north shore news FASHION Leather bound for rebirth ‘asterpleces Leather is enjoying a resurgence in populari- ty. This classically stvled lined skirt will be enjoved in vour wardrobe for years. What you should know about sewing leather The kind of leather used in clothing is the type tanned especially for garments, such as. lambskin, cowhide or pigskin suede. The skins are, of course, different sizes. The price is usually calculated by the square foot. To make sure you pur- chase sufficient = square footage you should take all your pattern pieces with you. Leather does not have a grain like fabric, so pieces can be moved around to. save leather. Do, however, cut right and left (fronts for example} with grain going the same way. Leather will stretch more crosswise than lengthwise. Mark on wrong side of leather any weak or defective spots you Wish to avoid.” ~ Then you can lay out your pattern picces on the wrong side and mark the outline (not forgetting seam allowances) with a ball point pen. You can usc a regular size 80 or 90 needic. Leather nee- dies arc also available. If you _ find your feed uneven while stitching, you can fay tissue paper over the seam line to prevent the leather from sticking (the tissue is ripped away afterwards). Machine pieces tect with Teflon coated underside are also availabie. Some machines have a roller foot or a walking foot atrach- ment, either of which helps the leather teed smoothly. It is not advisable to pick out and restitch scams, as holes will remain in’ the leather. Every clothing design is based on five basic pieces, called master pieces. ‘They can be custom draft- ed and fitted or purchased trom any of the major pattern marasfacturers, Modifying the pattern Trace the front skirt out- line. Draw a line through the centre of the waist dart 1 to hem line PD. Then measure from hem line to top of slit C. The length of the slit can be as long or as short as you like, depending on how much leg you arc comfortable showing. Then cut line D to D2 and D1 to D3 two separate the pat- tern as shown. Next extend out 3 centimetres (14% inches) from point C to E of both front and side piece. These will be your over and under lap. Add seam allowance from point D3 and D2 as shown with dotted line. Cutting the waistband Measure your waist at the point where the waistband of your skirt will comfortably sit, and add about + centimetres (1% inches) t+ provide for under and over lap pius a seam allowanes. The total of this measure: ment is the length of leather and interfacing vou wiil need tO Cut. The width of the cut will be 10 centimetres (4 inches). The seam allowance is included in this measurement. Before cutting the leather, try the pattern on muslin to make sure it fits. Construction First, join front seam to point C, then sew back darts, then sew back seam as far 3 zipper opening. To prevent leather trom stretching and to hold zipper in place while. stitching, use Gr eal Lunch D ates Was your Valentine's Day double sided basting tape (available in notions section of your fabric store). Next join the side seam and top stitch to one side, or glue scam allowances open use leather cement (can be purchased at shoe repair stares). Lastly, sew the fining cur from the same pattern and the waistband. The hem can be glued with leather coment or top stitched. Kian Samet has her own design studio, Kian’s Exquisite Couture, and is currently working in’ the movie production industry. She can be contacted at her studio, 929-3426. MoO. Ne OF ATE NTO t Sunday, February 15, 1998 — North Shore News - 47 NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge LEATHER is popular again, says designer Kian Samet. s ER UNL ; _ aaa Ni: Wom EN GENT RLE PR: Taxing Care of Business! MARKETING STRATEGY Thursday, February 19 46p, Fee $75 Winning and keeping custom requires much more than a great product. The successful business Upcoming Workshops: © Preparing the Marketing Plan March 26, 4-6 pm Building Personal Influence March 12, 4-6 pm Delivering Excellent Customer Service-Part { ers not what you expected? Great Lunch Dates offers a fresh approach to dating in the 90's April 16, 4-6 pm Delivering Excellent Customer Service-Part II Apu 23, 4-6 pm Using the Media to Gain Profile May 14,4-6 pm Being Interviewed/Appearing on Camera Bacal 28, 4-6 °pm owner also must develop a winning strategy that addresses the needs of the market place. Each workshop costs $75 and will be held at SFU’s Harbour Centre campus. Introductions through Lunch Dates. As seen on BCTV News. et SCOTIABANK RESOURCE CENTRE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS Faculty of Business Administration @ Simon Fraser aA 515 West ot Hastings: Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 Telephone 604/291.5233 Fax 604/291.5122 E-mail srcwe@sfu.ca Web www.harbour.sfu.ca/srcwe/ Please call for more information Great Lunch Dates 130-4664 University AT HARBOURCENTEE o SAVE Sssssssssg Ae > THROUGHOUT ‘ THE © , STORE! First ia Fabric Selection, Quality & Value: " NORTH: VANCOUVER ~Capilano Mail ~ Top at Eséaloteri C+. , FABRIC Selected CLEARANCE Ra } Yyons, Spea Ceasston, Home Decor and much moref et ‘ ] ACESE TRINS . Selected Stock! _ abso 875-9244. | g FLEECES ~ - Selected Stock! 50 OFF | ‘cee BLANKETING [ 2QQH) BY THh PHECE , OFF . ? /o "price : REG Lasin, reg.