The design process is always evolving for sewers who love to create interesting garments. 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 my introductory design class. Many of you have told me that as you incorporated some of the techniques you learned, that’s when the design process began unfolding. But anyone who has some experience in developing designs on her/his own is welcome.

With lectures and design exercises during a part of each morning, you’ll have ample time to combine fabrics, sketch ideas, work on patterns, and have muslins fitted. I will work with each of you individually to accomplish your goals – and to open up new aspects of the design process.

We will gather every day from about 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each morning, my lecture will be devoted to a specific aspect of design. In conjunction with each lecture, there will be an exercise that will help you hone your design eye and incorporate different ways of approaching design.

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 lecture topics in advance. However, following are some of the topics that will be covered:

• 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
• A close look at buttons and zippers – technical and design information

There are a number of hotels in the Hunt Valley area. Please visit the Accommodations page for a list. If you will not have a car, some of the Hunt Valley hotels have courtesy van service, and I can also help out with getting you to and from your hotel. There are plenty of nearby restaurants and two grocery stores that have a variety of prepared food.

A table and chair will be provided for each person, and pressing equipment and cutting tables will be provided for all to share. Two weights of pattern-making paper are available at a nominal fee. You will need to bring your sewing machine, sewing tools, light for your individual work area, and sketching materials. About a month before the class begins, I will send you a detailed supply list.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the class, or want to discuss a potential type of project.

For more information and questions, please feel free to get in touch with me: