h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hiya Az. When it rains it pours, eh?! It's also been my experience that when something goes awry, everything else follows, so I can totally relate to the stress level and possibility of nervous breakdown. I think you're handling the setbacks really well... it's hard to maintain grace under pressure, so flipping out and going "gaaa!" once or twice a day is probably a healthy reaction.

Fingers crossed that the tables arrive Monday as scheduled, the fabric turns up as well, and you find a talented sewer. I think it was totally bogus of that lady to misrepresent her skills to you. While I can understand what it's like to desperately need work, desire to do the job doesn't necessarily automatically make one qualified to do it. That's such a shame. I do hope someone will come along very soon, who will work out wonderfully.

Rudest elf - you are amazing!

We will check out those phone numbers on Monday. I never thought about asking at mercerias - duh. The Velasco one is just around the corner and all the guys know me quite well as I've been shopping there for the past 12 years.

I also found a couple of fashion design schools in the centre that we will check out after the holidays (when they open again). At least one of them also offers industrial patternmaking and cut & sew services. And I'm hoping they will also be able to tell me where to find the pattern paper I like using.

Meanwhile, I shall start grading patterns and cutting!

Our fabric finally arrived early this morning!

Then we spent the rest of the morning at IKEA - found a nice option for a cutting table with adjustable legs (which will actually be putting two 80x160 tables together). Since we were paying to have the stuff delivered we decided to get a third table top - just in case. And they told us it would all be delivered tomorrow morning!

After leaving IKEA we went into the massive shopping centre next door. These places are all outside Sevilla, about half an hour on the bus. But you can find places there that offer much better deals on stuff than in the centre of the city. So, because our printer is slowly dying, we went to find a new one and ended up with a fab Epson three-in-one thingy (printer, scanner, photocopier) for just 90 euros. AND it has separate colour cartridges. We'd previously seen an HP one for the same price, but without separate ink cartridges, which I think is a really good option to have. And the salesclerk agreed with us about that - he was sooooo helpful. He even talked us out of getting a more expensive Epson model, explaining that the only difference was being able to download and print photos without having the machine connected to the PC. And since ours will always be connected to the PC we obviously didn't need that option.

I'm always so grateful to find knowledgable, friendly and helpful staff like him. I thanked him so much for all his help that I may have embarrassed him, but he was seriously smiling so I think he also appreciated it.

So it was a very productive morning.

<>

Ha! Noggin is my biggest support. He's still learning the ropes about the clothing biz but he will always help me with anything I/we need. And later on he is going to take over webpage management and organising orders/stock/production, as well as dealing with shipping the goods.

Anyhoo, sorry for such a long rambling post. But there is so much going on right now and I really like sharing all the ups & downs with all of you who have been so supportive. And also some of the help I've received here has been, well, sooooo helpful.

Thanks everyone!


az

I wish I could do more. But hopefully once the website is up and running I'll have plenty to do with that side of things, processing orders and keeping the books and so on.

The next few months should be.... interesting.

Noggin

Almost all my clients have come to me in response to the smallish (about 10cm x 15cm) rather dull ad I place on the local library noticeboard, from time to time - I don't advertise anywhere else.

I don't get hundreds of responses (heaven forbid), but respondents are invariably genuinely interested, and tend to live or work in the barrio.....and it's free!

Yes, that's also mostly how I advertise for English students, Rudest elf, as well as in the local buy/sell paper (for free). But if we want to put an 'oferta de trabajo' in the buy/sell paper we'd have to pay. Not sure if we'll do that yet, we'll see what response we get going around to the various schools, mercerias, etc. I'll print up a nice little poster ad to put up here and there.

So , we just spent the past hour and a half putting our four IKEA adjustable trestle legs together and setting up the tables in the spare room. These table legs have a little shelf underneath them - perfect for storing rolls of fabric between two of them. The spare room is very small so the tables *just* fit, but it's doable (workwise) as there is enough space on three sides for me to manoeuvre. EXCEPT, we just realised that we now need to move the already laden tables over about two inches so we can close the door . Being able to close the door is only an issue so as to keep the cats out, otherwise I wouldn't be bothered.

