Sewn Products Diva

Sewing's 10 Commandments

2011-08-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

Sewing Commandments are not new. I googled it. I put what made me laugh the most here.

The Ten Commandments of Sewing
(The first Ten are Too Good to Mess With)
© 2011 Joan McKenna
10-2-10

I have attached additional Commandments to the original 10 Commandments, which will help you start, and accomplish a safe and honorable sewing experience. #11 – 20:

XI Safety First

XII Respect Thy Grainlines

XIII Seam Lines are Second Chances for Perfect Fit

XIV Thine Iron is Thy Friend

XV Listen to Critiques & Opinions, Then Choose Thine Own Path

XVI Mastery Cometh through Experience

XVII Mistakes Present Opportunities for Creativity

XVIII Expose Thyself to Historical & Technical Sewn Product Inspiration

XIX Size all Patterns with Thy Client's Name

XX First Sewn Product Collections Should be Kept Small & Manageable

SAFETY FIRST*: This instructor would rather yell and have you quickly stop what you are doing, than see you get physically hurt. I do not want ANYONE to suffer bodily harm in this classroom.

Other Ten Commandments from Google: 12-30-10

Quilting Forum – General Chit Chat

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SEWING

Thou shalt put away no ironing board before its time.

Thou shalt not expect meals, clean laundry, or a sparkling house when sewing calls.

Thou shalt walk through this room as if treading on needles and pins.

Thou shalt not use my fabric shears.

Thou shalt not covet my sewing machine.

Thou shalt stick no unthreaded needles in the pincushion.

Thou shalt always remember a stitch in time saves nine.

Thou shalt not touch my organized mess.

Thou shalt remember that each item sewn is stitched with love and care.

Thou shalt praise God often for all creative talents.

Janlynn 12''X16'' -Ten Commandments Ccx From K-mart

http://www.secretsof.com/ has a version to embroider as a quilt. Could NOT download the words.

http://www.quiltbug.com/ Quilters Ten Commandments

Thou shalt not do buttons.

Thou shalt sew 1/4" seams.

Thou shalt leave no bolt unturned.

Thou shalt not rip - only un-sew!

Thou shalt not envy they neighbours stitches.

Thou shalt never pass a quilt shop.

Thou shalt cook and clean but once a week.

Never quilt tomorrow what you can quilt today.

Thou shalt not covet they neighbors stash.

Thou shalt not reveal funds spent on quilting supplies.

www.quiltersbee.com QUILT TEACHER’S TEN COMMANDMENTS

by Cindy Thury Smith 1999

1. Thou shalt not ridicule a student’s choice of fabrics nor their colors; a student’s taste should be reflected in their work.

2. Thou shalt not require excessive expenditures for a class; thou dost not know a student’s financial situation.

3. Thou shalt provide students with clearly written and illustrated handouts. Thou shalt be able to explain a construction step with more than one method (written, verbal, visual).

4. Thou shalt provide value for their money; at least one other variation of the quilt in addition to the standard design.

5. Thou shalt be on time, start on time and provide time for questions.

6. Thou shalt circulate amongst the students, checking progress, even if thy feet dost hurt.

7. Thou shalt find something positive to say about each student’s work. Thou shalt not have a “My way or the highway” frame of mind; creativity comes in many forms.

8. When a student makes a good suggestion, thou will announce it to the class and give credit where due.

9. Thou shalt allow some time after class to help anyone who sews at a more leisurely pace.

10. Thou shalt show numerous samples; and if thou dost not have numerous samples done, make suggestions for other applications of the pattern.

MURPHY’S Laws of Sewing

The author of these Murphy’s Laws of Sewing is anonymous. She surely must have been around us. We’ve had just about all of them happen – at least once.

For those of you that are new to sewing – don’t get discouraged! Things really do get better, and that dance outfit really does look nice. No one really sees those mistakes unless you tell them.

1. If you drop something out of your sewing basket, it will be your box of pins with the cover off.

2. Fusible interfacings always fuse to the iron.

3. The seam you meant to rip out is ALWAYS the other one.

4. The fabric you forgot to pre-shrink will always shrink the most.

5. The pattern you wanted to make again will have one key piece missing.

6. Whenever the construction process is going well, the bobbin thread runs out.

7. The magnitude of the goof is in direct proportion to the cost of the fabric.

8. Facings tend to be sewn to the wrong side. (Opposite sides attract).

9. The iron never scorches the garment until its final pressing.

10. The steam iron only burps rusty water on light, silky fabrics.

11. Gathering threads always break in the middle.

12. The serger only eats the customer’s garment.

13. If you need 6 buttons, you will find 5 in your button box.

14. When you are in a hurry, the needle eye is always too small.

15. The fabric you forgot to pre-shrink will always shrink the most.

16. Your lost needle will be found by your son, husband, or brother-in-law….while walking around barefoot.

17. Collar points don’t match, and you’ve trimmed all the seams.

18. The sewing machine light usually burns out on Sunday.

19. Pinking shears get dull just by looking at them.

20. The scissors always cut easiest past the buttonholes.

A Tailor, Called Upon by Designers and Politicians

2010-11-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

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 !!!!

2010-09-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

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:

2010-06-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

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 !!!

2010-06-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

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 !!!!!

2010-03-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

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 !!!!!

2010-01-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

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.

Cluck and Gobble

2009-11-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-08T21:36:00.000-08:00

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 !!!

2009-11-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

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 !!!!!

The Joys of Learning

2009-09-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

Technology Note: Somehow, we lost all our incoming email for the dates of 9-25 through 9-26, 2009 (Friday & Saturday). My husband and I just don't know what happened. IF YOU TRIED TO EMAIL ME DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, PLEASE RESEND TO ME @ MCKENNA@GOTHERE.COM. Trust me; we went crazy trying to fix this. I apologize for the inconvenience.

It is going to be an exciting week of classes !!!!

Power Sewing: Last week, we went over how to use and maintain the industrial straight stitch sewing machines in WCC Room 209. This week, we will go over the use and maintenance of the industrial overlocks. As usual, all Basic Sewers are welcome to come to this class. You will be exposed to many things that you will find useful in the future, including ergonomic techniques. Remember: You can not use the industrial sewing machines in other classes unless you have a certification certificate on file in the classroom. Other instructors do not know where you are in your learning. Remember to bring your sewing projects and extra fabric to class.

Patternmaking: Last week we left off making our front master bodice with #17; page 46 of our text. There were lots of questions. So I went home and looked up the dart intake question in Handford, and Armstrong. Yes, the bigger that one front dart is in the bodice, the better! Of all the books, Lori Knowles is the only one that gives you dart intake measurements to make the bodice correct. This week, we will go back and revisit #11 on page 45 and I will explain. Remember to bring your text books, and supplies.

Basic Sewing: Everyone is now into individual help with their sewing projects. Don't be afraid to ask how to do ANYTHING. Ask !!! You will be surprised at how many students were thinking of the same question. Mark-Allen and I will be there to help. Last week, was the first time he and I tried this. We agreed too much. You need to see us disagree. You need to know that there are millions of ways to do things. You need to know that nothing is written in stone. If something works for you….and you like the technique. TEACH US !! So, as Mark-Allen heals don't be afraid to ask him questions. He has been sewing for a long time and is willing to share his knowledge. For this I THANK HIM VERY MUCH! NOTE: We found something we disagree on: HOW FAR DO YOU GO WHEN YOU WANT TO BE COMPLIANT WITH COMMANDANT # 12: RESPECT THY GRAIN LINES. We will be disagreeing all night. It will be a fun class.

