It’s hard to believe, but have a big birthday coming up this month! As I thought about what I wanted for my big day, I knew I didn’t need or want any gifts for myself – I wanted a way to give back to others. My heart is so heavy…
The holidays are coming, and once again I’m offering gift certificates to give the gift of sewing! These gift certificates have been so popular lately and I love meeting everyone who signs up for classes in January because of a gift certificate they received! If you’d like to purchase…
“Jolene can do anything.” This is what one student told me she said when her Halloween costume arrived several sizes too big! And although I hate to admit that her statement might not technically be true, I am glad to report that we could, indeed, adjust her costume to fit…
Not always do I look back on sewing camps after a busy summer, but as I was reflecting on 2024, I thought it would be fun to share some of the moments of delight I have shared with you students. This year we started one new camp, Sloth Camp, and…
It’s been a magical summer sewing with all of you! I can’t believe I’ve been doing summer camps for almost FIFTEEN years! Each one I’ve learned and laughed alongside you, and this summer was no different. Take a look at the photos below for a fun look back on the…
After looking back on the past 15 years and sharing many stories and photos with you all, it’s finally time to celebrate Jolene’s Sewing School’s 15 Year Anniversary! Wow, what an incredible journey it’s been. I sat down last week and recorded a short interview celebrating this incredible milestone. You…
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). It was this machine that fueled my passion for sewing –…
The next in our series as Jolene’s Sewing School looks back on the past fifteen years! As a student of Jolene’s Sewing School, you’ve probably spent lots of time in the sewing room! Over the years, I’ve had hundreds of students come through these doors. As we’ve grown and changed…
The next in our series as Jolene’s Sewing School looks back on the past fifteen years! Like everyone else, March 12th, 2020, is burned in my brain. One day we were normal, the next day we were not. Remember how it was supposed to be just for two weeks? We…
I’ve been doing summer camps ever since Jolene’s Sewing School began – which means this summer will be my 15th year! By a conservative estimate, I’ve run close to 300 camps, with around 1,000 students. Can you guess which camps I’ve run every single year since the beginning? (The answer…
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…
UPDATE: CLASSES CANCELLED TODAY, 1/16, due to impending ice storm. I’ll continue to update you all about conditions tomorrow! Stay safe and warm everyone. CLASSES CANCELLED 1/15 My road is still a sheet of ice here in Happy Valley! Please check back tomorrow for more updates about classes and…
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful and restful holiday. I had a great time with family and look forward to being back in the sewing room with you all this week! Classes Resume on January 3rd! Please contact me if you have any questions before classes…
It’s that time of the year! Time for holiday planning, gift making, and lots of fun! As you prepare for the upcoming holidays, just a reminder that Jolene’s Sewing School will be closed: December 18th-January 2nd Please let me know if you have any questions! PS: Need a holiday gift idea? Jolene’s…
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…
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…
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…
Emery is a 15-year old freshman who started sewing with me when she was 12 years old. She did a few projects with pre-made patterns and then decided that she wanted to go a different direction. She wanted to make her own Halloween costume. That year, she made a dress…
What joy it was to restart Jolene’s Sewing School this past September after being closed for much of 2021. Since then, we have been hard at work! Here are photos of some students and their recent projects. Spring Sewing Classes We still have more than three months of after school…
Thank you to Happy Valley News for featuring Jolene’s Sewing School in an article this week! I’m glad they captured my love of sewing and my students so well. I truly do learn the most from each of you! You can find the article digitally here. I hope…
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…
Happy May! It’s incredible that I’ve been away from you, my friends and students, for two whole months now. I wanted to send out this update to let you know what I’ve been up to, and make a few important announcements. Masks, Masks, and More Masks I’ve been busy…
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…
Attention all sewers! Our second week of being locked inside and we’re all going crazy, right? If you’re looking for something you can do for others during this time, I’d like to ask for you to join me in making masks for your local hospitals and other healthcare workers. The…
To all students and parents, As I have watched this virus spread across the world and the closures of all kinds of events, I have wondered if I should cancel classes also. Containing this virus is important and I don’t want to be the one that helped it to spread.It…
Happy (almost) spring! What a great year it has been so far. I can’t believe that spring is almost here, with daffodils blooming and tulips already coming up. I love spring – how it is a rebirth of flowers and gardens. This time of year, there’s a lot of exciting…
This year I celebrated my 65th birthday, which means I have been sewing for about fifty-five years! As I look back on what first brought a passion for sewing, I believe it all began when my mom taught me to do hand embroidery and to crochet. My Grandmother Steele also…
Wondering what to give someone who loves creative gifts? Or someone who likes practical ones? Maybe you’re thinking of giving someone their first sewing machine, or you’d like to learn to alter your own clothes. Whoever is on your list this year, why not consider giving the gift of sewing? …
Based on your feedback, I’ve decided to extend Bring A Friend to Class Week through September 30th! I’d love to meet a friend of yours there! Anyone interested can drop in for one FREE class next week with no need for registration. They’ll even get their own project to take…
It’s hard to believe that Fall is just around the corner! This summer was much anticipated all year as we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Jolene’s Sewing School in June. What a wonderful time that was. The party hasn’t ended yet – we’re still celebrating all year with a coupon…
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…
THANK YOU FOR COMING! Thank you all so much for coming to my 10-Year Sewing Celebration! It meant so much to me that you came! I had SO MUCH FUN seeing all of you, seeing your beautiful creations, giving away prizes and spending time with all the lovely people who have helped JoLene’s…
🎉 LET’S PARTY!!! 🎉 The 10-Year Anniversary of JoLene’s Sewing School is coming up, and I want YOU to join in on all the fun! This isn’t just a party for me – it’s a party for US and everything we’ve accomplished together! I wouldn’t be in business if it…
I’m celebrating 10 Years of being a sewing teacher – and I want YOU to come join the fun! See the details in the flyer below, save the date in your calendar and most importantly…let me know you can come! Whether we’ve had one class together or you’ve been with…
Share this flyer with friends and family who aren’t yet following my JoLene’s Sewing School Facebook page! With so many prizes and giveaways, there’s never been a better time to learn to sew!
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…
Believe it or not, I haven’t always been a sewing teacher. In fact, for most of my adult life I was doing something entirely different. But look at me now – it’s been almost 10 years and I’m still going strong! 10 whole years of teaching the art of sewing…
This Summer Has Flown By! Kids are back in school, there’s a crisp chill in the air and Fall Sewing Classes are about to be back in session! But first… a recap of the summer! I had a wonderful summer, and I hope you did too! (It was a little…
I Can’t Believe It’s May! I can’t believe it’s May already – that means it’s time to start thinking about summer sewing classes! Spring is definitely a time of renewal for me as school winds down, spring flowers come forth, and gardens get planted one by one. The world around us…
Something wonderful happened on my way to find all my “UFOs” (UnFinished Objects)! On my last blog, I challenged myself to find all my unfinished projects and make a plan to finish them. Well, as I started looking, I realized that it was best to look in all my fabric…
Hello, my wonderful sewing friends! February is the month of LOVE… and this year I’m showing my love and support for some of the people who need it most… NICU babies and their parents/families. These babies are often born prematurely and/or require intensive medical attention. As a result they’re admitted…
If you’re on a mission to complete your UFOs (Unfinished Objects) and Sewing Projects, you’ll love this blog! Welcome to 2018! It’s overwhelming to think about how fast time flies; it seems like this year has flown by so fast. However, I know it’s good to keep busy, and life…
I’m so excited to show you my new hand sewn quilt! My mom is getting older, and has been ill for the last few years. Because of this, I wanted to make this upcoming sewing project extra special. As her birthday approached in September, I wondered what I could make…
Did you know? I now have a brand new ironing board cover! Redecorating my sewing studio has been sew fun! I began decorating the walls, then made brand new sewing machine covers, as well as a beautiful and functional new seawing apron. I thought I was set, until I realized…
