Palmer/Pletsch Teachers' Newsletter

We had very fun, successful Puyallup Show the end of February. I tried a new seminar where I fitted 4 people in pant tissue in front of 200 people. A little scary, but I had many comments like, "You made me believe in tissue-fitting." Thanks to Sue Neall, head of education for Palmer/Pletsch Australia, being with us at Puyallup, I had just the help I needed. She helped the four fine-tune the alterations. She told me to ask Nancy Seifert to help me next year if I do this again. Are you on Nancy??

Well, there is a lot to share with you. It has been forever since I last sent out a teacher newsletter. Be sure to check out our Web site. There is a lot of new content and we keep working on it. Have a great spring. I hope you have successful classes if you are teaching.

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New Price for McCall's M2718 as of March 2010

McCall's M2718 is our Palmer/Pletsch “Learn to Fit” special order design offered in the McCall's catalog. In McCall’s Early Summer issue on sale March 2010, the price will change on the catalog page to $15.95. The price to teachers will remain at $4.00 each for minimum order of 12. This is the same price you are offered on the pant fit patterns. One advantage to you is that if you charge a "kit fee" for your class, the perceived value of the pattern is higher. Here is the ordering info:

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Fit-a-thon February 17-21, 2011

This is one of our most popular 5-day workshops. It is only for people who have taken the Fit and Pant Fit workshops and want a refresher and more practice fitting. We will start with a slide review of fit and a day of fitting tops. The second day we will start with a slide review of pant fit. We constantly come up with new ideas while teaching and if they work better, we incorporate them. Also, fashion causes us to keep thinking outside the box. We can only take 20 and we already have 5 signed up, so don't wait too long if you are interested. I'd prefer the whole class to be teachers which is why I am talking about it here. Then we could share teaching successes during some of the lunches! Click here for the workshop registration page.

You may want to add vacation days and spend some time in the NW and then attend the Puyallup show March 3-6, 2011.

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Is it "Princess" or Not?

Oh my! We just noticed something in the last fit workshop that we have NEVER noticed before after 29 years! We told our workshop students that they couldn't alter princess pattern pieces until the third day, after we demo'd the bust technique for princess, since it is more complex than a darted front. So they saved McCall's M2818 princess blouse for the third day...BUT they also saved M5481, M4598, M5597, and M5716, because they are described as princess on the pattern envelope. I checked with McCall's and, yes, even if it is really a side panel, they call it princess. Here are two examples.

M5481 is called princess in the description, but when it is altered, a dart is added to the front. It is actually a side panel. However, the line art makes it "appear" to be a princess.

M5597 has a vertical dart pointing to the bust as does our blazer M4598. It is definitely a side panel. To the average person, this probably is a moot point, but for those who need a bust alteration, it is important to know.

FYI, M5597 is now discontinued, but I have a few left if you are interested. You can order on the pattern page.

I have requested that on our patterns in the future that if the front seam does not go over the bust area that we call it a side panel instead of princess.

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Changes in PANTS FOR REAL
PEOPLE Book

We had a very sharp pant class in July 2009. They caught some important changes to be made in a future printing of Pants for Real People. Make a note in your "teaching copy" of the book:

Page 31 -- In the second column, the arrow pointing to the place you pinch to remove fullness is too low. It should be just above the crotch. It should also say in #3 that "If there is too much width at the fullest part of the derriere..." So, it is NOT BELOW the derriere that you pinch out fullness! GOOD CATCH!

Page 109 --The fact that our pants have a 1" waistline seam means that the top edge of the zipper tape won't match the cut edge. The top stopper should be just below the waist seam line regardless of seam allowance. If the seam allowance is 5/8", the instructions are correct. Also, we need to add that you can fuse a 3/4" wide strip of PerfectFuse Sheer to the wrong side of the fabric in the zipper area to prevent stretch. This is vital to a good invisible zipper if the fabric has little body.

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Ideas from Nan Ides, Author,
HAND MENDING MADE EASY

Check out Nan's Web site, www.handmending.com. It is excellent, and might give you an idea for a class based on the book! Nan says, "I set up a Google Alert and it alerted me that my book is being used as a curriculum for classes!"

Here is one of the classes Nan reports on:
http://ctasg.org/Service.aspx

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Bold and Beautiful--Soap Opera on CBS

The Couture book is shown front and forward in one of the sets. The show is about competing designers, so that must have appealed to them as a prop! Now THAT is great free publicity.

