Embroidery

I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. Albert Einstein

35426-cross-eyed-cat-falling-leaves-illustration

Hello A-Team:

I have learned that Monday, October 10, is Thanksgiving in Canada.  I wish them all a big dinner and to stay warm.  I had to call Canada this weekend and found out it was snowing in Calgary.  And here we are, in San Diego, where it is vey very warm.  Next week, it will get cool.  Maybe we will see the temperature dip into the 60’s.  The up and down temperatures are sure to continue till November.  Even then, it really doesn’t snow in San Diego.   Hence, I needed to find a picture that expressed the season as I saw it in Southern California.  The leaves are turning colors and Stella, my pussy cat, just loves it.  They crackle under her paws and she has been told not to eat the leaves.   She has been hanging around me this weekend.   I caught a sore throat and had to sleep it off.  I am much better, thanks to all that purring in my ears.

As to the classes:

Draping:

Last week, we started making the dress forms conform to our bodies.  This week we will finish.  I will make sure that you look marvelous.  Then it will be time to pad out the dress forms and put the cover on.  You will need to bring your cotton upholstery batting, a couple of plastics from a dry cleaners, your sacrificial bra, and your slipcover.  By the end of Monday night’s class, your dress form will be all but completed.  IF you want to leave your form in the back room, make sure you have Amy’s tags.  See the last post.  She tells you where to get them.

Upcycling:

We are ready to start our Sewing Operations Portfolio Samples.  There are still one or 2 more Textile Presentations to present.  Some of you have already started working on your upcycling projects.  Remember, you need to have hours, the presentation, the samples and the upcycling project for a grade.

Flat Pattern Manipulation:

Last week, we made 5 master basic sloper patterns out of manila paper.  What you didn’t catch, was that there will be 6.  Some of you have a one dart sloper front and some of you, have a 2 dart sloper front.  In the end, you will all have a one dart and a two dart master basic sloper.  I will show you how.  The rest of the manila paper I have, will be used for the last sloper.  It’s easy.  This week, you will practice making knockoffs and I will grade what you have completed, thus far.  I checked the pricing of a stamp to remember everything you need to put on a pattern/sloper.  Staples wanted $50 for the simple 3 by 5 inch stamp. It was NOT even self-inking.  I just can’t do it.

Sew Fun 1:

2 weeks ago:  we serged and learned some marking techniques.  This passed week, I didn’t hold the class.  I took off to kill what was brewing before it got really bad.  This week, we will finish up all our prep and begin to sew.  This is the week, we will get into TLC for the school’s straight stitch sewing machines.  I will be back to teaching with a post nasal drip and a cough.  The last remnants of what was starting up.

Links and Things:

http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/home-hobbies-sewing-resources/      Denise wanted me to share this sewing link with you.  Hope you find it useful !!!!!  There is alot of information here.

http://www.suebox.com/store/Embroidery-Collections-amp-Designs/Sparkling-Christmas-Collection/32-Christmas-Design.html  Sue Box is a fabulous site that sometimes has free embroidery designs.  Make sure you download them in PES format.  This one, is the most universal, if you do not have an embroidery machine.

I belong to sew many newsletters.  The best for Tailoring is Scabal.  Here is the last post.  My advice is to join this group.  They are very classic.

https://www.permanentstyle.com/

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2016/09/introducing-the-guide-to-cloth.html

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2016/09/the-basics-of-selecting-cloth.html

http://ww2.scabal.com/en/

For those of you, who are starting your own business:  Here are some Liz Goodgold words.  Subcribe to her blog.  She will share lots of gems….

http://www.redfirebranding.com/category/lizs-blog/?inf_contact_key=12797b00b9e3fb2df3bf1693423f97a4e8ecb1b6f0937e56c9883b45a85f5c14

7 Secrets to Creating a Pitch that Gets You Funded

  1. Create a Head Whip Effect in Your Opening Sentence – Startle us; give us an amazing statistic, tell us a story, but make sure we tune in from the get-go.
  2. Make it Absurdly Simple – As I often say, “Your mother should be able to understand and invest” without a Harvard MBA. Yes; make it that simple!
  3. Get Rid of Every Acronym – Your audience doesn’t work in your field so ANY acronym makes no sense to us; spell out every single word. From IP to FP.
  4. Tell Me About Your Competitors – If you don’t have any competitors, I assume there isn’t a market. Very few products today are so revolutionary that they are the first in their field.
  5. Translate the Familiar to the Unfamiliar – When I was a book editor at Times Mirror, we often pitched new books this way: “it’s like a Sue Grafton murder mystery set in the 1800s;” or “It’s like Die Harder up in space.” Or, use a metaphor: it’s as if yogurt for the skin providing soothing relief.
  6. Make An Ask – What do you want? How much money do you need? What is the next step you want to happen? Remember: There is no selling until you ask a question.
  7. Master the Art of Q&A – Handling the question and answer period is rife with danger; it’s too easy to insult someone, speak over a question, or invent an answer. Practice handling rapid-fire questions in advance.

See you all in Class !!!!!

Joanie

 

The First and Greatest Commandment is: Don’t Let Them Scare You – Elmer Davis

Rescued More Humans
    Thank you for sending this to me, Jeannette.

Hello A-Team:

Can you believe it is 2016 already !!!!!   It was a short rainy week last week…….  Yes, there was class on Wednesday and Thursday night.  There are just 3 weeks left to the Fall semester.  Yes, there is class every day except Martin Luther King’s Day:  January 18th.  

