Saturday, December 17, 2011

This isn't about Sewing...

This post isn't about sewing, so skip it if you are not interested in another rant about the stupidity of the "corporate world".

I have a teenager who is entry level in the world of working. She knows some of what her mother encountered at the hands of corporate bullies over her career spanning many years. However, I have always encouraged this young person to look at the world with fresh eyes and to be a person who can make a difference.

Yesterday she related to me a story that tells me that little has changed over the past several decades in the world of business. A "corporate lackey" speaking to new employees in condescending tones as if they were servants and not people. A CEO tells the lackey within earshot of everyone (not that it matters) to "Keep those people away from me." referring to the new hires.

Reminds me of the time, while working at a major financial institution in the 1980s, the new very important executive, came to visit our department. We were working in our cubicles as this very important, or self-important, executive says to our department head within earshot of everyone, "Introduce me to your key people." As we chuckled under our breath about "who those people might be", our leader in his gruff, "I'm important voice" started taking him cubicle by cubicle to make introductions. It was pathetic then, and it's pathetic now.

I'm happy to say neither of those very important people amounted to much in that institution. Unfortunately they were replaced by equally self-important people because that's how they are taught to survive. And even more unfortunately they don't do much for the economy or the lives of people who are wanting to make an honest living.

Now back to my sewing...

Monday, November 14, 2011

Price Comparison - Imperial vs Metric

We all do it. We judge a fabric by it's price at face value. Often, within a fraction of a second, we decide that it's too cheap, too expensive or just right. All the time we are evaluating. This is human nature and when we spend our hard earned dollars, we don't want to regret it later.

Here in Canada we are "metric" but many vendors still sell in yards and inches. Also people shop cross border all the time. In the U.S. all fabrics are measured in yards and inches. It's a worthwhile exercise to make proper comparisons to know what you are purchasing. In other words, it helps to "do the math".

Let's say we have exactly the same fabric, one is priced by the yard, the other by the metre. The price is $18 per yard from one vendor and $19.70 per metre from the other vendor. Which one is cheaper? A metre is exactly 1.09361 yards. Multiply $18 times 1.09361 and you have your answer. The impulse is to go with the lower stated price, but in fact the price is exactly the same.

Let's say we have exactly the same fabric, except one is 45" wide and the other is 60" wide. The price for the 45" wide fabric is $15 per yard and the 60" wide fabric is $19 per yard. Which one is cheaper? One yard of 60" fabric is equivalent to 1-3/8 yards of 45" fabric. Again, the impulse is to buy the $15 fabric but in this case the $19 fabric is the better value.

It gets more complicated when comparing different measures; e.g. 45" versus 154cm but the principles are the same. Convert to a common measure and compare. So, if at first blush, the price seams high to you, check the fabric width. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Friday, November 4, 2011

More Lanyards!

I can't stop sewing these babies. Here are four of them in the button print, a Japanese patchwork print, a favourite Bali batik cotton and a Christmas tablecloth print.

More on the way too.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Email Communication Gone Mad

There is no doubt that the way in which we communicate has changed at an incredible pace over the past decade. Email replaced telephone calls and physical mail almost entirely.

Then, of course, just like telemarketers would make annoying calls to us at dinnertime, emails pushing everything from miracle cures and sex-related enhancers clogged up our inboxes. Well, the telemarketers have been reigned in because of the "do not call" registry, and Internet providers have found a way to block all that spam--well at least most of it.

Email communication is one of the most important ways for small businesses to reach out to their customers. Online businesses like Distinctive Sewing Supplies have customers all over North America and to communicate with them online is important. Physical mail is just cost prohibitive and wasteful.

Respecting the privacy of customers is paramount when it comes to email communication. Having a privacy policy and permission-based communication is ethical and makes sound business sense. Using an email communication provider like Constant Contact (which I use), means you have to abide by their stringent policies in that regard or lose your account.

I started collecting permission-based email addresses at consumer shows over seven years ago. Individuals may also opt into my email list through my website and my facebook page or just by sending an email to me. Every email newsletter I send out has an opt-out link at the top and the bottom of the page. There is no one that I email that hasn't positively opted-in.

So you would think that all would be well in the world of email communication with my customers. Well it's good but it's not as good as it once was. Why? Because of a new phenomena--email fatigue.