For those of you who are doing the portfolio: You need to know, that once you cut your pieces, you can begin sewing them according to the needs of the portfolio written in your syllabus. You have cut basically 2 or more of everything. This is so the instructor or one of your peers can demo the technique for you. And then, you can go and try the technique yourself. You will find all the techniques for this portfolio in Connie Crawford's Fashion Sewing Book. I have about 6 of these behind the white board, for you to use IN CLASS. It's a great book. It belongs on EVERYONE's book list. See if you can get it used (any edition) from www.Amazon.com.

I am now in possession of 3 USBs left in class: A white and green stripe, a blue centruim and a black and red Dane. Please come and pick up your USBs.

Embird Editing: THE CLASS TIMING HAS CHANGED!!!! We will be meeting on Fridays from 1:30 to 5:30 PM. This particular Friday, October 2, we will be having a NO HOST lunch at El Pollo Loco's on Midway and Fordham at Noon. This is to honor the old time period and go on to the new time period. We learned so many new techniques last week. We learned how to organize our free designs so that we can find them again. We learned that Embird has a monogram feature. We learned WHERE to put TT type fonts so that Embird can use them. I PERSONALLY LEARNED THAT THERE IS A TT HINDU g (I do hope this is non-offensively correct) in one of the school's TT Wingding fonts. There was a handout from Bill on where to find FREE TT fonts. AND the class just continued till 4:30 PM.

This week, we will make our name tags in room 203 AND go into room 209 to use the Amazing Box to put the designs on our rewritable Amazing Box cards along with Penny's circles. BE SURE TO PRINT OUT PENNY'S DIRECTIONS TO MULTI-HOOPING THESE CIRCLES ALONG WITH THE DIRECTIONS FOR SPLITTING DESIGNS FOR 2 HOOPINGS. I only have 2 PES format cards. So now is the time to purchase if you want your own. (Central Sewing will match the price on the net.) The Amazing MAX box is BETTER than the Amazing Box II that the school owns because it can take designs of higher stitch counts. Trust me…..this is a GREAT feature to have. For those of you who can input a USB into your sewing machine, you will NOT need an Amazing Box ANYTHING.

Final Thought: RETHREAD your machine. This solves 99% of all sewing problems.

SEE YOU IN CLASS !!!!
MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR SKILLS !!!!!!!!!!

Good Stuff Happening during Week 3!!!

2009-09-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my students!!! You are reaching for your dreams !!!! Keep coming to class and learn techniques that will help you along the way. I am trying to set up a Saturday or a Sunday at the museums in Balboa Park. I will be calling the museums this week. Remember: This is a Fandango. You don't have to come. If you don't want to see Calder Jewelry, don't come to that part. If you want to see the 19th century costumes, come to that part. I will be blogging Fandango specifics when I have them.

News of the day: Weekly class information is listed last. Read on !!!!

Someone left a serger in room 209. If you have any ideas who left it…please tell your instructor.

One of your fellow students, Mark-Allen, had an accident. His mode of transportation is now an electric wheel chair. If anyone has a van with a chair lift, and can help him come to classes, email me and I will send the information on to him. He IS going to try to attend classes to keep his mind occupied for the next 6 to 8 weeks.

Don't forget to watch Project Runway on Thursday nights at 10 PM. Last week, they blew it. They sent the wrong designer home. They should have sent home the snitch. This season they are in Los Angeles. I know where Mood Fabrics is. BUT…last time I went, Mood was NOT open on a Saturday. I could still drool on the windows. The Fandango to LA is happening on October 10. Contact Sew Pro's to ride the bus. For $40 you get round trip fare to the district and to M & L Fabrics.

Note on links to websites: I don't know if they will work from the blog. You may have to cut and paste into your browser. BUT it will be well worth it.

This video is for cat lovers. Georgina: Thank you for the student contribution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UTdhK0lwuw

The school is beginning to publish H1N1 virus information:

September, 2009

Dear Student,

As you know, fall is typically flu season and is expected to be unusually high this year. We are working closely with the health department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us. For the most updated information, visit the Continuing Education Web Site at http://sdce.edu .

We are committed to doing everything we can to keep our institution operating as usual. Please review the list of precautions below to help keep you well through this flu season.

Precautions you can take to help prevent the spread of the flu:

Stay at home if you have flu-like symptoms (fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 degrees Celsius, with cough or sore throat) for at least 24-hours after you no longer have a fever without the use of fever reducing medications.
Avoid contact with ill persons.
When you cough and sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth and throw used tissues in the trash can; germs are spread this way.
After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel which is available in some locations on campus.
Frequently clean your living quarters. If you live together with other students, you should frequently clean commonly-used surfaces such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, computer keyboards, countertops, faucet handles and bathroom areas.
Monitor your health by checking for fever and other symptoms of flu.
Seek medical care if you are severely ill.
Talk with your health care provider about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and H1N1.
Do not go to work, school, or travel while ill.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov, or dial 211.

We will continue to monitor the health advisories closely and keep you informed.

All my courses influence each other. This is such fun for me !!!

Monday Night: Power Sewing

As you know, I have opened up this class as a Sewing Lab. Be courteous. Let me teach my Power Sewing students how to use the industrial sewing machines. If you listen to the discussions, you will learn how to sew ergonomically. This will serve you well for a lifetime. I can download the text book to your USB.

Thursday Night: Basic Sewing and Serging

I KNOW I have many more USBs to load up with handouts. This week, I am going to do this BEFORE I start helping everyone. There is also a lesson on the care and maintenance of sewing machines that I want to talk about. After this, I will be open to going down the help list. Those of you who left at 9 PM….didn't realize that I stay till everyone is helped. I do. AND I put the info on the USBs that were left. They are now safely tucked away in my cubby. Don't stress. You will learn a lot from each other.

Wednesday Night: Patternmaking

We changed the entire syllabus to concentrate on the Master Patterns this semester. Next semester, when this class goes 2 times a week, we will use the master patterns to create the dress on page 122 on our text and then create original designs. Yes, I will teach you how to create your own croqui. It is good to design for your own body type. Here are the changes for you to jot down on your printed syllabus.

Week 3: Draft Master Working Front and Back Bodice. Page 52.
Week 4: Draft Master Working Front and Back Bodice.
Week 5: True up your Working Master Bodice Pattern.
Week 6: Draft Master Working Sleeve Pattern. Page 55.
Week 7: True up Master Working Sleeve Pattern.
Week 8: Draft Master Working Front and Back Skirt (2 dart to 1 dart). Page 56 (?)
Week 9: Draft Master Working Front and Back Skirt.
Week 10: True up your Working 1 dart Master skirt pattern.
Week 11: Finish working on your master patterns.
Week 12: Turkey Week
Week 13: Cut and sew a "test fit" with 1 inch seam allowances. Use a big basting stitch.
Week 14: Fit your "test fit" muslin toile.
Week 15: Fit your "test fit" muslin toile. Week 2
Week 16: Tweak your master working patterns according to your fitted muslin toile.
Week 17: Tweak your master working patterns according to your fitted muslin toile.
Week 18: Copy your Master Working Patterns to 100-150 pound manila pattern paper.