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Pat Tippett Cooks: 3000 Miles 'Til Dinner

"Our new recipe/cooking blog--featuring my daughter-in-laws (DILs) and me, the mother-in-law (MIL) is up and running! We're working out the kinks as we go, still a process, but it is so much fun.

The idea: I post cooking Missions (recipes), they try them and post their feedback with text, humor and photos! because I'll start blogging recipes that I cook for the workshops --- finally they'll be public!"

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A New Blogger Contacted Me to See if I was Interested in Her "Journey" to Learn to Sew

Peg Baker, a maker of custom slipcovers, is blogging about learning to fit her body instead of a chair. Check it out. Very interesting.

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JUNE TAILOR BOARD

If you need a cover for our board, you can now order it from our Web site on the Perfect Sew Products page.

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Cardboard Cutting
Tables are Back

The ones we love that got discontinued are now being produced in Australia by Barbara Aquilina of the Baraque School of Sewing and Design.

Barbara's Web site includes Palmer/Pletsch classes and she has done a great job. Take a look and you may glean some ideas!

Baraque Fold Away Cutting tables are now available in the U.S. through Donna Alongi, San Jose, CA. Here's what she says on her Web site:

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News from You

Rosanna (Roxann) Benbow

Check out her Web site. It keeps getting better.
http://www.ascschoolofsewing.net

The play was a huge hit here in the Valley we did a total of 74 costumes in about 5 weeks what a pressure project and what a learning experience. I only had 3 sewers that knew much about sewing so ended up having to teach 5 people a lot of basics in order to get the help I needed; then had to do a whole lot of sewing myself in addition to all the fabric buying and costume designing. But all in all the costumes I’m told were the best they have ever had for that large of a production and I have been told I did a good job. They already asked me to do 2 more next year and I said No although I would love to keep my fingers in it.

My Business is booming, I can’t hardly believe it right after I committed to the costume master position, all my classes filled up and I now have 33 students a week. That’s what marketing will do for ya. My web page has had 700 hits since it came up and everyone comments on what a great web site I have . I’m so thankful for my daughters expertise she really knows how to get the attention. I also have put a listing in the Yellow Pages and ads in the local area flyers when I’m able.

Anyways, to give you an idea: For my Learn to Sew and Fitting Class Series: I’m teaching on Mondays in Anchorage at the Seams Like Home Fabric Store which is the best fabric store we have in the state. I have 7 students right now. One is a young man from Africa who is so fun and has been doing the class for 3 months without his wife knowing. I think he may be 25. He is in college and works a full time job plus is attending sewing classes. He has taken my whole learn to sew series and is now taking the fitting series. What a story he has as his wife is in Oklahoma and he has been here for the past year. She does not know that he is taking sewing lessons as he wants to surprise her. they are originally from Africa. His goal to learn to sew so that he can make the native clothing that they wear. He is very tall but has few fitting challenges just a high round and long arms and legs. Anyway he wanted to find some books on fitting men, he has purchased the fit book but feels he will be making more men’s clothing so wanted some reference books. Do you have any recommendations? He asked why there were no men in the current PP books and I told him it was because we focus mostly on women’s fitting issues.

Then on Tuesdays I teach 2 classes at a local Charter School with a total of 11 students. Wednesday, I teach here at my house and have 5 adults. One is a DVR student that is being retrained due to health issues by the State of Alaska so they contract with me to teach her sewing skills so she can open her own home business to earn money. And then I have a Samoan couple who are learning to sew together so they can make their own native costumes and 2 sisters learning to sew together so they can have something to do together. On Thursdays I have 2 classes of Home School Kids for a total of 9 students and Fridays I have 2 classes again of homeschooled kids for a total of 6 students then on Saturday I have a adult class with 3 students. I’m doing Fit and Pants Fit classes once every 3 months on the weekends and the next classes are already full which is 4 students for me since I’m by myself and that is all the room I have here at the house.

I feel like I’m on overload most of the time but now that the costumes are done it should be better. Oh yeah, then I also was elected President for the Alaska ASG chapter. Maybe I should have said NO but its another area I want to see grow here in Alaska so what better way that to be involved. I think I have next year’s certifications requirements covered (hehe).

I’m trying to schedule myself so I can go to Puyallup this year as I have never been and it would be nice to see what's coming up so will see if I can swing it or not. I would also like to come to Portland and take another fit class as I still need help with these large bust lines and the really Large plus size gals, so maybe next fall.

