Recently I attended a seminar given by Ms. Adams at a local fabric shop in Towson, Md. To say I came away enlightened and inspired is putting it mildly. The seminar lasted three hours but time seemed to fly by. There were two very full racks of clothing made by Shirley Adams and a table full of her purses. Just looking at all the beautiful garments inspired me no end. Some were quilted others appliquéd but they all had one thing in common, all were made from two patterns. Shirley doesn't use a lot of different patterns, she uses a couple of patterns to make many garments. One really good fitting pattern can be used over and over to make garments that look totally different. Lengthening or shortening the pattern and using various fabrics along with embellishments can give a sewing person a very extensive wardrobe. If you've seen her t.v. show you already know what I mean. She reminded us to look around us for inspiration and design.
Ms. Adams showed that fabrics not usually considered for jackets could easily be converted into stunning garments just by using the right interfacing and lining. She gave mini lessons in making your own buttons when you can't find one to match, sewing with polar fleece, pattern alterations, using unusual items for templates such as a platter for making a large purse, and recyling some of the things we all have in our closets. In order to fully appreciate a Shirley Adams seminar you'll have to attend one for yourself.
Shirley Adams has been in the garment sewing business for many years. She has taught sewing, written books about sewing, made sewing videos, has her own t.v. show The Sewing Connection carried by many Public Broadcasting Stations across the country and a web site http://www.sewingconnection.com. All of her books are mini sewing courses giving instructions in great detail with lots of illustrations and pictures of garments she has made. Some have patterns and templates to help you recreate the garments shown. One of the books The Sewing Connection 15 gives instructions for using the Bonfit adjustable pattern(my reason for buying that one). Through it all Shirley Adams has remained a teacher of the fine art of sewing.
copyright©1997 byThe Sewin' Sista