I sign up for emails from my competitors and from businesses that I am interested in. I'm sure they do the same. Mostly it's to keep up to date with what is going on in the world of sewing and to judge the trends. Here's what I have discovered:

A. I look forward to the newsletters from companies that are organized and have a clear, often consistent message to convey. eQuilter is one example. I receive an email every Friday with information on new products and sales. They have since added a mid-week communication called "Creative Nudge". I don't read that one because the Friday newsletter is sufficient. If they drop it I wouldn't miss it. Another example is Dover Publications. They also send a Friday newsletter with a link to free samples from their books. I download the pictures I like but I have purchased a lot of Dover Publications as a result of this nice end of week "freebie".

B. I enjoy newsletters from organizations that I belong to like Pattern Review. They inform me about new patterns, contests and the like. The newsletters come when there is something to say. There are also a number of independent artists like Marcy Tilton, Katherine Tilton and Diane Ericson that communicate when they have something unique to share.

C. Then there are the online fabric stores that started inundating me with several emails a week. When the recession hit, it seemed that the emails just kept coming. There were sales after sales, flash sales, repeat flash sales, that for some reason they claimed you couldn't pass up on. Soon I realized that they were having sales all the time. Designer fabrics from New York, Italy, France and wherever. Really?

The stores that fall into category C have caused email fatigue and as a result, people are opting out of receiving them and unfortunately out of receiving emails from other businesses like mine. I don't get a lot of opt-outs. But when I do there are generally two reasons given:  I'm not sewing anymore. I'm getting too many emails from other sources.

I email once or twice a month with information on events, products and sewing courses. I am going to go to more regular emails, called Fashion Fridays. I rarely hold sales because I like to give good value and good service consistently. I would hate to have a customer purchase a product one week at regular price and then see the same product go at a discount the next week. It makes you feel like you were ripped off--which you were.

To all the people out there who subscribe to my email newsletter thank you.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

So Many Shoes!

I love this print. I love it so much I got in in this wonderful navy background, a brown background and black background. It's drapey, has spandex and will make fabulous tops such a the Hudson Top, MixIt Tank, Urban T, Trio T, Tuscany T or the new Stella and Luna Tops. It's 60" wide and a steal at $11.99 per metre.

Visit our Booth #830 at the Creativ Festival in Toronto Oct 21 to 23 and get yours before they are all gone!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Canada's CEO wages recession-proof: study - Business - CBC News

Canada's CEO wages recession-proof: study - Business - CBC News

I posted this article back in January 2011 when it first came out. I said "The world can not continue like this." And it looks like I could be right.

If anyone is watching the news these days, the backlash is here. Groups occupying Wall Street and Bay Street say it all. The bail-outs, the hand-outs, the high salaries with no results cannot continue with millions of highly skilled people out of work.
If you are still working in the big corporate world look to the change leaders who are in tune with the current realities. There is no going back.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Just Because It's Free Doesn't Mean It's Good

Many well-meaning organizations, big name organizations in fact, are sending out free downloads to all kinds of things. One of them is sewing techniques. And while there are many ways to sew, many oft touted techniques are unhelpful, time consuming and don't give the best results.

So while the best things in life may be free, unhelpful free downloads can cost you plenty--time, experience and fabric.

In my opinion there are two proper ways to sew: couture and ready-to-wear. Couture is beautiful custom work that delivers a superior garment. The ready-to-wear approach delivers professional looking garments quickly. The third way, is the homemade way. And most of the techniques you see in the "how to sew" books, free downloads and many mass produced pattern instructions guarantee this unsatisfactory sewing experience.

Fabric stores, online and offline are desperately trying to attract young sewers. And they are doing so with dumbed down classes focusing on recycled t-shirts and 25 page books in neon colours, lots of white space and instant gratification. Is that the way to hook them in? How do you then keep them interested?

If learning the correct way is faster and gives better results, then I think it is worth the investment. I started sewing when I was very young. I read books and attended classes and had a lot of unhappy sewing experiences. However, I loved it so much that when it worked out well, it kept me going. By chance only I heard about industrial sewing techniques from my local sewing shop. I took a day class and was impressed. I investigated further and discovered The Islander Sewing Systems method. I booked myself for a four day certification course in Michigan. It was and continues to be the best investment in sewing that I have ever made. My sewing has improved dramatically in the last six years. I wish I had taken it 30 years ago.

