Our Biweekly Newsletter - 26 April 2019 |
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Can you believe it's almost May? The days are getting warmer and there are more people out and about walking the streets and smiling at the sunshine. Or, maybe thinking of learning to sew. If you'd like to learn how to sew, SewGreen@Rochester is just the place to start. In May we have our very popular "Sewing Machine 101/102" class and "Working with Commercial Patterns". Another nice class to take is "Getting to know your Sewing Machine Feet". After that there are a couple of classes where you can sew up an "Easy Peasy Zipper Bag" or a Cloth Wallet. Of course, open sewing is always popular. Check out the May Calendar for details. Starting in May our Wednesday Crochet Club will have a new time. Stop in over your lunch hour between 11:30 and 1:30 and crochet with friends, get some help on a project, or just hang with us and chat about crochet and other things. Also beginning in May SewGreen will offer "bootcamps". A Bootcamp will be a four hour workshop, during which you will work on a project of some significance. The first bootcamp is "Pattern Rub-Off" (see the description below in this newsletter). In June there will be a bootcamp for Leggings, and in July a knit pencil skirt. Stay tuned for more bootcamps coming this fall! Visit our website at sewgreenrochester.org for more detailed information on our shop. |
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In this newsletter you will find: - Two Summer Internships
- A bit of Sewing Machine History
- Community and Classes
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Summer Internships at SewGreen |
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This is an 8-week paid internship beginning on July 8th, 2019. Stop into the store for an application, or send an interest letter and resumé to info@sewgreenrochester.org |
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Are you looking for ways to invest in your community? If so, you might be interested in working at SewGreen@Rochester. We are offering the opportunity for two paid summer internships. Minimum Requirements: You must be at least 15 years old and be able to work 20 hours per week, including some Saturdays. |
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A bit of Sewing Machine History |
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Before the advent of the sewing machine, the task of making and mending clothes was tedious and time consuming. Hand sewn clothes often, and most literally, would come apart at the seams after just a few wears. Historical records indicate that for at least 100 years prior to the invention of a sewing machine, people in many different parts of the world were trying to design a device that would automate the task of sewing. However, it was Elias Howe that is credited with patenting the first working sewing machine in 1846 in the town of New Hartford, Connecticut. It was mainly used in factories to try to mass produce and mend clothes. This first successful machine worked similarly to the mechanical sewing machines of today; it used two thread sources, a bobbin and a spool, and produced a lock-stitch to attach two pieces of cloth together. |
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Left is Howe's first patented machine, and on the right is Singer's first patented machine. Soon others invented methods that improved the design of Howe’s machine. For example, Isaac Singer invented the presser foot that reduced thread breakage. |
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Howe’s sewing machine was expensive to manufacture and thus too expensive for home purchase, at about $350 (about $8000 in today’s dollars.) Singer implemented the method of manufacturing the sewing machine using interchangeable parts, similar to the patented process developed by Samuel Colt and Eli Whitney Blake (nephew of Eli Whitney) to produce guns. Singer also introduced the concept or purchasing the machine on an installment payment plan. Singer had ideas, but he did not have the money to patent his version of the sewing machine, so he partnered with Edward Clark. Clark was a patent lawyer and an investor. Together Singer and Clark co-founded the Singer Sewing machine Company in 1851. The singer machine, however, was so similar to Howe’s original design that Howe sued Singer and won. They pooled their patents and Howe was paid 5 dollars for every singer sold. The original Singer machines were about $125 (about $3400 in today’s dollars) much less expensive than Howe’s machine, but still too costly for everyone to afford. |
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The cost of the sewing machine allowed many middle and upper middle class families to own one. They proudly showed off their machines in their homes. As the price came down and more people could afford one, cabinets to cover up the machine became popular. When the machine was away the cabinet could be used as a side table. |
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As the Singer name became synonymous with ‘sewing machine’ many other sewing machines were being designed and manufactured around the world. The clothing and fashion industry was revolutionized. Clothes became less expensive to purchase, and people could create their own designs at home. More on this in our next newsletter! |
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Have you added this to your calendars yet? SewGreen will be at the 2019 Genesee Valley QuiltFest. This QuiltFest takes place every other year and includes 70,000 square feet of quilt display, quilt exhibits, and vendors! SewGreen will be there with two treadle sewing machines. Visit the QuiltFest website for more info: geneseevalleyquiltfest.com |
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This is Shelia. Shelia purchased the fabric for these slacks at SewGreen@Rochester for ONE Dollar! She went home and designed these beautiful slacks, sewed them up and wore them! They even have pockets! |
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SEND US YOUR PHOTOS We'd love to see what you've been working on and what you're making with supplies from our shop. Please share a photo or two with us. Email photos with a brief description to: sewgreenrochester@gmail.com You might see your project in our next newsletter! |
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Wednesday Mid-Day Crochet Club |
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NEW TIME 11:30am - 1:30pm Still Every Wednesday Stop in and Crochet with our Shop Manager Anne! She loves to help and she loves to Crochet! |
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Pattern Rub-off Boot Camp Saturday May 11 1:00 - 5:00PM Do you have a garment that you love to wear? It's the perfect fit, or drape, and you just can't find another quite like it? Don't despair! You don't have to take it apart to duplicate it. Bring it in, and we will help you recreate it without tearing apart your favorite piece of clothing. This class is now a bootcamp, and will be taught in ONE part. June's bootcamp-Leggings July's bootcamp - Knit Pencil Skirt |
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Getting to know your Sewing Machine Feet Monday May 13 11-1:00PM and 4-6:00PM Learning to use more feet extends your ability to do fine creative work with your sewing machine. We will start with the basics- the zipper/cord foot and the blind-hemming foot- and work through as many new feet as we can master! |
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Quilt Block of the month Saturday May 4th 2:00pm - 4:00pm The quilt block for the Month of May is the Card Trick block! |
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Below are links to the May calendar, and a list of class descriptions |
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Unless otherwise noted, our two-hour classes are $10. Sign up for our classes in advance, call 585-328-2642 or email info@sewgreenrochester.org to register. ----------- Scholarships are always available for each of our classes! |
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Remember... Every Saturday is Scrappy Saturday! Our small scrappy bags stuffed with scraps and rolls of fabric and/or unmarked balls of yarn are only $1 all day (regularly $3 on weekdays). Bring your own grocery-sized tote and stuff it full for only $5 (regularly $10). Stop by and fill a bag with scrappy treasures this Saturday, and every Saturday! |
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Thank you for your generous donations! We accept donation deliveries on the following days and times: Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fridays 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
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Unless otherwise noted above, our shop is open Mon-Thurs, 11 a.m - 6 p.m. & Fri-Sat, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
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