Author Archives: Jennifer Sosa

About Jennifer Sosa

Jennifer Sosa is a mother of 2 wonderful, creative daughters and grandmother of 1 adorable little boy. During the day, she stays out of trouble by working full-time at Humble Sewing Center as a Sales Representative and Educator. In the evenings she is planning to take over the internet with her amazing online sewing/embroidery tutorials, videos, and blog posts. She's also a bit of a dreamer... P.S. Thank you for checking out my site!

Fun Tissue Holder Covers at Anita Goodesign Workshop

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During our September Anita Goodesign Workshop, we had a great time making the CUTEST tissue box covers ever!

Since it’s September, the project was all about getting ready for Halloween.

Trick or TREAT!

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Look at a creative touch that Opal Hobbs added to her project…..

Isn’t that a cute ruffle?!

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These tissue cover designs are EXCLUSIVE to the ladies who attend the Anita Workshop.  They are not available anywhere else.   So, if you are seeing things you like and wish you could get, maybe it’s time for you to join us at next month’s workshop.  Hmmm?

We’d love to see you there!!!  Here’s the link to details about next month’s Anita Goodesign Workshop

See some of the very nice ladies you will meet and get to know:

AND, sometimes we even have surprise Give-Aways….

Our newest workshop attendee, Robyn Cayton, won a free copy of Nancy Zieman’s latest new book:

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It’s time for you to join the fun and try some new things with your embroidery machine!

Hope to see you soon!

Thanks for reading!

Jenny Gabriel alter ego: StitchinJenny

News from Serger Savvy Retreat

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We recently hosted a 3-Day Serger Retreat at Humble Sewing Center.  Our instructor was Joan Friedrich.  She is a National Educator for Baby Lock, a Serger Expert, Designer, and repeat guest on the television show:  Sewing With Nancy.

It was a wonderful event full of great ladies and lots of fun!

Our guests were able to bring their own Baby Lock Serger or try out the new Baby Lock Ovation serger.  After seeing and experiencing the benefits of the new features on the Ovation, several ladies decided to trade-in and trade-up to the Ovation!  It was a happy time for everybody!

Getting Started:

Joan Friedrich is just Warming Up….

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Below are a few pictures of samples that Joan Friedrich shared with us during her 3 day Serger Savvy Retreat.  Some of her samples featured:

  • sweatshirt makeovers
  • crafty aprons
  • ruffled quilts
  • journal covers
  • pillow covers
  • and designer handbags

She is SEW talented!!!

Then, we got busy learning a TON of very handy, useful, and easy Serger techniques.

First of all, Joan is FUN!

Joan Friedrich

Joan Friedrich

Joan Friedrich having a Designer Revelation for new funky zippers with the serger....

Joan Friedrich having a Designer Revelation for new funky zippers with the serger….

Getting to Work:

Here are a few photos of Joan keeping us very busy learning lots and lots of great serger techniques:

 A Moment to recognize Student Achievement:

This was Frances' first time to sew in a zipper by machine. She is VERY pleased!

This was Frances’ first time to sew in a zipper by machine. She is VERY pleased!

Fun with SERGER CROCHET:

Joan shared her exclusive method for creating serger crochet.  This beautiful accent can be added to clothing, home decor, and can even be used to make a one of a kind scarf!  We can order you the instructional DVD if you like!

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Yes, one sweet husband chose to join the fun!  I think Joan LOVED his hat idea:

 

Joan Friedrich having a Designer Revelation for new funky zippers with the serger....

 

 

 

 

 

We learned so many things…. We even learned how to use one of the optional accessories to attach fold over elastic to a stretch knit.  This will make the easiest elastic waist skirt, pants, or shorts ever!!!

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And there was still time for our ladies to make new friends and enjoy long-time friends as well….

I hope you’ve enjoyed our flashback to the Serger Savvy Retreat.

If you are kicking yourself for missing this one, I do have one bit of good news for you….

Joan has filmed a Serger Techniques video made up of 3 DVDs.  The dvds include almost everything she taught during the 3 day retreat!

You can get this set from us!  Just call for details!  Humble Sewing Center: 281-446-1818

Thanks for reading!

Jenny Gabriel alter ego:  StitchinJenny

In-the-Hoop Zipped Pouch from Anita Goodesign Workshop

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Take a look at all the fun we had during August’s Anita Goodesign Workshop at Humble Sewing Center.

We made Fully Lined zip pouches completely in the embroidery machine – no sewing machine steps required!

