Sewing Bee at the Bee Festival

Today we volunteered to help man the Sewing Bee at the Bee Festival in Seattle. It was crazy. Lots of people, scissors, stickers, fabric and chaos. But we had a great time. I think we made at least 20 purses between us.  The kids thought they were awesome. And it was fun to see them sew. 

sneak peak of exhibit

Here is a sneak peak of my client's exhibit using the blankets I sewed the border on. I don't know yet 100% what this is about but I think it is really peaceful and beautiful.  I am glad my work is part of it.  Henry Art Gallery - here I come (in a very small way).

Almost art gallery ready

All 5 blankets sewn together and borders on. If found a way to make clean corners that would impress any quilter.  (Please note - I AM NOT A QUILTER!).  This was a challenge but we did it.  Here is one that only needs a top stitching on the joining seams and I think I will top stitch around the outside border. But not sure yet.

Repairs and shortening to summer clothes

My client wanted these cute summer outfits shortened and repaired.  I decided to put a better hem on when I did it. You can see the original hem did not have a clean finish on the edge. So I serged it before I sewed it in place.

Rip before

Rip after

Waiting to get hemmed

Hen before

Hem after

not just a blanket

This is a project that will soon be on display at the Henry Art Gallery for our client's MFA Exhibit.  Long story short, this was a measurement/cutting/sewing/planning situation for experts only and we did it. Thanks to Larnell's organization and measuring and my cutting, ironing, and turning - I am ready to sew today.

clown clothes muslins

Here are the muslins I made from the patterns my client had and one shirt pattern I had. This will be great because now I can make them good patterns that memorialize what they want and allow them to modify easily.
You can see why clowns (and everybody) does not wear muslin. Talk about boring to look at. But it is great to make prototypes for design.

Their original patterns

their patterns

my patterns

muslin cut and sorted

muslins sewn up

muslins 

clown clothes

Here are the "clown clothes" that I am making new patterns for. The patterns my client has are old and not really super helpful in sewing. So I am making new patterns so they can have more outfits made up quickly and accurately. Yesterday I copied the "patterns" they had. Today I am cutting and sewing muslins. Tomorrow we fit the muslins then I make real outfits. 
The previous outfits did not have interfacing or anything.  I am excited to make them better quality garments that will fit their needs and last longer