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Learn How To Sew, Or Just Re-Learn How To Use Your Machine!

24 Thursday Jan 2013

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Do you live in the Bay Area and want to learn how to sew? Do you have a sewing machine laying around that you forgot or don’t know how to use? I can teach you! And I will even come to your house!

Meet Carey, my most recent student who had a machine, couldn’t quite remember how to use it and had some projects that needed to be done:

“I hadn’t sewn anything since I was 16. I inherited a Bernina from my Mom when she passed away and it’s been sitting in my garage for longer than I care to admit. Katy helped me bring this machine to life and I am thrilled. She came to my house and helped me dust off the machine and plan my project. We designed a slipcover for my futon. She taught me how to measure and choose the right amount of fabric; cut a pattern; thread the machine; thread a bobbin; and complete the whole project in 3 days. I had considered going to a class but having Katy come to my home and give me private lessons was absolutely deluxe. She is a patient, kind teacher and her experience in fashion means that I can continue to get more advanced instruction as I advance in my skills. I am so pleased. I have since made 2 more covers for my futon and am now in the middle of making a linen slipcover for my sofa. Now I love sewing so much I can’t seem to stop. I can’t recommend Katy highly enough. It’s been such enjoyable experience learning to sew again. ”

She did an amazing job and I am proud to have her as a student. Check out her first project!

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So, if you are looking for a sewing teacher, look no further! Just contact me at katyturner@gmail.com or 510-299-7206.

Happy Sewing!

Reef turns 6

19 Sunday Aug 2012

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Reef is an awesome little dude who turned 6 yesterday. He also happens to be my neighbor and shares the back yard with me.

Me and Reef hanging in the back yard

Reef’s dad is a chef and Reef and his older sister Marley learned how to work in a kitchen, even using knives correctly since they were very young. I thought about what I could make for him and quickly came up with the idea of a custom apron for him. I talking with Marley about what kind of fabric to use and ended up learning that he is in love with carrots right now, so I was set! I also wanted to hand embroider a little customized patch at the top that said CHEF REEF.

So, he had his party today and I got to  give his his apron. He loves it, but did not like me making him put it on in front of everyone, sorry buddy!

looking sharp!

I can’t wait to do some cooking or gardening with this guy!

Happy Birthday Reef!

An Apron For Maman

25 Wednesday Jan 2012

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Two years ago for Christmas I made aprons for everyone in my family. The guys got custom-made reversible grilling aprons while I went a little more old school with the women. I wanted that prairie feeling so went with a Roman Square pattern for the front with 6 different fabrics for each and then added a waistband and attached a gathered skirt portion for the bottom with strips of each of the 6 fabrics. I did not end up putting pockets on them, I think it was a time issue….and one I should fix! All good aprons have at least one pocket in my opinion.

The one major design change I made was to do away with the standard behind the neck strap and waist tie. I wanted something that was not uncomfortable around the neck and felt nice and secure while you were wearing it. I came up with the crossing at the back and tying at the waist. I need to make the straps a little longer to help facilitate tying this on your own, but I like the final look and feel of the design.

Want your own apron? I’d love to make you one, any style, any fabric. Leave me a comment and we can get to work

-Katy

Groomtastic

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

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This summer I had the amazing honor of being in my twin brothers’ wedding as the 4th groomsman! It was a perfectly magical day as Bret married Jessica and brought some truly amazing people together.  I had grand plans to make all the groomsmans shirts and bow-ties as well as make my own dress, the mother of the brides’ entire outfit, a skirt for my mom and trying to finish a vest for a friend….as well as move! Well, you can imagine the outcome. Made my dress: barely, made the mother of the brides’ dress and jacket: beautiful, moms’ skirt: great, and the bow-ties….as we were getting ready!

Here are some photos from the big day that show the groomsmen in our finest, and how we got there:

The bow ties were going to be made of two different colors. We all started with the same base color and then chose from the four colors I had for the second. You can see Andy and Bret hard at work turning the little rectangles inside out (yes, that’s how late we did this, but it really only took about 5 minutes as I had already sewn all the pieces.)

Drew helping Bret choose his color

And then on to Andrew

Once everyone got their pieces turned right side out, I ironed them flat and we put them through little loops I had made. This is what the awesome fake bow-tie looks like before the neck-band is added.

I used elastic, as I thought it might be more comfortable than ribbon, and found some metallic clasps for closures. I just slipped the band through the loop of the bow-ties.

The final looks:

The handsome groom

Best Man Drew

Groomsman Andrew

Groomsman Andy

Groomsman Katy, i.e. me!

All together now

Coming at you!

Have to show you the bride!

Jessica, the gorgeous bride, Bret the handsome groom, and me (not happy with how my dress looks, that one was too last minute!)

All photos in this post are from the amazing Mike Milne.

Starting again, again

26 Monday Dec 2011

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The following is an archive of some pieces I have made. This photo-shoot was done in November of 2009 in Inverness, CA. The photos are all from the amazing Drew Beck.




I hope this gives you a little idea of my style. Some of these pieces were made while I was in school, some were made for the person wearing them, and some were made for myself. I am working on all kinds of new things, so stay tuned for more current work!