Tag Archives: Sewing

Crafting

Here I am again

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I initiated hourly fees for use of the most expensive sewing machines in my area of the makerspace. We were the only large area not charging use fees. My hourly fees are only $2 per hour, lower than the $10 per hour of other areas because I get more long term projects on machines requiring less expensive repairs or replacements. The fees will go toward things like needles, bobbins, and replacement machine embroidery hoops or specialty parts for the other sewing machines.

I had a serger disappear from the shop. I’ve ordered a replacement. What I don’t understand is why I still have the scrap bin and the pedal. The new machine, as well as the other more expensive machines are getting trackers. That way if another machine disappears, I’ll have a notification and a time frame to check the cameras.

This past weekend, I took part in Bodgefest — a celebration of 11 years as a makerspace. I had a table featuring various zines and handmade books, plus fancy bookmarks and some leftover wristlet key holders I found in with my displays.

I’ve made a few new zines for the sale this month. One is a new Florida Man adventure based on current events. I have not nentioned any names. Another is a short story that includes a recipe for a hearty soup. I’ve also written a small book on diy book-binding,

My son helped me carry in my table and display items. I didn’t make much money. I don’t think any of us vendors did more than a few sales. My last sale wasn’t actually a sale. A really cute little girl came by with her mom and looked over my books. A tiny coil-bound notebook caught her eye. She picked it up and looked inside but the pink flower on the cover is what caught her eye.

Her mom asked how much it was. I hadn’t put a price sticker on that one, but the others were $2. When I mentioned I hadn’t priced it, the little girl placed the book back on the rack. When her mom asked how much, I told her it was a dollar, or free, her choice. The little girl was so happy to get the little notebook. I didn’t lose any real money by not charging for it. The happy smile was worth more than money.

Here I am, setting up. The little girl’s book is on the third row of the rack below the zines.

The zines are an in-going commentary on various topics. The Florida Man headlines make an entire series. I do a couple of new zines every year. Next year I’m going to set up a table at Zine Fest featuring the Insanity Shuffles* series and some copies of my craft booklets that I make for my classes – paper-making, book-binding, soap making, how to read sewing pattern symbols, and a few others.

That’s it for now.

Crafting

Students and Charity Sewing

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I volunteered to host a group of 8th grade students from one of the local schools for a sewing project for a charity that collects pillowcases. The arrangements were made and I was told to expect 40 kids. I convinced myself that I mis-heard and there were 14.

Because the project was occurring during the day, I had trouble finding another co-host for the group. I had misunderstood a volunteer as saying he would do it when he said he could do it. So I never confirmed with him and he made other plans for the day.

As an aside, I’m planning on scheduling an appointment to find out if there’s a problem with my brain that makes me glitch or if it’s just age. Any way, the day arrives and I get everything set up. I had to remove some sewing machines and re-arrange tables. I had brought extra tables in case I needed them and an additional sewing machine. I was supposed to have 10, but the extra one never showed up, so I settled for 9 machines.

Since the maker space requires two members to be present for over 10 non-members attending an event, I asked a member who was there if he could stay, and I’d buy him lunch. That worked out. He got a free sandwich and was able to continue working on his sewing project.

At 12:45, the kids and their chaperones arrived – all 40 students and 5 teachers. The fun began. The school had provided the fabric for the cases, some of which was 1-yard precuts and the other was 2-yard lengths that had to be cut into 1-yard pieces.

Unlike my regular sewing classes, I did not have enough time to do more than set the first 9 students at the sewing machines and show them how to start a seam and how to follow the blue masking tape guide I put on each machine. Chaos ensued.

Some forgot to lower the presser foot even after I showed them. A couple managed to break needles. The seams went all wonky on some of the pillowcases because some forgot half-way down the seam to align to the blue tape. The hemmed edges are passable.

The important thing was this group of kids tried their hardest to do something unfamiliar. They were loud and boisterous in a good natured way. They didn’t wander off and they asked for help when they messed up and couldn’t figure out what happened. We had a good two hours to work in, and while we didn’t make as many pillow cases as we could have, it was a good experience for everyone.

I pointed out to the teachers that I am willing to have another group in from the school for more projects – just fewer students.

The beginning
Good job.