Cluck and Gobble

Blog: 11-29-09

Fandango to Balboa Park:

Fandangos are always exciting to me. You never know what is going to happen. You really can't plan everything down to the "nth" degree. And so when I got up at 6 AM, and saw that the weather was going to factor into the day, I was not surprised.

The 19th century couture was phenomenal at the San Diego Historical Museum. Our Docent, Gabe was very very knowledgeable. But with a group do fashion students, we stumped him a couple of times. The retrospective was from roughly 1865 through 2009. Yes we saw 60's (?) "original space wear" made of polyester knit, a dark maroon wedding 2 piece dress from the 19th century that was very inspiring with all its attention to the bustle. We saw a few gowns built for the EARLY 20th century S-Curve corset. (Thank God this gave way to the bra!!! Although in this day and age, I see many women who have built in S-curvatures to their spines with lots of padding.) You could see how couture repeats itself in cycles. You could see how the female human form grew taller over the years. (Better nutrition.) My favorite 2 pieces were full of beading. I LOVED the 20's beaded flapper dress. By that time, women were supposed to have the "boy" shape and bound their bosoms. AND the Halston chiffon pants outfit (2003?) which was a very simple design that had bugle beads sewn in pin stripes that depicted where the seams could have been. When you looked closer, you saw that the hand beading really depicted a design. Even the pants were pinstriped with bugle beads. The pants were the only part of this couture piece that was lined.

Stacy won the raffle of 2 free guest passes to the Museum of Art!!! Of course, the Prado Restaurant was elegant. And the pricing was high. BUT it was worth it. We needed to sit down after walking for a couple of hours.

Next we headed over to the Museum of Art and the Calder Jewelry exhibit. From the work displayed, you could tell he adored his wife. The small group I was with just couldn't make it to the 2 PM docent tour. All the walking made us want to sit, chat, and have Diet Coke, etc. There WAS a 2 PM docent tour. Some students went on it. I can't wait to hear what they have to say NEXT week in class. We went on to see the Picasso, Miro, and Calder exhibit across the main hall. Of course, after seeing Calder's lithographs, I realized I was wrong. My brother's family owns a small Marc Chagall, not a Calder. The styles were just not the same.

After a fabulous day, it was hard to go back to reality, and buy groceries. There will ALWAYS be another fandango. I signed up for upcoming emails concerning what will be displayed at the San Diego Historical Museum.

Next Week's Classes:

11/30 Monday's Basic Sewing Course: We will have a demo on the care and feeding of Straight Stitch Sewing Machines……How do you learn to control these machines?....The Basic Seams…… Be patient and get the help you need. I do not leave until everyone is helped.

A few students in this class still need to take the Industrial Sewing Machine Exam. Those of you who have finished your final project need to let me take a picture of you and the project. They are turning out very cute. NOTE: Without the exam AND the final project I can not issue the WCC room 209 industrial certification.

*******As you do your holiday shopping, please check out the 2009 Holiday Barbie!!!! She is wearing open tucks over her bust!!!!

12/2 Wednesday's Master Pattern Course: We are still sewing up and fine tuning our muslin toiles. This is a process. This is where all the corrections take place. Making a master pattern, no matter whose book you use, always comes down to this. I am sure if you don't like Lori Knowles, you won't like Handford, Hollen or Armstrong. You are NOT alone. I find I like pieces from every patternmaking book I read. I can never find one that does everything that I want it to.

12/3 Thursday's Basic Sewing Course: We will have a demo on Sequins, patches, trims and beads sewn on by hand. Join and do this with me. We will be using 8 ½ x 11 interfaced and sandwiched fabric. Be patient and get the help you need. I do not leave until everyone is helped.

12/4 Friday's Machine Embroidery Course: This class asked me to bring my historical silk boned hand-sewn bodice, machined bloomers, and 1950 nylon not-sexy women's underwear. IF ANYONE IN MY OTHER CLASSES WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE ITEMS, JUST ASK ME. This is the final week we will be doing clocks. Don't worry; I still have mine to finish also. A Public THANK YOU for all of you who shared with the class! Here are the websites that were mentioned in class:

www.sewingmachinefeet.com/dry_cover_up.html
http://kieffersfabrics.com/

Lynn, from my Monday Night class, gave me an article about Embroidery being a BEST BUY for a gift. If you want to read the article, just ask me.

