Send the kids back to class with unique style you’ve created yourself! You’ll love the feeling of satisfaction in creating fun and functional items that aren’t available in the stores, or online.
“Add the excitement of colorful, culturally relevant fabrics and you’ve elevated basic school essentials into educational conversation pieces. The vibrant colors, patterns and textures of authentic African fabrics inspire creativity, so they’re a great way to start the new school year,” suggests Lisa Shepard Stewart, owner of the Cultured Expressions Sewing & Quilting Studio in Rahway. Smocks and aprons, lunch bags, covered journals, bookmarks, zipper cases and drawstring backpacks are topping this year’s list of DIY school projects.
Of course, making time to sew in the back-to-school season can be a challenge. Take a creative shortcut by simply adding touches of the fabrics to existing garments — this not only saves time, but can also extend the life of a garment for yet another school year.
Embellishing too-short legs on jeans with fabric print cuffs, or stitching a fabric print patch pocket to a favorite T-shirt or tote bag extends their usage in a fun, easy way, in a matter of minutes.
In addition to selling Janome sewing machines, the studio is now scheduling private 90-minute sessions for those who already own a sewing machine, but have no clue of how to operate it. “Back-to-school time is the perfect time to take that machine out of the box and bring it in to learn how your sewing machine works. You even sew a simple mini-tote bag in the process. Then, you’ll be ready to tackle some mending jobs, make new projects, and join in the fun of our fabrics, workshops and events,” says Shepard Stewart.
The Studio is sharing free tips and instruction sheets for sewing various back-to-school projects (including a few gift ideas for teachers!) during August and September. Regular hours are Wed 4-8 pm; Thu 12-6 pm; Fri 12-6 pm and Sat 10-6 pm. Closed Mon and Tue. (Please Note: The Studio will be CLOSED Aug 8-12 and Sept 19-25.)
For details, just stop in at 1417 Main Street in Rahway, call 866-683-2568 (866-MUDCLOTH), or email info@CulturedExpressions.com.
(above) Smocks and aprons, lunch bags, covered journals, bookmarks, zipper cases and drawstring backpacks are topping this year’s list of DIY school projects.
Add the excitement of colorful, culturally relevant fabrics.
