Rag Dolls 2 Love Workshop

A couple of weeks ago interested students joined me for an evening of sewing at GAS Works. We made rag dolls as part of the Rag Dolls 2 Love project. I love and feel strongly about the mission of the Rag Dolls 2 Love organization. People from all walks of life are encouraged to make rag dolls from the patterns and instructions provided for free on their website. These rag dolls are then donated to children throughout the world that are victims of natural disasters and living in war torn communities. The idea is to give the children something soft to hug (the arms are long enough to wrap around your neck, sweet). I've made dolls in the past and would make dolls all the time, hours permitting, however, what I really enjoy is sharing this project with others and spreading the word on the Rag Dolls 2 Love project. I will tell you this takes a few hours but is doable by people of many skill levels, one of my students is disabled and has challenges with fine motor skills (ie. cutting & pinning, which is a big part of the project) and was proud to be one of the first ones finished!

If you would like to make rag dolls, here is the pattern: pattern & instructions.

To learn more about the project visit: RagDolls2Love.org

Did you Miss the Basic Sewing Workshop?

Fear not, I have kits with all of the supplies and instructions available for free in the store at Artists' Row, 24 New Derby St., Salem, MA 01970. Stop in and ask, you can pick your kit and take it home to work on. I'd be happy to answer any questions or you can view the photographic step by step tutorial in the previous blog entry.

Enjoy!

Hand Cut Leather Lace Demonstration

Here are some pictures from the Hand Cut Leather Lace Demonstration last week outside of my YazBerry Handmade Fashion Store on Artists' Row in Salem, MA.

Friday, July 9 at 6 PM. I had a half dozen interested minds stop by to learn about the history of cut paper art and how I have adapted this art form to cut leather lace. Pictured are samples of my work in leather, an example of Chinese cut paper art (circular picture with fish in red) and hanging behind me is iParty's rendition of Mexican Papel Picado (which is typically done in tissue paper). Also pictured are my tools.



Stop by this week to check out the next two free workshops I'm offering:
Wed 14, 7 PM FREE—Workshop: Basic Sewing Skills/Make a Sewing Kit
5-15 Participants
Open to all ages.
Younger children should be supervised as use of sewing machines & hot iron may be required.
Participants will learn how to sew on a button, mend a tear, hide a snag and hem pants. Basic instructions on how to use a needle and thread and a sewing machine will be taught. Insider tips and tricks will be shared. Participants will use the skills learned to make a simple sewing kit to hold needles, thread, pins etc. that I will provide.

Sat 17, 4 PM FREE—Workshop: Fashion Design Drawing
10-20 Participants
Open to all ages.
Participants will learn how to draw clothing design ideas from different perspectives: front, side, back. They will be given instruction on how to emulate pleats, texture, print, volume etc. in their drawings. If participants wish to later construct their designs, suggestions on how much fabric and which materials they need will be given.

To see what other great workshops, performances and demonstrations will be offered by other Artists on Artists' Row, check out the All Artists' Row calendar.