Beach totes and backpacks

These are the new totes and backpacks I currently have. I just love the colors. They can be embroidered on which I just love to do. Enjoy

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/mariasewsalot

 

 

Sewing Inspiration for starting your business

Lately I have been having a lot of women calling or emailing me about starting their own sewing related business.  So I have decided that come September I will be having a class to help everyone get all their thoughts and ideas down. To help everyone form a timeline of when they want to start and what it is exactly they want to do.  There are so many talented people out there, there is no reason why you should let a little fear get in your way.
If you are one of the few that has driven by the studio and thought maybe I should stop, well you really should. It's a lot of fun, maybe this blog is for you to see.  I am also looking for a few talented sewing and crafting teachers for fall classes, if that is you call, email, text, Facebook or better yet stop by. You might like it.

Custom Sewing

                                                     Custom Sewing
Lately I have been getting a lot of calls from people that want custom items sewn.  I am really enjoying that.  It started with an apron then a knitting needle case, an embroidered hanky made out of someone's shirt.  Then back to an apron again, a pocketbook, a wine glass coaster, backpack and back to an apron.  The first apron was very design specific, the second one we worked on was a custom embroidery that I thought came out pretty good. It made me realize how much I really love making custom sewing items.  It made realize how lucky I am that I get to do what I love every day and people get so happy to receive the sewing items I make for them.  Hope you enjoy these pictures, check out my Facebook for more.

Display rack

King Richard's Faire Costume Class

Wristlet how to

Here is the wristlet information everyone really needs. I'm going to write it up like a recipe with pictures. I'm not putting any sizes because you can make it any size or shape you want. If you want to add any ribbon or anything else to your fabric sew it on your designer fabric first while it is still a single piece. If you have any questions message me.

Supplies
2 pieces of designer fabric (cut to your requirements)
2 pieces of lining fabric ( cut to your requirements)
Zipper (length of opening)

1. Place Designer or outside fabric on table facing up. Place zipper facing down on designer fabric. Place lining over zipper and designer fabric. Pin. Stitch
2. Put designer fabric right side up put completed piece over designer fabric and line up zipper. Place line over zipper, pin stitch.
3. Open up all 4 pieces and top stitch each top and bottom. Make sure you move the zipper foot to the other side if you need to.
4. Now here is the tricky part. Take both lining pieces together and both designer or outside pieces together. And pin them.
5. Match center seams and pin leave zipper open half way for easier turning and sewing. Pin all around except for about 2" on bottom of lining ( very important for turning later). If you are placing a wrist strap you would do that now. That would go about 1 1/2" from your zipper opening for safety. Now you can sew.
6. Turn inside out pull out corners and you have a wristlet or make-up bag. You just need to sew up the bottom of the lining. That is just a straight stitch and you're done.

Shiny Princess Room at Maria Sews A Lot

The Shiny Princess Room is a place where I think people are going to have a lot of fun. I can see birthday parties there, craft parties, parents having fun with their kids. This is the room where we are going to have mommy and me classes or Grammy and me or maybe just a special person and me. I see it as a place where there are no phones, no electronic games just some good old time fun. Sometimes we need a break from everything and need a happy place. I want the Shiny Princess room to be that place.
Whether you come to a party or to relax and paint a plate or a glass. It's up to you, maybe you just want to come and make matching bracelets for you and someone special or come alone and get a break from the kids.
Parties are only on the weekends during the we sew and it's pretty quiet.
Hope to see you soon,
Maria

50% off aprons @mariasewsalot

www.etsy.com/shop/mariasewsalot 

I decided to have a 50% off my aprons from today until December 31st, 2012 at the studio and on my Etsy shop. Take a look at the link above.Nikon Coolpix L810 16MP 26X Optical Zoom Black Digital Camera (Google Affiliate Ad)Canon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm IS II Lens - REBEL T3 (Google Affiliate Ad)Nikon Coolpix L810 16MP 26X Optical Zoom Black Digital Camera (Google Affiliate Ad)

Today I shipped an apron to Russia

It always amazes me when I ship something across the country how easy it is. I never thought it would be so easy to ship to Russia. All you do is fill out the customs form with your information, your customer's information, what you are shipping and the value and you can ship it. So easy, I don't know why more people aren't doing it. Don't get me wrong I still love shipping in the USA and I still get excited when I ship to a new state. It's just makes me feel great when someone in a country I have never been to likes something I created. I love being able to do what I love everyday.

Maria Sews A Lot in Portuguese

Yesterday I started a new class in Portuguese. I don't usually get requests about doing classes in other languages, but this time I did. It was a lot of fun. We set up her Etsy and Paypal accounts now she can add her doll clothes and any other items she wants. It was a little different. My Portuguese is Portuguese from Portugal with a little Boston accent thrown in and hers is Portuguese from Brazil, but we both speak sewing so it's all good. It makes me want to help other people set up their own shops so they can do what they love.

