Simplicity Pattern Co. Chat

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Transcript of Simplicity Chat room presents Andrea Schewe

Original Chat: September 17th, 2003

Chat with Andrea Schewe - the Costume Expert

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[2009] touser hello, everyone we will be starting in just a couple of minutes

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We will be getting started in just a few minutes.

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simp_abbie

welcome to our second chat for halloween. we are thrilled to have andrea schewe here from maryland to discuss her costumes. she is simplicity's most versatile designer. today, she will answer questions along with betsy burger our in house designer. so let's chat!

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simp_abbie

<A>do you have a question for andrea?

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annac

<Q>i have a problem with doing necks on stretch knits

simp_betsy

<A>annac do you use a stabilizer?

tmana

<Q>is the room dead, or am i not seeing the window properly? i only get "simplicity's online costume chat with andrea schewe"?

simp_abbie

<A>andrea is busy answering questions we will be posting soon

jennibeth

<Q>andrea, how long have you been with simplicity? pattern drafting is my favorite part of sewing.

Andrea Schewe

<A>i have been with simplcity for about 14 or 15 years. i learned to make patterns working in the professional costume shops and making one of a kind evening gowns for a designer in new york. my mother teaches costuming at a college in california.

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annac

<Q>no.i don't know aht that is

simp_betsy

<A>it is an interfacing for knits

peggy

<Q>love all of the renaisance costumes you put out

Andrea Schewe

<A>thank you. i love to sew for kids.

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peggy

<Q>especially for children, will you be able to expand to woman's sizes more up to 32 soon?

Andrea Schewe

<A>we were just talking about today about doing more costumes in larger sizes. is there anything in particular you would like?

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peggy

<Q>thank you for 5380 design, really like that one imparticular

Andrea Schewe

<A>great! what view did you make and it what color?

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peggy

<Q>8108, i just opened this one, and can't find the tissue piece for the toga?

Andrea Schewe

<A> there is a limit to the amount of tissue paper that can fit into a pattern envelope, so for large rectangular items it makes sense to simply give the measurement to cut the rectangle using a yardstick or tape measure. and considering how difficult it can be to manage a huge piece of tissue, drawing lines then cutting can be easier.

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[2009] touser a note to all. once you are on the chat page be sure not to click on any other page links on the site.

francis

<Q>i have several of your patterns i am working on, is the seam allowance suppose to be 5/8 on pattern 5517 as i am not finding it mentioned anywhere?

simp_betsy

<A>it is mentioned on the guidesheet not on the pattern tissue

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[2009] touser you will have to come back to the chat page and log on again.

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jennibeth

<Q>i love your new belly dance costume! what are some other new designs in the works?

Andrea Schewe

<A>thank you, is there something you would like us to work on?

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annac

<Q>mainly that my op is so much samller that mu buttom

simp_betsy

<A>are you asking what patterns we recommend ???

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annac

<Q>i find it hard to reshape a pattern for my body. any hints

Andrea Schewe

<A> here are some ideas. before cutting measure the pattern pieces and measure the person who will be wearing the costume, especially length measurements. another way to get an idea of how a pattern will fit is to pin the pattern pieces together and "try it on". the best way, of course, is to get some cheap fabric and sew up the main pieces and really try it on and pin and mark changes that need to be made. my rule of thumb is to allow extra fabric along any seam where possible if there is any doubt about how something will fit. the length of a bodice or vest can be shortened or lengthened by either folding the tissue pattern up the desired length or cutting the tissue and taping a strip of paper the length that you want to add.

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peggy

<Q>nor the shawl in pattern 8108, did you forget the tissue pieces in this one?

Andrea Schewe

simp_abbie

we are waiting for questions? betsy would like to know what halloween costumes you all are sewing?

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carrie

<Q>i am working on 8735 for my costume this year and am having a lot of fun with it.

simp_abbie

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>i am using the 'shakespeare in love' dress to create an 18th c. cinderella complete with the corset and side hoops underneath. last year my husband was a jedi.

simp_abbie

<A>

racingmig

<Q>i'm a novice sewing ,self taught, for costumes. i'm looking for a 1940's witch but i can not find it so i got the 1880's historic actully by you. how can i adapt it to a 1940's witch? becuase the skirt is like a closed tulip at the knees?

