Zero Waste Sewing Lessons - Registration Open

Learn to sew Useful Things from abandoned or reclaimed fabric and notions!

Shopping bag from t-shirt; gift bag; reusable, freehand-embroidered name tag; tea towels, napkins

Work on your own project at your own speed

Unlearn bad habits
Unravel the mystery of grain

Especially suited to beginners, the daunted and the overwhelmed

Make environmentally friendly items, including:

Reusable sandwich wrappers
Food bowl covers (no more plastic wrap!)
Bulk food bags
Gift bags in various sizes

Make-up remover pads
Zippered mesh laundry bags

Baby items: nursing pads, burp cloths, diapers, crib sheets, etc.
Patchwork pillows, pillowcases, duvet covers

T-shirts (copy your favourite!)

Toiles for fitting patterns

Or whatever you would like to sew!

Taught by Leah Price, Master Recycler, Bachelor of Education (UBC), Certificate in Fashion Arts (VCC), Board Member Our Social Fabric, former student of couturier, Blossom Jenab

Learn:

• Correct basic machine and hand sewing skills
• Serging, basting, French seams, elastic application, zipper application, piping, turning corners, darning holes, sewing on buttons, hemming, etc.
• How to make friends with your machine!

2-4 students: $45/hour
Private lessons: $60/hr
No extra material costs
2 hours minimum

39th and Trafalgar
Contact for particulars: enoughstuffblog@gmail.com

Photo Gallery:

Patchwork pillow case zips off for cleaning

Copy your favourite t-shirt, and embellish

Design and sew a bag from denim pocket samples and old jeans

Freehand machine embroidery; repurposed denim; felting; couture sewing methods; embroidery, beading

Design and sew doll clothes with a pattern or by draping

Learn to copy garments and make a pattern

French seams, French darts, embellishment, bias cuts

Garments from repurposed fabrics: poncho from mohair scarves, vest from seat cushion
jacket from vintage polyester double-knit , freehand machine embroidered embellished top

Also from repurposed or waste fabrics: dog pocket nightie, candy wrapper collar, patchwork pop-over, origami top

Embroidered collar from medical waste

Appliqué wall hanging from discarded textiles

Testimonials:

"Leah is meticulous in her work, she is thorough and detail oriented. She is innovative and her work is first class. In all my 60 years of teaching, I have to yet meet another person who is as capable as Leah." (Blossom Jenab, Couturier)

"When I found out she was willing to give sewing lessons to complete beginners I made sure I was in. ... She keeps the lessons positive and fun. ... She has such a huge fund of great ideas that she shares willingly." (CZarina Lobo)

"Leah is open and supportive as a teacher. We can ALL sew almost anything is her attitude. She is never judgemental. She ... indirectly gave us lessons on reducing our impact on the environment by reusing fabric being "thrown away" and making fabric re-useable bags for sandwiches and presents, etc. She inspired her students... to continue sewing beyond the class..." (K. Shah)

"...Leah calmly and confidently explained how the best way to hem the pants would be. She proceeded to iron, baste and sew (them) with such clarity that it was easy to follow, and easy to remember. I was touched by the full attention and time she gave so willingly." (Martha Reilander)

"Leah is a passionate advocate of recycling and her vision is reflected in every aspect of her life. This influences the entire community around her. Her students make projects with materials that have been diverted from the landfill. In July 2016, Leah’s students, their parents and the Vancouver public benefitted from a solo art exhibition of her creations made entirely from normal household waste. Objects discarded are turned into objects of desire and value in the hands of Leah Price." (Erika MacVicar)

"Leah was excellent with the children, engaging them in a warm, professional, efficient manner.   Her passion for sewing and crafting was evident and this joy spilled over to the kids and parents and was very contagious.  Leah runs her classes with enthusiasm.  At the same time, she is efficient, productive and very safe, as the kids are working with various machines that could inflict pain!  Leah is a natural and calm leader.  The kids look up to her, feel safe with her and are inspired to learn and do their best.  They are asked to think creatively and to work hard.   They bloom in this environment and are very motivated." (Christiane Collin)

