Today is the first day of my new online class It's Sew Easy! And I'm sew excited!
I've been thinking about teaching this class for a long time. And really, I have to thank Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine. When I was named one of the five finalists in the "mixed media stitch" category of their Artisan of the Year contest, it really gave me a big confidence boost. Almost immediately this class bounced from the "someday" category into the "right now" one and I am so glad!
(a detail photo of a project from class)
I've had a lot of fun putting together the eighteen videos and .pdfs for class. Learned a lot about Final Cut Express, LiveType, and InDesign in the process. As well as cameras, tripods, and lighting. This is definitely the most ambitious online class I've ever tried to teach because it's not just techniques, it's projects. And each project has so many smaller techniques within it…from a purely technical point-of-view it's ginormous! Instead of having one overhead camera shot, it's twenty-five shots: ironing, cutting, sewing, painting, close-up, far away, etc. (Plus I really underestimated the learning curve jump from iMovie to Final Cut Express. Worth it, but so painful.)
(screenshot from Final Cut Express)
If you've ever taken an in-person class with me, you know that I don't give out printed instructions. There are a lot of reasons, but one of them is that so much of what I teach is about allowing yourself to follow your own artistic inspiration and not be bound by rules or measurements. So this has been an interesting experience to push myself to combine precise written instructions with an encouraging voice that stresses the importance of individuality. I've always been a fan of teaching people the theory behind my artistic decisions so that they can make their own decisions instead of simply copying mine. I find it a bit more complicated to do that in writing rather than verbally.
(first two pages of a .pdf download for a class project)
But I'm pleased to say that I think I've succeeded! Of course the true test will be the feedback from the students today. I'll admit that I'm half terrified and half exuberantly excited! As you know, anything you've anticipated for a long time gets super duper butterflies-in-the-stomach nerve wracking just before it happens! Wish me luck, will you?!
Wishing you lots of luck! Seems like a great workshop, and I’m sure it will be great!
Wishing you lots of luck! Seems like a great workshop, and I’m sure it will be great!
Wishing you lots of luck! Seems like a great workshop, and I’m sure it will be great!
Wishing you lots of luck! Seems like a great workshop, and I’m sure it will be great!
I’ll wish you luck even thought I don’t think that you’ll need it Julie. Lucky students!
I’ll wish you luck even thought I don’t think that you’ll need it Julie. Lucky students!
I’ll wish you luck even thought I don’t think that you’ll need it Julie. Lucky students!
I’ll wish you luck even thought I don’t think that you’ll need it Julie. Lucky students!
This looks like fun. I hope to buy a sewing machine and take sewing classes once I get moved in to my new place.
This looks like fun. I hope to buy a sewing machine and take sewing classes once I get moved in to my new place.
This looks like fun. I hope to buy a sewing machine and take sewing classes once I get moved in to my new place.
This looks like fun. I hope to buy a sewing machine and take sewing classes once I get moved in to my new place.
I am so looking forward to this! I cannot believe YOU have butterflies!
I am so looking forward to this! I cannot believe YOU have butterflies!
I am so looking forward to this! I cannot believe YOU have butterflies!
I am so looking forward to this! I cannot believe YOU have butterflies!
Go beautiful, I’m sure you’ll do well! Youve put in the effort and its got to pay off.
They’re lucky to have you teaching them, totally! Enjoy. Sounds like a play…
Go beautiful, I’m sure you’ll do well! Youve put in the effort and its got to pay off.
They’re lucky to have you teaching them, totally! Enjoy. Sounds like a play…
Go beautiful, I’m sure you’ll do well! Youve put in the effort and its got to pay off.
They’re lucky to have you teaching them, totally! Enjoy. Sounds like a play…
Go beautiful, I’m sure you’ll do well! Youve put in the effort and its got to pay off.
They’re lucky to have you teaching them, totally! Enjoy. Sounds like a play…
Julie, you are an amazing artist and i know your class is beautifully prepared so it will all be wonderful experience. take a deep breath, and then another one, and then another one…. keep that going and it will all be great. ;o)
Julie, you are an amazing artist and i know your class is beautifully prepared so it will all be wonderful experience. take a deep breath, and then another one, and then another one…. keep that going and it will all be great. ;o)
Julie, you are an amazing artist and i know your class is beautifully prepared so it will all be wonderful experience. take a deep breath, and then another one, and then another one…. keep that going and it will all be great. ;o)
Julie, you are an amazing artist and i know your class is beautifully prepared so it will all be wonderful experience. take a deep breath, and then another one, and then another one…. keep that going and it will all be great. ;o)
Luck!!! You’ll be fine. Breathe.
