My mom got a new sewing machine for Christmas. So, I inherited her old one and decided it was time to learn. We (mom & I) signed up for a beginner's class at this chain fabric store (which shall remain nameless) and I started out with my first project.
I bought material I liked, but didn't really know what it was all for! The class was supposed to be 2 3-hour classes and we were going to make a Tote.
Class 1
In class one we meet the teacher, someone who has never taught the Tote Class before! And then we meet the other students...4 Green Newbies who have never sewn either! Mom was the most experienced one in the class...because she had 1 semester of Home Ec back in high school!
The first class starts out with us finding out the the measurements in the syllabus are not what we need for the class. Everyone is scurrying to get the right supplies just so we can get stated. About halfway through the class we realize that no one is going to be able to finish this project in 2 classes. In fact, we didn't do a *bit* of sewing in the first class. All we did was pattern cutting and pinning. We were sent home with the homework to iron on our interfacing.
Class 2
We arrive at the 2nd class with our items ironed and get started on actual sewing. It's a mess! Everyone is having problems with their machines and having a hard time getting them to work. The teacher is saying, "Thread the bobbin, start with..." and most of us have no clue what she is talking about. Again another hour passes before we have gotten all the machines set up properly and actually started sewing. The students start to get upset, as we realize that we are leaving our 2-day $60 class (plus materials) without a completed project.
The teacher decides to schedule a 3rd class period so we call all finish. She asks us to sew the lining at home to prep for the next class.
Class 3
Mom and I show up at class 3 ahead of the game with the lining sewn. So we jump right in to the next step. Our "beginner" sewing project has a ZIPPER! I'm no expert, but I wouldn't call sewing zippers a "beginner" technique. Again we realize that we still aren't going to be able to finish our projects, which is pretty disheartening at this point. A person new to sewing should be starting with projects that she can have instant gratification on!! Not complicated totes with zippers. My confidence was shot. I am thinking that sewing just isn't for me...because 9 hours later I still don't have a completed project!
LUCKILY, I had my mom to help me. But, I don't know what happened with our class-mates who had no one to help them finish their projects. I hope they aren't giving up on sewing. I know I was so frustrated that I didn't even want to finish my project.
Well, my mom did the top-stitching on the outside of the bag and we figured out how to get the lining and the bag to go together and to put the zipper in. She helped me with hand-stitching the lining near the zipper and...our projects are DONE!
I'm still giving my bag dirty looks but I am so glad to be finished with it.
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