Pattern, patterns, patterns..........

Never really realised exactly how much work was involved in putting together a pattern in a nice envelope......!! At first I thought 'well, it's just a drawing for the envelope, the pattern pieces and the instructions' and ask a friend to try it out, and proof read it...

   

Well, nothing's ever easy - we know this.....! But in the course of doing all this I am having to: spend several hours sourcing nice envelopes, only to find out that the printers will actually cut the paper so all I have to do is stick it down, learn how to use the pen tool on photoshop (doesn't sound like much, but it's not that easy, especially if you want to know how to make your work visible (!), do a LOT of little diagrams to illustrate the instructions, lay everything out for printing, including the back of the envelope with photo of the item, AND flat drawings.... all this is extra to creating the image for the front of the envelope (which I like doing), and making the pattern pieces. They are OK, so long as you don't have any curves, hahahahaaaaa.....:-( 

Maybe I'll just be an artist instead....;-)

Oh well, it'll get there in the end I guess.

Accessory patterns

I was quite touched the other day, as one of my students who'd done the Colsca / Smittens workshop (and who also comes for pattern cutting classes), came in brandishing her newly finished smittens, which she'd made from my pattern, feeling very happy with them! I say 'touched', but that's not quite the right word. What I meant was that it was something like hearing a song you perform on played in a shop or club (not that that's happened that often to me!), or I guess seeing a book jacket you've designed in a bookshop....

So my job over Christmas is to work out the best packaging idea for the patterns, as the one I have at the moment is just a kind of stopgap, due to having to produce them quickly for a workshop. Then it will be on to the patterns for other accessories I designed a while ago. I have quite a few ideas, but the packaging is soooooo important. People who actually get to see my stuff seem to love it, so I've realised that it's seeing the stuff in real life that's the key to selling it, or a pattern or a workshop for it. I've sold about 6 without trying at all :-)
So that's my work cut out (get it?) over Christmas, alongside the bespoke commissions.

Speaking of which, now that the tweed wedding dress has departed, and will make it's starring appearance next Saturday, somewhere in Gloucestershire, I am on to an equally different fabric for a wedding dress - suede - well, faux actually, but you'd hardly know the difference! It's gonna be VERY nice I think, and will have a sumptuous,  '50's but modern' look to it. MANY metres of fabric here!!!  Looking forward to it :-)

​Anyway, here's the lady of the smittens, looking very happy, and some images of the pattern envelopes below :-D
Bobbie x​

Classes a go-go

Classes a-go-go

22/9/2015

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September is always a crazy month if you're a teacher - organization overload, all the formalities, and then eventually you can actually get down the REAL stuff - the knowledge, and the imparting of such!!!

There is quite a lot, (am I kidding myself?!), actually loads of technical stuff involved in pattern cutting teaching, but the aim of it all should be (in my humble opinion) to give others the means by which creativity can happen. I call it the 'transformation' :-) Ideas on paper or in the head, transformed by means of technical stuff (the making if patterns and toiles), into amazing garments, or parts of garments. If you know these methods, your creativity knows no bounds and you also have the respect of others around you in the business. I guess that's a bit like trying to write a song, but not knowing any of the technical stuff that enables you to play it to other people, i.e. playing and instrument, singing, writing music, using programmes on the computer.....OK it IS possible, but not easy.
So, it's a means to an end....
My means to an end right now is to get organised for tomorrow (first day teaching out this academic year), so less blathering.....
I'm using the plastic sheet for blocks now, which means no more dog ears and wiggly edges, however many students have to copy them, so more to make today as well as all the paperwork :-)
Speak soon!
Bobbie 

Love this pic of 'old style' blocks...

Tomoko Nakamichi

Tomoko Nakamichi is the author of those wonderful pattern cutting books, 'Pattern Magic' of which there are now 3 in the series...

It's hard to find out much more about her personally on the net - there don't seem to be any Youtube videos - but I did find a post on someone's blog, (link above) which, if you scroll nearly to the end has some photos of the lady herself giving a lecture / workshop at the Bunka School in Japan where she taught in a regular basis. How I would have loved to be at one of those, really to see the kind of person who has dedicated herself to her craft in such a way, and how she communicates her information.
                                It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it! 

A little preview:

Website work

I've been doing quite a bit of the above, please see the classes tab  here, so you can see all the details of what, where, when and how much if you fancy doing a class or a course! 

This blog is for classes specific stuff, and things of interest regarding the creativity and application of pattern cutting and sewing, but the 'Classes' tab on my main Atelier website gives more detail as mentioned, and you can also see a lot more information about me, and the other threads of my creative work - bespoke commissions, teaching 'out', artwork and music. (Just in case you wonder who on earth I am!) 

