Beginner Sewing Kits Now Available!

 One of the toughest aspects of starting a new hobby or learning a new craft is gathering all the supplies.  I teach beginner sewing lessons and as part of my class fee I provide all of the supplies for the class.  There is nothing more frustrating than to sign up for a class, go to get the supplies and you have no idea what to purchase.  I try to make this easy for students and parents by providing what they need so they can come to class and focus on the project we are making.

When I started my YouTube channel - Sew-Learn-Create I wanted to provide the same type of experience.  So I now offer kits for some of my YouTube projects.  The kits don't have everything you need but they do have the basic fabric supplies.  With a few other sewing supplies (i.e. scissors, thread, clips and/or pins etc.) a sewing machine and the kit you can make the project.

I sell the kits on my Etsy shop.  These make a great gift for anyone who likes to sew.  Click the link to purchase a set for yourself and a friend. Beginner Sewing Kits.

To learn more about these kits and how you can support my YouTube channel check out this video.

Thanks for your support and Keep Sewing!

Danna

Sewing Camp 2016 - Doll Skirt

As I stated in the previous post Sewing Camp 2016 was a great success.  One of the more advanced projects we made was a wrap around doll skirt.  It is not only a wrap around skirt but it is reversible. This way you get two different looks for all your hard work.

My sample skirt.  A friend was kind enough to loan

me her daughters doll.

I found a simple pattern online. It has very clear directions and was easy to sew. American Girl Reversible Skirt Pattern.  The pattern is designed for 18" dolls but some girls made theirs for stuffed animals and they fit quite nicely.  The Velcro closure makes the skirt very versatile.

The girls were able to follow the pattern easily and they made some adorable skirts.  Here are a few of the finished projects.

One set of doll skirts.

Some very happy campers!

You can find all kinds of free patterns for 18" dolls online.  Most doll clothes can be made with a small amount of fabric like fat quarters.  I encouraged my students to find some patterns and continue to expand their sewing skills.  

Danna

Sewing Camp 2016

Sewing Camp 2016 was exciting and full of students and projects.  In my July camp I had three students and in August I had five students. Each group was unique and exciting to work with.

Working on assembling a pattern.

Supplies ready to go.

We made some simple projects to start off camp.  Again this year we learned to sew a button on our water bottle cover.  Sewing on a button is an important and useful skill.  Next we made a bag tag, needle keeper and pincushion.  Each project progressed the students hand sewing skills and introduced them to the sewing machine.

From these simple projects we ventured into projects that required more skill and patience.  I will post more about these projects in future posts.

Projects all set to show off at our Gallery Show

I like teaching sewing camps for lots of reasons.  First I enjoy sharing my love of sewing with the younger generation.  It is important that we share the talents and skills God has given us.  So I encourage each of you to share your creativity and talents with someone.  It doesn't have to be a big group or camp the one-on-one instruction works well.  Find someone today that you can teach and encourage.

Danna

Quilt Camp - The Teacher Learns from the Student

During my quilt camp this summer I had a unique experience.  We made rag quilts so we could finish them in a week.  Since it was a small camp I was able to sew with my student.

My student chose a stack of brightly colored squares for her quilt.  There were beautiful, blues, pinks, greens and yellows.  She arranged her blocks in a color wave pattern and it turned out beautiful.

My student's stack of fabric squares.

She is laying out her quilt in a color wave pattern.

The back side of her finished quilt.

The finished quilt.

I selected a collection of purples in various shades.  The first layout I put down was a traditional checkerboard pattern using the different lights and darks.

The first layout in a traditional pattern. 

Space was limited so I pushed them close together.

My student looked at my layout and said "I don't like it that way.  What about this." She then proceeded to relay out the blocks using the color wave method.  It turned out so much better.

The second layout in the color wave pattern.

There was nothing wrong with my original layout but it was predictable and traditional in nature.  It was also very angular.  By using the color wave pattern layout the quilt is more modern looking and has a very fluid motion.  It is always amazing to me how changing one simple aspect can make such a difference in a quilt.

My finished quilt in the color wave pattern.

I learned something valuable that day.  Don't get stuck in a rut with how you layout your quilt blocks.  Branch out, mix things up and be open to someone else's vision.  Always remain open to new ideas and be teachable.  Who knows what wonderful creative avenues will open up for you.

So the next time you are laying out a quilt of monochromatic blocks give the color wave layout a try you may be surprised how it turns out.  I am working on a pattern for this quilt and layout so check back soon to get your copy.

Danna

Where did the Summer go?

My, my how time does fly.  It seems like yesterday we were wrapping up the school year and looking forward to a much needed summer break.  Well, now we are back at school and the summer has gone.  I wish the school year went by as fast as summer.  Below is a sign I have on my porch written on my chalkboard tile.  Although this summer in our part of Texas was not bad.  We did not have a loooooooong string of over 100 degree days.  And we even had some days that were below 90 degrees.  That my friends is a RARE thing in Texas.

 

 

But, now it is Back to School time and that means setting up my classroom.  I used my owl theme again this year just tweaking some of the bulletin board boarders and themes.  I did add an owl banner that my Mom purchased for me.  It hangs in the middle of my classroom.  I love the colors and the owls faces.

 

My new owl banner in the middle of my classroom

 

 

On my bulletin boards this year I am going to add to them on a regular basis fun technology facts and tips.  One of the teachers last year did a Did You Know? Sign outside her door and she wrote random facts on it each day.  It was fun to see what information was presented and I learned some interesting facts.  So I thought it would be fun to do the same idea but use technology facts.