Both classes:  Sewing Fundamentals 2 and Computer Patternmaking need to complete their projects,  And remember for a grade:  you need to have at least 80% of all class hours + your completed project. 

My courses and timing changed for Spring 2016.  I am still writing syllabi for the upcoming semester.  There is lots of stuff already up on the blog.  BUT…please be patient with me.  I like writing complete syllabi.    

Interesting Links:

www.centerforpatterndesign.com/  Periodically I mention this site.  If you are serious about becoming a great pattern maker, check this out !!!!  Someday, I am going to Eugene, Oregon and take classes there.  

www.urbanthreads.com/newsletter.aspx  Urban threads has a great freebie out:  Winosaur.  Very cute.  If you are into machine embroidery, grab it !!!!  If you do not own an embroidery machine, yet, make sure you pick it up in PES format.   They also have a free standing dress form, that I just had to put on my wish list………….

How to Use a Tailor’s Board  This is from the threads newsletter.  Very good techniques to know.   This video comes with a commercial in the beginning.  Just turn the sound down. 

See you all in class !!!!!

Joanie

 

Fashion Show Update +

wc silk and saffron 2013

Hello A-Team:

Attached please find the 2013 Silk and Saffron Flyer. Print as many as you need. There has been a change in timing. All models need to be at the school by 3 PM on Friday. We will be having a rehearsal. I will keep you informed throughout the week as to further changes.

You just gotta know….in both courses: Drapingand the First Pattern, everyone is hard at work trying to finish their project for the Fashion Show. Don’t push it. Good work takes time !!!!!!

I was at Home Goods in Parkway Plaza last Friday. They had a whole bunch of Martha Stewart tomato keepers for $2.99 each. These keepers are PERFECT for pin cushions. This is a safety issue. By using these containers, little fingers, dogs, cats, etc., cannot accidently swallow a pin or needle.

I want to suggest: if you are thinking of taking my summer course, Working With Asian Garment Patterns, buy the book now. You have a choice of 3 books. They are sold on www.Amazon.com. I do have copies of these books in the classroom. You are welcome to look at mine, before you buy one of your own. You only will need only one of the 3 books. Each book has different patterns in them. We will only have time to make up one pattern. Make SURE you buy your book in English. They do come in both Japanese and in English. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_11?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=drape%20drape&sprefix=Drape+Drape%2Caps%2C305 Each book is less than $20. All three books were written by Hisako Sato.

Amazing Links:

The Fashion Bookstore located in the California Market Center. www.thefashionbookstore.com This is a great resource !!!!! Check it out !

Free Webinar for embroidering ready to wear clothing: http://bullarddesigns.com/webinar-home/ Looks great to me !!!!

Cute Free Designs. Remember to get the format .pes, if you do not own an embroidery machine, yet. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=b8tdhpdab&v=001ritck83OfZkvVsQiE3XEfFDcxwdoridms9loLqh-YKS__o4JEEsavU4RrRekst_qWo0W50rOlezgEVBq00cC6VeCV-msh9MZe5ZDArsdK3s%3D

Serger videos. I still think a Babylock Imagine is the serger to buy because the threading is so easy!!!!. BUT here, are some videos to help you get acquainted with sergers and serging. http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f8c95083dae7cbbbdc4d7ab5f&id=9343413a33&e=aa6f2dee5f

http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBRi$3HAri9wOB8yU6FAuxTDd.Ari9wOUj/doc.html?t_params=I_ADSPOT_PRINTSUB_RENEW%3D0%26I_ADSPOT_THRSUBS%3D0%26I_SUBJECTLINE%3D0%26EMAIL%3Dmckenna%2540gothere.com%26FNAME%3DJANICE%26PASSWORD%3DAri9wOAuxTDdBRi%25243Hgq5noiBn6V1A%26SOURCE%3DCA Threads newsletter.

Make Money with your Skills ! ©

Be Safe,

Joan McKenna

Associate Professor

San Diego Continuing Education

Hospitality & Consumer Science

Fashion Department

Office: 619-588-2244

WC-Silk and Saffron 2013.pdf

Silk and Saffron II

Hello A-Team !!!!

Such excitement !!!! The West City Campus annual Silk and Saffron II Fashion and Culinary Show will be on Friday, May 17th, from 4 to 7 PM. What fun !!!! You will be able to show the world how much you have learned !!!!! If you were in the Portfolio course, we will be displaying portfolios. Let me know if you will allow me to display your shoe box !!!! We will also display completed dress forms. We will be modeling draped dresses and PJs. What fun !!!!!

I also want to let you know that I got the flyers for the summer courses !!!!  You can print the PDFs from the right side column.  In the coming weeks, I will get the syllabi up on the blog.  But for now, here they are:

The Courses:

Draping: We started working on our draped dresses this week. We are going to continue working on them, through May 15th…… May 17th is the Fashion Show !!!!

First Pattern: The prep work is done and the sewing has begun. Remember that you need to press and fit (try on your PJs) as you sew. Remember commandment #14: Thy iron is they friend. AND sewing commandment #13 says a lot: Seam lines are second chances for perfect fit.

A few Incredible Links to keep you on your toes:

http://www.thekitchn.com/no-more-soggy-salad-a-guide-to-the-perfect-salad-in-a-jar-186104 No more Soggy Salads: A Guide to the Perfect Salad in a Jar. Thank you Faye for submitting this. What a GREAT idea !!!!

