Thursday May 8, 2014 homework

Hello ladies, that was intense last night!  You learned a lot; how to sew French seams, add a bias strip to both the armhole and neckline and learned how to draft a gathered sleeve cap as well as a pleated sleeve cap!  I realize that I am pushing you to your limit and beyond but it's only because you have the capabilities to handle the work.  If you weren't so darned talented I would have to slow things down quite a bit but I have every faith that you are going to exceed your expectations, not mine I know you have it in you, you have to see the potential. 

For your homework you are to sew two very plain mock ups in order to add 4 different sleeves (one to each armhole) to keep for future reference.  Last night you were shown how to draft the first two graphics on page 46 and it was explained that the last graphic was of a pleated sleeve; this sleeve can be created two ways, number 1 is purchase the fabric already pleated or number 2 pleat the fabric yourself.  I chose number 2 because it will teach not only how to cut the pleated fabric but how to create the pleated fabric by using either plain brown paper bags or the tissue paper or easel paper we use to draft patterns to pleat and press the fabric.  This is the only way the fabric will hold the pleat even after it is washed.  So please create some pleated fabric if you would like to learn this technique and bring it to class as well as other fabric for the two sleeves on page 47 or any other sleeve you may be interested in creating.  These are only suggestions and not mandatory so if you have a style/design that has been puzzling you bring it and we can try to decipher it!  After all variety is the spice of life is it not?

Cheers and have a great week!