Boise Educational Event
Mastering Men’s Alteration
Presenter: Barbie McCormick
2 day Master Class ~ Wednesday through Thursday
This hand’s-on class will allow students to see and fit various male models and practice their choice of basic and/or advanced alterations. Proper fit and fitting techniques are discussed and demonstrated, as well as fit and construction issues and limitations that are unique to men’s dress clothing. Quick and efficient alteration methods will be shown, and suit/sport coats, dress shirts, and dress pants will be thoroughly reviewed. Military alterations and patches will be discussed. Industrial iron, blind hem machine, specialty pressing tools will be demonstrated and used in the class.
Couture Tailoring
Presenter: Claire Shaeffer
2 day Master Class ~ Saturday through Sunday
The author of the recently published book–Couture Tailoring, Claire Shaeffer will focus on techniques used in the French haute couture and why they are important. During this workshop, you will learn tailoring techniques for hand sewing, shaping fabric and canvas, taping and padstitching, balancing the jacket, thread and double buttonholes, flaps, fitting sleeves, panel jackets, shaping and matching plaids, the notched collar, interfaced hems, and linings. You will make a few samples and have an opportunity to examine couture jackets from Claire’s personal collection. These will include designs by Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Hardy Amies, Fortuny, and Sybil Connolly. If you are an experienced tailor, this workshop will expand your horizons. If you are new to tailoring, you will learn some basic skills.
Creating Sewing Curricula for Different Stages of Development
Presenter: Elizabeth Miles
Half-day AM
Sewing teachers generally use a series of proven projects to build students’ skills. But even great projects don’t suit every student. This is particularly clear with young students of different ages, but also applies to adults and students with special needs. Come learn about the stages of child development and adult learning styles. Discuss your teaching priorities (the order in which you think skills should be taught) and consider projects which will help you meet your teaching objectives. Project samples will be shown to highlight concepts. Bring your own teaching experiences to fuel discussion.
Tailoring in a Thimble
Presenter: Claire Shaeffer
Half-day AM
If your time at the event is limited, Tailoring in a Thimble was created for you. Designed to broaden your horizons, it is packed with highlights from Claire’s new book—Couture Tailoring. You will learn a variety of timesavers, Balenciaga’s easy collar, sleeve vent linings, shaping the Chanel collar, design ideas for larger figures and plaids. You’ll also have an opportunity to examine a few jackets from Claire’s personal collection.
Organizing Your Workflow for Efficiency, Profitability, and Mental Tranquility
Presenter: Erin Retelle
Half-day class PM
Sometimes in an established business, it’s not finding work or customers that is the challenge, it’s managing the people and projects you accept. In this seminar, we’ll discuss best practices to keep work steadily moving through your business. We’ll talk about strategies for finding and alleviating bottlenecks, designing workflow systems that work for your individual situation, and ideas for maintaining level cashflow. Drawing from Lean process concepts, find ways to optimize your physical space, space on your calendar, and mental bandwidth for smoother and more efficient operation.
Make Your Own Pressing Tools
Presenter: Barbie McCormick
Half-day class AM
Make pressing easier and more efficient! Can’t find what you need? Make it! In this class, students will learn to make custom hams, seam rolls, pressing mitts, daubers, etc. Each student should have time to complete at least one Large or contour ham, long curves for hips for sleeves, extra long seam rolls, or a pressing mitt. Kit fee includes various patterns, and instructions on assembly, and how to adjust for specialization. Fabric and stuffing to complete at least one item.
Textiles: Their Structure and Why They Perform the Way They Do
Presenter: Catherine Stephenson
Half-day class PM
This class is designed for the sewing professional who wants a more in-depth understanding of fabrics. The class will be presented using a Power Point presentation and cover the various origins and types of natural and synthetic fibers, how they are made, and their performance properties. Next, we cover the various weave types that these fibers are made into, their qualities, and how they perform in clothing. Followed by the various knit structures, their qualities and performance capabilities.
Throughout the lecture, relevant samples of a wide variety of fabrics will be passed around for a hands-on identification of the various textiles. Class handouts will provide additional information on fiber and fabric qualities along with a list of the various fabrics commonly available today and what categories they fall into. The goal of the class is to acquire a deeper understanding of different fabrics and help you make more informed decisions on your fabric selections.
The class will finish up with a discussion of the new Eco-friendly fibers and fabrics in the market and a discussion of the sustainability of fibers in use today.