Thursday, June 16, 2011

Good T-Shirt and Good Sewing Teachers

Here's the first completed Pamela's Patterns Perfect T Shirt that I wore out to lunch this week.  I came out of the workshop with an almost perfect fitting T but had to make a few minor changes.  I lengthened the size Small to the Medium length, I added a center back seam with a swayback adjustment of about 1" total and widen the bicep of the sleeve 3/8".   


I like the fit but I did not like this knit fabric.  I bought it on my recent NYC visit at Metro textile but it's very thin and wants to grow as I wear it.  Shoulders and hem are stabilized per Pam's instructions but the knit itself is just thin and very stretchy.  Overall, however, I'm very pleased with the basic pattern and have plenty of ideas for future knit tops in my wardrobe.   




















My center back seam adjusted for that back curve
Pamela's workshop was such an enjoyable experience.  While I was adjusting this pattern I was thinking back over all the sewing classes I have taken over the last almost 20 years and evaluating those many instructors.   I did not have good home ec experiences with my 9th grade sewing teacher....I'm sure some of that was my fault and some of it hers.   When I returned to the world of fashion sewing I was inspired by Sandra Betzina's Sew Perfect cable HGTV show.  But mostly I was inspired by her personal fashion sense and her good will towards all.  She didn't insist on one right way and she was creating fashionable, chic garments that fit her lifestyle.  Both of those elements, attitude towards students and a personal fashion sense are important to me in a sewing instructor.  I've taken classes from a well known instructor who had that fashion sense and always wore beautiful garments that she had created herself....but she was snobbish, judgmental, petty and unkind to people without her taste or supposed social standing.   Sorry, I just can't support those values no matter how nice you look or what a great fashion resource you are.  I've also seen both of those things violated by a  few instructors.  Perhaps they had great sewing skills and techniques but their classroom outfits were so unflattering, unfashionable and dowdy that I couldn't whip up the enthusiasm to enjoy the class.  Perhaps shallow on my part but I have plenty of alternative instructors out there.  And then there's at least one instructor who I can recall, another industry expert, who appalled my by talking demeaningly about former students and other  sewing industry participants.  Hey, you can impress me with your superior knowledge by showing me how well it works on real women, not by talking down the techniques of others!  


So who does inspire me?  Well, I'm adding Pamela Leggett of Pamela's Patterns to a long list....Sandra Betzina, Shirley Adams, Susan Khalje, Judy Barlup, Sarah Veblen, Rae Cumbie, Patti Palmer and Marta Alto, Linda Lee, Stephanie Corina Goddard, Nancy Zieman, Marcy Tilton, David Coffin and the late Fred Bloebaum, Shannon Gifford and Roberta Carr.   
What does it take to inspire you in a sewing class?  Is it strictly the topic or technique?  How does the teacher's style and attitude affect your learning?

12 comments:

  1. Jane, your t-shirt looks terrific. You may not like the fabric, but it looks good in the photos. I like the setting of your pictures! As for sewing teachers, attitude and enthusiasm are so important. Of course, knowledge and ability to teach are important, too.

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  2. The top looks marvelous, Jane; too bad about the fabric characteristics. I so wish I could have taken this workshop, but I did have a fun quilting class that day. I really enjoyed your presentation on instructors--topic, personal style, and technique.

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  3. I enjoyed this post, and your tee looks great from where I'm sitting.

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  4. It looks lovely on you. To bad your not happy with the fabric as its really pretty. You simply cannot beat a good fitting Tshirt!

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  5. Great looking T shirt, the colors look wonderful on you. I always assumed the Pamela Pattern T shirts was for plus size ladies. I will have to check it out. I know exactly who your "well known sewing instructor' with the "tude" is.

    I would add Jennifer Stern, Anne St Clair "the bra lady", Louise Cutting, and Emma Seabrook to the list of outstanding instructors. Generally it is the topic/technique that prompts me to take the class more than the instructor. This can be a good way to discover little known, but knowledgable instructors.

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  6. A very interesting post. I do hope that my students have only nice things to say about me, though I'm nowhere near the caliber of those you've mentioned.
    Your t-shirt looks great. Hopefully the next fabric that you pick will work better for you. I teach classes using Pamela's pattern(s), and everyone just loves them. Once you tweak the fit - the sky's the limit with the different necklines, etc.

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  7. This post has got me thinking. I haven't even taken a sewing class since my high school home economics class where I learned so much. Perhaps it's time! :) I love the print on your t-shirt by the way and I am so glad you had a good experience with Pamela. When a teacher has a wonderful personality and values each student past, present and future, you know you've found a great instructor.

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  8. I would add Nancy Shriber to the list of nurturing and inspiring teachers. Sarah Veblen is always at the top of my list. Thanks for a thought-provoking post.

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  9. Love the t-shirt, love your blog! You've just found a new Follower in me - thanks!

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  10. I just read this post as I am pulling out my perfect T pattern again, I have not taken a class w/ Pamela but have been able to get emails to answer any and all questions fast! I KNOW who you are talking about and if it is the same person I cancelled a class b/c I did not want to be made to feel stupid nor " under dressed" b/c I did not spend 75$on my pants fabrics, I have done everything to email questions, wait patiently( 2-3 weeks) but it is all ego, and its so sad b/c it turns one away from sewing,(and what about new sewers??) Now take the good teachers and see what they offer! Your t is awesome and I have her entire line of patterns LOVE them! I do not know why so many think Pamela fits only large sizes( she does) but she fits everybody ! love your knockoff shirt and I cannot believe you had to add to your bicep area!,,,,they sure look great to me!,,,,,happy sewing!

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  11. I bought Pamela's magic pencil skirt pattern a few years back and I love it. I make a couple for each season (which in Canada is only two: winter and summer- no transitions.) ANd I was looking for a review of the t-shirt pattern. I found your fabulous blog (and subscribed). Thanks for the review. I;m off to buy the pattern from Pamela.

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Love your comments, opinions, advice and questions. I just ask that we all "play nice."