Here is a link to a video where you can learn how to use triangular quilting rulers: www.fonsandporter.com/trirecs

http://www.ageless-embroidery.com/fontinprogress.html You can pick up a complete exquisite alphabet font – free from Ageless embroidery. You need to do it soon. The set will go on sale on May 1st. Remember, if you don’t have an embroidery machine, pick up this font in the PES format. The format is just about universal.

Check out these Sewing Bee videos from Great Britain!!!! Thank you Rita for submitting this !!!!!! Move over Project Runway !!!! Even though the videos are long, they are worth watching. You will learn SO much. The critiques are much more positive. They are judging the sewer’s skill !!!! Very Refreshing. AND OF COURSE…..I LOVE THE TROPHY !!!!!! Simple and worth all the work !!!!!!!

Episode 1:

Episode 2:

Episode 3:

Final Episode 4:

See U all in class this week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make Money with your Skills ! ©

Be Safe,

Joan McKenna

Associate Professor

San Diego Continuing Education

Hospitality & Consumer Science

Fashion Department

Office: 619-588-2244

Yes, There IS Class This Week

Hi A-Team:

YES….THERE IS CLASS THIS WEEK. SPRING BREAK STARTS SATURDAY, MARCH 23 THROUGH MARCH 30TH.

My computer is finally up and running. The slowdown was caused by 2 Avast add-on programs. Now that the Sandbox and Webrep were removed, I have my memory back and the computer moves the way it is supposed to…..FAST !!!!! Thanks for your patience. I think I have caught up with all my emails. I think………

Now I want to broach a serious subject: Accidents. They do happen. This one caused me to remove the “semester sign” from the wall. We can start counting semesters again, next Fall. Read the following. And I sincerely thank my student for sharing this with us!!!!!! At the bottom of the email, before I go into what is happening in the classroom, I have included pictures of ways to avoid this. Note: the idea was NOT mine. There was a student in one of my previous courses that thought of this.

From: A Student of Mine
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 8:47 AM
To: Joan McKenna
Subject: Re: Puppy update

Hi Joan,
Sami is 13 months old, past losing her baby teeth, but she is a chewer, and likes to have something in her mouth. We have several toys (stuffed creatures, nylabones, and real antlers) for her scattered around the floor so she doesn’t find the furniture or shoes to be more attractive to chew on. She finds a stick on her walk and will carry it throughout, and leave it on our doorstep til next time. We used to have ropes AKA “tug toys” around for her, but she gnaws on the loose threads and shreds the ropes. Any toy that has a loose thread is a goner, because that is the weak point of the toy. She will chew on that thread, and within minutes the toy is in pieces. In hindsight, that tomato must have seemed to Sami to be “the perfect toy”.

When I found her near the tomato, there were about 6 pins scattered about. Some were bent. This was my “old tomato” that I’d had since I started sewing, and it had little silk pins (like my mom used) in it. I didn’t know how many were on the tomato. She had a needle & thread in her mouth, the needle was dangling toward the floor, as if she’d pulled on the thread, and the needle just came along for the ride. I couldn’t tell if she had eaten more. She didn’t seem to be in pain. There was just a subtle sense that her usual contentedness wasn’t there, though I wasn’t sure if I was reading too much into her actions. She behaves the same way if she gets into something she knows she shouldn’t (such as digging up plants in the garden). I just took her in because I didn’t know, and that an x-ray is worth the cost for peace of mind. I’m thankful that I did, because as it turns out, she had a pin sitting in her stomach, which was relatively easy to get at, and will heal more easily that if it had continued on to her intestines. The other concern would be that it can perforate the lining and travel around in the body. Blech. In my brief Google search before taking her, I saw dogs with a dozen pins in them, all along the digestive tract. That was what I was imagining for her. When I saw her x-ray, I was thinking “All this for one pin!!” Anyway, I’m happy to share this info, if it can help save other pets and babies. It’s a $1200 lesson, but hopefully Sami will come out of it okay.  See Pin in Sami's Tummy                      image0021

Sami did well in surgery, will be staying overnight, and will hopefully be back home with us tomorrow afternoon. The other day Sami seemed interested in the “tomato”, and
I thought it was because it looked like a chew toy. I found out today that it is filled with sawdust!!! It probably seemed nearly irresistible to her with loose threads & wood scent!!
Thought you might want to share this with your class…
Thanks!Here is the fix:

B.A.           C.B.                  A.C.

A. This container if for half used onions tht need to be stored in the refrigerator.
B. This container stores tomatoes.

C.  C.This box is an old floppy disk box.

The Classes:

Draping: We are in the final fitting process of the dress form slipcovers. We had one student who started padding her dress form, last week. This coming week, is the final week of fittings. Don’t forget to get a fellow student to mark your soutache braid lines. Over the break, you will need to pad your dress forms. April 1, is when I start teaching how to drape. You will need your text book and all the other supplies asterick’d (*) in your syllabus supply list. You have a few weeks to finish your arm. It would help, if you could zig-zag some of the soutache braid on, before you pad your dress form. Remember the order for padding your dress form. I demo’d the process: Sew the slipcover with default stitching. Cut all seam allowances to ¾ of an inch. Clip all seams one inch apart. The form, should be set about 1 inch smaller than your measurements. Try the slip cover on the form. See where you need to pad. Measure, cut and sew your bottom drawstring pull. Pad the form. Put on the bra. Stuff the key for the form, inside the bra. Put on the cleaner’s plastic covers so you can easily slip your slipcovers on. Check your bust, waist and hip tolerances: Should be within ½ to 1 inch. You will probably need to adjust your soutache braid once the slip cover is on the form. Now is the time to cover your armholes and neck edge. Finish your soutache braid application. Finish your arm.

Portfolio: Last Tuesday, we finished our collar insertion and learned all about pleats and how to personalize them. Last Thursday, we practiced V-necklines, and learned how to read a pattern envelope by seeing a power point presentation. This coming week, we will be learning how to sew on closures, buttons, snaps, sequins, beads,patches and hooks and eyes. On Thursday, we ill be learning how to deal with patch pockets.

Free Embroidery Design Links:

http://www.urbanthreads.com/newsletter.aspx      EMI freebie !!!!

http://www.hatchedinafrica.com/detail.aspx?id=2503    St. Patrick’s Day set.

http://www.embroiderthis.com/vadayfrde.html    Valentine’s Day Designs.

See you all in class this week !!!!!!!

Make Money with your Skills ! ©

Be Safe,

Joan McKenna
Associate Professor
San Diego Continuing Education
Hospitality & Consumer Science
Fashion Department
Office: 619-588-2244

Forging Ahead !!!!

Attention A-Team:

I know, the lessons are getting harder. Realize that every class builds upon the other. One of the definitions of “forging” is to advance gradually and steadily. You can also forge quickly and suddenly. The outcomes are till the same: Everything comes together in the end. Trust me. Six months from today, the lessons will sink in, as you begin to use the techniques in your everyday sewing.

 

I didn’t have a chance to read all the evaluations, yet. Thank you all for filling them out !!!!!

 

Good Stuff Happening THIS Week!!!!

Next Tuesday night, March 5th, Central Sewing is coming to demo the amazing feet for the Imagine and the Evolution. If you want to be there, you will need to sign into this course. There is plenty of space. The demonstration/lecture will start around 7 PM. This will give the Rupleys time to close up shop and grab a bite, before they come. If you were thinking about these sergers, this is the time to come and see what else they can do. I can do everything listed on the “cheat sheets” but when it comes to the accessory feet…..I am in awe !!!! Kudos goes to Jewel for bringing in her Evolution for the demonstration.

 

The Courses:

Draping on Body Doubles: Last week and this week, we continue with our slipcover fittings. Some of the students are ready to start the final fittings on the right side of the slipcovers. The next step will be to sew on our soutache braid. I sewed mine on by hand. BUT…last class, someone sewed it on by machine. I LOVE this technique! Within the next 2 weeks, we will be padding out our dress forms and putting our personally fitted slipcovers permanently on. Our arms will be completed, too. If some of you, want to attend this class, just to learn how to drape, you can easily slip in here. You can learn on the school’s full size dress forms. I can also bring in a couple ½ size dress forms, if you would like to learn on these. Just let me know.

The Sewing Techniques Portfolio: Last Tuesday, we learned the Corded seam, the Curved seam, the Flat Felled seam, and the Inset Right hand corner. Last Thursday, was tough. We learned how to control fullness six ways: Elastic waist casing with Ban Roll Elastic, Eased sleeve caps 2 ways, Ruffle cuff, classic Straight Stitch Rolled hem, Sleeve Insertion without puckers and tucks. It was a lot to take in. Remember….all these techniques are MUCH easier when you do them full size instead of ½ size. Next Tuesday, you will see and experience 3 different seams on the Imagine serger and one on the Evolve. (The Evolve, is the older model of the Evolution.) You will get to compare the 4-thread seam, the 3 thread seam, and the rolled hem. On the Evolve, you will see and understand what the cover stitch is. After you do all of this, the Rupleys will come and show you the rest. Make sure you have paper and pen for notes. Next Thursday, we will learn all about darts. We will also make up a collar and insert it in our ½ size bodice.

 

Links & More:

Free Embroideries

http://www.advanced-embroidery-designs.com/newsletter/20130304.html Gorgeous Religious Easter Embroidery. If you do not own an embroidery machine; always get your free embroideries in the .pes format – IF given the choice.

http://www.urbanthreads.com/newsletter.aspx Urban Threads has a cute Sasquatch design to grab.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=b8tdhpdab&v=001cHaZO6NvI5UCEFoYx8ZOAnNIqJQDzuX6TvujbLCri8P85EByE2KQOx8PAWHtx6x_sJVvZp2tiQilG69-opGdxOGGek851f6N68-_yhPgWvE%3D There is a cute monster at the bottom of the page. If you go into JuJu Designs, there are a bunch of freebies there.

http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/blog/how-to-use-the-tape-stitching-foot/ This video is for you, Nancy. This foot is BETTER than the metal Binder foot that I bought for my machine. Be sure to check out the other videos concerning feet on the right hand side of the video.

 

Good Bra Fitting Tips

This article is from the Bra Makers Supply Newsletter.

