Dear ,

Its that time of the year again, when we wonder where did the year go? But year end also means new beginnings and here on PR, it is also the time when we compile the best patterns article, containing the top 10 patterns which were reviewed highly this year. We need your help in this. Vote now for the Top 10 patterns.

Our Moulage Workshop was such a blast! Our Trouser Draft workshop in this cozy little inn in Sterling Mass promises to be even more fun. Check out the details here and sign up soon because we have very few spots. We're also planning some fun activities to keep you entertained while the workshop is taking place. You don't want to miss this.

No time for an hands on workshop? Try our online classes instead.

The holidays are fun but all that entertaining can be stressful. Take care of yourself and take some time out for sewing.

Speaking of holidays, would you like to give a FoPR membership or an online class to a friend who sews? You can do that here. The best part? No lines!

P.S. We just sent out our 2011 Media Kit to all our current advertisers. If you'd like to advertise on PatternReview, request a kit here.

PR Name: Christas
Full Name: Christa Lee Short
Member Since: March 2006
Birthday: December 20

How did you learn to sew?
I took Home Ec in junior high. Acck.... we had to wear what we made! My wrap around skirt was much shorter in the front than the back! When my oldest daughter was a baby, I really wanted to be a better seamstress. I asked my mother-in-law to teach me, and she was a very patient woman. She helped me pick out a simple beginner pattern to sew for my daughter...[and the] lessons began! I have been hooked ever since.

What aspect of sewing do you find most challenging?
TIME! Besides finding the time to sew, I wish I was better at fitting myself.

Read the rest of the interview...

The Little Black Dress
Instructor: Susan Khalje

It's a fashion classic -- and it's the one dress that everyone should have in her wardrobe!

To help you create one, you'll explore all the elements from a couture point of view, from choosing a pattern to the final finishing details, including: what to look for in a pattern, how to make a muslin, and what fabrics to use.

The class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and 4 interactive real time chat sessions with the instructor.

Susan has been a couture designer and dressmaker for more than 25 years. A teacher, Threads contributor and author of several books, including Bridal Couture, she received the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers' 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more about Susan here.

Class begins January 1st. Register here.

Have a question about The Little Black Dress before you register? Ask here.

Origami Welt, Piped Pocket and More
Instructor: Kenneth D. King

This class covers Kenneth's method of making the piped pocket and bound buttonhole. In the trade these pockets are also called besom pockets, and generally strike fear into the hearts of most who attempt them. Kenneth has figured out an almost foolproof way of constructing these pockets, a technique he shares in this class.

The class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and 3 interactive real time chat sessions with the instructor.

Haberdasher to the stars, Kenneth D. King has designed clothing, home furnishings and accessories for Elton John, Jim Carrey, and others. He is professor of haute couture at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Read more about Kenneth here.

Class begins January 1st. Register here.

Have a question about Origami Welt, Piped Pocket and More before you register? Ask here.

All Hemmed Up
Instructor: Jennifer Stern

Taking your pants and skirts to the tailor to be shortened can get really expensive! Join Jennifer for this class and discover the tricks that make turning up your own hems a snap! This class covers these topics and more: measuring pants for shortening, making a cuffed hem, folding a pant leg for a blind hem, and hemming jeans.

The class is a combination of PDF downloads, boards and 3 interactive real time chat sessions with the instructor.

An optional video component for this class is also available.

Jennifer Stern is a designer, teacher and a frequent contributor to Threads magazine. She writes the Embroidery Essentials Department for every issue of Threads. Read more about Jennifer here.

Class begins January 7th. Register here.

Have a question about All Hemmed Up before you register? Ask here.

See all the upcoming classes.

Want to know when a new class starts?

Go to the class schedule page and click on the Get notified button. We'll send you an email letting you know when a class is open for registration.

Everybody learned so much from the Moulage Workshop we offered in November that we've asked Kenneth D. King to teach his
Trouser Draft Workshop for PR members!

The workshop will be held at the
beautiful and quaint Chocksett Inn in Sterling, MA,
on January 28, 29, and 30, 2011.

Students in this workshop will draft a trouser pattern designed to fit their exact body measurements and then use it to draft different styles of trousers.

Read the details for the Hands-On Trouser Draft Workshop.

Sign up now for the workshop!

Costume Contest

First Prize Winner (by Member Vote):
marvelous for Vogue Patterns:
7819 Children's Jacket and Dress


Random Entry Prize:
PolishPoppy for Self Drafted Pattern: 174964-1000 Venus Fly Trap

Winner of the 2011 Contest Survey Raffle: Sirena Sol

Read the announcement.

Thanks to everyone who answered the 2011 Contest Survey!










Winner of the Cyber Monday Raffle: CA Sue

Read the Cyber Monday Raffle announcement.

Thanks to everyone who shopped on PR on Cyber Monday!

It's time to vote for the Top 10 Patterns of 2010!

See what patterns are nominated and vote!

We will publish the results in our Best Patterns article early in 2011.