Holiday schedule and a great opportunity for a Portland organization
by Gina.
For those of you on our mailing list--this is pretty much a duplicate of what was sent out yesterday. For those of you not on our mailing list, you can sign up for it on our website if you'd like.
Ok, our holiday schedule. We will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th. I hope you all have a restful Thanksgiving and that great "bonus" day on Friday. We'll be back open on Saturday.
We are changing up our regular schedule a bit around Christmas. We will be closed from 3 pm on Tuesday, 12/22 (notice the early closing time) through Saturday, 12/26.
We will be open on the Mondays before and after Christmas--12/21 and 12/28 from 10 am to 6 pm. We will be closed Friday, 1/1 and back open on Saturday, 1/2.
Regarding classes, we have classes scheduled into the first part of December. Please check the list on the website and call or stop by the store to see if space is still available. We will take a little break from classes the first couple of weeks after the first of the year, and will send out our list the first half of January.
Please keep those comments coming in for the free pattern sources and your thoughts on a couple of fabric lines. I'd love to hear what you think.
Finally, this was passed along to me by a past prof of mine from the Urban Studies department at PSU. I know many of you are involved with organizations doing wonderful work. This could be a terrific opportunity for you. Check it out!
Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning
Community Development Faculty Group
Invitation to Community Partners
For over a decade, students majoring in Community Development at Portland State University have been helping local organizations extend their capacity through special projects co-designed by students and community partners.
Previously, project proposals have been student identified or informally submitted. This year we are reaching out to the larger community to expand our base of potential partners and diversify the types of the projects we engage.
We invite you to submit a brief project proposal.
We know how busy you are, so we are only asking you to answer a few basic questions about your organization and write a paragraph or two describing your project. It’s easy, just click here or use the attached form. Trouble accessing the electronic survey; the full url is provided below.
When are proposals due?
Proposals accepted any time up to January 5, 2010.
What sort of projects qualify?
We are looking for projects that help students build organizing and planning skills. While the projects usually require considerable hands-on work by students, projects should not be direct service delivery. For example, it would be appropriate for students to develop a tutoring program and recruit and coordinate volunteers, but it would not be appropriate for students to simply volunteer as tutors.
Previous projects include event organizing, opinion surveys, needs assessments, community population profiles, program evaluations, brochure and website development, new program development, community outreach, fund-raising, grant writing and more. The possibilities are almost endless and students are ready to provide creative solutions to your needs.
How many students will be working on the project and how much time will they contribute?
We are accepting projects for groups of 4 to 8 students. Each student can be expected to contribute about 120 hours.
How will projects be selected?
Using the project narratives you provide, a screening committee of three faculty members and two advanced CD students will review the requests and select the best 8-12 projects. Students in the class will then sign up for project teams.
When will community partners learn if their project has been selected?
We will inform everyone of the status of their proposal by the last week in January, 2010.What happens then?
If your project is selected, students who have chosen to work on your project will contact you and ask for a face to face meeting to begin the planning process. You and the student team co-design the project during the first part of the winter term (February to March). You provide general direction and review, they do the leg work. Students implement the project during the remainder of the winter term and all of the spring term (April to June). As the project proceeds, a faculty member will periodically check in with you to assess group progress. Toward the end of spring term community partners will be invited to a presentation and evaluation of project outcomes.
What is required of the community partner?
Students groups are expected to be self-directing, but we have learned that successful projects depend on regular contact with an organizational leader who has decision-making authority. Therefore it is important that any proposals include the name and position of staff assigned to work with our students on this project.
Do students receive preparation and guidance for working with community partners?
Student projects are guided by three faculty members during a year long core course required of all majors. Students are trained in research techniques, group facilitation, project planning and evaluation. Their work is informed by their courses in the CD major that help them understand social issues, the tradition of community development, and develop the skills to be effective advocates for social change.
What are some of the previous projects and partners?
·
Assisted the Sexual Assault Resource Center to develop and implement a volunteer recruitment campaign·
Developed and implemented a trail use survey for Friends of Forest Park·
Worked with Bike Farm, a cycling oriented community group, to plan a block party to raise awareness and increase membership·
Developed case studies of "Living Buildings" for the Cascadia Green Building Council·
With the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, produced a detailed plan for bicycle boulevards in North and Northeast Portland·
Assisted 1000 Friends of Oregon with their 2009 Climate Change and Transportation Advocacy effort in the Oregon Legislature·
Worked with the Community Watershed Stewardship Program to convene a group of private citizens who expressed interest in installing bioswales·
Assisted nonprofit HOST Development to organize a sustainable living event for new and potential homeowners of Helensview.Who should I contact for more information?
Professor Charles Heying
heyingc@pdx.edu 503-725-8416Professor Richard White whiter@pdx.edu 503-725-4046
Are there any online resources that might be useful?
School of Urban Studies and Planning http://www.pdx.edu/usp/
Community Development Major http://www.pdx.edu/usp/community-development
Faculty Profiles http://www.pdx.edu/usp/profile/
Community Development Student Group http://cdsg.groups.pdx.edu/wiki/doku.php
CD Project RFP http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=abjByC_2fxAl6_2fSXMOWP5xHw_3d_3d
Free Patterns and a Give Away!