I want to say Thank You to both You and Marta for the excellent training I received as without that I would not have the confidence in my skills as a teacher or the success I’m seeing in my business building skills. I don’t know how you keep up with what you do but you’re a great mentor to me, again thank you.
Well I need to get to bed as I have a bunch of samples to sew tomorrow. Hope you have had a nice holiday season, tell everyone I said hi and maybe I will see you next year.

Best Regards and Happy Sewing,
Roxann Benbow
Rosanna (Roxann) Benbow, CSI
Palmer/Pletsch Certified Sewing Instructor
ASC School of Sewing
(907) 373-5651 or 841-2759 cell
www.ascschoolofsewing.net

PATI'S RESPONSE ON SEWING AND FITTING FOR MEN:
There used to be books on sewing for men. We have a men's pant section in the pant book. Jackets are done the same as women's but button left over right. Fit is all the same. A body is a body. The reason we include so little on men is that our market might be .5% men. So you were right on that. You might Google men's fashion sewing books and see if you come up with anything. Powell's bookstore in Portland carries used books as does Amazon. Good luck. Sounds fun.

Ann Johnson, Olathe, Kansas

I wanted to let you know that I have been fairly successful teaching beginning sewing with no advertising at all ~ just word of mouth by using the P/P name. My biggest surprise was receiving email requests for teaching from 3 unrelated customers who found my name on the P/P website. All 3 requests have turned into something substantial. I am very grateful for your website, your teaching program, and the instruction provided by Janet. It will soon enable me to leave the "day job" and pursue the full time sewing I have always wanted.

Thanks so much,
Ann Johnson

Karlie LeBatique, Torrington, CT

I held several classes throughout the year and have been quite busy. Most of my classes have 2-3 students.

I have found that I get several students wishing to take classes, but I have to ask them to wait until I schedule a class again. Unfortunately, I lose a lot of customers. So I made some changes to solve that problem. I am fortunate in that I have added to my house a huge sewing studio so that I can teach classes from home. It accommodates up to six students. Since I have taught these classes so many times, I realized that I can teach multiple levels at the same time. I gave this a try because when I am teaching one level only, I have a lot of idle time. Since the students spend a lot of time working on their projects, I can teach one student while another is working on an assignment and switch back and forth. And with just a couple of students, I am still able to give my attention to everyone. This has worked out really well so far. Also, I have added regular studio hours. This enables the student to come when they are able or when it is more convenient for them. They get to schedule their class when they want it. Before this, I found that I had to cancel classes one week and pick up the next week quite often just to keep everyone on track. But now, they can sew at their own pace keeping in line with the number of hours slotted for each level, i.e., they must stick to 10 hours for Level I, etc. So far, so good.

Well, on to another year. I'm still loving it. I only wish I could get out there again for the fit teacher training classes. Unfortunately, my husband lost his job 9 months ago and I have to hold off for now. Hopefully, soon I'll get to come out again.

Julianne Williams, Baker City, OR

I took Marta's pants fitting class in LaGrande and bought that book and also Fit for Real People. I have a number of old ('70s-'80's) patterns that I really like, but want to make the armhole more fitted than they were back then. On p.174 in Fit for Real People you show how to lower the armhole depth. I want a higher armhole. I understand how to raise the armhole on the back & front pattern pieces, but am not sure how to change the sleeve pattern. I'd also like to know how to adjust a pattern when I do not want to use shoulder pads that are called for. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your time.

--Julianne Williams
Baker City, OR

PATI'S ANSWER:
The sleeves in the '80s had flatter caps due to the shoulder pad and wide shoulders, so there are lots of things to think about. If you lower the shoulders to remove some of the room for the pad and raise the underarm, the sleeve cap needs to be higher and narrower. You could try taking a tuck down the middle of the sleeve then adding some cap height and then seeing if it fits. Make a muslin. The cap seamline should be about 1" larger than the armhole seamline as a guide. Or, just use a fitted sleeve from another pattern. The shoulders may be too wide if from the 80s so you may need to do a "narrow shoulder" alteration. Hope this helps. Pati

Mary McCarthy, Rockledge, FL

I have been quite busy teaching . Last week, one of my most loyal students was using PPP (in my Sew Lab class) to make a pattern piece for a pair of chaps. She suddenly looked up and said something like, " Wow, this stuff is great! If I hadn't been taking classes, Mary, I would not have a clue how to do this...I have learned so much!"

So there we go...classes are booming these days, and I get more calls than ever from folks who want to sew. Hope things are dandy your way, and I am looking for the next Fit a Thon to attend.

Take care!

