PR Portland Roundup
21 May
dvmCindy
Wheee! What a fun trip. I love seeing the U-S-of-A! The weather totally cooperated and we had some beautiful sunny days. I hear it rained in Baltimore the entire week I was gone! From the bottom of my heart I have to thank the organizers! It was the best of the three PR Weekends (LA, NYC, Portland) I’ve been to.
Jaeng who designed the JJ Blouse on BurdaStyle and I
Deepika and Emilie from Jalie Patterns
So, what is it we like about PR Weekends? You get to meet your friends in real life. You’ll sit up late into the night talking about sewing, boys and makeup. It’s just a hoot.
Loohoo44 (Leslie) and Christina at Sunday Brunch
What else do you do? Try on your friend’s clothes! Emilie from Jalie Patterns was there and I’m going to try my first Jalie now.
Photo Courtesy of AssortedNotions.Blogspot.com
I’m also all over and I mean ALL OVER making a trench coat from my red Burberry fabric. The trench is MAGICAL. I don’t even like myself in black! I got five inches taller and dropped two sizes in Leslie’s trench. I am also going to seriously work on my posture (and getting my hair all one color again). Patti Palmer told me I had forward shoulders and rounded upper back. I shrugged it off until I saw the photos from the weekend on Flickr. Yikes.
On Saturday, Patti Palmer did an overview of her fit workshop. It was really interesting to hear what she had to say about pattern companies, thier business models and what the trends were.
- When her first McCall’s jacket pattern came out in the 80s, it sold 20,000 in the first week
- Pattern shelf life is now 18 - 34 mos
- 2,000 pattern sales a month is average. 3 – 4k make it a bestseller.
- And ONE pattern at McCall’s takes about $40,000 to produce. Think about some of the not so loveable patterns they come up with. That took $40,000 to produce. Crazy.
- Patterns have to sell about 1,500 – 2,000 a month to stay viable
On the yellow school bus for fabric! I bought (just 12 yards) five cuts:
- Denim backed sherpa
- Two basic knits
- Bamboo denim (above) and cotton voile
There is a destination (and photos) of these fabrics. I’ll chat about that over the weekend.
MelissaB, Nancywin, myself and dvmCindy
Whew. So, I’m back home pre-treating and dreaming of my next project!
Wow-sounds like you had a whirlwind week! Love Patti Palmer/s fitting methods. Now that you’re all inspired–make some beautiful things!
So jealous. I had the week from hell back home. And it isn’t getting any better. I should have just gone to Portland! Have fun sewing.
That first photo of Cindy about sums up the weekend!
Wow that make me want to take the next PR trip!! Looks like lots of fun and learning.
Wowza! Looks like you had a good time!
Well, I am definitely saving up for PR Philly next year! I could actually drive to that one if need be, which would save more money for fabric and food.
Wish I could have been there!
This looks like serious fun. I’m kind of nervous about meeting online friends though (though I have no idea why because I met one very important person online)! I need to get over that.
Oh it was such a fun weekend – thanks for traveling across the country to come! I enjoyed getting to see you again too.
That trench is 1000% fabulous. Definitely make it!
I’m totally jealous, thanks very much for the photo essay about PR Weekend! If next year is Philly I’m totally there, as it’s an easy bus- or train-ride from DC.
All I’ve read so far shows how much fun these weekends are…..
would be nice to go to at least one
I’m so envious! I want sewing friends! I’m moving to America. Seattle is one of my favourite cities in the world. I think I’ll move there and you can come visit!
Sigh…….
That bamboo denim looks and sounds divine. And I hear you on trench coats. Love them! I’ve yet to actually sew one
but I have a bunch of (altered) RTW versions in my wardrobe in a variety of fun colours.
ooooohhhhh….. you lucky duck; make that lucky ducks!!
I am so jealous of the yellow school bus!
not complaining about my photo being featured on your blog. .. at all:):)
We really should get together quarterly instead of once a year.
So many great pictures and looked like so much fun….can’t wait to see all the creative results of such an inspiring trip!
Looks like you had a great time! I can’t wait to see what you create with those new fabrics! I’ve never been to Portland, but Seattle is a beautiful place.
whoohoo, looks like you all had a blast. Wish I could have been there. The trenchcoat is awesome on you! Look look as if you were at least 1.85 meter tall.
one pattern costs 40 K to make? WOW! I don’t think, that the patterns in one burda mag are as expensive. I could ask my friend, how much it costs to make one Onion pattern….
First, looks like a wonderful weekend. Second, those pattern figures were staggering. I guess McCalls doesn’t like people like me who find a pattern they love and just wear it out, until it’s a scotch tape pattern, with bits of paper between, eh? Third, is that a guy on the bus? Finally, show us your finds! Welcome home!
Looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing!
Oh! You lucky dogs!!! With the “jealousy rate” running so high, I wonder if next year’s Portland trip will draw more attendees! It sure looks tempting!!!
Your great pictures show the fun it must have been for all of you. Another (little) jealous person here, but I’m looking forward to the European event.
Yes, I had my hands on that red burbury, but I know I wouldn’t even attempt to make it until fall – so I let it go. I’ve GOT to cut down on what is in my cabinet. However, I still bought 12 yards of fabric. What a great time we had!