THE CUPS

  • should fit all the way around each breast
  • should not have flesh bulging out anywhere
  • should keep the breast inside the cup
  • should support the breast comfortably
  • should not allow any skin to rub against skin
  • should not need to be padded in order to support well

THE WIRES

  • should encircle the breast mound completely
  • should not poke, pull or protrude
  • should not hurt to wear

THE BAND

  • should hold the cups in place without being too tight
  • should not ride up at the back
  • should be snug enough to engage tension on elastic
  • should not roll up, or dig into the rib cage
  • should sit on or very nearly on the breastbone

THE STRAPS

  • should not be digging into the shoulders
  • should not fall off the shoulders
  • should hold the breasts at a comfortable height
  • should not support the weight of the breasts

See you all in class this week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make Money with your Skills !©

Be Safe,

Joan McKenna

Associate Professor

San Diego Continuing Education

Hospitality & Consumer Science

Fashion Department

Office: 619-588-2244

Three Weeks till the end of the Fall Semester.

Hello A-Team!!!!

I realize that most of you, did not realize that last week was the week that classes resumed from Winter Break. This email/post marks the beginning of the end of the Fall 2012 courses. You have come a long way in your learning. In the next 3 weeks, we will tie everything together !!!!!

I have sent an email about room 209 being so cold. They issued me a work number. Until then, make sure you bring something warm to throw on. I believe the air conditioner goes on between 6:30 and 7:30 PM.

Check out the blog: www.sewalongwithjoanie.wordpress.com. I have gotten 2 out of the 3 spring syllabi done and up in the right hand column. The only one that still needs to be completed is Draping on Body Doubles. Both Sewing Fundamental Courses (Sewing Techniques Portfolio and Using your First Commercial Pattern) are there, ready for download and printing. Check out the Britex Image. I did put some other interesting things up for you. Troubleshooting your sewing machine is very very good. It came from a great sewing machine store in Chula Vista.

In Drafting & Flat Pattern Manipulation: We are starting to make the patterns for our final half-size project. I can’t wait to see how this progresses. It is exciting to me to see you use your skills to flat pattern your slopers into a dress of your own creation. Of course your hours grade comes into the picture @ grade time. You need 80% of 105 hours which is 84.

In Using Your First Commercial Pattern: Everyone continued to work on their pajamas. Several had completed their PJs, and were starting other sewing projects. Just remember, I need to see the final finished garment(s). I need to take a picture of you and the pajamas. In this way, if anyone questions my grading, I have the pictures to show. Plus, your hours grade stands as is. Every week I add your hours. The course is 72 hours. You need (80%) 57 hours to go on to the next course: Sewing Fundamentals II: Intermediate Sewing.

Note that I can no longer change grades if you complete a required project after I send in the final grades. Everything must be completed by the time your course ends.

Good Things to Know:

Flu, Colds, and Other Bugs: How to Stay Well During Virus Season

By Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD

Busted! We admit it: We can be manic about shooing people home at the first snuffle or sneeze, even if they swear they feel well enough to work. Fine; work from home. Just don’t spread that virus. (Here’s the secret to shrugging off colds.)

Part of it is selfish. We don’t want to catch a bug or see half of the staff get it. Part of it is on your behalf. The more often you come to work sick, the more likely you are to get really wiped out down the road.

The evidence behind this: Researchers (love their nitty-gritty brains) have figured out that if you come to work sick at least six times during 12 months, you’re 50% more likely to be out for weeks within the next 18 months. Why? They think that when your body never gets a chance to completely recuperate, you get more and more run down. Eventually, your immune system cracks, and the next little illness spells big trouble. (Here’s another reason to stay home.)

What if you can’t afford to be sick? Follow our six basic YOU Docs rules for boosting your immunity. They’ll help you stay well in the first place.

1. Get enough ZZZs. You need 7 1/2 to 8 hours of shuteye. Every night!

2. Get enough vitamin D3. Take 1,000 IU a day; 1,200 after age 60.

3. Get your ahhhs. Both periods of big stress (e.g., the holidays) and quick hits (e.g., parking rage) take a toll. Carve out 10 minutes a day for meditation, deep breathing, and serene stretching. Don’t let stress get the best of you.

4. Walk. It keeps your body humming and your head clear.

5. Eat and drink like a smart person. These 5 foods will give you an edge.

6. Wash your hands. Scrub 100 times a day. Okay, 150.

Should you keep exercising if you’re sick but not that sick? Take "the neck test."

Inspiring Links:

http://wt.dlisys.com/nancysnotions/NN121334.asp?e=&src=&x1= There are 2 things about this Nancy Notions sale campaign that are intriguing. The fact that you can buy Klasse needles in bulk and @ a great discount and the fact that the fat quarters are all color co-ordinated. The needles, we can all use. I often feel that is what I use my Joanne’s coupons for. And the fat quarters, would make a marvelous color coordinated purse during the summer session in the computerized machine embroidery course.

http://www.urbanthreads.com/newsletter.aspx I love the way Urban Threads thinks. They have an interesting freebie to retrieve, just for clicking and scrolling down the newsletter.

http://sprouts.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/r/10AB141CA506BE24/0A0CC5CBEF176EC24BD7C9066BE4161D There are so many good things in this link. I especially like the article comparing all the sweeteners. It’s on the same picture group line as the quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes.

http://www.bfc-creations.com Check out this embroidery design website. They have lots of freebies scattered all over. If you don’t have an embroidery machine, yet, always pick up the freebies in .PES format. They have graciously said they would give the class a discount on the designs to be used in the summer embroidery course. Details to be worked out after the new Spring semester starts.

