A Tailor, Called Upon by Designers and Politicians

By ANN FARMER            NYTimes
When the trend-setting fashion designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville of Rag & Bone wanted a top-of-the-line men’s wear maker for their hip brand, whose door did they knock on? Martin Greenfield’s.  http://www.greenfieldclothiers.com/home.html  When the costume designers for the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” sought period garments that could have been lifted straight out of the 1920s, whom did they turn to? Martin Greenfield. And when Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and other local notables known for their sartorial flair need a new addition to their wardrobe, whom do they call? You guessed it.

Working behind the scenes for more than 60 years, Martin Greenfield has been an influential face of men’s fashion in New York City — from the era when men wore suits to baseball games to today, when only the fussiest of restaurants demand jackets and ties.

Men’s fashion may be much less formal, but Mr. Greenfield, 82, is still old-school in his devotion to the labor-intensive, exacting and vanishing art of making tailored garments by hand.

“See, I wore out the floor,” Mr. Greenfield said the other day, standing on a weathered sheet of plywood that long ago replaced the worn planking on the second floor of the factory in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he and his two sons oversee 117 workers.

Hunched over tables spread across the vast loft-style space, workers methodically stitched sleeves, pockets, buttonholes and collars into jacket bodices. Dressed in a natty three-piece suit embellished with a pair of striking cufflinks — a tiny measuring tape and shears presented by a satisfied customer — Mr. Greenfield paused to sort through a rack of finished jackets destined for Brooks Brothers and two fashion-forward labels: Freemans Sporting Club and Band of Outsiders. “Look at the beauty of these garments,” he said, pointing out the even stitching and luxurious feel. “Everything is soft.” Every suit, Mr. Greenfield explained, takes about six weeks and the handiwork of 80 to 85 tailors to make.

“He does simply outstanding work,” said Mr. Bloomberg, who credits Mr. Greenfield with making all his suits. Mr. Greenfield first grasped the importance of appearances while trying to survive the Holocaust. When he was 14, he and his father, mother, two sisters and a brother were taken from their home in Pavlova, in what was then Czechoslovakia, and later delivered to Auschwitz. He was assigned to wash clothes in the camp’s alteration shop, and one day he accidentally ripped an SS officer’s shirt, an affront for which he was beaten. The officer threw the shirt at Mr. Greenfield, who mended it and started wearing it instead of the uniforms the other prisoners wore. From then on, he said, the guards and prisoners began treating him with respect. “He looked like a somebody,” said Jay Greenfield, 52, Mr. Greenfield’s oldest son and the executive vice president of the company, Martin Greenfield Clothiers, explaining that his father attributes his survival to that shirt. The rest of Mr. Greenfield’s family perished in the camp, though he did not find that out immediately and spent two years after the war looking for them. After discovering that some of his mother’s siblings had immigrated to America before the war, Mr. Greenfield traveled to New York, where he was met by an aunt, who relied on a photograph to recognize him. In 1947, he was hired by a clothing manufacturer, GGG Clothing, in East Williamsburg. His first assignment was to move batches of unfinished garments from one sewer to another. He advanced to blind stitcher, fitter, supervisor and so on, until he was able to buy the business in the 1970s, starting from scratch with six employees. He did not have it easy after he took over. “Eleven times they’ve broken in,” said Mr. Greenfield, who founded a business development corporation and served on a local preservation board to help revitalize the now-gentrifying neighborhood.

As his reputation grew, well-known figures like Paul Newman, Cardinal Edward M. Egan, Colin Powell and Patrick Ewing sought him out for custom-made suits, which cost as much as $2,600. After President Bill Clinton was elected in 1992, the White House requested a tailcoat for the president’s first state dinner. Painstakingly measuring Mr. Clinton, Mr. Greenfield told him: “Anyone would give their right arm to be in my position. But if I don’t do it right, you could ruin my reputation.” Mr. Clinton, he recalled, simply laughed. Later, Mr. Greenfield got a photo of Mr. Clinton wearing the tailcoat. “They sent me the picture because he looked so good in it,” he said.

As comfortable as he is dressing the president, Mr. Greenfield is also versatile enough to work with Mr. Wainwright and Mr. Neville, the designers behind Rag & Bone, who are known for their modern yet classic approach to men’s fashion. Mr. Greenfield celebrated when Rag & Bone was named the 2010 Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.  http://www.cfda.com/   “We don’t get to win awards, but we get to enjoy the success,” said Tod, his other son.