New sewing classes @mariasewsalot

I have decided to start FaceTime sewing classes. The reason I decided to do this is I know not everyone can make it to a sewing class at the studio. This way if someone needs to learn to use a machine or how to make a specific project they can from the comfort of their own home. Now people have suggested I do Skype, so I'm doing Skype classes too. There is no reason not to learn to sew now.
http://www.mariasewsalot.com/Pages/Classes.aspx

New leather cushions

This is the leather cushion I worked on last Friday. I was so focused paying close attention to detail. This is something new, something challenging I have never attempted before. I loved it. The piping was perfect, the zipper seemed to fit, the corners were great. The bottom was just lovely the top stitching I couldn't be more proud of. Then it was 2:00 time to leave to go pick up my daughter from college. I turn on the radio, I don't understand. What's going on? I call my friend, and say what's going on. She said didn't you get my email? No, I was so into my sewing, I missed everything. I hear shooting little kindergarteners from the radio. What, I start crying, I don't stop crying for two hours, as I listen to the radio. I can't stop listening. I pick up my daughter, we listen, we talk, we cry. I feel so blessed she is coming home this weekend, she's safe. Others are not so lucky. We get a message from my son he got a ride home, he's home safe. I drop her off a her friends school and know she'll be home tomorrow. I call my nephews they must be busy, they don't answer the phone, but they call me the next day because they know I need to talk to them. I call my sister in law to talk to the kids, she says "you don't want to talk to me". I say "no sorry I don't today". So glad I got to talk to them. Off I go to my next stop to pick up my son feed him, so lucky I get to spend time with both kids today. He's playing soccer our normal Friday night activity, that those poor little babies will not get a chance to do. I can't stop watching tv, I can't stop crying, I feel so sad for those poor parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents and all those poor people that had so see those babies and teachers and tell those parents their babies were the ones gone. I always say do what you love and love what you do. While I was doing what I love, those poor teachers were doing what they love trying to teach and protect those babies.

Sewing door embroidered sign

This is the new sign I made today so people can tell where my new sewing studio is.  I embroidered on white vinyl and put grommets on top so I can hang with some ribbon from my door.  I just love the fall theme.  I'm going to try and do one for each season.  I wish I had put a different stabilizer on the back or maybe changed the needle, but now I know for next time.  I used my Brother Entrepreneur Pro 1000 this machine has embroidered through everything I put under it. Hope you like it.
Maria
Do what you love, love what you do
www.mariasewsalot.com

Sewing Crafting studio display window

Today I finally had a chance to get into my new Sewing and Crafting Studio.  I washed windows, cleaned the bathroom, cleaned the cabinets, lots of fun things.  I did all this because I wanted to start moving some of my craft supplies in, but most important I wanted to put up my new sign I made myself up and some items on display.  I think it came out pretty cute myself.  I think I'm still going to hang items from the top of the windows, but I'm going to wait until the floors are done.  Can't wait for my classes to start.
Maria
Do what you love, love what you do
www.mariasewsalot.com

UFO Class (Unfinished Fabric Objective)

     Unfinished fabric Objective (UFO) is something I have been think of for years.  The other day one of my students said to me you should have everyone come in and help you finish your unfinished projects.  I said nobody wants to help me finish my projects, but I remembered the idea from way back when about this class I wanted to do.
     I think will be a great class, because it will be people the chance to clean up their sewing rooms and mine.  I have these great embroideries I want to do something with that I think are older than my son. It will also give people a chance to ask for help that are stuck on a certain project and can't move on to get it done.

My UFO not sure if I should make a pillow or just frame it.

This class will run the 4th Friday of the month starting at 7:00pm for $5.00.  People can stay for as little or long as they want.  Hope to see you there, and maybe we can help you get rid of all your UFOs.
Maria

My Sewing/ Crafting dream

Here goes everything in a blog post. I have always wanted a sewing/ crafting room, now I'm getting 3.  It's very exciting and a little scary at the same time.  I'm happy because now people will have a local place where they can learn to use all the supplies they have been buying over the years. A place where people can come alone or with their friends and family and try something new they never thought they could do. A place to share a laugh and relax without being judged if it's right or wrong. If it looks wrong there's always a seam ripper or a bow, not a big deal.  Everything can be fixed with a little embroidery or paint or glue.  The rule of thumb is you measure twice and cut once and I almost forgot never use my fabric scissors on paper.  Hope you come and sew and craft with me or maybe paint in the Shiny Princess room.

http://www.mariasewsalot.com/Pages/Upcomingclasses.aspx

Maria

Halloween Costume Class

Here is the flier for one of my specialty classes.  I will be adding Specialty sewing classes as they are requested or I feel they are needed in order to finish off certain projects.

 

 

 

Sewing & Embroidery Club

After talking to a few people I have decided to start a Sewing Club and and Machine Embroidery Club.  I fugured there really are a lot of sewers in this area, but nowhere to get together and show off what you made or get help on something you are stuck on.  So I thought why not here, I have the space.  I love see other people's projects.  Here it does not matter what machine you are working on I will not be a machine snob ( you know if you have been sewing for awhile you are).  I do have my favorites, but I think there needs to be a place for people to get together and show off their sewing.  Let's get our sewing projects out of theclosets, spare rooms and the dining rooms and show them off to your new sewing friends. If you are stuck you never know there might be an expert that will be there who wants to show their projects off too.  I saw a few this week at the ASG that I was very impressed with.
Hope to see you at my little sewing studio.
Maria
http://www.mariasewsalot.com/Pages/Classes.aspx

Mommy and Me aprons

Mommy and me aprons

Here is my collection of mommy and me aprons.  The reason behind these is all the little ones that like to bake with me always want their own aprons, so I created a few. Now other moms can have their own. I know how happy they get when they are matching, so I made a few fun ones. Hope you like them as much as I do.

What I have started doing lately is embroidering their names on them and they love seeing their little names on them.

Heirloom teddy bear

If you don't know what to do with all your old bridesmaids dresses why not turn them into family heirlooms like the teddy below. It was made from a bridesmade dress and flower girl dress. This is why I say do what you love and love what you do.

 

 

Hope you like this idea.