Hey Everybody,
I’m back from Kentucky, where I had the pleasure of teaching at the Master Clothing Construction Volunteer Training. This is the 36th year of the program, and it’s going strong with a new class of 26 new MCV Volunteers. If you haven’t heard about this program, you can check out all the details Here.)
Let me tell you, before the event even began, I was already feeling like the luckiest duck around! For the past several years, Jeanne has been the driving force behind this incredible program. This year she officially passed the baton to Liz, and since I knew she was stepping back, I didn’t think I’d get to see her at all during my trip. What a wonderful surprise when she offered to pick me up at the airport!
We made a lunch stop on the way and spent some time catching up, which was such a treat. Jeanne was also transporting several items for the silent auction, but tucked among them was something extra special just for me.
Take a look at these treasures…
Vintage copies of Threads Magazine… not just old issues, but the first three issues ever published! I highly recommend this magazine… I feel like it’s Christmas morning every time an issue arrives in my mailbox… Plus, every now and then, I get to write an article, so much fun!
Of course, I immediately started flipping through the pages, and one particular project jumped out at me. Even though these magazines were published back in 1985 and 1986, the project feels surprisingly current and right on trend today.
You’ll have to stay tuned for that reveal. I’ll be sharing it with you soon, but for now, that’s the only hint you’re getting! 😊
Once I arrived in Cave City, Kentucky, I got myself organized and set up my classroom. Since I wasn’t teaching until the afternoon on the first day, I unexpectedly found myself with a free morning. As luck would have it, Lynn, one of the Extension Agents who supports the volunteers in the local counties, offered to take me to Cave Mountain for a hike.
There was just one catch… I was already dressed for class in my red animal-print Anna Dress! A quick change into hiking shoes and off we went. Yep, my very first time hiking in a dress!
The day couldn’t have been more beautiful. The woods were cool and inviting, and the trail led us past massive sinkholes and alongside a winding river. Between the gorgeous scenery and the wonderful company, it was the perfect way to start my Kentucky adventure.
Of course, my favorite part of the first day was reconnecting with my MCV sewing friends and meeting some new ones during Part 1 of the Anna Dress class.
One of the things I always enjoy most is seeing the fabrics everyone brings. No two people ever show up with exactly the same fabric, and this class was no exception! We had everything from stable knits with very little stretch to fabrics that seemed like they could stretch forever.
When you’re sewing knit garments, there are two important things to consider. First, you need to choose the correct size based on your body measurements. Second, you need to make sure your knit fabric will actually perform the way the pattern requires. In other words, will the fabric stretch enough to comfortably fit around the body where the pattern is designed to have negative ease?
Which meant it was time for everyone’s favorite activity…
Knit Math! 🎉
Don’t worry, though. This isn’t the scary kind of math. It’s the practical, confidence-building kind that helps you choose the right fabric and avoid disappointment later. Once you understand how to compare the pattern measurements, your body measurements, and the stretch percentage of your fabric, you’ll know whether your knit is a perfect match for the project.
The good news? We were able to adjust everyone’s pattern to agree with their shape and the amount of stretch their knit fabric had, and we were ready to move on to the fun part… sewing!
A couple of the ladies decided that they wanted to make some changes to the style of their Anna Dresses. Check out this one. Before cutting out the pieces, we positioned the bodice and the skirt pieces on the fabric so they “connected” to get rid of the waist seam. After sewing it together some of the flare along the side seam needed to be reduced, but final version was very cool! …Wait until you see her complete outfit… she made a Cross Over Cardi in the next class that paired perfectly with her Anna Dress
Here is the pattern layout that we used to get rid of that waist seam.
My final class during the MCV Training was the Cross Over Cardi, and this class was especially exciting for me because there was so much creativity happening around the room!
Participants brought a wonderful variety of fabrics, from knit fabrics to softly draping wovens, and each one gave the pattern a completely different look and feel. That’s one of the things I love most about teaching this class. Everyone starts with the same basic pattern, but the finished garments end up reflecting each sewist’s unique vision and style.
