Design Level I: Define Your Style • Sunday, October 23 - Tuesday, October 25

Class Fee: $395.00 (Deposit: $125.00)
Optional additional day on October 26 -- Additional Day Fee: $150.00

Many of you have said that it's difficult to get away for a week-long class, so I'm offering a condensed 3-day Design I class, with an optional fourth day if you would like extra fitting time with me and help with questions regarding pattern work.

At this time, I'm planning on teaching the class in my home and studio; if there's a change of venue to the meeting room at the nearby Hampton Inn, I'll let you know. Because of the condensed time frame for this class, plan on long days beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending around 7:00 p.m.; on Monday, we'll probably finish around 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening because we’ll be going to a local independent fabric store.

The primary difference between this 3-day class and the 6-day class is a reduction in the amount of time you'll have to work on your own and have mock-ups fitted by me. For this condensed class, this is how our days will be spent:

Day 1: We'll take an in-depth look at style, design, fabrication, and the creative process. We'll discuss the importance of sketching with a croquis that reflects the body for which you are designing as well as developing this croquis. And we'll start to explore the development of a personal style, whether it's for yourself, for a client, or for a line of clothing.

Day 2: We'll further explore creating a personal style that suits a person's body type and life style. We'll discuss reining in a design that's got "too much" going on, or "pushing" a design that's falling short. And we'll delve into the world of fabric and how to get fabrics to "work" for you. In the early evening, we'll take a trip to a local, independent fabric store – even if you're not interested in buying fabric, part of our exploration of fabric will be at the fabric store.

Day 3: We'll continue to discuss the elements of design: the importance of "engineering" and structuring garments; the role of "fit," including the interrelationship between fit and pattern development; the effect of sewing and construction techniques; and keys to the creative process that allow a project to take on a life of its own (without getting out of control).

Optional Day 4: This day will be devoted to fitting mock-ups and developing patterns.

Practical Patternmaking • Friday, November 18 - Sunday, November 20

Class Fee: $395.00 (Deposit: $125.00)

This is one of my most popular classes regardless of your sewing skills and knowledge of patternmaking. Beginners will be introduced to the fundamentals of patternmaking, which will allow you to take control of commercial patterns and make small changes with confidence. For those with some experience in altering patterns (especially if you’ve figured it out on your own), this is an opportunity to learn the fundamental theories of patternmaking, which will open the door to developing new style lines and more complicated pattern changes. If you’ve taken this class before, taking it again will reinforce your skills and give you the opportunity to work with more complicated design lines or begin to develop your own original designs.

In addition to lectures, every day you’ll work on exercises that I’ve developed to familiarize your hands with drafting rulers and tools. So that you learn to adjust existing patterns, I’ll fit you in mock-ups that you’ve prepared and guide you in making the necessary changes. Not only will you get experience in altering patterns, but you’ll also end up with patterns that are fit to your body.

In addition to increasing your patternmaking skills, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about what comprises a good fit and come away with at least a couple of patterns that fit you perfectly.

For a complete description of how we’ll spend each day, go to sarahveblen.com/patternmaking.html.

Design Level II: Exploring Design • Friday, March 3 - Tuesday, March 7

Class fee: $495.00 (Deposit: $125.00)
Class will start at noon on Friday and end at noon on Tuesday.

Also in response to your schedules, I’m offering a condensed Design Level II class in 2006. These four days will give you an opportunity to be in a stimulating environment, to immerse yourself in creativity, and to take the design process to yet another level.

This class is primarily offered for those who have already taken Define Your Style, my introductory design class. But as long as you have some experience in developing designs on your own, you’re very welcome!

In addition to lectures and design exercises, you’ll have time to combine fabrics, sketch ideas, work on patterns, and have muslins fitted. As with my condensed Level I class above, what you sacrifice in this shortened class is time to work on your own.

Because I want to customize my lecture topics to the types of projects and design issues each of you have, I prefer not to set a daily schedule of in advance. Some of the topics that will be covered are:

• Assessing good design
• The interrelationship between design, pattern development, and fabric
• Critiquing your own designs
• Embellishment
• Defining a specific style for yourself
• Developing a color palette for yourself
• Methods of fabric shopping

I will work with each of you individually to accomplish your goals – and to open up new aspects of the design process.

Fitting: Learning the Basics

A Fitting class will be offered in the Spring of 2006. Check out my website soon for dates, and of course they will be in the next newsletter.

For more information about Sarah's classes, custom clothing, and writing, please visit her website, www.sarahveblen.com, or contact her directly via email: sarah@sarahveblen.com; phone: 410-472-9253; or mail: 15 Cross Falls Circle, Sparks, MD 21152.

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