"...We customized the class to make it zero waste by using only discarded material, and the items made were aimed to make a zero waste lifestyle easier. ... Leah challenged me to come up with my own goals and targets by having me choose what items to make and in what time frame. She listened to my hopes and provided constructive criticism when necessary. She really helped keep my mind set realistic. ... I was an absolute beginner ... and Leah was very patient, explaining in detail how to apply which technique and why... repeating the instructions or helping us fixing our mistakes. Before each class she made the item herself, sometimes with different patterns, so we could choose which one we prefer and see what the finished project will look like at the end. This practice helped to motivate us and encouraged me to keep going, even when struggling. It was a pleasure taking my first steps into sewing with Leah. I would not hesitate to take on another session with her and would definitely recommend her to others." (Celine Lopez)

Press

Vancouver Arts Colloquium: Upcycling Series 2: Leah's Story

Rowland, Curtis: "Recycling Life's Cast-Offs as Wearable Art", the Tyee, September 1, 2016

Kurucz, John: "From waste to redemption through socks, underwear and lint", The Vancouver
Courier, Cover Story July 27, 2016

Lau, Lucy: "Local upcycler showcases excess of household waste in quirky exhibit", The
Georgia Straight, July 26, 2016

Seamwork Radio: the Opposite of Creative Block, with Leah Price, December 3, 2015

"An Interview with Leah Price: Changing Communities One Backyard at a Time", The Colloquium, May 6, 2017

Home Learning Week 36: Lemony Snicket, Atlantis, Coins, Pandora's Box, Watermelon, Memorizing Math Facts, Cartwheels, Bees, Maple Wood Farm, Short and Long "a", Sharks 2, Stressed, Cats, You Tube

June 5-9, 2017

Reading: A Series of Unfortunate Events - The Bad Beginning

Reading for pleasure and understanding
Vocabulary: acquaintances

Why is Count Olaf so awful? He's making them do all the chores and they don't deserve it!

Reading, Listening: Ella Enchanted

Listening for understanding
Vocabulary: off key, perspiration, rap, astounding, gradually

It's because she's enchanted!

Reading Comprehension - Lost City of Atlantis

Reading for understanding; answering questions based on text
Vocabulary: steep

Can you just say it and I'll write it down? 
Some people believe that it's still out there.

How to spell "because": big elephants can always understand small elephants

Math: Money - Coins

Recognizing and naming pennies, nickels and dimes and memorizing and understanding their value

How much is this one worth?
Zero?
None of them is worth zero. If you don't know, you can read it.

"Paying" with different combinations of coins: adding 1, 5 and 10
Discussion: pennies are no longer in use

Pennies: You can't buy anything from that. They're like toy money now. If you try to buy something with it, what will they say?

Listening Comprehension - "Pandora and the Whispering Box"

Listening for understanding; answering questions about the reading

I want to know if she's going to open that box! Can I see the pictures?

Math Review: 10 Partners

Review: different combinations that add up to ten

This is going to go super interesting!

Gardening: Watermelon

Planting and watering watermelon seedlings

Watermelons like to be snuggled up... snuggled up with soil. It's weird, but they do like that.  It's hard to not spray yourself with the hose. Look at that! They needed it so bad!

Math: Memorizing Math Facts - Plus 1

Flash card drills to commit addition facts to memory; recording memorized facts on chart

Oh! I'm going to make it harder! So you can't peek at them! That one mixed you up! Ready! You cheeky! Good! Now I'm going to mix them up! I'm going to mix them up completely! Ready? That time your brain wasn't cooperating!

Math: Consolidation - Estimating Sum and Difference

Rounding to the nearest ten; addition and subtraction of multiples of ten; addition and subtraction of two digit numbers using Cuisenaire rods, with and without regrouping; comparing estimation to actual answer

I don't know why I can't draw real people - it's hard, OK?!