There was plenty of pattern customization, too. Hemlines were lengthened and shortened, front edges were redesigned, and creative details were added throughout the process. As each project began to take shape, it became clear that no two cardigans were going to be alike.
And just wait until you see one of the cardigans that was constructed using two different knit fabrics! It was such a clever design choice and created a look that was both eye-catching and stylish.
By the end of class, the room was filled with inspiration, and I couldn’t wait to see everyone’s finished Cross Over Cardi. The creativity and confidence these sewists brought to their projects made this class the perfect way to wrap up my time in Kentucky. Here’s a little truck show!!
Let’s start with this pretty pointel knit. I love the lacy look of this knit, plus, it’s cozy! She paired it with a coordinating rib knit to finish the edges. (I asked her for a photo before she pressed the edges 🙂
Then there were these beautiful Cross Over Cardis made from a single knit fabric. Every one of them reflected the personality and style of the person who made it.
But honestly, my favorite thing isn’t the garments themselves… it’s the smiles.
I think those smiles say it all. 😊
Sewing is so much more than simply making clothes. It’s about the confidence that comes from creating something with your own hands. It’s about learning new skills, solving problems, expressing your creativity, and discovering that you can make garments that truly fit your body and your style.
There’s something incredibly empowering about walking away with a finished garment that not only looks amazing, but makes you feel amazing, too. And judging by the smiles in these photos, I’d say these sewists felt exactly that.
Here’s a long “Duster” version of the Cross Over Cardi made from a soft loosely woven cotton. Another fun thing that happens at the MCV Training is the fabric sale. I spent a lot of time poking through the fabrics, finding a few for myself and a few that would make nice cardis. I brought this fabric into the classroom. It caught the eye of the MCV Volunteer! She cut her pieces out on the bias to take advantage of the silver thread running through!
This is another fabric I picked up from the fabric sale… I was really hoping someone would make a Cardi out of it because I wanted to see how they would use the detail along the selvage edges. The MCV Volunteer chose to use it to finish the neckline edge. So pretty!!
Now Let’s check out the Anna Dress paired with a Cross Over Cardi! I love how these pieces pair together to make a cozy outfit! She used the crepe knit from the Anna Dress to finish the edges of the Cardi.
The Cross Over Cardi can also be made into a pullover by sewing the overlapping edges together. These two ladies did just that. The knit band to finish the hem keeps the edges perfectly crossed over. I love the holiday rain deer print… (Inspiring me to go looking for some holiday printed knit to make a cozy top for Christmas this year!!)
This pullover features two different knit fabrics. The front was cut from a solid black fabric and a very cool print. To finish the edges, she used both fabrics to finish the neckline edge, creating another design detail. Love it!
I probably don’t need to tell you how much I love this group!
Attending a sewing event like this is truly chicken soup for my soul. The enthusiasm, generosity, creativity, and sense of community are unlike anything else. These amazing women have dedicated two years of their lives to the Master Clothing Construction Volunteer training program to earn the title of MCV Volunteer. Once they complete the program, they return to their local communities and share their knowledge, skills, and love of sewing with others.
This year, 26 new volunteers joined the ranks! During their training, students spend their first two years immersed in the fundamentals of garment construction, fitting, fabrics, and sewing techniques. After completing the core curriculum, they have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of advanced and specialty classes.
What makes this program even more special is that many of the MCV Volunteers eventually become instructors themselves. Honestly, I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t sneak away and take some of their classes! One that particularly caught my eye was a quilted jacket class. Participants brought quilts from home and combined them with deconstructed sweatshirts to create cozy, one-of-a-kind jackets. Every sample I saw was absolutely amazing.
The week flew by far too quickly, but that’s always a sign of time well spent. I left Kentucky feeling inspired, energized, and grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible community of sewists.
And yes… I’m already looking forward to next year! 😊
