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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-02-2006, 07:54 AM (1 of 12)
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There should be a lot more shows to encourage the young this way. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061002/LIFE/610020312/-1/NEWS01 MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-02-2006, 08:19 AM (2 of 12)
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That was a great story, Mary. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Patty22
Date: 10-02-2006, 11:02 AM (3 of 12)
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I'm glad to see that it is G Street Fabrics giving lessons for kids. It reminds me of a story............(here I go again......) way back when the kids were little (my youngest about a year old and in a stroller) we had gone to Washington DC and had passes to tour the White House (okay, so I said it way way back when .....Reagan was President). After walking around the malls, etc., my husband suggested we go to G Street Fabrics (as I always put a piece of fabric of our trip into a quilt I would be working on at the time - always would bring back fond memories). G Street fabrics (if I'm remembering this correctly wasn't really on G Street) and it wasn't an easy walk with a stroller and three other tykes. We finally got to the store, I went in with my youngest and I was anxious to drop a few $$$ on the gorgeous fabric. I was in heaven when one of the sales people asked me to leave because strollers weren't allowed in the store  I could actually feel my heart sink as I was crushed.My husband graciously said he would wait outside with the little one too, but she was not causing a problem and I told him no, that the store wasn't going to get any of my business. Yes, yes, I can understand the store's policy, blah, blah, but it crushed me. I never wanted a piece of fabric to remember the caustic sales person. Isn't it amazing that we can always remember the hurtful times we have experienced; maybe more vividly than the fond memories? So, as I originally said, it is nice that MAYBE the store is turning the snob tide in the direction of youth and realizing that they are the future for keeping sewing alive. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: MartySews
Date: 10-02-2006, 11:10 AM (4 of 12)
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Patty, sorry about your painful experience with G Street Fabrics. I wonder how they feel about wheelchairs. Project Runway is interesting and my teenage DD is learning there is more to sewing than pulling out a pattern, cutting fabric and stitching it together. She is encouraged to sew more plus has become conscious on the need to fit a garment properly. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-02-2006, 11:48 AM (5 of 12)
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Maybe Patty is so old the Flintstone type stone wheels on her stroller damaged the floor -- ya think?? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 10-02-2006, 12:52 PM (6 of 12)
Oooo, Dorothy! Meow - Hiss!  Too bad Patty, I would have responded exactly the same way. And yes, I too used strollers at that very time back in the Stone Age!  Good article, Mary. Thanks for posting that. Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Patty22
Date: 10-02-2006, 03:14 PM (7 of 12)
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Bwhahahahaha.......Dorothy, you're too funny. Hmmmmm.....no stone wheels but pretty close! Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-05-2006, 09:25 AM (8 of 12)
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One of the forums I visit if full of young (and not so young beginning seamstresses). Many are "into" making garments that are for more advanced seamstresses. They are dropping a lot of money on projects either doomed to fail or will turn out much less than perfect because they have no one to teach them. Many do not have an idea what the cost of purchasing a garment VS the price of sewing a garment (beginner seamstress at that). In their mind, if they find a chiffon dress on sale for $25 they can make, line, etc that same dress and save a few bucks. Often they wouldn't dream of buying or using a pattern, they just "dream" up their designs and "sew". They probably couldn't or more likely wouldn't read a guide sheet or use a pattern if they had one. Many of their ideas are fresh and new. Part of that comes from never being told that something won't work. It is an interesting forum but much of it is like trying to reinvent the wheel because they are not building on knowledge that is already available pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Patty22
Date: 10-05-2006, 11:11 AM (9 of 12)
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The reinventing the wheel part and those fresh ideas.... Unless they understand the basics of how certain fabrics will react along with construction techniques, no matter how great their ideas are......it will be difficult to translate into a finished, wearable garment. It reminds me of a girl who used fabric for a studio thesis creating garments. The instructors were so impressed, but the garments looked like she was going to attend a rag pickers convention. I think she wanted the unique designs (something as daring and creative -like Issey Miyake with pleats and volume) but this student never sewed and therefore it wasn't translating well. (All the fabrics were also a gauze weight..........not pretty the way it was done.) Craft vs. Art - don't bother drawing your battle lines, the bantering from both forces has been going on for years. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: cassi27
Date: 10-10-2006, 12:22 PM (10 of 12)
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So far this board has been really helpful to a new young sewer. (not overly young in my 20's) but I think anything to get the youth of today motivated is great. So maybe their first couple project turn out like cramp, my first pair of simple (home Ec style) shorts where so crooked you couldn't wear them! That got me discouraged for years. But then I saw these beautiful items on Ebay that got me inspired again. I have yet to use a pattern (or pieces from different ones) my designs I think are turning out pretty good. When I get stuck on how the fabric will work or do I need interfacing or not I either come here or call my mom or Grandma for help. It's the intergenerational aspect of sewing that I love, beyond that fact the my dd looks darn cute in her custom clothes. So for the teens that might happen apon this forum, keep trying for some of you it will be the outlet that you have been looking for and your need to improve will make you learn the fabrics and thread useage for others have fun and if your outfit falls off just try to be alone when it happens
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User: cassi27
Member since: 10-06-2006 Total posts: 24 |
From: VenusElaine
Date: 11-11-2006, 08:04 PM (11 of 12)
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I am ecstatic if Project Runway is inspiring young people to sew. I have personally seen very little of it (The MAN controls the remote) but try to catch the marathon sessions when he is at work. What I have seen has convinced me that there are: 1. Designers. They can envision, design, and drape a garment. They cannot sew, and have no clue as to how to achieve the finished, sewn garment. (If you have read any articles, Vera Wang cannot sew a stitch.) 2. Designer/fabricators. These IMO are the most talented. They can envision, design, drape and FABRICATE a finished garment. 3. Fabricators. These persons layout, cut, and stitch a garment according to the designer's specs. (And are the most overworked and underpaid). The one full season of Project Runway I did see was when Santino won the competition. The designs were incredible! The sewing was abominible! As an alteration specialist and custom clothier, I must know: fabrics, techniques, style, design, fabrication. I learn new RTW fabrication every day. I learned to sew because my dolls needed clothes, then I needed clothes, and then other people needed clothes. Young people learning to sew must have the inspiration, but also the solid grounding in developing their talent, skill, and expertise. VenusElaine "Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: Miss Spring
Date: 11-11-2006, 11:30 PM (12 of 12)
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Awesome! I didnt even know what the show was about. Im the last to get the remote...lol By the time its my turn Im sleepy and ready for bed. I think its wondeful to teach kids to sew. handmade items are making a huge comeback. My brother made so much fun of me when he found out I was dressing my kids in "homemade" clothes. BBBBUUUTTTT his girlfriend thinks Im wonderful. She calls my house "The Mall of Spring". She is in college and knows whats hip so I always email her a pic of a pattern before I buy it. Then of course I have to make double one for me and one for her...lol Teaching the younger generation to sew is going to keep the fabric stores alive....lol I need to start teaching my kids. Its funny because I was sewing when I was 6 but the thought of my daughter near my sewing machine give me a panic attack...lol |
User: Miss Spring
Member since: 05-03-2006 Total posts: 87 |
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