Gratitude, project finishing (and some strawberries)

I hate to sound too “woo woo” or over the top at the same moment as the air is filled with smoke and our democracy is teetering, but gratitude is important - it is month two of Grove House Sewing Studio and I LOVE IT!!! I feel giddy each time I get to tell someone that I have a sewing studio. I truly wake up in awe that I am lucky enough to have a studio where I get to create and work with so many wonderful people each week. (Folks are coming in from all over Western MA - Chicopee, Springfield, Athol, Greenfield, Goshen, Northampton, and Florence - driving up to an hour or walking down the street to gather together to learn and make.)   

As the Spring classes come to an end and I take a quick break before launching into a busy summer of private and group classes, it is really fun to reflect on what was was learned these past 6 weeks - my students have now learned so many foundational skills that will carry them forward in any sewing direction they choose next. Techniques include: zipper installation, boxed corners, why and when to topstitch, how to keep your seam allowance even, how to use the serger, working with mirror imaged pattern pieces, and so so much more.

And on a more personal note: the creative energy that I get from the studio has given me a boost to learn and make other things as well. This week I gathered with a friend to take a recorded class from the wonderful Kathryn Swanson how to make her rag rugs, and my friend taught me to make those delicious herbal syrups for light summer drinks (we made tulsi-lemon verbena syrup and lavender syrup with plants from my garden.) Then I popped over to Warner Farm in Sunderland for a flat of strawberries and made rhubarb strawberry jam. Then I took a nap with my son.

Enough chatting and kvelling, let me share some photos of student and and me-made objects from this Spring: