January News

Dear students, I’m so glad things are returning back to normal after the ice storm, and we can be back in the sewing room again together! There’s lots of exciting news to announce as we look forward into the new year!   Giving Back and Lots of Camps The next in our series as Jolene’s…

All’s “Fair” In Love and Sewing

The next story in our monthly series, as Jolene’s Sewing School looks back over the past fifteen years! Starting in 2010, I looked around for a local fair so students could showcase their work. I had lived in Salem in the past and loved attending the Oregon State Fair, and seeing all the sewn pieces on…

Remembering the Red-Carpet Days…

The next story in our monthly series, as Jolene’s Sewing School looks back over the past fifteen years!  When I started my sewing business, I paid close attention to the Kids Can Sew program, which lays out ideas and suggestions for those just starting out. One of the ideas they had was to do a…

Where it all began…

A Trip Down Memory Lane… As we enter into the fall season, I’m reflecting back on the past nearly 15 years and the joy it has been. And as I continue to look ahead to Jolene’s Sewing School’s 15 year anniversary, I have been thinking back to the years the school was started. In 2009, in…

Re-Opening In April!

Mark Your Calendar! Jolene’s Sewing School is re-opening in April!   Yes, you heard that right! The Sewing School is re-opening for classes this April. I’ve been busy improving the situation on my deck and look forward to some warmer spring days ahead. In addition, I’m getting back to a regular summer camp schedule! Registration details…

Masks Now For Sale

This past week I’ve been hard at work making masks to donate to my local hospital. Some of you have joined me, which was so exciting to see! You may have heard the new recommendation that all people wear masks when outside of their homes. As more and more of us are looking for homemade…

sewing machines

Then & Now: A Look At My Beloved Sewing Machines

My love of sewing machines goes way back to when I was a little girl. It was the mid-1960’s, and I was using my Grandma Steele’s 1940’s Montgomery Ward machine (which I later received after her passing in 1993).    I remember happily whirring away, altering, fixing and sewing clothes for my grandmother. It was…

Some Sad News To Share…

My dear friends, I am writing this post to let you know about the sad passing of my mother Joyce Louise Hurd Cote’. She was 87 when she died on September 19th, and had been suffering from Parkinson’s for the last few years. 11 days ago I rushed to her side because I knew her…