Careers in Fashion?

Last week I gave a presentation on careers in fashion at a local Charter School. Once a month they invite a member of the community to talk about a career that students are interested in. The group was made up of all enrolled middle and high school aged kids, perhaps 30 in all. They were polite and friendly. They participated in both asking and answering questions. I asked how much money they thought a designer made. Of course they assumed a range, depending on how well known a designer was, but they were surprised to know that couture cannot support itself with clothing sales alone. Perfume sales are the cash cow for that sector. The other thing they were surprised to know is that at some schools, apparel design is a science degree, not art. There is a good amount of math required in pattern making. I asked how many student knew how to sew. Two students raised their hands, a boy and a girl. That's not a very good percentage. I think they might be needing a home ec. teacher.

Recommendations and Reviews

This month, Katie, who won a pattern in last months pattern giveaway, blogged about her experience sewing up the Sew Chic Myrtlewood design, and then wrote a review of the pattern on Pattern Review for other sewers. She offered up a good recommendation because she had a great experience putting this pattern together, and the pattern fit her really well with minimal alterations (this IS everyone's ideal!). Thanks for the nice review, Katie. (I want you to know that there was NO bribery involved!)

Pattern Review is a good source to find recommendations for everything from books to patterns to sewing machines. Because time and money are almost always in short supply these days, reviews and recommendations can come in handy. Don't we all like to read a review before deciding on a movie to see, or ask for recommendations before using an auto repair service?

Recommendations are a powerful thing. Depend on the fact that your comments will most likely impact someone's decisions. When taking a recommendation keep in mind your own needs and limitations. I had a student who bought a 4 thread serger completely based on online recommendations, and then didn't know what or how to use it once it came in the mail. She may very well have bought a quality machine, but I think she didn't count on having to teach herself how to use it. Perhaps the price of buying it at a local store where she could get training on how to use her machine may have been worth it. Otherwise, one day I might find her ad on craigslist. Sewing enthusiasts love to buy these machines offered up at a deep discount!

I get questions all the time asking for sewing machine recommendations. Would it surprise you to know that I like the old metal machines better than the computerized plastic ones? In quilting and crafts, it may be useful to have 242 stitches (an exaggeration, I know) plus sew sideways, but I know from experience that I would rarely, if ever use them. It's technology that clutters the main purpose of my machine and keeps the cost high. Other than that....I have no recommendation :-). Do you?

The job of a fit model

I started teaching my fitting class this week, and it's always fun to start with a new group of students that are excited about the prospect of sewing well fitting clothing.

One of the first things we discuss is the role of a fit model, and how it relates to the fit of clothing (or a pattern). In ready-to-wear, a company refines the fit of a new design around a particular body type from their customer base they consider average. Fit models can come from an agency, or they advertise to find a person to fit that criteria. For some companies, their fit model is sometimes considered highly classified information. Even the most exquisitely made outfit would look awful if it didn't fit, so we the public buy clothes mostly based on the fit, right? They are after the kind of fit model that will encourage sales, and as long as they stick with the same fit model, it's assumed that you will buy again. Fit is a pretty important element.

For sewing patterns, it's only slightly different. Though you can alter the fit or look however you like, I still have to start with a good fit for someone. So, I've been looking for a fit model. Again. It's harder to do than you might imagine. So who is really 'average' may I ask? Is there really such a thing? Three people with the same measurements can be very differently proportioned. Narrow back, wide in the hips, flat rear, broad shoulders, high bust, short waist, thin neck. There are any number of combination's.

The whole ordeal only proves my conviction that the best answer to the fit question is to get people sewing for themselves.

Announcement Time

Time to announce the winners of the pattern give away. Is everyone on the edge of their seat?? As I watched my humble list of (2) followers grow through the month, I admit to peeking around your profiles to see what sites you like to follow and what some of you blog about. I was completely inspired by you, and the great vintage/retro and sewing blogs that are out there. Thank you for sharing with me.

The worst part about doing this is that I hated leaving anyone out when I'd really rather give a pattern away to everyone. If only it could be that easy. I hope you winners will determine to make this pattern up this year (I know how the projects can pile up on you!) and post photos for us on your blog, at Sew Retro or on the FB fan page (let me know!!). This isn't a pattern for total beginners, so please contact me if you run into trouble!

In no particular order, here are the five pattern winners in which my hearty congratulations go to:

Faye Lewis
Katie Jones
Sophie
Miss Emmi
Sew Great To Be Me

I have one more pattern I call Constance, #8404, to give away. I'll do that giveaway through Sew Retro, I think, so you retro girls stay tuned!

Of course all these patterns are available for purchase on my website,
http://www.sewchicpatterns.com/shop.html
and you are welcome to join my mailing list at Sew Chic to get official news of sales and events.
http://www.sewchicpatterns.com/contact.html

Happy 2010, and KEEP sewing!

Courage to go on...

I can't seem to get my last style, which I call Fantasia, off the draft table. I wanted to get it published in time for Christmas- even just before Christmas would have been okay. When I sent it to the grader several months ago, it came back with a lot of errors. The grader fixed them, but when making the last sample ( I make the pattern up again and again to make sure it's right), the pattern just didn't fit right and I couldn't figure out why. After checking it once more, I discovered that the seam allowance was omitted from the back shoulder. Any error, and that's never the end of it. In this case, the sleeve fit is also affected. I finally had to leave it until the holidays were done. Often I get bored of a project before I see the end of it, and this one is stretching my ability to persevere. The packaging has been ready, and now it's time for the home stretch. The tree is down and Christmas is packed away. It's time to start thinking about projects, styles, and plans for 2010 and I'm itching to get designing again. I have an idea in my head that will not go away, and that's a good sign.
Next week I begin teaching my 10 week class about clothing fit, so that's taking up a bit time. Details, details. I've just got to get back to my mannequin!

Don't get Nostalgic yet...Here's a Pattern Giveaway

Yesterday the Nostalgic website went to the webworld trash barrel.

The last bit of business to finish up is to find a home for the last few patterns with the Nostalgic name, and I've decided to do a pattern giveaway. I have 5 sets of the Myrtlewood pattern left, as shown to the right.

All you have to do to enter is become a facebook fan or a blog follower through Google Friend Connect. The contest ends at midnight, January 1, 2010.

From this list, five lucky winners will get this pattern completely free. I'll pay shipping, even internationally. I'll notify you of your winnings and need to ask you for an address of course. You could have a new dress for the new year!

Burdastyle

Have you found out about Burdastyle yet? So many American sewists have complained about Burda patterns because they weren't in inches and at one point in time didn't add seam allowances for you (I'm told that now they do). I can see how some might not want to try it, because I also avoided those patterns in my younger years. But now, I'm okay with it, in fact I see the wisdom in it. Metric IS easier, and changing design lines or seam lines, and measuring the pattern for fit are so much easier when you don't have a seam allowance to contend with. And European style is so much more interesting to me now. Since I don't sew much but my own patterns these days, I can't really comment on Burda patterns themselves, but I do like their pattern styles, and they have a great website: http://www.burdastyle.com/




It's like one big sewing party where everyone is invited to comment, add their own patterns (many are free), write sewing tutorials, or have a discussion about anything at all. Of course, use good judgement when gleaning information because not all is worth your trouble, but I've found some good instructions on constructing your own basic block pattern, and I link to it from my website on the tips and techniques page. All in all, Burda has done a great great job with their website giving creative people a place to get together and share. I'd be willing to bet their patterns are of the same quality.