And then there were Three...patterns!

Got a cuppa - this could take a while...

I'll try & keep it brief ...

When I first started conducting Learn to Sew workshops at the Fremantle Art Centre, students would copy my Vilene patterns, for the projects I had designed.

 I decided early that the projects needed to appeal to first time sewers (those who had never seen a sewing machine before) and those wanting to enhance existing skills, so I created the
LTS Basics & Beyond Pattern which consists of 7 projects;

Journal Cover, Satchel Bag, Quilt, Liza Top, Liza Pants, Button & Zip Cushions.

The LTS Basics & Beyond pattern is now a paper printed pattern, however at the moment it's still only available to those attending workshops.

As students progressed through the projects and gained confidence, developing more advanced skills, it was evident that they needed another project to stretch them.
Being a workshop environment, where time is of the utmost importance, I required a project that would appeal to a wide audience, while giving each student the ability to create a garment as individual as they are.

I've always believed if you can stitch a straight line, insert a zip & sew a buttonhole you can create anything with your sewing machine, so after adding a few other essential techniques, like attaching bias binding and stitching darts, the Change of Heart Skirt was born, along with the workshops of the same name.

(The first Change of Heart Skirt I ever made)

These workshops have proved to be one of my most popular and 7wks ago a REinventor I hadn't seen for 8yrs joined a group. Denise owns & operates Hot Possum and 5mins into the workshop she tapped me on the shoulder and ordered 50 skirt patterns!

(CoH Skirt Workshop - Nicole, Jennifer, Michelle, Denise)

 I said yes.
It then took 2wks to turn a 1 sided A4 sheet of basic instructions into a 13pg detailed A4 book(let).
It helped having a dead-line - they had to be ready in time for the launch of Denises new quilt patterns at the Perth Craft & Quilt Show.

(Denise wearing one of her CoH Skirts behind her stand & the patterns, at the Perth C&Q Fair)

During the past 7wks I've achieved the same thing with the Splice Skirt & the Piece of Cake Frock and would like to apologise if your pattern isn't folded very well - folding at 2am is tricky!

The inspiration for the 3 designs have come from various sources however the idea for the Piece of Cake Frock came directly from a REinvention I created earlier this year.

(REinvention inspiration for the PoC Frock)

This pattern seemed to take the longest to complete because during these 7wks my soul-mate/computer guru decided to take a job as faraway from me as possible, leaving instructions on how to use Illustrator - hahaha was what I said (no it's not) and on his return he sorted out that which I couldn't.
I would also like to mention at this point the pain I went through in naming this particular pattern and the angst I felt because it's such a simple design.
Names for me are very important and like naming my children, naming the patterns has proved to be as thought provoking - they have to live with these names for the rest of their natural life -
it's a huge responsibility.
When it came time to send the pattern off for the final print I was embarrassed by its simplicity and I thought seriously about putting a zip in the back, just to make it seem more worthy of being a fair-dinkum pattern. I'm glad I didn't coz it's perfect as is, simple after all is best - in fact if I was to change the name I'd confidently call it the  
Perfect Piece of Cake Frock.

These 2 patterns had to be done & dusted in time for the Sydney Craft & Quilt Show.
I love a dead-line and have known for a long time that I do my best work under pressure!

(Packaging patterns in the Studio)

 I was compelled to contact Denise not long after she'd received the last of the patterns, thanking her for helping to make my dream become a reality, her response was, 'sometimes life sends you the people you need in your life when you don't know that you need them' - hallelujah!



For those of you unable to get your hands on a copy of the patterns because you're a little old fashioned like myself and like to physically hold and look at something before parting with your money then go ask your favourite fabric store to contact me and get them in!
If you're in Sydney this week and you especially want the Splice Skirt pattern you'd better hurry because Denise left a message this morning and she's afraid there wont be any by tomorrow!
The other options are my online shop and Denises.

Description: a semi-fitted A-line Skirt, with a relaxed fall, attached to a reversible Front Panel - essentially it's two skirts in one.

Suitable for: intermediate beginner- advanced sewer. Suitable for REinvention applications.

Pattern Package contains: full sized paper pattern in 5 sizes (8-16). 13pg detailed instruction booklet with diagrams, glossary and fabric layout guides for fabric with & without nap.

Description: a multi-layered flared a-line skirt, which is stitched & cut to create a textured finish. Finished garment sits around the midriff, with side zip opening and bias binding waist.
Suitable for: intermediate - advanced sewer.
Pattern Package contains: full sized paper pattern for 2 skirt variations (horizontal & vertical - refers to textured finish) in your choice of size (8-10, 12-14, 16 or 18). 8pg detailed instruction booklet with diagrams, glossary and fabric layout guides for both bias & straight grain cutting options.

Description: relaxed fit, easy-wear sleeveless, shaped Empire-line Dress in 2 lengths (Frock & Tunic), featuring boat-neck styled front Bodice & cut-away back neck, featuring 2 comfort pleats in the a-line skirt section.

Suitable for: beginner - advanced sewer.

Pattern Package contains: full sized paper pattern for 2 variations in length (Frock - longer, Tunic - shorter), in 5 sizes (8-18). 9pg detailed instruction booklet with diagrams, glossary and fabric layout guides.

All you require to succeed with your Sew Outside the Lines™ pattern 

is a desire to create, 

the curiosity to look a little further 

and the courage to step outside the lines...

 These three members of the family are just the beginning...

Have your Cake and eat it!

The Piece of Cake Frock pattern

is so named because it is,

a piece of cake to make...

 

  and wear,

 the simple silhouette means you can be creative with your fabric choices...

 

layer it for any season...

and

 

 be comfortable eating as much cake as you want knowing you'll still look & feel fantastic!

You could be like me and put your 'Cake' on, look in the mirror and exclaim

"I probably wont wear anything else!"

So far I've worn mine 4 days straight with different tights, boots, jeans, cardigans & skivvys - might be time to make another one!

Now the little Sew Outside the Lines™ family of 3 is complete and available

in my new

Shop!

I probably should explain what's inside each pattern package

and I will,

in the next day or two,

when I've had time to catch my breathe and REacquaint myself with my other family. 

Sewing with my new Besties!

 Denise & Julie from Hot Possum arrived at the Studio yesterday morning, with sewing machines, metres of fabric and loads of enthusiasm,

 for a whole day of creating garments from the new Sew Outside the Lines™ patterns.

We made Splice Skirts, Change of Heart Skirts and the new Piece of Cake Tunic & Frock,

so they can wear them,

while selling the patterns & the fabrics

at Denises Hot Possum stand

during the Sydney Quilt & Craft Show!

Below is a sample of a Splice Skirt Denise created - I'll share more tomorrow because the few shots I got of yesterdays creations (in between seaming zips & stitching darts) are worth their own post and besides I've got chores to do - I'd rather be here but needs must, being as I'm a one-trick-pony again!

Announcements

My visitors today came to film me for a doco on sustainability in our community and before they left I got Suzanne to draw out the winners for the REinventing Give Away.

 

     1. Leanne - Heritage Rose

2. Melissa - Paris Punk

        3. Tamara - Spring Blossom

Congratulations girls!

Now if you could email me with your addresses I'll get your treasures in the post.


The other announcement is a bit of a fizzer.
I'd hoped to share my new Logo with my new Facebook link.
Turns out I'm good at Logos and hopeless at the other.
The 10yr old did her best however it stumped her so now I've got to get the teen to sit down, in close proximity to me, while she attempts whatever it is that we need to do and haven't - it can't be that hard if there's a billion others doing it.

What do you reckon of the new logo - me thinks it's pretty cool.

Update: perseverance paid off and I now have a link to my new Facebook page up and running - it would be lovely to see you over there.

Learning to Sew

I can't believe I baulked at conducting Learn to Sew workshops for years - they are the most fun!

(The Tresillian LTS students get to enjoy the ambience of this historic building)

 It turns out my fear of having to be part sewing machine mechanic to hundreds of different makes & models was unfounded because all sewing machines perform the same functions only at slightly varying degrees. 

(Fremantle Art Centre Adults LTS)

My greatest joy is being able to alleviate the fear new sewers have of using this unfamiliar lump of metal & plastic, while watching them develop the relationship with their sewing machine that I know will ensure creating is fun forever - and it's not all sewing as there's the camaraderie that develops when like-minded people find themselves sharing time, space & coffee. 

(Tresillian - delivered to the door!)

I'm aided in my quest to teach the world to sew (hahaha) with the projects in my LTS - Basics & Beyond patterns, as they are a gentle effective approach to learning how to sew, ensuring everyone has a rewarding experience while gaining the confidence to successfully create with their new 'friend'!

(piles of paper & patterns at 2am ready for class that day!)

       The joy that is experienced when someone creates their first project is fantastic and so so so very definitely worth being there for!

(Sue loving her Art Journal Cover)

There is more over here.

In the Swing

Back from NZ and back in the swing.

Thankyou to the girls that turned up to FAC for their first Learn to Sew Workshop last Sunday - they were so understanding when I informed them I'd be cutting the class short by half because I had to dash off to a funeral in New Zealand.

I'm looking forward to seeing them this Sunday when we'll make up for lost time and get stuck into the

brand-new-hot-off-the-press 

Sew Outside the Lines™ - Learn to Sew Basics & Beyond Pattern!

Wardrobe Surgery at Tresillian started back the day after I arrived home and a thankyou to these girls for their understanding of my slightly jet-lagged demeanor.

Joanie had read my last post so new before hand where I'd been & why and at the start of the class gifted me some buttons from her Grannie - told you REinventing attracts the best people!

To the girls I rang this morning and cancelled todays All Day workshop on because of this bloody toothache - thankyou thankyou thankyou! There was no way I could have managed to stand, talk & think.
  I equate toothache to being worse than childbirth because the pains too close to the brain and unless you're prepared to extract your own tooth there's not a dammed thing you can do about it.
It's all good now though and I'll be waiting with the jug on next Saturday morning!

Here at the Studio, the All Day Workshops have proved popular this time of year.

Due to a cancellation there's a couple of spots available;

All Day Saturday 

6th & 13th Nov.

10am-3pm

and

All Day Friday 

3rd & 10th Dec.

9:30am-2:30pm 

The Splice Skirt workshops in January 2011 are filling fast also!