They also delighted in watching episodes of “Boardwalk Empire,” for which they hand-tailored 250 period garments with fabric that was used in the 1920s. “It’s hard to follow the plot,” Tod Greenfield said, “because we’re looking at the clothes.” One day, when Mr. Greenfield visited the set of the show in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Steve Buscemi, the actor who plays one of the leading roles, walked up to him and gave him a hug. “He said he never looked so good,” Mr. Greenfield said.

Welcome to Fall 2010 !!!!

I have a fun packed semester planned for everyone! You will be learning a lot of interesting things. I add as much as I can to the links on the right side of the blog, but find I do not write to the blog regularly. I just don’t have the time. Yet, I will be in touch with all of you on a weekly basis. I will keep you informed as to what is happening in the classroom. The following are just some of the links I have collected this summer. Start there. See where you can go on the net to learn interesting and fun sewing techniques. Save them all !!!! You don’t know when you will need to use one.

Also, become familiar with the Class Etiquette Guildlines written below the blog.

From Threads Magazine: Advanced Techniques
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/15686/create-an-illusion-mesh-edge

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/15270/the-fortuny-shirt

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/15505/how-to-make-stripe-insertions

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/15177/carlas-opera-coat

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/14850/organza-beaded-feather-edge

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/13182/circular-ribbon-flower-redux

For New Sewers:
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=wxbygbcab&v=001lHVgzoeiv3yMtRM2zY2jvBVmOYPYX6tunPjYln-G9-I2hqpA1LQPYkezzmbf7KkDO_fMqU-z6U-k4b1HsQ9hyX5Br-UDvZN8uN1hRndevXQ%3D SEW-lutions.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/69245/craft-hope-sock-monkey-download

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/68783/how-to-make-a-shift-dress-patterns-included

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/68847/how-to-make-an-embroidered-pillow

http://www.nancysnotions.com/category/id/101962/102984.do?extid=100807T

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/653/how-to-make-fabric-bound-beads

Free Machine Embroidery From Urban Threads:
http://www.urbanthreads.com/pages?id=634

News from Farthingales:
http://farthingalescorsetblog.blogspot.com/
Farthingales is producing a corset fashion show and you can follow the behind the scene and seams progress.

This is part of our fandango field trip on October 9. Pay for a round trip bus ride at any Sew Pros.
http://www.mlfabrics.net/newsletter/PDF/september.pdf

Marketing your Business:
http://www.marketmeit.com/ryan-kristopher/marketing-like-lady-gaga/

Just Great Sites:
http://www.joggles.com/

http://www.organizedoption.com/

Health:
http://www.realage.com/tips/best-way-to-a-killer-middle

http://www.realage.com/tips/more-amazing-olive-oil-news

http://www.realage.com/tips/peanut-butter-benefits-blood-sugar My Favorite !!!!!!

http://embracethis.co.uk/ Wear your Seat Belt

Is anyone up for a Fandango Field Trip to the Julian Museum? I fell in love with the place this summer. Wonderful trip down the history of fashion.

Remember to watch Project Runway. It’s on Thursday nights on the Lifetime Channel. On Cox this is Channel 38. You get to see how to work together….right or wrong……

Make Money with your Skills.

The Final Week of Summer School

Dear A-Team:

It seams like yesterday, the semester was starting. And now it is drawing to a close. This coming week will be our final week, till September 7th, 2010 when the fall semester begins. I will be emailing you, the syllabi when I write them. Other than that, I will be home writing curricula and various handouts. If you need some help on a project, call or email. I would be honored to help.

I want to personally thank everyone who gave me the name of their favorite lip balm. I FINALLY figured out what was killing my lips. It was Arm and Hammer Toothpaste. I went back to Crest and my lips became normal again. Don’t buy Blistex medicated lip ointment. The stuff goes on white !!!!! My favorite from everyone I bought was Bert’s Bees. Incredible stuff AND it comes in staining colors. Best stuff and easy to find !!!! Some of the others, I had to hunt down. Benefit from Sophia worked well. BUT….I went to UTC to find it. Thank you all !!!! for telling me about your favorites !!!

