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UPDATE
NEWSLETTER
for
ALL Palmer/Pletsch Teachers
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Summer is flying by!! I have been to two conferences in recent months. One was the Consumer Trends Forum in San Francisco and the other was Publishing University in NYC. My head is swimming on internet topics from social media, Web 2.0 (so-called because the web is now interactive vs. static as it was in the beginning), blogging, Googling, Tweeting, and more. I may pass on tips as I sort it all out. Here is some news from Palmer/Pletsch and it is followed by NEWS FROM YOU!! Thanks for sending me your experiences to share with the other teachers. It is inspirational!
Pati Will Be at The Novi Show in Michigan September 25-26 If you are attending, go to www.americansewingexpo.com for info. I won’t have a booth as Janet Dapson will sell our products. I have the luxury of simply being a speaker!! YES!!!
WE'VE ADDED AN OCTOBER PANT WORKSHOP! Our four-day Pant Workshops are so popular we've added another October 9-12, 2009. They fill up quickly, so if you're interested, sign up today on our website Sewing Vacations page.
We are trying to be better at keeping our teacher list updated on our Web site. It is a great resource for people wanting to find a good teacher. I wish more of you were listed to give it better coverage. You can now apply for certification on our web site at http://www.palmerpletsch.com/workshop_teachtrain.htm. If you are a CSI, make sure we have your info correct on the listing - http://www.palmerpletsch.com/teacherlist-CSI.htm
If you have
ideas that you think would make the listing even better, please share
them. UPDATES ON THE WINKY CHERRY SYSTEM OF SEWING Web Site: If you are listed on our Web site as teaching the Winky Cherry System. Could you take a moment and check the listing to make sure all is still accurate? http://www.palmerpletsch.com/teacherlist-winkycherry.htm I would also love to know if you are still teaching the Winky Cherry system and how you are doing. Books and new DVDs: We had a dilemma recently in that the Embroidery book was such a slow seller that we decided not to reprint. Instead we scanned the book and we are offering it as a download from our web site as a PDF after you buy it. We couldn't let it go entirely as it is a part of the system. http://www.palmerpletsch.com/childrenbooks.htm As a result of potentially deciding not to reprint a book, the author is making a DVD for each book that teachers can use in teaching or a child could use with a parent. If the books slow in sales and we can't justify reprinting them, the concept will at least be able to go on digitally. Winky says kids are so used to digital info these days, that unlike 15 years ago, a digital format can work. At this point, the rest of the books will be in print until further notice. Several sell very well. Another request is that if anyone teaching children has some photos of the children sewing that they'd like to share, we could use them on our web site or in the DVD. I can e-mail you a photo release form that the children and/or parent would need to sign first. Is there anything we can do for you to help with your children's classes. If so, let me know. Pati Palmer
TEACHER RESOURCES This is a new page on our web site. We will be adding teaching tools. http://www.palmerpletsch.com/teacher_resources.htm . One of the tools added is:
A POWERPOINT SLIDE PRESENTATION Palmer/Pletsch has made choosing and using interfacings simpler than ever before. Teach a seminar on how to use fusibles. You or your sponsor can sell the interfacings and the interfacing DVD after your seminar. The 88 slides are in PowerPoint. Read the script as you project the slides on your laptop or use a digital projector. Your audience will learn how to select and use fusible interfacings in blouses, dresses, and jackets. View and download the script for free.
PALMER/PLETSCH DESIGNS FOR McCALL'S
After trying on many ready-made jeans, I found the shape of the leg in View B to be the most flattering. It is tighter in the thigh area and flares slightly below the knee. View A is a straight leg style. Both come up to the waistline, but you can make them ride lower or higher by using the fit help in the guidesheet and the alteration lines printed on the tissue. Sizes B5 (8, 10, 12, 14), and RR(18W, 20W, 22W, 24W) $16.95
WHY JEANS ARE QUITE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PANTS You will need to make some decisions before you cut.1. Traditional jeans were meant to be very durable for the loggers and miners who wore them. Therefore, the front fly was sewn on rather than cut-on. That extra bulk and seam allowances on the center front edge added durability. If you are not a logger you could lap the fly seams and “cut-on” your fly extension. 2. In the old days we only had metal zippers. Therefore, you needed to sew the “fly protector” under the zipper to keep the metal teeth from snagging your underwear. Today’s synthetic coil zippers are stronger than metal and if used, the fly protector can be eliminated. 3. If you sew the jeans in classic denim, pre-shrink the fabric 3 times for complete shrinkage. Also, the twill of the denim has a mind of its own, so don’t try to straighten the fabric if it is off grain. If you do, it will go back to where it wants to be and you will have twisted leg seams.  4.