But it does feel good to have that done. Later on, when we can afford it, we'll use one of the bedrooms next door as the cutting room - it's slightly bigger and square (the one here is rectangular and very narrow) so the tables will fit better there, with more space around them. But for now we have to keep renting out that room. We have someone interested in taking it until April, which would suit us perfectly as by then we should know if we can afford to take it over as extra work space.

<> (PC)

Well, I've certainly been gaaa-ing and aaargh-ing quite a bit this past week or so. But I actually think I'm the sort of person who works quite well under pressure, as long as I feel somewhat in control of things. For example, if the fabric had still not arrived I'd be feeling kind of helpless. But now we have a proper cutting table set up, as well as the fabric, so I can see what is possible for me to do whilst we continue looking for a good sewer (or sewers).

Yeah, I was also surprised at Lily. I mean, even cutting her some slack about being nervous (first day job jitters) she could barely sew a straight line. And she certainly didn't know how to 'read' a sample and know exactly how to sew it by seeing one already put together. Unfortunately for her, I need someone with all these skills right now. I weep thinking about people I knew in Toronto - Giovanna and Jenny - women who could sew like a dream. Fast and perfect. But, as has been said here, surely such people must exist in Sevilla - I just need to find them.

Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but for a few years back in Toronto I worked with various designers there as their production manager. It was my job to order production materials (fabrics and also buttons, trim, thread, etc) and then make daily trips to the contractors to make sure they were sewing the garments properly and were on schedule. So I'm not just some 'airy-fairy' designer person who would like to sell her clothing without having any idea about organising production.

And this is some of the stuff I've been teaching Noggin - and it's right up his street. He is now very good at setting up Excel programmes so we know how much each garment costs to make, what each garment requires in terms of materials, breaking it all down so we know what to order from our suppliers.

Our manner of selling from a website also makes it a very different thing from when I worked with designers selling twice a year collections. Those productions were always based on sales already made for the upcoming season, to various shops, then I'd add a bit more to cover any repeat orders. Whatever didn't get sold to shops would then be sold off at studio clearance sales.

But the way Noggin and I are doing it we first have to make a certain amount of stock and then keep replenishing the stock as it is sold. So I really need 'a Giovanna or a Jenny' to work side-by-side with me on a full time basis, and then have other freelance sewers on hand if we need extra stuff made up fast. This is the next challenge.

Also have to think about promotion, etc. Getting the photos done for the website. That will be *my* job. Noggin is in charge of other stuff and will also be in charge of packing and shipping the goods. It's really cool - this division of labour thing - because the things we do best seem very equally divided. They are also the things that both of us feel most comfortable doing.

Anyhow, we have just opened a bottle of and shall relax for the rest of the evening and then make a fab New Year's Eve dinner. Though with both of us feeling so exhausted it's rather doubtful we'll be awake at midnight to eat our 'lucky grapes'.

Thanks again, everyone, for all your support and ideas. We really appreciate it.

Happy New Year!

az

Just stumbled on this from somewhere else

nothing to add except: wow, and good luck. It sounds great
(and when can we see a pic or two?)

Sho, if you email me I can send you the password to see some photos.


Meanwhile, the search for people to sew continues . . .

We are now almost two months behind schedule . . .

Anyhoodle, this week we were finally able to check out some design schools here (that had been closed throughout the Christmas holidays) as their ads in the yellow pages state they also offer pattern-making as well as cutting & sewing services.

Well, the first one was no longer in existence. The second one no longer offered cutting&sewing but offered to make industrial patterns for an outrageous price . . . no thanks.

The third place seemed more promising. They also no longer offer a cutting&sewing service (though they still teach this at their school) but the woman at the information desk offered to look for recent graduates who might be interested in working as sewers. She said there are tons of people who sew out there but very few who sew well, so she didn't want to recommend anyone unless she felt sure about them. Also found out that this woman (Inma) is showing her first collection of coats and jackets in Dusseldorf next month, so we had a chat about that. Anyhow, nice helpful woman, etc.

