The Colorado chapter invited ASDP VP of Education Lalon Alexander, Ph.D., to its April meeting. Lalon is VP of Education in addition to her duties as a University fashion professor and president-elect for the Costume Society of America. Lalon talked about various forms of ASDP education, including Eye of the Needle, national conference, University of Fashion, and new programs being considered.
Eye of the Needle is the name for new videos available to ASDP members on the national website under Resources. This program started in January of this year (2021) and is funded by ASDP’s Charitable Foundation. Videos by ASDP members lasting 15 minutes to over an hour include hints, techniques, and ideas for creativity.
Lalon informed us that details about this year’s national conference will be available May 15, 2021, in the form of an online and e-blasted brochure. Participants can attend one to several days and can attend Master Classes and/or core conference classes. Master Classes this year include Bonnie Carmicino’s beginning couture techniques, Barbie McCormick’s men’s alterations, and Claire Shaeffer’s couture tailoring (based on her new book). Claire will also offer a shorter version of her master class: Tailoring in a Thimble. [More class titles can be found at Association of Sewing and Design Professionals - Conference Deposit (sewingprofessionals.com).]
Fifty-seven ASDP members have preregistered for this year’s conference and they can register for classes starting July 1. Members not preregistered can register for classes starting July 15 and non-members can register starting August 1. Ideas for classes next year are now being solicited on the web site. That conference will be held in mid-October 2022 in Baltimore.
Lalon is looking at training for the MAS and MSDP certification programs, an apprenticeship program, and education for brick-and-mortar businesses. Details about these programs are still being determined; members who already offer appropriate training are being identified and hopefully educational discounts can be offered to ASDP members. In parallel to this, Lalon is looking at updating the ASDP Standards and Quality document and adding to the Pattern and Illustration Standards.
When asked about University of Fashion, Lalon noted that ASDP members get about a 90% discount. However, many members do not take full advantage of this program; only 35 of 65 paid UofF memberships activated their accounts last year. Anyone who loses their activation code should contact Lalon.
Lalon also asked for ideas for future education. Ideas included upcycling garments, software for digitizing patterns, and copyrighting patterns. Also desired were sources for US-made fabrics, sustainable fabrics, “dead stock”, and how to transfer stash fabrics among members.
Anyone with additional ideas for ASDP education can contact Lalon at education@sewingprofessionals.com.
