Lesson 23 - Draft a Basic Pant Pattern

This is a video following the written instructions How to Draft a Basic Pant Pattern
and the automated Pant Drafting software. Follow the links for a complete pant drafting experience!

The Great Sewing Bee

A how-to tutorial/elimination competition effortlessly distributed into a one hour weekly t.v. series. Whether you are an experienced home sewer or new to the hobby you will receive valuable tips about fabric, sewing practices, personal "cheats" as you watch the competitors problem solve their way through the challenges. Interesting insights into fashion history. In this episode you will learn about making men's trousers, patch pockets, a made to order blouse as well as a simple how-to all effortlessly included into a one hour elimination competition show. 

Beauty vs Comfort. Why not both?

Vortex Technique Masterclass Online

Too many budding designers want to skip the mathematics and geometry of design and jump straight into the "fun part".  But it is not likely that you will last long in fashion design without learning at least the boring basics. Here is an example of what I mean. When I first began to design, I made two gorgeous dresses for my stepdaughters. I spent a week almost non-stop working to have the dresses finished in time for a holiday party that we were to attend. I had noticed some flaws in the dresses when they had tried them on before week's end but - without any knowledge about darts and other patternmaking basics for adjusting design to body type - I had no idea how to resolve them. I may as well have been blindfolded during the fitting process.
    The day of the party finally arrived. The girls were chatting excitedly as they made themselves up. Custom made dresses! But the excitement began to fade when my first girl shimmied into her gold and black satin A-line dress.  Beautiful when it was still on the hanger, the dress now made my sweet, innocent 14-year-old stepdaughter look pregnant. Sibling rivalry took hold, "Look at the front flying out!" her sister laughed at her. But now it was her turn. She confidently slipped into her own sparkly strapless cocktail dress. "My boobs feel like they are falling out." she whined, wide-eyed, looking to me for a solution.
     "It is late." I answered, almost in denial. "We've got to get going." I secretly hoped these wardrobe malfunctions would somehow magically disappear by the time the party started. For the rest of the evening one girl had her hand on her belly and people kept asking her if she had a tummy ache. The other spent the entire party looking down to make sure her boobs were in place and spent most of the time tugging her dress up.
     Apparel design involves more than just a pretty outcome. The wearer of your creation must also be comfortable and feel confident. Once you have learned the basics of patternmaking you will find that not only will your designs be more comfortable to wear and fit more gracefully. The architectural concepts of basic patternmaking lend to modification and enhancement in order to create beauty in a garment as well.  Your creativity will be set free. You will not be stuck wondering HOW to make a creation functional.  Shingo Sato is a master at this, transforming basic patterns and going way outside the box. Consider enrolling in one of his 3 or 5 day TR Patternmaking seminars, held in Milan or Melbourne. There is also an online masterclass. Note: Although not required, it is suggested you have basic patternmaking skills before you enroll.  Next sessions September 2013. Shingo Sato - TR Cutting School

Motorcycle Style

Marlon Brando in "The Wild One" (1953)

Paul Teutul Sr., Founder of OCC

Bikers. Beautiful, tough. Disturbing yet intriguing.  Their edge drives us crazy. Do you dare approach or will you admire from afar? Whatever you decide you can definitely draw inspiration from motorcycle biker style if you so choose! You will also earn points for learning to work with leather as your fabric. Start your biker inspired designs by making a simple doo rag. Then go from there.
While we are on the topic of motorcycles - Become a fan on Orange County Choppers Facebook page and submit your application to become the Creative Director on Paul Teutul's new TV series on CMT. Don't be shy! You have nothing to lose. Not even the cost of postage since you will submit your resume to the Orange County Choppers email address. Imagine having your resume read by the head honcho of the number one producer of custom motorcycles in the world! If you are in the Newburgh, NY area in the U.S.A. be sure to stop by the OCC Cafe for delicious food and good fun. Don't miss Karaoke Thurdsay!

January 2012 motorcycle calendar babe Jessica / Kawasaki Z1000

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*You must be a legal U.S. resident to apply
**Potential employment through Orange County Choppers, Inc.

If you are in the Newburgh, NY area in the U.S.A. be sure to stop by the OCC Cafe for delicious food and good fun. Don't miss Karaoke Thurdsay!

Do-it-Yourself Lipstick with only TWO household ingredients.

If you are a minor please ask an adult to help you because the mixture is very hot at first. Why not experiement combining the halves of two different crayola crayons to come up with your own unique shade? My favorite part about do-it-at-home lipstick is: NO Animal Testing.

How to Make a Doo Rag

Whether you are a little old lady planting flowers in her garden or a rough and tumble motorcycle bad boy, a doo rag is a useful item to - among other things - keep your hair out of your face, control perspiration or set a hairdo. After a long hiatus I have returned to making videos with "How to Make a Doo Rag. If you would rather purchase this pattern for $2.50 visit the Petit Poix shop. Then jump to minute 17:27 in the video for a brief demonstration on how to cut the fabric and sew the pieces to gether. The written instructions are included with all the others on the "wonder-how-to website". Meanwhile, enjoy making this simple pattern and sewing a few doo rags for yourself, your family or your friends.

Appearances Can Be Deceiving - Frida Kahlo's Dresses on Exhibit

Illness, pain, physical disability, depression, and the eventual amputation of her polio devastated leg is the basis of Frida Kahlo's style. As a creative person will often do she turned her tragedy into intensity and passion - taking the traditional Tehuantepec style of dress to new levels and creating a personal style which was envied and quickly embraced by the European women of the day. Proud of her heritage and needing to disguise her many physical flaws - her backbrace became a beautifully decorated corset, her prosthetic leg a fashionable boot.  The Exhibit "Las Aparencias Engañan" (Appearances can be Deceiving) or "Smoke and Mirrors" was opened in the "Casa Azul" in Mexico City on November 22, 2012.

Look Tattooed without being Tattooed

Here is a quick, fun tutorial.  By drawing in permanent ink on a pair of nylons that matches your skin color you can give the illusion of having tattoos.  Use your imagination.  Why not make a shirt out of nylon material to give the same effect on the sleeves?

Drape Patternmaking: Lesson 1 How To

Tutor Couture gives you your first lesson in draping a bodice. Draping is the more intuitive way to make patterns. For a perfect fit drape it right on your client's body rather than on the dress form.

Teen Shot in Florida - Was His Hoodie to Blame?

The initial reaction of course is outrage. An innocent unarmed teen was shot and killed by a neighborhood watchman. Mr. Zimmerman was determined to protect his neighborhood from crime. Somehow Trayvon Martin, running out to buy a pack of Skittles and a soft drink ended up dead. So far this is about all we know of the incident, the rest will come to light in future weeks. Here is what Geraldo Rivera had to say about it. Think about the sociology of fashion.  One of the reasons people dress is to send a message to society.  Society may misinterpret the message, as did Mr. Zimmerman for sure.  But perhaps it is worth taking a deeper look into what Geraldo is trying to say.

Read the full Washington Post article