This group of ladies is such a pleasure to work with!   Some are beginners and some are experts who come to enjoy the new friends and fun projects.  Our workshops are always a lot of fun and we hope to see you soon!

Here’s a link to the details about September’s Anita Goodesign Workshop.

Also, we’ve got a special hands-on embroidery event coming up in October.  It will feature some really neat techniques like embroidery on puffy foam etc.  Check it out HERE.

Workshop Photos:

In-the-Hoop Zipper

Thanks for visiting!  Join us for a class sometime soon!

Jenny Gabriel alter ego:  StitchinJenny

Serger Tips & T-Shirt Makeovers at BabyLock Club

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Each month I get to host BabyLock Club at Humble Sewing Center….

Today we had several sweet ladies who braved the storm to attend this fun and FREE monthly meeting.

We had a great time getting to know each other, sharing sewing stories, exchanging tips and ideas as well as making a little mischief….

You see, I decided to demo how to revamp an over-sized  t-shirt into something more figure flattering and also how to modify the neckline.  Everything was innocent enough except, the only available shirt in my home happened to belong to my husband and it did happen to be one of his FAVORITES.  Ooooops!

tshirtPlease look closely and notice the bleach stain at the bottom hem of this shirt…. and also the torn hole to the far right of the word Champions.  Oh yes, this shirt was officially in need of a make-over.

In the process of the make-over I used a couple of essentials to ensure pleasing results:

#1:  The T-Shirt Makeover from: Pamela’s Patterns

This pattern provides templates and easy instructions to successfully re-size those big, boxy shirts that just swallow you up. (Yes, we can order this for you and, it will cost you less at our store than it would buying online.)

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#2:  Designer Necklines from: Eileen Roche & Nancy Zieman

This is a collection of embroidery designs used to change the shape of the neckline of any t-shirt into a variety of styles.  It also includes accent designs to embellish a shirt with beautiful embroidery. (Yes, we can get this for you, too.)

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I chose the Peek a boo neckline – which you will see in just a moment.

I used the embroidery machine and sewing machine for the neckline changes and I used the Makeover pattern with a serger/cover stitch machine to re-size, re-shape, and hem the shirt.  It was EASY!  I could have used the sewing machine for the entire project but, the serger made it so much easier to get the results I wanted.

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At the end of our meeting, I was a little nervous about telling my husband what I had done and a couple of the ladies suggested I show him what I did to his favorite shirt in a way that would appeal to him.

I hope he likes what I did cuz’ it’s MY favorite t-shirt now!

Thanks for reading!

Jenny Gabriel alter ego: StitchinJenny

 

Who Won that Free book from the Blog Tour?

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And the winner was found VERY scientifically….

I went into my sleeping teen’s room this morning, nudged her and said, “Hey, pick a number between 1 and 39.”

She groggily replied with her random number and Liz is our winner!!!!

Liz says:
September 9, 2014 at 9:02 am

Lovely quilt. Looks like it would be a great stash buster.

Dear Liz,
You are the winner of the Quick Column Quilts Book give-away!!!!!!
Contact me at hsc.jennyg@gmail.com with your mailing address and I’ll ship this out to you!
Thank you so much for participating in the blog tour!
Happy Stitching!!!!
Jenny Gabriel alter ego: StitchinJenny

We are Part of Nancy Zieman’s Quick Column Quilts Blog Tour!!! Yay!

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 Hi!  Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to keep reading so you can see which quilt sample I chose to make from Nancy’s AWESOME new book!  Drum Roll, Please! …………………………………….

My name is StitchinJenny and this is where I blog about all the fun things I’m doing as an educator at my favorite sewing shop:

Humble Sewing Center/SewVac Outlet

This week, I’m taking part in Nancy Zieman’s Blog Tour to help get the word out about her latest book.  Let me tell you, it’s FULL of great quilt projects that will delight the novice to the expert quilter with it’s easy to follow instructions and tips.  You are definitely going to want your own copy of this one!

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PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES!

Enter to Win a FREE Copy of Nancy’s Newest Book!!!

Would you like a chance to win a free copy of Quick Column Quilts?  Just leave a comment on this blog post and a random winner will be chosen from the comments at the end of Nancy’s blog tour on Sept. 17th.  We will ship your book to you once we receive our copy from the publisher!

MORE PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES!!!

Nancy Zieman will be hosting a grand giveaway of 15 prizes!!!  If you would like to enter to win PLEASE follow the instructions below:

Readers must comment on Nancy’s September 4th blog posting to qualify for the giveaways. Click this link and make a comment on her quick column-quilts post.                 http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/blog-tour/quick-column-quilts/

I chose to make the Happy-Go-Lucky Chevron Column Quilt:

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First, I had to decide on which fabrics to use.

