Bringing Katya Home Blog

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - First Half of November 2010


Boy, I almost missed the information on this one. It took me a little bit to locate it -- it looks like only one brand of patterns is on sale during the first half of November, but it lasts an entire week.

SUNDAY thru SATURDAY
November 7 - 13, 2010
SIMPLICITY PATTERNS
5 for $5
MSRP - $6.95 - 17.95 each
Limit 10. No special orders.
Excludes It's So Easy, New Look, Burda, & Simplicity Books
Thanks "sew" much for stopping by! ;D

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sew with Confidence - Where do I start?

About a week ago, Dana left me a comment in which she asked me this question: ". . . I have visited you from time to time and was wondering if you have any sites/tutorials that would be good for me as a beginning sew-er to look at. My daughter (11) is anxious for me to make the very simple skirt I bought the pattern for. I know some things and have sewn some straight line things (curtains, bags). Any suggestions?"

First of all, Dana, I'm sorry I didn't respond to you more quickly. Time somehow gets away from me these days. Second, I thought this might be a topic that others might be interested in as well, and so, I decided to answer as a post.

I have taught my two daughters to sew when they were younger, and several of their friends, as well as a few adults. Several of them are becoming quite accomplished, steadily progressing in the difficulty of patterns they use.

My first suggestion is this: Always set yourself up for success. Start on projects that have only straight seams, perhaps casing and elastic waistband.. Progress to gentle curves in the next project. Perhaps gathering in the next. You want to walk away from each project with a sense of accomplishment that gives you confidence to do the next step. (I find that one of the biggest discouragements that causes someone (especially adults) to try one sewing project and never, ever try again is choosing a style they love, but the pattern is too difficult for them. They become discouraged and decide sewing is something they don't have the "talent" for. In truth they simply never learned the basics that allow them to eventually tackle a more difficult style.) ALL THAT TO SAY THIS -- START SIMPLE, WORK UP.

My second suggestion is this: A book rather than a tutorial. Why? Because a book is more portable, it can be taking right to the sewing machine. It's more easily referenced.

The book that I suggest is Sew with Confidence by Nancy Zieman. I have bought this soft covered book for my own daughters and also for a couple of their friends. It is a beginner's guide to basic sewing with lots of clear insructions and illustrations. It's a great reference book. The ISBN # is 0-87349-811-9. Here's a picture of the cover.


Nancy Zieman, learned to sew through 4-H when she was younger, and has now written the manual that is used by young girls in 4-H. However, this book is great for any beginner -- young or old. This and your sewing machine manual can get you started on your road to sewing well. I've always felt that she explained things simply and understandably in her books.


In the back of this book their are a few very simple projects such as the one shown above. There are also one for gift bags (good project with Christmas closing in).

I hope these suggestions have been helpful to you. If you have further questions, just comment and I'll try to answer them for you.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - Last Half of October 2010




Thursday through Saturday
October 17 - 23, 2010


McCall's Patterns -- 99 cents each
MSRP $11.25 to $19.95 each
Limit 10
No special orders
Excludes Easy Stitch 'N Save



Thursday through Saturday

October 28 - 30, 2010


Butterick Patterns -- $1.99 each
MSRP $10.95 - $19.95 each
Limit 10
No special orders
Excludes See & Sew



Vogue Patterns -- $3.99 each
MSRP $11.95 to $30.00 each
Limit 10
No special orders

Monday, October 4, 2010

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - First Half of October 2010


In a continuing effort to cut costs, I try to reuse patterns, and if I do have to buy a new one, I try to buy it when it's on sale. You know the old adage, "A Penny Saved IS a Penny Earned." Here are the sale dates for patterns at JoAnn Fabric Stores for the first half of October 2010. If you have a costume sewing project you're thinking about, check out your local Jo Ann Fabric store for your pattern on the dates listed below.




FRIDAY - MONDAY
OCTOBER 8 - 11, 2010

Simplicity Patterns - 99 cents each


(MSRP $6.95 - $17.95 ea.) Limit of 10


No Special Orders - Excludes "It's So Easy", New Look,


Burda & Simplicity Books




* * * * * * * * *




THURSDAY - SATURDAY
OCTOBER 14- 16, 2010


Butterick Patterns - 99¢


(MSRP $10.95 - $19.95 ea.) Limit of 10


No Special Orders - Excludes See & Sew



Y What will you be sewing?


Nanci


Friday, October 1, 2010

Diabetes and Drink Stick Wallets


You may remember these from this post at the beginning of the month.

I left you hanging as to what I was going to do with them. "Not to my etsy shop" was all I told you.


Well, today is the day all you curious types get your answer. It all began with a short email from Misty, mother to sweet Allison, a cute little girl with blonde hair and Type I Diabetes. Misty maintains a blog where she gives support and information and encouragement to other moms of children with Type I Diabetes.

Bill, my husband was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes a few years back. At that time, we had to make some changes in our life to accomodate his special needs, nothing too major -- just a few adjustments here and there. One of the adjustments was handled by coming up with the idea of a Drink Stick Wallet. His was black plaid. It was a nice neat way to carry sugar-free drink sticks in his shirt pocket. It worked out great for him. It was frugal and it was discrete; it easily could have been mistaken for a business card holder carried in his shirt pocket.

After Misty's email, I began to read Misty's blog. I became acutely aware of how many "adjustments" have to be made when your child has diabetes. There are so many things that must always be close at hand in order to minister to that child.

Take a look here to see just what became of those drinkstick wallets

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