Nancy Zeiman's Great video on Knocking Off Completed Garments: http://www.nancysnotions.com/category/id/101962/101963.do?extid=090919

Friday Afternoon: Embird Editing

Week 3: Organizing your free designs. Fonts lesson. Designing a name tag in Editor.
Week 4: Stitch out Name tag in room 209. Bring your embroidery machine.
Week 5: Stitch out Penny's Multi-hooping circle in room 209. Bring embroidery machine.
Week 6: Design a clock in Embird.
Week 7: Stitch out a Clock in room 209. Bring your embroidery machine.
Week 8: Masking. Save Selected as. Setting up a workspace.
Week 9: Start designing butterfly/eagle/parrot in Embird Editor.
Week 10: Continue designing butterfly/eagle/parrot in Embird Editor with your free designs.
Week 11: Continue designing butterfly/eagle/parrot in Embird Editor with your free designs.
Week 12: Turkey Week.
Week 13: Continue designing butterfly/eagle/parrot in Embird Editor with your free designs.
Week 14: Continue designing butterfly/eagle/parrot in Embird Editor with your free designs.
Week 15: Continue designing butterfly/eagle/parrot in Embird Editor with your free designs.
Week 16: Continue designing butterfly/eagle/parrot in Embird Editor with your free designs.
Week 17: Final Stitchout of butterfly/eagle/ or parrot
Week 18: Final Stitchout of butterfly/eagle/ or parrot

Note that we will do stitchouts whenever the class deems it necessary.

http://www.urbanthreads.com/pages?id=433 Free Pirate Ship Machine Embroidery from Urban Threads. Thank you, John, for the student contribution. Offer expires Sept 27.

Make Money With Your Skills!!!!

Glad to be Alive to see this Network Change

2009-08-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Dear A-Team:

I loved 2 out of 3 of the new Project Runway shows!!!! I loved the pre-show with the "OLD" designers. I still think that Christ March should have run. Daniel's "exercise" looks just didn't do it for me. Wearing a bra is better for the figure silhouette and helps us not to sag. Did you catch that this show was worth $100,000 and all the other shows were worth only $25,000 in prize money? Did you catch that Heidi looked very pregnant? In the regular Project Runway show...she did not have that look.

The guy who won the first challenge was terrific. I loved his look. He thinks he is an underdog for having NOT been to design school. Yeah....He needs some historical and practical lessons. I'll take him on. My classes and courses are free. He's got talent!!! I would keep an eye on the girl who did the dress with the fat furniture piping. That dress was dynamite, too!! Here is the website to read more about the individual designers. http://www.mylifetime.com/.

I was NOT impressed with Runway Models. Maybe I was too tired because I fell asleep 1/2 way through. I will comment further about this after I see future shows. Maybe it will be great and just had a slow start. It was an exciting day for Warren and I. Somehow, we were on the road and the red car directly in front of us lost the hood of his car. It flew up and came straight for us !!! Warren slowed down. There was no place for us to go. The hood flipped end over end and ended up on the road right in front of us. Thank God we just drive on over it at 60 miles an hour! It just wasn't our turn to die. If that hood would have hit our windshield, we would NOT have lived through it. This is how I know, there is more work for us to do in this lifetime. I'm ready !!!!

Here's another fun website that was advertised on Project Runway. http://www.catchow.com/askamentor_1.aspx. I need to ask questions about cats with attitude. Eddie is certainly a handful these days.

STAY SAFE!!!! MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR SKILLS !!!

Project Runway

2009-08-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

Project Runway's preshow begins at 8 PM on Thursday, August 20th, 2009. The first show of the new season starts at 10 PM. It will now be on the Lifetime Network. This is Channel 38 on San Diego Cox. Don't forget to watch !!!! Make Money with Your Skills

Eddie's Big Adventure

2009-07-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

My name is Eddie. This is me before my big adventure. I was big and strong. I was a "tuff" cat. The picture on the right is what happened to me as I was running away from being eaten by .....I can't even tell you.....I was running away so fast. The vet said that I was lucky to be alive. I have scratch marks all over my belly. AND the bite they took just to the right of my tail took all the skin. That pink stuff is muscle. I have to wear a special collar so that I don't help clean my wound. Neosporin doesn't taste as good as my favorite cat food. My Mommy was so glad to see me. AND Daddy actually came over to me and picked me up. Ah......to feel love again !!!!

I was gone 21 days and lost 3 pounds. My claws were badly mangled. It's a jungle out there !!!!

The only one who was NOT glad to see me, was Stella, my sister cat. She is just getting over having surgery for a plugged anal gland. She and Mommy were very thrilled she did not have cancer. BUT she is spending all her time trying to keep me in line.

Trust me. They don't have to try to keep me in line. I THANK GOD every day that I found my way home and don't have to scrounge for food and water any more. It is HOT and SCARY out there !!!

I hope I remember what happened to me in the months down the road. I don't want to repeat another big adventure. I realize that I only have 8 lives left.

Fandango to Whittier Museum

2009-07-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a very happy and safe July 4th!!!! This week we accomplished a lot !!!!

Serging: Make sure you marked your notches and dots before you take your pattern pieces off the cut fabric. We embroidered a pocket for our robes – last week. The next thing to sew up is the shoulder seams and sleeves in the armholes. Remember to serge your sleeve bands on before serging the sleeves to the armholes. It occurred to me, that the technique for sewing in the sleeves in the armholes – WITHOUT PINS – could be new for some of you, so I will demo this on Monday morning. THIS IS A GREAT TECHNIQUE. Once you learn it, you will use it all the time. You won’t be using many pins any more. After you sew up your shoulder seams and sleeves, it is time for a fitting. We need to place the pockets perfectly and we need to decide where we will be putting our belt loops. If you have the time, work ahead. Sew (straight stitch) up your pockets with the lining fabric. Slit the lining fabric and turn your pockets right side out. Iron them flat. We will need them ready for the fitting. If you have time, serge on your neck band.

Basic Sewing: Now that you have serged up your fabric pieces, it is time to repin the patterns to the fabric and mark your notches, and dots, etc. Make sure your notches are all marked with china marker, pencil, etc. Clipping the notches and dots through the serging will defeat the purpose of the serging which is to keep the fabric from unraveling. About ½ of you embroidered your pocket. Start sewing your nightshirt together with the shoulder seams. You can then put in your sleeves FLAT and start work on your neckline. I will demo all of this. I will also demo putting your pockets together. Then we can have our first garment fitting. We will see how the neckline fits after it is staystiched. We will place our pocket in a GREAT spot.

Patternmaking: We started working on our pants draft. It is time to finish it this week and start to make muslin toiles of the draft. The leggings can be tested in a 4-way stretch knit.
DON’T WORRY SO MUCH. I got many emails stating that they didn’t like what was happening to their drafts. You need to realize that the drafts will reflect what the measurements tell them. Once we make the toiles, we can tweak the fabric and take the tweaking back to the patterns. Remember, the final fabric pants are the end result of all the drafting and tweaking. Everyone’s measurements are different because everyone’s body is slightly different. When you manufacture clothing, you take an AVERAGE of the body type you want to fit. Trust me. This is how designers make millions in the mass market. Calvin Klein made his money by fitting rear ends. Donna Karen fits people with big boobs. Ralph Lauren lowered the crotch on gentlemen’s jeans. AND SO ON. This is NOT couture. This is for the millions of people who need to buy from the mass market and can not afford to spend $500 – $5,000 on one garment. Come and finish up the pants draft with me. For those of you who were not there for the last class, we are #17 of the two dart pants sloper in your handout. This is where we will begin on Wednesday, July 8th.

In Embroidery, we did pocket toppers. (Of course, I didn’t finish mine. I am trying to cover up a hole that my wondrous husband put in his shirt. We learned how and why to use a template. This week, we will be doing an all in the hoop project. It is the teddy bear from our text book. For those of you with embroidery machines, I would strongly suggest that you input this design DIRECTLY into your machine. It is too big for the amazing box cards. I did make it into a 4 by 4 design. BUT…I have NO IDEA how it will stitch out.

Of course, I did NOT get to put the Sewing 10 Commandments onto the blog site. I will need to do this…during the August break. Watch for it…it is coming. I found them all !!!!

