Sew Inspirational

Melissa’s Story

By Carol Mill, Auckland New Zealand

I have been running my classes now for three years and in that time I have seen many students sit at my sewing machines. One student in particular stands out because of many things, but in particular her enthusiasm and skill. Melissa attended my very first school holiday class and has been a regular attendee ever since. In this time, she has made in excess of 20 garments including a poncho, nightie, pillowcase, skirts, bags, pants and tops to name but a few. Melissa was 9 (nearly 10) when she attended her first class and is now 12.

At the end of 2007 Melissa attended her Primary School Graduation for Year 6 and wanted to make a special outfit for the occasion herself. We looked through pattern catalogues and discussed fabric choices. Melissa knew exactly what she wanted and decided on her pattern and went out and had a wonderful shopping spree with her Mum.

Melissa then set to work cutting out her pattern and fabric and sewing up her dress together with a long sleeved bolero and a little matching bag.  She embellished her dress with fabric roses made out of the matching bolero fabric and had great fun with the embroidery stitches embellishing her bag. Melissa finished her outfit in six weeks attending lessons on a Saturday morning. I am so proud of Melissa’s accomplishments. It is truly rewarding to see her enthusiasm. She still attends the school holiday sewing classes but is now ready for the teenage classes.

Being a sewing teacher is one of the most rewarding experiences I enjoy. Passing on my knowledge and experience and seeing the flame light up and inspire people back into their sewing is just magic. In my sewing school I run Palmer/Pletsch Fit and Pant Fit workshops together with Tailoring workshops. During the school holidays I run sewing classes for 8 to 12 year olds and teen age classes.

The 8 to 12 classes are based on a three day format with two hours each day. I prepare everything so that the students just come along and have fun on the Bernina sewing machines. They take a completed garment or item home each day. The satisfaction and pride these children take home each day is a delight to see.

My teenage classes are a four day format and they start at the beginning by looking at samples I have made and discussing fabric choices. They decide what they want to make and come along with their fabric and sewing kits ready to cut and sew their creation.

My Label, My Rules, My Personality

By Bree Ledingham, Chermside Bernina Sewing Centre QLD

“She bought that last week. I’ve seen lots of people wearing it!”

That’s a phrase that I say a lot. And I am not alone. Clothes’s shopping for me has become a tortuous experience. No matter where I go, or how hard I look, all there is is a never ending stream of look-alike, boring fashion. Store after store, rack after rack, of the same lines, the same colours, and the exact same style. That’s fine, if you are content with blending into the backgound. But for me (and many others) blending is not good enough.

I WANT TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL!

Today, if that’s what you want, your only alternative to shopping is to make it yourself.

But is that really an alternative? The way it stands now, all the commercial pattern industry does is follow the trends available in stores, so you’re still stuck with the same old, same old. Not to mention that the things never fit.

So what do we do? Do we go to TAFE for four years just to learn how to make a dress to go out in on Saturday night? Do we scour the neighborhood until we find someone who can sew and beg them to teach us how to make a pair of flares?

Thankfully the answer now is NO! All you need is one piece of software, one good friend to measure you and your creativity. If you can work a keyboard and mouse you can work My Label. No experience required.

Pick your style and start clicking.

You want dropped waist cargo pants? My Label can do it.

You want a 50’s style ra ra skirt?  My Label can do it.

If you want a ¾ length jacket, with hood and no sleeves. My Label can do it.

All with the click of a mouse and the touch of a button.

And that eternal question of “does my bum look too big in this?” is answered as well. The innovative 3D aspect of the program is great. You can see straight away if a style doesn’t suit your body, or check the length of a skirt is exactly what you want. The program never lies, unlike shop assistants and friends.

Can you imagine how much better Home Ec. would have been if we weren’t all made to make the same ill-fitting boxer shorts and ugly out-dated pajama tops. Even if you didn’t take Home Ec. and don’t know one end of a sewing machine from the other. My Label has got you covered. Its got all the sewing instructions you will ever need built straight into the program and if reading is not your thing; the pictures are fantastic too.

There are even some videos to help you along the way. My Label gives the ultimate independence –

• You’re free from relying on commercial patterns or other people
• You’re free from the same fashion day in, day out
• You’re free to let your individuality soar

My Label, My Rules, My Personality

Bree Ledingham is a full time employee of Bernina Sewing Centre, Shop 12, 725 Gympie Rd, Chermside. QLD

For more information about Bernina's My Label Software click here.