News of the Day:

Irina won this Project Runway. Any comments? The next season of Project Runway has a start date of January 14th, 2010 on Cox Channel 38, the Lifetime Network. Concerning the program: This was sent to me from Judy:
Tim Gunn: On the 'Runway'
--------------------
He's the pin that holds 'Project Runway' together.

To employ catchphrases from two Teutonic giants -- Heidi Klum and Arnold Schwarzenegger -- Lifetime TV's "Project Runway," which wraps up its season this coming week, has bid auf Wiederauf Wiedersehen to Los Angeles for now. But it'll be back.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-morrison14-2009nov14,0,5198260.column

For all of you who are looking for whiter teeth click here: http://www.consumertipsweekly.com/index.php?ntrk=TEWBRW

You gotta see this video!!!! It's all about a diamond bra.
http://video.forbes.com/fvn/lifestyle/victorias-secret?partner=popvideo

Remember that the holidays are dangerous for pets. Place holiday plants high off the ground. Christmas Poinsettias, Christmas Greens, etc. can be toxic to pets. Don't let your pet drink from the Christmas Tree Bowl. Parties and loud noise can frighten pets. Put them in a safe place for the party. Table scraps are not good for pets. Chocolate can be fatal!!!
Pussy cats LOVE to be warmed by Menorahs, or other holiday candles. Don't let them get too close. Glass ornaments, package ribbons, and glitter can cause gastric problems. (Ask me how I know about getting ex-rays in the middle of the night. Thank God for the Broadway Animal Hospital of El Cajon!!!!) Keep your beloved pets safe for the season.

From: David UmstotSent: Tue 11/24/2009 12:02 PMSubject: H1N1 Pandemic Planning Group Communication - Student Vaccination To Proceed Starting December 1st

This past week the San Diego Community College District received more than 12,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine for immunizing our students. This will enable us to initiate the student immunization campaign that we have been planning for the past two months. As a reminder, much of our student population is categorized as Tier 1 with respect to the groups highest at risk from infection. The first student immunization clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, 1 December, at Mesa College H117-118. Students will be able to be immunized through Friday, 4 December at Mesa. Subsequent student immunization clinics are currently scheduled at:
City College on Monday, 8 December through Wednesday, 10 December in the Cafeteria,
Miramar College, Wednesday, 10 December through Friday, 12 December at the Cafe (D-200) Building, CE West City, Monday, 14 December, CE Mid City, Tuesday, 15 December, and CE ECC, Wednesday, 16 December.

Further details on times of clinic operation will be sent directly to our students. We will be communicating with students via email this week and communicating more broadly with posters and other informational material upon their return from the Thanksgiving break.
We still do not have a firm forecast when we can anticipate H1N1 vaccines for employees. A separate communication is forthcoming on this topic from Kim Myers.

Student Contributions:

1. This first offer is from Darin Anderson, President of http://www.embroidery.com/. Looks Great to me!!!!!!

Help Embroidery.com support your local, independent embroidery store and earn FREE Hemingworth products! Here's how it works:
A. Shop at your favorite embroidery store (must be independently owned, no chain stores) and purchase $50 worth of product.
B. Have the store fill out this proof of purchase form.
C. Fax, email, or mail us a copy of your receipt with the proof of purchase form.
D. We will send you a sewprize # for your free Hemingworth product(s).

This "Black Friday" and throughout the holidays, http://www.embroidery.com/ is proud to support the businesses in your neighborhood. So fire up that embroidery machine and have fun shopping—while earning great rewards from http://www.embroidery.com/ !
Happy Shopping!
* Purchases must be made between November 24, 2009 and December 10, 2009. Faxed forms must be received by December 12, 2009. Qualifying amount must be from one receipt and from a local independent store. One offer per customer, U.S. purchases only.

2. From: John
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:34 PMTo: Joan McKenna;
Subject: Please vote for my dog!!!!!

We entered a photo of our dog into a Hallmark contest.
Please vote for us at this web site:
http://hhofdogcontest.com/dogs/bart-hoff-nov-23
Thanks!!!

John

3. From: Darlene
Sent: Sat 11/21/2009 10:44 PMTo: Joan McKenna
Subject: AccuQuilt Contest
AccuQuilt has created a fun giveaway contest for a $100 gift certificate for AccuQuilt products. And the fun is all associated with the theme of "what was your worst gift."

