Bring your own project and sew by the big lake with guidance and camaraderie. Do you have a sewing project that never quite got started or that needs some TLC to get it off the shelf and into your closet? Bring it to North House for our Sew Fest during Fiber Week 2022. Enjoy the company of others who love sewing, while making progress on your own project, and discovering a creative and cooperative approach to your sewing endeavors. Members of the class will set up a sewing studio together and enjoy sewing within the North House Folk School community. You will leave with progress made and a plan to finish your project, as well as inspiration from all the different projects in the group. Students should have some experience hand and machine sewing, and should be familiar with following basic sewing instructions. 

North House sewing instructor Carol Colburn can help you get your project jump-started, and will guide and coach you with suggestions tailored to your project and sewing level. We can cover what you need to know about topics that have you stumped: layout, cutting, marking, fitting, sewing techniques, construction steps, materials, tools, finishing techniques, and what it takes to make your project unique.

If you want to join in the fun for our Sew Fest 2022, but do not have a sewing project waiting in the wings, bring a pattern and fabric of your choice. If you have been in Carol’s sewing classes before and want to brush up on sewing comfortable Scandinavian Work Shirts, pullover Blanket Shirts, or handstitched North House Blanket Coats, bringing a project from those classes would be great. Feel free to email with Carol about the projects you plan to bring, or to discuss pattern size or style if you are starting a new project. Students should have some experience hand and machine sewing, and should be familiar with following basic sewing instructions. Plan to bring a sewing machine, sewing tool kit, and materials you need to work on your project. Students should feel comfortable with and know basic operations of their own sewing machine, or if necessary you can borrow a sewing machine from North House. Carol will have a stock of basic sewing tools on hand, and it is always fun to walk downtown Grand Marais to visit the sewing department at Joynes Ben Franklin for any extra sewing supplies you might find you need.

Required Tools

• Sewing machine
• Sewing tool kit
• Materials you need to work on your project

Optional Tools

To brush up on garment sewing strategies, this small suggested sewing reference is available through the North House School Store: Elementary Sewing Skills by Carolyn N.K. Denham, published by Merchant & Mills, 2014
 

This course is part of Fiber Week! Plan to attend Fiber Friday, a new feature in 2020. On February 14, we’ll host a day of speakers, demonstrations, open studios and community gatherings free for all enrolled students. This popular model, borrowed from our Wood Week and Basket Week, allows students and instructors alike the opportunity to meet one another, expand their interests and enjoy our cozy campus learning atmosphere. Come early or stay late; you won’t want to miss Fiber Friday! Full schedule available in early 2020.

You will need the following tools for this class:

Plan to bring a sewing machine, sewing tool kit, and materials you need to work on your project. Students should feel comfortable with and know basic operations on their sewing machine.

Pattern making and marking tools/supplies: Needle tracing wheel, wax transfer paper mounted on foam core, and a variety of fabric marking options. Carol will bring enough for the class to use in class, and will also have extra available for you to purchase if you wish. Cost for this would be $20 or less.

Suggested sewing reference books are available in the North House School Store:

• Merchant & Mills Sewing Book by Carolyn N.K. Denham, published by Merchant & Mills, 2012
• Elementary Sewing Skills by Carolyn N.K. Denham, published by Merchant & Mills, 2014
• Merchant & Mills Workbook: A Collection of Versatile Sewing Patterns for an Elegant All Season Wardrobe, published by Merchant & Mills, 2016

Depending on your project, you may need to do some pattern alterations or adjusting, which might require tools or supplies that Carol will have available in the classroom. All projects will not need these, but in case you do, these items can be purchased.

Muslin for sewing a pattern mock-up: Carol will bring a supply of muslin for sewing pattern mock-ups if needed, available for $4.00 per yard.