The Fashion Sewing Group  It's about the clothes.

Our next event is scheduled for July 24 and/or 25. On the 24th, you can look forward to a visit at a fashion boutique or two (typically Chanel, Prada, Hermes or similar--the greatly enlarged Barneys store would make for great fashion exploration this year), a ladies lunch (last year we had a wonderful time at Art Smith's Table 52) and then top it off with a special fabric sale. I've bought a special collection of silks and designer trims priced way, way below their original prices that you're going to love. There will be a preview of fall woolens and other bolts of fabric, my button drawers, and more. Cost for the day is $75.00 for subscribers ($100.00 for others). Beginning at 9:45 and ending around 4:00. After I confirm lunch prices with the restaurant, you'll be able to use a protion of that fee toward fabric/notions purchases. Reservations are only by receipt of your check and space will be limited. No refunds will be given once you've submitted your check since the restaurants won't allow me any refunds.

On the 25th, Saturday, we'll have a special fitting and fashion day limited to just 15 participants. You can either bring things you've sewn, finished or not and I'll have things for you to try on sewn from the Fashion Sewing Group Pattern Collection, particularly pants and fitted jackets. Then there will be another luncheon and an afternoon session covering the most frequently asked questions on construction with an emphasis on shoulder, armscye, and sleeves. We'll begin at 9:30 and run until 4:00 or so. The costs for Saturday are also $75.00 for subscribers and $100.00 for guests of subscribers, though subscribers will have first opportunity to attend.

As seen in Vogue Patterns magazine, Feb/March 2006 issue, the weekend and week long sessions are held at a delightful Gold Coast hotel within blocks of Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile. Chicago has a wonderful selection of fashion emporiums all within easy walking distance of the hotel, great restaurants, and our hotel has a workroom space. The fashion exploration is a vital part of the week’s inspiration. Chicago has most of the same boutiques as NY, and even a few that are only in Chicago and/or Paris and Milan. It’s also just plain fun. I’ve now done nearly a dozen of these weeks, and always seem to have a repeater or two, and many have made good, new sewing friends. It’s fun to watch friendships develop as much as sewing skills.

During the sewing week, you can make either pants or a skirt, and also a jacket style of your choice all using the Fashion Sewing Group patterns that are included in the cost of the class. Class begins Sunday afternoon and concludes by six p.m. on the following Saturday. The emhasis is on refining your pattern fit and practical sewing technique; learning to make good pant and jacket style choices for your figure are emphasized.

The cost of the week is $1500.00 for a shared room (double occupancy), $2100.00 for a private room and just $950.00 if you make your own hotel arrangements--There may be a price increase for the next session November 2009. That cost includes your pants fabric, the notions necessary for their construction plus all interfacings, shoulder pads, and patterns for your jacket. Jacket fabric is your choice with instructor approval.

Fall Sewing Weekend--coming November 2009
For those who want to immerse themselves in fashion and personal sewing strategies, this is going to be a regular session now, held just before the sewing weeks. We'll start with a light supper and cocktail party at my place on Thursday evening to get to know each other and have a look at my designer wardrobe collection from Chanel, Prada, Vuitton, and others. We'll spend time at area designer stores which have in the past included the designers listed above, appropriate area fashion exhibits, lectures or visits with local designers, and other events as they present themselves.

If you've always wanted your own week to do just exactly what you love, to sew and shop the finest stores for wonderful inspiration and ideas, sign up today. We've had a wonderful time twice each year in spring and fall with many women returning again and again since 1999. By the time you head home the following Sunday, you'll be a fashion sewing diva, and agree with Sinatra when he called Chicago "My Kind of Town"...Chicago IS!