I’ve been teaching my sewing classes for over eight years now, but it took a while to realize I would need a sewing apron to make the job easier! When I first began teaching, I was always running back and forth through the studio to grab supplies to help the…
What A Great Summer! What a great summer we’ve had here – these past few months have been filled with wonderful classes and even MORE wonderful students! We had a ton of great summer camps going on this summer. However, the most popular was Emoji Camp – we had 14…
Today I’ll be showcasing my latest project: new sewing machine covers! One of my greatest delights comes from being able to sew something myself, rather than purchasing it from a store. I love taking ordinary materials, and transforming them into something functional and fun. As a result, almost everything in…
You may remember the look and feel of my sewing studio – its last update was in December of 2013. The room has been lovely, and it’s been such a joy using it to hold sewing classes for children and adults over the last few years. However, my sister and…
The summer camps have been a lot of fun so far; here’s an example! While many folks out in the world are busy finding Pokémon with their phones, my students are making their own Pokémon bags, pillows, and even hoodies. There are a few open spots in these last weeks of summer camps.…
When sewing projects for myself these last few years, I have been drawn to making coats. I made a fleece jacket, and then a rain coat. (And an umbrella!) As my coats wear out, I just sew new ones. So I had a chuckle when I decided to make yet another coat. This…
June 2016 Newsletter Sewing School Summer Camps! Hi to everyone! What a great spring we have had. I am happy to have my garden planted and am already harvesting radishes and lettuces, with peas on the way. Eating produce from the garden is a delightful part of summertime. Right now I am in…
Last summer one of my granddaughters, Madison, who lives in Tacoma, had a wonderful opportunity to participate in a pioneer trek in Washington state. Over 160 years ago, my family’s ancestors came west across North America. Many of them came on foot, walking the whole way, pulling their belongings with…
In a Super Saturday event at my local church, I taught a workshop on how to recycle / upcycle Levis. My daughter Stephanie brought me four pairs of her kids’ Levis that they could still wear but that had holes or other problems with them. See what can be done…
As usual, this summer has been a whirlwind! My summer camps have been a blast, and have been filling up so fast. Below is a list of the camps I offered this summer. As I make plans for future camps, it helps a lot to hear from you about what…
As well as teaching an almost lost art through my sewing school, I also believe in promoting service and community-building in young people. It is important to teach the value of giving back to others. Those who have been with my school for awhile know that at least annually we…
April 2015 Newsletter Upcoming Events, Summer Camp Opportunities, Sewing Tips, and More Greetings! Hello! Spring has sprung early and it is glorious to watch everything come alive. I’ve been enjoying my new flowers and lovely weather, and I also enjoy the rain. A recent windstorm took out part of our big…
I remodeled my bathroom this summer, which was a lot of work but well worth it. I was so happy to get it finished so I could decorate it! Handmade decor can add so much to a home project. Here are the pics before and after but before decorating. The first thing…
Hello to all my sewing friends! Once again I made all my Christmas gifts this year. Here’s a summary! Christmas Tree Napkins One of my sewing moms received this napkin a few years ago. She had me help her girls make these for gifts. I just love them and they…
Greetings! Welcome to the December 2014 Newsletter for JoLene’s Sewing School! Hello! I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the beautiful autumn we have been having and that you are happily in the middle of a sewing project! I am very fond of the fall, the weather changing, and anticipating holiday…
In the summer heat, Christmas might feel far away, but it’s never too early to start scheming what handmade gifts you want to make for friends and loved ones. Last Christmas, I made this bag for Heather, a dear friend. She likes big bags to carry all her treasures, and…
It has been five years since I started JoLene’s Sewing School, so we are celebrating with a party! First I’ll tell you about the celebration You are all invited to my 5th Anniversary Party and Picnic. Saturday June the 21st 2014 from 4-7pm at my Studio in Happy Valley,Oregon at…
Greetings! Welcome to the May 2014 Newsletter for JoLene’s Sewing School! Once again the end of the year comes way too fast! It feels like yesterday that leaves were starting to change and the September after school classes were just starting. And now all of a sudden here we are…
Created a custom dragon bag for my grandson, complete with a dragon head and lots of specific details!