Andrea Schewe

<A>do you mean #5457? i would say first of all make it all black with some purple perhaps. use a big pice of tulle for a shoulder wrap.

carrie

<Q>i am working on 8735 for my costume this year and am having a lot of fun with it.

simp_betsy

<A>carrie what view are you making??

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alcia

<Q>hi, andrea i’m a member of a community theater group. since i’m the worst singer and the best sewer, when we put on musicals i always end up doing the costumes. your patterns are so wonderful. you must have been answering my prayers because we’ve recently done both my fair lady and the music man. i can’t believe i actually made men’s suits! here’s my next prayer to you. this year we’re doing pirates of penzance by gilbert and sullivan. are you familiar with it? everybody’s pirate-crazy after johnny depp this summer. are any of your patterns appropriate for this show - or could i talk you into doing another of your on stage packages?

Andrea Schewe

<A>bless you. the costumers never are appreciated enough!

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simp_betsy

jenniebeth can you send us a picture please

carrie

<Q>view a in silver like on ever after

simp_abbie

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>i made 8735 the first year it came out in royal blue velvet (view b). it is a great pattern.

simp_abbie

<A>

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mickeymousegirl

<Q>anyone ever sew bike shorts?

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>i'm not sewing for hallowe'en. i just finished a tudor based in part on 9929 view c, and i'm about to start in on an elizabethan loose robe, adapted from one in janet arnold's patterns of fashion

simp_betsy

<A>tmana can you please tell me what page in the janet arnold book

alcia

Andrea Schewe

<A>i didn't get the entire question until now. you could use my pattern5958 and add much more trim button and lace at the neck and sleeve cuff. we are planning a more elaberate pirate soon. do you have a musical you are interested in having costumes for?

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jennibeth

<Q>what is the best way to send in pictures? martha mccain wants to see my hoopskirt too.

simp_abbie

<A>the best way to send in pictures is to email them to eschulman@simplicity.com.

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jollybee

<Q>i have trouble with making trousers. my size is fairly regular but as i move forward i get pulling and creases front thigh

simp_betsy

<A>jollybee check out the chapter on fitting in the simply the best sewing book

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carrie

<Q>evita

simp_abbie

<A>

racingmig

<Q>this year the famliy is going to be a 1940's witch , 1880's vampire, a toddler bat and a toddler fairie turned to a dark angel. last year we were all clowns!

simp_betsy

<A>racingmig can you describe the 1940's witch and where do you and your family go to show off these costumes

jennibeth

<Q>where does most of your inspiration come from? because of all the work you've done for theater, do you pull ideas from there and reuse them?

Andrea Schewe

<A>i approach my designs from more of a theatrical point of view as apposed to strict historical accuracy. i want my costumes to make people look gorgeous but also be not too difficult to sew, not too difficult to wear and not to expensive to make. i do use research books, but i also get many of my ideas from attending renaissance fairs, seeing movies and i do adapt costumes i have worn in various performances.

carrie

<Q>i am working on 8735 for my costume this year and am having a lot of fun with it.

Andrea Schewe

<A>carrie i'm glad you are having fun.

carrie

<Q>i am working on 8735 for my costume this year and am having a lot of fun with it.

Andrea Schewe

<A>carrie i sent it too soon!! i want to ask what view you are making and what fabric you are using?

tmana

<Q>i'm somewhat disappointed that the women's size versions of many of these styles (e.g. 9228, 8715) have been discontinued -- and very disappointed to have seen 9633 and 9650 disappear.

Andrea Schewe

<A>

jollybee

<Q>i have and the problem remians. there must be an easy solution that you could share with me and others on line

simp_betsy

<A>jollybee can you send us a picture so that we can better figure out what your problem is

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tmana

<Q>i'm somewhat disappointed that the women's size versions of many of these styles (e.g. 9228, 8715) have been discontinued -- and very disappointed to have seen 9633 and 9650 disappear.