Physical Education: Gymnastics - Cartwheels

She gets her left and right mixed up - she just needs a reminder how to finish and start. They are getting bigger and bigger; it's just a matter of time. (Adriana)

Practicing cartwheels in gymnastics class in order to progress to round-offs for Cheer class; remembering left and right; remembering correct hand and foot placement

It's naturally coming to me!

Science, Gardening: Bee-Keeping

Social and Emotional Development: Stressed

Treat the bees like you would treat your dog. Because they're pets. If you treat them right, they're friendly. I don't get stung by any of my hives. It's all in how you treat your bees. Happy bee keeping! (Bob, bee supplier)

Observing introduction of bees to the hive; discussion: swarming v flying around; male v female bees; bee reproduction

They're getting comfortable around there. They're going ballistic! They're swarming around!

Observing and asking questions

I think the bees like me. They're getting calm around me. They're getting calm.

Discussion with Pia, bee keeper:

So how do they make the babies? 
The queen does a big flight out. All the boy bees everywhere come and fertilize the eggs. She is carrying 10,000 eggs in her body. Worker bees are girls. Drones are boys.

So all of these are girl queen bees? 
No, they are all worker bees, except for one queen per hive.

Where's the queen?
She's inside the hive.

Can we look for her?
Not today. They are just figuring out their new hive.

Field Trip: Maple Wood Farm

The mama cow - we might see her. I like it when we go to the cow thing - we get to pet the cow. And milk it. Did I milk it once? They have the cutest rooster there, don't they? Should we go to the goats today? The billy goats? You're probably going to be careful not to be chewed on. They have really good grips, even if it's hard for a person. They climb up and chew on your hair, don't they?

Observing, patting and feeding animals

Are we allowed to feed radishes to the bunnies? We can feed carrots to the bunnies - but watch the bunny poop! You should always clean your hands when you're done there. We know the rules there: don't let the bunnies out!

Let's go see the goats that like to be petted. I think at some point I'm going to get chewed. I'm going to sit down here and see how they react. Oh! It's chewing on your shirt! Hey! What are you doing? These ones are friendly. I want to pet these babies - they're so cute-looking!

Encouraging and sharing information about goats

Do you want to pet the goat? It's OK - you can pet it anywhere - don't be afraid. They do eat a lot. They basically eat anything you give them, except your hair! Are you kidding me?! Somebody chewed on my hair!

Observing peacock, peahen, their young an eggs

Nice breeze - thank you peacock, right? He's bringing a breeze for us, too. He's saying, "Those people are hot!"

How many eggs do they have? They have three eggs! Why do you think the peacock wanted to mate, but the peahen didn't want to?

Observing milking of cow; asking questions; patting cow; reading about cows

Can I pet the cow? Does she have a baby cow? She's so cute-looking! 

Ew - she's touching it with her tail! Are you gonna clean her hoof?

Observing milking demonstration; asking and answering questions; petting cow and touching udder

Farmer Natalie: Do you know why she's is making milk?

AZ: 'Cause she's a mom! Who's her husband? Would he be happy to see her? Does she mind being touched there?

Spelling: Long and Short "a"

Making a list of words with short "a" sound; composing sentences with words with short "a" sound; underlining words with short "a" sound

Ignore that part because I did a mistake. "My dad has a cap." Oh, dang it! I did a mistake! "My mom has a taco. My sister has a tab." Does it have to be real, or fake?

Listing words with long and short "a" sound

Ooo! Tankini!

Science, Writing - Sharks

Using mind map to compose sentences about sharks (not finished); printing on the line without squishing words

I feel a little bad for the dolphins, but not when they're in a group, because they're actually trying to get the sharks! So one of them has to die. Let's write "food chain"!

Social and Emotional Development: Stressed

Recognizing and discussing emotions, causes, how they feel, what to do about them

I get not happy - I just don't feel happy.

What do you do to calm down?

Good question. My friend, Carlo, makes me feel not stressed out anymore. He stands up for me. "Don't pick on this girl - pick on somebody else!"

