Our wonderful Jane!!  She made her purple jacket for our retreat right before she came.  Most of the days were sunny and warm, but a jacket was needed for a few evenings. Jane was busy with everyone.  She helped with the design work, as well as all phases of construction.  And of course she is a pro at fitting.  A lot of students made a pair or slacks on the retreat, and they all thought they were the best fitting slacks they have ever had.
Jane's students came to Pacific Grove, CA and had a fabulous time sewing with Jane.  Each person was working on a different project, and it was interesting to see all the design ideas, techniques, and resulting garments.  The group made several trips to Back Porch, a quilt shop in Pacific Grove, for supplies and of course "needed" fabric.  The outing to Lois Hinse in Carmel and Findings is always a special event.  We all are asking Jane at the same time if this beautiful silk or that gorgeous wool is in our color harmony.  We are so excited about everything we can barely wait for her response!  How do we ever pick out fabric when Jane isn't there?
Group of new friends on the sandy beach at Asilomar	Sunsets were spectacular!
The two Vicki's in the group were learning to drape.  They had sketches of garments they would eventually like to make, but decided to start with a simple tee shirt.  By the time the session ended, both of them had tee shirt patterns.  Way to go!	Vicki embellished her tee shirt with a diagonal row of pleated fabric. She added a center row of stitching with dark purple pearl cotton as an added design feature.  This was a great finishing touch.  Of course this meant another fun shopping trip to Pacific Grove for the thread.
	One of the projects JoAnn worked on was this gorgeous coat with the great detail in the back.  It will be amazing when it is finished.
	Claire was the queen of bias strips and strip piecing.  The jacket was decorated with bias strips, and machine stitching.  This jacket looked great on her, and she and Jane had fun deciding on all the design details.
Claire enjoys showing Ellen her new tee shirt with rouching running diagonally across the front.	Ellen is going to make a quilt featuring memories of her world travels.  She began working on this square using foiling.  We all were laughing at our mistake, because we told Ellen to have the bronze side toward the fabric....wrong....good thing we had Jane to help us out!
Diana worked on a shawl coat / wrap that everyone wanted to try on.  It was amazing how it looked well on most people.  She had found a wonderful multi-colored fabric at a recent sewing event.	Janice models her stunning silk Java Jacket.
Vicki G is amazing.  She came ready to sew with machines, dress form,  and a notebook in which she keeps sketches and swatches of all the garments she makes.  She has done several "swaps" for herself and her sister.  Lucky sister!! She worked on draping with Jane, started a pair of jeans which Jane was able to fit beautifully, and did several other projects, including making Cool-Max underwear for a family member.
	Sally was working on making things from blue jeans.  Here she is working on a purse and using fabric paint and stamps.  She put a lot of thought into the design, and it really turned out cute.  She even has a pocket for her cell phone.
Jackie is getting ready for a fitting by pressing her jacket.  You can tell she really is an expert at pressing, since her garments look so professional when completed.	She might have purchased this jacket fabric from Emma One Sock, since she told us she checks their website daily.  Jackie always finds beautiful fabric for her projects.
Laura and Vicki take a break outside of our sewing room.  Laura worked on altering a number of purchased skirts and blouses.  Jane also fitted a pair of slacks for her.	Enid talks with Liz while Liz is having a muslin pair of slacks fitted by Jane.  Liz now has a great pants pattern.  Enid is wearing a rayon chenille vest she made in Jane's studio.
Enid worked on a gorgeous velvet jacket.	Liz is busy sewing up her great fitting muslin pants.
Katherine started a quilt for a friend.  It features a California oak tree and a group of quail running on the bottom.  She enjoyed working with Jane on the design elements, and the piece will now be embellished with stitching.	Ellen always sews something unique and interesting.
Sharon made a silk collage wrap using a pattern Jane helped her make from a Chico's garment.	Thea made really cute garments for her children.
Our sleeping rooms in 2007 were located just a few feet away from our sewing room.	A few of us took an hour off from sewing to visit the Point Lobos State Park to see the sea lions and otters.  You can hear the see lions calling from quite a distance.   The park is located just a few miles south of Asilomar and is a nesting area in the spring for Brandt's cormorants.

 

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