Denim
is woven with white yarns in one direction and blue in the other. I made
a simple plain pant in denim and after wearing them for awhile, my
husband noted that the crotch looked white where the seam was. This must
be why ready-made jeans have a flat-felled crotch seam.
HOW PEOPLE SEW MY DESIGNS
Marta made the the same dress into a blouse which looks great under her jackets.
Another thing happened with this pattern which I explained in our Spring
Fashion For Real People Newsletter. It was about the welt pocket
technique I used in the guide that is called the strip method—very hard
to do, but I thought with the pocket in a seam, you couldn’t use our
no-fail double-welt pocket technique. Well, I discovered you can. I
wrote an article for the August/September issue of Vogue Pattern Magazine explaining it. In case you
missed it in the newsletter, you can download the easier welt pocket
technique here:
http://www.palmerpletsch.com/ffrp/2009_spring/ffrp_spring09_part4.pdf
NEW McCALLS's 5860 JEANS JACKET
I got this e-mail that mentioned it: “By the way, I really enjoyed your latest e-magazine. It was good to know that you also find you need to tweak something after the first wearing…like adding lining to pants to make them hang smoothly. And the tip to give yourself a little curve in the back to give an illusion of a waistline. I used that tip on the jeans jacket, which I wore to work today. I got compliments as soon as I walked in.” Tara
SUE NEALL OFFERS WEB MAGAZINE Sue Neall is the Director of Education for Palmer/Pletsch Australia. She also started the Australian Sewing Guild and Stitches Magazine. Besides teaching Palmer/Pletsch Workshops and training teachers, she is now offering fabric shopping tours around the world, and a new on-line magazine. Check it out at http://www.sewinspirational.com.au/
______________________________________________________________________ THE PULSE - NEWS FROM PALMER/PLETSCH TEACHERS A GRASS ROOTS ANALYSIS OF FASHION SEWING TRENDS FROM PALMER/PLETSCH INSTRUCTORS
http://shesewsfine.blogspot.com. Take a look and see how she has
formatted it for ideas for your own blog. Sewers are the most prolific
bloggers. You can set up a Google Alert (Google, Google Alert for how
tos) and search sewing blogs. You will find lots of interesting blogs. From Karlie Lebatique
I have spent most of my time teaching the beginner sewing course and
have not used the Winky Cherry curriculum. But I know I will use it
someday.
From Rosanna (Roxann) Benbow, CSI Rosanna is a Palmer/Pletsch Certified Sewing Instructor from Wasilla, Alaska. Check out her Web site which is designed by her daughter who is willing to be for hire to help others with their Web sites. http://www.ascschoolofsewing.net/ I have now done 3 Pant fitting classes with great success, they are small as I’m not ready for more that 4 at a time yet, but they all have been completely satisfied and rave to others about their pants and how great they fit. I did my first Fit class this weekend using the sloper bodices, had a size 6 (teen), 11, 16, 18 and 22 (extreme Pear). The bust cup sizes B, D, DD and F. I had issues with the DD and F as I was so unsure of the dart reconstruction since it had been so long since class, it just seemed like so much tissue and really looked out of balance but when we did the pin fit it was perfect! (They are so excited!) The 22 gal said she has not had a woven shirt fit her properly for years. My Learn to Sew Series of classes are becoming very popular in the area. I have 4 Home Schools now on board and of course the Fabric Store so I’m teaching those classes 4 days a week until May. I have 14 full time students for the series. The kids are so much fun and they learn really quickly, I even have 2 boys. The kids classes range from 8 to 18. Right now I only have 2 to 5 kids in any one class so hope they all fill up next fall. I’m also doing a very aggressive Sewing Camp Program for June and July so hoping to draw in more kids for fall. I will send you some of the email flyers I’m sending out as I would like your opinion if you have time to review them. Well the Saturday Night sewing party was a success. I had 5 sewers with 5 different projects needing assistance. Wow, I was on the move the whole evening. Did a basic pull on pant fit, a yoga pant fit, a That’s Raven jean jacket pattern guidance for a beginning sewer (a challenge), button hole instruction, and a polar fleece jacket redo (had been on her shelf for years). I sign my contract this week with a local home school to teach beginning sewing 2 days a week next school year, I’m so excited but have a problem with the 1million dollar insurance binder for the school district that is going to cost me $1200 a year. I have tried to find a cheaper source online but none of them will respond with a quote so do you have a company that you could recommend? From Pati: I checked with my insurance agent and found I also may need to cover myself while teaching at The Fabric Depot. When classified as a “school,” I was quoted about $1200 per year. So now he is checking another classification since we are not officially a school. In the past, I have always relied on my home owners insurance for liability. From Renee Brogdon, San Jose, CA I know some of you already know, but want to let everyone in on my dream come true. I had an opportunity to purchase a quilt store. At first I just didn’t believe I could do it, but things just seemed to keep falling in place. Our Pastor calls them “Godincidences “. So, as of September 1, I will be the proud owner of The Quilters’ Nest. It is located at 1375 Blossom Hill Rd. in San Jose. It is the shopping center where Mervyn’s was. Since the current owner thought she was just going to close the doors and walk away, she had a huge 50% off sale last weekend. After the sale, her asking price dropped so much that it ends up I don’t need to get a loan, and again, that is because of timing. I was pleasantly surprised. I am so thankful for that. I was expecting to walk into the store and see empty shelves, but I was there yesterday, and there is still a good amount left. I do need to order some right away, but this way I can get what I like. I told Mike I don’t care if the fabric is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen, if it sells, I will buy it. When I start the store it will be three days shy of my last day at the law firm where I was. I have been telling Mike ever since I got laid off that if I went back to work I wanted to go to a fabric or sewing store. At that time I never dreamed it would be at my own store. If you don’t live in the area, and you are ever here for a visit, stop by. If you live in the area, please, come by sometime just to say hello. I’d love to see you. And if you have any quilting or sewing friends…….you know what to do.
