Plans Make it Happen - 2019

As 2019 begins to shine, I've been thinking about where to best put my time and energy in the New Year. While you may be thinking about the sewing projects you'd like to tackle, I'm planning how I'm going to serve you better this year. Looking back on 2018, there are things that I definitely want to continue to do, things that I'll be happy to give up and things that I planned to do that never got done. With these in mind, here's what I've got in store for you in 2019.

THINGS I'LL CONTINUE TO DO:

Free Video Tutorials
The video tutorials are my place to experiment with ideas, share my knowledge and connect with you. Your comments and feedback on the videos help me understand what you're struggling with and what you'd like to learn more about. They spark ideas for workshops and classes and new ways to help you make garments that you're proud to wear.

For 2019, you can expect the free video tutorials to continue. If you've been on my email list for a while, you'll know I send these out about once per week, but I may pull back a little this year to make some space for (spoiler alert) creating a brand new online course and exploring a few new ideas I have for connecting with you. I haven't solidified my content plan for the new year yet but if you've been enjoying the videos, there will be more to come.

The free video tutorials give you an all access pass to quick tips, step by step tutorials and information that help you trouble shoot the fit of your sewing projects. If you're on my email list, a member of the In-House Patterns Studio Facebook group, or visit this blog regularly, you'll get updates on the newest tutorials, upcoming workshops and new online courses. (When you sign up for the email list you also get a free copy of The Perfect Fit Guide.)

Online Courses
Online courses give me the ability to reach a far greater number of people in a shorter period of time and the opportunity to share my knowledge in a very comprehensive way (even more comprehensive than an in-person workshop). I can plan all the course content to ensure that every single detail you'll need to be successful with your project is included and if I happen to miss a point, I can easily add it in the moment for every student to benefit from.

I love the freedom and flexibility that online courses provide me and my students. They are the long distance equivalent to an in-person workshop with me and are perfect for self starters, visual learners, and committed creators who want to make sewing patterns that fit. They give you step by step guidance as you build your patterns, anticipate your questions before you can articulate them and help you troubleshoot and fine tune your personal fitting challenges.

This year I'm creating a brand new online course that I think you'll love. I'm going to share my step by step process for achieving a good fit even when you don't have a friend to help. The plan is to show you exactly how I fit a garment on myself, from choosing the right size, assessing the pattern, and adjusting it for fit. I know that most of my customers are struggling to do this on their own and I want to show you how it can be done successfully. I'd love to know if this is of interest to you so let me know what you think in the comments! 

(Just in case you weren't aware, I already have two online courses available; just click the links for more information: Designed to Fit: The Bodice Block and The Custom Stretch Knit Bodice Block.)

In-Person Workshops
The in-person workshops are the best way to dive deeper with my customers. I get to see first hand what they are struggling with and what teaching methods work best to help them understand how to recognize the problem and move through the struggle.

In-person workshops give you direct access to me as an instructor as well as to fellow sewing enthusiasts with similar interests. I ensure that every moment of a workshop is valuable and highly focused on achieving a successful result and my class sizes are always small which means everyone gets lots of individual attention.

I've got my Spring workshops and some guest teaching events all planned for 2019 which will introduce a couple of new class offerings. You can get more information about those classes by clicking the links below. 

At Sawyers Sewing Center in Victoria BC: Pattern Making Essentials and Pattern Making for Knits

At Blackbird Fabrics in Vancouver BC:  [announcement coming soon!]

I hold in-person workshops six times a year in Victoria, BC, Canada. Currently the following workshops run in rotation. Click the links if  you'd like to learn more: Fitting Fundamentals, The Bodice Block Weekend Event, The Pant Block Weekend Event, The Fitting Fun Workshop and The Perfect Shirt Workshop.

THINGS I'LL NO LONGER DO:

Evening Workshops
This one was a very difficult decision because evening classes allowed those that work full time to access classes with me and the space that I was teaching in is such an inspiration to new sewing enthusiasts. I don't know if it's the whole turning 50 thing, but evening classes make for a very long day and I was drained of energy and enthusiasm before the class even started. This is not how I want to show up for my students at any time, so it had to go.

I've replaced this with periodic weekend workshops so that I can stay accessible to most. (See above for links to in-person workshops)

NEW THINGS FOR 2019:

Behind the Scene Activity
In just a few weeks I'll be doing my very first brand photoshoot with a professional photographer. I've wanted to do this for a long time but just didn't feel worthy enough for the expense but since I turned 50, I decided that this would be the year to do it. 

Needless to say, it's been a bit of a project because, naturally, I decided to sew the clothing I'll be wearing and a lot of planning is going into hopefully creating some images for my website that will make it look even more professional.

If you'd like to get a peek at what I've been sewing, I've been sharing the pieces on Instagram. You can find me at inhousepatterns.

There's a bit more to share about the behind the scene activities to come but for the fear of speaking too soon, I'll save those for announcements as they roll out. Just know there are some good things coming your way especially if you are a fellow Canadian or a member of my online courses.

I truly hope that you'll enjoy all that I've planned for 2019!

All My Best,
Alexandra