For more info on this contest: http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/worst-gift-contest-win-100-accuquilt.html

4. From: Hesser, Luvia Y. [mailto:LHesser@Volt.com] Sent: Wed 11/18/2009 11:05 AMTo: Joan McKennaSubject: RE: Sewers Needed for Full Time/ Temporary Position
Joan,

I would like to thank you for referring the candidates. The company is seeking some one that has single needle, Industrial machine experience. So if you can think of anyone that may be interested, send them my way. Again thanks for all your help and effort really do appreciate it.

Thank You,
Luvia Hesser
Personnel Assistant, Volt Workforce Solutions 9815 Carroll Canyon Rd. Ste 104 San Diego, CA 92131
lhesser@volt.com t: 858.578.0920 f: 858.695.6920

5. Current Free Designs – Club Stitchitize
November 2008 to October 2009 club designs are available for free until December 31st, 2009.
Click here to see the Club Stitchitize Calendar and visit the monthly pages.

6. Become a volunteer with Broadway Theatre Arts Academy, which is a non profit youth theatre group based out of Escondido/Poway.
Jenny Gillette
Costumer and Musical Directorjennygillete@cox.net 858.451.2300 (but email is the best way to reach me)

Sewing Machine Song

Hello A-Team:

So much has happened in one week!!!! We need to process the news, the kids, the classes, spouses, parents, bills, the good, the bad and the ugly. Life is a journey and we need to keep walking forward. There is no time machine in life, except for the one in H.G. Well's book and old movies.

BUT…we can all take time out to giggle….just a little!!!! Check out this video sent to me by one of your fellow students: Mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=999ph8iRT4o. It looks to me that this is from a musical produced in the 50's. I THINK it is called the Pajama Game, but I am not sure. Do any of you recognize it? The BOSS seems very familiar. I don't recognize the singer. Thank you very much for sending this to me!!

This A-Team email is split into 2 parts. The weekly class part is written below. The information concerning our next Fandango Field Trip was emailed to you. I just didn't think it was a great idea to put that kind of information out on the web.

Basic Sewing Monday Night: I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!!! There were 58 students in this class, on Monday, November 2. You know, you can change and come to my Thursday night class. I only have about 26 students in that class. This week's demo on MONDAY will be how to layout your fabric and cut your fabric for the Sewing Portfolio. The preparation work to sewing can be more involved than the art of sewing. Prep work, ensures the project's success!!!! I will also go over the industrial machine exam with the 8 students who took the exam. For those of you who bought a pattern, we will talk about the pattern and then cut it out. This means we will be fitting the pattern to you or your fit model. Bring your patterns to get them approved, your paper scissor, and your straight pins. Next week, November 16, I hope to show you how to lay out a pattern, so it is ready to be cut. There ALWAYS IS time for individual help.

Wednesday Night Patternmaking: YES…..there is class on Veteran's Day November 11. Get ready to learn how to lay out your pattern and mark and cut industrially!!!! Bring your master patterns, muslin (5 to 6 yards*), soup cans, religious objects, china markers, and 18 inch see-thru ruler. We will be working in pairs. We can lay out faster. We need to add 1-inch seam allowances. By the time you leave, you will be ready to cut out your master pattern at home. We will be sewing them up and fitting in upcoming classes. There is a lot to discuss. We will also be seeing a demo concerning Saris and Choles. Sorry, gentlemen, I will need to ask you to take a break while this is going on. See you for an EXCITING Wednesday night!!!!

* Yardage Town's muslin was not as inexpensive as Joanne's. AND with a 40 – 50% off coupon, you can get the muslin's price down EVEN Further!!!!!

Basic Sewing Thursday Night: This week's demo will be on hand sewing. Come do it with me. We will be hand sewing on beads, sequins, hooks, eyes, snaps, and trim. You will need a sandwiched piece of fabric with fusible interfacing in the middle. Last week, I demo'd darts, and elastic waistbands. All of these techniques are for the sewing portfolio. Next week, November 19, I will be demoing Pleats. Don't miss class. You will learn A LOT!!!! Note: it is OKAY for all basic sewers to come to both my Monday and Thursday night classes. I demo different things in each class.

Friday Afternoon Machine Embroidery Made Easy: Because we are having class on Wednesday, November 11, the San Diego Community College School District has decided to close on Friday, November 13 and make it a 3-day weekend. Therefore, we will be working on our clocks NEXT Friday, November 20th. Friday, November 13, we will be closed. What an exciting way to learn how to multi-hoop!!!! I was honored that 18 students came and signed in for this class. Note: This is still not enough students to hold the class together. So here is a treat for the rest of my students: COME TO THIS CLASS AND HAVE OPEN SEWING LAB TIME. I will be there to answer your questions.

