In the Studio- Koala

My husband and I are doing a little collaborative project for our daughter, Sienna. Every month we are creating one original plushie animal for her to play with. For the month of July my husband, Cory, drew this cute koala and I turned it into a plushie made from recycled sweaters. These collaborative animals will be part of a larger project that will be revealed a little later.

-Amelia Strader
Owner, Head Crafter
GoGo Craft

Mother's Day Card Tutorial

 

To celebrate Mother's Day I wanted to share this quick little card tutorial with you.  Hope it inspires you to make a handmade card for that special lady in your life. 

Happy Crafting!
-Amelia Strader

Visit my website for more info about my business, GoGo Craft- a mobile craft workshop based in San Francisco.

 



Save file and print out on 8 1/2" x 11 paper

 

Materials:

1. Three colors of felt

2. Sharp scissors

3. Sharpie pen

4. Pins

5. Card stock- 8.5" x 5.5" sheet

6. Felt glue

7. Mother's Day stamp (optional)

8. Stamp pad (optional)

 

Print and cut out the Mother's Day Card Pattern pieces (see above).  Pin the

pattern pieces to felt and trace with a sharpie.

 

 Unpin the paper pattern and cut along the sharpie line

 

Cut out the octopus body, eyes, and water bubbles (optional)

from felt.

Fold the cardstock in half lengthwise.

Add felt glue to the back of each pattern piece and gently place on

the front of the card.

Don't worry if the glue smudges, it will dry clear.

Optional step: Add stamps to your card.

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

-Amelia





Craftcation Conference 2014

View from my hotel room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

Sun, sand, and crafting- What could be better!?  This past week I was invited to teach at Craftcation, a conference featuring DIY industry professionals giving lectures and hands-on workshops.  The conference took place right on the beach at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and for four awesome, inspiring days I was surrounded by like minded makers and crafters.  My people!


Fingerless Gloves Workshop

I had a blast teaching two of my most popular workshops - Fingerless Gloves and DIY Slippers.  I usually teach these classes as hand sewing workshops, but this time we were able to use brand new sewing machines provided by Bernina.

 

 

Here are a few photos of some of the amazing gloves and slippers created by the talented makers and shakers in my classes.  Click here for more photos.

How to Block Print on Fabric with Christine Haynes

I attended many great lectures on business development, but best of all I was able to take a Block Printing Workshop with the talented sewing author, teacher, and pattern designer- Christine Haynes. 

Huge thank you to Craftcation organizers, Nicole and Delilah, for inviting me to teach!  I've returned to San Francisco with a renewed energy for my business and new goals for the future.

Knitting Classes at Urban Bazaar

Knitting 101

Always wanted to knit or just need a refresher? This class is designed for absolute beginners who always wanted to learn how to knit but were too intimidated to try.

Thursday, March 13th 7-9:30pm
Urban Bazaar
1371 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 664-4422

Ready to start knitting? Details and sign up here.

 

Knit Hat 101 (2-part class)
Already know how to knit a scarf but want to try something a little more challenging? Learn to knit a custom hat in any size or yarn.
 
Wednesday, March 19th & 26th from 7-9pm
Urban Bazaar
1371 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 664-4422

Ready to start knitting? Details and sign up here.

 

Dogpatch Block Party

 

3rd Base: A Dogpatch Microhood Block Party

presented by the Bold Italic

Thursday, January 23rd from 6-8pm

more details here

 

 

GoGo Craft will be getting crafty at the Bold Italic's Dogpatch Microhood, an evening of sweet deals, sweeter treats, complimentary drinks, factory tours, mouth-watering food, and great deals from more than a dozen (and counting) local Dogpatch businesses.  We'll be offering our Washer Bracelet Workshop for free at the Museum of Craft and Design.  Take a boring, old tee and turn it into a fabulous new bracelet!  Add in a few metal washers (yup, the kind you can find at a hardware store) and before you know it you will have a new accessory that you won’t want to part with.  This no-sew project is perfect for beginning DIYers .  Hope to see you there!

 

 

Museum of Craft and Design

2569 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 773-0303 



Knitting 101

Thursday, December 12th 7-9:30pm
and
Thursday, January 16th 7-9:30pm 

Urban Bazaar

1371 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

(415) 664-4422

Fee: $25

Always wanted to knit or just need a refresher? This class is designed for absolute beginners who always wanted to learn how to knit but were too intimidated to try. Amelia Strader, owner of GoGo Craft, will teach you the basic foundation steps of knitting; cast-on, knit stitch, and cast-off - all the steps you will need to know to make a scarf or cowl. Scarf and cowl patterns provided. Important: Bring one skein of bulky weight yarn and a pair of size 11 straight knitting needles.

Photo credit: Stefanie Renee

Why take this class with Amelia?
Amelia Strader has 20+ years of knitting and sewing experience under her handmade belt. She has created her own patterns, taught group and individual classes, and developed sweaters for Target private label. Her classes are designed to take the intimidation out of knitting in a comfortable setting for beginners. Amelia’s main goal is for her students to feel inspired by what they learn, and to keep creating after they leave class.

Ready to start knitting?  Sign up here.

Cushion Challenge

I found these vintage wooden chairs at my local Goodwill for $25. I thought they would look great around my dining room (which often doubles as my GoGo Craft work table). Since I spend a lot of time there I want to cover the cushions to protect the seat and also give them a pop of color. I decided that for this sewing project I would challenge myself to only use materials that I already have in my supply closet. Putting these boundaries on a project is budget friendly and also a great way to stretch my mind creatively. Here are 3 discoveries/tips I want to share from my sewing challenge.

1. I used a paper grocery bag to make the pattern because I ran out of pattern paper.

The brown paper is a sturdy weight but still thin enough to pin to fabric.

Cut the bag open at one side so it lays flat.

Trace the seat onto the paper with a pencil.

2. This vintage cotton floral fabric came from a previous shopping trip to the Alameda Flea Market.  There wasn't enough for all 4 cushions so I ended up combining it with this solid light weight wool that I had purchase last year at SCRAP in San Francisco. When combining different types of fabrics, a good rule of thumb is to use either all knits (stretchy fabric) or all wovens (non-stretch fabric) of a similar weight within one project.  Knits and wovens react differently and are difficult to sew together.

It's not a perfect color and fabric match, but it works.

This cushion is reversible.

3. I didn't have enough grosgrain ribbon for all 4 chair ties, so I cut off the selvage edge and used it in place of the missing ribbon.

A great way to preserve the origins of this vintage fabric. Plus I love that font!

Run a line of straight stitching along the cut edge of the selvage to prevent fraying.

I hope you find some of these ideas useful for your next sewing project.

-Amelia Strader

Founder/Owner GoGo Craft