Sew Fast, Sew Easy
Yesterday, I took the first of five classes at Sew Fast, Sew Easy, which will purportedly teach me how to sew. I actually did pretty well last night while under the watchful eye of the instructor. In fact, by the end, I was inwardly singing my own praises. My mind jumped to thoughts of the fantastic curtains I could hem, of the cute skirts I could fashion (with complicated panels, zippers and special stitching), and just how much easier and more care-free my life would now be. Of course, once I got home, pulled out my mom's old sewing machine and tried to apply the principals, things fell apart. The fabric puckered, the stitches didn't lie flat on the back and then, inexplicably, three or four pieces of thread started appearing under the needle once I finished sewing a line. After untangling the mess, it turned out to be an extra, entirely separate, thread from the top spool. Where did it come from? These are the mysteries I hope to uncover next week ... On the left is my first creation. It's a belt bag (?) and for all of its uncoolness, I am incredibly proud. It's the first thing I've ever sewn on a machine.
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I took a class there! my teacher was a bizarre woman who actually YELLED at us for being late or not turning off our cell phones. it was the catholic school experience i missed as a public school brat. on the upside, the students developed a certain bond out of wanting to avoid her wrath and trying not to set her off. i learned a lot, but it was a rather odd experience on the whole. hope you got a different teacher!
oh, and on the sewing tip... there's probably a big business for some entrepreneurial type to rent themselves out by the hour to come to our homes and make our sewing machines work right! mine does the same thing yours does -- i'm told "it's the tension" but WTF do i know about setting tension? i'd pay someone $25 to come make it work so i could actually use it.
I think I know who you are talking about. The rather mean lady seems to be the owner or manager. Thankfully, I'm taking a class with Debbie. She's precise, but she was helpful and fairly pleasant.
I'm in full agreement about the business idea. I actually had someone service the machine about a year ago, but I suppose you might have to adjust tension on every item you sew? I'm obviously clueless! Perhaps I'll ask these questions in class next week.
yup, you gotta adjust the tension methinks! Look at your domesticness--next thing you know you'll be in jail!
congrats! I think the bag is beautiful!
I have taken classes here. They are great! I just finished learning to make a dress shirt and most of the things I learned in their beginner course got me started.
They have a dress pant class coming up that I am interested in taking. I found the learning very direct and free from distractions. It was cool.
There is a great Brooklyn Studio where the energetic woman who runs it teaches private and small group lessons. You might want to check it out. She is friendly (nothing like to story above!) and I think very reasonably priced. I think you have to book a little bit in advance depending on her availability.
Her studio is called verysweetlife. It's in Park Slope.