We stopped by the third place again this morning with a few samples, as Inma had previously said that if we were also interested in patterns it would be best if they could actually see what I was doing so they could give me a proper estimate. This time we ended up chatting for more than an hour. And it turns out - por azar! - that Inma isn't actually an employee at this school. Turns out her mother owns it and she is just there helping out from time to time while she works on her own collection.

And we seem to have really hit it off. Soon we were swapping bits of advice and also knowledge about where to find certain things wholesale. I mean, we are basically in, if not the same, at least a similar boat. Working on first collections, not sure how to get stuff made, etc. Of course Inma has the connections through the school, but in some ways it seemed I knew more about how to find certain things from all my research. But in any case, Inma seems very keen to share her knowledge and connections and she said she loved my samples and liked my concept . . . and most importantly she said she'd get back to me next week with 2 or 3 sewers to choose from.

Cool, eh?

Meanwhile, Inma also told me that what I needed was some old lady who's been sewing all her life, who could probably sew blindfolded, and who just wanted to keep busy and make a bit of extra cash . . . Inma said they are out there but almost impossible to find.

Except it seems I found one about half an hour ago.

Well, not counting my chickens beforehand this time. I have an appointment with Ester tomorrow at noon. She said she'd stop by and sew up a couple of things for me. Told me she was an 'older woman' who mostly did 'alta costura' but she also liked the sound of my stuff (simple styles, all linen) and that she might be interested in having some steady sewing work for a couple of months. So . . .

And so, bit of an up-and-down week. Not much further ahead in terms of production, but getting other stuff together. At least all the materials (fabric and trim) are here, and the labels will be here next week. Meanwhile, the webpage designer is busy working on our page.

AND I'M A TOTAL NERVOUS WRECK!!!

Well, here's hoping that Ester turns out to be exactly what we need . . .


az

that sounds like a very interesting and fortuitious (sp?) meeting

I'd offer my sewing services, but I'm too far away.

anyway, I've sent you a mail.

Thanks for taking the time to keep us informed, az.

"AND I'M A TOTAL NERVOUS WRECK!!!" If I knew how to help you with that, I wouldn't be in the state I'm in now, would I?

Anyway, things *are* looking up!

for the link
I can't wait to see the "real" photos!

Thanks for the comments, Sho! I forgot to warn you that the photo of the dress on my friend's daughter was taken a few years ago - it's actually a cotton version of that dress, one that I had given to her and the photo was taken when she was just hanging out at home (hence the black undies). It wasn't meant as a 'model' shot, just to give an idea of how different the stuff looks on a person rather than on a hanger.

Had the interview with Ester this morning. I reckon she must be at least 70 and she had serious problems climbing the three long flights of stairs to the flat (no lift) so that definitely rules out her ever coming to work here.

Anyhow, we totally hit it off. She walked in wearing a bronze-coloured leatherette jacket with faux-fur collar and carrying a bronze leather bag. Underneath the jacket she wore a dark green crochet-knit top with a long green suede 'gypsy' flounced skirt, a drapy animal print chiffon scarf around her neck, long dangly earrings (two piercings in each ear), several necklaces, frosted eye makeup and lipstick and glitter nailpolish, with upswept henna-ed hair. She looked FABULOUS!

She came with a portfolio of some of her work (which she admitted was not recent) - really haute couture stuff as well as wedding and flamenco dresses. Then I showed her my stuff. She loved it. And we talked a lot about the biz and her grandchildren and this and that. Thing is, she also has a workshop with a couple of people sewing for her who do piecework. I told her that, at least to start off, I really wanted someone who could work with me in the studio here, and she not only understood but totally agreed with me.

Then she proceeded to give me a bunch of advice from her many year's experience working in the clothing biz (she's originally from Italy) and she said that even if we never ended up working together she wanted me to think of her as a 'grandmother' that I could call anytime if I needed help with anything.

