Blog

Favorite Sewing Tools: Bodkin

2012-05-06T23:37:00Z

Hi all, it's Charissa, here today to talk about one of my favorite sewing tools: the bodkin. I know, you're probably thinking..."A bod-what?" (It sounds like a kind of gnome or elf, doesn't it?) But not to worry! Today I'm going to show you how to use this handy tool.

A bodkin is very useful in threading elastic or ribbon through casing. I always used to use a safety pin to do this but found that a bodkin is:
1) more secure
2) smoother
3) more efficient

I had a pair of salwar pants that I was excited to wear (especially because of my rapidly expanding belly - some of you've seen I'm pregnant!). They came with a drawstring, which I didn't find very comfortable.

I planned to swap the drawstring out for a length of elastic to make the waistband of the pants more forgiving.

I used the bodkin to pinch the end of the elastic, then slid the metal ring down toward the pinchers to secure them.

I slipped the end of the bodkin into the casing of the pants...

and threaded it through.

In 2 minutes, I was able to pull the bodkin out the other side and sew the elastic up!

Easy peasy. My pants look great and are so much more comfy. Best of all, the bodkins we carry will only set you back $2.50! Ask us and we can point them out to you in our sewing notions and tools section.

DIY Cross-Stitch Stool

2012-05-04T18:05:28Z

What a gorgeous DIY! Audrey from This Little Street grabbed paint, a drill, and wool yarn to make this cross-stitch stool. I'm also digging the color/pattern combo of her throw pillows in the top image. Maybe it's time to sew some new ones for my apartment... Via Creature Comforts.

{Images via This Little Street}

Our Bread & Butter: Basic Sewing

2012-04-27T22:30:11Z

Jin snapped some shots of a recent Basic Sewing class. We may spend time talking up our new class offerings, but this little class is one of Jin's favorite to teach and has been a bread-and-butter staple from the beginning of Common Thread.

Sometimes customers register for this class embarrassed that they don't know how to sew - but they shouldn't be! The point of our Basic Sewing class is to teach a solid foundation to anyone, even if they have zero experience with the machine. Some beginning sewing classes will have you make a project right off the bat, but we prefer to dedicate the two hours of class to learning the basics and practice, practice, practice!

Students learn all the parts of the machine, how to thread it, and how to read fabric grain lines. They use custom silkscreened patterns to sew straight lines, curved lines, and use elastic thread to sew a gather stitch.

By the end of class we find that students are pumped about sewing and have the skills to make their first projects! Unfortunately, all too often we teach Basic Sewing students never to see them again. One thing we're beginning to recommend is that first-time sewers sign up for Basic Sewing and their pick of a Level 2 class right off the bat. That way they can take advantage of our 10% discount and keep up their learning momentum. We don't want to just teach you once, we want to see you through to completing your dream projects!

Pattern Reading Sewing Class Recap

2012-04-20T19:56:43Z

Love these smiling faces! Renee snapped this photo of her sewing students at the end of our last Pattern Reading class. As we've mentioned before, we spent some time tweaking this class, and the new project that you'll learn to sew is this beautiful wrap robe.

It's been wonderful to see the enthusiastic response to this garment! I asked Renee how the class went, and she had this to say about her students:

- One person was a really talented seamstress, but had been too scared to ever sew from a pattern. She made all her own patterns and took the class to learn proper sewing terminology.

- It was the first sewing project for another student...she had taken basic sewing, but had never sewn an actual project before.

- The third person had sewn the tote bag, so it was her second project. She made hers in super bright fabric to match the décor of her house.

Good job, ladies! And remember, this class is designed for people who get a headache when look at a pattern and try to decipher this:

Yikes! But it's not that scary, we promise. Renee breaks the process down for you step by step, and you'll leave ready to tackle your own sewing project from a pattern!

There is currently ONE spot left in our May class, which will take place over two Sundays. Click here for details.

{Pattern image by M1khaela}

Common Thread Studio at LACMA!

