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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sew Your Own At Portland's First Drop-in Sewing Studio Open House Oct 11 2009 10am-5pm 840 SE Washington Street
"Learn to Sew by Making what You want, Learn on your own machine" See what it is like to make your clothes in our 1000 sqft work room with a seasoned pro on-hand! Please join us Sunday October 11 at our SE Portland studio from 10am until 5pm.
Portlanders are an independent lot with unique needs -- experienced clothier and Portland native Emily Horton of M-Horton Clothing enables the DIY-inclined to make what they need. Emily Horton shares her years of knowledge and experience, helping people learn to make the things they want. At-hand during Open Studio, Emily is available to answer any questions about design elements, fabric choices, or construction technique.
Tucked in the SE industrial arts district...

The leaves are beginning to change color, and a few drift lazily to the ground.  One senses a change of season is just around the corner.  Soon the air will be crisp, with hints of morning fog, and  it brings thoughts of cozy sweaters, a warm mug of coffee, and a good book to curl up with by the fire.  And...

On August 23, 2009 The Sassy SEWer and ASG sponsored a second free sewing event to benefit Puppy Mill Rescue.  Fifteen seamsters and non-seamsters attended the event.  The volunteers came from as far as Fredericksburg, Virginia, Cecil County, Harford County,...

 
 
 
 
Learn how to create one of a kind Wearable Art with the environment in mind.
By Jill Pillot
 
          13 years ago I opened “Ricochet”, a children, and maternity consignment store in San Mateo, with in mind of recycling gently worn clothes. From there I got inspired and took garments apart, and gave it a new look.  I have always had a creative mind, and was always making things from findings, but I felt I lacked technique.  I decided to sign up for the Fashion Program at Canada College, where I graduated; first in theatrical costume design, then in fashion design.
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Sewing builds self-esteem - when someone compliments you on your outfit and want to know where you bought it........you can say...

Ever wonder how wool felt is made? Felt is very easy to make given the right circumstances.  Wool is a very strong and stretchy fiber.  When you get wool hot, wet and add pressure (rubbing and rolling it) it shrinks and becomes felt! In this class you will be learn to make felted balls, beads, bracelets and hand puppets!  Today I’m going to show you how to...

At one time there was only one kind of thread and one kind of needle. Now there are hundreds of threads to choose from and all types of needles. Most quilters are bewildered by what thread to use with what needle and when to use them. My classes are hands-on technique classes for all levels of quilters---from beginners to experts---and by the time the class is over threads and needles are no longer a mystery. In addition to regular threads, I use embroidery thread, skinny ribbons, and thin yarn when I teach bobbin drawing. When you bobbin draw you put...

There are sewing machines and there are SEWING MACHINES. Its always the same question, "What kind do I buy?". I hear it from all my students. My answer is usually the same, "You need to go try many machines before you buy." There are so many machines and some are not very good and wont last long. You need to go look at all your options.
   There are so many sewing machine options. Go and sew on machines. Take a few...

You've found the perfect fabric, cut out the pattern pieces, and sewn the first couple of seams.  Everything is going swimmingly until...it's time for the zipper!
If you're like me, you hate the way that zipper interferes with the smooth symmetry of your skirt or dress.  You don't appreciate the way that, although you've re-sewn it several times, the fabric gaps out just a little bit.  It just doesn't seem as nice as it should be...
Enter the invisible zipper!  Though...

To some, crochet still conjures up terms like 'old-fashioned' and images of Grandmas in rocking chairs making doilies or granny square afghans [and I know someone in your family has one...or both, we all do! :)]  People of all ages and backgrounds are gettin' hooked up, including a growing number of men who crochet, too!
If you're not 'in the loop', crochet continues to bloom into a versatile, talented craft; finally getting the respect it has so long deserved.
It is not to be confused with or compared to knitting, which is a great craft and separate technique in its own right, and although it gets more press, support and attention...change is coming.  There's a grass-roots rumbling underground; the noise you hear are hookers on the move!  Some are up-and-coming, independents, well-known and widely published...