This coming Saturday, July 11, there is a Fandango to the Whittier Museum. We will be eating breakfast in Laguna Hills and lunch in Whittier before driving back to San Diego. The Whittier Museum is having a room display of their Women’s underwear. The name of this exhibit is entitled: Underneath it all: The Evolution of Women’s Undergarments.” Sounds like a great learning experience to me !!!!! This is why I invited you all to come.

This Fandango has NOTHING to do with the school. It has NOTHING to do with my courses. It is just something extra I will be doing and if you want to come, you are welcome to come. The school has NOTHING to do with this. AND if you don’t want to come….this is fine. We will just be using the WCC parking lot. Some of you will be drivers. Some of you will be riders. We will be car pooling. IF YOU ARE A RIDER….MAKE SURE TO PAY FOR PART OF THE GAS TO GO. Be sure to make arrangements in this week’s class.

We will be having a docent tour at 1 PM at the Whittier Museum. The tour will include the entire museum. This includes the history of Whittier, Nixon, a military hallway and the gallery where the underwear exhibit will be. Note: Nixon grew up in Whittier. AND the museum is two floors. The docent tour takes about 1 hour. I am told there are many restaurants around the museum, so that we can have lunch before the drive back.

The entire Fandango is NO HOST. All food will be NO HOST. Breakfast may be eaten at Luisa’s Café. There is a pink umbrella there. This is one building over from A Time to Sew. A Time to Sew is on the Quilter’s run so it will be open at 9 AM.

I am making maps for the drivers. Those of you who have been on Fandangos with me previously, know that my maps are…NOT PERFECT. I have included phone numbers for you to call the shops/museum in case you need to. I suggest you make your own maps with the addresses I am going to give you here. OR program and take the family GPS. We will MEET AT THE WEST CITY CENTER PARKING LOT ON SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009 BY 8 AM…….. I will be giving out the maps on Saturday morning.

A Time to Sew
Owner: Martha
27071 Cabot Road
Suite 101
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-282-0084

Whittier Museum
http://www.whittiermuseum.org/
6755 Newlin Avenue
Whittier, California 90601
562-945-3871
It is at the corner of Newlin and Philadelphia

See you all in class this week and on Saturday !!!!!

Leapin' Lizards !!!

2009-06-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

This picture is Priscilla's final project from the Spring Semester. I couldn't resist posting it !!!!

The classes are still ALIVE !!!! I am so JAZZED !!!! This is the third week of each course. I do intend to run the courses until the Dean tells me to stop. Here is what’s up in each course. Over the July 4th weekend, I will set up the Fandango for July 11. It’s coming up ever so quickly !!!!

Serging: We learned a bit about fitting a paper pattern last week. Hope you all cut your fabric and are ready to serge. BRING YOUR SERGERS TO CLASS ALONG WITH FABRIC AND MAXI LOCK SERGER THREAD. This week, we will be threading our sergers, and testing our stitches. Once you have done that, you can begin to sew up the bathrobe. We will tie on your threads to the cover stitch machine and make your belt loops. It’s easy. I will show you. AND if there is time, I will demo how to embroider one pocket. I have enough stabilizer for each serger student to embroidery one pocket with a Deco machine. I have 6 Decos so waiting will be at a minimum. If you own your own embroidery machine, feel free to embroider a pocket at home.

Basic Sewing: Last week, we fitted our nightshirt pattern. We discovered that McCall’s pulled pattern 8524 from its pattern book. Some of you, are using different patterns. BUT…they are all basic. So don’t worry. This week, we will be SERGING our open edges. Sergers will overcast the edge of your fabric so that they won’t ravel. AND the edge will lay flat. The ONLY edges that do NOT get serged are the ones that are enclosed like the neckline and neckline facing edge. The facing edge that is NOT enclosed gets serged. It’s easy. I will show you. Yes, I know, there are overcast stitches on the straight stitch sewing machines. Why are we not using them??? Because they don’t lie as flat as a true serged edge. AND I decided to take this opportunity to introduce sergers to you. They are very useful when you sew. AFTER the serging is done, I will show you how to mark your cut fabric with notches, dots, and pocket placement. All of this is done in the seam allowance.

Patternmaking: This week we will be drafting woven pants from the handout I gave you. Make sure you have taken the measurements that were listed on the handout. Last week, we draped knit leggings and traced them off onto pattern paper. Bring your curved rulers, pencils, and ultra fine sharpie markers, !!!! You will be able to see quite the difference between the two patterns when we are done.

Computerized Machine Embroidery: Last week, we learned how to work with hot-fix crystals. It was fun !!!! I think I was the only one who mixed the crystals with permanent markers. I do intend to wear my shirt on Thursday night. I hope you all wear your shirts, too.
I was asked to write the directions for using crystals with Mylar paper. I thought I should reprint this here:

To use the Mylar paper with Hot-Fix Crystals:

1. Take an image. I like to use Microsoft clip art. It should be something she likes. Print it out.
2. Scotch Tape it to a table.
3. Take the backing off the CLEAR Mylar piece. Place it sticky side up over the Microsoft clip picture.
4. Tape this down in all 4 corners.
5. Outline the clip art with the crystals. MAKE SURE.....you place the crystals right side down on the Mylar. When you think you are done, replace the backing on the Mylar.
6. Turn the Mylar over to see what you created. You can easily remove the backing and move the crystals around - until you are happy.
7. Place the t-shirt on the ironing board. Place a pressing cloth over the Mylar. PRESS without steam for about 1 minute. The Mylar will get all wrinkly. This is how you know you did it right. LET THE MYLAR
8. COOL BEFORE YOU TAKE IT OFF. The crystals will be stuck to the t-shirt.
9. When you want to wash the t-shirt....use cold water and turn the t-shirt inside out.

This week we will be doing embroidered Pocket Toppers

You will need: A shirt with a pocket on it. This should be a woven shirt. I found an appliqué teddy bear embroidery design for this. I have paw prints (from the text) and I have the teddy bear appliqué pocket topper. (REALLY COOL !) Bring a 4 inch square of appliqué fabric if you want to do the teddy bear coming out of the pocket. The school will also supply the rayon embroidery threads. Bring tear away stabilizer. We will learn about templates and we will be using the Cartesian cross. Come to class with the vertical (y axis) line basted from inside the pocket on up over your shirt pocket. Make sure this line is dead set in the middle of the pocket.

Remember to check out the right side column of the blog. I have added new embroidery sites and inspirational creative messages.

Make Money with Your Skills !

All Set to Go !!!!

2009-06-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

I am ready for Monday. It always seems to take me a week to prep properly and figure out all the ins and outs of each semester. You will find the 5 weeks JAMMED PACKED !!!

Print out the syllabus I sent you late Wednesday night in an A-Team email. Bring it to class along with a pen and paper to take notes.

I read all the evaluations from Spring 2009. There are things I can do and things I can’t do. I can’t do handouts in advance when I don’t know what I need them for. BUT…this being said, I will try to write more directions on the white board for you to take notes. No text book will be perfect. As you learn, you will acquire many books on a subject that interests you. You will find some things you like in all the books. That’s what makes your perspective unique. AND this is what you bring to class: Your unique perspective, your years of experience, your own personal point of view !!!

I try to not do a lecture in the beginning of the classes because there is no time to go back and repeat. I started this 3 or 4 years ago because I was asked to do so by the class. If I go back to doing lectures, first, those that come late will miss out. As you said in the evaluations, this is your responsibility. You will need to get the notes from one of your peers. I will not repeat.

The classes are not split by learning level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. My classes are split by what you want to learn. All learning levels welcome. I do not have enough students to take a class (for example: Patternmaking) and split it by level.

You seem to want more completed projects in the courses. I will present them this summer. If you don’t finish….you don’t finish. This summer’s courses will not have any certificates attached to them. 5 weeks is just not enough time to get very involved. Let’s see how it goes.