I have to deal with the boys at school - that is annoying and stressful because they make me answer math questions and I don't know the answer. I say, "Go away - I don't want to tell the teacher on you!"

Fine Motor Development: Printing Practice

Practicing five basic elements of shape to improve printing legibility

Carlo will be so proud when he sees me doing this stuff. Do he think he will?

I tried my best to do a spiral. Spirals are hard to do.

AZ on Cats

They're so sweet and loving, but when they take out their claws they're like the devil! What I don't like about cats is they don't do what you say them to do. The luck you have is when they're affectionate. You let them go and they try to scramble out of your arms, right?

AZ's You Tube Recommendations

The one with the coffin - I want to see that one! Somebody's gotta see that one! He was in a coffin, wasn't he? Either that or he was a zombie:  a scary contortionist.

Little Big Shots - Antonio and Maria Rosaria - they're good dancers! She is as good as he was! They're really feisty, aren't they? You know, I can watch every day, how about you?

Yasha and Daniela - She's so sweet, but when she shows you the attitude you can't resist it! When she dances on Cover Girl she is alone - she is a feisty one! She can shake her booty like nobody can!

Gardening Resources

Potato Tower

Potato Companion Planting
Beans in containers

Home Learning Week 35: Money, 600 Million Years 3, Long and Short "e", Cirque de la Symphonie, Farm Visit, Sharks, Appropriate Questions, Microscope, Pandora, Telling Time, Estimation, Cheer

May 29 - June 3, 2017

Math, Daily Living Skills: Money

Naming coins, telling their value, adding coins, placing coins in order of value

A toodle and a tee: a toonie! All the real coins to me, and you can keep the fake ones.

Natural History: 600 Million Years

Making a mind map based on encyclopedia information

Using mind map to make sentences to retell the information; learning about life on Earth 500 million years ago; measuring 2m (length of sea scorpions)

Oh my god, that doesn't look realistic, at all!

Reading

Reading out loud for fun, sharing and to pass the time while waiting; showing pictures; commenting on book; judging interest and comprehension of audience

Babies just like to do anything. OK - we're going to read Touch the Bunny!

Spelling: Long and Short "e"

Identifying words with long and short "e" sound; composing sentences; printing on the line - do not squeeze letters into words

I like making this kind of "H" - it's fun when you do two lines and then put it across. "Please" is always hard to write down - it's just hard for me to write it... the spelling. "P-l-s" - that's "please", like, "Please help me. Please kick me." Something like that, right? Not really in real life - you know that, right?

Verbal Instructions/Effective Listening

Listening to and following directions, with one repetition permitted

Oh no! I forgot the instructions!

Break Time: Colouring

"Trusting instincts" re colour choice - not overthinking; refreshing before tackling more math!
Fine motor control: colouring within the lines; sensory: smelly markers!

I love colouring, how about you? I don't know... it just makes me in the mood. Does colouring make you in the mood? For colouring?

Field Trip: Cirque de la Symphonie

Wondering, predicting, managing anticipation

I love the contortion videos. They are so impressive. Never try that at home without anyone helping you! Do it when someone's helping you, kids! Contortion... when it starts you just want to focus on the video. No talking! Just focus on it! I am super excited to see the contortion! I hear contortionists are professionals at it!

Thank god there's not going to be clowns there! Do you get creeped out by clowns? The smile! The smile is creepy! And the nose! The nose is creepy, isn't it?

I mean how do those people do that without injuring anything? They must have been trained for sixteen years, or something!

Finding seat (reading section, row, seat number); watching quietly (whispering only); being patient (3 hour show!); taking public transit

I feel I want to faint, 'cause it is so good-looking!

Enjoying live theatre performance and symphony (first time)

They're not bad doing the Harry Potter song - they're not bad at all!

You have to be couraged to go on the stage there!

I just really want to know when the contortionist will happen!

