Sew Savvy Cafe

Bringing the Cafe back to life💗...in Oklahoma City...

Moving Forward

Dear Friends,

I first opened the doors to Sew Savvy Cafe with the intention of creating a space where families could learn the skill of sewing while building community. However, it became so much more! I have to say, I love it when that happens.

Over the past year I have been presented with varying opportunities to expand, grow, and change. There were no wrong choices, but only one I could move forward with.

It is time, now, to close the doors to Sew Savvy Cafe.

I am grateful to each and every one of you!
Mothers who provide opportunities for their daughters to build self confidence while they learn a skill that will last their lifetime.

Inventors, men of all ages who create something new with their many innovative ideas.

The Husbands, Fathers, and Sons who design beautiful garments and accessories for their family members, as a surprise gift.

Grandmothers who chose to learn additional sewing skills so they could sew for their grandchildren.

Friends from The Hub on Ross Street and Catholic Social Services who chose to learn to sew, proving to themselves and their Caregivers that ANYTHING is possible!

And, to all who simply stopped by for a visit to support something they believed in. Thank you.

With Love,Carrie

p.s. If you have purchased a gift card for a friend or family member, I will honour those until the end of June 2015. All current sewing projects will be completed as previously agreed upon, in time for your special events.

LOVE fabric art!

Watch out young ladies, the MOM's have taken over. Lovin' it!

Each week they amaze me with their ideas to Recycle and Upcycle.

Mona uses ALL parts of used jeans to make the coolest purses, pillows, and bedside storage pouches. In between these fun projects she learns easy and stylish ways to alter her family's clothing, saving money along the way.

Charlene finished putting together an apron for gardening in her backyard. She chose to take apart a dress to use as her material. Super cute and resourceful!

A wonderful way to express yourself while learning to sew.

I thought I would add a little humor to the sewing room.

One of the common questions I am asked...

Which Sewing Machine should I get?

Depending on what you would like to do with your machine, and your budget, there are many options. You can spend anywhere from $100-1500.

My daughter bought a basic Singer machine at Walmart for $80. It's been 2+ years and haven't had any issues. She can sew lightweight fabrics, but not denim. I've been using a Pfaff for over 18 years and still love it. I sew everything with it. Well, except for finishing a quilt. (not enough arm room for the bulky blanket) It also comes with different foot attachments that allow me to work on different knits, leather, suede, satin, denim.

The computerized machines at Red Deer Sewing Center have some amazing features. For example, many now have the accessories for quilting and automated buttonholes, with options to keep your little ones safe. Many also have a feature to allow stitching of lettering for personalizing projects.

In quick summary, spend an hour looking at all the options. Bring a list of what you would like to sew and the sales lady will make sure it fits your needs. For example, stretchy clothes are popular. Does that machine have the option for sewing on knits, stretchy fabric? (besides using a zigzag stitch) Side note: I've been visiting different homes offering sewing lessons and found that what is popular here is Kenmore, Janome, and Singer brands.

When you find one you like, don't be afraid to ask for a chair and sit in front of it. Ask to sew on a scrap fabric. The reason... I was going to purchase a Janome. When with a friend, I asked to use her Janome. She said, "you're not gonna like it.". She was right! The shape of that particular model, the front forced the user to hunch over and look down and behind the front to see the Reverse Button. Not for me! :). You shouldn't have to do that for a button you will use on every stitch. Finally, ask about a return policy...just in case.

I hope this little bit of info helps. If you narrow your search to a couple, and can't decide, let me know. I can check them out too and give you more specific feedback of that make/model.

, Carrie

Sew Savvy News
Dear Friends ~
I just wanted to take a moment to let you know about some of my upcoming events over the next few months.

I'm going to be sharing LOTS of ideas about creativity and power (and the power of creativity!) and I hope you and I see one another at some point.

It's going to be a wonderful year!

Love,
Carrie

A beautiful start to our Workshops this month, Beginner and Confident Beginner.

More sewing adventures to come!

Amo's first sewing experience: a moon pillow for his friend's 2 year old daughter, and a body pillow with buckwheat hulls for himself.

Thank you for the photo!

January 2015 E-Mail

Sewing Traditions
With Friends and Family...

