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

YazBerry Handmade Fashion July Class Schedule

To view my Google Calendar visit this link.

**Parents, please use your best judgment if you feel your child is the right age to participate in the various workshops. You are welcome and encouraged to come along to help them out as you see fit. I encourage interest in the arts as early as possible.**

JULY
Fri 9, 6 PM FREE—Demonstration: Hand Cut Leather Lace
Unlimited, Space Permitting
Open to all ages.
I will demonstrate how I hand cut leather to make leather lace bracelets and jewelry. I will cover the basic skills and techniques used in Chinese & Japanese Cut Paper art and how I have applied these techniques to leather. I will share the history on cut paper art, educate participants on other cultures, such as Mexican, with a history of cut paper art.

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.

Wed 21, 7 PM $15—Workshop: Recycled T-Shirt Fashion Project (2 sessions)
5-15 Participants
Open to all ages.
Younger children should be supervised as use of sewing machines & hot iron may be required.
Session I: Participants will take a look at a conventional t-shirt and will explore ways to restyle it, give new life and make it into something completely different. A restyled shirt? A skirt? A Dress? A Purse? Something entirely new and different?

Date TBD- Session II Student Performance: While participants are thinking about how to re-envision one of the most conventional garments out there, they will be challenged to re-envision the fashion show and other means of presenting a body of garments. Participants will plan and execute whatever form of fashion presentation the group chooses.

Classes & Workshops on Sewing, Jewelry Making, Fashion & More!

I've just added my calendar to the right here on my blog. To view the full size version, visit my Google Calendar link.



I will be updating it weekly with my schedule of free classes and demonstrations. Free classes will cover topics such as basic sewing skills, fashion design drawing, jewelry making with beads and wire and more! Classes will be offered at YazBerry Handmade Fashion store, Artists' Row, 24 New Derby St. #5, Salem, MA 01970

Private lessons available too, with Salem Artist & Designer, Virginia E. Berry (moi). Are you interested in learning how to make jewelry with beads, wire and chain? Do you have a sewing machine you've been meaning to learn how to use? Do you wish you knew how to hem your own pants? Did you take one of my free classes and wish you could learn more?

*Private lessons available to meet your schedule.
*$25 per 1 hour session.
*E-mail berry@yazberry.com for more information and to schedule your lessons.
*Location flexible, I have studio space, can meet you in my store or can travel to you.