First, I had to decide on which fabrics to use.  I got these fun prints from my designer friend, Erin Schlosser.

Then I had to cut the fabrics into strips as directed in the handy dandy instructions.

Then I had to cut the fabrics into strips as directed in the handy dandy instructions.

Next, I sewed the strips together using a really neat method to create a staircase effect. This helped eliminate waste when creating the chevrons....

Next, I sewed the strips together using Nancy’s method to create a staircase effect. This helped eliminate waste when creating the chevron columns….  See next photo for my fabric “Stairs”

Downstairs Strips!

Part of my Downstairs Strips!  I love those big,colorful flowers….

Once my strips were sewn together, I followed Nancy's very clear instructions for cutting my "Stairs" into what would become the chevron columns.

Once my strips were sewn together, I followed Nancy’s very clear instructions for cutting my “Stairs” into what would become the chevron columns.

My first Chevron column!

My first Chevron column!

Once I had all my columns prepared, I needed to decide on a layout for my quilt.Preparing the columns was so easy. (There's some cool steps involved that save fabric and give great results.)

Once I had all my chevron columns prepared, I needed to decide on a final layout for my quilt. Preparing the columns was so easy. There’s some cool steps involved that save fabric and give great results.

Next, I stitched the narrow strips in between and around the columns.

Next, I stitched the narrow strips in between and around the columns.

I love how this quilt top turned out!

I love how this quilt top turned out!

So, I must confess, I’m not done with the final steps such as adding the batting, backing, binding, and actually QUILTING my quilt.  (Yes, I’m one of those quilters who loves to make the tops and procrastinates the finishing….)

BUT, I was relieved to see that Nancy included a lot of helpful illustrations and instructions to help newbie quilters like myself get this job done and done WELL!  I’m looking forward to finishing this and improving my skills in the process.

If you’d like to see more from Nancy’s Blog Tour, just visit the links below:

Here is a listing of all the wonderful bloggers on the Quick Column Quilts Blog Tour:

09/04/14         Nancy Zieman

09/05/14         Quilt Taffy and Simple Simon & Co.

09/06/14         Diary of a Quilter  and Stitchin Jenny

09/07/14         A Woman a Day  and Craizee Corner                

09/08/14         Jina Barney Designz, Lilac Lane Patterns, and Totally Stitchin’ 

09/09/14         Esch House Quilts and The Cottage Mama

09/10/14         Designs in Machine Embroidery and Pat Sloan

09/12/14         Happy Valley Primitives, Doohikey Designs, and Quilt in a Day

09/13/14         Quilt Dad and Just Arting Around

09/14/14         Lazy Girl Designs and  Marie-Madeline Studio

09/15/14         Always Expect Moore  and Polka Dot Chair

09/16/14         Amy Lou Who Sews and Riley Blake Designs

09/17/14         Indygo Junction and Amy’s Creative Side

Thanks for reading!

Jenny Gabriel alter ego:  StitchinJenny

BabyLock Partners with Humble Sewing Center to Help Local Safe-House

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As you may or may not know, I teach sewing lessons on a weekly basis at a local safe-house for traumatized/exploited kids.  Here’s a link if you’d like to know more:

News from the Safe-House

Lessons have been going strong for about 2 years now, and everything is great, except – we have more kids than ever and not enough quality machines to go around….

Soooooo, I let the President of Baby Lock know what we’ve been up to and our present needs…..  the next thing you know, there are 10, yes, TEN brand new Baby Lock Molly’s arriving at Humble Sewing Center as a donation to the safe-house!!!!

Thank you BabyLock!!!

Thank you Baby Lock!!!

I told the ladies at our monthly Baby Lock Club about the donation and they agreed to be in the picture with me!  This is a wonderful group of ladies who meets with me once a month to share ideas, tips, and sewing techniques for Baby Lock sewing machines, embroidery machines, and sergers.  It’s always fun!  Drop in sometime!  Dates and details are on our calendar.

Today, I was able to deliver the 10 Molly’s to the safe-house!

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Here’s a photo of a safe-house resident getting familiar with the new machine.

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One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, TEN beautiful Molly’s all ready to SEW!!!

I’m SO thankful to get to spend time with these precious girls and help them learn a valuable life skill.

I’m also thankful to work with such a great team and boss at Humble Sewing Center

and

THANK YOU, BABY LOCK!!!!

Thank you for reading!

Jenny Gabriel, alter ego:  StitchinJenny