“New Newton businesses hope to teach patrons to design own clothes - Abington Mariner” plus 1 more

New Newton businesses hope to teach patrons to design own clothes - Abington Mariner

Posted: 07 Sep 2010 09:37 AM PDT

Upon returning home two years ago after 25 years teaching textiles in England, Newton resident Gay Applebee Rogers was disappointed to learn that The Fabric Place in Framingham was on the verge of closing.

Instead of sitting back and waiting, Rogers jumped at the chance and opened The Silk Road in Auburndale to satisfy her dream of opening her own fabric store. Inside the fine fashion fabrics and notions shop is a drop-in sewing café in which patrons can pay $10 an hour to alter and create clothing with Rogers' expertise.

"I shopped there as a little girl and as an adult," Rogers said, referring to The Fabric Place, "so I knew people like me were going to be having difficulty finding fabric because a lot of shops were disappearing. I think the sewing café is really important. [It is] a great way to reach out to people and get them back to sewing and customizing their own clothing."

In addition to giving lessons and advice herself, Rogers is bringing in outside experts, such as Barbara LaViska from the Great Garments Guild, to the shop to teach four group classes in September, which include Beginners Sewing, Sew with a Pro, the Classic Chanel Jacket and Made to Measure Trousers.

"We have a pattern that is a perfect match for a Chanel fabric," Rogers said. "They run over $2,000 each [premade], so if you can make one that looks beautiful, then it's really lovely. Not only do you get to say you made it yourself, it is something really special."

Rogers said she acknowledges the Internet as her biggest competitor in regards to textile sales, though she said fabrics need to be "held and looked at to see if it is appropriate for different garments." She worked for Nordstrom's alterations department, which she said was an experience that taught her a lot.

"I wanted to do a little teaching of sewing, and I do textile art myself, and I thought this would be a great way to teach," Rogers said. "I'm trying to put it on the map to really be a place where people can talk about and do textiles. There is nothing like the feeling you get from creating a beautiful thing. Nothing comes close to it. If I could share that with other people, that would make me really happy."

Nicola Day, owner of HipStitch in Newtonville, shares similar sentiments to Rogers. HipStitch, a sewing lounge and school, is a place in which patrons can rent machines and equipment to work on their own projects in a creative space, with after-school classes for kids and adults.

"I started the business because my daughter wanted to learn [how to sew] and there was only a place in Needham, which is too far to get to in time to make the class," Day said. "She also had a wait list for nearly all the classes, which made me realize that there was a demand for them."

She began sewing her own clothing around the age of 11 and used her skills later in life to support her United States cross-country trip by selling hand-sewn purses in boutiques along Saratoga Springs, Nantucket and in coastal cities from San Francisco to San Diego.

"I wanted to revive this lost art because it has missed a generation," Day said. "As women went back into the workplace, sewing and homemaking were never taught by our mothers as [they were] previously. Now we have more disposable income and women are staying home to raise families. People want to get back to basics. That's why Martha Stewart has done so well."

She also said sewing teaches math, creative problem solving, fine motor skills as well as dexterity, but there is another special aspect to the art.

"It allows people to be individual and get back to basics," Day said. "Instead of buying mass-produced clothing, [they] can recycle what they love and already have."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Silk Road

The opening of The Silk Road, 281 Auburn St., Auburndale, will take place on Sept. 12 from 2-6 p.m. The store can be visited online at www.tsrfinefabrics.com.

Hipstitch

Hipstitch, 437 Newtonville Ave., Suite 4, Newtonville, will hold its open house through Sept. 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The lounge can be visited online at www.hip-stitch.com.

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent.

Nasty R Crew, Game-one RECAP..The emperor has no clothes. - NJ.com

Posted: 07 Sep 2010 08:04 AM PDT

Published: Tuesday, September 07, 2010, 10:39 AM Updated: Tuesday, September 07, 2010, 11:07 AM

Indecision – Characterized by indecision; inability to decide or tendency to change the mind frequently, hesitation or vacillation.

