Pattern Review for Student Project - Simplicity S9308

This is the bag I made for the class.  Photos of students are not allowed to be published.

Today's pattern review is Simplicity S9308.

I'm kind of working backwards on the student projects for middle school beginner sewing class.  This tote bag project is made the 3rd/4th week of class.  Before we start on this project, the students have had a few lessons: 

• some hand stitching exercise that include various stitches and how to sew on a button
• a hand stitched project
• how to drive the sewing machine, including threading and practicing various stitches
• introduction to appliques and embellishment

This tote bag is a very simple tote bag project.  It has good basic pattern pieces that a sewist could create many different versions with no problem.  An all around great basic pattern for students

Simplicity describes it as:  tote bags in three sizes.  For the class I used the largest size.  And for the most part, the bag did look like the illustration.

In my lesson, the students learned/practiced several things:

• seam allowance
• top stitching
• how to create and sew on an applique
• how to press to achieve a polish look
• how to assemble a project from start to finish

Now for my class, I changed the instructions to have the pocket on the outside instead of on the inside of the bag.  This change was to reinforce the lesson on applique/embellishment.  It also gave the students an opportunity to practice topstitching.  The rest of the instructions were followed as per the guide sheet.  

For the appliques - I created several templates for the student to choose from.  Some are pictured below.

In conclusion, this very basic tote bag is a great beginner project.  It has great bones and possibilities for many different versions of the tote.  I highly recommend it for all level sewists.

Happy Sewing!

C

Calumet Middle School - A Blessing

 

This week I returned to Calumet Middle School for the third session of the enrichment program. This is a great program, and it has been a great year of teaching young people to sew.

I just want to encourage people who are thinking about teaching sewing and those who may want to sew.

I create some very easy projects that elementary beginners can make and enjoy the process. There are a few I plan to review here, like the tote bag.

Tote bag project is done at week 3 or 4.

I start by teaching students how to do some hand stitching, followed by one or two hand stitched projects. After that we move on to learning how to drive the sewing machine and then a few machine sewn projects. The class session is about five weeks long, meeting twice a week. So, we don't have a lot of time, but a enough to learn a few basic sewing techniques and processes.

Hand stitching is essential to sewing. This is the first practice project that the class completes. Next, we complete one of three hand sewn projects: owl pin cushion, needle book, or hand sewn bear.

The class spends the remainder of the class learning about sewing on the machine, sewing techniques, and one or two more projects.

I can't tell you how much I enjoy teaching young people how to sew. I'm very happy that I chose to take this position.

Happy Sewing!

C

Ready To Share Again

 

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone is off to a great start to the new year. It has been several months since my last post. Much has happened in my little creative world and life in general.

I have made a few things, just didn't take the time to post. I may or may not do a review. I'll see how things go.  I'm very happy to say that I returned to Calumet Middle School as the sewing instructor for the after school program, which is one of the "high" lights of my year. I created a nice group of fun projects for junior sewers that I plan to share at some point. (I did a lot of chocheting.)

Every year I plan to read many books; some selected by the bookclub and some that personally interest me. See books below:

My 2025 big trip was to Alaska. This was my second trip there.  I'm still in awe of Alaska's beauty; the lad, people, culture, and animals.  Yes, I could easily visit again. There is so much to see and learn about this parr of the world.

2025 was fill with all kinds of events: HCC Fashion Show, several theater shows, countless dinner parties, holidays parties, and birthday celebrations.

My faith and spiritual life has grown. I must say that my life experiences  have definitely influenced my relationship with God.  I could not imagine my life without God.

In 2023, I helped to establish a college scholarship award program that my church. It is designed to assist our college students with the costs of their education.  Since the establishment we have made several $500 awards to students who are member of our church. This program brings me great joy as we are able to help others reach their goal. 

2025 Award Recipients 

Unfortunately, but again fortunately I had two medical procedures in 2025. Both have improved my health profile. There are still some things that I need to address during the coming months. Blessed in progress.

Meanwhile, I'm continuing to make plans for a full happy, rich life. I love my family, friends and God.

I hope to be a more active blogger in the coming year.