LEARNING COUTURE FIT THROUGH DRAPING, PATTERN MAKING, FITTING, AND SEWING!
(2 hour seminar – one demonstration on audience member)
Take an inspirational journey through pattern fitting by learning simple couture draping techniques! Connie will share with you her 35 years of industry experience and illustrate fitting by draping on a custom dress form and a live model. This up-to-date draping approach results in the fit everyone is looking for -- true-to-the-body fit! Learn how to check pattern fit quickly and easily before cutting your fashion fabric. Connie will also demonstrate how to make a custom dress form and arm that assist the fitting process. Imagine finally being able to make garments without gapping necklines and button closures, badly fitting sleeves, or annoying pitching and twisting!

SEWING SHORTCUTS
(2 HOUR SEMINAR - * INCLUDES INTERFACING LECTURE)
Learn garment industry sewing techniques and shortcuts that will make your sewing more professional, efficient, enjoyable, and satisfying. Topics include efficient cutting techniques, notching concepts, pin basting, using a gathering foot, crimping versus ease stitching, placket techniques, understitching, zipper techniques, bias treatments, spaghetti variations, and vest linings. Hands-on samples of zipper and placket techniques will be included. This lecture will relieve your fears of the more complicated fashion details!  

DRAFTING PANTS WITH COUTURE FIT
(2 HOUR SEMINAR) 
If you have trouble making pants that fit, come see Connie Crawford's detailed demonstration on drafting pants and skirts to your own body measurements. Learn an amazingly simple draft (from "scratch") that results in correctly fitting pants. The keys to couture fit are found in understanding how various waist slopes, crotch depths, and overall crotch formulas control the overall pant fit. This pattern draft even accommodates difficult-to-fit bodies, such as mature figures and plus size figures. Connie will also demonstrate how to use the pants and skirt slopers to create various styles including fashion jeans, overalls, elastic waistlines, and a large variety of skirt designs.  

CHOOSING INTERFACING FOR FASHION SEWING
(1 HOUR SEMINAR)
Author, teacher, patternmaker, and industry-wise Connie Crawford will teach you how to recognize the fiber content, various weaves, and variety of interfacing weights that are on the market today. Learn how professionals select interfacing that complements the appearance, durability, maintenance, and comfort of many fabrics. Come bask in an educational experience on the history of interfacing and how the use of many polyesters, georgettes, and mico-fibers have forced manufacturers to develop interfacings suitable to the newest fashion fabrics.  

DESIGNING WITH FLOUNCES AND RUFFLES
(1- 2 HOUR SEMINAR)
Enjoy the magic of flounces, ruffles, and godets through simple pattern techniques! Learn how to highlight an elegant dress, fashionable blouse, or stylish skirt by adding a godet, ruffle, or shaped flounce into any seam. Leave with the inspiration and knowledge to fashion your own patterns with your style preferences!