The above definition sums up Rutgers' first half offensive performance, "INDECISIVE"! You can even make the argument about the final score of 31-0 being an offensive-performance-facade. I believe this indecisiveness spirit that now infects the team, trickles from the head down.

This Offensive, indecisiveness" must change if Rutgers is to salvage the season. Fortunately it's still early in the 2010 campaign however it gets late "early" with the powerful Tar Heels in town September 25^th.

A "game-one" positional Breakdown;

The Offensive Line – Considering the off-season losses, I thought the unit performed reasonably well. Several of Savage's sack was the result of his "INDECISIVNESS" – He held the ball too long. You can expect that an intelligent kid such as Savage will watch game-film and correct those errors. No changes are needed here along the O-Line.

Offensive attack- Two words describe Rutgers offensive game plan – Horrible and inept, as I've said all along, coach Schianos' indecision concerning the "two-prong'" ground attack "Martinek & Thomas" will be Rutgers undoing. A total overhaul is needed here. Thomas and Williams, or Robinson would be far more effective.

Secondary – Performed just as I expected, with Brandon Bing doing what I always contended was his strength, SPEED-BLITZING, in this case the punter, however his "cover-skills" remain questionable and fortunately there was nobody for him to cover. Logan Ryan the more skilled "cover-corner" should be the starter by game 3.

http://www.nj.com/rutgers-fans/index.ssf/2010/01/nasty_r_crew_memberbrandon_bin.html

Defensive Line/ LB's – Both units played brilliantly, lead by MLB Steve Beauharnais, seven tackles, furthermore and right-on-cue DT Charlie Noonan wore is "invisibility-cloak", - just one solo tackle! I expect the talented DT Eric Legrand to replace the invisible Noonan before long.

Wide Receivers – We all know that Mohamed Sanu is a total stud, and last night he lived up to expectations, however it was the Rivals.com four star receiver Keith Stroud that really stepped up his game. Keith showed that's he's ready to contribute now. Meanwhile the athletically gifted Mark Harrison needs to improve both his confidence and route running skills.

Overall this deep unit will be fine, and fans need not be concerned.

But here is the 800 pound offensive gorilla –

Running attack - The "INDECISIVE" two-back attack of Martinek and Thomas is a TOTAL DISASTER. Coach Schiano needs to settle on ONE STARTING tailback (Thomas, Robinson or Williams), and stick with that choice.

MARTINEK CANNOT remain our featured tailback, period. He attacks the LINE TOO DAMN SLOW. If he remains the feature back WE WILL NOT DEFEAT the stronger teams.

Why is Schianos' "TWO-BACK-ATTACK-SYSTEM" Of Martinek and Thomas, an UNCONDITIONAL FAILURE?

1. It prohibits our dangerous SPEED TAILBACKS, Thomas, Robinson or Williams, from getting into any offensive rhythm.

2. It extinguishes any OFFENSIVE TEMPO.

3. Martinek does not posses the needed "lateral-elusive-SKILLS" to be the featured tailback, especially verse the stronger teams.

4. Thomas performed well, showcasing lateral movement with flair, tremendous speed and agility. He must get more carries.

De Antwan Williams showed that he's EXPLOSIVE out of the backfield. He averaged 11.5 yards per –carry, vs. the Spartans. He and Thomas or Robinson would institute a far more dangerous tailback combination.

SUMMARY

For many fans, coach Schiano apathetic approach towards team performance in favor of starting his "pet-players" is a major obstruction in Rutgers upward-evolution towards national prominence and the current twosome of Martinek and Thomas is another personification of this indifference. While Thomas, Robinson and Williams all posses' lateral explosiveness, Martinek clearly does not, yet its Martinek who starts and not Williams. What does this type of INDESIVSIVE or coaching-ego-run amok mean for the team? Yes we'll defeat the weaker teams and participate in minor bowl games, but we'll never evolve beyond that, or capture a league title

However the fan-base appreciates and recognizes Schiano ten year contribution in elevating the football program to its' current and previously unobtainable height, consequently who's now going to tell the King that he's wearing no cloths?

Rutgers fan club now on facebook..Keep Chop'n & join us.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=444737315141

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=444737315141&v=wall