It generally takes me a long time to learn most things.
It took me almost two years and three attempts to finally pass my driving test. It took six months of driving my first car before I was truly comfortable driving alone, knowing there was no-one else with access to a secondary brake pedal…
At the moment there are two completely new things I am trying to learn.
I learn new Spanish words and phrases and within seconds POOF!! I have forgotten them. So far, all that has stuck in my brain is how to say hello and good bye - at different times of the day I should add * grinning proudly*, and ask how someone is.
While I am out and about, I can now recognise Spanish when I hear it (there are a LOT of Spanish speakers in London J) and I can also recognise a few words. Getting to this stage has only taken one failed attempt at a Spanish speaking class five years ago a second failed attempt at a class last year and resuming home studies again last November.
The second thing I am attempting, is establishing a herb garden and growing tomatoes (Adventurous, eh??! ;-). Again this is my second attempt. My first batch of herbs died a watery death - I forgot to poke through the holes in the bottom of the pots. If you don’t know, you simply don’t know *shrug*. This time I have gained advice from experienced gardeners and a collection of gardening tips I have gathered on a Pinterest board.
It took me almost two years and three attempts to finally pass my driving test. It took six months of driving my first car before I was truly comfortable driving alone, knowing there was no-one else with access to a secondary brake pedal…
At the moment there are two completely new things I am trying to learn.
I learn new Spanish words and phrases and within seconds POOF!! I have forgotten them. So far, all that has stuck in my brain is how to say hello and good bye - at different times of the day I should add * grinning proudly*, and ask how someone is.
While I am out and about, I can now recognise Spanish when I hear it (there are a LOT of Spanish speakers in London J) and I can also recognise a few words. Getting to this stage has only taken one failed attempt at a Spanish speaking class five years ago a second failed attempt at a class last year and resuming home studies again last November.
The second thing I am attempting, is establishing a herb garden and growing tomatoes (Adventurous, eh??! ;-). Again this is my second attempt. My first batch of herbs died a watery death - I forgot to poke through the holes in the bottom of the pots. If you don’t know, you simply don’t know *shrug*. This time I have gained advice from experienced gardeners and a collection of gardening tips I have gathered on a Pinterest board.
It took me so long to learn how to pattern cut, I do not actually remember when I finally got to the stage I could create a complete pattern on my own. I studied fashion for five years, with at least one pattern cutting class per week. I also made things for myself in my own time... some projects were more successful than others.
When I graduated and started my first job as a pattern cutter and design room assistant, I discovered that many of the pattern cutting processes I was taught in college were too slow for industry work. I heard time and time again, “Oh! I haven’t seen it done like that in years! We don’t do it like that…” (Usually accompanied by an “oh, bless..” smile.)
I guess learning to pattern cut in college is like learning to drive - I learnt the skills I needed to pass the courses, then I needed to learn how to pattern cut for day to day purposes.
Over the years (as I previously mentioned in my blog “Networking is no longer a dirty word”), I have been lucky enough to work with some really talented and skilled pattern cutters and machinists who were willing to pass on their knowledge to me. I used to be so unsure of what I was doing, working in fear that making a mistake could hinder my career progress. Once I gained confidence (Yes, Allyson confidence IS the key! I still have the card you gave me J), I realized that I learn from every mistake, so fear of making mistakes should not be my focus. I should simply ‘give it a go’ and see what happened.
It makes me smile now, when I am teaching and see pattern cutting and sewing students have similar struggles I had. I now hear myself giving the same advice I was given by all the people who have taught me. I have been pattern cutting for over 20 years and I am still learning! I have found teaching has really helped me see just how much I have learnt….so far.
So, frustrated pattern cutters , new learners in general.. Just be patient with yourself. Things WILL go wrong, sometimes you will have to start again from the beginning. But ”If at first you don’t succeed…”
When I graduated and started my first job as a pattern cutter and design room assistant, I discovered that many of the pattern cutting processes I was taught in college were too slow for industry work. I heard time and time again, “Oh! I haven’t seen it done like that in years! We don’t do it like that…” (Usually accompanied by an “oh, bless..” smile.)
I guess learning to pattern cut in college is like learning to drive - I learnt the skills I needed to pass the courses, then I needed to learn how to pattern cut for day to day purposes.
Over the years (as I previously mentioned in my blog “Networking is no longer a dirty word”), I have been lucky enough to work with some really talented and skilled pattern cutters and machinists who were willing to pass on their knowledge to me. I used to be so unsure of what I was doing, working in fear that making a mistake could hinder my career progress. Once I gained confidence (Yes, Allyson confidence IS the key! I still have the card you gave me J), I realized that I learn from every mistake, so fear of making mistakes should not be my focus. I should simply ‘give it a go’ and see what happened.
It makes me smile now, when I am teaching and see pattern cutting and sewing students have similar struggles I had. I now hear myself giving the same advice I was given by all the people who have taught me. I have been pattern cutting for over 20 years and I am still learning! I have found teaching has really helped me see just how much I have learnt….so far.
So, frustrated pattern cutters , new learners in general.. Just be patient with yourself. Things WILL go wrong, sometimes you will have to start again from the beginning. But ”If at first you don’t succeed…”
Want to learn pattern cutting or sewing skills? During July I will be teaching short course in pattern cutting or sewing.
Summer courses
Pattern Cutting Short courses. Based at my Deptford studio.
Create a basic A-line skirt (suitable for beginners)
Create a made to measure top or jacket pattern (Not suitable for beginners)
Summer courses
Pattern Cutting Short courses. Based at my Deptford studio.
Create a basic A-line skirt (suitable for beginners)
Create a made to measure top or jacket pattern (Not suitable for beginners)
Sewing Courses. Based at City Lit.
Introduction to clothes making (Suitable for beginners)
http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/introduction-to-clothes-making
Textile and sewing summer course. ( Suitable for beginners)
http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/textiles-and-sewing-summer-school
Other Links
Pinterest boards
Teaching
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/teaching/
Gardening
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/garden/
Learning Spanish
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/hablo-un-poco-espanol/
Sewing and pattern cutting
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/sewing-and-pattern-cutting/
Other blogs that might interest you.
Katty Janneh https://kattyjanneh.wordpress.com/
Teaching blog
http://principalj.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/encouraging-growth-mindset.html
my Blogging pal J .
http://thiabee.tumblr.com/
http://heterogeneousreports.blogspot.co.uk/
Introduction to clothes making (Suitable for beginners)
http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/introduction-to-clothes-making
Textile and sewing summer course. ( Suitable for beginners)
http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/textiles-and-sewing-summer-school
Other Links
Pinterest boards
Teaching
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/teaching/
Gardening
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/garden/
Learning Spanish
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/hablo-un-poco-espanol/
Sewing and pattern cutting
https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/sewing-and-pattern-cutting/
Other blogs that might interest you.
Katty Janneh https://kattyjanneh.wordpress.com/
Teaching blog
http://principalj.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/encouraging-growth-mindset.html
my Blogging pal J .
http://thiabee.tumblr.com/
http://heterogeneousreports.blogspot.co.uk/
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