The Courses:

Computer Patternmaking: Last week, we learned how to add seam allowances the easy way with “Off Set.” We learned how to “Group” so that your name, seam allowance and pattern piece can be moved together. We learned how to add collars, or measure armholes by using the button: “set, measure, distance.” I showed you how to add notes to your pattern. I tried to plot on Thursday night. If it wasn’t for Noel and Mark-Allen, nothing would have gotten done. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN !!!!!

Notes to all those who sent me patterns to plot while I was teaching my other courses. If the pattern was complete, I printed it. If the pattern was NOT complete, I did NOT print it. I did NOT have the time to go back and complete your patterns for you. Also, there was a person who wanted to print too much. I only printed one. So, when you come to class on Monday, you can look through the patterns I printed. I will go over with you, why I did or did not print your patterns. You can cut them out and we can fit them. I need to go over your grading sheets. Some of you do not know that you are missing a few things. I would like to give everyone a certificate for this course. I made you all fill out an intake form. I can only do that if you complete the requirements.

This Wednesday, we will have class evaluations, and SLO goal sheets to do. I will also have the top fashion origami (the top 4 that you picked.) for you to try. Remember to bring colored paper and a paper scissor!!!!!! All I have is white paper !!!!!! I found a GREAT FABRIC origami site in my latest national ASG Newsletter. Check this out: http://www.fabricorigami.com/ We all need to thank Eiko for her insight into Dior’s 2007 origami collection that was designed by John Galliano: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2007CTR-CDIOR. This collection is awe inspiring !!!!

Learn to Sew: You have chosen to just sew and receive help for last week and the final week of the summer semester. If the class changes its mind, we can still do fashion origami the final day of class. Yes, you will need to fill out class evaluations, and SLO goal sheets. I need to go over your grading sheets. Some of you do not know that you are missing a few things. For those of you, who filled out the intake forms (due last week), if you have completed the requirements, you will get a certificate. I need pictures of your completed outfits on your fit models. A few of you, who filled out the intake forms, need to send me pictures. I will accept pictures through Thursday, July 22, 2010.

I have the latest Sew News magazine to bring to class. The magazine has articles on sewing knits, vintage sewing, seams, pattern adjustments, tailoring and blog surfing. Here are the blogs. I have not fully checked them all out, yet, but I thought the sites were very educational (Even the one with the picture of the pussy cats on it.):

http://www.adventuresindressmaking.blogspot.com/

http://www.angrychicken.typepad.com/

http://www.annamariahorner.blogspot.com/

http://www.heatherbailey.typepad.com/

http://www.off-the-cuff-style.blogspot.com/

www.sewmamasew.com/blog2 Gladys also told me about this site. Thank you Gladys!!!!

www.theninaline.com/blog

http://www.thesewingdivas.wordpress.com/

www.threadbanger.com/blog

http://www.whipup.net/

SAD Industry news but this could be a gold mine for someone starting a business !!!!!!:

Thank you for sending this in, Jayne!!!: There is a sewing contractor in Point Loma going out of business! They are selling EVERYTHING! machines, clothes, fabric...EVERYTHING in the warehouse. Cutting tables, assortment of industrial sewing machines, 70 total. Needles, and so on! Some of the clothes produced there are Priana, International Male and others. There are bolts of fabric, and I don't mean the bolts like at Joane's. These are industrial! They have been in business 30 years. At one time there were 70 employees. They are located at:

Kimberly Enterprises, Sewing Contractor
3486 Kurtz Street
Suite 103
San Diego 92110
The phone #: 619-543-1030
Calvin Lee is the General Manager.

The name of the business is: Kimberly Enterprises, Sewing Contractor. They are over behind Kolby Swap Meet. I forgot to mention the clothing was a very low price!!! Buy one, get one free. And the prices are discounted. I'm sure even lower now! They are ONLY there to Aug. 18th!

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/14823/create-a-detachable-flower-embellishment Very cool detachable flowers.