Field Trip: Cranberry and Potato Farm

Comparing farm through the seasons; physical activity: walking, running, playing with dogs; learning about cranberry and potato farming; acquiring seed potatoes to plant in garden

Is it going to take us a long time to get there? How excited are you to go on the tractor? 6? That's a lot! I'm excited to go to Miranda's! She has a nice, big farm!

I have another rock in my shoe!

Taste Test: Kombuchas

Tasting, comparing, learning a little about ingredients and process

Not bad! Some of it's not bad!

Science, Writing, Mind Map: Sharks

Using encyclopedia to create mind map for future sentence/paragraph writing

Oh, I'm feeling like sharks today. I don't know why I like sharks. They're scary. I'm scared to read that part, are you?

Social Skills: Appropriate Questions

Compiling a list of potentially socially inappropriate questions; discussion of the questions - when are they appropriate, or not? Discussion of alternate questions or comments

Why does it smell bad in here? (on the bus)
How old are you?
What's in your backpack?
What happened to your teeth?
Are you adopted?

Science: Using a Microscope 

Learning to use a microscope; looking at various things under the microscope: pond water, hair, paper, plastic, crumbs, Q-tip, cotton, alcohol swab, fabric, shrinky dink, rock, dime

OK - I'm having fun here! Whoa! We're actually getting the hang of this! Looks like lava! It's so cool-looking! What the heck in the world!? Wow! Look at that: there's lines on there!

Listening Comprehension: "Pandora and the Whispering Box"

Listening for understanding; answering questions based on listening

Vocabulary: curious

Adventurous... 'cause you don't know what's inside of your Christmas present, very much.

I feel like I just wanna grab the book and just read it out of there!

Math, Daily Living Skills: Telling Time

Recognizing second and minute hands; understanding there are two of each hours per day: AM and PM; giving examples of things that happen at the same time every day; reading the hour on an analog clock

At 5 I take off my brace.

Math: Mind Map - Number Facts; Estimating Addition and Subtraction

Memorization with meaning

If you want to be a happy math student you have to memorize your number facts. All of these questions that you already know the answer to are things you have already memorized. So I don't want you to be freaked out about the idea of memorizing number facts, because you have already done this. Your job, from now on, is going to be memorizing your number facts. (Andrew)

The final steps in consolidation exercise of estimating sum and difference: using Cuisenaire rods, find the actual answer then compare with estimated answer; understanding and reading number line; writing numbers correctly in columns; noticing, writing and doing correct operation (+ or -)

One day can Carlo help me with my math? He'll know all the questions, though, since he's a math genius!

It's a lot of regrouping - I hate regrouping.

Hedgehog is a math genius who makes the homework happen. His wife, Sally, is expecting

Look! They're such a couple!

Multi-step synthesis exercise: estimating sum and difference; comparing estimated and actual sums and differences

I think the printer just got out of control!

I get it! All of them needs a zero!

Following checklist to estimate sum and difference; comparing actual answer with estimation using 100 chart and by rounding the actual answer then comparing to estimated answer

This is FUN! You did it fun for me!

Physical Activity: Cheer

Cheer 50 mins/week; "strength training" 50 mins/week
Running, jumping, tumbling, stunting; working as a team
Goals: round-offs and short cheer routine

I like the stunting.

***

On going to the movies: 

I gotta admit: the romance ones are nice. And some are so bad. They really pretend they’re professional, but really they’re not. Professional romance people.

Other Home Learning Posts

Home Learning, Day 1, Grade 4 - Smoothie, Recycling Rigid or Soft Plastic, Transfer Station, Compost