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/29365/how-to-sew-a-single-fold-clean-finish-seam Video snipit of how to do a clean edge finish.

http://www.advanced-embroidery-designs.com/freedesign.html#channel=f1a2146bca49b58&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.advanced-embroidery-designs.com&channel_path=%2Ffreedesign.html%3Ffb_xd_fragment%23xd_sig%3Df126d95888460d9%26 Free baby boy and girl design. Real cute.

Entertaining Trivia:

http://www.printsew.com/ Very interesting. I signed up for this. I want to see how they will print on a standard home printer. If any of you have tried this, let me know and we will compare notes. I did everything they required. I got my password. I got the free program “File Open.” I could NOT get this site to let me download the pattern. AAARGH!

Make Money with your Skills ! ©

Be Safe,

Joan McKenna

Associate Professor

San Diego Continuing Education

Hospitality & Consumer Science

Fashion Department

Office: 619-588-2244

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!

Dear A-Team:

I can’t believe that Winter Break is over already………. I am so ready to come back to class. I know you all are too. During this break, I had the opportunity to visit Britex in San Francisco. If you every get a change to go to San Francisco, go there. Its ½ block from Union Square !!!!!!

Let’s recap the week before Winter Break. It was a fun fun week !!!!

Flat Pattern Manipulation: This was the week that we learned how to do knockoffs from readymade complete garments. We did shirts and pants. The technique is easy. Just time consuming. This being said, if the fit is perfect on the readymade completed garment, then the knockoff is worth the effort to achieve the same fit. On Wednesday, we also had a Holiday Raffle. I also collected your final project croquis to grade.

January starts our final project. I have all your final project croqui drawings. I hope you have all been thinking how you plan on patterning your creation. I will be available to help you, if you run out of ideas. See you all on Wednesday, January 2rd.

Your First Commercial Pattern: Everyone individually worked on their pajamas this week. Some of you are close to finishing. Remember, I need to see the completed pajamas and take a picture of them to be able to grade you. On Tuesday, I did a demo on elastic waistbands. Those who were in the Portfolio class, remembered how to do it. On Thursday, we had a Holiday Raffle. Everyone walked away with a gift. We also went over how to make buttonholes on all the different school sewing machines. Diana Jasso won the grand prize: A Singer Child’s Sewing Machine. Hurray for Diana !!!!!!

A question came up in this class that I want to address in this post. The question was: Why don’t I run this class like I run the portfolio course and guide you through the sewing process? If I did that, you would never bother to read the pattern guide. In this class, that is the most important skill to acquire. You need to learn to read…..and critically think the directions. Do they seem logical? Can you think of a better way to do an operation? Learning that the pattern guide is a GUIDE and NOT the All Mighty is important for you to be able to be creative and customize your garment. You need to be able to visualize and execute your apparel dreams. You absolutely need to make your garments your own style. I know, this course seems to be the tougher of the two Sewing Fundamentals courses. There are lessons to be learned in both courses.

This week, Your First Commercial Pattern resumes class on Thursday, January 3rd.

January Fun things to do !!!!

On Sunday, January 20, 2013, the 33rd annual Martin Luther King Day Parade will be held on Harbor Drive, Embarcadero. This is just a reminder that you are invited to participate and walk with Continuing Education faculty, staff and students at the parade. We have an awesome float entry this year !!!! Come and support Continuing Education !!!

As I drove around and gave out flyers for my new Spring courses, I picked up 2 Threads Magazines. The back panel of Threads is ALWAYS a treat. In the December 2012/January 2013 edition, the 1930’s evening gown has the most wonderful SQUARE armscye. There is also an article on Sewing Habits. Here are some highlights: Balance tension through the feed dogs. Fit as you go. Increase your stitch length. Choose fabrics appropriate to the garment design. Get comfortable with hand sewing. Use the right scissors for the task. Make sure you mark your fabric with the pattern markings. Invest in quality. There is also a GREAT article on vintage details of suits. So awe inspiring. And don’t miss the article on Dior’s Couture Secrets!!!

In the February/March 2013 edition of Threads, I found 3 terrific articles plus the back panel. The back panel has a 1930’s orange dress that took advantage of the different ways one can use the grains on silk charmeuse. So the pieces stand out because they are all a slightly different shade of the same orange. They wrote an article about this dress starting on page 28. The bias cut dress was cut with 4 different grainlines. It is a terrific dress !!!!! The other articles I found, concerned Tailoring, Pattern Drafting and Seam Finishes.

And yes, I will bring the magazines to class this week, so that you can look at them.

Links:

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&srchtype=discussedNews&gid=90600&item=198974985&type=member&trk=eml-anet_dig-b-pop_ttl-hdp&ut=1-nS-91YiW5BA1 Career Opportunities in Various Fields

Hello Joan,

I am hoping you all had a pleasant Christmas season, and wish you the best in the new year as well.

We are still hoping to find a qualified seamstress for our shop. If this person has previous experience we could most likely put them in our shop as a head/lead seamstress and paid accordingly. If there is a more recommended approach to finding such an employee please let me know. Again your assistance is always very much appreciated. Best regards, -lp

Hi Joan,

Hope all is well with you. I miss getting your midnight emails 🙂

I just wanted to let you know I had a call from a fellow that was looking for someone for a full time position working as a stitcher on industrial machines to create banners and other marketing items. Here is his contact info: Arthur 858 678 8909. The company is called ” Above All Advertising” and it is located in Mira Mesa. – Just thought I would throw that out there in the event you had a student looking for such a job opportunity.