If you want to sew smarter, faster and with professional results, I highly recommend you find out more about The Islander Sewing System and give it a try.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Vintage Sewing - Tubular Cording

I was at the Aberfoyle Antique Market yesterday. It was a glorious fall day, sunny and not too hot. I was looking for vintage sewing items and came across this Singer Sewing Skills Reference Book. It was published in 1954 and is a little careworn. At $2 it is an absolute bargain as it will provide me with hours of enjoyment as I ponder over the techniques and tools used in an era that holds a great deal of nostalgia for me.

In a world where change is so rapid, it is somehow comforting to know that some things are constant. For instance, the book states: "Tubular cording is seldom found on any but expensive garments in ready-to-wear." The technique for making tubular cording is the same then as it is now, although there are some cool tools on the market now that can make it easier. With tubular cording you can create custom frogs, Chinese buttons, spaghetti straps, button loops, fagoting, braid, edging, ties and bows. Purchasing pre-made cording, braids, frogs, etc. is an option but when you use your own fabric and your own creativity something much more satisfying and magical happens.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Access Copyright

It appears that I have much to learn about what staff of learning institutions are able to copy. Here is a link to the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency to which many educational institutions belong: http://www.accesscopyright.ca/.

The concept of "fair use" comes into play as does the copying of partial works "less than 10%" for the purpose of private study.

The proper attribution of the work is also required to make the copying legitimate. I don't think copying a sashiko pattern out of a book, even if it is less than 10% is fair use. The students would take it home for personal use in a one day class even if it is a college accredited course.

Maybe someone out there can shed more light on this matter.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Copyright - Are Teachers the Worst Offenders?

©
I had a lovely time in Haliburton last week. I learned how to bead on fabric, shibori and indigo dyeing and sashiko. Great teachers and great students.

But there was one thing that dampened my spirits somewhat. And that was that the teachers and staff at Fleming College seemed to be oblivious to the copyright violations that they are perpetrating.

I did not speak up. I did not challenge the teachers or the staff. Why not? I tell myself that it was because I didn't want to put a damper on the class. And there are so few people who understand copyright and I didn't want to get into an argument or discussion about it. Probably, I was just too chicken to raise a fuss.

One teacher began the class by handing out photocopies of pages from a magazine article she had just read on the topic we were learning. She prefaced the handout by stating that she didn't believe she was violating any rights because she was giving credit to the magazine for the article. Wrong!

My colleague and I had brought in some books we had on the topic to share with the others so they could look at them and write down the information to purchase their own copy if they wished. Much to my chagrin the teacher took my books and made some photocopies for the class. Wrong again! Didn't even ask my permission which I couldn't give anyway.

And to top it all off, the teacher then proceeded to copy the instructions from a purchased kit and hand those out as well. The staff at the college made the copies. There is a sign over the photocopier that states that the college accepts no responsibility for copyright violations. No kidding.

I am feeling guilty for not speaking up.  However, I will remember to tell the teacher and students when I bring a book to a class that they are free to look at them and right down the information for ordering their own copy, but not to copy any pages. I will also write a letter to the college enclosing all the photocopies that were given to me and asking that they inform their teachers not to hand out copyright materials and that staff should not make copies from books, kits and magazines.

Someone told me that they believe that colleges pay a fee that allows them to photocopy copyrighted materials. I don't know if it's true but I will look into it. But does the artist get the money? Artists work hard enough for so little return anyway. I wish people would just do the right thing and get permission.

When I was at business school, we were often given copies of articles from Harvard Business Review. The university purchased the articles and they were reprinted for the students. The articles stated on the bottom of the pages "Reprinted with Permission". When I worked in marketing and communication in the corporate world, if I wanted to reprint an article or post it on our website, I purchased the rights from the publisher. If I wanted to use images for advertising, I bought the rights. It's easy to do. It's the right thing to do.