Andrea Schewe

<A>we were just brought back two of them and are in the blue large size section of the catalog. we are also talking about about designing some more.

tmana

<Q>i'd like to ask andrea what process she goes through to come up with her renaissance designs -- both research and streamlining. on many of my historical-costuming lists, we have to disappoint newcomers who ask about these patterns because they don't have separate undergarments or because they have modern lines or use modern construction techniques

Andrea Schewe

<A>

alcia

<Q>community theater again - they're also talking about doing les miz (mis?). what would be good for that?

simp_betsy

<A>we would really recommend a martha mccain design which we will be asking her to design next month

jollybee

<Q>thank you but it would have to be a moving picture as standing still the fit is perfect its when i walk that these folds presents themselves as if something is pulling from the knee to the thigh front only

simp_abbie

<A>

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racingmig

<Q>simp-betsy the 1940's witch is orange with the screeching blk cats around the base hem line of the skirt. a blouse with 3/4 lehgth sleeves w/ lace. corset tank.short cape w/ stand up collar.pointy hat w/ cat

simp_betsy

<A>racingmig, did you get the idea for this costume from a old pattern from the 1940's

jennibeth

<Q>fancier my fair lady designs would be nice.

simp_abbie

<A>

carrie

<Q>i am making view a and using satin for the bodice and underskirt and found silver lace wide enough on ebay that i am beading and putting sequins on

simp_betsy

<A>

tmana

Andrea Schewe

<A> most of the costumes i see worn at the numerous renaissance fairs i have attended are not exactly historically accurate. but they are beautiful interpretations of clothing from anywhere from 1350 -1600. i try to keep my costumes from getting too difficult. i realize there are people who want a more complete and accurate garment. have you helped people modify any of my costumes?

jennibeth

<Q>i really enjoyed making 9699 (the 1914's musical theater). i made view c in white faille, and it looks great with my edwardian corset underneath. (i reenact with a local costuming group.

Andrea Schewe

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>i really enjoyed making 9699 (the 1914's musical theater). i made view c in white faille, and it looks great with my edwardian corset underneath. (i reenact with a local costuming group.

Andrea Schewe

<A>good to hear. i like that you are wearing the correct undergarments.

simp_abbie

sunshine, jane and roe, do you have a question or would you like to tell us what you are making?

peggy

<Q>thank you for 5380 design, really like that one imparticular

simp_betsy

<A>thank you what other movies or stories of that type would you like to see costumes of

jollybee

<Q>are you all really only talking about period costumes and i am way off track here? sorry

simp_abbie

<A>we love to hear from all our customers and suggest you call our 1-888-588-2700 for fitting ideas.

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tmana

<Q>there are several web sites that critique the "big 3" (simplicity, mccalls, butterick) historical patterns and describe some of the necessary adaptations to make them more historically-accurate. (the first and foremost is to make a separate shift/chemise, or lengthen the blouse, for all of them.) i usually do my own adaptations and then discuss them with others on my garbing lists.

simp_betsy

<A>

carrie

<Q>when you lived in new york and worked at the costume houses what jobs did you do?

Andrea Schewe

<A>at first all they would let me do was hand sewing. i work on ringling bros. circus and many broadway shows. i then work in the julliard school costume shop where i met martha mccain. over the next few years i started cutting and simple pattern making. i have made costumes for ballet, opera and musicals. i learn more patterning skills working in the fashion industry for a short time.

tmana

simp_betsy

<A>although all three pattern companies offer costumes simplicity offers the largest selection and some of the most historically accurate that are commerically produced we take great pride in having such a wide variety for the consumer to choose from, something that was not available 5 years ago.

tmana

<Q>this year's tudor is the second for which i've taken parts of 9929 c.

simp_abbie

<A>

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carrie

<Q>you are so lucky to have worked on broadway shows, that is my dream to get to work on one some day.

simp_abbie

<A>

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racingmig

<Q>simp-betsy yes but i have not been able to find it again to figure out the patterns for it i have it in my head but i don't know how to have it turn out perfect being a novice . i want it kind of flowy like the dancing sence in hello dolly!

simp_betsy

<A>

carrie

<Q>chicago and the pirates of the carribbean

simp_abbie

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>simplicity has done an awesome job at the costumes produced in the last few years! keep up the good work. i have switched over to simplicity almost exclusively (as one of the big 3) in my costume sewing.

simp_abbie

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>i know other designers created the 1940s patterns from a year or two ago; has any thought been given to day clothes from the 1920s similar to chicago or the hours?

Andrea Schewe

<A>my sister theresa laquey designed those 40's patterns. she makes one of kind very authentic deco clothes for people in the san francisco area. she also sings with a 30's swing band. we will talk about you suggestions.

