Behind the scenes - Creating a new class

You could make this handbag!

We offer many classes at Craft Land, and while our most popular classes are the beginners' ones, we are always looking for new ideas and new projects to add to the rest of our classes! We thought you might like a look at how we develop a new class...

It usually starts with a suggestion from a teacher, or more often, some students. We noticed that lots of our sewing students were thrilled to learn how to use their new machines, but were looking for interesting new projects to keep them sewing. Lots of ladies asked us about doing a class on how to make handbags, and so we decided to add it to our summer program! If it's popular, we'll offer it during the regular class cycle starting in September as well.

We thought it might be most fun to let the students have a hand in designing their own bag, so we created a basic bag pattern and added in a whole bunch of optional features. To turn this idea into a class, we dove right in to making our first trial bag! It starts with scribbly notes on paper, with estimates of the sizes that would need to be cut. You can see from the picture, those estimates usually get changed along the way :-P

It starts with a sribble

After the notes and the cutting, we get to the fun part - sewing! Here we make more notes, and try a few new techniques that we think people will enjoy learning.

Danielle working on a second sample - gotta get it right ;)

We also take lots and lots of pictures! That not only helps us remember what we did, but it's also handy when we are writing the pattern handout. Pictures are always easier to follow than words when you're learning a new technique.

Lots of pictures!

Once we've bashed out the design, we get to the writing stage. We use Adobe In Design for creating our patterns, and that lets us add in text, cutting diagrams, and the photos of course. Once the pattern's done, we usually have one of the other teachers test it for us so we can make sure the notes are clear and easy to follow, and that we haven't missed anything.

From paper to In Design

Last step is to put the class on the schedule so students can sign up. This class will be offered in July and August, 2014, and will be available for registration from the first of May. That gives us a few weeks to finish up the testing...better get cracking!

Log Cabin Placemat using Quilters Grid

 

 

The Quilting club, held on Wednesday 19th March will be making this great placemat using a Quilters Grid.  Perfect seams every time ! Club starts at 10am but be sure to come to the shop about 10 minutes early to pick up the kit. Club cost is 50Dhs per club member and 75Dhs for guests

Crochet & Knitting by Jenny Williams

Crochet and Knitting : by Jenny Williams.  Teacher at Craftland
 

When choosing between crochet and knitting the application is key. If you want something that is thicker and more structured or you would like to make a lot of non-linear designs using negative space (e.g. lace), choose crochet. If you want something smooth that drapes well, choose knitting. For instance, I prefer to crochet house slippers and knit socks because the crochet house slippers are thick enough to keep my feet warm and I don't mind if they are a bit stiff but for socks I need the smooth flexibility of knitting as I will wear them with shoes over them--which would push the knots of crochet socks into feet painfully.

People of all ages—can learn how to knit, crochet and craft with yarn because its fun, relaxing and you can make great things, Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn, Craft Land wants to help you get started today. We teach you all the basics and give you instruction about how to make the basic stitches, tips and how to read patterns.

Once you feel that you are ready to begin a project, we have some pattern suggestions for you and as you begin your project, we have clinics you can attend to get the help of a teacher and enjoy the company of other knitting and crochet enthusiasts.

Have fun!

Book Classes At Craft Land on TheCurve-ME.com

Fabulous new adult classes booking site - TheCurve-ME.com has launched in Dubai so you can now book your Craft Land class online!

Simply go onto www.TheCurve-ME.com and choose your Craft Land class - select, pay by credit card, sorted!

Life just gets better :-)

Crafting Is Cool!

Need help keeping busy over the hot Dubai summer? We're presenting a fun & varied set of classes throughout July & August.



many of the summer projects on display in the window



During the regular season, our classes run weekly over several weeks, but during July and August our workshops will take place during one week - very convenient for those of us traveling for part of the summer!

As a special treat, Brother sewing machines will be sponsoring two of our classes, Sewing Zakka Style and Quilting Whirligig. Brother will be providing the fabulous new V7 machines for students to use, a Brother specialist will be on hand to help use the machines, and they will offer a fantastic discount on the machines at the end of the class so that when you fall in love with it you can take it home with you!



try machine embroidery with the Brother-sponsored Sewing Zakka Style class

discover the fantastic quilting features on the new Brother V7 with the Whirligig Quilt class

use this superb machine for free in the Brother-sponsored classes!

  We've got some fun classes for kids - Kids Can Sew intro and part 2 classes for machine sewists, and Kids Crafting for hand work. Kids ages 8 and above can learn to sew, knit, crochet and hand embroider.

Kids' Crafting - hand embroidered cloud pillow



Kids Can Sew! Part 2 - My Own Backpack


We're holding 2 sessions of our Beginners' Quilting class over the summer, as well as three different quilt project classes.

detail from the Floral Applique quilting class



Double Wedding Ring Mini quilting class

  Learn to hand embroider and improve your skills with our summer embroidery classes - an interesting variety of ribbon and classic embroidery styles.

learn Canvas Work hand embroidery in the Bunting Sampler class

take your hand embroidery 3-D with the Stumpwork class

hone your knitting skills in Knitting Part 2 - Baby Knits

knit these cute puppy slippers!

We also hold clinics during the summer months, where you can bring along your current project and a teacher is there to help.

You can see the full schedule on our website, click on "Schedule" for the calendar and "Descriptions" for all the juicy info on pricing, class content and timings.