Budding Fashionistas

About a month ago I wrote a post about the lone student I taught in my summer class entitled "Fashion Runway".
This week I have 9 students ranging in age from 10-14 in the junior version of the same class.  Some of the girls know each other because they attend the same school and are in the same grade, but all have formed fast friendships in this class. 

We began the week in much the same way I began the week with my one student, however, with a larger group, more time was spent in learning the basics of hand and machine sewing.  Even though they are just starting  to sew, I was pleasantly surprised how quickly they caught on.  Sure, we have had lots of mistakes along the way which is to be expected with beginners, but they are very focussed and extremely engrossed in their designs.  I liked the fact that, when faced with the challenge of redesigning a t-shirt and another item of clothing, they were definitely up for the task and went right to work, logically putting their designs into action.

 After a few trials and errors, lots of cut up t-shirts, and yards and yards of lace (thanks to a generous donation made by the grandmother of a former student who was a seamstress), the designs were shaping up.
A little too late, one of my students said we should have done a before and after photo of each design.  I was disappointed that I didn't think of that before they took scissors to t-shirt, but after the 2nd class, I did take a few shots of their sketches and the clothing they started off with.

By the 3rd class, the girls were getting more relaxed with me, with each other and with logistics of the building, running back and forth to the bathroom across the hall to try on their outfits, grabbing bottles of water and candy I had set out for them the first class.  My greatest satisfaction as a teacher is when all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.  They learn, they experiment, they interact and create in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  That was all happening. 

With just 1 day left, the girls were busily finishing up their designs, and creating accesories if they had finished their outfits and then, on the final day of class, we planned a very small fashion show.  We invited the families and the school administrators. 
The morning of the fashion show, I planned to have the girls put the finishing touches on their designs, fill out a course evaluation, change into their outfits, and run down to the cafeteria to practice.
Of course, just like it's more famous counterpart, Project Runway, the last minute dilemmas sent a few girls into a little panic, but I stepped in a few times to take the reins to avoid undue stress.
The excitement and chatter followed the girls from the Art Room all the way down to the cafeteria where we went over the plan for the show.  The girls waved excitedly to their families already seated and waiting for the show, as they started lining up for their big moment. 
I had forgotten what it was like to be their age.  Something like this was such a big thing for them and they were extremely proud, a little nervous, and very excited! 
The show went well, and from what I heard from the summer program coodinators, both parents and students were very happy campers!

I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this course, and this great group of students.   I even hinted to them about having another course next summer entitled " Fashion Runway All Stars" and invite back this year's students.
 Time in this class passed very quickly, students were engaged and I shared with them a part of me, my loves and passions in the hope that a little bit will rub off and they would walk out of class a little more excited, a little more curious to learn more, and anxious to design and sew on their own.  Project Runway, get ready for your future designers!

Brides and Babies

A friend and colleague, and, in fact, my former art student, is moving on.  She is getting remarried and moving out of state, leaving the high school where she spent 4 years as a student and 4 times as many years as an English teacher.
I am very happy for her, to say the least, but sad that she is leaving.  Even though we taught in different buildings and didn't see each other that often, we team taught a summer program for several years, contacted each other via school email, and caught up during faculty meetings. 

Before she left, she asked me to make her wedding bouquet and a growth chart for her niece whom she planned on visiting this summer before moving out of state.

I created a bouquet similar to one I have in my artfire shop minus the butterfly.  She saw the growth chart also in my artfire gallery, and asked for one for her little niece.  I had previously started one with fairies and butterflies.  I asked her if I could just continue on that one for her niece and she was in agreement. 
After putting the finishing touches on the growth chart and the bouquet, both are complete and ready to send off to my friend.

About a week ago, on the 4th of July, I sought refuge from the unbearable heat and opted to stay inside to create a handpainted child's rocking chair for my nephew's wife.  Her baby shower is in the beginning of August.  I checked out the patterns of linens and other items she had on her baby registry and followed with a similar theme on the rocking chair.  I actually began this rocking chair idea with my daughter's first pregnant friend and it was such a hit that her other friends are waiting for their rocking chairs.  And as luck would have it, the second friend's baby shower is 2 weeks following my niece's shower, so the chairs are beginning to line up in my den.  I'm planning on putting one in my artfire shop as soon as the local baby boom quiets down!