Greetings! Welcome to the April 2014 Newsletter for JoLene’s Sewing School! I love Spring. The daffodils, tulips, and even dandelions are so beautiful against the bright green grass. Take a stroll through a fabric store this time of the year and all the new spring fabrics just pop out in…
We all have our favorite things to wear to bed, and I personally love nightgowns year-round. Light cotton or knit is the best weight for me in the summer and I like warm snuggle flannel nightgowns in the winter. My daughter Nicole gave me some fleece pajamas for Christmas, and…
Although I have sewn for as long as I can remember, I found that I stopped making my own clothes some time ago. But ever since I started my sewing school I have been making more of my own clothing. I had a light jacket that I just loved but…
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. I love the music, lights, Santa at the mall, the chill in the air (even better if it snows; hint hint: please snow!), making Christmas cookies, and making gifts for friends and family. This year my Christmas was spectacular. Last year my daughter made…
I have a bad habit of buying fabric before knowing what I want to make with it. Do you ever do that? This time it was this lovely black and white cotton/poly fabric with a striped border at the top and bottom and a swirl pattern between. When I bought it,…
The holidays are upon us and I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did, as always surrounded by friends and family. We ate delicious food and had lots of fun. And now I am looking forward to Christmas, my favorite holiday. There’s much to appreciate about the season…
My new sewing studio is finally finished! We moved into a new home with our daughter Stephanie and her family in August 2012. Hard to believe that it’s been over a year already! The first thing we did in our new home was put together my sewing studio, where I…
What a wonderful and very full summer and fall! My sister Tonya and nephew Skyler visited in June, where we played in Rock Creek and worked on finishing up some things in my new home and sewing room. In August Tonya and I also attended my 40th High School Reunion…
Participating in the fair nudges sewing students to push themselves that little bit further to do do just a bit better.
Students at JoLene’s Sewing School show off their projects at the annual fashion show.
When I think of some of my favorite fabric shops in the Portland area, they are often small, independent, locally-owned stores. I’ve decided that I’ll periodically feature some of these shops here, sharing some real gems for you to explore! As I approach cool cottons fabric shop at 2417 SE Hawthorne,…
Children, Grandchildren and Christmas can stir all kinds of creativity inside one’s soul. And I am no different. It is so fun to give from the heart, and I’ve been sewing gifts for Christmas longer than I care to remember. What I most enjoy is that I get to think…
There are many exciting developments with JoLene’s Sewing School. Now we have two locations to serve you! With classes and workshops held in both Woodstock and Happy Valley, you have even more options to learn to sew or further hone your sewing skills. Join us! This Weekend: Last Chance for…
As everyone knows, Oregon and rain go hand in hand, at least during this part of the year! When I arrived Oregon for the first time, I was 20 and came to visit a high school friend living in Corvallis. What a wonderful place! I just loved it. I visited…
Gift-making workshops, Fashion show, Homemade stuffed animals, How to sew straight
Third annual fashion show lets students flaunt their finery and show off their skills.
Please join me on Saturday, September 22, from 3:00 – 7:00 pm, as we gather for social (and sew-cial) time in my new space! I’ve been hard at work getting everything ready, and I’m looking forward to hosting you. You’ll have the opportunity to see my newly remodeled space, the…
After 13 years, JoLene knew it was time to replace her computerized sewing machine. Sears Kenmore/Janome had all the features she craved!
JoLene’s friend Phil Plummer makes beautiful handmade seam-rippers in his Portland-based business. See the benefits of using the right tool for the job.
Last week’s summer camp included an American tradition and themed treats! Small classes and fun projects make JoLene’s Summer Camp a great staple for many kids’ summertime.
Sewing school students join residents at Courtyard Plaza Retirement Community in a service project for St. Vincent Hospital.
The 106th Multnomah County Fair was well-represented by sewing school students. The awards received were impressive and the children were proud of their entries and their acknowledgments!
Summer Camp 2012 has many exciting offerings and will be held in a new location! There’s something for everyone, and sure to bring smiles of pride and pleasure for the students who create everything from clothes to toys to back-to-school messenger bags.