Teachers everywhere, students look up to you. Do the right thing. Don't violate copyright laws.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Learning Something New - A lifelong pursuit


Haliburton Campus

In the corporate world I always worked very closely with the education and human resources professionals. Ensuring employees had access to the newest and best available information and training was always a priority. Selfishly, it made my job a lot easier to work with people who "get it" and it was often a lot more fun than the mundane but inevitable administrative tasks.

But the challenge was to get people who needed the training the most to actually enroll it in. Our head of HR development often lamented that the people who were the most keen to sign up were the people who needed it the least; i.e. they were already very good at their jobs, highly motivated and educated.

And the people who needed it the most, were for some reason blind to the fact that they did. They were far too important or too busy to take time out to acquire a new skill. We concluded that what was really wrong was that those individuals were too afraid to admit that they had something new to learn or that they were too scared that they might embarrass themselves in front of their subordinates or peers. And so they just went on acting like jerks while the rest of us scratched our heads in disbelief.

Don't be a jerk. Take the time to learn something new. Enroll in a class. Make honest mistakes and learn from them. Park the ego, turn off the blackberry, let down the facade of "I'm better than everyone else" and relate to people. It's quite a fulfilling experience.

What brought on that rant? Well I've enrolled in three new courses at the Haliburton School of the Arts. I'm going to be learning and acquiring new skills. I will be making mistakes too. The group will no doubt include people who are better at these things than I am. I'm going to pleased to be in their company, admire their work and techniques. Can't wait!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Textile Arts at St. Lawrence College Kingston

Instructor Bethany Garner is teaching Creating Fabric with Dyes and Pigments this August. If you love working with textiles, this course might be just up your alley. Visit http://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/parttime/King-Arts01.htm for details and information on how to register. The course takes place over two weekends in at the Kingston, Ontario campus.

Art Workshops in Elora - Wellington County Museum

Elora in Ontario is a beautiful small town with lots of history and local artisans. A number of artists are teaching at the Wellington County Museum this summer. Visit http://www.wcm.on.ca/ for more information on courses and how to register.

The Grand National Quilt Show - Balancing Act

These are not your garden variety quilts. In fact they look more like fibre art to me. This show takes place until September in Kitchner, ON. Visit http://www.grandnationalquiltshow.ca/index.html for information and to view the winning show pieces.

Fashion trend: Hospital chic : Trends - Elle Canada

Fashion trend: Hospital chic : Trends - Elle Canada

Can scrubs be the new fashion trend? Well, why not. Anyone can wear them, They are comfortable, and you can make them up in solids or prints. Androgenous, practical and easy to sew. Several patterns are available from Kwik-Sew for men and women at http://www.kwiksew.com/

Urban Threads - Wow!

Not your average machine embroidery! A far cry from Disney, Urban Threads designs are sick (as my teenager would say). I have been scouring the internet for steampunk and grunge designs for ages. And now Urban Threads is the answer. You can purchase their machine embroidery designs, or the same designs for hand embroidery or purchase the digital artwork and use it to make silk screens or stencils or whatever! And they are all very reasonably priced. Check it out http://urbanthreads.com/

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Experience the Exquisite, Acquire the Divine...


Bonnie Glass Original

Just for Us Originals is a group of talented artists specializing in the wearable: clothing, jewellery and accessories. Their creations are unique and one-of-kind--a far cry from the usual craft fare. Held in the beautiful Mississauga Living Arts Centre, their annual show will inspire and delight anyone who loves the originally of truly wearable art. There is a fashion show daily and artist's mall. Visit their website for all the details. It will be held September 23, 24 and 25, 2011.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Copyright Revisited

The American Quilter's Society has posted an excellent article on copyright as it pertains to quilts that are entered in contests or will be on public display. To protect yourself and the artists who inspire you, it is worth a read. It also provides a link to a chart of copyright expiry dates. Although this is a U.S. site, much of it applies to other jurisdictions.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

What Not to Wear Gets it Right

If you have followed this blog, you know I like to comment on this very popular show from time to time because, like many reality shows, it  doesn't always sit well with me. Fashion and creating fashion (i.e. sewing garments ) are so closely related subjects that I often treat them  as one. But I will admit when I think they have made a good point. And that point is: "Fleece is not your friend."