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alcia

<Q>i'm still thinking about pirates. i had to flip through the simplicity halloween to see what 5959 was. you must mean the thomas jefferson guy in the white wig. ha! my sister used that one for "1776." but i want something flashier for pirates. and what can the women wear?

simp_betsy

<A>

simp_abbie

carrie, have you seen the most recent catalog, pattern 5400 would handle the need for a chicago design.

carrie

<Q>you are so lucky to have worked on broadway shows, that is my dream to get to work on one some day.

Andrea Schewe

<A>have you sewn for any amatuer theaters?

alcia

simp_betsy

<A>alcia i would do 9966 view a for the female pirate

jennibeth

<Q>for betsy? i love that simplicity has hooked up with disney to create patterns for some of the animated movies. a few years ago, simplicity sold the cinderella pattern for misses. i would love to see the other princesses get their brief time as adult misses patterns as well. ( i know the cinderella pattern was not out for long.)

simp_betsy

<A>

sue

<Q>what is boning?

Andrea Schewe

<A>boning is stiff plastic or metal strips that are sewn into the bodice of close fitting costumes and modern evening dresses to keep the bodice from creasing while wearing. it can be purchases at most fabric store in continuous strips that can be cut to the desired length.

jennibeth

simp_betsy

<A>that is a good idea we get alot of requests for princesses and your suggestion is a good way to go

carrie

<Q>simp_abbie, yes i have seen the flapper patterns and they are great but i was hoping for something a bit racier.

simp_abbie

<A>

simp_abbie

carrie, length can be altered, sides can be taken in and on the top part of the neckline can be cut out.

tmana

<Q>betsy: yes, and your civil war-era stuff is generally close to the mark. the renaissance stuff is generally good for faire if you're a patron, but not if you're a performer -- and not good if you're doing living history or sca.

Andrea Schewe

<A>

racingmig

<Q>simp-betsy what is the best fabric to make a peplum under skirts to make them flouncey?

simp_betsy

<A>what do you mean by peplum

tmana

Andrea Schewe

<A>thank you for the feed back. that is why we are having this chat room. if we were going to do one really accurate patterns what would you suggest?

mabel

<Q>i just saw your picture and you're really pretty. it doesn't surpeise me to hear you're a performer. my son's high school is putting on julius caesar. i told them i thought we could use your "passion play" #8108 for just about everything. what do you think? i know i'll end up doing most of the sewing!

Andrea Schewe

<A>

racingmig

<Q>simp-betsy the layers underth the skirt to make it fuller?

simp_betsy

<A>tulle or netting is usually used if you want something stiffer you could buy something called crinoline

mabel

Andrea Schewe

<A>thanks for the compliment. that should work. take note that many pieces are cut by measurement and do not have an actual pattern piece.

tmana

<Q>for the men, it's hard to find a very good tudor or elizabethan. (also, if you can scale down 9633 and 9650 for non bbm types, it would be appreciated.) for the women, accurate elizabethan would probably get the most sales, tudor being next likely. it's hard to find good really *late* elizabethan and really good tudor (low, middle, and upper classes)

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>i think possibly some good flemish garb would be good

simp_abbie

<A>

carrie

<Q>i live in the atlanta area and work with several different community theaters and worked on a movie a few years ago. i love the theater and would like to be able to do more work than i've been able to find.

Andrea Schewe

<A>if you could, move to new york. when i arrived in ny i just looked in the yellow pages and called every costume shop i could until i got hired. i started out with a very low salary though.

tmana

<Q>post-houppeland, contemporary with early tudor, and also later; the flemish peasant has been getting popular since drea leed published her book on it.

simp_abbie

<A>

simp_betsy

tmana what do you think of 8881 elizabethan ladies by martha mccain

tmana

<Q>also, late-16th-century florentine and venetian would be nice.

simp_abbie

<A>

racingmig

<Q>simp-besty is crinoline different than netting and how tuff is it to work with?

simp_betsy

<A>crinoline is a heavier form of netting and is fairly easy to sew on

tmana

<Q>what would you recommend that could be easily done up as a closely-fitted, open-crotch-seam bloomer/underpant for (not period, but practical) wear under ren garb?