Mary McCarthy

Marilyn Elliot, San Antonio, TX

I am teaching new immigrants to sew. Our church is helping about 200 of them as they are becoming new US citizens after having lived in refugee camps for the past 15 years. Everything is new, language, food, culture. It is really fun teaching without relying on language!!! They think it impolite to say they do not understand, but I have several helpers who assist. The ladies get together weekly for language, and other activities – learning to sew is one of them. Because funds are limited, I found a reversible apron pattern on the internet – free and with words encouraging use for such projects.

I also having been doing some private lesson instructions. I have a lady coming next Friday for a basic fit shell – Size 24! So we are using the 22 and will size up as needed.

Since we have also moved into a new house, I am doing curtains and drapes. The current project is using a new (at least for me) drapery system called Ripplefold where the folds are created when pulling the drapery back. Several sources said it was available only to manufacturers, but M&T in Colorado http://www.mtdrapes.com/draperyhardware.htm sells it to the home sewing market. I will try to send you a picture after I have completed them. I wanted to be able to see the view through the sheers so did not want as much fabric as otherwise. When ordering the rods you get to specify the fullness from 80% to 120%.

Marilyn Melrose and I are corresponding and talking about which class to take next year. This year has been challenging for both of us – and it just was not possible to get together at a class this year.

Heather See, NY Makes a Great Offer to a Fit Teacher

I was wondering if you have a deserving student who could you them. They would just pay for shipping. Contact me at: hsee4124@gmail.com

Ann Ohme

I'm still teaching away and still have lots of interest. Starting in January I will be teaching daytimes only. After 25 years of driving at night to and from classes I decided it is time for a change. I will continue to have morning classes at Hancock Fabrics on one or two weekdays and some Saturday or weekday classes at a local Viking dealer. The prospective change doesn't seem to have affected interest.

Interest seems to have increased for Beginner classes and I will schedule some Fit classes as soon as I get enough students. Also I have developed a Sewing for the Home class. People want to make their own pillows and window treatments. Actually, one of my former students, who took Beginner and Sewing for the Home, has started her own business making window treatments and is doing quite well. I pat myself on the back for that one! I have also been asked to teach a class on different hems and zippers. I think I can work up a class that will include gathering and darts as well. The Palmer/Pletsch Beginner notebook will be a great source for that.

Thanks for all your help. I will let you know how the Hems and Zippers class turns out.

Hello to everyone and thanks to Jeff for all his help. Ann Ohme

Helen Bartley, Vancouver Washington

Helen runs a sewing lounge in her home. This was her first e-mail after the first of the year. Good job Helen! Happy New Year! - Pati

Hello seamsters! Let's declare 2010 the 'Sew Your Stash' year. I'm going to make a conscious effort to go to my stash for fabric and my goal is to sew it up this year! Lofty goal...when fabric shopping is so fun.

Several emails and calls have come in requesting the adult beginning series, so I've added it to the winter calendar. I've also planned a holiday sewing day on Jan 18th. Let's sew all day!

Kid Sew! now runs Tues, Wed, and Thursday. Call for more info.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the sewing lounge this past year. I am grateful to all of you and thrilled to be sharing the art of sewing.

Here's to a peaceful 2010.

Sincerely,
Helen Bartley
Seam Divas Sewing Lounge
www.seamdivas.com

Phone: 360.896.7206

3810 Edgewood Drive
Vancouver, WA 98661

A Promotion Idea!
Craigslist Ads Made Easy! from TeachStreet.com

We've created a guide to fit all your Craigslist ad making needs. Learn everything you need to create your own Craigslist account, one awesome looking ad with the TeachStreet Craigslist ad builder and post it within minutes to Craigslist. Also, learn a bunch of our Craigslist tips to get the most out your ads.

Craigslist ads are a great way to promote your TeachStreet listings across multiple channels. Using the Craigslist ad builder, you can easily generate an amazing looking ad and post to Craiglist in a matter of seconds. This is one of the easiest ways to promote and market your classes to more prospective students. We've built the tool and wrote the guide, so all you have to do is post your ad to Craigslist with a minimum of hassle and time.

NOTE FROM PATI: If you use this info, let me know how it worked for you. Pati

NEWS FROM CELIA BANKS, ENGLAND

My sewing classes seem to have found a level of their own and, after 18 months, I have been told by the sewing machine shop that I am their star tutor! How’s that for confidence building? (I think it was largely due to the fact that I continued teaching when I had the most awful chest infection). They have even offered to buy a projector and a large screen, should I need them for courses.