Take care,

Gwen

Gwen Couture
5745 La Jolla Boulevard
(858)454-8599

http://www.abc-free-machine-embroidery-designs.com/archive/ Free machine embroidery designs

http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f8c95083dae7cbbbdc4d7ab5f&id=01d010a87b&e=aa6f2dee5f Bold Color Sewing Machine rolling tote bags

Hiya….so in the proud vein of being one of your “black belt sewers”, I would love to share with you and your class my blog. You can find it at www.spinnerlady.wordpress.com Check out the historical costuming. Unbelievably gorgeous !!!!!

On a more serious note:

http://lindeegembroidery.com/sandy-hook-what-can-we-do/ The Sandy Hook Snowflake

From: SewCal Gal [mailto:sewcalgal@live.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 3:11 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject:

I released a blog post (http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2012/12/hugs-do-you-need-quilty-hug-or-know.html) to heighten awareness of some ways to help those impacted by the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I’m not sure if the fibre-arts community has heard about the call for snowflakes, but I wanted to share this with you. If you know of anyone that might be interested in this, please feel free to share.

The PTA for the Sandy Hook Elementary school has a call out for snowflakes (paper, fabric, machine embroidered, knitted, etc.). They want to decorate the school, for when the kids return in January. As such, I began to wonder if HP employees might be able to help? Some of those adhesive papers that cling to windows or walls could create some fun snowflake scenes to decorate the school.

I understand that these snowflakes need to be received by January 12, 2013. They can be sent to the PTA:

Connecticut PTA

60 Connolly Parkway

Building 12, Suite 103

Hamden, CT 06514

Here is a link to the PTA website with more info: http://www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3459

Best Regards,

SewCalGal

www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

See you all next week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make Money with your Skills !©

Sincerely,

Joan McKenna

Associate Professor

San Diego Continuing Education

Hospitality & Consumer Science

Fashion Department

Office: 619-588-2244

Leave Time for Personal Growth

Dear A-Team:

I know that this is a very busy time of year. There is lots of shopping and baking to do. Take time for yourself. Come to class !!!!! These weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break are filled with instruction and learning. I updated the blog’s right hand column with the flyers for Spring 2013. Check it out !!!! Hope to see you in my Spring courses !!!! Also, there is a flyer from the Campus Police Department concerning Personal Safety at the West City Campus. I made the flyer printable. Print, Read and Be Aware.

This coming Thursday, the college police will have an open “Coffee with Cops” event. It will be at West City Center. The main Lobby. Thursday December 6, 2012. 12PM – 1:30 PM. Go and talk with them. They are here to protect us. The meeting will have an informal format, designed to be informative regarding public safety and quality of life issues that impact our campus. All Students, Staff, and Faculty are welcome.

The Classes:

Flat Patternmaking: Last week we finished up our Torso slopers, graded them, and started the Raglan Sleeve with Convertible Collar pattern. We will finish this up on Monday. Next Wednesday, December 5th, your patternmaking portfolios are due. We will spend the whole class getting your shoe boxes ready for grading. Of course, I will take pictures of all of you with your portfolio. I am SO excited to do this !!!! The following week, the week before Winter Break, we will be learning and doing completed garment knockoffs. This is great to know how to do. You never know when you will want to knockoff a favorite pair of pants or blouse.

Your First Commercial Pattern: Last Tuesday, we learned some new words: encased and enclosed seams. These seams will not ravel because they are enclosed. They do not need to be finished. Just sew them up. We also learned how to fuse our fusible interfacing to our fashion fabric. Remember, to fuse to the wrong side of your facings and under collar. We also serged with a 4-thread serger or by using decorative stitches on your straight stitch sewing machine all the seams that are open and will ravel. Last Thursday, we marked our fabric with all the necessary pattern markings. You also had a chance to embroider your pockets. I was surprised at how much you loved doing the computerized machine embroideries. I would like to teach you more about computerized machine embroideries next summer, 2013. If you are interested in this, sign up for the class. If I get enough student signups, I will be able to teach it. Also……….YOU have got to remember to clean up your area before you leave. It isn’t fair for 1 or 2 people to clean the whole room. I have cleaner for the tables and I have 2 brooms with dust pans.

Next week, we have course evaluations and it’s time to start following your pattern guide. I will always be near to answer questions and help with technique.

Due to the fact that you LOVED embroidering so much…

Every Link following will lead you to free embroideries… (There is also a job posting)

Remember, if you are given a choice, choose the .PES format. This is the most universal format for home embroidery machines.

http://www.advanced-embroidery-designs.com/freedesign.html bobbin lace square that can be turned into a Christmas Ornament.

Appliqué Alphabet called Lombardi. Now Available “X, Y, Z.” http://www.skeldalehouse.com This ends the Lombardi alphabet. If you missed some, you can buy the missing letters for $5 apiece.

https://www.starbirdstockdesigns.com/asp_pages/catalog.asp?PRD=19573&PCA=0 Christmas bell.

http://apexembdesigns.com/master-circle-embroidery-font Apex 3-Letter Master Monogram font. Add this to your cart. You get 3 different sizes for the monograms.

Hi Joan,

Hope all is well with you. I miss getting your midnight emails 🙂

I just wanted to let you know I had a call from a fellow that was looking for someone for a full time position working as a stitcher on industrial machines to create banners and other marketing items. Here is his contact info: Arthur 858 678 8909. The company is called ” Above All Advertising” and it is located in Mira Mesa. – Just thought I would throw that out there in the event you had a student looking for such a job opportunity.

