New Year Resolutions: Picking the Right Class for YOU!

The new year is just around the corner. Now is the time to pull out that calendar and ask yourself "What do I want to learn next year?" We have so many classes and events to offer and it can get a little overwhelming at times. Our goal is not to overwhelm you, but to do the exact opposite- help you learn!

The first step is to figure out where your skill is TODAY. Then ask yourself where you want to be...

-If you have never sewn a stitch... the Beginner Class with Carol is a great place to start- young or old. The Intermediate Class will be your second step and from there you can create your first garment by taking the Skirt Class! After doing all three steps, you'll be on your way to sewing a whole new wardrobe!

-If you have been sewing for 1 week to 40+ years... The $10 classes are offered each week and each week there is a different topic! They are currently being offered Thursday evenings @ 6:00pm! Whether you are new to sewing or have been sewing for years, I guarantee  you will get a nibble of knowledge you didn't know before each time you come!

-If you have garment pattern experience and want to learn how to alter patters or have personal slopers... The Pattern Making courses are what you need! There are 3 levels of Pattern Making: Skirt, Bodice and Sleeve (easiest to hardest). This course uses the Pattern Making book sold here at Fabrique as a guide, but no purchase is necessary for the class. It was written by the instructor Carol Foley.

-If you want to brush-up, update or speed-up your sewing skills... Express Sewing is the most valuable class for you! This class is filled with Lora's secrets to fast, accurate sewing. This is not 'grandma's sewing methods'. It is for the sewers of TODAY!

-If you want to learn only what YOU want to learn... One on one classes are available with Lora. Her classes are $58 and 2 hours long. The best way to describe this class is- you can bring ANYTHING to the table- she has done it all!

-If one of your 2011 goals is to complete a couture garment... Take the Chanel Jacket class. Not only will you walk away knowing the methods and techniques of Chanel, you will know more about Coco and perspective on fashion too!

-If  you are scared of knits... Don't be! Take the Stay Tape ($10 class) and Knit class and your fear will slowly dissolve into quick and easy garment making!

We currently have all of these classes on the calendar. If you know you want to sign up, please call and reserve your spot as soon as possible- 972.234.4800!

Quick Fix for Holiday Parties!

Here are a few ideas to re-design your existing wardrobe into Holiday Party fun!

Change the buttons for some of these fabulous sparkle buttons!

Pair a sequin top with your everyday clothes!

OR just come grab a unique accessory @ Fabrique to transform the little black dress!

Whistle While You Work!

We all have our favorite music that we listen to while we sew.  We also have our favorite playlists during the holidays! So let's combine the two- Here are our top 5 holiday albums and songs! 

MICHAEL BUBLE
Album: Let It Snow!
Favorite Song: Let It Snow

BING CROSBY

Album: White Christmas

Favorite Song: Mele Kalikimaka :: Merry Christmas

MADELEINE PEYROUX
Album: Half The Perfect World
Favorite Song: Smile

POINT OF GRACE

Album: A Christmas Story

Favorite Song: Not That Far From Bethlehem

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

Album: Christmas Eve and Other Stories

Favorite Song: Carol of the Bells

Now we want to hear YOUR favorite holiday song or album! You can never have enough holiday music :)

Pressing Issues!

What characteristics do you need for a good press cloth?!
-Transparent fabrics allow you to see where you will be pressing
-Plain weave fabrics will allow even moisture distribution
-Natural fiber fabrics create a more universal pressing cloth

What specific fabrics do you suggest?!
-Silk Organza (the best!)
-Cotton Organdy
-Cotton Batiste
-Going green? Recycle your dryer sheets! Those work as disposable pressing cloths!

Sewing Through the Ages

        Wow, sewing has changed!  Today when you sew a garment, you want it to look "store bought".  It needs to look like something you would pick off a rack and want to buy.  The construction methods are not what they taught in the 50's or 60's.  Today's tools are available for faster, easier assembly.  The methods are streamlined and not necessarily the steps that are indicated in a commercial pattern.  Sewing machines are easier to use.  They are so easy, you can concentrate on construction and not the function of the machine.  Today people sew for the satisfaction of creating with our hands- something beautiful!  We want to have something unique and not compromise in color or design details.  You can choose quality fabrics that will LAST.  This makes it all worth it!

COMPARISON CHART:

Put yourself into the chart.  Are you finding yourself mainly on the left hand side?!  Update your tools and methods- it will surprise you!  Not only will you sew more quickly, but you'll love the way your final product turns out!



Vintage Pattern

Vintage patterns are so fun! Not only are they inspiring to look at, but they are incredible to sew! Pattern sizing has not changed since the 1960's. The pattern sizing was standardized in November of 1968, which means you won't have to convert sizing when picking your pattern size! We have compiled a list of wonderful vintage pattern sites. Each of them offer different styles, focus on different features and they are all extremely interesting to surf through!

So Vintage Patterns -very well organized, easy to search and find, reasonable to high prices, 1930’s-1990’s

 

Mom's Patterns -very well organized, easy to search and find, reasonable to high pricing, 1940’s – 2000’s

 
Grandma's House- well organized, large variety and a links page full of odds and ends websites, reasonable pricing, 1920’s-Today

 
Old Patterns –harder to filter through, but still a great selection and variety of vintage patterns! 1930’s-today

 
Fashion Era –great for costume history facts, old pattern magazine snapshots and more!

 Deb's Recycled Sewing Patterns-well organized, very reasonable prices! 1970’s-today

Vintage Pattern -vintage pattern group site, a show and tell type blog with pictures, historical fashion facts and more!

Vintage Core Patterns -organized by time period and size, very detailed, prices reasonable to high

Stitches & Loops- harder to filter through, however it definitely has some hidden treasures! Prices are reasonable. In fact, I found a pattern I could not live with out! I plan on making it out of the gorgeous teal virgin wool (found @ Fabrique!). It is going to be such a classic piece- I can't wait for the pattern to arrive!

It makes sense that vintage patterns are still around and so popular. They don't make them like they used to! Most vintage pattern instructions are much more clear and detailed than they come now. The looks are CLASSIC looks that are still worn today. Now it's time for YOU to fall in love with a pattern and get started on your classic fall piece that you will cherish forever!

Do you know of a vintage pattern site? Please Share! Do you have uncut vintage patterns you'd like to sell? Bring them into Fabrique and talk to Lora!

PAY IT FORWARD UPDATE

Here are a few pictures of the recipients with their sewing machines! What a wonderful gift that keeps on giving!!!

We will continue to PAY IT FORWARD. If you have a machine or see one at a garage sale- pick it up and drop it off @ Fabrique! We will pass it on to Plano Sewing Center for a grand tune up. The students are SO grateful to receive these machines. Thanks to everyone who has encouraged us and dropped off a machine of theirs!

Season To Sparkle!

What a fun night! Everyone had a blast! We had over 70 items at the event to play with and purchase. Here are a few shots from the evening!

If you are interested in any of these items, you can buy them online @ ETSY or you can come in and purchase them @ Fabrique!