day nineteen.

Today I worked a short day so that I could take my son, Roman, trick-or-treating. Pattie and I have been planning my Halloween costume. I am attending a party tomorrow evening and have not yet begun my costume! I am going as Sally Bowles from CABARET.

Until next time,

Amanda

(Hours: 10:00-2:00; 4 hours)

day eighteen.

I typically do not get much of my own work completed on Saturdays at Seam. I enjoy sitting in on the sewing lessons with the young girls. They are all so charming, and the conversations turn in some really funny directions when discussing life with seven year olds. The girls are still working on their hand-sewn projects, but will be moving to machine work soon. Pattie is using a tactile approach to the lessons, allowing the girls to learn as they create rather than discussion now--application later. As someone with aspirations to one day teach my craft to others, I am paying careful attention to her approach to the subject, her attittude, and her patience with the students. 

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours: 10:00-2:00; 4 hours)

day seventeen.

Today I took a break from my senior collection to alter pants belonging to my toddler son. I wanted to sew the pockets closed to reduce bulk and make is pants lay more smoothly. Pattie showed me how to stitch the pockets in a way that makes my stitches invisible. The pants still look brand new!

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours: 10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)

day sixteen.

Fall break continues and I am spending another day at Seam. Pattie has been teaching me many tricks to creating the perfect jean. I now have a better understanding of how to achieve the perfect fit and how to finish the garment beautifully. I have never been more proud of my work.

Today's activities also included a quick run to Textile Fabrics when I ran out of topstitching thread. Textiles is a fabric store that I have avoided over the years due to assumption that everything sold was completely unaffordable for me. Pattie claims it is the "only fabric store in Nashville," as it is the only place to sell real silk. My eye has already noted several fabrics I want to purchase.

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours: 10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)

day fifteen.

School is currently out of session for fall break. I decided to work with Pattie on my day off so that I could sit in on a bridal fitting. Pattie is working with a bride named Whitney that needs her wedding gown altered from a size 12 to a size 6. Pattie has already completed most of the work on the sideseams and is now completing the final fittings.

Although not an original piece, this gown has been completely redesigned for the customer's needs and fits her beautifully.

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours: 10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)

day fourteen.

The first outfit of my senior collection is due in a little over a week, and I am not stressed at all. Pattie has been showing me a better order of operations for completing my work so that I may increase my speed and accuracy. I expect to complete my work early, allotting me plenty of time to focus my energy on other aspects of my daily life. 

Today I continued to work on my skinny jeans with hand-embroidered logos on the back pockets. Pattie has been making appointments for fittings for the country music award season. 

Until next time, 

Amanda 

(Hours: 10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)

day thirteen.

There are some exciting new opportunities for Seam! Seam will now be advertising in The Pink Bride magazine and showing at the The Pink Bridal fair in January and August. This is a great way for Seam to reach out to new brides and create long-lasting relationships. Once they work with Pattie, they will always return. 

Pattie and I have begun brainstorming for Seam's website I will be creating and moderating. We are trying to find the best way to represent the many things that Seam can do. Seam is not just an alterations shop, and Pattie is not your average designer. It will take us some time to perfect the site and have it up and running. 

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours:  10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)

day twelve.

I spent today working on my jeans for my first outfit of my senior collection while Pattie taught sewing lessons with the girls. I can't help but be jealous that they are learning from her at such a young age. I would love to go back in time and take lessons from Pattie!

The embroidery machine is not complying with our needs at the moment and has been put on hiatus, thus I hand-embroidered my logo onto the back pockets of the jeans. Pattie taught me how to pad my satin stitches, and the end result is incredible. She has a great way of showing me that I already possess the skills, I just need to know how to use them properly.

Close view of my padded satin stitch.

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours: 10:00-2:00; 4 hours)

day eleven.

I have practically finished my chevron cutout top. Pattie gave me some beautiful to line it. I am moving on to my jeans which will feature my label's logo on the back pockets.

I am currently trying to get Pattie's fancy embroidery machine up and running, but am having trouble getting some of the software to run properly. I have even resorted to calling Viking to help with the issue. I have sort of become the i.t. department at Seam.

Until next time,

Amanda

(Hours:  10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)

day ten.

I have learned a lot about Pattie and her relationships with her clients in the past few days. It is incredible to watch practically every client linger in the studio to recount their lives since they last saw her. Pattie loves it. Besides her impeccable skills, it's what keeps clients coming through her door. She keeps the Christmas cards, birth announcements, and other notes from customers on the walls of her studio, which her clients see when they visit. Small touches like this show her clients that they are important to her and that she cares about more than just the dollar in their pocket.

Until next time, 

Amanda 

(Hours:  10:00-5:00; 7 hours)

day nine.

I am beginning work on my first outfit for my senior collection. I am starting with a top featuring a chevron cutout and bell sleeves. Pattie is going to show me how to finish the cutout so that there are no visible stitches. I am thrilled to be working with someone that can teach me the meticulous little tricks of the trade.

Today I also sat in on two of Pattie's sewing classes. The girls are moving along quickly with their projects. I am already growing to really enjoy their company.

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours: 10:00-2:00; 4 hours)

day eight.

Seam purchased two new sewing machines today, so naturally the studio was humming with excitement (or the sounds of testing the new machines). One is a Singer Heavy Duty machine that is army green and great for sewing denim and other tough jobs. The other machine is a beautiful computerized Singer Quantum Stylist--it cuts the thread for you! Needless to say, most work went out the window today as the new machine needed to be examined and tested.

Pattie and daughter, Ellen, opening the new machines. (I had to lame up the joint by documenting this moment.)

Pattie posing with her new Singer Quantum Stylist.

Until next time, 

Amanda 

(Hours: 10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)

day seven.

Now that we have gotten to know each other better, Pattie and I are having a lot of fun. Today I constructed an arm that I stuffed and will use to drape sleeves. It is one of those things I didn't realize I needed, and I feel it is something that needs to be made by all of my classmates.

Pattie is allowing me to work on my senior collection while I am at Seam as an intern. Thus far I have been working on the concept and design of the collection, and Pattie has offered practical solutions to my construction questions. She will help me figure out the best way to execute my designs and work more efficiently. I think only good things can happen from this point. 

Until next time, 

Amanda

(Hours:  10:00-5:30; 7.5 hours)