COME TO CLASS AND LEARN to MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR SKILLS !!!!!

New Mid-Semester Courses Starting !!!

Hello A-Team!!!!

I know I told some of the classes, but not all: Hollywood is making an A-Team movie with Liam Neeson as Hannibal!!!! I am so jazzed!!!! I can't wait to see this movie. I do hope….they don't make it too violent. The A-Team was all about winning…not about the violence. (They did lose once in their entire TV series. No one is perfect.) As you all know, I have made you all honorary members of this team once you have filled out a registration card for any one of my courses. AND as you all know, on this team, I play Murdock. I liked the fact that every week, they had to break him out of the insane asylum to use his services and talent. He was crazy like a fox!!!!! I have NO IDEA of what happened to the actor who played him. I do hope he is still earning a good living!!!!

I AM PUTTING THE FOLLOWING ON THE BLOG. WE ALL CAN USE A LITTLE HELP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. The Polasky Press Newsletter, written by an A-Team member: Patti has put together some web addresses where you can get coupons. Check it out!!!! YEAH Patti!!!!

www.barginist.com www.couponcabin.com www.currentcodes.com
www.couponalbum.com www.couponmom.com www.couponheaven.com
www.deallocker.com www.groupon.com www.mycoupons.com

I am finally finding the time to blog about the classes. So much is happening!!!

Monday Night: Power Sewing has now ended. Monday Night: Basic Sewing and Serging is now resurrected in its place. BUT rest assured that my power sewers are NOT out in the cold. They still have a written exam to take on Monday night: November 2. Study the Study Guide that was in your original syllabus: pp 7 to 9. (Tip to Remember: In the study guide, I put that all industrial machines needles thread front to back. As we found out….this is NOT sew!!!! The Straight Stitch machines in 209 thread from left to right. It is only the Overlocks that thread the needles from front to back.) The title of the study section is: Things you need to know concerning the INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINES in room 209. The 50 questions for your exam come from these pages. Your practicum is due, too. The practicum is your industrially sewn and "stuffed" project. You need to pass both parts to receive your certification to use the industrial machines. So I KNOW I will see you all on November 2. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY EMAILS STATING THAT ANY OF YOU WILL BE ABSENT. What I plan to do is get you started on the exam, and then talk to the new sewers who are just joining our class. By the end of the evening, I want to take pictures of practicum.

Wednesday Night: Patternmaking: We are in the middle of patterning our skirts. For those of you, who feel you are too far behind to come, I have news for you…..YOU ARE NOT far behind. Trust me, in the end…..we will all be together !!!! Breathe…. And COME to CLASS !!!!!

Thursday Night: Basic Sewing and Serging: I will demo how to hand sew on beads, sequins, snaps, hooks, eyes, and trim. You need to learn this for your sewing portfolio. Come to class so that you can receive individual help with your projects. Be prepared to do the demo with me!!!! You will need a needle, thread, and a your buttonhole sample fabric. This is a sandwiched piece of fabric that has been interfaced.

Friday Afternoon: Machine Embroidery Made Easy: Learn how to multi-hoop big designs. Come join us and stitch out a multi-hooped clock. Other projects we will be doing are: a pin cushion, a quilt block, lace earrings and necklace, Christmas Ornaments, and mystery fabric. I have fabric for the Christmas Ornaments and mystery fabric for your final project. I have tear away stabilizer for the clocks. AND I have upholstery stuffing for the pin cushions. The school has embroidery threads for us to use. I have embroidery machines that you can use in class. Come and learn how to machine embroider. You can use this skill for gifts !!! AND it is fun to do !!!! Once you get good at it….you can start a home business !!!

Embroidery note: www.embseminars.com is coming to town with an embroidery seminar on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Check on "events" for more information. This is located in the left hand column. I KNOW some of the class is going to go !!!!!

See 'ya in class !!!!!!

I got a tip the other day that Bloomingdales in Fashion Valley is looking for a seamstress. Interested? Call Bloomies !!!

Don't think that the classes will be around in January if you decide not to come to classes in November and December. These free classes survive ONLY because of the class size. As most of you know, my class size is NOT where it should be. Come to class. Don't let your courses close because of being preoccupied the holidays……………….

Make Money With Your Skills !!!!!