One of my 2017 sewing goals was to explore a path to a career that uses my sewing and design skills. Today I took the first of many steps in expanding my sewing and garment design knowledge so that I can more adequately address that career question.
The evening started with a great parking spot in a hard-to-find-parking neighborhood of Seattle and a delicious reuben sandwich.
I’ve known about Seattle’s New York Fashion Academy for years, and I have finally reached a point in my life where 1) don’t feel intimidated by the school and 2) have enough financial security to invest in myself.
After a very brief “lecture” by the academy’s founder about the three methods of pattern making and a demonstration of draping a front bodice, we were handed pins, muslin, and a dress form. Draping could begin.
I’ve watched videos on draping a bodice. In fact, I bought a class on Craftsy about draping. But it really helps to have someone right there next to you, reminding you to clip that curve or pointing out where you’ve pulled too much.
We are starting by draping a bodice sloper. First the front bodice.
This photo is a reminder to pin your darts right on the folded edge and to point those pin heads OUT.
The waist area isn’t as smooth as I would like it to be. I’ll just keep practicing.
After we traced the front sloper to paper, we started on our back bodice. This one went MUCH faster.
I can’t wait to go back next week and keep working on this skill. I think that draping is going to help me be more creative in my own handmade wardrobe. Right now I have a hard time thinking outside the paper patterns made by others. I can maybe change a neckline, or lengthen a hem, but I just get caught up in what the pattern is designed to look like.
Also, I think this class got rid of my persistent headache/migraine. I’ve read that dopamine can help relax muscle tension, and the peace of mind and joy I felt during this class made that headache disappear.
Time to go buy myself some muslin next time it is on sale.
The Fabric Alchemist 
I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this class! I’ve been wanting to take some classes from NYFA, which would have been easier to do when I still lived in Ballard. But I’ll watch your progress with envy and maybe that’ll be enough to give me the kick in the butt to figure out how to clear enough of my schedule to fit a class or two in here and there.
I plan to write about the class each week. 🙂
Thank you for doing this. NYFA is another thing I’ve always wanted to do and just could not work into the parent/job cycle.
Thrift store bedsheets are very good for muslin’ing stuff up. Harder to draw on clearly, but always plentiful. And this will definitely get you thinking outside the pattern box