Scheduling Classes with Linda

Sewing Enthusiasts can check Linda’s Calendar to find out where she is teaching.

If you are interested in scheduling Linda to teach for your store, group or event, please view the information below:

The programs are flexible. A particular topic can be emphasized. A style show or short dinner program can be arranged. Workshops can be tailored to include specific embellishment techniques intended for garments… to handbags. Sometimes the use of a workbook helps the student understand many techniques in a small frame of time. The student can later incorporate these ideas into something at a leisure time. The choice is yours.

Teaching Fees

$850.00 per seven-hour day— lecture/demonstrations, hands-on workshops, or trunk show. Fees may vary according to types of seminars and number of days booked.
Reimbursements for—
- Airfare from Shreveport LA, or car mileage at .65 per mile
- Lodging and meals
- Out-of-pocket expenses to include airport parking, taxis, tips

Classroom set-up

2— 6 foot long tables for demo
2—tables for supplies
1 marker board or flip chart on easel
screen or wall for Power Point presentation (I bring projector)
sewing machine if required for a particular class

Lectures

Sew Clever (Lecture)

Linda McGehee has devised simple ways to enhance fabric with corded piping, threads, organza, and more. By the use of feet, needles, and special tools, and with today’s marvelous sewing machines, Linda applies her step by step imaginative process and transforms details from ordinary and practical to exotic accent pieces that can enhance and convert fabric into sewing magic worthy of boutiques worldwide. Always new and different, Linda’s concepts and techniques make texture and detail as satisfying as putting icing on a cake! Apply to garments, quilts, and of course handbags.

A Quick Trip Through My Imagination (Lecture)

Enjoy a new adventure using your sewing machine and all the toys that go along with it. Expand your horizons by experimenting with some old basics in a new way. Learn how easy it is to explore new applications while familiarizing yourself with the sewing machine. Play with all the wonderful fabrics, threads, yarns, zippers, and trims that are available today. Or dip into your stockpile with a different approach. Break a few rules, sew crooked, and create a new design. The results can be amazing and so much fun.

Fascination with BAGS (Lecture)

Handbags are the rage and you need more than one. Discover how easy it is to make bags with character to fit your special needs. Whether making a cute evening bag, holder for CD’s, or large carryall for everyday, there are tricks of the trade. Padded shoulder straps, chain application, corded piping, sew-in magnetic snaps, bag feet, and under construction essentials are some of the basics. There are tips for proper positioning of creative design for all styles of bags. Use handbags as a palette to play with your sewing machine while creating bags uniquely your own. They are so much fun. View many bags from Linda’s collection.

Addicted to BAGS Maybe you prefer this write-up (Lecture)

Almost, since the beginning of time, women have used a bag, tote, or pocket of some sort to carry their necessities. As times have changed, there are new styles for the modern lady and the modern world. Explore some of the new styles to make a bag uniquely your own. You can copy techniques from expensive readymade bags and use the hardware that makes your bag look like it came from an expensive boutique! We have several new bag patterns that are creative, fun, and fast.

Creating the Perfect BAG! Maybe you prefer this write-up (Lecture)

Everything that can be made into a garment, pillow, wall hanging or quilt, can also be made into a handbag. Handbags are the rage and you need more than one. Discover how easy it is to make bags with character to fit your special needs. Whether making a cute evening bag, holder for CD’s, or large carryall for everyday, there are tricks of the trade. Padded shoulder straps, chain application, corded piping, sew-in magnetic snaps, bag feet, and under construction essentials are some of the basics. There are tips for proper positioning of creative design for all styles of bags. Use handbags as a palette to play with your sewing machine while creating bags uniquely your own. They are so much fun. View many bags from Linda’s collection.

Zippers—Easy, Fast, and Fun (Lecture)

Tired of being hidden & ignored, the zipper is exposed as a truly versatile embellishment. Let the zipper make a statement on your next project. Don’t use a zipper foot! There are new and different applications. Use zippers as trim, artwork, jewelry, and places that you never would have used a zipper. Included are at least 5 easy ways to insert a zipper. Come join me and learn the new tricks with zippers and view zippers like you’ve never seen before. There are lace zippers, glow-in-the-dark zippers, striped zippers, metal look-a-like zippers, and rainbow zippers. Quick, easy, and fun projects!

Zip to It! Maybe you prefer this write-up (Lecture)

Zippers have been puzzling for many years. They have gotten a bad rap as being difficult to insert. Yet, they are simple to install when stitched correctly with the proper feet. Learn how to insert zippers using the All Purpose Foot and the Edge Stitching Foot. You’ll marvel at the ease of inserting zippers in pockets, pillows, handbags and garments. Let the zipper make a statement on your next project by using decorative zippers. The opportunities are endless and the results so much fun. Whether for garments or bags, insert zippers trouble free, the easy way.

