2013 -- Make It The Best Year Ever!
And the key thought there is, you can make it so.  In 2013, resolve to learn more, use less, think a lot and take action -- a formula for a terrific '13!

To begin, thank you all for finding common ground with us, believing that the integrity of  structure and process in all things is the core for producing good work, good products and happy people -- whether it be garment patterns, refrigerators, a career or even a government.  It is how we design it and put it together that ensures a good 'fit' and longevity.  Pattern design is just more fun!

New Classes -- Registration is Open!
  • Draping the Vionnet Bias Skirt ~
    February 9, 1-4 PM at the Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA.  Telephone: 707-762-5600.   

    This is a short but very sweet draping class using half scale forms to learn how flares are created.  Specifically, we'll cover how Madeleine Vionnet designed flared skirts asymmetrically or flares from undulating design lines such as shaped yokes.  The Petaluma Art Center is sponsoring the class so you must call them to register.  While there, you can also enjoy the Four Weavers Show (it includes several stunning garments, handwoven and dyed) and you could have a lovely lunch in town -- a great day! 
    P.S. A special tr�s couture consignment shop, Vicki's Secret, is there and so is The Pie Shop.
     
  • Draping the Cardin Suit ~
    Friday afternoon through Sunday, March 1, 2, 3, at The Ribbonerie in San Francisco. 

    In a continuation of our half-scale Draping Series, this suit was chosen for the 9th iconic piece because of its social significance in 1979 to the modern era of working women and because it is so symbolic of Pierre Cardin, one of the most prolific designers of our time.  Also, this is the first class in the Draping Series that deals with the intricacies of draping complex sleeves and the perfect skirt -- on the bias!  Since the Cardin suit introduces draping students to the complexities of draping sleeves, we'll do a sidebar session to explore as many as time allows -- a half day at the beginning, on Friday afternoon.  The next day, we'll begin with a visual presentation on the designs of Cardin, an idea bonanza, tracing his long career by looking at the stunning history of his work.  We'll then drape the Cardin suit as it is from the book, Draping, the Art and Craftsmanship of Fashion Design. 
    For more information and to register. 
  • Patterns for Pleats ~ 
    This top is a single pattern piece --all fit is delivered by the pleats.
       
    Friday evening through Sunday, April 12-14, at the Textile Center in Minneapolis.  The weekend begins with a ticket to the Preview Night of the Textile Center's annual nationally famous Garage Sale of all-things-textile -- so amazingly big it is held in a nearby warehouse!

    The next day we begin our exploration of pleating with a visual overview of garment designs, fabric, patterns for pleated garments and the pleating methods that are practical for a studio environment -- everything from pleating boards to boumaki.  Our goals are to design the garments and patterns for a final look and fit that are best suited to the pleating method chosen, to understand the expansion ratios to enlarge patterns and how different fibers, poly, blends or silks, are pleated both commercially and in the studio. For the workshop section we will develop patterns by draping or flat pattern.  Alternatively, students may purchase existing patterns for pleated garments in order to concentrate primarily on pleating the fabric.  We will be using the steam cabinet at the Textile Center to set pleats. There will be many designer and studio samples of pleated garments to try on and study and also samples of pre-pleated fabrics available on the market.  For more information and to register. 
  • Patterning Insertions ~  June 29-30 at The Ribbonerie in San Francisco, 9:30 to 5.

    This will be a lecture/workshop on all the best of Gilbert Adrian and Sonia Delauney -- two iconic designers who pieced together masterpieces of insertion-wear, so much so that their work moved beyond clothes into the art world and is still the benchmark for contemporary designers the world over.  Beginning with a visual lecture on the designers' range, design concepts and techniques, participants will discover the full scope of design possibilities before developing their own jacket design. Also covered will be understanding the advanced concepts of color blocking, the design principles of dividing space, bias, chevrons and absorbing darts into design lines.  Design work will be done on jacket flats before drawing them on the muslin jackets and cutting the fashion fabric.  Included also are samples of sewing techniques like matching convex/concave curves, chevroning, clipping, shrinking, stretching and alternating directional sewing. This class is suitable for women's or men's jackets.  For more information and to register.
       
     
A prize winning shirt!

Registration for our August class, Shirts:  From Pattern to Production with Steve Pauling, will be posted in early February so stay tuned for that special class -- perfect for either men or women.

Think . . . DIY Anne Fontaine! 

 


This is my first email under the new system in which new CFPD items like classes, patterns, books or downloads will generate an official email newsletter like this one.  

My other-2-cents on fashion/style/living life will be served up via a blog which you can access on our homepage.  For that, the best thing is to start an RSS feed by going to the homepage, clicking on the orange circle with the speaker in it at the bottom of the page and sign up.  Then you don't have to check in -- the blog checks in with you -- what a great thing!

Pepi is back, wishing you the most wonderful year -- to keep smiling, all you need is a flower and a bow-tie!  Be extra kind to yourself this year and even more kind to the earth and all it's creatures -- it's more important than ever.  
Sandy