I love the sewing machine! I consider it one of the greatest inventions. It allows me to make more homemade projects, make more quickly, and with more uniform stitching than by hand. Right now is a great time to purchase a new sewing machine. You can find great deals… and…
One of my daughters was shopping at a baby boutique and while there something called a stroller blanket caught her attention. These blankets are so popular and they are the rage right now in the world of infants. This particular blanket was made of a cute designer cotton fabric on…
Wa-hoo! Country Fair season is here once again. I love the Fair with its unique, familiar, and embracing sights, sounds, and smells – which include; the exhibits, crafts and pavilion filled with handmade items. You can’t forget Fair food; elephant ears, corn dogs, sno-cones, and cotton candy… or overlook the…
Giving service is so satisfying – for both the giver of the service and the receiver of the service. Last winter when a local Girl Scout troop asked me to help them make pillowcases which they would donate, I immediately said yes without hesitation! These girls were from Troop 747…
Due to the impact of budget cuts on our schools they are driven to make up lost funding however they can. Our PTA’s are working tirelessly to come up with ideas to raise funds to support programs for our kids. One creative support idea that I love which local schools…
JoLene does Yoga?!?!… yeah, I know I’m surprised too… when those that know me stop chuckling read on. As part of my rehab process from my fall and broken leg it was recommended I take yoga. In the past I had considered learning yoga for its limbering and calming effects,…
My little sister Tonya was born when I was 12 years old – she was like having a live doll to play with. We took her with us to many places when she was but a baby. Most of those places did not have a high chair – with its…
What is the ‘right age’ at which a child can be taught to sew? Well, that is a very good question that has been asked of me many times. I teach children students to sew using the award winning, ‘Kids Can Sew’ program and curriculum. This successful sewing program for…
It is the first thing people saw upon entering my home. I finally decided to make a curtain to cover it.
Children will have a great time while making gifts for family and friends.
I love Summer with its warm sunny days filled with swimming, gardening, long walks, trips to the beach, sleeping in, Fairs to attend, and so much more. But, all good things must come to an end, and then better things follow… the FALL. I love Fall even more than Summer,…
Once upon a time… well, that is how many stories start out, but this one starts out a little differently… Our cat is a house cat in the winter and an outdoors cat in the summer. This summer she has fleas, which she brought inside the house and shared. If…
I have a granddaughter named Sariah. She would rather wear dresses or skirts (preferably skirts) than pants or shorts. Sariah outgrew all of her skirts, but she kept wearing them even though they were too small. It seemed that no matter where we hid them she would find them. So,…
My daughter is quite the second-hand shopper. She and I can go down the same store isle yet she will come out with several great things, and I come out empty handed. I have discovered that when you go on one of these second-hand shopping trips do so with something…
I must miss the Idaho home of my youth, as this is the second time recently I have shared memories from my childhood there. Hope you don’t mind my strolls down memory lane. When I was young I remember that church bazaars were a big thing. All the churches had…
Recently I had eight teenage girls from the youth group of the church I attend over to my house. They were there because they wanted to make a baby quilt for an expecting and slightly older friend. Although most of them had never sewn before they were up to the…
I recall the joy I discovered as a child in going to the Twin Falls County Fair. Growing up in southern Idaho this fair was a highlight at the of the summer season. It was always held on the first the week of September. It was a popular event and…
Part 5 – Finishing touches The last thing and the most important part of your whole project are the finishing touches. Top stitching (if your pattern calls for it). Choose your thread wisely, take your time and sew straight as you can. Added trim. Adding trim puts a little pizzazz…
There are many small things that you can do in the process of sewing that will make your finished project look sharp and professional. I will share more over time – here are three of the more important tips and hints to get you started: Trimming threads – Take just…
Picking out your fabric – Fabric may not seem like it makes a difference, but it can make a big difference in your finished project. With a little help and experience you can learn to select the right fabric for the right job. Back to the pattern for just a…
Part 2 in this series: The pattern. Of course the pattern is one of the most important parts of your project. When you are new to sewing you probably don’t know what to look for when selecting a pattern. Pattern companies try to make it easy for beginners these days.…
Part 1 in this series is: Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine. It may surprise you that simply getting familiar with your sewing machine can make a difference in the appearance your finished project. I have been sewing since I was 12 (or thereabouts) and I can use almost any machine. A…
You never know how things might turn out when you do them for the first time, but my first Adult Workshop was great! We had good food, made new friends and learned a lot. I am not sure who learned the most, though, me or the students (I think it…
