For over a year I have been trying out different digital formats in an attempt to present the same learning experience online as I have in the studio workshops. And I've never been entirely happy with the outcome. A video here, a worksheet there, the occasional tutorial post; somehow it didn't seem to add up to the quality content I imagined. Then I rediscovered a book that a young polish woman shared with me, as far back as 2009, called 'Designing Online Learning with Flash' by David Richard Moore. Well it certainly looks like the thing! I have started working my way through the book and low and behold, I have to learn code. Ugh! kill me now! After reading the first few chapters I realise two things: one, that I'm on the right road, even if it appears to be a very long road, and two, I have to embrace the idea of understanding code, knowing just a little will help a lot. Do any of you out there have experience with this book or the Flash software? I'd love to hear your opinion. :)
Anyway the up-shot is that I'll persevere and I will learn code (I have my fingers crossed here). And the first of the on-line teaching materials will be the contents of the Personal Block Development Workshops. Now that I have been chatting to you all (local & global, face to face & online) for about two years (still wearing my L plates) I am beginning to understand an area of need. I know the sexy draped dresses really grab your attention. But what's the point of cutting a beautiful drape dress pattern if your block doesn't fit!
Fittings First
The teacher and the pattern maker in me will always suggest fittings first, without apology. The Personal Block Development workshops are a new release (skirts, trousers, dresses & knits) and are going gangbusters for the students. We cover a lot of detail and aim to give you such an insight into your individual fitting needs that you will be able to directly apply the learning to your existing pattern stash. Imagine being able to make most of the required alterations before cutting your first toile/muslin. I am still working on the Corset and Jacket block workshops and hope to have them released early 2016. If this all sounds a little too much at the moment you may be interested in Fitting Commercial Patterns scheduled in the school holidays, at the beginning of October.
If you are thinking of going to fashion college (or simply dreamt of it) and would like to give yourself a head start, the list of Basic Pattern Making workshops covers all the same garment types and important pattern making skills. With these introductory workshops you will have at your finger tips enough information to cut awide variety of patterns for each garment type.
If you find you already feel confident with basic pattern making moves, then there are these delicious creative pattern making classes. They provide a thorough understanding of patterns for more complex garments and some delightful surprises in technique.
And finally to patterns for patterns sake: you can follow your hearts desire and focus on only one garment type to perfect your block fit and learn to cut those sexy draped skirt & dress patterns, or maybe those crazy tailored trousers.
Me thinks that's enough for now. There are other workshops to consider and you will find more detail here. Let me know if you have any questions: always happy to help. Enjoy :)
Comments
I am by no means an expert in digital media but as an ex IT professional (a long time ago now!) I do like to have a rough handle on the current topics in the IT/online world. Don't know if you are aware, but for the last few years there has been a "battle" going on between Flash (adobe) and its rivals (Open Web protocols/HTML5/Javascript) with people predicting the death of Flash. Now its death certainly hasn't happened yet but its use does seem to be going into decline. Apart from what you have written above, I don't know all your reasons for wanting to use Flash and it could be that you have looked at all the other possibilities and indeed Flash is the best solution for your needs. And as I said, I am not an expert - but just wanted to make you aware as it would be dreadful if you spent alot of your valuable time and resources in to producing something which in the end may be using an out-of-date protocol.
I find your stuff exciting and generous, wish I was younger, still so much I want to do and I still love pattern making and sewing
Ann