Trunk Show: Zanna Printed Textiles

By lupine | Published: July 29, 2010

Zanna Tote Bags

Staring at the beautiful samples for the Intro to Silkscreen: Yardage classes has not been easy. Many people have asked to purchase them, and all of us at the store have had a powerful urge to carry them home. Finally we are able to do just that as this month’s trunk show features Zanna Printed Textiles by Susanna Scott.

squirrel pet toy

Her designes are taken from nature, and using screen printed yardage, she sews beautiful pillows, totes, small zipper pouches, pet toys and more. All are now for sale at Modern Domestic for the next month.

window display

If you are so inspired, she has room for you to learn her techniques in yardage class, as well as a quicker introduction to the process of silkscreen in the Intro to Silkscreen: Tote bag class. There are still a few spaces left in each of these upcoming classes, as well as newly added Intro to silkscreen: Teens and Open Print Studio, which both begin in August.

Posted in Kids and Teen Sewing, Silk Screen, Trunk Show, home decor | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Summer Sewing Camp at Modern Domestic

By lupine | Published: July 27, 2010

Drafting Skirt

This summer has been full of amazing classes for adults, teens, and kids. The day time hours have been mostly occupied by children and teens ages 8-17 whipping up darling projects and learning some great skills. There is nothing quite like watching Shelly Figueroa working in a full classroom of 6 young people; she easily handles different projects, learning styles, ages, and abilities. We have taken to calling her the “Marry Poppins” of sewing because of her grace and charm with both the youth and their parents week after week.

Shelly Teaching

In the kid and teen sewing classes at Modern Domestic, kids make projects like envelope pillows, pajama pants, tote bags, summer tunics, a-line skirts, capris, and more. It seems the kids that we have just can’t get enough and keep coming back to sew and take more classes week after week. We have added some more August sessions and a new Project Runway Skirt class where students will get to make as many as three skirts, work with knits, and do some pattern design.

Students Project Planning

Also, we have a few more non-sewing and all ages classes that have been added to the schedule for summer. There is a session of Intro to Surface Design that is all ages, as well as the Bird Mobile class. Susanna Scott is going to get teens silkscreening in a Silk Screen Tote Bag class.

While the regularly scheduled classes at Modern Domestic are for students 18 and up, the class offerings for kids, teens, and all ages just keep growing and growing.

Posted in Apparel Sewing, Kids and Teen Sewing, Knits, Learn to Sew | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fast Turn

By amy | Published: July 20, 2010

This post is from Amy Alan. Her love of all things sewing can be seen here, at her blog, as well as at Modern Domestic, where she is often available to help at the shop, teaches classes, and offers one-on-one private sewing. Amy is a joy to work with and learn from, her depth of sewing knowledge is extensive and her approach technical as well as fun.

Modern Domestic has a host of tools that make sewing a breeze. I was always one of “those people” who struggled with safety pins to turn tubes of fabric right side out to make straps and other details. But then Lupine introduced me to the Fast Turn set, and I was in LOVE. I wish I’d had one of the these the last time I was making tiny spaghetti straps for a wedding dress. There would have been a lot less stress and cursing involved!

I started out this project by using one of new Janome JNH1860’s. I’ve always been a huge Bernina fan, but I really like the 1860’s! The start/stop button is definitely fun to use, and the fancy display lets you easily see what your seam width and length is.

Before you can use a Fast Turn, you obviously will need a tube of fabric that you intend to turn right side out. When you are sewing one, for a strap or whatnot, use a small seam allowance. If you’re making a tiny tube, use a seam allowance of 1/4″ or less.

Then, breakout the Fast Turn, because this going to be SO. MUCH. FUN. I like watching people use the it for the first time- everyone gets this look on their face like it’s Christmas, and someone just handed them a puppy.

Run the fabric tube (that is wrong side out at this point) over a brass tube that is slightly smaller in size. Place one of the long corkscrew-ended wires thru the tube, and twist it thru the end of the fabric. The thickness of the wire you choose should correspond with the thickness of the fabric you are turning.

Keep pulling your fabric all the way thru to turn your strap right side out quickly and easily.

The next time you’re in MD, try out a Fast Turn set, even if you don’t need straps for a project! I’m sure you’ll quickly come up with an excuse to use it again and again.

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Fabric Covers the Surfaces of Modern Domestic.

By lupine | Published: July 14, 2010

dress form

Today only, you can come in and get some amazing fabric at wholesale prices, meet local designers, and enjoy some MD love. Here are some photos to tempt you…

red and gold

folds and rolls

tall rolls

color of the year

You do not want to miss this.

Posted in Apparel Sewing, Events, Knits, Neighborhood, fabric, home decor | 3 Comments

Local designer fabric swap and sale, July 14th.