Luck!!! You’ll be fine. Breathe.
Luck!!! You’ll be fine. Breathe.
Luck!!! You’ll be fine. Breathe.
I can totally relate to this Julie… I have so many great ideas but cannot for the life of me “tell someone” how to do art lol I would much rather show as an example and then have them use my inspiration as a springboard.. sounds like a great class and your pdf looks amazing!!!
Good luck with the class…
Kim
I can totally relate to this Julie… I have so many great ideas but cannot for the life of me “tell someone” how to do art lol I would much rather show as an example and then have them use my inspiration as a springboard.. sounds like a great class and your pdf looks amazing!!!
Good luck with the class…
Kim
I can totally relate to this Julie… I have so many great ideas but cannot for the life of me “tell someone” how to do art lol I would much rather show as an example and then have them use my inspiration as a springboard.. sounds like a great class and your pdf looks amazing!!!
Good luck with the class…
Kim
I can totally relate to this Julie… I have so many great ideas but cannot for the life of me “tell someone” how to do art lol I would much rather show as an example and then have them use my inspiration as a springboard.. sounds like a great class and your pdf looks amazing!!!
Good luck with the class…
Kim
Hey Julie,
I’m so sure that the workshop will be fabulous. Sew don’t be nervous – LOL.
You are a great teacher!
Hey Julie,
I’m so sure that the workshop will be fabulous. Sew don’t be nervous – LOL.
You are a great teacher!
Hey Julie,
I’m so sure that the workshop will be fabulous. Sew don’t be nervous – LOL.
You are a great teacher!
Hey Julie,
I’m so sure that the workshop will be fabulous. Sew don’t be nervous – LOL.
You are a great teacher!
congratulations on following your heart……”it’s sew easy” to see that you’re a true rock star, julie!! xox
congratulations on following your heart……”it’s sew easy” to see that you’re a true rock star, julie!! xox
congratulations on following your heart……”it’s sew easy” to see that you’re a true rock star, julie!! xox
congratulations on following your heart……”it’s sew easy” to see that you’re a true rock star, julie!! xox
Good luck to you, though I don’t know that it’s necessary. The first pdf and video are awesome! You’ve done a great job explaining in the video and the supporting information on the pdf is so clear and concise that any beginner will be so glad to have started here with you! (still haven’t dusted off my machine!) WTG Julie!!
Good luck to you, though I don’t know that it’s necessary. The first pdf and video are awesome! You’ve done a great job explaining in the video and the supporting information on the pdf is so clear and concise that any beginner will be so glad to have started here with you! (still haven’t dusted off my machine!) WTG Julie!!
Good luck to you, though I don’t know that it’s necessary. The first pdf and video are awesome! You’ve done a great job explaining in the video and the supporting information on the pdf is so clear and concise that any beginner will be so glad to have started here with you! (still haven’t dusted off my machine!) WTG Julie!!
Good luck to you, though I don’t know that it’s necessary. The first pdf and video are awesome! You’ve done a great job explaining in the video and the supporting information on the pdf is so clear and concise that any beginner will be so glad to have started here with you! (still haven’t dusted off my machine!) WTG Julie!!
I can’t wait to get started!!! Thanks Julie!
I can’t wait to get started!!! Thanks Julie!
I can’t wait to get started!!! Thanks Julie!
I can’t wait to get started!!! Thanks Julie!
I’m sure it will be terrific. Your projects are always awesome and I love that you encourage students to do their own thing.
Susan
I’m sure it will be terrific. Your projects are always awesome and I love that you encourage students to do their own thing.
Susan
I’m sure it will be terrific. Your projects are always awesome and I love that you encourage students to do their own thing.
Susan
I’m sure it will be terrific. Your projects are always awesome and I love that you encourage students to do their own thing.
Susan
Good luck, Julie! I’m pretty sure it will be wonderful! I’ve got your CD and I attended your previous classes, unfortunately this time my sewing machine is too basic for this course. I’m still regretting!
Good luck, Julie! I’m pretty sure it will be wonderful! I’ve got your CD and I attended your previous classes, unfortunately this time my sewing machine is too basic for this course. I’m still regretting!
Good luck, Julie! I’m pretty sure it will be wonderful! I’ve got your CD and I attended your previous classes, unfortunately this time my sewing machine is too basic for this course. I’m still regretting!
Good luck, Julie! I’m pretty sure it will be wonderful! I’ve got your CD and I attended your previous classes, unfortunately this time my sewing machine is too basic for this course. I’m still regretting!