Andrea Schewe

<A>do you mean something like the open crotch bloomers in the civil war packages?

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tmana

<Q>andrea: haven't looked that closely, but that sounds like what i'd be looking for. thanks!

simp_abbie

<A>that pattern number is 9769 .

racingmig

<Q>how hard is boning to work with?do you always use a muslim mock up first?

Andrea Schewe

<A>there is plastic boning and steel boning. plastic boning is easier to find and it can be cut to any length with scissors. steel boning needs to be ordered and comes in 1/2" length differences. when i am making a new pattern i aways work it out in muslin. when i am making a costume for myself i if i don't make a muslin i leave lots of extra fabric in the seams so i can fit it as i sew.

tmana

<Q>first, the partlet should be a separate garment that stays in by length, not snaps... perhaps it could be made as a high-necked shift. the point on the bodice should be a point, not a curve. i've heard both good and bad things about the bumroll, but then there's a lot of controversy over how anything other than the french bumroll might have looked

Andrea Schewe

<A>

racingmig

<Q>are there any patterns on hello dolly? on the hats that were used?

simp_betsy

<A>thanks for the ideas we will keep it in mind.

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tmana

<Q>also, it should not be princess seamed, and the "stomacher" thing is 18th century not 16th. the "stomacher-like" thing would work if the bodice were a doublet-bodice, not a low-necked bodice.

simp_betsy

<A>

tmana

Andrea Schewe

<A>thanks again. what do you do? you certainly know the garments of this period very well.

jennibeth

<Q>i made 8587 (peasant couple) when it first came out using pretty much the same color schemes as on the envelope. my husband loved the hood with capelet. i made the women's underdress out of plain muslin and it was so comfortable that i have worn it as a nightgown.

Andrea Schewe

<A>

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tmana

<Q>back to 8881: the sleeve caps and sleeves should be separate. the lower sleeves should lace into the bodice at the shoulders, with the lacing hidden by the sleeve cap. the skirt and underskirt should also be separate. the main bodice should match the sleeve caps, not the lower sleeves, and the overskirt should match both of those -- but that's an issue that can be resolved by the individual sewer. lace up the back, rather than zipper it.

simp_betsy

<A>

jennibeth

Andrea Schewe

<A>i bet the real peasant wore their underdresses to bed, too!

tmana

<Q>i'm between jobs in it and secondary publishing, but i've been hanging out on a number of garbing lists for the past couple of years... rencostumer, elizabethanclothing, sca-garb, courtesan, h-costume, italian_rennaissance_costuming, and a couple of others.

Andrea Schewe

<A>how long and for whom have you been making costumes?

jennibeth

<Q>will simplicity be coming out with any more of the vintage closet 1900-1910 or turn of the century to 1925 patterns?

simp_betsy

<A>in december we will be coming out with a turn of the century nightgown and matching robe if you like our current vintage closet you will love this.

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carrie

<Q>do you have any good online fabric and sewing suppliers you could recommend? i had a hard time finding material wide enough for 8735.

Andrea Schewe

<A>i use fabric.com and mjtrims.com. but when ever i need a certain kind of fabric i go to google and just type in what i am looking for and they send me all sorts of sites.

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carrie

<Q>thanks!

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>carrie: try some of the home-dec fabrics. they often have the drape and designs needed for renaissance clothing. just make sure it's not scotch-guarded and doesn't have any sort of plastic backing on it.

simp_abbie

<A>

carrie

<Q>do you have any good online fabric and sewing suppliers you could recommend? i had a hard time finding material wide enough for 8735.

Andrea Schewe

<A>also, you can piece fabric to make it wider. try to make the placement of the piecing seams off the to sides or down by the hem.

carrie

<Q>okay, thank you also.

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>as far as ren garb, i've made a couple of garments in the early '90's, but first started getting into the research a couple of years ago when my then-current garb started wearing out. otoh, i've been sewing since i could hold a shoelace and a hole-punched "sewing card"...