From Jo Ann Ely, Medford, OR I have been asked to copy a pair of 10 year old Escada pants for one of my clients and after measuring her pants against the trouser pattern 5239 view C we used in the Pants Fit class...they are identical except for the back view C as the darts are moved over a couple inches further to the side seam. She is so excited that I can duplicate these favorite pants of hers in wool crepe like the originals and the only thing different is the additional zipper guard piece. Jo Ann Ely
From Evelyn Minton, Cincinnati, OH On the evening of February 24th, I'll make a presentation to my (Cincinnati Based) American Sewing Guild "Special Interest Group" which is called the "Wearable Art/Couture" Group. Yes, it is about pants. More specifically, it is about the 4-day Pants Fit and Sew vacation I recently took with you all in Portland. Attached you will find the full power point (which includes photos I took to capture the experience) and the hand out I plan to share. I'll wear the pinstriped pants I made in Oregon and subsequently lined. I'll also show the denim pair I made. I'll show the McCall’s pant fit pattern and the book (Pants for REAL People). You'll be able to see from the presentation that I was very pleased with my experience, your hospitality, and can recommend the Pant Fit and Sew vacation.
From Celia Banks, United Kingdom I just wanted to let you know that I survived a weekend pants course with 9 students! It was good fun, although extremely tiring as I had been off work for the previous week with bronchitis. Four of the ladies had previously come to the beginners’ course and were delighted with their results. One fast worker managed to get to the waistband stage so was a real encouragement to the others when they could see where we were heading. What was fun was to have a lady called Linda Reilly, originally from Michigan, who took the pants course with Pati in Portland when Melissa was three years old! She was wearing a beautiful pair of wool trousers which she had adapted from a 25 year old PP pattern, which looked as if it had only just come out of the packet! The only problem was that she kept referring to a couple of the larger ladies as having “odd bodies” (!) which didn’t go down too well. The other ladies much prefer the terms: fluff, cuddly bits, cushions etc. So, we are making waves as your method gains fans in the UK – today Warrington – tomorrow maybe Manchester!
From Terry Jerden, Allen, Texas Thank you so much for the information on pricing. I've been fretting for some time about this. I did get an email from Marta about it also. I have a very good idea now about what is fair for me as well as for the attendees. I can't tell you how wonderful it has been using the knowledge that I learned at the workshop. Now I'm ready to go out and show others. This was my response to her question about how much to charge: “I would charge no less than $25 per hour for individual instruction. The student could save $ by having patterns trimmed, taped, and ready to fit and alter. However, you'd need to make sure they had the correct size. Most all-day workshops are $75-$95 per person with a min. of 3-4 students. When you are new and needing to get comfortable, you could take one person. Marta likes the 4-week class as she can shell it out in bits and she and the students have time to get homework done in between. She may be telling you her pricing and format. Good luck.”
From Karen Marchbanks I am so looking forward to the Learn to Sew Jackets workshop and teacher training in November. I will be teaching some kids' sewing and machine familiarization at Idaho Sewing and Vacuum in Boise. Stuart and Stephanie have also asked me to do the Pant Fit class. I will start with a slide seminar to determine the interest. Stuart and Stephanie want to shift their emphasis from quilting to sewing…..WOW!! I was so elated to hear. I am hoping my seminar(s) on fit and pant fit will spark some interest.
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I ha
We
are also loving the new jeans jacket with princess seaming. I am sewing
it in a cotton print. Marta has already made it up more than once. She
is so fast!