Spiral Patchwork (Lecture)

Create wonderful wearables, wall hangings, table runners and accessories with an artistic approach using Spiral Patchwork. Simply sew strips of fabric together, fold and sew into a tube. When the tube is opened, the design is repeated with no waste. Add new angles by shifting a ruler. Serge to create the illusion of corded piping. Use 2 fabric or 30! What looks so involved is actually quite simple. Add couching and decorative threadwork for more detail. Bring your sense of adventure. It’s real fun and who knows what the outcome will be.

Using Thread for Embellishment (Lecture)

New threads require understanding for easy sewing. Proper needle, feet, and tension make sewing with decorative threads a breeze. Some threads are too large for the needle, so how do you work with them? Some threads may be better used in the bobbin. Should you stitch from the right side of the fabric or the wrong side? Unleash the possibilities of thread as you discover which to use in the sewing machine needle and which to use with a foot. You can relax when you know the proper techniques. Sew crooked or straight. It’s an adventure the easy way.

A Bag of Tricks—Using the Right Feet (Lecture)

It’s the fine tuning on a project that makes the difference between home made and couture. Easier, faster, and more accurate can be accomplished with the proper tools, feet, and skills. Every sewing machine has feet to make the task easier for corded piping, zippers, and decorative threadwork. Unleash the possibilities to make every project a masterpiece of fabric manipulation and construction details.

Sew with Your Feet Maybe you prefer this write-up (Lecture)

The myriad of sewing machine feet and accessories available make basic sewing and creative embellishment far easier than ever before! The proper foot makes formerly not-so-simple tasks come alive with ease, increasing efficiency and accuracy. It is fun to achieve delightfully original and stunning results for garments, quilts, handbags and more. You can relax when you let your feet do the sewing—it’s an adventure the easy way!

Building Kaleidoscopes (Lecture)

As a child, it was fun to play with kaleidoscopes and watch the different designs evolve. A twist of the wrist and the design was gone forever! Today, it is easy to create kaleidoscopes with photography or drawings. Using different template shapes, you’ll marvel at the works of art that can be created to print on fabric or paper. Use the kaleidoscope as a base for further thread embellishment, build a project with the kaleidoscope as a focal point, or piece it into a block for a quilted project. This could be another creative addiction!

Add Texture to Embroidery (Lecture)

With the popularity of computerized embroidery comes more opportunity to “play” on the machine. Most embroidery is relatively flat. Building designs to give dimension is another opportunity to explore. Don’t get caught just stitching the design. Layer the fabric; stuff the layers, embroidery a fringe. With new stabilizers, threads, fabrics, and ideas you’ll marvel at the ease of creating texture. Many of the ideas are simple, quick, and so much fun.

New Stitch Designs from Unexpected Sources (Lecture)

Several years ago, I became intrigued with monograms. As I played with the different fonts in the arcing feature, I discovered endless ways to create embroidery designs with letters. Whether using my initials or my husbands initials, the theme of a show, abbreviations, short sayings or titles, it’s amazing to watch the different fonts, both upper and lower case change into wonderful designs for the embroidery machine. Use a little imagination by overlapping some designs or mirror imaging the design. There are endless possibilities to create designs with fonts. It all boils down to having fun with your computer and sewing machine. And remember, this is computer, so save, Save, SAVE!

Sit and Sew

Fat Quarter Bag (Sit & Sew Project for 3-4 hours)

Need a project to use fat quarters or leftover fabric? Need a quick project to use quilting experiments from the longarm or home sewing machine? Great for beginners or the seasoned stitcher, the zippered bag makes a great quick project and/or gift. This easy to make bag uses a new zipper application that includes several features on the machine to make the task easier. Insert a zipper hanging pocket. Learn easy miters. Use sewing machine feet to your best advantage for fast and accurate finishing touches. Acquire immediate satisfaction and walk out of the classroom with a finished project and the knowledge to make more.

$25.00 Kit Fee includes—
precut and serged double-faced quilted fabric for bag, webbing for strap, 2 zippers—1 for bag opening and 1 for zipper pocket, fabric for binding and pocket, swivel snap hook, and instructions.