 

Here is my Did You Know  version

My first fact.  The first computer I ever saw was the size of my current classroom, it was a punch card computer.  My how things have changed.

 

 

One other change I made this year was I added some washi tape flags to the tops of the pencils I use at each computer.  I am hoping this will deter the disappearing of my pencils.  (A girl can hope for a perfect world can't she.)  I used some tape I purchased from the Dollar Tree.  It is a little thicker than regular washi tape. 

 

The pencils turned out cute with the flags.

 

There were not many changes to my classroom this year so I am thinking that next year I might do a bee or ladybug theme.  I am still working on those ideas.  I would love to see pictures of how you decorated your classroom.  Post a comment or picture below.

 

Danna

 





 



Christmas Countdown - 5 days left!

5 days left! Oh no, time is really running short now. Today’s project is what I made for all the staff at my school this year. Since our budget is very limited I try to find a craft that is useful but also extremely frugal to create. Here is my version of the popular clothes pin clips:

I made three clips for each teacher and staff member.

 

For office staff I changed the words to be more appropriate to their area. 

These were the ones I used for teachers.  Every teacher always has something to copy, something to send home and something to grade.

This shows the word file I printed out. 

 

I created the file with the circles in Word, if you want a copy of the file email me at 2danna.webber@gmail.com and I will be happy to send it to you. (I did not have time to figure out how to upload it.)  I cut out each circle and then inked the edges to give it a little more detail. The circles and squares were cut using punches I have. They measure 1¾” in size. You could also use any shape punch and write directly on the punch. Or cut small squares with a paper cutter.

I used a glue stick to attach my circles to the cardstock punches but I used Alene’s tacky glue to attach the punches to the clothes pins.

Another variation on this craft could be to change the words on the circles and create magnets to hang up artwork or notes on the fridge.

Now the teachers will be able to clip their papers and not have to write a note to remind them what needs to be done.

Danna

Fun with Kindergarten!

In my school system all students K-12 must log onto the computer with a student ID log in.  This is a real challenge for Kindergarten since the log in requires numbers and letters.  At the beginning of the year they do not know their alphabet very well.  So, this year I came up with a fun game to play with a GIANT keyboard rug that my husband and I made.

The students were given a card with a letter and they then matched that card to the key on the keyboard rug.  My hope is that this will help them learn where the letters are on the keyboard when I begin to teach them their log in information. 

I made my rug by using half of a canvas drop cloth. My husband then helped me draw the keys with a sharpie.  The most challenging part was to figure out how large the keys needed to be.  I made mine 5" x 5" square with about 1" in between each key.

The students I had this week really enjoyed playing the keyboard letter game.  Next I will teach them the location of the numbers and the major action keys (i.e. Enter, Shift, Tab etc.)   After we played the game with the rug they then went to the computers and used alpha strips to locate the keys on their individual keyboards. (The computers were turned off of course).

The full rug is half of a 6'x8' drop cloth

A close up view of the keys

The students matched the letter cards with the key on the keyboard

 

I am looking forward to determine if this method will help them learn their letter locations. I would love to hear your comments on ways I could improve this process.

 

Making Pink Lemonade with Kindergarten!



Danna

More Classroom Ideas

As I told you in my previous post my classroom is full of windows and short on wall space.  Here are some of the ways I have expanded my wall display areas.

The wall in the stairwell that leads down to my classroom I put up signs about the computer programs we use.  This is also visible for parents from the above hallway.

 

This short wall is just big enough to put some small posters.  This year I put up shortcut

tags for the Microsoft programs.  I hope these will remind students and teachers that you don't always have to use the mouse.

 

 

I have two cabinets in the back of my room that are tall.  I use these to display my computer lab rules (picture in previous post) and my Technology Word Wall. 

 

To help add some color to my windows I made buntings for two of my walls. 

Since I have 10 windows this was much less expensive that making curtains. 

I hung the buntings from Command Hooks.

 

I would love to hear some ideas on ways you have created display areas in your classrooms. I am always looking for new ideas.

 

Classroom Theme - Owls

I operate the computer lab in an elementary school.  I see Pre-K - 5th grade students once or twice a week.  I believe teaching technology is an important part of a students education.  I love the fact that I can see all grades in the computer lab.

This year I decorated my classroom with an Owl theme.  It really got my creative juices going putting this theme together.  I only wish I had some of the owls my aunt collected for over 30 years.  She had an owl collection that was incredible.  I do have a few of hers but I did not want to take them to school, they are very precious to me.  Anyway, here are some of the areas of my classroom.  My room is in the "original" portion of the 100 year old building.  It has had many modifications over the years.  It was the first cafeteria in the building.  One blessing is I have 3 walls with windows.  But this also does not allow for display wall space so I have had to get creative about expanding my display areas.

This is the door leading to the lab

 

 I have two full bulletin boards.  They are actually white boards that I cover with

paper to create bulletin boards.  This particular board I will change throughout the

year to different technology lessons.

Close up of Crazy Clicker Bulletin Board

 

My theme bulletin board 

 

 Lab rules on cabinet doors

 

  My owl collection.  I spent a total of $7.00 for all the owls.  They came from garage sales, Target, JoAnns and the 3 fabric owls I made. The link for the Youtube and pattern is here Owl pincushion

 

 This bulletin board I got at a garage sale for $1.00.  It had a silver frame that was ugly.  I covered the frame with green checkered Washi tape.  It was the perfect width and really easy to apply.

 This is the inside door to my lab.  I posted my schedule so everyone can see

when the come to the lab.