CENTER FOR
PATTERN DESIGN

June 2009
Cutting Cloth

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A Plateau!
In all adventures, a time comes when you know it has taken on a new dimension, a new level, a wider horizon, and we're there.  We have just launched our new website, today's version of 'a place' and we hope it will evolve to be 'the' place for the pattern obsessed.  There is a need for a central point for all the form-visualizers out there, all those who fall asleep at night imaging how a design would go together.

It is also time to be grateful for your patience and encouragement . . .  and we are, very much so.  Send us your ideas, talk to each other and help us bring out the true value of pattern design to product development.


This is the first abbreviated newsletter designed to go to non-members so it is short and includes only Center related news and not the news and information in the wider field of pattern design; members receive the full version.  Please consider joining!
News from the Center for Pattern Design
  • We are now live online with a new website, same address.  Take a peek! The new website has online registration for the Conference (starting August 1), classes and other events in addition online ordering of products and patterns. It is designed to grow with us and, as we do, it will have many options like podcasts, member forums and online classes for members.  All members should have received their log-in information.  If you have not received yours, please let us know ASAP: [email protected]
  • New Bibliography For members -- look at our pattern design library list of books on The Library Page -- available for download! With the help of our wonderful assistant, Donna Cohen, we have organized shelves -- what a joy to reach for the right book so quickly.  Also, members are welcome to make appointments to study the books and patterns first hand.  We will be open for appointments August 15.
  • Our First Conference!  On October 2, 3 & 4 in San Francisco at the Hotel Whitcomb and the Art Institute of California-San Francisco on Market Street. All the details will be posted shortly on our new website and members will receive a special notice with all the wonderful details.  Gail Gondek, a very talented pattern designer in NYC with experience at Chado Ralph Rucci, Peter Som, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Geoffrey Beene, will be our Keynote Speaker.  We are so delighted to have her!  Registration opens August 1 online (members enjoy a discount). Mark that date and save the date of the Conference, October 2, 3, 4. More details.
  • New Patterns, Artcoat 1, This is the first in our series of patterns designed to be cut quickly with few pattern pieces (has 2), flexible SML or one size and adaptable to a wide variety of fabrics.  It has a swing silhouette, a standing shawl collar and batwing sleeves.  It can be cut on straight or bias grain. It is offered free to all new members until June 30!  See more photos.
  • New Book  We are offering a new book, Draping, The Art and Craftsmanship in Fashion Design, by Annette Duberg and Rixt van der Tol, (a masterpiece, really) from The Netherlands.  The authors have portrayed both the art and craft most exquisitely, featuring the work of masters in the field draping several iconic pieces made famous by such designers as Dior, Vionnet, Worth Drecoll, St. Laurent, Cardin, Gres and more. The book is just beautiful in its layout and photography with all the many couture techniques photographed in perfect detail.  248 pages, 1,000 illustrations. We getting in only 24 copies now (for members only until July 1), but there is a waiting list.  Also, we are importing an amazing pattern design book from Italy (in English) this summer -- see the next issue of Cutting Cloth in August. See the Store for more info.
  • New Classes  Draping for Design, Level 1, August 21, 22 and Level 2, August 28, 29. Both will take students through the full range of unusual draping techniques (many from the new draping book mentioned above!) and also incorporate the use of the new proportional tools. Held at the Napa Valley College Campus/St. Helena.  Also, drum roll please --  There is a new express bus from the Vallejo Baylink Ferry, so no driving from SF -- have a party on the water, twice! Registration online is open now -- 15 spaces in each Level.
  • ReValue, a new focus area for the Center.  We are beginning a new feature with the publication of a series of articles, patterns, instructions on the creative use of cutting to find new value in materials and to make 'the cutting room floor' history.  A new generation has emerged with creativity on fire in this area and we will feature their work in each issue of Cutting Cloth -- full version.This photo is of a small bible of re-cutting -- women's clothes from men's suits -- not wasting those beautiful menswear fabrics, in paperback with the sub-title 'for victory'.  From our library, it was published in 1942 - perfect with our 2009 victory gardens.
  • Members: download a layout for re-cutting a suit!  When members log in they will see the Documents page in the Menu Bar on all the pages of our site, not viewable to the public.
Here we are in what they call the 'signature block'  ~ I see it as a place for thought. 

To that end, get a copy of Matthew B. Crawford's book, "Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work," by Penguin Press.  Read his article for the NY Times in which he says that "This seems to be a moment when the useful arts have an especially compelling economic rationale. Cognitive psychologists speak of "metacognition," which is the activity of stepping back and thinking about your own thinking. It is what you do when you stop for a moment in your pursuit of a solution, and wonder whether your understanding of the problem is adequate". Pattern designers do this for a living -- this is our moment!

Watch the website for Pattern Design Conference agenda.  Sign up, the best is yet to come!
 
Have a wonderful summer, be back in August!

Sandra Ericson, Director

Center for Pattern Design


P.S. Happily, we have been named a Constant Contact All-Star because of the great stats that our email generates!  Many thanks!