Call Debbie Ferrell at 314.602.3827 with any questions!

General Info

The practical objective of this group is to help you learn how to use your sewing machine along with hand stitching to create garments, home decorative items, gifts, and other sewn items.  As time allows, in the group you will learn how to select fabrics and notions; how to use patterns (including reading, altering, selecting and making your own); how to fit and alter handmade or ready made garments; how to make repairs (like zippers, hems); all areas of garment making that I am able to teach.  We will learn about making home dec items such as window treatments, quilting, and given time we may even get into more complicated home sewing such as slip covers and easy upholstery.  Group meetings may include actual sewing, discussion, devotional, special subject discussion, and other sewing related items.  YOU will select the project on which you wish to work!

The added benefit of this class is getting to know each other better, getting a little time for yourself while at the same time learning to do something that you can share with others!

I love children and love to be around them but please understand that for various safety reasons this group time is not the proper place for their presence.  The age qualification for group participation is age 13 and older.  Ages 10-12 can participate but must have a supervising adult present who can dedicate their time for them.  I don't believe that children under 10 years old will be benefited by this group.

All class times are from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.  We will end class and be ready to leave NO LATER than 8:30 p.m.   It is understandable that some people cannot arrive by 5:30 because of work but their attendance is still welcomed.  The group will meet at Rockport Baptist Church in the fellowship hall.  In case of bad weather, please call 314.602.3827 for cancellation information.

If you are a first time participant please be aware of the following:

If you wish to attend but cannot make the first meeting please let me know and we will work it out for you.  Don’t let that stop you from participating!

You will need to have a working sewing machine to bring to every meeting. 

The first meeting will be a time to learn about sewing machine care and cleaning and other general sewing info.  If you have an existing machine please bring it to the first meeting.   If you are having trouble with it and want me to, I will look at it for possible adjustments/repair.  I will be able to do minor adjustments (which can save a repair cost) or tell you if the machine needs to be serviced.  IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND CLASSES OR ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING CLASSES, PLEASE BE AT THIS FIRST SESSION.   I will give you handouts and give suggestions as to what kind of tools you need for class so if you haven't started a "sewing kit" yet you might want to wait until after the first class.  If you need help with purchasing a sewing machine feel free to contact me and I will be glad to assist you in your decision.  New sewing machines can be purchased for under $100 and used ones can often be "inherited" from family and friends.

 

If you are a previous member of our sewing group, please feel free to bring your ongoing project to the first meeting and be ready to work.

 

 

 Schedule of Classes 2008- 2009

The new group schedule has been settled!  Our usual meeting schedule will be the second and fourth Tuesday of each month; however, PLEASE NOTE THE SCHEDULE – DUE TO CONFLICTS SOME OF THE MEETINGS DO NOT FALL ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH WEEK!

I know that everyone’s schedule is full and this is one more item trying to be squeezed in.  I only ask that you always let me know if you will not be in attendance – my time is very precious to me and I am offering to share the small knowledge I have with you for free and I am happy to be able to do that.  Please do me the courtesy of respecting my time as much as I do yours.  If only one person wishes to attend I will be glad to be there with them but if I show up and no one else does then it is a waste of time for me!  Let’s come as often as we can and all reap the benefits of spending the time together.

2/24/09 – Machine Check and Basic Sewing orientation for new group members, regular meeting for “old timers”.

3/10/09 – Regular class with pattern discussion planned – complete small beginner project – planning for first project

3/24/09 – Regular class with fabric discussion planned – begin first project

4/7/09 -  Regular class

4/28/09 Regular class

5/12/09 – Regular class - WE WILL DECIDE ON SUMMER SCHEDULE

5/19/09 - Regular class (Up to the group, we may skip this week. I am not available the following week for regular schedule)

Further scheduling will be decided at the 5/12/09 meeting.  Because scheduling is too difficult with everyone being so busy, we may not continue classes over the summer, or we could have only one class per month, or whatever. The group will decide.