<![CDATA[home ec. studio - Blog]]>Sat, 26 May 2012 19:41:39 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Zipper Pouch Love and Inspiration]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 18:20:28 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/05/zipper-pouch-love-and-inspiration.htmlHave you taken our zipper pouch class yet????  Looking at these is making me want to sew up pouches all day!

Source: rstyle.me via Roselle on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Roselle on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Roselle on Pinterest

]]><![CDATA[This is what we do]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 18:17:20 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/05/this-is-what-we-do.htmlMany of you know that Yvonne and I each have kids who attend Albert Einstein Academies in South Park.  We love the school and the culture so every year we donate and contribute creatively to the annual fundraiser.  This year, I have to brag about how our studio contributed to the class art that will be up for auction this year.  I love Mexican textiles and when our 4th grade teacher wanted to do something with the tree of life, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to inject some of this inspiration.  The kids were told to cut out something from nature on felt.  And this is what they came up with.
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And if you follow us on pinterest, you will notice my obsession with Polish paper chandeliers.  I love how this one turned out.  I loved working with my cool room parents who are creative in their own right.  This chandelier is made with felted balls, paper beads and felt butterflies.  Every element was made by the hands of children.  And that is why we love our school!
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]]><![CDATA[Inspired by Poufs]]>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:56:40 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/04/inspired-by-poufs.htmlOur Wednesday kids have wanted to make poufs for awhile.  We found some whimsical bird ones in Stitch Magazine.  But I thought I would share these with our readers.  We've added our new May after school classes for kids here.
]]><![CDATA[SUMMER SEASON INSPIRATION]]>Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:10:03 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/04/summer-season-inspiration.htmlWe've brought the Fashion Camps home to the studio the week of July 9th.  Sign ups are available online here.  We have a special edition for teens and tweens and we have been busy searching for easy summer wear to sew.  Sneak peek below.
]]><![CDATA[Colorblocking]]>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:08:32 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/04/colorblocking.htmlIs anyone else on pinterest? If so, follow us here.  I love how pinterest makes it so easy to search for inspirational images on the internet and make your own inspiration boards.  For our colorblock skirt, I found so many cute things to make just by searching "colorblocking".  I may just have to update the blog more often : )

]]><![CDATA[Inspiration Monday]]>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:16:13 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/02/inspiration-monday.htmlI've been visually inspired by recent documentaries and television programs lately.  Thanks to Netflix, many documentaries are available for the general public at the click of your finger.

Between the Folds is a PBS documentary about the art and science of origami.  It really opened my eyes to how a simple fold can take on different shapes just by orientation.  I found it amazing that a protein molecule can be folded into a different shape and possibly cure disease such as cancer.  After watching this film, you won't think of paper cranes and cootie catchers anymore.

And speaking of paper, I just acquired Paper Cutting Book: Contemporary Artists, Timeless Craft.  I have been obsessed with UK artist Rob Ryan's This is For You and he has become so popular now in the paper art scene.  If you are obsessed with papercuts or Scherenschnitte, then this is a great book with inspiring eye candy.

Eames the Architect and the Painter is another documentary about the legendary Charles Eames.  It adds a humanistic quality to the Eames that we thought we knew.   Eames has become synonymous with mid-century modern design and this film contains a lot of visual stimulation.  James Franco narrates.

Is anyone NOT obsessed with Downton Abbey?  It amazes me that this Masterpiece Theater production has crossed the genre barriers.  It is that good.  From the amazing costumes to the Edwardian social issues (updated with a 21st century twist), Downton Abbey has made me into a wikipedia monster.  I've actively been researching all the American heiresses who married into English aristocracy... Wallie Simpson, Jennie Jerome (Winston Churchill's mother), etc.  It's a period film about women's suffrage, the class system and the turning point towards the modern middle class.

Speaking of women's suffrage... if you are able to find a viewing, Miss Representation is a documentary of recent viewing.  It is a compelling film that conjures up a lot of emotions from anger to praise to sadness.   All American women should watch this film and take the pledge.
]]><![CDATA[Great machine for kids]]>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:32:16 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/01/great-machine-for-kids.htmlI just saw that Overstock.com has the Janome Hello Kitty machine in stock again.  By far, these are the best kids sewing machine that we've seen.  Go here to see the dial and the computerized models.  Janome is a great brand.
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]]><![CDATA[Inspired by French General]]>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:34:23 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/01/inspired-by-french-general.html
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I am obsessed with French General.    Kaari Meng's books are loaded with haberdashery eye candy.  And what better way to start the new year with a French General inspired sewing box to hold all the treasures in your life?  Our lucky kids in the Wednesday class will be sewing these up with a pin cushion bracelet.  Along with some vintage haberdashery perhaps?
]]><![CDATA[Happy New Year!]]>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:23:22 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2012/01/happy-new-year.htmlAre you obsessed with bunting like we are?  Check out our fabric book covers for the Funtastic Fridays class.  We are also opening up a Thursday after school class for the San Diego Co-operative School in the studio from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm.  If your child has a half day on Thursdays, they are all welcome to join us!
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]]><![CDATA[Recommended Sewing machines for beginners]]>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:29:33 -0800http://www.homeecstudio.com/1/post/2011/12/recommended-sewing-machines-for-beginners.htmlMany of you have asked us for recommendations for good machines for beginners.  And since we have seen many machines in our studio (we are going on three years!), we can comfortably tell you which ones we recommend.  We've seen the high end Berninas and the Janomes and if you have the money for one, go for it.  These are the top of the line machines that run in the $400 - $900 range.  I have a Janome Threadbanger myself and I love it.  Many of our clients are coming to the studio with the Singer Stylist, Singer Confidence or the Brother CS6000i.  These machines are computerized and are in the $150 - $200 range.  For the manual dial machines, we recommend the Brother XL2600 (25 stitches).  That one runs under $100 and we have these in the studio.   Computerized machines and manual dial machines operate the same way.  But the stitch selection on the computerized machines are push button.  The computerized machines also have many user friendly features and safety alarms; for example, the auto tension dial and the auto button-hole function and presser foot "up" alarm and broken/bent needle alarm.  Although you will never use any of the fancy stitches on these computerized machines, it is worth it when you see them on sale at Costco for about $130 - $140.  They also run very quietly because many of the the inner parts are plastic to make it light and portable.  But if price is a big factor in your decision, the Brother XL2600 will also do everything you would like to do.


Also, there is a Brother Project Runway line that ALWAYS goes on sale after every season ends.  These are basically the Brother SC6000i models with the Project Runway logo smeared all over.  These are very good machines and if you don't mind the Project Runway logo then this one is a good deal when you find it on sale.

And remember, the machine should be serviced annually to get the best for your money : )

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