I know that not everyone can come to a class in Melbourne on a week-night*, so I'm re-working my beginners workshop notes into a self-paced "How to sew" course.
*Yes, I know... they've been thin on the ground lately, ayway...
Beginners Sewing Class 1 is all written up and on its way to be tested by some lovley people. (No pressure, dear testers, but....) I hope to have it all finished and ready to go in about a week or so.
Trivial fact about this bag #1: I've noticed that everyone who makes this bag in a beginners class, subsequently uses it to carry their gear for every other sewing workshop (with me) that they attend. Fancy that.
I think this project would be a good Christmas present for anyone wanting to learn to sew, accompanied by a yard/metre of cute fabric (or a new sewing machine?). Just thinkin'....The bag is simply the focus of the learning process. The "lesson" takes you through all the sewing processes and jargon you'll need to make it and most other simple projects. And at the end of it, you have a very useful carry-bag (with reinforced straps and boxed corners) and a whole lot of new tricks up your sleeve.
(You may also remember that one year I wrapped my xmas presents in shopping bags instead of paper...? )
(You may also remember that one year I wrapped my xmas presents in shopping bags instead of paper...? ) 
If all goes well in the final stages of lease negotiations on the new digs, I will be quickly scheduling some real-life pre-xmas workshops in swanky new premises. Please keep your eyes on this blog, Facebook, Twitter to be kept informed. (And if you're on the mailing list, keep checking your junk mail folder!!).If you'd like to win one of these beginners kits for yourself or as a gift for someone, leave a little coment here and I'll draw a winner when the kit goes onto the website.
And while you're waiting on that one, here's a sneaky-peek at what's coming up next.
67 comments:
I've only just realised that it would be the perfect gift for my little sister to teach her some proper techniques... my brain clearly wasn't working earlier today.
I'd like to win it to gift to my girls. They are all about taking over my creative space at the moment, so why not let them learn how to make bags, then their skill levels will increase and I can tell them what I want and get them to make it for me, instead of the other way around.
First born snaffled the first bag I made in your class, Nikki. I love that bag.
Oh and you're a big tease. Sneaky peaks and new premises. Super exciting. What's the stair situation in the new digs?
That would be the perfect gift for my eldest DD (15) who's wanting to start sewing. Great.
If it's world wide I would like to win one... ;)xx
I'd love to win one of those kits, Nikki. I like making bags, and they usually turn out pretty well, but I'd really like to learn all those tips that would make them PERFECT.
I would love it to help my nearly 9 yo daughter to start to make things with a sewing machine!
beginners sewing, sounds like my cup of tea!
I know someone who would love that for Christmas!! Let's face it - who wouldn't?!
I love the idea of using the shopping bags to wrap your presents! It's like a present within a present. Thanks Nicole I am totally going to attempt that this year :)
I am yet to make a bag and this looks like the perfect bag to start with!!
I've learnt everything I know about sewing from your bag patterns, and am glad I stumbled upon them when I started looking for beginners patterns. A friend of mine who is a new mum has been talking about learning to sew lately, and I think this would be just the thing to get her going!
This would be lovely for my daughter's 21st. She's not caught the stitching bug from me yet, but who knows?
It would figure, wouldn't it, that you're twenty steps ahead and already sussing out classes in the (hopefully) new digs...LOVE YOUR WORK!
Wrapping all my gifts in a bag was actually something I had already planned to do! I have a friend who is a novice sewer who I think would get a kick out of being able too make something so simple.and practical yet lovely.
what a great idea to wrap presents in a bag!
I love the fabric in your sneaky peek!
Gill
Ooo I'd love to win (who wouldn't? haha)--it'd be great for my sister for a learn-to-sew project.
I'm about to teach a sweet young girl to sew and this would be a fabulous guide to make sure I cover all the bases. Thanks for the chance!
I made drawstring bags to wrap our Christmas presents a few years ago, but I think using a shopping bag as wrapping and part of the present is even better!
Fantastic idea!!
I'll keep it in mind for a gift for the next person who says "I wish I could sew"!! There seem to be a few of those around!!
Excellent thoughts my dear! Gotta start somewhere, right? Love the idea of wrapping gifts in them... I may have to try that :-) Cheers!
Sounds like fun. I have never made a bag but I would love to win this kit for my daughter who is eight years old. We made a pillowcase together for her bed. She loved it. This would be the perfect project for her. She loves to carry things around everywhere we go especially on long road trips. She loves to sew and I want to keep her love of sewing alive.
Oh I would LOVE to win this! After seeing my DAY BAG, my friend is anxious to learn how to sew. This would be a perfect gift for her and I think she can do many good things from it!
Sounds like a very good idea. I also have a friend that would love it. Great idea to give it as a gift with fabric so it is ready to go. Lou.
Never can have too many shopping bags! Would love to be a tester for your new kit.
What a lovely idea to help people learn to sew and at the end you have a useful bag.
Anne
Great idea Nikki! As you say, simple totes like that are soooo handy.
So will the new premises have air conditioning this time?!!
Oh, I like the 'sneaky-peek'! Your sewing-class-in-a-bag looks like a great idea! A beginner sewer like me needs all the help I can get :)
What a great idea for wrapping christmas presents!!! Now I'd definately wanting to win one of your kits so that I can go away & do just that...! And the plus side... if I don't get around to shopping for the actual presents, there's still a gift ready & waiting!!!
Another great idea, Nikki! I'm thinking this little bag would be a great way to introduce my husbands cousins to the awesomeness that is reusable shopping bags. It's a great size!
Hi Nikki - I would love to win this for my middle child & only daughter (age 27) who up until now has not expressed an interest in sewing - but all of a sudden - through Softies for Mirabel and a little help from Allison and the girls - she gets it - my genes have finally kicked in! and we have spent some quality time recently sewing & stuffing toys. I think this would be a good intro for her to basic sewing skills without me hovering over her too much - 'cos that might be detrimental!!
cheers
Sue (Allison's big Sis)
I've just started collecting my bits for my first bag, and would love to win this beginners kit to get me started with all your wonderful tips.
oooooh...pick me pick me! lol
What a great idea!! Such a handy present (and environmentally friendly as well).
Birdie
Beginners classes are a great idea Nikki and the shopping bag the perfect first project.
I love your patterns Nikki - they're like a little tutorial in a plastic sleeve. For self taught sewers like me its great to find little tricks and tips that you can use for lots of other projects.
Please throw my name in your prize bucket - my non-sewing sister could benefit!
Hi Nikki, I would love to win this pattern for my 14 year old goddaughter who is showing an interest in sewing.
What a great bag, I've never made one before so would love to have a try. Thankyou
What a fantastic idea!!!
I almost offered to test the pattern for you a few days ago... then thought about everything I have to do this weekend and as usual, the sewing machine will stay where it is! The bag looks great.
Delwyn
It would be wonderful to win this! It would make a great gift for...well if I posted her name the surprise would be lost! Thanks for a great giveaway!
I would love to win this present. I think I don't give it away but keep it myself!!!
Hi, do you need any "testers' for the self-paced class. I've never sewed before and would like to learn how. My new sewing machine should be arriving tomorrow and thought I may be a canidate to test your self-paced course. Please email me at bethanyyake@yahoo.com if interested.
Nicole,
I would love to win one of your special kits. I dream of one day being able to sew my own wardrobe. I think that this kind of project would help me gain confidence in trying to sew and will propel me to really jump start mt sewing.
After reading all the preceding comments I think I might just say "DITTO"
Hi Nikki
My 10 year old daughter recently described the craft and quilt fair as 'jaw dropping'. She has been sewing up and down blue lined paper but really needs a beginner project that results in something useable - much more motivating.
Beautiful ideas as usual, great bags for pressies and for using as wrapping, terrific class to do. Well done Nikki.
This would be a perfect gift for my daughter who has so far resisted the sewing bug.
This would be a perfect gift for a friend of mine who is reinventing herself after her husband walked out on her and left her with four kids (when the youngest was only 6 weeks!!!) This friend wants to try sewing but cant get out to do a class. I can help her out but dont have alot of time to sit with her unless I bring my kids...then nothing gets done!
Where we live, they are trying to do away with plastic bags for 3 days in a week. This bag will be handy and it looks good, too !!
Hi Nikki, Just love your blog and regularly visit. So great to read things by a local - I live in Melbourne too! Your fabrics and designs are too cute. Love the pink/green floral in the photo!
Brenda
Oh the chance to snaffle something for just me. Would love to know how you earn your stitches to become a tester :)
Ooh yes that would be an excellent present, if there's still time I'll throw my hat into the ring!
Just saw your bag over at Kate's. I can knit and crochet and do things with wool but sewing.....only straight lines please :-)
I would love a chance to win the bag class, I would like to expand my repertoire :-)
What a great bag and great idea as a gift. I am going to teach a friend to sew next year and this would be perfect:)
I may need more than one! So many people are starting to sew at the moment Dawnx
I would love the opportunity to win this :) It would be the perfect gift for my little sister whom is learning how to sew.
I'd love to win one, I know a few people I could give that to! I love your idea of wrapping presents in them, that's awesome.
I really like the idea of a sewing workshop at my own pace, and saving wrapping paper would be great.
KarinM.
I'd love to win won. Funny, I had to same thought of wrapping presents in sewn shopping bags!- Cat1
I LOVE it! One can never have too many lovely bags and patterns!
Fabulous idea for gift wrapping - if only Christmas was still far enough away (for me at least)! I love the idea of self-paced beginner lessons for us disadvantaged non-Melbournians!
Looks like a great pattern for beginners! Would love to use it to get my non-sewing sisters-in-law crafting!!
This looks like a great bag. I've wanted to copy some, but it seems too much time to figure out what to do. I'm in a lazy stage, so I'll read a book!! Unless I have a kit or pattern and I don't have to figure it out!!
Your tips and tutorials are the best - straightforward, easy to understand and never, ever patronising. I wish I could come to your lessons but, since I'm in the UK, I'd love to receive a copy of the book instead.
PS I have a sister in Sydney who would be happy to post it on to me ;)
I would love to be able to come to your sewing class..but a bag kit would be lovely too!! Your idea of wrapping presents is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Hope I am not too late! I would love to enter. I recently bought my very own sewing machine, my first. I have very little skills but am looking forward to learning and start creating :)
That would be such a good present for my sister-who-has-everything-already (except sewing skills)!
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