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001OlZyvMDk6bjG9m_EZyegx_q6unMbA7GVehDj6bv8Hkj8Fui0QBa7AXh96bdCJMS2ltFQYOqUwed0-gqmtOQ4jKdV-anCY77BKNB-gLKRaX4%3D This is called the Quilt Woman. The tea cozies are incredible. Check out Jeremiah's Belly Warming Tea Cozy Pattern BTH-017!!!!

http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBMInZQBs5O-JB8MOlTAuxTDd.Bs5O-J$G/doc.html?RAF_TRACK=&email=mckenna@gothere.com&password=Bs5O-JAuxTDdBMInZQF-GMPWX-YBv6&FNAME=JOAN Craftstylish. Always Good Info.

See you all this week with bells on my toes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make Money with your Skills !

Thoughts of the Day:

Treasure every Moment that you Have.

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

Today is a Gift.

That's why it's called the PRESENT !

Eleanor Roosevelt

LAST TIME I CHECKED.....

GOD DIDN'T PUT AN EXPIRATION DATE ON MY FEET.

Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity.

Don't fight them.

Just find a different way to stand.

Oprah Winfrey

Open the File Cabinets of your Mind

&

Make Money with Your Skills

Joan McKenna

Welcome to the Summer 2010 Semester !!!

Hello A-Team:

Welcome to the Sewn Product blog! You will discover that I don't write to it much. BUT I do add to the links on the right. I also post pertinent class information here. You will be held accountable for this information and on the blog, and you can look at it any time you want. Writing this way, keeps the amount of pages down in my syllabi.

Weekly, usually LATE Sunday night, I do a weekly email to all my present and past students. If you are not currently on the A-Team distribution list, send an email to my school email address: jmckenna@sdccd.edu.

Keep reading below !!!!!

&

Make Money with your Skills !!!!!

Week 8 - How Exciting !!!!!

Notes of the Day:

You all need to remember to sign in. If you are working toward a certificate, this is a must. You must be here, 75% of all class hours. If you do not sign in, and there is an hours question, you would lose out because you failed to sign in. The school also needs to keep a record of your hours. If my courses have less than 26 students in EACH class, they will and DO close my classes. It is very important that you sign in.

Please remember that I will not be writing an A-Team email for the next 2 weeks. I have eye surgery on March 19th, and cannot use a computer till the following week. AND then, we have spring break starting March 28th. This means that the next A-Team communiqué will be on April 4th. I cannot do much for 2 days. I will be stuck in the condo. Call me with your questions. Keep me in your loop. I am honored that I have films to watch from Fran, Mark-Allen, and another friend of mine: Suki.

On Saturday, March 13, 2010, the San Diego Creative Stitchery Guild Presented: Once Upon A Stitch - their juried fashion show and luncheon. The clothes and accessories were just so inspiring !!!! We had a table all to ourselves after a little finagling. The Admiral Kidd Club is gorgeous !!! The view of the city is magnificent !!!! Linda, who I brought to the luncheon, took many pictures. When I receive them, I will bring them into the classroom to show you all !!!! So many people were there !!!! I counted at least 3 other instructors: Donna Namdar, Jenne Hill, and Patti Fuehrer. If I could remember all the students I ran into, I would list them here. As you all know, I am NOT good with names. All I can say is A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL !!!!

Remember: The week of March 28 to April 4 is Spring Break !

Class Notes:

Learn to Sew: We now have 3 students who finished their semester project and who will be starting their second project. I want and need to take pictures of you with your project. Lizeth, Ameilia, and Sahana please bring your projects in. I want to take a picture of you wearing your completed project. I will use this to affirm your certificate at the end of the semester. If any of the rest of you are ready…..Let Me Know !!!! I will take these pictures before or after class.

Week 7, we had 2 sew alongs. On Tuesday, we learned how to do the corded seam, the curved seam, and the inset right hand corner seam. Of course, I couldn't do the curved seam without "unsewing" it 3 times. On Thursday, we did thread bowls. It was lucky that I brought extra stabilizer. You need to come prepared to class. It is not all the time that I bring extra. Also, if you are lucky enough to receive product to do the sew along, maybe you should be prepared to stay in the class and actually do it. This was not fair to the other students who just had to sit and watch.

Week 8: This week is all about Serging. On Tuesday, I will be teaching you how to thread and rethread the Imagine sergers. We will practice 2 thread seams, 3 thread seams, rolled hems. On Thursday, March 18th, Paula & Mike Rupley will be coming to demo the 6 extra feet that you can buy with the Imagines. They all come in one package.