Free downloadable patterns! What is not to love. And a give away too! Even more love. We are working on accumulating a list of resources that will go in a side bar on the blog that can serve as a little spot for you all to go when you need inspiration and you need it for free. We have some ideas (see below) but know that you all have some good things stashed around your bookmarks bar just wanting to appear on our resource list.
In exchange for your resourses, wether they are from your own blog or other places you go for free patterns and projects, you stand to win. By leaving a comment on the blog with a link to a special little free-be, you will be entered to win a Sidewinder bobbin winder and Denyse Schmidt's County Fair fabric swatches (in pic above, the smallest pieces are 11 x 13.5 inches). Can you imagine? Your very own Sidewinder and fabric swatches! All for a little old comment. Oh, and you can enter more than once, just leave another comment with another link. We will do the old pick-a-number routine Monday afternoon at approximately 3 pm, west coast time. All are welcome to participate, we will ship the prize within the U.S. Fun, our first giveaway! We are excited, and it certainly won't be the last.
Besides getting to work on something for a little less $, my favorite part about free stuff on line is that it is there when you need it, free patterns and all; middle of the night, desire to create sets in and the need for some inspiration, but Bolt is not open. These are all great places to explore and find ideas galore.
Burda Style website--all sorts of trendy, stylish clothing to try out. Many from their members, folks making up their own clothes. There are discussion groups too, so you can see what others are saying about a pattern before trying it out. There is so much great information on this site. Check it out!
Amy Butler--there's a "free patterns" link on the bottom of the menu on the right side.
The "craft patterns" are for her paper line. Under the "Sewing Patterns" there are lots of great looking quilt and duvet cover patterns, decor projects, a yoga mat bag, a necklace, pillows and more.
Anna Maria Horner--there are more quilts, a pin cushion, "tote-able towels," a dog leash, a great little tutorial on circles for applique, and a pillow case dress.
The Purl Bee--so many sewing, embroidery, knitting and crochet patterns and projects. Many of them have photo-rich step-by-step tutorials.
We look forward to seeing your favorites!
November 17, 2009 | 44 Comments | Share Article | in Patterns and Pattern Reviews | tagged Give Away Softest Ever Baby Blanket Tutorial
by Lupine.
Bolt is full of inspiring flannel these days. I am writing this post in order to hold back from running down the street to get some of that Anna Maria Horner "Folksy" darling house print stuff. Super lovely for anything from jammies to blankets to a quilt backing.
Last week I wrapped up these napkins, and decided to use the very same technique to make a large single layer flannel baby blanket. I had loads of blankest this size for my little ones, and still use them often. They fit in the crib, can swaddle tightly, and get softer over time. Plus, they are a great way to show off a large scale print or play around with your favorite flannel.
You will need:
1 1/4 yards of main flannel (enough to make a square)
1/4 yard of flannel for binding
Rotary cutter, mat, and ruller (sure you could use scissors, but the rotary system is perfect for this).
Clover bias tape maker size 25mm.
Thread to match binding
Iron, Pins, Machine,
1. Wash flannel for main blanket and binding. Flannel shrinks more than other fabric, so don't skip this step.
2. Cut your main fabric to square. I do this by folding it into a triangle corner to corner and trimming off any remaining yardage. Also, trim off the selvedges edge where the printing shows and any remaining loose threads.
3. Cut binding. To use the clover bias tape maker you don't have to cut it on the bias, only if you intend to go around curves. If you are just going to bind a square, simply cut strips of your binding fabric 1 3/4 inches on the straight of grain. You will need 5 strips cut selvedge to selvedge.
Above: Joining strips on the diagonal.
4. Join strips into one continuous strip. Place two strips together at a right angle, overlapping 1/4 inch. Sew from corner to corner and open. Trim seam allowance and press open to reduce bulk.
5. Send this super long binding strip through the bias tape maker. Flannel is a little difficult to start, it is pretty thick, but once it is going, use your iron to press as you go and pin when you need to for stability.
6. Press again. All that binding needs to be folded in half once more.
7. Pin around the blanket, mitering the corners as you get to them. You can adjust as you sew, but pinning helps to keep the binding even on the front and back of the blanket.
8. Begin sewing leaving a 6" tail of binding in the middle of one side. Use a scant 1/8 inch from the edge of the binding, being sure to catch the bottom as you sew. When you come to a corner, sew to the end, remove from the machine, fold your corner over, and place back under you machine to begin sewing the mitered corner down. Repeat for all sides/corners.
9. After you have gone around your last corner, sew until you have about 6" to where you started sewing the first stitches and your original tail is hanging off. Stop sewing and remove the entire blanket from the machine.
10. Lay the blanket and binding as flat as you can along that edge. Trim one tail to within the un-sewn section of binding, and lay the other tail over it. Overlap by 1/2" and trim again. Now, lift those loose binding sections off the blanket and pin, right sides together. Sew with a 1/4" seam along the bindings short edge.
Above: Binding about to be joined, use pins and (below) sew with 1/4" seam.
11. Press that seam open and repress the binding to its original shape. Fold it around the blankets last little unfinished section and sew down in the same manner as above. It should fit perfectly to finish your blanket.
12. Trim all loose threads, fold up neatly and give to small tiny sweet baby just in time for winters chill.
