Class Review Sewing Expo 2022

I took the Sleeve Drafting class with Joe Vecchiareli. Joe took a subject that could be a little dry and technical, and made it fun and entertaining as well as educational, weaving a facinating story about Tim Gunn through the lecture. The hand out he provided is great, I feel confident I could recreate what he demonstrated in class. I will take another class from him, and highly recommend his classes.

I also took Notions you Can’t Sew Without class. The instructor who was supposed to present was unable to be there. Her substitute did a great job of explaining the notions and their uses. Many of these were for quilting or crafts. This class is great for someone who is fairly new to sewing, or hasn’t sewn in a while, or is interested in notions that make scalloped edges, and other tools for quilting and crafting.

I think I got the most practical, useful information from the third class I took, Sewing Hacks for a Professional Look, taught by Jim Suzio. He started with techniques for setting zippers. One suggestion was to use different feet, not the zipper foot, so that’s something I’ll have to actually try for myself before I decide if I like it or not. But I do like his “hand picked look” technique that’s actually done by machine. Hands down the gold nugget from his class was an amazing technique for creating double welt pockets. The only dislike I have is that he passes out his handouts after class. I understand he does this so students focus on what he is saying instead of wandering around in the notes. But, I wish I had been able to take my own notes on top of his. Next time I’ll bring a notepad (paper or digital).

The last class I took was another one taught by Jim Suzio, called Designer Sergery. This class was much less technical and much more about embellishment and fun. He showed some amazing garments, full of cool ideas. I’ve used the satin serger edge before, but he added some new twists to it, along with techniques for getting solid coverage, a stable edge, and a sharp corner.

Behind the Seams

By Esme Young

Behind the Seams is Esme Young’s autobiography. Esme has been a fashion force for over 50 years.

Her first foray into fashion, see-thru raincoats, landed with a splash. She sketched the models naked under the transparent rainwear so clothing would not distract from the clear coat lines. The photographer loved the idea, and photographed her coats exactly the same way – worn by naked models. After a fuss, the photos were published, landing her and her company, Swanky Modes, firmly in the limelight.

Flash forward to the next century and in the 2010s, and at 70 years old, an age when most people retire, Esme embarked on a new career as a TV personality and judge on The Great British Sewing Bee.

I am a HUGE GBSB fan!! I fell in love with the show when it was still available in the US on Youtube. Now, I scour deep, dark, scary places on the internet just to watch this show!

When May Martin, a fantastic sewing instructor, left the show, Esme came on in her place. I had heard of Swanky Modes. I was a young teen when the Naked Raincoat Ladies appeared in print. My mother and the other “ladies” in her cult-like church were horrified, even though they never actually saw the photos. Just hearing about naked ladies in clear raincoats was enough to convince them the End Days were upon us!

Esme’s autobiography begins with her parents, sharing the interesting story of father and his military service. I could relate to the part of her story where she spent her first few months of life with an auntie, because I myself spent the first few years of my life with my Grandmother.

I was shocked to learn she was sent off to boarding school at the age of just five years old. Apparently it was common, ordinary, and normal for parents in their socio-economic class to do this. It was at boarding school where they learned she had a hearing impairment.

Esme describes her mother a free spirit with a great sense of humor. But, also cold, not uncaring, but distant. She shares stories of the times she spent with her family, including her brothers and sisters.

At this point in the book the story line is broken with a chapter about her first thrift transformations, along with hints and tips for your own Thrift Transformations.

Now, back to adventures. And did she have them! Travel adventures, party adventures, artistic adventures. She shared the history of Swanky Modes, start to finish. An insert (like the Thrift Transformations) provides a clear timeline.

Next she shares her film/tv credits and stories. She talks about her time at Central Saint Martins, followed by another insert on the Art of Pattern Cutting. Finally, we reach her time on Great British Sewing Bee.

Two sections of photographs from her life round out the book.

The book is loosely organized in chronological order, but the stories sometimes wander over time, to the future or the past. It happens in a very natural way as the adventures unfold into each other.

Behind the Seams is an upbeat, fascinating story of a creative person and her free spirited adventures.