students who want to learn basic sewing techniques so they may sew & repair garments and shorten hems.  Oh, there's so much to learn in a beginning class and the students are hanging in there with me. 

The project is a chef's/artist's apron in which they will learn about reading a pattern, preparing the pattern tissue, cutting out fabric, marking, stay-stitching curves, sewing on facings, clean finishing edges, sewing machine stitched hems, top-stitching, sewing on patch pockets and many sewing tips that I've learned over the years. 

The curriculum includes Level 2 and Level 3, both of which the students may take later.  They'll make a wrap robe in Level 2 and a 2-pc PJ project in Level 3.  By the time they finish the 3-level series, they'll be very well-equipped to sew just about anything they want.  I'm really looking forward to seeing how far the students will go with their new sewing skills!  The photo shows one of the aprons that I'm using as my class sample.  I love the teapot fabric, since I am a teapot collector!

Palmer/Pletsch Beginning Sewing Series, Level 1

The long-awaited Palmer/Pletsch Beginning Sewing Series, Level 1 is starting tomorrow, June 6, at Austin's Sewing Center in Fern Creek.  This series has been planned for months, but with bad weather, health situations and other things, we finally have a "go" for the classes!  I am so excited about teaching this series!  In it, students will learn basics about their sewing machine, as well as basic sewing skills that they can use over and over throughout their sewing adventures.

As we get into the series, I will share with you here some tips and suggestions I also share with my students.  This will not be as valuable as actually being in the classroom with us, but it can be helpful to anyone who is thinking about learning to sew, or who wants to return to sewing after a long absence.  So many things have been improved over the years, and techniques have been made easier with new tools that are on the market today.  So, stay tuned for an exciting 4 weeks of basic sewing adventures with me!