Bodice toile

In other news, I am running 2 - 3hr workshops on various topics in the summer, as people's routines change (due to school age children and / or holidays), and sometimes these are more easy to fit into your schedule. The next one is this Wednesday at 11am and is a pattern cutting workshop on how to make a pattern for a dolman sleeve.I had a special request for this from two of my Mill Arts Centre class students, but if anyone else would like to come too, I'd be delighted to have you along. The cost is only £25, and all is provided, including refreshments, but if you have a large set square or patternmaster and a technical pencil, that would help :-)

I'm located on the edge of the village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire OX17 1PF. 

The next workshop after that will be for how to put in zips - invisible and jean zips, and that will be on Wednesday 12th August. Please ring 07941 619992 for more details, or check the website.

Bobbie :-)

A Mill Arts Centre class in progress  - making a toile (calico mock up) to test the pattern

A success!

Pleased to announce a little success on the personal block front with my pattern cutting class at the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury. 

We are all different shapes and sizes, and for students that aren't aiming for a career as a designer/pattern cutter, a good objective is to make a personal block (sized to your own measurements), on which you can base any design, knowing that it will fit you when made up as a garment. 

One of my students told me that she hardly ever wears trousers and only possessed one pair, as she could never get any to fit...

So when she came to the class yesterday and I noticed that she was wearing a beautifully fitting pair of trousers in lovely fabric, and I remarked on them, thinking that she'd been out and bought some expensive designer trousers. 

Well, you know what's coming.....she had actually made them from her own perfectly fitting pattern, and looked a million dollars! We were all very impressed, and I was so pleased for her, a) that she could wear a pair of great trousers, that made her feel good, and b) pleased for the class (who had some proof of the method we used) AND myself, that the 'constructing from scratch method' had worked so well.

More soon!

 Bobbie

Pleats!

At one of my group pattern cutting classes yesterday we were talking about pleats, and how to create different types (a seemingly mundane conversation!),  and this amazing design I'd seen recently popped into my head. I don't really know how it would work in practice (when you sat down?), but looks fantastically sculptural.

Also, we started drafting a trouser block from scratch i.e. from basic body measurements, as trousers are tricky when it comes to getting a great fit. Yes, I know that fabrics with stretch will forgive lots of fitting problems, but to know how to really do it properly if you want to produce something immaculate and tailored is very useful. Skills such as these help your ideas as a designer, as you know the choices you can make...

That's all for now - just a quickie! Apart from a photo of a recent addition to the studio, below........if you'd like to see an unexpected combination of artwork/teaching/commissions please go to my artwork blog: https://bobbiesroom.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/mondrian-landscape/

Bobbie.

Choice of courses/workshops/one to one classes - take your pick.....

Hi Everybody, 

I've just realised that to the uninitiated, the words 'pattern cutting' may not mean a lot, so 

here goes to explain:

It is the process used for making a paper pattern for whatever clothing design you want to 

make. Usually you will use a 'block' - a card template from which most other styles can be derived, though there are other methods. One or two specialist tools are needed, and some specialist knowledge, but also an aesthetic eye, a bit of imagination, and some common sense! 

I teach this in a non intimidating way, in non technical language to begin with, understandable 

by a total novice! I promise I will not blind you with jargon....:-) Come for a taster session - only £10!

For all new readers of this - here's a quick resumé of the types of classes I offer in pattern cutting or sewing:

•  Spring special offer of either one to one or group (2 or more people) short courses - 
• 5 weeks of two hours once a week - £150 pay in advance - instead of £180, with a cheaper group rate
• Half day (3 hr) workshops for £10 per hour each if 3 or more people, so £30 for the half day
• One to one classes (quickest way to learn), are £36 for a 2hr class on a pay per class rate.

Big pattern cutting table over 3m long

Other side of the studio

Scroll down to previous posts to see more photos of the recently refurbished studio. 

The only skills you need to start are enthusiasm/interest/desire to learn or improve. You can be a total beginner and not even know how to use a sewing machine or a pattern, or you may have started projects in the past and given up when the going got tough! Maybe you have done courses in the past, even a degree, and want to refresh your knowledge...

I am a fully qualified teacher with lots of current and past experience, and if you haven't been for classes before, here's a link to my biography, and a map of where the studio is situated. I am totally happy to send a CV as well on request. 

Here's a link to my Facebook page as well, where you can request a booked slot (using the

'book now' button, on the right in the background pic) for regular classes, or for courses

tailored (get it!) to your needs.

Please phone 07941 619992 to discuss, or email me here.

Spring has sprung!

Hmmmm, yes, well I'm a bit late in saying that! 