Bring:

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, marking tools)
Dark or Beige all purpose thread
Iron—may share
Sewing Machine Feet—Basic Foot, Edge Joining, Edge Stitching or Stitch in the Ditch Foot
Anything that makes your sewing easier

The Crossbody Bag with Appliqué (Sit & Sew Project for 3-4 hours)

Come join the fun of creating a one-of-a-kind handbag using some of Linda’s favorite techniques. Use the Crossbody, a quick, easy bag, as a palette for thread embellishment with a variety of decorative stitches and cut edge applique. With a few basic techniques, a variety of decorative thread weights, you’ll marvel at the possibilities to play on your sewing machine. Learn to use more of the stitches and buttons on your machine. Insert zippers the quick and easy way. Walk out of class with a completed project, a 3 pocket bag—2 zipper pockets and one with a Sew-in Magnetic Snap, sewn in by machine!

$30.00 + Pattern. Kit Fee includes—
precut fabric, webbing for strap, 2 zippers, decorative threads, fusing medium, appliqué fabric, Sew-in Magnetic snap, swivel snap hook, and appliqué instructions.

Bring:

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, marking tools)
Dark or Beige all-purpose thread
Iron—may share
Sewing Machine Feet—Basic Foot, Edge Joining, Edge Stitching or Stitch in the Ditch
Foot, and Open Toe Appliqué Foot
Anything that makes your sewing easier

The Handy Bag (Sit & Sew Project for 4 hours)

Unzip this magical bag to form a placemat for lunch, table cloth, or toy bag. The hobo shaped bag, with patch pocket, decorative zippers, mitered corners, sew-in magnetic snap flap, and webbing strap is a great project to use or for gift giving. Class project uses double faced quilted fabric finished with bias binding. Make another by quilting your own fabric.

$40.00 + Pattern. Kit Fee includes—
Double faced quilted fabric, 2 decorative zippers, webbing, bias binding and decorative thread.

Bring:

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, marking tools)
Iron—may share
Sewing Machine Feet—Basic Foot, Edge Joining, Edge Stitching or Stitch in the Ditch Foot and Open Toe Appliqué Foot
Anything that makes your sewing easier

Spiral Patchwork Table Runner (Sit & Sew Project for 3-4 hours)

Discover how simple it is to do spiral piecing. In this easy going class, there are no points to match! All straight stitching, this project is very basic and looks more involved than it really is. Stitch the strips into a tube to form the angle. Quilt the layers and finish with binding round the edge. Fast, fun project and leave with a finished table runner ready for the table! Use small corded piping for additional detail. Kits use fabric from Linda’s Fabric Collection—Queen of the Night.

$30.00 Kit Fee includes—
Cut strips of fabric, backing, binding, batting, quilting thread, and instructions.

Bring:

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, marking tools)
Dark or Beige all-purpose thread
Iron—may share
Sewing Machine Feet— ¼” Foot, Basic Foot, Edge Joining, Edge Stitching or Stitch in the Ditch Foot
Anything that makes your sewing easier

The Caddy Bag (Sit & Sew Project for 6 hours)

It may look like other bags, but it has special features to make it unique. Whether using this wonderful tote for travel, going to the market, or stitching classes, it’s a hefty carryall with lots of pockets, both inside and out. Some pockets are zipper closed and some open. There’s even a secret zipper pocket in the bottom. Closure at the top uses the Zip Couture technique. It’s quick, easy, and there’s no zipper tail hanging off. Double strap evens the weight in the bag.

$50.00 + Pattern. Kit Fee includes—
Double faced quilted fabric, 2 decorative zippers, 1 zipper for inside pocket, extra fabric for inside pockets, cording for piping, webbing, and bias binding.

Bring:

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, marking tools)
Dark or Beige all-purpose thread
Iron—may share
Sewing Machine Feet—Basic Foot, Edge Joining, Edge Stitching or Stitch in the Ditch Foot and Open Toe Appliqué Foot
Anything that makes your sewing easier

Reversible Donut Wrap (Sit & Sew Project for 3-4 hours)

Never underestimate the power of a donut! This one is made of fiber and there’s no calories. Using the donut shape, create a wrap with corded piping and binding trim. With these quick finishing touches, you’ll walk out of class with a finished wrap ready to show off to the other attendees at Convention. Use a belt for closure or add a button/decorative pin. The wrap with wide collar also looks nice draped open. It’s so much fun to wear that no one will believe it’s a donut.

$35.00 Kit Fee includes—
1¼ yd each of 2 fabrics, 5½ yd of binding, 4 yd piping fabric, 4 yd cording, thread, and instructions.

Bring:

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, marking tools)
Rotary cutter, and mat—may share
Iron—may share
Sewing Machine Feet—Basic Foot, Edge Joining, Edge Stitching or Stitch in the Ditch Foot and Corded Piping Foot
Anything that makes your sewing easier