 |
|
Why not?.......Be your own designer?by Maureen ThompsonMaureen Thompson has been working at Sckafs Fabrics Indooroopilly, Queensland, for the past 20 years and has enjoyed her job there immensely. The idea for her booklet was borne from witnessing customers buying a straight skirt pattern for around $20, then coming back a short time later, and systematically buying styles like, ‘A’ line, bias cut, 6 or 8 gore, with or without flounces or flare or godets; all around a similar price. That was a lot of money! In our interview Maureen said – “It frustrated me that they were spending money unnecessarily on pieces of paper, when they could have been putting it towards more fabrics, trims and haberdashery.” “I had tried to explain the simplicity of the slash and spread principle of creating/drafting your own designs from a basic pattern, across the counter, but of course, I was walking a fine line, taking away the pattern sale for the business. So a booklet was the obvious answer.” “The principle of the booklet is to give instruction on exactly how simple it is to make your own designs from a straight skirt pattern that you have already fiddled with and adjusted to fit your frame. It is not a fitting book, it focuses purely on design.” “With these instructions, you can go ahead and cut confidently into the fabric, and even complete your design without even trying the garment on, because your original pattern was the fit that the new design is based on.” It’s so simple. Choose one good straight skirt pattern and make sure that it fits then by using the book you will be amazed how easy it is to cut and move the pieces around to make the skirt you desire, without spending a fortune on patterns every time you need a new skirt. Booklets are $10 each + $2.20 postage anywhere in Australia = AUS$12.20 For further information contact Maureen Thompson on 07 3378 8591 or |
|
 |
NEW! Looking Good Live! DVDLook like a million...for considerably less!Nancy Nix-Rice, author of the classic wardrobe planning book, Looking Good (Palmer/Pletsch Publishing) now offers you a class on DVD that will hold your hand while you are cleaning out your closet. Learn how to look like a million NOW--not after you lose 10 kilos, win the lottery, or build a bigger wardrobe. What you need to know about style, line, design, and colour to flatter you Nancy Nix Rice shows you how to dress the body you have and make it the best it can be. Learn to create “points of connection” between you and your wardrobe—colours, styles, design details and accessories—to spotlight your assets and minimize your challenge areas. See Cindy’s wardrobe transformation and discover techniques to update your own closet. Whether you buy clothes, sew your own, or both, you’ll never again have to utter those famous words: “I have nothing to wear.” Here’s just part of what you’ll learn:
Palmer/Pletsch DVD’s, patterns and publications available in Australia and New Zealand through McCall’s Pattern Service Aust. Web: www.patternsplus.com.au Email: mccalls |
|
|
21st Century SewingBy MartA Alto for Palmer/Pletsch PublishingPalmer/Pletsch has launched a series of interactive DVDs for teaching fashion sewing skills. DVDs are ideal teaching tools, because the user can easily find any section they want to view by clicking on the menu. Also, one can watch a section and then stop and try the technique before going further. Goodbye fast forwarding through video tapes! 21st Century Sewing is their new DVD topic. Some of the solid basic sewing skills, learnt in the past in home economics, are still important to a quality garment, but many today do not have the opportunity to this formal sewing education. Therefore, Marta Alto shares the most important things you need to know to sew well. Of course, the sewing room has become computerized. Sewing machines memorise buttonhole size and shape, needle position, stitch length and width and more beautiful automatic embroidery options than ever. However, you can enter 21st century sewing with the machine you own, but be sure to add an overlocker for finishing and fun. This new DVD includes a tour of the latest sewing haberdashery/notions and machines; organising your sewing time so you get it done; buying the right size pattern and a few fitting basics; cutting and marking fabric; sewing tips for collars; set-in sleeves made easy; hints for zippers; and hem options. The goal of this DVD is to learn the most important things you need to know to sew better! Marta Alto’s experience stems from her study of home economics at University, combined with several seasons sewing costumes for the Shakespearean Festival Company. During the past 30 years she has taught others her no-nonsense approach to sewing at fabric stores and for Palmer/Pletsch throughout the U.S.A., Canada, and Australia. Palmer/Pletsch DVD’s, patterns and publications available in Australia and New Zealand through McCall’s Pattern Service Aust. Web: www.patternsplus.com.au Email: mccalls |