Patchwork Underground

Attention Portlanders: I’m going to be teaching Patchwork 101 at Skill-Share Studio this Saturday from 2-5! You’re invited. =)

I just put up a bunch more of these flyers all over Alberta, Hawthorne, Mississippi and Belmont…so all you cool PDX kids should see ‘em. (AND COME!) It’s sliding scale $5-$25 and we’re gonna be making these awesome retro checkerboard pillows using a “cheater” strip patchwork technique called Seminole patchwork. Like the flyer says…if you can sew a straight line, then you can do this. I mean it. And it’s stupid fun.

So, come on down if you’re in town! I’ll be there with bells on….

I went to the Skill Share Studio Block Party the other night here in Portland! It was a freakin’ blast! Emily and Co. worked their hides off to bring us this lovely event. (Thanks guys! You did a fantastic job!)

I wanted to share a few of my pics with ya’ll….

We had fun even with the blistering heat. After a week or so of it, I think we’re all getting a but used to 95-105 degree weather here in Portland…

Double dutch!

This guy has a solar powered sewing machine and does free motion embroidered pictures on patches while you watch. I also saw him at Last Thursday this month on Alberta St. Purdy darn amazing. If anyone knows who this gentleman is and how I could link to him here, please email me!

(Side note: Ok, so, I love this…but…isn’t the whole battery/solar power thing a bit overkill when sewing machines can go with foot power just fine? You can rig one up with a bicycle wheel for extra hipster points. No icky batteries to dispose of…no hundreds of dollars to put down. Just saying. Still, his set-up is a super fun way to teach people about renewable energy!)

Revelers with the City Repair T-Horse Mobile Tea House in the background. I had a loveley hibiscus tea served by a very kind gentleman. Yum. Thanks, City Repair!

Awesome band! Can’t remember their name. This guy played a wicked accordian. Very dance-able.

Folks of all ages had a good time!

Well…that sums it up. Can’t wait until next year!

And, oh yeah…I’m teaching Patchwork 101: Patchy Pillows at Skill Share next week! We’ll be making retro checker board pillows using a retro strip-peicing technique called Seminole patchwork. If you can sew a straight line, then you can do this!

The class is going to be on Saturday, August 8th from 2-5pm, sliding scale $5-$25. You can register by emailing patchworkunderground@gmail.com or you can read more about it on DIY Alert. Come! It’s going to be fun!

Here’s a pic of what we’ll be making (you can choose whatever fabrics you want, of course!)

If you’re in Portland, you’ll probably see me trucking around town today flyering for the class! Say hi! I don’t bite. =)

I’m excited to announce that I’m teaching a Handsewing Basics Workshop at Oregon Country Fair (OCF) this year! You’re invited!  Here’s the flyer I made:

For those of you who don’t know, OCF is an awesome three-day festival in the woods of Veneta, OR outside of Eugene.  This year is the 40th anniversary of Fair!

It’s hard to describe the Fair to people who have never been.  It’s NOT a COUNTY fair, it’s “country fair.”  It is the major Oregon hippie event of the year.

I believe OCF keeps its name non-exciting-sounding because they don’t want any more people coming.  It’s a non-profit and the festival sells out every year so they don’t need any more publicity.  In fact, the Fair doesn’t advertise at all outside of Lane County, which is why people who aren’t from Oregon generally don’t know about it.

I’m from CA originally and there is nothing even close to this event there.  OCF is huge - there must be over 10 stages of world-class music, vaudeville, acrobatics, clowns, magicians, etc.  There’s tons of amazing food, crafts, costumes and art.  You walk around on dirt paths (barefoot and naked if you want!) underneath an ancient grove of yew trees next to a river called the Long Tom.  Fair looks like how the shire would look if the hobbits took acid, made a TON of friends and decided to have a parade.  It’s totally overwhelming and mind-boggling and FUN FUN FUN!

My handsewing workshop will be on Friday, July 10th at 5pm at the Community House in Community Village.  If you’re planning on going to OCF, this will be a fun opportunity to sit down, get out of the heat and the crowds, have some quiet sewing time and maybe even learn something.  Materials will be provided and beginners are very much welcome.  Come join me if you can!

Also, don’t forget about my Crafty Giveaway.  You still have until the 15th to enter!

-Erin

P.S.  You can also visit me at the Grower’s Market Fruit Booth in Community Village.  I’ll be there from 9-11am for a nice Saturday morning shift.  I’ll be cutting up organic watermelon and selling yummy nuts and dried fruit with friends!

P.P.S. Those “Peach Potty” flags you find all over Fair?  I helped make ‘em!  Don’t steal them, please!  Many volunteer hours went into them and we want to reuse them for next year.