Hello ladies great class yesterday!  It was fun having the journalist and photographer in the class, the parting comments were "I came thinking this was just another sewing class but it's so much more than that!"  Not sure what was discussed with the students but it sounded like it was all good!  Thank you for that!
In any case you still have homework :)
Please try to finish the knit top, most of you only had the hemline and armholes to finish so that won't take long.  Please bring in your top with the facings if it still needs work we will go over the shoulder finishing in class again. 

Next week we will be starting the lined vest/blouse so please bring in lining (it will be cut first and used as a mock up) your fabric, buttons and all the other "stuff" we usually have.  This project has 12 hours slated for it but if we finish it in one week the class can do on original top of their choice the last week in class!  I know you can do it especially after working so hard and knowing the correct fit and all the adjustments needed to achieve it.  I'm rooting for you!!! 

Have a great week!

Hello ladies great class Friday night!
Your homework is to create sleeves using the whichever bodice you used to create the initial sleeve and create the variations as shown on pages 52 - 53.  Please show your master pattern, the slash and spread method and the finished pattern piece.  This will give you a very good visual of the different steps and how you arrive at the finished product.  Next week we will be cutting sleeves out  of fabric so please bring some.  No need to bring in sewing machines hand basting will suffice.  I know you all LOVE to hand stitch :)

Have a great week! 

Hello ladies sorry for the delay in writing.
Your homework for this week is to create another mock up using adjusted pattern pieces of the same dress you created last week.  These mock ups along with the pattern pieces and master pattern are to be kept for future reference.  Please bring the new mock up into class to share the results with your classmates. 
Have a great week!

Hello ladies for this class you were asked to sew in the facings as shown in class, I also said that if you were having trouble remembering the procedure we can cover it during the following Saturday the 27th after we finish the knit top, which we will do in class! 

During the next class we will be covering a knit top with a mock cowl neckline and a finishing at the armhole with a binding in either the same fabric as the top or a ribbed knit.  I will be demonstrating how to do this in class please feel free to bring in a recording device and extra fabric to do a practice piece for future reference. 

Don't forget journalist will be in class taking pictures as well.  Have a great week! 

Hello all and welcome back to class!  I missed all of you it was a long summer vacation. 
Your homework for this week is to create a new pattern draft of a bodice and set in sleeve using your personal measurements.  Follow the procedure in the book it's all colour coded so it makes it easier to understand the relationship between the armhole and sleeve cap.  If you are having trouble no worries we will be reviewing in class.
Have a great week.

Hello ladies and welcome back to class it has been too long!  I so enjoy teaching this wonderful group of women with a great sense of humour! 
Your homework for this week is to trace the pattern pieces for each dress on page 63, please label them accordingly, add reference points, grainlines etc as shown at the bottom of page 63.  You are then to choose one of the styles and create a mock up to bring to class for fitting next week.  Please choose the bodice that is new to you and I would prefer the A-line skirt portion as in 3B in the book. 
The class decided to go ahead with a full bustier for classes 3 and 4 so here is a list of materials to purchase.
These materials can be purchased from you vendor of choice, I personally use Bra Makers Supply from Hamilton as they mail it right to your door, I would say to call and speak to one of the salespeople rather than ordering online.
50 cm of duoplex (the fabric to make the front)
40 cm of elastic for the back
balconette cups or if you prefer a push up cup (this one is better from your local Fabricland)
underwire to match the cup size
50 to 60 cm underwire casing
50 cm non-slip elastic
1 metre folding elastic for bottom edge
30 cm  of each side hook and eye tape
2.5 metres spiral boning along with 2 dozen tips
2 metres of clear plastic tubing

That about covers it!  I will bring in some supplies next week so you can see what I am talking about have a great week!

Hello class kudos to you all on a job well done!  Everyone's tops were outstanding the fit was exceptional I am one very proud teacher!
Your homework for this week is to finish your top and hand it in next week except for the one who will be away.  For next class please have a master pattern complete with your personal adjustments ready to trace the pattern pieces and cut the second top in class.  There will be no mock up for this project. 
Please bring fabric for a top complete with facings, lightweight fusible interfacing, invisible zipper and seams so soft or swimsuit elastic, your tools and paper.
Keep up the good work!   

Hello all just wanted to say that even though the course is for tops if you would prefer to make a dress it will be allowed as well.  The only difference between a top and a dress is the length.

Hello all I hope we will have a class on Saturday there are still 2 spots that need to be filled.....

In the event some of you have registered and it's not showing up please bring the following to class on Saturday:
Enough WOVEN fabric for one tank top to finish.  Please no knits for this project as its' purpose if fitting.
fabric for a mock up
sewing machine
sewing kit
Just to practice we will be drafting the pattern in the morning so please bring your kits and paper as well. 
In this class the focus is fit and finish.  We will be sewing and fitting plus the proper finishing techniques for armholes, necklines and hemlines will be covered.  Here is part of the work: 

1.       Simple tank top with dart only at side seam, scoop neckline and armholes finished with bias binding.  Loose fitting woven fabric top suitable for casual wear.   

2.       Building on the tank top, students will create another tank top in a woven fabric with side darts and adding fish-eye darts on front and back for more shaping with a back or side invisible zipper.  This will be finished with one piece facing on both front and back, will be completed in one day and will be graded. 

3.       Knit top with mock cowl neck, stretch fabric only with no shaping allowing the fabric to do the shaping for the garment.  This will be finished with bias binding at armholes, neckline will be finished using the mock cowl neck only

4.       Lined vest with fish-eye darts, fitted centre back and front overlap with buttons and buttonholes
Stude 

Hello all just wanted to let everyone know that I will be in the Georgian booth at the Living Well Fair this Sunday answering questions and showing some demos of the drafting method. I invite anyone who is curious about the course or has a desire to understand where the lines on patterns come from and why they are where they are or simply to talk sewing please come and see me at:

Harmony Village Sheppard 3260 Sheppard Avenue East Toronto, ON M1T 3K3

See you there!