I can only let you borrow my personal things. School equipment or supplies can NOT be borrowed. This Spring, I lost 2 items that were written in my lending book. Contacting the students did not do any good. This makes me not want to lend anything. It is unfair, I know. BUT…what else can I do? As to bobbins and needles, which you are supposed to supply, I will begin charging for them. You will be able to buy them from me and I will take the money and go replenish my stash.

I do periodically bring in magazines. I leave them on the counter for all to look at. I call attention to them in the beginning of the class. If you come late, you need to get notes from your peers.

I was asked to do a class on Photo Fabric. We are still setting up the printer and plotter. The ink is $500 to buy the BLACK dye ink. HP does dye ink in color. BUT the black is a pigment ink. I am sure, this could be a class cost when everything is set up. The fabric paper is $20 per 10 sheets. Some of you, want classes on specific embroidery techniques. ARE YOU PREPARED TO SPEND THE MONEY FOR THE EMBROIDERIES??????? I asked this during the Spring semester, and got mixed reviews. Not all embroideries are free. AND remember: There are very specific copyright laws !!!! The school does NOT have the funds to purchase supplies for every class. Some of you, have trouble buying required text books.

The PROGRAM Sewn Product Business is all set to go. I now have a computer classroom at my disposal on Friday afternoons. This fall, I will be teaching Embird Editing in there. We will be able to go back and forth between 203 and 209. If this works out, I will try to do Sewn Product Business in there.

I love show and tell! I find it so inspiring. YET……..Show and Tell is a hot topic. 50% want it and 50% don’t want it. If you have something to share…let me know, I will give you the time to talk to the class.

Another instructor, this summer is doing a fashion image course. Check the website: http://www.sdce.edu/.

I tell everyone to save their cut embroidery thread ends and leftover dissolvable stabilizer. When all the cut ends are laid out over the leftover dissolvable, you can sew this up into fantastic molded bowls. This is a project form a sulky book. Sulky Secrets to Successful Stabilizing. (1998). Sulky of America. No ISBN number listed. This book has many beginners’ guides in it. Plus, the creative ideas are fabulous. This book belongs on everyone’s shelf. There is now a sequel to it. This is great also.

NEWS:

Angel had her healthy baby boy after 3 days of labor on Saturday, May 30th, 2009. The baby weighed 8 pounds 3 oz and was just shy of 20 inches. Congratulations !!!!!

So we are all supposed to recycle. So I called Waste Management. 619-596-5100. This is their main phone number. They told me they pay for recycling of aluminum, plastics #1-7 and all metal cans. They also take all glass. They didn’t exactly tell me the truth. What do you have in YOUR neighborhood? Let me know. We all need to recycle.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL CONTRIBUTORS !!!

We are thrilled to announce our next exhibition-

SEEING GREEN: Visions of a Changing Planet,
Art Quilts inspired by the environment.

Mark your calendars for the opening June 20th from 5 – 7pm at the Visions Art Quilt Gallery.
This will be a very special event as the San Diego Women’s Chorus will be performing selections from their Spring Concert “Hear Our Song: Making a Difference in Our World”

In addition, there will be an “Off the Wall Presentation: Watermarks featuring Linda Gass”.
Come and celebrate our World through Art.

QUILT VISIONS EXHIBITION AND EVENT DETAILS

Seeing Green: Visions of a Changing Planet
Opening Reception- June 20, 5-7 pm
June 20 - August 16, 2009

Off the Wall Presentation: Watermarks featuring Linda Gass
Saturday, July 18, 7 pm - Reception in Gallery to follow
$10.00 for QV members, $15.00 general public

A multi-media presentation will take you on a photographic journey to the places that inspire her textile art, from the wilderness areas of California to some of the significant water interventions in the American West. Presentation will also feature a San Diego Coastkeeper representative who will provide an update on local clean water issues and activities.

Please forward this email to any interested friends and family throughout the WORLD.

Visions Art Quilt Gallery is a non-profit, member supported organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of the quilt as art. Contemporary Art Quilts are now being recognized around the world as exciting visual art. This is the first facility like this anywhere in the U.S.

Quilt Visions/Visions Art Quilt Gallery2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92106619-546-4872http://www.quiltvisions.org/visions@quiltvisions.org

JURY DUTY SUMMONS SCAM……………..
Check it out here: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm
And here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with ageing.Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful.But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever,but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER! FRIENDS FOREVER!

Make Money With Your Skills !!!!

Thread Show & News

2009-05-31T23:45:00.000-07:00

Blog 5-31-09: Thread Show & News

Dear A-Team:

This weekend, a devine force intervened in my work plans and gave Warren passes for the Thread Show in downtown San Diego. It did NOT hurt that he won a Saturday Night stay at the Hard Rock Café. For those of you who have never been there, or don’t understand what it is, visit this site: http://www.threadshow.com/ It is for all budding designers and manufacturers. This is a great avenue to show your work. I will be bringing business cards to class, so that you can get involved. If you are serious about starting a sewn product business. This will let you see….in one weekend, if your designs are saleable. I even saw one of my former students showing at the show !!!! Check out Corrina Paterno’s handbag line at http://www.onegirlsparty.com/.

Another big news item I found out this weekend is the fact that Sew Pro’s announced when their next LA fashion district and M & L bus trip will be. It will be October 10, 2009. Go and sign up. I will be on the bus. If enough people sign up, then they will get 2 buses. It’s $40 for the ride up and back. Takes about 12-13 hours. It is WORTH the price of the trip to leave the driving to the professionals……….

This coming week, will be the final week of Spring Classes.

Embroidery: Bring back your lace earrings and necklaces. I would like to take pictures. This week, we will be embroidering our hard to embroider fabrics and presenting them to the class. Yes, we will be embroidering in class. We will take the last hour and do the presentations. In the extra Thursday night class….we made the chiffon Christmas ornaments with a design on top. I completed mine. I will have it for show and tell in class. Very easy and very classy. The secret is: don’t rehoop. Just embroider right over the center of the ornament……

Basic Sewing: Leapin Lizards! It is time to bring your samples in for me to see. Bring in your portfolios and receive a graduation gift. We will be doing button holes in class. Bring in your sandwiched 8 ½” by 11” fabric. The mid part of the sandwich was interfacing. You can’t make buttonholes on fabric without a piece of interfacing. It helps hold the stitches in place and keeps the fabric from bunching up or stretching.

Patternmaking: We will be completing our curved dart dresses in class. Then we will have presentations.

The new summer schedule is listed to the right of the blog. Come and expand your knowledge this summer. I will be getting out the syllabi within 2 weeks. I will send the 4 syllabi to you all as attachments to emails. The 7 week classes start the week of June 15.

Links and things for personal and professional growth:

LA Fashion District - Sales at Michael Levine's
http://www.mlfabrics.net/newsletter/PDF/june.pdf

Craftstylish
http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBKIL1WBs5O-JB7t7BcAuxTDd.Bs5O-J0l/doc.html?RAF_TRACK=&email=mckenna@gothere.com&password=Bs5O-JAuxTDdBKIL1WboAyTQX3zUVR&FNAME=JOAN

Threads
http://ebm.e.taunton.com/c/tag/hBJ-v0yAri9wOB7tp-tAuxTDd.Ari9wO$f/doc.html?RAF_TRACK=&email=mckenna@gothere.com&password=Ari9wOAuxTDdBJ-v0yAvbWkon-TcLd&FNAME=JOAN

Memorial Day

2009-05-26T01:37:00.000-07:00

Blog Date: 5-25-09

Dear A-Team:

The Memorial Day Weekend has gone by SO FAST!!!! As I get older, I want to work less and less on Memorial Day. I want to go to the cemeteries and help place flags on the graves. So many have paid the ultimate price so that I can sit here and blog to you. I can remember in the late 60’s…..how unpopular the Vietnam War was. How we all rebelled. How we all didn’t understand that unless we fight for what we believe in, the country won’t be here tomorrow for our grandchildren. Then came the bombings in Oklahoma City, and the Twin Towers in NYC. War destroys. AND it can destroy what we have all have built up here. Today….North Korea sent a message with their nuclear explosions. We all must be prepared. We never know what will happen tomorrow. Ellie sent me this flash movie. Watch it. It says a lot about this holiday and why we should participate ………… Thank you Ellie!!!