Next weekend I’m off to Taunton, (SW England near Devon & Cornwall) to do a weekend Fit course and then I have another two days of Fit back in Manchester the following weekend. In May I go back to Denmark to run a trouser fitting course and a revision day for the fitting students. I teach Beginners each Saturday morning and I still have to fit in the full-time job as a civil servant! No wonder my garden looks like a jungle.

I must now go and look at two pairs of trousers that are partially made but have mislaid my Pants book. I hadn’t realized how lost I feel without it but Dearly Beloved has insisted I buy another because it’s an essential tool. He seems to agree that my fabric stash is essential as well, - what a star!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHARON BLAIR

The Oregonian newspaper ran a story about Sharon Blair's new business venture on the front page of the April 18, 2010 "How We Live" section.

Portland Sewing teaches novices and experienced stitchers how to do-it-yourself

By Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian
April 19, 2010, 11:01AM

Sharon Blair stands at one corner of the cozy room where a half-dozen women sit, each leaning over a sewing machine.

"This is Beginning Sewing," Blair says, her voice authoritative, yet reassuring. "If you're nervous, you're in the right place."

The women stare at Blair with quiet attention. She instructs them to open their notebooks, and explains that they'll be learning their way around their machines, and learning how to work with fabric.

"You are the boss," she says, firmly. "Not the fabric. Not the machine."

It's a Monday night at Portland Sewing in Northeast Portland. Open since January, Portland Sewing had its official grand opening on April 4. Founded by Blair, a veteran sewing instructor and clothing designer, Portland Sewing is housed in a blue-and-white house that has been, in earlier incarnations, a photography studio and a credit union...read the rest...

New Price for McCall's M2718 as of March 2010

Fit-a-thon February 17-21, 2011

Is it "Princess" or Not?

Changes in PANTS FOR REAL
PEOPLE Book

Ideas from Nan Ides, Author,
HAND MENDING MADE EASY

Bold and Beautiful--Soap Opera on CBS

Pat Tippett Cooks: 3000 Miles 'Til Dinner

A New Blogger Contacted Me to See if I was Interested in Her "Journey" to Learn to Sew

JUNE TAILOR BOARD

Cardboard Cutting
Tables are Back

News from You

Rosanna (Roxann) Benbow

Ann Johnson, Olathe, Kansas

Karlie LeBatique, Torrington, CT

Julianne Williams, Baker City, OR

Mary McCarthy, Rockledge, FL

Marilyn Elliot, San Antonio, TX

Heather See, NY Makes a Great Offer to a Fit Teacher

Ann Ohme

Helen Bartley, Vancouver Washington

A Promotion Idea!
Craigslist Ads Made Easy! from TeachStreet.com

NEWS FROM CELIA BANKS, ENGLAND

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHARON BLAIR

Portland Sewing teaches novices and experienced stitchers how to do-it-yourself

By Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian
April 19, 2010, 11:01AM

New Price for McCall's M2718 as of March 2010

Fit-a-thon February 17-21, 2011

Is it "Princess" or Not?

Changes in PANTS FOR REAL PEOPLE Book

Ideas from Nan Ides, Author, HAND MENDING MADE EASY

Bold and Beautiful--Soap Opera on CBS

Pat Tippett Cooks: 3000 Miles 'Til Dinner

A New Blogger Contacted Me to See if I was Interested in Her "Journey" to Learn to Sew

JUNE TAILOR BOARD

Cardboard Cutting Tables are Back

News from You

Rosanna (Roxann) Benbow

Ann Johnson, Olathe, Kansas

Karlie LeBatique, Torrington, CT

Julianne Williams, Baker City, OR

Mary McCarthy, Rockledge, FL

Marilyn Elliot, San Antonio, TX

Heather See, NY Makes a Great Offer to a Fit Teacher

Ann Ohme

Helen Bartley, Vancouver Washington

A Promotion Idea! Craigslist Ads Made Easy! from TeachStreet.com

NEWS FROM CELIA BANKS, ENGLAND

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHARON BLAIR

Portland Sewing teaches novices and experienced stitchers how to do-it-yourself

By Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian April 19, 2010, 11:01AM

Changes in PANTS FOR REAL
PEOPLE Book

Ideas from Nan Ides, Author,
HAND MENDING MADE EASY

Cardboard Cutting
Tables are Back

A Promotion Idea!
Craigslist Ads Made Easy! from TeachStreet.com

By Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian
April 19, 2010, 11:01AM