2012-04-06T21:00:18Z

Jin had the opportunity last month to take our sewing classes out of South Pasadena and into the Los Angeles County Museum of Art! Common Thread Studio was invited to participate in the museum's Family Sunday festivities by teaching a sewing workshop to the public. After much brainstorming and a little trial-and-error, Jin came up with the mini-quilt project below:

When the day of the workshop came, it was time to test it out! Kids and adults alike braved the blustery, wet weather to learn to sew their own quilt. Jin took her inspiration from the work she saw in LACMA's exhibition Common Places: Printing, Embroidery and the Art of Global Mapping. This small exhibition features works of art that have been translated from paper to one-of-a-kind-embroideries.

Looks like a fun time was had by all. Unfortunately, the workshops had to be closed early because of the rain and wind, but luckily some families were able to complete their masterpieces!

If you're kicking yourself for missing out on this event, never fear! We are planning on offering a kids' class to make these mini quilts at our South Pasadena sewing studio. Keep an eye out for this new class on our class website!

A Common Thread Birthday

2012-03-23T21:17:39Z

We were so pleased to host M's 8th birthday party here last month! We've taught our Bestie Beast sewing class to birthday groups before, but this was the first party I've seen hosted here from start to finish. M's mom and dad came early to set up some birthday treats.

The birthday girl.

Starting to sew with friends. It was very sweet; M's guests were from many parts of her life - art class, school, neighbors.

Threading the needle. Those embroidery floss strands are tricky!

In the home stretch - sewing around the perimeter of the Bestie Beast.

Stuffed! Finished! Happy! Look at these grins - these kids worked hard.

Finally, time to open presents and sing 'Happy Birthday'!

M, we had a fun time teaching you and your friends how to sew. Hope you have a great year of being 8!

FREE Sewing Workshop at LACMA

2012-03-18T23:29:31Z

Mark your calendars! Next Sunday, March 25, Jin will be leading a free sewing workshop for all ages at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. View the special LACMA exhibition "Common Places: Printing, Embroidery, and the Art of Global Mapping" and then come make your own piece of textile art! Free with museum admission (and kids under 18 are free all the time!). Find the details here.

{Image via LACMA}

Aww...Thanks, Maze Mania!

2012-03-16T23:02:42Z

Just one of the many reasons I (Charissa) love working at a small business...

Jin was pleasantly surprised a couple of Sundays ago when some upstanding members of Maze Mania presented her with flowers and a hand-painted maze. Wow, you guys! Jin told them they're going to make great boyfriends someday (though I guess as far as we know they already are!).

Maze Mania is a local club of maze enthusiasts who draw their own mazes and turn them into magazines. They sold the zines for a dollar apiece at Common Thread Studio during the last South Pasadena Arts Crawl and they were a hot ticket item. The organizers of the Arts Crawl pair artists and musicians with local businesses for the event. Maze Mania, we'd have you back any day!

Common Thread Studio Customer of the Day: Jessica

2012-03-10T00:41:44Z

I (Charissa) met Jessica last week when she came in for Open Studio Time. A former Basic Sewing student, she was here to put the knowledge from her sewing class to the test!

Her mission? To sew a shirt for her school's fashion show. I loved hearing about her design and the event, which is an annual fundraiser to raise money for scholarships for Holy Family High School in Glendale.

Jessica worked dilligently for a few hours, which was all the more impressive once we started teaching our Bestie Beast class to a lively group of 8-year olds.

Jessica, we wish you the best as you fit your top to your model and prepare for the big event on the 17th!

Common Thread Studio Fabrics in the Wild

2012-02-24T19:38:33Z

We met Reggie last year when she came in and purchased some of our linen-cotton blend fabrics. She mentioned she was going to make some pillows for her living room. I (Charissa) told her what I often tell customers buying fabric at Common Thread Studio: send us a picture when you're done!

What a pleasure to come into work today and find these in our inbox. Reggie, your pillows turned out great! They're so cheerful and comfy-looking. Reggie also mentioned she's sewn a waterproof laptop case and has some pajamas in progress. Can't wait to see.

It's fun for us to see the finished products you make, so don't be shy! If you've sewed anything from Common Thread Studio fabrics (at home or in one of our sewing classes) send your photos to: info@commonthreadstudio.com. And for more stories from our customers, click here!