She is only asking $1000.00 and this machine was $1900.00 new.

Give us a call or send an email if you are interested in checking it out.

Yes, that is correct read daughter in law! This is far more difficult of a sewing task than a daughters dress as this will be the dress that defines all future family relations. It is an honour to be asked and I was excited to accept. Erika is a lovely young woman and we are pleased that she and Ryan are making it official.

But, back to the dress. Mother's and daughters are usually pretty point blank with each other; we feel secure that we can tell each other like it is because we have had a lifetime together. For mother/daughters in law it is somewhat more tenuous of a relationship as we have only had a few years to get to know each other.

She comes this week to see the real deal (only basted at this point) and to have her fitting. So far all she has seen is a marked up muslin which is difficult for a non-sewer to visualize in bridal satin.

Keep your fingers crossed everyone and if you see that Allan and I have suddenly moved to Australia you will know why!

Cheers, Laurie

We are very pleased that we have started well over 100 new sewers through our learn to sew programs that have been running now for several years. Allan and I love seeing the sense of accomplishment and pride that our students show after 5 short weeks of practice and we are always pleased to see them come back for more classes to continue the learning journey.

The next program starts on April 10th and runs once a week for 5 weeks. You get a thorough introduction to the workings of your sewing machine, hemming, mending, quilting, home dec and fashion sewing! Yes, it's really that easy, you just need a couple of cheerleaders like Allan and I to get you over the initial hump!

There are only a couple spaces left so don't delay, get registered now and you will be on your way to making your own summer wardrobe or decorating your summer space.

Cheers, Laurie

The possibilities are endless and many sewers already have a goal in mind of where they want to head in their sewing careers. As a beginner sometimes that goal is just how do I thread this darn thing and make it work!

It doesn't really matter where you start because developing any new skill just takes practice. With sewing, the most important thing to master is sewing straight to maintain the seam allowance throughout the project. Once you can do that then the door is opened and your projects start to come together the way you envisioned them.

Sewing is sewing regardless of the project. It all starts with the above mentioned skill whether your goal is to make draperies, quilts, tailored suits, or teddy bears.

O.K., so how does that help me know where to start? I recommend just picking anything that appeals to you that has lots of straight seams. Pillow cushion covers, a square patch style lap or baby quilt, an easy boxy style jacket with a simple collar or no collar at all and perhaps a ragdoll style doll that is embellished with yarns and embroidery rather than movable arms. Choose smaller simpler projects so you don't feel that it takes an eternity to see results. And most of all - save everything no matter how disappointed you are with it. I guarantee you that if you just keep at it somewhere down the sewing road you will pull out that first project, laugh, and then say to yourself "Wow, have I ever come a long way"!

I have accomplished a great deal over the last few weeks and have been hosting some really great classes.

I have taken on a couple of made to measure clients and it feels wonderful to be drafting and custom sewing again.

We will have more classes ready to go shortly and will be sending out an email once they are finalized and remember that we are now available for private lessons both day and evening. 

Check out our full listing under classes above.

L2S - Learn to Sew
So you just got a new sewing machine and you don’t know where to start? This program was
designed just for you.
We’ll get you started with all the basics including simple clothing repairs, an introduction to
quilting and home decorating plus a start on clothing construction sewing with our L 2 S program.
By touching on all the different areas of sewing you are sure to find the type of projects
that you will love to create.
Class One: Sewing 101
Wednesday Jan 25th 6 – 9pm
No Experience Required! We start from the beginning and teach you how to thread a sewing
machine, wind a bobbin and get started with all the basic sewing techniques to tackle every
sewing project. Learn how to do simple mending, hemming, and sewing.
Class Two: Quilting Basics
Wednesday Feb 1st 6 – 9pm
An introduction to the joy of quilting is taught tonight as you make a nine patch pillow top with
sashing! The techniques taught in this class are quilt piecing, rotary cutting, decorative stitching
and machine quilting to prepare you for larger quilting projects.
Class Three: Home Décor
Wednesday Feb 8th 6 – 9pm
This course is designed to teach you the basic home décor techniques of cording and home décor
construction. You will be using your 9 patch pillow top from class two to create a finished
pillow with a corded or ruffled edge.
Class Four: Basics of Fit
Wednesday Feb 15th 6 – 9pm
Designed to teach beginning sewers how to take body measurements, make pattern adjustments,
read and cut your pattern. Everything you need to know before sewing a garment.
Class Five: Clothing Sewing Basics
Wednesday Feb 22nd 6 – 9pm
As your introduction to world of clothing sewing you will sew a pair of pyjama bottoms. You
will learn about seam allowances, hems, casings, seam finishes and pattern reading.
Dates: Wednesdays Jan 25th to Feb 22nd
Time: 6:45pm to 9:00pm
Cost: $199.00
Course duration: once a week for five weeks

With the intention of arriving safely

In a pretty and well preserved body,

But rather to skid in broadside,

Thoroughly used up,

Totally worn out,

And loudly proclaiming,…

“WOW! WHAT A RIDE!”

(author unknown)

 Many of you have been asking how you can help, if there was anything that you could do. Here is how you can help and it would mean so much to us.

Write a letter to the Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman and to our Ward Counsellor Jennifer Robinson to let them know how this major construction project has impacted you as well as how you know it has impacted us.

It is amazing to us that we could start a business that grew exponentially despite the prolonged recession only to be brought to our knees by this road work. We knew when we moved here from the mall that we would have several slow months until everyone found us again and, find us you did in June, July and August. We were just starting to roll along again and then they tore up the roads.  We just can’t afford to stay here for a year, which is how long this project is expected to last and we can’t afford to move again.

Let the Mayor know that you don’t find it fair that small business be cut off by Barrie’s road construction. Let the Mayor know that these projects need to be completed in a manner that allows small business to still operate effectively. Let the Mayor know he needs to have input from the residents and business owners in an area before he allows the workers to tear it up for over a year.

Here are the email addresses for Mayor Lehman and Counsellor Robinson and please cc us in the process. Your compassion and support for our ordeal means a lot.

officeofthemayor@barrie.ca

jrobinson@barrie.ca

Allan & Laurie

info@lasewing.com



This construction was the last straw for us as well as a many of the other businesses here at our plaza. If you want more information jsut read this Barrie Examiner article from yesterday.

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3346316

Everything in the store is 25% off and we will be accepting offers on all of our fixtures and furniture as well.

We will probably continue to teach and service machines from home and will be sending out another email in the near future to bring you up to date.

We hope you will come down and support us as we liquidate everything and know that it has been a tremendous pleasure working with all of you over the last five years.