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1221321706636&source=jl999

We have a week and half until the spring semester is finally over!!!! It has been an interesting semester. So many things happening!!!!

Semester Notes:

Those of you, who participated in the events of the fashion show, note that I am going to give extra credit.

Those of you who borrowed books and things from me…PLEASE bring them back. Each semester, I find it gets harder to lend things out, because sometimes I don’t get them back.

Parking Permits will be enforced starting Monday, June 8th. So when you come for the out.

Embroidery:
There is only one more class for the day class of Embroidery. In the last class, we will be embroidering our difficult fabrics and presenting them to the class. Your portfolio of 10 stitchouts are due. The stitchouts are: poly-cotton, name tag, printed heavy cotton, poly knit stitchout, toweling, polar fleece, coffee filter, 2-way stretch velvet, poly chiffon, lace. Those of you who are working toward your certificate of participation need to bring ALL your stitchouts for me to see. Also, remember to bring in your completed feather shirt, if I have not seen it. I will grade the presentations as they are completed.

In the Thursday night EXTRA class, (May 28th), we are going to do the Christmas Ornament stitchout on Chiffon with a truck on it. In this stichout, we will be doing the ornament first, then going back and putting the truck on as second embroidery. We will NOT be editing it in software first. We will be using our machines to get the truck(s) where we want them to be.

Remember to bring the stabilizers you need to embroider correctly. If my Monday day class, would like to do the ornament, you can come to my Thursday night class. I always have room. Bring back your earrings. I would LOVE to take a picture of all of them……….

Patternmaking:
We are finally going to be cutting and sewing up our half scale curved dart dress to check the fit. Come to class with the dress cut. We will use the next 2 weeks to sew it up and present them to the class. (I definitely tried to put too much into this class. Can’t wait to see your class evaluations to make this class better !!!!) For the certificate of participation you will need to have turned the following in for me to see (for grading). The ½ scale arm, the muslin test fit sloper, and the curved dart toile.

Remember to bring in a bobbin for a Janome, Pfaff or Bernina sewing machine. You will also need a package of Schmetz needles. I suggest a universal needle in a standard size of 90/14. This is an all purpose size.

Basic Sewing:
We did zippers in the last class before the holiday. The two we did, centered and lapped are only the beginning. There are many different applications for zippers. YOUR sewing portfolios are due on June 1st. Leave an open page for us to put our buttonhole samples. We will be making machine made buttonholes the last day of class. For those of you who are going to go on into the summer class, there will be an assignment for you to turn in the first day of class, June 15th. (Leapin Lizards……You will laugh and laugh !!!!)

There will be a summer threads show on May 30 – 31, 2009. See http://www.threadshow.com/ for more information.

Contract Work:
Patternmaker is looking for someone who wants to translate the Patternmaker program into Spanish. If you are interested, contact me and I will put you in contact with the correct personnel at PatternmakerUSA. In payment, they are giving a copy of the Professional Studio. They are also looking for illustrators. If you can draw well, and are interested, email me.

Here's a sneak peek of an article in the June issue of Stitches. In "The New Credit Rules," we look at how decorators can make adjustments to how they spend, collect and borrow in today's unstable economy. Click here to view the PDF.

Here is an article about the costume designer for Dancing with the Stars. Pretty interesting article !!!! http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/7025/interview-with-dancing-with-the-stars-costume-designer

Read the Moment: http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/aussie-posse-australian-fashion-week-roundup/?emc=eta1

Make Money with Your Skills !!!!!!!!!!!!

Sucess !!!

2009-05-11T01:04:00.000-07:00

Blog Date: 5-10-09

Dear A-Team !!!!

Success !!!! What a Great Week !!!! West City Center’s Open House / Fashion Show was outstanding. Such team work !!! Nothing went wrong. It was just perfect !!!! I was told that about 800 guests came to check us out !!!! Everyone loved our machine embroidery and ½ scale dress form display. Our part of the fashion show was terrific with the feathers. It said a lot about recycling. Those of you who presented assignments (from my courses) for the Open House or Modeled or staged us for the Fashion Show will receive extra credit.

The end of the week was capped off by our semester trip to the LA garment district. Two students took advantage of coming with me. Of course, I spent too much money. BUT I keep thinking of the savings I got up there; verses what I would have spent picking up the same things in San Diego.

We have 4 weeks left till the end of the semester. Come to class and learn some more !!!!
Stimulate your curiosity. Discover the answers to questions that you just can’t put into words. Master at least one new technique. Come to class.

Embroidery:

This week, we are embroidering on Chiffon. I gave you each a piece of it. You will need to bring: Clear dissolvable “Solvy” on top and some kind of dissolvable “Aqua Magic” on the bottom. You will also need to bring some Rubbermaid draw liner. This rubber-lace drawer line comes in 2 thicknesses. You will need the “thinner” kind. This will help your chiffon stay in the hoop. I MUST thank Grace for the tip on the Rubbermaid draw liner. This is SO much better than wrapping your hoop with adhesive bandage tape. I just NEVER want my machine or hoops to ever be gunk’d up…………..

For those of you who are going to continue on in the summer embroidery class, please buy your text book early. The name of the book is: Machine Embroidery Wild & Wacky: Stitch on Any and Every Surface by Linda Turner Griepentrog and Rebecca Kemp Brent. www.Amazon.com has it for 14.99. Make sure the embroidery disk of designs is in good shape. The first day of class, we will be deciding on what we will be doing the rest of the summer semester.

Basic Sewing:

We will be continuing with our Portfolios. We are almost completed. We still need to do buttonholes, zippers, necklines, unlined pockets, inset pockets, and I don’t believe we covered all the seam finishes. There is so much to learn. AND…in LA…I got you each a graduation present. When you turn in your completed portfolio, you can start work on this….. WHAT FUN !!!!

Patternmaking:

The class decided that it will take us the rest of the semester to complete our curved dart dress. This is fine. This means…that next September, we will be continuing this class. The name of the Fall 2009 Patternmaking class will be: ½ Scale Production Patternmaking. I don’t want to push through this process. There is a lot to be learned so that when you need to do this for your own companies, you do it easily.

There has been a Grand Opening in our Point Loma neighborhood !!! Apparently, it sells home décor items, fabrics and trims. Check it out and let me know !!!!! The store is located need the corner of Rosecrans and Midway next to Tuesday Morning. Monday-Saturday 10 – 6. Closed Sundays.

Mariana Lifestyles.
3555 Rosecrans Street
#107B
San Diego, CA 92110
619-223-2339

I once gave Gitta the name of a specialty store in Parkway Plaza that specializes in enhancing body parts. They also have girdles that mold your figure after post-partums, operations and other plastic surgeries. The store’s name is: Colombianas: Slender Bodies. Their phone number is: 619-447-3252. I had a report this week, stating that what this store sells helped someone with their back problem. I want to pass this on, in case you too, need be helped.

Here is a link to a video about washing your hands: http://www.my-ce.tv/?rnd=419691410

Job Listing for a Costume Designer (Thank you Tina !!!):
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/med/1156178869.html

Free Embroidery Design: http://www.advanced-embroidery-designs.com/newsletter/20090504.html

MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR SKILLS !!