Home Learning - Week 2 Chai, Fruit Fly Trap, Garden Kiosk, Albinism

Home Learning - Week 3 Apple Taste Test, Gymnastics, Back Brace, Subtraction

Home Learning - Week 4 Subject/Predicate, Squash, Mint/Calendula Face Mask

Home Learning - Week 5 Slugs, Radish, Mushrooms

Home Learning - Week 6 Thanksgiving, Earthquake Kit, Soaring Eagle

Home Learning - Week 7 BC, +/- 1, Braces, Bees, Rain Water

Home Learning - Week 8 Pizza, Alberta, Halloween

Home Learning - Week 9 Dogs, Earrings, Adding White

Home Learning - Week 10 Christmas List, Cupcake Face Mask, Green Poodle

Home Learning - Week 11 Mango Lassi, Saskatchewan, 10 Partners, Cat

Home Learning - Week 12 Bees, World Book, Lip Balm, Seeds

Home Learning - Week 13  Memory, Sewing, Back Brace Adjustment

Home Learning - Week 14 Snow,  Salad, SPCA, Manitoba, Bison

Home Learning - Week 15 Christmas, Manure, Evil Sister

Home Learning - Week 16 Gerbil, Slime, Hummingbirds, Cocoa

Home Learning - Week 17 Ontario, Apple Taste Test, Denim Purse

Home Learning - Week 18 Thank You Notes, Math Without Help, Term Two Reflection

Home Learning - Weeks 19+20 Nerd Outfit, Quebec, Birthday

Home Learning - Week 21 Emotions, Ordering Numbers, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Soaring Eagles #4

Home Learning - Week 22 Valentine's Day, Science World, New Brunswick

Home Learning - Week 23 Worried, Adding Tens, Nova Scotia, Science World #2, DIY Lip Gloss Soap

Home Learning - Week 24 Real-Life Math, Nap, Lonely, Wolfdogs, Spring, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Home Learning - Week 25 Schedules, Yukon, Pysanky, Bank Machine, Regrouping, Loved, Term 3 Reflections, Soaring Eagles #5

Home Learning - Week 26 Rotten Food, Embarrassed, Newfoundland and Labrador, Can Opener, Skating, Teacher Screecher, Rain Water, Slugs, Word Search

Home Learning - Week 27 Cheer, Fish, Digit Sequences, Spelling "ea", Sad, Spring 2, Matching Pictures, Butterfly Books, Math Review, Private Questions 2

Home Learning - Week 28 I Spy; Subtraction of Numbers Larger than 19, without and with Regrouping; Spelling "ee"; Frustrated; Ancient Greece; Nunavit; Quinoa Veggie Salad; Cat Whiskers; Dog Biscuit; Butterfly Cage; Baby Alive Food DIY

Home Learning - Week 29 Kitchen Scraps, Northwest Territories, Butterflies, Fort Langley, Bike Riding, Estimation, Helpful, Banana Orange Smoothie

Home Learning - Week 30 Watermelon, Money, Tired, Butterflies, Handsome Warren, Catnip, Water Measurement, OT Assessment 2, Rounding, Contractions, Silly, Soaring Eagles 6

Home Learning - Week 31 Ella Enchanted, Butterflies 3, Money, Story of Life 1, Watermelon 2, Sweet Pea, Tomatillo, Disappointed, Visual Memory, Adding Tens, Garden Beds, Muffins, Thank You to Carol, Contractions 2, Butterfly Cage, Ken

Home Learning - Week 32 Encyclopedia Brown, 41st Ave., Money, Chrysalides, OT Assessment 3, 600 Million Years, Mishka, Related Tens, Round-Offs, QE Park, Mother's Day Card, Acting and Dancing

Home Learning - Week 33 Butterflies, Estimating Sum and Difference, Thailand, Money Book, 600 Million Years 2, Library Holds, Mara the Meerkat Fairy, Soaring Eagle 6
Home Learning - Week 34 Castles, Planting Veggies, Long and Short "a", Butterfly Release, Banana Smell, Estimating Sum and Difference, Drawing v Colouring, Horrid Henry, Poppy Seed Pasta Salad, Pond Water 2, Trike Planter, Lush Gift Card, Beekeeping
Home Learning - Week 35 Money, 600 Million Years 3, Long and Short "e", Cirque de la Symphonie, Farm Visit, Sharks, Appropriate Questions, Microscope, Pandora, Telling Time, Estimation, Cheer