Fleece looks good on babies, dogs, athletes and teenagers. For the rest of us fleece is a fashion cop-out. It says to the world, "I've stopped caring about how I look." And if you attend sewing shows in North America, you will see a significant portion of the population in fleece suits. They sometimes spend lots of money on beautiful quilt fabrics, but they have given up on sewing for themselves. It is a shame really when there are so many resources available to these talented people to make themselves comfortable, flattering garments in which they will look and feel good.
Some designers have come up with lots of patterns on how to make a sweatshirt into a jacket and how to make quilted clothing, but with very few exceptions, they still look like what they are--sweatshirts and quilts. If Stacy and Clinton can convince women all over America to dress better, then maybe someone can convince those who can sew to give up their sweats and sew practical garments that flatter and fit.

What Not to Say on What Not to Wear

I caught the TLC's Royal Wedding coverage and was taken by the striking contrast between the elegance and simplicity of the ceremony and the over exuberance and at times outright silliness of the commentators. It was as if they all lost several IQ points in the excitement of the moment. Well, that can happen to anyone, especially on (inter)national television in front of millions of viewers. The pinnacle came with the announcement by Clinton Kelly of TLC's What Not to Wear of the titles of the newly wedded couple as the "Dutch and Duchess of Cambridge". Shutup!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Canadian companies lag in developing female leaders: study

Canadian companies lag in developing female leaders: study
This Mercer study confirms what women who work in or have worked in the corporate world already know. Women are not wanted in positions of leadership. There's no glass ceiling; it's actually steel. Canada is a country where so many come to flee the inequities of their home country. Where do Canadian women flee to? No clear strategies to develop women in leadership they say. You have seen the articles posted here about how acting like a man will get you in the door. We may have come a long way "baby" (cringe) but make no mistake (a phrase the big boys like to repeat ad nauseum) at the end of the day (double cringe) the bottom line is (cringe, cringe, cringe) we would really like you to know your place and stay there.

Friday, March 4, 2011

The F Word: Who Wants to be a Feminist? - Doc Zone | CBC-TV

The F Word: Who Wants to be a Feminist? - Doc Zone CBC-TV
If you missed this documentary, it is playing again tonight. Tape it and watch it. It's a real eye-opener. I hope the young women of today find a way to continue to fight for their rights.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Facing a Facing - Threads

Facing a Facing - Threads
This online article from Mary Ray, a contributor to Threads magazine, shows a wonderful way to finish your facings inside a garment. Check it out.

Friday, February 11, 2011

10 Body Language Tips for Female Leaders

AKA Tips on How to Behave Like a Man

Oh no! Here's another article on how badly women are at behaving like leaders. Yep, you'd better stop all that empathizing and girlish gesturing. Ensure that you are rude and interrupt people to show you have power. Never mind that it's women giving this advice.

Will someone please write an article on why women's qualities already make them great at leadership?

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Am I caught in a time warp? No sewing allowed.

I subscribe to many newsletter feeds in order to keep up with what's going on in the world today. One of the feeds is Workopolis. I'm not job hunting but interested. Lately I have been disappointed with all the career advice being given, specifically directed to women:

More candidates having plastic surgery to get the job.

The career mistakes women make.  Apparently you have to be "ballsy". Advice on how to interact with others, ensuring that you eliminate all feminine traits unless you have a job in a "petting zoo".

Women too nice to get jobs.  Being communal in academia is a "no-no".

Who writes this stuff? Is this 2011 or 1980 when it was ok for your boss to chase you around your desk, at least legally. Yes, times are tough and the economy is recovering too slowly for some of us. But has anyone considered that just maybe all those tough as nails, old boy traits got us into this mess in the first place. The underlying message is act like a man and be very attractive, and maybe, just maybe, you will be accepted enough to work here. But please park your annoying femininity at the door (except for the attractiveness) because it's not welcomed here.

Monday, January 10, 2011

UBS dress code for bankers a big hit online

UBS dress code for bankers a big hit online

The Vancouver Sun had some fun with the UBS dress code.

Dress codes, dress to impress, dress for success and so on...

The following articles appeared in the news late last year. I felt compelled to write about the dress code that inspired them.