Busy & Exciting Week

2009-05-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

Blog May 3, 2009

Last Week’s Blog left you with a cliff hanger. The designers in the picture are as follows from left to right, top to bottom. 1. Donatella Versace 2. Betsy Johnson 3. Miuccia Prada
4. Elsa Schiaparelli 5. Madeleine Vionnet 6. Coco Chanel (See below for the picture !!!)

This week, we have the West City Campus Open House and Fashion Show on May 6, 2009. Here is a time table of the goings on…………… The timing is from 10 – 2 PM.

Fashion Shows will be in room 211:

Show I: teachers and students from room 211, Clothing and Textile room, 11:30 to 11:50 Students in the first show should line up near the jewelry room at 11:00.

Show II: teachers and students from 209, Industrial Sewing room, 12:15 to 12:35 Students for the second show line up right after the first show is finished near the jewelry room.

Donna Namdar, program chair, will greet the audience for each show and go thru the first few slides that introduce the program, stop the power point and then the instrumental music will start and the models will begin to enter the room.

****Students line up outside the door of the classroom closest to the jewelry room on the outside stairs. They enter the room from the door closest to the jewelry room. They stop, strike a pose, Sam will be positioned with his camera as they enter the room. They continue to walk across the room, stop for a quick pose to the audience before they exit. They wait quietly in the hall way until the show is over. Walk with confidence and with good posture !!!

Helpers/Docents will wear paper name tags that say Fashion Show Assistant, and should arrive at just before 11:00.

Demonstrations:

Joan McKenna in Sewing Storage 216 doing a Patternmaking demonstration 10:30 to 11:00

Patti Fuhrer in hallway between sewing rooms doing a Textile Surface Design demonstration 12:45 to 1:15

Jenne Hill in hallway between sewing room doing a Tailoring demonstration 1:15 to 1:30

Karen Cunagin will complete the empty bulletin board and have a quilt on display.

Displays: Room 211: Clothing and Textile Room Using the three cutting tables: Table 1 and 2 Kathleen, pillows and purses 3 Patti Fuhrer. Department power point going in a loop after the show.

Displays Room 209: Mannequin modeling on cutting tables. Other course displays on the lower tables. Department power point going in a loop
Foods and Nutrition:

Tray passed appetizers served by students on the first floor only.

Culinary demonstration room will play a looped Foods and Nutrition Power Point and chocolate making video when Chef Sara is in between her chocolate dipped strawberry demonstrations.

Tours will be able to view the demo kitchen but not the industry kitchen as students will be preparing food.

The formal presentation with Chancellor Carroll will start at 10:30.

This update is current as of today and is subject to changes.

http://www.valentinomovie.com/ is opening on May 8th. Call the “Gas lamp 15” for more info.
619-232-0410

May 9th, is Sew Pro’s trip to the LA garment district and M & L fabrics. I will be on the bus. Here is a link to see what is on sale at Michael Levine’s. http://www.mlfabrics.net/newsletter/PDF/may.pdf I do hope to see MANY of you there !!!!

Embroidery: Monday, May 4, is the collection day for our feather shirts if you will NOT be modeling in the fashion show on Wednesday. If you have finished your shirt, we will be embroidering stretch velvet. You will need Solvy topper and a cutaway stabilizer.

Basic Sewing: Monday, May 4, is collection day for your sewing portfolios. I know, they are not finished yet. BUT…I want to present our work at our display table. Bring to class what you got !!! We will be making more samples in class.

Patternmaking: All bets are off as to the speed we are making in this class. This is a very involved class. There are lots of side points that we are hitting like finding jobs in the Apparel Market in this tough economic time. Check out my job links. Last week, we worked on the sleeve. We still need to add seam allowance to the rest of the pattern pieces, do facings and interfacings and sew up our first garment to check the fit of our patterns.

I made a jpg image out of my 4 flyers for my summer 7 week classes. I will attach it to an email. In this way, you can print it out and it will be readable.

Make $$$ with your skills !!!!!!!

The Week Before the Open House Fashion Show

2009-04-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

Blog #3 April 26, 2006

Hello A-Team !!!!

Check out this week’s picture. There are 6 designers there. Left to Right. Upper to Lower, I can only name 3. Can you name the rest???? Let me know. Send me an email.

#1. Donatella Versace. #5. Madeleine Vionnet. #6: Coco Chanel.

Check out the best link ever!!! I put a new link up under Fashion News. Check out the site: Fashion Windows. It is a wealth of information concerning fashion designers (past and presnent) + fashion news + more !!!!!

I also put up more info under Jobs and Career. Things to know when you are laid off.

What an exciting week we have coming up!!

Embroidery:

We have some students who are finished with their fashion show feather shirts. We have some that are not. For those who are ahead, let’s bring some cutaway and solvy and do a stitchout on stretch velvet. I gave the green velvet to you a while ago. Check your stash….. This will be fun to do. I now have 4 repaired embroidery machines + the Viking Rose. Come to class and let’s practice !!!! If you still need a shirt to embroider feathers on, let me know. I have two donated shirts that are just waiting to be used.

This is the week we need to make our model list for the fashion show. For the Thursday night class….this is the last class before the show. Our feather shirt fashion show will be at 12:15 PM on May 6th, in room 211 of West City Center. For those of you who can not attend, don’t worry: You can give me your shirt. We have plenty of dress forms that will display with HONOR !!!

Basic Sewing:

We need to discuss our Sample Portfolio presentation this week. Next Monday night…they are due. I know…we are NOT finished, yet. BUT….the Portfolios will look excellent just the way they are!!!! Everyone will be able to see just how much you have learned !!!!!

Patternmaking:

We are in the middle of patterning our first dress. This week we will finish it up by completing the sleeves, facings, interfacings, and adding seam allowances. Then we can cut and sew our toile/sample to check the fit. WHAT FUN !!!! Remember to bring ALL your pattern making tools. It is time to buy the notions for our dress: The notions are listed in the specifications chart on page 131 of our text book. You will need 7 or 9 half-inch buttons, ONE 9 to 12 inch polyester side zipper, and rat/mouse tail (About 1/2 yard). Check your stash !!! If you have not bought your toile/sample supplies, do NOT buy the rat/mouse tail. I bought the class something better to use. Come to class and find out what it is !!!!

This week’s class is the last class before the fashion show. You will need to dress a half-scale dress form for the show with your muslin sloper. I promise to take pictures so that you can see how they were displayed. So don’t forget to bring your dress with your “arm.” I can’t wait to see this all displayed !!!!!!!!

Be persistent in your studies !!!!! Come to class prepared to LEARN !!!!

Make it a GREAT week !!! See you all in class !!!!

Blog #2 April 19, 2009

2009-04-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

................ Favorite Picture of Edith Head...........

Hello A-Team !

There is only 2 ½ weeks before the West City Center Open House. It’s getting down to the wire !!!!

Here’s what’s happening in the classes………………

EMBROIDERY:

We are putting feathers on our shirts for the fashion show. The Monday Morning class gets an extra day to embroider feathers. The Thursday Night class gets only 2 more class sessions. NOTE…by Thursday night and the Dean’s approval, we will have 6 more embroidery machines that have been repaired back at the school.

I went to a Fashion Show meeting last week. We are on scheduled to show our shirts at 12:15 PM in room 211. I am scheduled to do patternmaking demos in the doorway of room 216 starting at 10:30 PM.

We also need to decide which Embroidery.com E-class we would like to see in the classroom. This will be a LIVE class over the internet. To communicate with the internet instructor, we will have an 800 phone number.