Honestly, she is such a treasure! And the thing I enjoyed most was showing her my samples and having her explain to me how they needed to be sewn - and that our techniques matched perfectly. I even showed her the ruined sample from that first sewer and Ester immediately pointed out where she had gone wrong. And with the dresses with cotton lace inlay, I asked Ester if I was doing it as simply as possible for production - I kept thinking there must be an easier way - and she said what I was doing was also the only way she could think of.

Oh, sorry for rambling on so, but it's been so long since I've been able to talk to someone face-to-face about my work, someone who really knows what I am talking about. It's quite inspiring. So, between Ester and Inma I am feeling a lot more confident about my collection.

But of course, we still need people to sew the stuff! Watch this space . . .

*goes off to bite nails . . .*


az

The dress looks fabulous on (black undies notwithstanding!) I'd really go for one for me, and for each of the Gruesomes.

Ester sounds fantastic, and it's so refreshing to hear of someone willing to share their expertise and to be a mentor of sorts, just spontaneously (because, I assume, you two "clicked" right away and get along well)

we need a don't we?

Yeah, Ester and I did seem to 'click' right away, Sho. And that also happened with Inma. One thing Inma helped me out with yesterday was deciding how to size my S/M/L/XL - because, as I'm sure you know, sizes are never standard. Anyhow, she convinced me not to start my 'small' at 36 (I had been thinking of my 'small' being 36-38, according to the various size charts I've been looking at). Inma said that size 36 is totally unrealistic and was invented by shops like Zara and Mango in order to sell to still undeveloped teenage girls with no hips or breasts.

I mean, I have made up all my samples in what I consider to be a standard 'medium'. But before I finish making up my production patterns I need to finally decide on what S/M/L/XL are going to be in terms of real measurements, so those can also be shown on the website. And Inma really helped me out with that.

So . . . yes, we really do need a


az

Since I was given a Bravissima top for my birthday, I prefer to say I'm a Super Curvy 12 (which I am I suppose) which sounds a lot more fun (and easier to say, and imagine) than: "I'm a 10/12 at the bottom an I an wear a 12 jacket unbuttoned, but my boobs are too big for anything smaller than a 16/18"

Did you mention children's clothing later down the line?

Kids clothes are definitely a future possibility - but first things first . . .


az

no worries! These days when I make clothes, I make them for the Gruesomes anyway.

Had a bit of a moment yesterday and so popped over to an immigrant help centre (a place I had also once gone to for information when I was trying to get my papers sorted here). I wondered if they might have a 'job bank' thing happening - and sure enough, they did.

So we had an interview with the guy in charge of this - he took down all our info. And today I got a call from a guy from Senegal who, just like me, has lived in Seville for 13 years. Apparently he has three family members, recently arrived in Spain, who are experienced sewers and so we are going to meet tomorrow afternoon.

I don't know why I didn't think of this option before.

And no, not to take advantage of someone 'just off the boat' and possibly get a fab craftsperson for cheap wages (anyhow, we are offering the going rate for a production sewer). More the idea of getting a person who actually *is* a professional sewer and someone 'starting off' just like Noggin and I are . . . which could turn into a mututally beneficial situation for all of us.

Anyhoodle . . . wish us luck . . .


az

Three sewers! Wow!!!! If they're as good as you're hoping you can get more sewing hours in and get caught up on the time factor. How cool is that?

Well, one of the three (a guy in fact) apparently has a fulltime job in one of the villages outside Seville, but as he lives in the city would prefer a job closer to home. On the other hand, he's not willing to give up a fulltime job for something that might not end up being fulltime.

Meanwhile, the other two still don't have their work papers sorted, so one good thing (if it all works out) could be that we'll be able to offer at least one of them a proper work contract, which will enable him/her to get their Spanish residency.

Well, let's hope they are as good as I'm hoping because, if so, we could employ the two for a few weeks to get the first production done and then maybe keep one of them on fulltime afterwards.



az

az, you are a smart cookie!