Dress to impress UBS tells staff - The Wall Street Journal
UBS dress code:  no thongs or stubble - Sox First
UBS dress to impress Swiss retail clients - Reuters
UBS dress code scrutinizes staff's underwear - BBC News

A major bank that has suffered financial setbacks is trying to regain the confidence of its customers. So it issues a 52 page dress code to its front line employees. Apparently this significant initiative was sanctioned at the highest levels.
This looks like window dressing and that the organization would be better to focus their efforts on ethics, stability and regulations. And they probably are, but this dress code, in my opinion, is just wrong.
It is unlikely that any of these front line employees did anything to cause the bank its financial crisis or reputation loss.
I have yet to hear a news story about front line employee hygiene or dress causing financial crisis or reputation loss.
It must be insulting to these people to be told, down to the length of their nails and colour of their underwear, what to do.
It would appear that the management would like to assure the employees of the benefits of following the code:
“Light makeup consisting of foundation, mascara and discreet lipstick … will enhance your personality,” the code says, while advising women not to wear black nail polish and nail art.
The hair-care section notes studies have shown that properly cared-for hair and a stylish haircut “increase an individual’s popularity.”
I mean, who doesn’t want to improve their personality and popularity? Especially with management.
The code goes on to give advice on colour, fit and washability of underwear. "Your underwear should be functional, and shouldn't be visible through your clothes, nor should anyone be able to guess what's under them."  As if we wouldn’t know?
You've likely heard Pierre Trudeau's famous quote: "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation.” So I'm wondering why a bank thinks it has any business in the underwear drawers of their employees?
Nobody is suggesting that good hygiene and grooming aren’t important. But to make everyone into a corporate drone goes too far. Some of the best (worst) white collar crime was created by well-dressed people in expensive suits. They used “the corporate uniform” to dupe people into parting with their savings, take unwarranted risks or trust them with their investments. This dress code has no place in the 21st century. People should be able to dress in a way that expresses their personality as appropriate to their work environment. I’m confident that the majority of employees can figure it out for themselves.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Some Thoughts about Shirts and Shirtmaking

At the 2011 spring Creativ Festival Distinctive Sewing Supplies will feature a fashion and trunk show focusing on the tailored shirt. This show is for anyone who wants to learn more about sewing stylish shirts for people of all ages and tastes.

The tailored shirt is a staple and perennial favourite of major fashion designers worldwide. Certainly most men have a tailored shirt in their wardrobe and many women as well. So why don't people sew more of them?  Some of us think of the shirt as perhaps too difficult or too plain to bother sewing. An oversight like that may be preventing some people from trying their hand at shirtmaking. Once the techniques of shirtmaking are mastered, they become surprisingly easy and satisfying garments to sew.

What constitutes a "tailored" shirt? I've given this a lot of thought and for me it comes down to certain components:

- collar stand
- collar
- yoke
- cuff
- front placket
- sleeve placket
- breast pocket

Buttons or snaps also play an important role in the tailored shirt. Usually the front is buttoned, and cuffs are buttoned or support cuff links. Sleeve plackets may have a button and some shirts feature a button down collar and/or buttoned breast pockets.  Shirts may also have top-stitching detail and/or flat-felled seams. Hems may be curved at the sides or have side slits and may be designed for tucking in or wearing out. Set-in sleeves may be long or short.

Any combination of these components can be used to create stylish shirts to suit the taste of the wearer. Interesting fashion fabric and details make for infinite possibilities. And sewing the garment yourself means that the shirt can be custom fit to the wearer, something not usually possible with ready-to-wear.

There are three ways you can learn to sew professional looking shirts using techniques from the ready-to-wear garment industry:

1. Attend the Islander Sewing Systems Industrial Shortcuts course May 2 to 5, 2011, in Highland MI.  Click here for details.

2. Teach yourself using the Islander Sewing Systems books and DVDs. You will need the Islander Sewing Systems Industrial Sewing Techniques for Home Sewing book or DVD and the Shirts, etc. DVD. Click here for details.

3. Attend the Shirtmaking Magic! course June 1 and 2, 2011 in Oakville, ON.  Click here to register.

 For more information email info@distinctivesewing.com

The Perfect Pant--Guaranteed! - Class is almost full.

This has been a popular class. It is almost full with only one spot left. I will start a waiting list in case someone has to cancel, but also to determine if there is enough interest to run the course again later in the year or next year perhaps. Email info@distinctivesewing.com for information or to be added to the wait list.