Take care,

Gwen

Gwen Couture
5745 La Jolla Boulevard
(858)454-8599

See you all next week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make Money with your Skills !©

Sincerely,

Joan McKenna

Associate Professor

San Diego Continuing Education

Hospitality & Consumer Science

Fashion Department

Office: 619-588-2244

Thanksgiving 2012 and Beyond

Dear A-Team:

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and a week off from classes. For looking back to see how far you have come. This is the time to assess what future things you want to accomplish. I know I will never give up and my list to accomplish just keeps growing……………. At some point in my life, I want to travel. I would absolutely LOVE to cruise to Hawaii and sew all the way there and back. That is 6 days of sewing on the ocean. 3 to go to Hawaii from San Diego and 3 on the way back. There are 6 days that can be devoted to different islands and tours. Then there is the day we arrive on the ship and the day we depart. What a two week trip !!!!!! I once figured how much a trip like this would cost. It was $3500 – several years ago. This paid for the ship’s room and board, and the room(s) to sew in. I was figuring to teach on the ship. And I wanted the classroom(s) NOT to be tiny holes in the wall. I stopped planning this when the economy took a dive.

If anyone is interested, send me an email. I need 50 students to pull this off. 50 students plus a spouse = about 100 people. It would be a great trip. We would go in off season….probably in August…..to get the pricing low. How about all of you? What do you want to accomplish on your life long list of things to do. So besides eating, think of what you have accomplished and where you want to go. Give thanks to those you meet on your journey. Without them, you wouldn’t be where you are today.

As to the classes:

Flat Patternmaking: Monday, November 12, was a holiday to celebrate Veteran’s Day. We must ALL give thanks to the brave men and women who go into harm’s way so that we can live the way we do. On Wednesday, we finished up our blouse #903, and started our torso sloper. We will finish up the torso sloper on Monday, November 26 and turn them in for grading. Remember to bring your manila paper to class. ALSO…….Remember, on December 5th, your flat patternmaking portfolios need to be turned in for grading. I have a handout for you on what you need to put in your portfolio. Next week, we will be learning how to copy patterns from finished clothing without taking the clothing apart. In the industry, this is called doing a knockoff. I also would like to see your croqui drawings of what you are going to pattern for your final project in January.

Using Your First Commercial Pattern: The Certificates from the Fall 2012 Portfolio Course are ready for pickup in the WCC office. Thank you for your patience !!!! On Tuesday, November 13, we had additional pattern fittings, and on grain layouts of our patterns for our pajamas. You were told to use the handout: Pattern Power Guide Sheet to see if you could find all the things that you will need to sew up your pattern. And once I checked your layout for on grain patterns, and you were given the okay to cut, I told you to finish the cutting at home on a table. This is ergonomically better for your back. All cutting needs to be complete by this Tuesday, November 27, 2012. This gave you all an additional week to finish cutting out your pajamas. On Thursday, we learned how to safely work the school’s sewing machines. We also looked over the school’s supply of embroidery designs. You could see, the school owns quite the collection !!!!

This coming Tuesday, we will be embroidering our rough cut pockets and serging around each piece of cut fabric so that it won’t ravel when you wash and wear your garments. This coming Thursday, we will learn how to fuse on interfacing and mark our fabric with the pattern markings necessary to sew up our garments. The two classes are going to blur together because you need to fuse your interfacing first. Then you need to finish your edges with either a serger or the decorative stitches on your straight stitch sewing machine. In other words….stop the ravel before it starts. Some of you can be serging while others are embroidering. There is enough time for fusing, serging, marking, and embroidering during the next two class periods.

Upcoming News and Links:

I am going to try and use the program, Mail Chimp, to see if I can send my A-Team emails to your email in-boxes. It will take me a month or two to get all set up. Don’t be surprised if one Monday, you go to your email, and you find one of my blog posts…… Know that I am working on this………..

Here are some interesting links that I thought you might like:

http://www.skeldalehouse.com Missi has put a free beautiful W applique embroidery up on her website.

http://www.realage.com/living-younger-with-diabetes/different-types-of-diabetes Learn exactly what diabetes is and how to live with it.

http://www.catchannel.com/news/2012/11/09/help-cats-affected-by-hurricane-sandy.aspx?cm_mmc=11521165 Here is how to help the pussy cats that were affected by the hurricane Sandy.

http://www.catchannel.com/news/keep-cats-safe-on-thanksgiving.aspx?cm_mmc=11521165 Keep your pussy cat safe during the holidays. I tried to copy the entire article here, but it didn’t work. This is a must read !!!!

http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/how-to-use-a-quarter-inch-foot.aspx?utm_source=Sewing+Parts+Online&utm_campaign=cf892c2530-quarter_inch_video&utm_medium=email How to use a quarter inch presser foot. This video is great !!!!!!!

The following picture is from Lydia. It is titled appropriately: Baby and Mickey Helping to Find Fabric. I just had to include this picture here. THANK YOU LYDIA !!!!!! It reminds us that we ALL have children that like to help us !!!!!

See you all next week !!!!!!

Make Money with your Skills !©

Sincerely,

Joan McKenna

Associate Professor

San Diego Continuing Education

Hospitality & Consumer Science

Fashion Department

Office: 619-588-2244