Andrea Schewe

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>victorian is my specialty. i helped start a new business making custom couture wedding gowns specializing in theme and accurate victorian/edwardian gowns. i have not made your new 1880s pattern as it seams very theatrical. have you considered producing patterns for the 1890s, ie. oscar wilde and henry james plays?

simp_betsy

<A>we have not but we will consider it in the future. what pieces are you interested in? mens? womans?

tmana

Andrea Schewe

<A>well, you are certainly good at research!

simp_abbie

graham and roe welcome to the room. any quesitons?

tmana

<Q>not nearly as good at my own as at remembering everybody else's!

simp_abbie

<A>

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Andrea Schewe

is any one here sewing any halloween costumes? or do you have a memorable costume you can share with all of us?

jennibeth

<Q>mostly 1890s womens (1894-96 and 1898-1900) but also we need good men's patterns out for costumes. although 9686, the broadway on a budget for men, the tailcoat could work for edwardian.

simp_betsy

<A>

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Andrea Schewe

to my son's school one year i put on leotard, tights, big puffy boots with a floor length purple cape. i put a big felt "m" on my chest, wore a sequinned eye mask and carried a briefcase in one hand and a pancake flipper in the other. all the kids knew i was super mom!!!

jennibeth

<Q>is the new vintage closet pattern due out in the winter catalog or the early spring?

simp_betsy

<A>we are very impressed with your knowledge of the simplicity catalog, how often do you shop in the winter catalog, the vintage closet pattern will be out in our early spring catalog!

racingmig

<Q>what is the best way to liven up a bat costume for a little boy?

simp_betsy

<A>you can use the glow in the dark rick rack walmart sells it and it is made by wrights.

carrie

<Q>last year i made myself a morticia addams costume and i don't know what kind of material i used but the stretch was up and down not around so it held everything in really great and i wore while delivering pizzas and got a 30 dollar tip at one house!

simp_betsy

<A>

graham

<Q>memorable costumes? my wife made me a lobster costume one year. i can't believe i went to a party wearing red long johns with a lot of little feet sewed on!

simp_abbie

<A>did your wife go as the drawn butter?

tmana

<Q>a thought for your costume-design staff in general: in many areas of the country, hallowe'en gets quite chilly. costumes with coordinating outerwear -- with instructions for making them warmer (for cold climates and canada) or less warm (for warmer climates) would be absolutely great!

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>i used to hate having to wear my winter coat over my hallowe'en costumes when going door-to-door trick-or-treating!

simp_abbie

<A>

carrie

<Q>that is an awesome suggestion

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>would it be difficult to do streamlined versions of the shinrone gown or the moy gown as patterns for the beginner to intermediate sewer?

Andrea Schewe

<A>what is a shinrone or moy gown? maybe i know what it is, but don't know the name.

tmana

<Q>i have fun doing "pun intended" costumes... i did a "gypsy moth" once using folkwear's "shirts of russia and the ukraine" with the embroidery, fashioned "wings" from tan colored chiffon and wire clothes hangers, made a "peasant" skirt to go with, worn with deely boppers, a scarf tied 'round my head, and loads of rings and necklaces...

Andrea Schewe

<A>

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tmana

<Q>these are two gowns found in peat bogs in ireland. the shinrone is probably contemporary with elizabethan period or just before, the moy is somewhat earlier. info on them is at http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/irish/shinrone.html for the shinrone gown and http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/irish/moy.html for the moy gown

simp_abbie

<A>

simp_abbie

thanks for the information.

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graham

<Q>well, my sister wanted me to ask you about western wear for men. she had to be at work and couldn't be here. her husband is into single-action shooting and he wants her to make him some shirts and vests and maybe a duster. do you plan to do anything like that soon?

Andrea Schewe

<A>i really want to make western wear and am starting to do some research.

tmana

<Q>i also did a "merry black widow spider" with a black bustier with a red hourglass on the stomach and puffs of red chiffon to imitate the markings on the back, with a long black skirt and granny boots, a cloak with spider-web quilting, long black gloves, and a mask decorated with a rubber spider and spider-web designs in glow-in-the-dark dimensional paint.