Week 9: On Tuesday, sew along with me to explore the decorative and utility stitches that come with your straight stitch sewing machine. You will see that they CAN and DO have overlock stitches. I am bringing in a magazine that shows you how to make your own lace trim !!! I know, we used these stitches to make the thread bowls. BUT now that we know the stitches are there…..let's put them to work !!!!

Designing with Master Patterns: Week 7 we put seam allowances on our curved dart dress pattern. We also slit the back for a 24-inch back zipper or for just a button closure.

Week 8: On Monday, we will make facings and interfacings. We will then be ready to start sewing up our garments during Week 9. Remember: THERE IS NO NIGHT CLASS ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17. Happy St. Patrick Day!!!!

Week 9: Remember to bring your digital cameras, black leggings and tight t-shirts during week 9. I will also be taking croqui pictures during this week, as you are sewing. During Spring break, you will be able to set up your croqui. I promise, I will show you how. (I have a power point.) If you don't have any photo software, you can use the free software that the IT tech, Doug Cruger, suggested: Download Paint.Net on http://www.dougstips.com/PAGES/free_programs.htm. I am sure…that by making the croqui, you will be inspired to design on it. Let your imagination go into the file cabinets of your mind. Start drawing on photocopies of your croqui. Can't wait to see what you can do !!!! Don't worry about patterning your design. I will show you how to do this with the quarter size master patterns I gave you. By now, you should have photocopied these at least 6 or 8 times each.

Links and 2 Student Contributions !!!!!

AN IRISH FRIENDSHIP WISH Thank you Dorma and Mark Allen for this Wish

May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

http://www.abc-machine-embroidery-designs.com/Email_Files/email_specials_100313.html Free St. Patrick Day embroidery.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mat/1634662705.html Free Sewing Stuff. Thank you Mark-Allen !!!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1610699488?bctid=31812464001 This is from a MOM. Thank you Debbie !!!! It's cute !!!!

http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/MainSite/HealthCenter.aspx?Healthcenter=WALT_HC%20Health%20Library&panelcode=BE001883&listcode=178120

The following is from Mary. Good to keep in mind !!!!

Because of recent abductions …………….

In daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...
After reading these 10 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do : The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2.. Learned this from a tourist guide. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their chequebook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side... If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird.. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door..' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. They have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middleof the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is aburst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all youroutside taps full ball so that you will go out to investigate andthen attack.Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors! Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!

Happy New Year !!! I trust you all had a wonderful Winter Break, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year's Eve !!!! May this NEW YEAR bring you joy, work, safety and peace.

I got to see a great film called Avatar in 3D. This movie is NOT to be missed !!!!!

There is a Red Heart Contest going on at Jo-Ann's for all your knitters. Grand Prize is a $1000 Jo-Ann Gift Card. I got SOME flyers to give out in class. Ask me.

You all need to let Mark-Allen do his Power Sewing hands-on final. He only has 3 weeks left. Now that he is walking, he needs to have the time to do this. Put your name on the board in descending order and I will be around to help.

Please bring back everything you borrowed from me. The end of the semester is only 3 weeks away!!!!

I did several things over Winter Break that will interest you. I met a terrific person named Liz Gaskill! She has a Passion for Fashion !!!! She is a Fashion Sewing Professional Certified Palmer/Pletsch Fit Instructor. Great Woman! You can find her sometimes at La Mesa Sew & Vac. She also gives classes there. Email her for private lessons: passionfashion@cox.net

Notes on the Classes:

Monday, Jan 4, 2010, Sewing Fundamentals: Bring your cut sample fabric and piping. We will be going forward with more seams. I bought another book by Kenneth King. (Yes, I am bringing it.) "He" wants you to try an easy bound buttonhole done with piping. So bring your buttonhole sample (8 ½ x 11 " interfaced sandwich). Another thing I want to show you is how to put in an elastic waist. So bring your ¼ inch elastic. We will go on from this point to corded, curved, and right hand corner. That is 5 samples. Then I will stop and help everyone. Remember, I never leave till everyone is helped.

I have all the Power Sewing Industrial Certificates ready for the Certificate box. I am making copies for everyone who deserves a certificate. Come to class, receive your copy, and be proud !!!!!

