Creative Ideas for 9 year olds

Here are two of my 9 year old students, Emma Rose and Maiah, who just completed their bean bag chairs in time for Xmas holiday movie watching!

Leather Workshop

Here are a couple of the leather jackets students in the Leather workshop made this fall at The Academy. The student in the red leather used Ce Podolak's Fearless Jacket #108 which was designed for leather. The other student, who came all the way from Hawaii, used a Simplicity pattern. Great job!

Paris 2009

In October The Academy led a group of 10 students on a Design and Creativity tour of Paris. We had a great group. Everyday we toured and visited a different part of the city.

One of the highlights was our day at the famous embroidery House of Lesage where students created a flower brooch complete with silk ribbon, beads and sequins. They had the opportunity to meet Mr. Lesage!

The food, cafes, shop windows, fashions, Madame Vionnet exhibit, Vanity Fair Vogue magazine cover display and shopping made for an incredible trip!

Couture Draping with Jon Moore

We had two very successful draping workshops with Jon Moore of London, England this fall. Here are some of the projects that the students worked on with Jon. Having their own 'body double' dress form, which they created during the first few days of the workshop ensured a perfect fitting jacket, which they draped during the remainder of the workshop.

We are looking forward to having Jon back in 2010 when he will be teaching the Little Black Dress workshop.

Couture Draping with Jon Moore

We have had a fantastic week working with Jon Moore, couturier from London, England. Students have been busy building 'body double' dress forms. The body double dressform consist of a draped cover for the dress form and padding built up to create a personalized shape and then a final draped cover. It was amazing to see the twin shapes take form! What a useful tool for the students to take home with them.

Tomorrow, students will begin draping a classic jacket.

Whistles Shirt by Sewing Workshop

This is the other view, the Whistles Shirt, which is included in the Bells and Whistles pattern by Sewing Workshop. I modified the collar and added asymmetric cuffs to the shirt. The fabrics are Japanese prints I picked up on my recent Springtime in New York trip. The cotton is so soft it feels like your favorite old shirt! To order the pattern contact kathryn@finesewing.com

Bells & Whistles Shirt Sewing Workshop Pattern

Here is a fun shirt sewn up using a Sewing Workshop pattern and the sewing techniques outlined in my latest article for Vogue pattern magazine. I used a 100% cotton blue and white striped shirting fabric, red buttons and added hand made red bar tacks. I lengthened the pattern by 2". The floating band can be buttoned in various positions or left hanging. Visit the Creativ festival at the International Centre in Toronto this coming weekend April 24, 25 & 26. I will be showing this shirt and others during my Shirt Details lecture.
The Academy of fine Sewing & Design is now selling Sewing Workshop patterns. To order this pattern contact kathryn@finesewing.com

Made to Measure Shirts

This is one of the samples for the upcoming Made to Measure shirt workshop at The Academy. It is made from Ce Podolak's Fearless Shirt pattern. It is a great basic shirt pattern! The collar and stand are perfectly drafted and I like the fit across the shoulders and through the bust. Another winner from Ce!
We will be highlighting details found on custom made shirts. This shirt is made from a beautiful, fine 100% cotton I purchased in New York. Notice the precise, small stitching with a length of 20 stitches per inch. Collar, stand and cuffs are all constructed to shape and roll perfectly with a fine, woven sew-in interfacing. Bar tacks are made by hand. Buttonholes are fine and narrow and closed with mother of pearl buttons. All seams are single needle flat felled.

Suede Casual Jacket

I've just finished Material Things Fearless Casual Jacket #104 in an embossed suede. I put a full lining in and made bound buttonholes. The jacket took approximately 38 square feet of suede. For the month of March I am offering the pattern with free shipping and a 10% discount. The regular price is $28 and the special is $25.20 plus applicable taxes for Canadian residents.
I will be teaching a leather workshop in Vancouver August 17-20, 2009. This is one of the samples for the workshop. I will be teaching along with Ce Podolak, Material Things designer. Ce's patterns come in a full range of sizes from XS-XXL and are wonderfully drafted. Collars roll perfectly, sleeve cuff facings are smooth and the instructions are very detailed. For workshop information e-mail ce_podolak@telus.net
For tips on sewing with leather and suede visit my website to purchase Sewing Leather, a virtual workshop CD.

Vogue 1078

This is Vogue pattern 1078, a Vogue Paris designer original pattern by Guy Laroche. I made it out of 7 1/2 yards of silk jersey ordered from B&J Fabrics in New York. It is a beautiful pattern and the silk jersey hangs so nicely.

I attended the Heart Beat Ball, a black tie event held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. Event proceeds went to support Women's College Hospital's Women's Cardiovascular Health Initiative, Canada's first and only cardiac rehabilitation program solely for women.

Shown are pictures of my husband, the back of the dress, me modeling the cocktail hat which was auctioned off, my friend Canadian designer Marilyn Brooks and my satin shoes adorned with Swarovski crystals.

Ladies Cocktail Hat

I made this hat to be auctioned off at the Heart Beat Ball sponsored by Women's College Hospital to raise funds for Cardiovascular Health Initiatives. The Ball is being held February 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto.
The hat began as a piece of flat milliner's felt. I blocked it over one of my antique millinery head forms using lots of steam. Once dry, I designed a heart inspired base. I wired the edges using millinery wire and finished the inside with petersham. I adorned the top with another heart inspired stamen and red feathers.
It will be finished with a custom designed hat pin, made by my jewelery designer daughter Rae Brenne.

Suede Cape

Janet Taylor made this beautiful suede cape following the instructions from my article Made in the Suede published in the December/January 09 issue of Vogue Pattern magazine. She purchased the suede from Perfect Leather in Toronto. Great job, Janet!