Andrea Schewe

<A>cool!

jennibeth

<Q>i am currently flipping thru the most recent issues of the costume mini-catalogs. (buy those and the home catalogs every issue.) i am always trying to get a jump start on the new issues. since you've put the catalogs on the website, i can research which new patterns i want and go out shopping. in fact, yesterday i call the local jo-anns and they do not have the new winter catalog out yet (bummer). i will go as soon as it arrives. ...i have been collecting patterns for years (nearly 500 +). since i've been doing costuming (last 4 years), those are the types of patterns that have increased in my collection. i love patterning and my dream job is to work for simplicity; but alas, i live in california.

simp_abbie

<A>

simp_abbie

(jennibeth) we all love working here also, too bad you live in california. i've been here for 20 years, betsy for 15.

racingmig

<Q>i lived in the north and my costumes were made big enough to wear a sweater or were done out fleece. now living in florida and puerto rico i have a hard time making costumes cool enough!!

simp_abbie

<A>

simp_abbie

welcome becca! what a beautiful name?

tmana

<Q>there is some discussion that the shinrone gown might have been designed as a maternity gown that was later altered for post-pregnancy wear.

Andrea Schewe

<A>very pratical.

jennibeth

<Q>i love the idea on making patterns for outerwear to match costumes for the cooler climates.

simp_abbie

<A>

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simp_abbie

only 15 minutes left before andrea takes amtrak back to maryland. she will be back for our final chat on october 16th. have you enjoyed this? what else would you like to chat about?

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localhost

[2009] touser note to all: we will post a transcript of the chat within an hour of the close of the chat.

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jennibeth

<Q>these chats have been very fun (i was in on the last martha mccain one)! it's fun sharing and getting ideas from everyone.

simp_abbie

<A>

localhost

[2009] touser the transcript link will be available on the chat introduction page.

tmana

<Q>definitely enjoyed it. maryland, huh? we were at the maryland renaissance faire this past weekend...

simp_abbie

<A>

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carrie

<Q>how close to dc do you live? i grew up in vienna, va.

Andrea Schewe

<A>i live in the suburbs. dc is a great city. there is lots of theater and music and loads of museums.

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simp_abbie

this weekend is pirate invasion. what do you think about pirates/renaissance?

jennibeth

<Q>what is pirate invasion?

simp_abbie

<A>andrea, said that it is a theme weekend at the maryland renaissance faire. this weekend it will be the pirates versus hurricane isabel.

carrie

<Q>i really miss it up there and keep trying to talk my husband into moving there

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>sorry, missed the last (network cable got unplugged).

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>re: pirates and renaissance, they're a popular combo -- but two different centuries!

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>so folk are saying!

simp_abbie

<A>

carrie

<Q>that sounds so cool

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>(it felt like us versus the hurricanes this past saturday... )

simp_abbie

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>have fun. i used to live in miami; i know what's involved with hurricane prep. however, pirates can handle the rough seas.

simp_abbie

<A>

simp_abbie

becca, where are you?

simp_abbie

tmana, do these renaissance pirates look like johnny depp?

tmana

<Q>i'd like to know what decisions are made in the process of streamlining a design for the novice-to-intermediate sewer

Andrea Schewe

<A>i am allowed a great deal of freedom. i try to keep the number of pattern pieces low and also try to keep the amount of fabric required down. since i am a working mother and also was a cub scout leader my motto is "keep it simple keep it fun" and keep it pretty and flattering.

carrie

<Q>one last thing with the monster cons it would be nice to have patterns for some of natalie portmans costumes in the star wars movies

simp_abbie

<A>

becca

<Q>sewing! here in milwaukee. andrea, i've got to tell you how much i love your baby costumes!

Andrea Schewe

<A>thanks so much, it has been great fun chatting.

carrie

<Q>one last thing with the monster cons it would be nice to have patterns for some of natalie portmans costumes in the star wars movies

simp_abbie

<A>

tmana

<Q>abbie, i've not seen pirates of the carribean. most ren "pirates" are either wearing generic-renfaire shirts with bucket boots and bandanas, or they're wearing captain hook jackets and hats, or they're dressed something close to cavalier -- but with an attitude!

simp_abbie

<A>

jennibeth

<Q>andrea, how do you pronounce your last name? is it 'shoe'?

Andrea Schewe

<A>my name is pronouced "shoe-ee" emphasis on the first syllable

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jennibeth

<Q>thanks for your time andrea. it's been fun!

simp_abbie

<A>

becca

<Q>do you ever give public appearances or do workshops?

Andrea Schewe

<A>well ,abbie has just asked me to do some tv segments for "creative living" and i will be talking about home dec.

simp_abbie

thanks for the good ideas. chat on line in october. we'll all be here.

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