Anyway… a few weeks ago I mentioned that I had discovered my new favourite vintage shop – Resurrection Boutique in Archway, London and that the owner, Yuksell, is an amazing seamstress and super lovely woman, well last week I got a text from her saying ‘starting sewing lessons next Monday eve if you want to come’ ( I had been chewing her ear off about starting sewing and wondered if she taught so I left my number with her in the hope this would happen) of course I jumped at the chance for a weekly sewing sesh 5 mins from my place at a wonderfully low price (I’m afraid I find most tutorial sessions far too expensive) and was excited for the whole week leading up to it.
 |
| The sewing class from left to right – Stella, Yuksell & Gillian. Oh and I’m in the mirror behind my phone camera! |
When I got there last Monday (early, which is rare for me) I shared my excited squeals with my 2 new sewing partners – Gillian and Stella, who were in equally high spirits. We went about making tea and getting to know each other whilst eating wafer biscuits (well half the class were on wine but I’m allergic so tea was nice for me!) It was so fantastic to be with 3 women that were as passionate and enthusiastic about this craft as I was, they almost said the word ‘excited’ more than I do in this blog, I said- almost! 😉 We threaded our machines and got to work on our first project- cushion covers. I’m so pleased I brought my own machine as the ‘vintage’ ones set up for us to use were very complicated to even thread so I definitely got a headstart with my easy modern machine, I do love my cheap and cheerful Janome SMD1000 (huge thanks for this Christmas present Stephen!) it does everything I need it to at the moment! I have nothing against the older models and they are definitely better looking than mine they are just hard work and I like things to be easy peasy!
.jpg) |
| My machine looks so young and shiny white next to these beautiful beasts! |
.jpg) |
| How are lucky are we to be in this beautiful vintage shop – it’s so inspiring! |
We learnt how to put a lapped zip in and I got to grips with an industrial overlocker (which started out as a terrifying task and ended as ‘ I want one’!) and apart from lopping off an inch of fabric on one side whilst learning how to work the overlock machine, it turned out great.
.jpg) |
| My only, bad picture of my lapped zip in progress |
The other two ladies had hardly or never sewn before and they both ended up with beautiful cases too so we all felt pretty chuffed with ourselves.
.jpg) |
| Here’s Gillian with her brilliant cushion case |
I even had a spare 20mins to knock up another cushion cover – this time with the zip showing but it was a matching blue and I think I actually prefer it!
I am so happy to have found this group – we have 2 more students joining us next week who I can’t wait to meet and sew with and I’m so excited because I found a box of vintage patterns in the shop that I’m allowed to start going through with Yuksell’s help soon too! I think next week I’m making a full circle skirt which I’m sure will be gracing this blog in the near future.
I will be back soon with my latest projects including the next make from Tilly & The Buttons – the Miette skirt and amending a size 16 cape to fit a size 10 like me!
Parting is such sweet sorrow so I’ll say goodbye till it be morrow or a few days later!
Xox Gabclass xoX
the Janome SMD1000 is ok… just have to be a bit gentle with it
Hello! I’ve had it for 2 years and love it but I know one day if it get more serious I’ll have to upgrade but as a start up machine I can see no wrong with it (touch wood!) 🙂