I didn't actually realise how long it had been since I put a blog up here, (sorry folks), as I have been involved in some clothing drawing / painting, and as a result have been asked to illustrate some costumes for a forthcoming feature film, but these things don't move quickly (filming hasn't actually started yet!), but I will of course update you when there are developments. 

I tend to update my Atelier classes facebook page more often, simply because it's quick and easy....for some strange reason I have my various blogs set up with different email accounts, so I have to sign out, sign in etc., etc....and sometimes it just doesn't happen!! So check the facebook page (link above), for recent classes activity, and meanwhile I will try and get all my blogs linked up in one place. Don't quite know how, but I will try....:-)

Anyway, here's the url for my artwork blog, as you may be interested to see what I've been up to. 

The pattern cutting and sewing classes are going great guns, and I even had a workshop here at my home studio for my pattern cutting class students that I teach at the local arts centre. They wanted to learn more advanced sewing techniques, so we all convened the other day and everyone had a great time! 

So, diverse activities going on, which is how I like it :-D

Courses and classes in pattern cutting and/or sewing in Oxfordshire.

Hi Everyone! 

Just in case you've only just happened upon this blog, (which is all to do with classes and courses which I hold at my studio her in Oxfordshire, and all things pattern cutting / sewing related), here'a  quick resumé of what I offer:

In my recently refurbished studio, I now have a BIG pattern cutting table! This means that I can accommodate small groups of students at any one time. The result of this, is a cheaper alternative to one to one classes, a more relaxed and fun atmosphere, and a chance to interact with like minded people....

The only skills you need to start are enthusiasm/interest/desire to learn or improve. You can be a total beginner and not even know how to use a sewing machine or a pattern, or you may have started projects in the past and given up when the going got tough! Maybe you have done courses in the past, even a degree, and want to refresh your knowledge, or have a desire to do something totally different using Japanese pattern cutting methods for 'fabric sculpture'..... 

I am a fully qualified teacher with lots of current and past experience, and if you haven't been for classes before, here's a link to my biography, and a map of where the studio is situated. I am totally happy to send a CV as well on request. 

Here's a link to my Facebook page as well, where you can request a booked slot (using the 'book now' button, on the right in the background pic) for regular classes, or for courses tailored (get it!) to your needs.

Please phone 07941 619992 to discuss, or email me at the above address to discuss prices and types of classes. 

Vintage sewing machines

I had to go to Witney, Oxon yesterday for unrelated (to sewing / pattern cutting) reasons, but called in to the shop owned by the nice Saunders brothers - one of whom I bought my Bernina domestic machine from aeons ago, and the other who is a service engineer for sewing machines who I met when working for the college here in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Neither were actually around (holidays / day off!), but it was great to see their collection of vintage sewing machines (photos below) displayed on an upper shelf in the shop - their 'museum' as the sales lady said... May their shop(s) long remain in this apparently thriving, beautiful town, where the famous pure wool Witney blankets used to be made, though the factory closed in 2002.

Speak soon! Bobbie
 

Lovely technology!

Sorry for no blog since Christmas! Due to various computer machinations, I haven't been able to access the account from which I send this blog since Christmas. (Don't ask....!)

Anyway, here we are in February, and the winter hasn't been too bad for us here in central England so far. Luckier by far than many other areas of the UK, and other countries - the blue sky we've seen loads of makes all the difference! 

So the classes are going pretty well this year so far - a good few new students here at my home studio, and I'm also teaching a pattern cutting class at the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury, which is great - the students are so motivated. 
This class concentrates on making personal blocks before learning pattern making techniques,  i.e. making a block to fit your own body shape, first off. I do show the students how dart manipulation works though, even before they make their own blocks, as it's good to have a visual image in your head of where you're going. I use a low tec model made from mounting board (!), as not every teaching room has a smart board to use. If you do have one, then a clever pattern making program called  Lectra, really comes into it's own. But these programs are expensive for smaller institutions, and need a lot of practice to get proficient (and that from a colleague who uses it all the time in the course of her job). 

But in the end, the learning is the objective, and  technology can be used wonderfully to speed things up, once the understanding is there. In any field of the arts, a computer and it's software are tools to be used in the process of creativity, and as a person who dislikes the tedium of mechanical processes once I know how to do them (!), technology that does the job is a relief! And then you can get on with the designing....

I'm not saying that the process of making is boring or unsatifying, but once you know you can do it, there has to be more of a challenge, and time saving technology can help you with the challenges!

Thanks are more than due to my resident tec expert, the wonderful Jon Seagroatt my husband, without whom I wouldn't be typing this! 

By the way, don't know if I ever mentioned here the latest Pattern Magic book on stretch pattern techniques by Tomoko Nakamichi - the stuff in that book is beautiful as ever -this is the third in the series....and if you're really into experimental shapes/ideas this book is fabulous. Have a look!