By lupine | Published: July 8, 2010

We have teamed up with Garnish to bring you the fabric event of the summer! Next Wednesday we will be filling the shop with fabric from local portland designers and offering a chance for the public to get their hands on some unique stuff at great prices.

Designers end up with all sorts of fabric they don’t anticipate using and would like to sell. And you will have the chance to buy great fabrics at wholesale prices! The first 2 hours of the sale will be for designers only and the last 3 hours will be open to the general public.  Please see the details below and spread the word!  Thanks!

Here’s the skinny:

What: Designer Fabric Sale  Open to both designers and the public.  Fabrics will be at, near, or below wholesale prices.

When: Wednesday, July 14th, from 3 – 5 pm for designers only, 5 – 8 pm open to the general public.

Where: Modern Domestic 1408 NE Alberta St Portland, OR 97211

Designers and vendors committed so far:

Garnish Apparel

Church & State

Tumbleweed

EclectiKid

Suite 6

KungFu Bambini/Violet Craft

Bolt Fabric Boutique

There will be more to come and we will add them to this list as we get final confirmations. This is going to be a great event to get deals on beautiful fabric as well as meet local sewists and designers alike. Don’t miss the fun!

Posted in Apparel Sewing, Events, fabric | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Scissor Sharpening Comes to MD

By lupine | Published: July 7, 2010

Next Tuesday July 13th we will have scissor sharpening available at Modern Domestic. You can drop off scissors (or other things that need a sharpen) between now and then.

scissors

If you love your shears as much as we do, come by and get them all ready for summertime snipping. High quality scissors can last a lifetime if properly maintained, and even without cutting anything but fabric, they do need the occasional sharpening. Come by MD, drop them off (bring you knives, garden tools, and embroidery snips too) and get your back scissors in like new condition.

We are having our scissor sharpener come to MD once a month and will keep you posted on his appearances. Also, this will be a great way to keep our toolbox scissors sharp for you when you check them out for Open Sew. When you are in, have a look at what is in the toolbox, and for a complete list of what you can use for drop-in sewing, take a peek over here.

Posted in Events, Tools and Notions | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Laura Gunn this very Thursday!

By lupine | Published: July 5, 2010

So the details have emerged, and they are looking good! Laura will be at Modern Domestic this very Thursday from 7-8:30pm. She is going to talk a bit about her process of designing fabric as well as demo her machine applique technique.

Laura Gunn for Michael Miller

There will be a refreshment or two, give aways and really super fun people! We hope you can make it in and meet the very talented Laura. We certainly are excited to have her and find out all about her process as well as see her skills in action.

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Classroom Machines are still on Sale!

By lupine | Published: July 1, 2010

Classroom Janome DC2010

We had a wonderful sale last weekend, and are super happy to have landed some wonderful sewing machines in the hands of our stitchers. We have only 3 Janome DC2010’s left in the classroom and we are moving into a new Janome model. We have loved that DC2010 (and still do)! But have found a comparable machine with a few key features, and best of all, it isn’t sold all over the internet by much larger retailers.

Our last 3 DC2010’s can be purchased for $449 and are an awfully sweet deal. These machines come with classes on the machines, and a really thorough and useful 3 year warrantee. The warrantee covers everything, even regular service on the machines and broken needle threaders and what not, for three whole years!

New Classroom Machines! The Janome JNH1860.

Once these are gone at MD, we will move into the new Janome JNH1860’s. Have a look at these little darlings: they have black LCD screens that give all sorts of information, a much easier to use needle threader, and still great features like speed control, and the needle up/down button.

Look at that screen, so helpful.

We have 3 in the classroom upstairs and you are welcome to come and sew on them anytime. We would love to show you all about them, or better yet, use them in a class!

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Textile Designer Laura Gunn is coming to Modern Domestic!

By lupine | Published: June 29, 2010

Darling Laura Gunn fabric with an Olive Ann Designs dress

Next Thursday the 8th, Laura Gunn will come to Modern Domestic and give a free talk. The details are still coming together so we will keep you posted as to the exact time and all of that important stuff. Meanwhile, pop over to ooohh and aaahhh at her lovely blog.

Serendipity Studios dress in Laura Gunn fabric

One thing I can say for certain is that there will be some giveaways! We hope to see you here!

Posted in Events, Parties | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Last Thursday First at Modern Domestic

By lupine | Published: June 24, 2010

IMG_3983

We are getting in the swing of things at MD and embracing the monthly last thursday excitement with the first of our wonderful trunk shows!

IMG_3987

Every month we will feature a local artist and sell their work here at the store. This month we are lucky enough to have all sorts of beautiful pieces by Anna Joyce. She is teaching two classes in July and August and they are both on machine applique. If you are in the neighborhood, come buy, admire her talent and sign up for a class or pick up a cute summer time t-shirt for yourself all ready finished!

IMG_3980

Posted in Apparel Sewing, Aprons, Knits, home decor, machine embroidery | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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