Letter from Bates

I hope ya'll had a nice EASTER. Things are beginning to pop for next year's show...many exciting thing things are starting to happen...after the last post, about the sewing program at Bates, I received this email:
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Dear Rita,

I am so proud of my students at Bates Technical College. All of the garment patterns in the fashion show were altered to their measurements prior to cutting and constructing. Adults shy away from sewing for themselves because the sizing chart for commercial patterns is nowhere near their measurements and nothing fits. It only takes a few easy alterations and like magic, the clothes fit real bodies. We also stress the garment construction needs to look professional enough to be marketable.

Sewing is gaining popularity again and let’s hope that this need is recognized by our local schools, technical colleges, community colleges, and universities. It is critical for anyone desiring to be a fashion designer and attend a fashion school that they have basic sewing skills. The fashion industry is also recognizing the need to offer customized garments for all types of body shapes in addition to the “standard sizes” of yesterday.

For those individuals wishing to be successful in the fashion business; whether it is customized sewing, alterations, designing or merchandizing, it is critical to know your craft inside and out. Education from trained instructors is the best resource for this.

Sew on that note, the Bates students will continue to stitch straight ahead to fight for their sewing program.

Ryliss J. Bod
Fashion Construction and Design Instructor
Bates Technical College