Graduation of Tailoring Class

How exciting to see 5 students from my sewing classes graduating from a first level tailoring class held in San Vicente. Several months ago, I became privy to a government program that taught the basic skills to sew simple clothes without the use of patterns. It has been my desire for the ladies involved in the micro enterprises to learn this but, wasn't in my knowledge base. After talking with the DIF (a program for families) official, I was able to secure spaces for the ladies in the 15 classes. Well, in June the completed their classes and received their certificates with lots of excitement. I'm so proud that they made the commitment and followed through.

Fathers' Day Gift/ Tool Caddy

Fernando came by the sewing class each day after school to complete this Tool Caddy as a gift for his Dad for Fathers' Day 2013. He has attended several of my classes during the last year and is progressing nicely with his sewing skills. I enjoy having a few teenage boys learning to sew. Most of them do well as they have often learned to drive a car at a very young age. The skill of driving (pedal work) tends to give them a feel for running the sewing machines. Oh, by the way, the caddy pockets were created with discarded blue jeans. Thanks to all who donate their jeans for recycling.

T-shirts

The June sewing class week was an opportunity for the ladies to try their hands at sewing with knit fabrics to make T-shirts of all sizes and colors. Adriana and Reyna choose to sew tops for their husbands in celebration of Fathers' Day.

Others in the class sewed tops for themselves and/or for their children. Over 25 tops were created during the week long class.

Norma's Creativity

It's wonderful to see the creativity that my sewing students exhibit. Norma buys blue jean mini skirts at the local thrift store or swap meets that come weekly to San Vicente. Then she cuts up another skirt and sews it to the bottom of the mini skirt and adds accents with the left over fabric. Norma creates these one-of-a-kind skirts as gifts for family and friends. What a great up cycle.

Sewing Organizers

This past week's sewing  classes focused on sewing items for the bedroom including pillowcases and wall organizers. Most homes are not equipped with closets or other storage places and as such it's difficult to find places to stash one's treasures. Each session (one in the morning & another in the afternoon) had 6-8 students revving the sewing machines' motors creating accents for their bedroom area. I'm always trying to develop projects that are practical for their everyday home life. Feel free to share ideas that you might have.

New Student Excitement

Virginia was invited to join my sewing class this week by her neighbor Azusena. It was so cute to hear how excited she was when she sewed her very first seam on the scrunchie she made. Virginia was bubbling over on how straight her seam was. She expressed that many times she has tried to sew but, that always her seams were very crooked and as such she became discouraged. A few tips from me as well as an indispensable piece of blue tape did the trick and had her clipping along in no time. She was so happy to show off her bedroom organizer and coordinating pillowcases at week's end.

On the Edge of Town

The little house we rent in San Vicente is on the edge of town and overlooks the mostly dried up riverbed. It's wonderful to wake up in the morning to see and hear a large variety of wildlife. Can you see the partridge perched upon the old tree trunk? The valley leading to the riverbed is inundated with low brush in which the small birds love to hide from the circling hawk. There's lots of rabbits and the screech owl usually flies overhead just after dark.