Thursday, Jan 7, 2010, Sewing Fundamentals: We will be having a student guest speaker. She will be showing us how to put in fly zippers. FRAN is better than me !!!! Come prepared with some Denim fabric cut to 8 ½ by 11 inches. AND some 7 inch jean zippers. This zipper is a must to learn !!!! After the Demo, I will work on the help list. Remember, I don't go home till everyone is helped.

Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010, Hand Drafting Master Patterns: Now is the time that you will need to buy your 3 to 4 yards of 100-125 pound Manila Paper. You will also need a needle point tracing wheel. You can get these things at Central Sewing Center. 619-447-3244. You will need these things for the January 13th class. Bring your seam ripper, favorite pencils, markers, GREEN magic tape, soup can weights and corrugated cardboard to the Jan 6th class. The first thing we will be doing today, is transferring all the markings to your paper pattern. No more basting and fitting the toile. We will tape up the paper pattern for a test fit and then……..From the paper pattern, we will be making the manila master pattern. We have 3 weeks to do this. Do I have something special in store for this class next semester !!!!!!!!

Friday, Jan 8, 2010, Machine Embroidery Made Easy:

>>>>>>>>First things first !!!!! I want to personally thank Phani, Indira, and Swadesh for their phenomenal, fantastic, demo-lecture on the Sari. This happened on December 18th. They deserve a round of applause.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>

Several things can happen today. 1. You should all be starting to work on your MYSTERY fabric. You will need to pick the right stabilizer and the right design for your fabric. You all have a presentation on January 22nd.

On December 19th, I went to Central, after I overslept and after I had my car brakes checked, and bought more earrings for you to manufacture with the embroidery machines and the crystal station. Being that they were all Criswell Designs, I emailed Criswell to make sure it was okay to use the designs in the classroom. Within 5 minutes, I got an answer from none other than Janet Criswell. We emailed back and forth several times. It was NOT okay for me to have you use my paid for Criswell designs in the classroom. BUT….she sure told me what to do and this is even better !!!!! So I put her designs on my USB along with the free designs from her site, and I will show you what I bought. Do I have SHOW and TELL for you !!!!! 2. My guess is that you will want to make the earrings from Criswells's free designs. Go and have a look. They are gorgeous !!!! http://www.k-lace.com/frontpage/downloads.html

The 3rd thing you may want to do, is start making squares for a rag quilt. Through time, you will have LOTS of square stitchouts that you can put together and make this quilt. The backing for the rag quilt is polar fleece. It is so easy to do !!!!!

See you all this week…..with bells on my toes !!!!!!!

Notes on Spring 2010 Courses:

This Winter Break, I should have written my syllabi for the following courses. I could not do it. I need to go to the Dean. It is easy for me to throw in a fandango field trip. We will have 2. One to Yardage Town and Central Sewing in El Cajon and one to LA courtesy of Sew Pro's. Sew Pro's did not announce the Saturday Date in May when we are going to the LA garment district.

I always believe in running my courses according to what my students want to do. I always get inspired from my students. Spring 2010 is no exception. I was listening to 2 students talk about their futures when it hit me. I don't know WHY these ideas did NOT pop into my head earlier. Before I write Patternmaking, I need to clear it with the Dean. I want to have one Saturday class. He needs to approve it. Read on. If this gets approved it will happen. If not, the syllabi will look different.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Designing with Master Patterns. Starting Jan 27, 2010 5:30 PM: Here is what I want to do. For those of you, who do NOT have a Master Pattern, you will need to go to Yardage Town in El Cajon and pick up McCall's 2718. Holly has a stash of these. Buy it according to your MEASURED bust measurement – NOT your retail size. For those of you who DO have your Master Pattern ready to go, lets have a bit of fun and do a "down and dirty" master pattern for someone/something else. I want to expose you to computer patternmaking. Input the measurements, print out the master pattern with "0" inch seam allowances. OF COURSE, THERE ARE A FEW STEPS IN-BETWEEN BUT YOU GET THE DRIFT. The computer lab 203 is set up with the Patternmaker program. You will need to put your computer draft on your USB. Then we will come back to room 209 and we will print your draft on the plotter in room 216. Check out the Program at www.patternmakerUSA.com The school has the Professional Home Studio Version. Choose your fit model. It can't be yourself. Choose a willing husband, brother, sister, mom, child, or dog. (Yes…..I said dog.) Once we get these to print, you will be at the same point that the NEW patternmakers are at. It all depends if the Dean will let me hold one extra class.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Learn to Sew ! Starting January 28, 2010 5 PM: Demos will be held on Tuesdays. AND yes....as requested: I will start ALL the demos from the beginning. Thursdays will be for individualized help. We are going to have a sewing challenge on the first day of the Spring semester.