I have 2 fabulous tips for embroiderers.

Beth tells me that if you do NOT thread the two last loops of your embroidery machine with metallic thread, this will help keep your needle from breaking. Terrific !!!!

Faye figured out how to return to that perfect spot if your embroidery machine can not go BACK easily…if you broke your needle, etc. She hooped a second hoop and restitched out the design until she came to the place where she needed to go. Then she put back her original hoop and finished her design on her sweat shirt !!!! Very Sensible. Very Easy !!!!!

BASIC SEWING:

For the past 2 class sessions, we have been practicing our hand sewing. We did 3 hand hemming stitches on bias, straight grain, and knit. We sewed on snaps, buttons with and without shanks, sequins, appliqués, hooks and eyes. We even practiced thread tacking.

I have an interesting job possibility for someone in this class who is terrific at sewing on snaps. We will talk about this in class.

This week, we will be going back to our sewing machines and samples. We will be practicing seams, darts, rounded corners, pockets, and necklines. The faster we go, the more pages we will have for our Sewing Portfolios. The Portfolios will be put on a table in room 209 for the guests of West City Center’s Open House. I hope those of you, who wanted to, signed up for Sew Pro’s May 9th trip to the LA garment district. I will be on the bus. Call any Sew Pro’s to make your reservation. The bus costs $40. AND we get to stop at L & M fabrics. This store has fabric Floor to Ceiling !!!!!

PATTERNMAKING:

Last week we finished our Master Sloper Patterns consisting of the bodice, skirt and sleeve. This week, we will flat pattern style number 508 from our text books. Now you will see how everything fits together. In the industry, designers are required to pattern 2 approved designs a day. We will pattern it this week. Next week, we will sew it up. Eight students get to display their patternmaking skills on the ½-scale dress forms for the guests of West City Center’s Open House. How Exciting !!!!!

FOR ALL THOSE QUILTERS OUT THERE:

I got a postcard for a new quilting store opening up in Escondido. There website address is: http://www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/.

There is a Long Beach Summer Quilt Festival on Saturday, July 25, 2009. There will be a bus to go up there. See http://www.travelingquilters.com/ for more information. (I will NOT be able to make this trip.)

I have added to the links on the blog. I have added specifically to the Career Resources Link and to the Sewn Product Link. I do hope these links help you with your personal goals.

Make it a GREAT week !!! Come to CLASS !!!!!

Joan McKenna

Blog 4-12-09

2009-04-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

Blog #1 April 12, 2009

Hello A-Team !!!

I do hope you like the new A-Team format. I don’t have to worry any more about the size of what I write. I can add pictures. I can put links in the links place on the blog and/or in the blog itself. Everyone who has a computer can read this. I won’t get any returns from the Mail Administrator any more. (I was beginning to see him way too often.)

The blog needs followers. Please sign in below. It is okay if you do not want to add your picture. The more followers, the more I will be aware of how big my audience is…on a continual basis.

So Enjoy !!!!! As always, my classes are open entry/open exit so if you decide you want to join….come on down to West City Center on (3249) Fordham Street in Pt. Loma. I have NOT figured out how to remember how to use the Yahoo Account, (yet), for email. I am sure, I will understand more as time goes on. For now…if you need to contact me, use my home email address: mckenna@gothere.com.

Embroidery:

Last Week: We embroidered on Coffee Filters. This was very fun to do. We practiced our feather stitchouts. Next week we will be working on our “feather” shirts. So I hope you used Spring Break to get a shirt and take out the underarm seam. All week long, I have been working on my butterfly suit. I have ½ of a huge (8 ½ inch square) butterfly done on the back. When I finish it, I will bring it into class one last time…to show you what it looks like before I sew back the under arm seams.

This week, I will bring in my stitchouts. One stitch out took me 8 hours !!! (Yes, I slowed down the machine to do this.) You may want to learn this technique during the summer. It is called reverse appliqué. I bought the design from http://www.designbydawn.com/ This is also where I get hot-fix crystals. You can take a look at the Ulysees butterfly at http://www.designbydawn.com/1CrystalEmbDesigns.htm . Scroll down to the bottom of the page. The design is $27.00. Well worth it. You learn SO much when you do it !!!!!

Over Spring Break we held our NO HOST dinner at Chevy’s in Del Mar. It was terrific!!!! Darin Anderson of http://www.embroidery.com/ is SO knowledgable !!! I just can’t thank him enough for coming and speaking to all 16 of us !!!!! What a treat !!!! It was most exciting to learn how he started in this business. Life takes so many different twists and turns!!!!

Basic Sewing:

Last Week: We learned how to do some special hand stitches. We practiced hemming with the slip stitch, blind stitch and my personal favorite: the catch stitch. You will find that this is the most versatile of the three. If you missed this class, you will find these 3 hemming stitches in most sewing books. Practice them in woven straight grain fabric, woven bias grain fabric and in your knit. There are tricks to be learned, so coming to class is a good thing.

This Week: we are going to learn how to sew on closures: Snaps, hooks and a variety of eyes, holed buttons, and shank buttons. There are a variety of ways to do this. AND they all work. No one way is the proper correct way. Come to class and learn ONE way. I MAY have a guest who will show you another way. Bring your hooks, eyes, buttons, snaps, needles and thread.

Patternmaking:

Last Week: Slopers and Muslin Toiles were due. Everyone had their turn putting their muslin toile sample on the half-size dress form and critiquing it.

This week, we will be correcting our master sloper patterns in preparation for learning how to flat pattern your first dress. (Note: As soon as I figure out HOW…I will be starting a glossary of industrial sewing, fashion, and marketing terms in one of the links on the blog. Keep an eye out for it. (You will find that wherever you learned your skills; that is the terminology that you gravitate to. As an example: I went to fashion school in upstate New York. I now in San Diego. Hence my language is East Coast….)

I need to give a giant thank you to Gitta. She cemented the final details for the summer patternmaking course, during the break. What fun we had !!!! We went to Parkway Plaza afterwards. What an experience !!!! Retail sizing is ALL over the board !!!! Unbelievable !!!

Inspiration!!!!

On Sunday, April 26, from 10-3 PM. 1274 Chestnut Avenue. Carlsbad, CA 92008. There is a Spring Show and Sale of ArtWear !!!! These are true San Diego artists. This is the group where I bought my fabulous holiday sweater. (Picture above)

There is a special San Diego Event that you all need to see. This was and is very inspiring. I went to see the cows !!!! Go !!!! See what it is like to walk the streets of LA Jolla (Girard and Prospect). Check out all the sales !!! Here is a link so that you can see what I am talking about. Then you will udderstand the above picture. http://www.cowparadesandiego.com/.

Quote of the Week:

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved. Helen Keller

With the final quote, I want to leave you with one last picture. The lights were going in the new WCC parking lot the week before Spring Break !!!! Remember the parking lot is supposed to be ready to use on April 20, 2009. (1 week !) Can’t wait to see what they accomplished during Spring Break !!!!

April 10, 2009 NO HOST Dinner

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Remember to RSVP by Monday, April 6th, 2009 to come and hear Darin Anderson of Embroidery.com speak about: How We Can Be Successful and Help the Industry. Be there at 4 PM for the chat and NO HOST Dinner. Chevy's on Via Del Valle in Del Mar, California. Check out Chevy's Website: http://www.chevys.com/. Remember: No Classes next week. Spring Break. Come back to class week starting Monday April 13th, 2009.

Sewn Products are Fun

2009-03-04T10:26:00.000-08:00

I'm crazy about Sewn Products and not just clothing but anything you can sew!
Just ask my friends, my students, my cats in fact anyone who knows me will tell you that!
Watch for updates and come join in the fun for learning, networking and meeting new friends.