Blaykli was traveling back to the States in less than a week, and she had one sewing project to complete in one hour, a quilt. She asked her new, older friend Crystal to help. It was so much fun listening to their giggles over the humming of the machines. I also overheard Crystal say to her, "Now, every time you use your blanket you can think of me."

Many of you create blankets and quilts for family and friends. What exactly is a blanket all about? Recently, a Native Elder shared, "In a circle of 11 women, each held and put a good wish/prayer into a beautiful pendleton blanket with the "Circle of Life" design on it. When they were done, they passed it to me. It was heavy, warm and comforting around my shoulders and I felt protected."

Every moment we have is precious. Each day, month, and year is a fresh new opportunity to try again. May I suggest to you my friends..Let your intentions be known. Create an experience. Sew with INTENTION.

"Everything that happens in the universe, starts with intention." ~ Deepak Chopra

Your fellow Seamster,
Carrie

December E-Mail!

Make a Wish…

What would you create if you knew you would not fail?

I have met many entrepreneurs over the years, of all ages. Creative Explorers willing to take risk and exercise initiative, taking advantage of market opportunities by planning, organizing, and employing resources, often by innovating new or improving existing products.

What I realized… their creative exploration always results in mistakes! Yep, mistakes. Those moments when you realize you did the exact opposite of what you intended to do, but learned something valuable from that experience, 'mistake.' A German Physicist, Albert Einstein, was quoted saying, "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."

My fellow Seamsters, allow yourself to try something new. Make mistakes! They are an opportunity to surmount our biggest fears, and can be, at the very least, an interesting growth opportunity.

And, when your family and friends receive the gift you made with your own two hands, they're receiving a piece of your heart, part of your soul, a moment of your life. More importantly, they're giving you, the Explorer, encouragement to do something you are passionate about.

If you would like to learn how to express yourself creatively through sewing, please call or email me anytime.

Your friend,
Carrie

MEN who Inspire!

Today I am reminded of how INSIPIRING MEN are in our community. When we think of sewing, we often visualize a woman or young girl sewing quilts or curtains. However, I have seen so much more!

Murray would stop by frequently with challenges for me, using old clothes to fix and update his farming gear. He often would say, “Can we do THIS with THAT?” And, I would reply, “Why not?! Let’s give it a try.” Together, we accomplished these projects successfully! Oh! Did I mention that he once brought one of his wife’s nightgowns so that I could use it as a pattern for a beautiful new one in time for Christmas?!

A young man within the John Howard Society, who had learned basic sewing from his Grandmother at the farm, visited regularly to alter his pants. With little income, he wanted to use his skills to save money repairing his own clothing. I set up the machine, and off he’d go. His favourite part was wearing those $200 pair of jeans he found at Value Village for only $10, and hemmed at the Cafe for only $5.

Another gentleman came to the Café to learn to sew quilts, by hand! His mother had passed and he wanted to do something that reminded him of her, which happened to be hand-stitching quilts with landscapes. He admired her patience and skill with every stitch. Wasting no time, he began his lesson immediately. When leaving the store, he commented, “I feel she would be happy to see me quilting.”

Last month, Ed asked me if I could remake his wife’s wedding dress. He mentioned that the original dress had been destroyed, and he would like to have another made exactly the same in time for his anniversary. With only a picture, and a few guesses on her size, we worked together to complete this delicate task. Several days ago, after he and his wife shared a romantic evening, he brought her to the house where her bridal gown was beautifully displayed on a dress form for her to see. Tonight he shared, “It was a big hit!” He was grinning from ear to ear.

And I can’t finish these brief stories without mentioning the ‘homeless’ man who walked into my store one early spring morning. He walked in asking, “Do I buy this furniture in the hallway from you?” “Actually, you would purchase those from HouseWarmings. They should be open soon.” Then, he asked, “Oh! Then what do you do here?” Again, I answered his question, “I JUST sew here.” His next response left me speechless, and reflective on my personal beliefs. “JUST sew?! It’s more than a JUST, it’s a SOMETHING! I don’t understand why people say unkind things to themselves.” A gem of wisdom that I still glean from today.

Grateful!
, Carrie