Learn To Sew
Like a Pro
with these expert resources.
Secrets
Of Sewing
is a comprehensive
sewing instruction program with over 300 pages
of vital sewing information. To help you
maximize your learning, it comes with a helpful
work book designed to guide you step by step to
learn to sew.
In addition to the core
textbook and work book, there are several very
useful bonuses that you will treasure for years
as you learn to sew.
My
Sewing Dictionary
is a vital tool for you as
you learn to sew. There are many specialty
terms used in sewing, quilting, and crafting
that have special meanings. My Sewing
Dictionary provides both a PDF ebook format and
an easy to use sofware that makes it easy to
acces the definition and explanation of each
sewing term.
The Rotary Cutting
Guidebook
Many beginning sewers
overlook the special skills and details
involved in laying out patterns as well as
cutting out patterns and fabrics. The Rotary
Cutting Guidebook reveals the vital secrets you
need to learn how to sew and cut out your
projects.
To learn more about this
special instruction course CLICK
HERE.
For more learning
opportunities explore the complete sewing
education package.
CLICK
HERE.
To Learn about hand sewing
and needle arts CLICK HERE.
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Bringing
Back Handmade Barbie Clothes
Remember playing with dolls when you were a
child? If you were like me, you had a Barbie
doll or two in your toy box. Barbie was
introduced in 1959 by a lady named Ruth Handler
(co-founder of Mattel). Ruth named the doll
after her own daughter, Barbara.
In 1961, Ruth created
Barbie's boyfriend, the Ken doll, named after
her son. Now, almost half a century later,
Barbie is still in the hearts and toy boxes of
children (and even adults) everywhere.
Our children today have more
toys than ever. Electronic toys, video game
systems, iPods, and computers are just the
beginning.
So much has changed in the world of toys since
we were children but one thing that hasn't
changed is the simple love of the Barbie doll.
Barbie today has new friends, new clothes, a
new house, and even more new pets than she did
40 years ago.
However, little girls today still enjoy
dressing and primping Barbie to act out her
fantasy life during playtime.
My grandmother was a
seamstress. She would sew beautiful clothes and
accessories for my Barbie doll collection. I
had a suitcase full of her handmade creations
and the kids in the neighborhood would come
over so we could dress the dolls. I loved
selecting the fabrics and picking out dress
styles. Although I didn't realize it at the
time, the clothes she made for my dolls were
better quality than anything I could buy in a
store.
As a teenager I became
interested in sewing. Because my grandmother
had passed, I was left to teach myself how to
sew. I spent hours upon hours in front of my
Kenmore sewing machine turning out beautiful
creations. It came so naturally to me.
Through the years I created clothing for myself
and my family, window dressings, and decorative
home decor items. I later spent about 5 years
doing ready-to-wear clothing alterations for
the general public. Then, about 10 years ago, a
dear friend gave me the greatest birthday
gift... a Barbie doll. Let me tell you, you are
never too old to receive a Barbie doll!
While going through some old
boxes during our last move, I found a box with
many of the Barbie dresses my grandmother had
made.
The finding inspired me! I would make new
clothes with today's fabrics for my Barbie
doll. What could be better than handmade doll
clothes? They are hard to find in this day and
age because people don't have or make time to
sew like they used to.
As I began creating
beautiful dresses, everyone who saw them wanted
to buy them so I added them to my online craft
store. I couldn't believe the response. I have
received so many emails from people who told me
beautiful stories of their mothers, aunts, and
grandmothers who handmade their doll clothes
when they were children.
I then knew that bringing
back handmade doll clothes for today's families
would be the beginning of new traditions and
would help create beautiful memories and gifts
that could be passed down through
generations.
In a world where everything
is so commercialized, going back to the basics
with Barbie has reminding me of a wonderful
time in my childhood. Today, my greatest joy is
knowing that my creations will be passed down
through generations to come and that I have a
hand in helping today's children create
memories that will last a lifetime.
About the author:
Adrienne Hughes, seamstress and e-book author
of "Sewing Patterns Defined" lives with her
husband, her Yorkshire Terrier, and her Barbie
dolls in Texas. She has no affiliation with
Mattel. She invites you to visit her online
Barbie clothing store at http://www.sewingbyadrienne.com
or http://www.shopforbarbie.com
and start creating your child's memories
today.
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