Great Websites to visit !!!!!!

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD VIRUS CHECKER ON YOUR COMPUTER BEFORE YOU VISIT ANY OF THESE SITES. I KNOW THEY ARE SAFE. BUT NOTE….ON THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 30, 2009, AVAST (my virus checker) CAUGHT 4 VIRUSES. THE 5TH ONE, WAS CAUGHT ON DECEMBER 31ST. I WAS APPALLED !!!!!!

http://www.zippersource.com/ They will make one of a kind zippers.
http://www.sewing.org/ BEST SITE FOR NEW SEWER INSTRUCTION !!!!!
http://www.urbanthreads.com/pages?id=501 Free design till 1/10/10

http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBLO6NABs5O-JB74IP4AuxTDd.Bs5O-JuM/doc.html?RAF_TRACK=&email=mckenna@gothere.com&password=Bs5O-JAuxTDdBLO6NAmgM3DxwWFYrA&FNAME=JOAN Knit a Spa washcloth. How to Replace a Coat Lining.

http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBLOQoNAri9wOB74CweAuxTDd.Ari9wOF1/doc.html?RAF_TRACK=&email=mckenna@gothere.com&password=Ari9wOAuxTDdBLOQoNgxT0ijoAX023&FNAME=JOAN How to sew a Terrific EASY Circular Vest !!!!!

http://www.sandiegopostcards.blogspot.com/. The geology of Joshua Tree National Park. Courtesy of Cynthia Baird. AMAZING !!!!

http://www.tiphero.com/newsletter/newsletter_2009.06.11a.html?utm_source=Money-Saving+Tips+Newsletter+DL&utm_campaign=8dda19ee5b-TH_NL_28a_06_11_2009&utm_medium=email Financial Tip Hero

http://phobos.doctorspreferred.com/Emails/LARK/0907_Lark_issue_preview_dflt.html Menopause Relief
http://wt.dlisys.com/nancysnotions/NN113520.asp?e=mckenna@gothere.com Nancy Zieman's Top Ten Tips Video for copying ready made clothing.
http://wt.dlisys.com/nancysnotions/NN113707.asp?e=mckenna@gothere.com Learn how to embroider a towel Video
http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBK8gecBs5O-JB73X3IAuxTDd.Bs5O-J0A/doc.html?RAF_TRACK=&email=mckenna@gothere.com&password=Bs5O-JAuxTDdBK8geczTx2H0mr-MUj&FNAME=JOAN Crocheting Granny Squares and Hand Knitting Scarves.

http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBK$JWeAri9wOB73Z0xAuxTDd.Ari9wOZo/doc.html?RAF_TRACK=&email=mckenna@gothere.com&password=Ari9wOAuxTDdBK$JWesA$HQYM0l0Vz&FNAME=JOAN How to cover snaps for that touch of class.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4
This is a must watch for any animal (dog) lover! Turn up your sound.

Darlene saw in chat rooms that http://www.myembroideries.com/MyEmbroideries/Default.aspxis back giving $50 free software (or a credit of $50 if you purchase more). I could not find this freebie. BUT, I really liked the information under the category Education. Thank you DARLENE !!!!!

I found out some info on sewing those diapers and wanted to share the websites with you. The waterproof fabric is called PUL. I'm not sure if Joanne's will have it. I'll try to get there before Thursday's class. If not, I guess I'll order it online. ChamThank you CHAM !!!!!http://www.diapersewing.com/I'd need to do the All-in-one with the Pockethttp://verybaby.com/cloth-diaper-fabricThey have some cute fabric, but I can't figure out if the prices are per yard, or a set size. http://diaperfabric.com/very-basic-all-in-one-diaper-tutorials/Some basic tutorials. I'd be interested in knowing how to do the snaps as well as the Velcro.