Hello all this makes me very happy to have a group starting on this wonderful journey and choosing me to the guide!  There is no place that I would rather be than in front of a classroom molding minds, training hands to construct garments and more importantly to draft patterns with personalized measurements! 
All of my students agree that the Le Grand Chic method of pattern drafting is by far one of the most simple to understand and execute with the end result of an impeccably fitting garment around!  At first it may seem daunting but once students get into a groove they are off and running often creating their own homework over and above what I assign if you can believe that!  They are allowed to choose designs that are similar to the instruction book using fabrics of their choice creating a wearable, well fitting garment.  This gives students incentive to continue to learn more of the same and more complex as well because their garments not only have an impeccable fit but are unique to them expressing their point of view.  Students are comfortable and love wearing their clothes too!  

For the initial class the students will be given the task of brining their sewing machines to better acquaint themselves with the functions by using paper for the novice sewers fabric for the more experienced ones. 
Class will be learning the basic terminology of sewing please print the sheets and bring them to class.  They will also be introduced to the foundation materials of proper garment construction plus learning how to hand sew properly.  This foundation must be laid before we can proceed with the pattern drafting

Things to bring for the first day:

•          Basic sewing kit
•          Sewing machine
•          Few sheets of 8 X 11 blank paper
•          Terminology sheets
•          Measurement chart
•          3 ring binder with some blank paper as well as pencils etc. 
•          Payment for the kits, I will provide receipts by email to everyone (I’m hoping to have the kits the first day)
•          Anyone who hasn’t handed in a registration form please bring that as well

 
See you then! 

Hello ladies have you recouped yet?!  That was in intense weekend wasn't it?  I hoped you would complete the tasks and you did, kudos!  As promised the highlights of sewing a pair of pants with a front fly zipper and front pockets along with your homework of course!

• Steps for the pants:
  1. Pockets – follow storyboards
  2. Zipper – when it’s front fly zipper otherwise it can be installed the same as a skirt on the back or side
  3. Back darts or yoke on jeans
  4. Inseam
  5. Topstitching if required
  6. Outseam
  7. Crotch – fit the body
  8. Make any adjustments and then continue
  9. Belt loops - strip of fabric 7 cm by 50 cm for 7 belt loops, press in sides and press in half then stitch together before cutting, place them on pants and stitch in place at the stitching line then proceed with waistband
  10. Waistband for women – cut a rectangle the length of the pants waist plus seam allowances by the desired width X 2 plus seam allowances.  Interface the waistband before installing
  11. Hem – for rolled edge roll the desired amount X 2, refer to youtube video for step by step instruction on marking and sewing a machine stitched hem.  For a blind hem it should be 4 to 6 cm wide and finished with a blind stitch either by hand or by machine

Next class we will be doing a high waisted pant with front welt pockets.  A storyboard for the welts on Saturday is mandatory.  Homework will be to complete the zipper storyboard with a finished zipper for men’s wear.  In addition you should do at least one more pair of pants for someone with different measurements complete with front pockets and fly zipper.  To save class time the pants master pattern must be completed with the exception of the waistband, it must be shaped on the master pattern and will be completed in class. 
Things to bring:

• 1/2  metre of fabric for storyboard with a smaller amount of a different colour
• Master pattern for pants and tracing paper
• Fabric for pants
• Interfacing
  

These ladies worked so hard this weekend!  On Saturday they did not one but two storyboards, one for the front fly zipper and one for the front pockets.  Anyone who is familiar with my storyboards will understand exactly how much work it is to get them done, but in the end they are very happy to have done them because they have a 6 step visual 3D reference for the zipper installation and a 4 step one for the pockets showing all the steps so there is no guesswork! 
Not only is it a great reference for future use but it is also a great way to get the muscles to remember what it is they are supposed to do and in which order!  The brain alone can't do all the work!  By the end of the last step it is very clear how the whole thing comes together and they all say "what was all the fuss about?" 
I apologize for the sideways pictures, couldn't get them to rotate for some reason not sure why.... anyway I wanted to share the looks of "Whew" these ladies had.  I look forward to the next weekend in September.  Homework will follow. 

This weekend is the annual family reunion on my husband's side with 120 or so of our closest relatives!  The picture above is a few years old when a large group came from Italy for a wedding and then joined the crowd for a fun filled day with family!  I am sharing this with you just because I care very deeply for everyone in the photo, this is one very loud, very loving, very large family that I have had the pleasure of marrying into, of course at that time there were not as many of us as in the picture, but God did say to go forth and multiply.... 

All of these people are children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and in some instances great-great grandchildren of two sisters and one brother, some immigrated as children some as adults and most were born here, all proud Italian-Canadians.  There are many more relatives in Italy who knows one day we can make the trek overseas to have a family reunion will ALL  the family!

This is a shining example of co-operation, family unity and hard work on the part of the picnic committee, yes there is a committee that convenes several times a year in preparation for this day, there may be food and wine involved but the work gets done just the same :) games organized, venue chosen, dates, letters etc all are attended to by the committee.  I always marvel at the dedication, unwavering support and all the work involved and yet year after year they get it done.  Kudos to them with many thanks in advance, I know it will be another banner year once again!

We all look forward to this day full of activities, games, food, lots of food, even a food competition!  This year it's banana bread we take it very seriously you know, some even practice different recipes to see which is the preferred one to enter into the competition!  The best part is the connection that is forged not only between the cousins but between the different generations who are present.  In the end family is what counts, they are the ones who will be there for you when the chips are down to help you pick up the pieces, some people say you can choose your friends but are stuck with your family.... well I think I'll keep them, they are stuck with me!!!