Log edited with Logedit 2.6.9pl on Mon Nov 18 15:57:11 EST 1996

Using configuration file /u/ja/jackal/.logeditrc
Editing out: arrive/left @mail ANSI tf-messages
Regexp stripping: Queue, Semaphore, ^Huh\? +Type, ^I don't see that
Word-wrapping at 75, 0, 2
Logged by Julaina
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Log of class on how to sew gathers conducted by Julaina on day 26, month 
5, Turn 16, of the Tenth Pass (aka Friday November 15 1996) 

Sachie decides sitting up straight now that she's been spotted would be 
  best and does so. "An honor to meet you. I'm a student here. Sachie." 
Julaina nods a bit. "Oh, Sachie." She makes a mental note to remember that. 
  "Well met, my dear. The more the merrier." 
Karpen flies over and lands on one of the windows. 
Seff flits in from the hallway. 
Seff warbles quietly and finds a place to land. 
Karpen chrips greeting to the Brown! 
Sachie curiously looks at the sudden arrival of 'lizards, 
  "Uhm. What's the lesson for today?" 
Julaina smiles and looks around at all the students waiting and nods as the 
  last few scrambling in to there seats. She resumes her place at the 
  center of the ring of seats. "Alright, today we're going to learn how to 
  make gathers in clothing. Has anyone practiced this technique before?" 
  She looks around the room at the tentative hand or two. 
Julaina says "* Okay, I'm gonna run an +announce. Hang on." 

Public announcement: Julaina taps on the Pernmike and blows into it a bit. 
  "Excuse me folks, but I'm currently conducting a class on how to make 
  gathers in fabrice, and Weaver apprentices are kinda scarce. If you would 
  care to join the class with your weaver/seamstress/other alt, please +go 
  weaver-gh, then teaching wing, then into the small workroom. Thank you 
  for your attention, we now return you to your regularly scheduled rp." 

Aiyanna walks in, quietly. 
Sachie trying to take notes and pay attention looks slightly concerned at 
  the topic and cautiously half-raises a hand. If she's lucky, it'll be 
  overlooked. 
Julaina smiles at the new arrival and motions her into one of the seats set 
  in a ring about the room. 
Aiyanna nods, grinning as she finds an empty seat. 
Julaina spies Sachie's hand. "Yes, Sachie?" 
Sachie lowers her hand, not entirely sure if this is the wisest question to 
  ask in front of people and gets to her feet, "I was uh...wondering. Do 
  you have to be able to make straight stitches for this?" 
Julaina hands Aiyanna her supplies for the class while she awaits Sachie's 
  question. 
Aiyanna thanks the Weaver J-woman as she takes the supplies. 
Julaina chuckles a bit. "It's one of the few areas where neatness doesn't 
  count, Sachie. Most of your work will be torn out. 
Julaina says "The thing to keep in mind, is that this process is very 
  wasteful. But the results can be breathtaking. Notice how long the scraps 
  are in front of you." 
Sachie, appearing terribly relieved, nods and reclaims her seat, "Thank 
  you. I'm still not doing very well at straight." 
Aiyanna nods, as she peers at the scraps. 
Julaina holds up one of the scraps, which extends from her outstretched 
  left hand to her outstretched right hand. "How long do you think this 
  will be when we're done?" Julaina looks around the room for a volunteer 
  to answer. 
Sachie makes some estimates in her mind before her hand slowly creeps 
  upward, as if reluctant to do so. 
One of the girls to Sachie's right raises her hand and is called on. "Half 
  as long?" 
Julaina shakes her head. "Not even that long. Anyone else?" 
Sachie's hand lowers rapidly as that was her answer as well. She scratches 
  some notes on her hide instead. 
Karpen chrips. 
Julaina looks over at Karpen, a bit disappointed that the firelizard isn't 
  human. 
Aiyanna thinks quietly to herself. 
Julaina looks back hopefully at the students, then gives up. "Only 
  one-third as long." She demonstrates folding up the fabric. "Imagine how 
  much extra fabric you'd have to weave to create a whole skirt!" 
Karpen looks around at the slow thinking pale things. 
Seff hops over to karpen and warbles a quiet greeting. 
Karpen chrips to Seff! 
Sachie dutifully writes down 1/3 then frowns slightly and raises her hand 
  again while rereading her notes to see if she miscopied something. 
Seff eyes the strips of the cloth, <<Looks like fun.>> 
From Aiya's shoulder, Tani warbles quietly at Seff. 
Julaina says "In addition, much of the stitching you'll do to create the 
  gathers will be torn out. So that's a lot of thread to use as well." 
Karpen looks over at Tani and chrps a greeting to him/her. 
Julaina puts her hands on her hips in mock anger and looks sternly at the 
  chatty firelizards. "If you don't mind..." 
From Aiya's shoulder, Tani shuts up. 
Sachie leaves her hand up while scribbling the additional details down as 
  well, the hide getting a bit slanted. 
Julaina holds up a model of what she's about to explain before passing it 
  around. "As you can see, first we'll be...Yes Sachie?" 
Karpen chirps something that sounds like we do! But, becomes a little 
  quieter. 
Sachie's hand comes down as she stands again, reviewing her notes, "Isn't 
  that...wasteful. The amount of fabric and thread required." 
Seff's eyes whirl faster with.. laughter?.. but he keeps quiet too. 
Julaina laughs. "Well, I'd say it's more likely to line our pockets, but, 
  yes, it is wasteful." She turns to the class in general. "Some people 
  wear outfits without them, especially here in the Boll, but consider how 
  many items use gathers. Even some handtowels!" Julaina looks down at her 
  own outfit, realizing she's un-gathered and then motions for Aiyanna to 
  stand up. "See her skirt? This type of fullness would be impossible 
  without gathers." 
Aiyanna stands up, momentarily allowing the others a glance. 
Sachie sits back down again to put more words on the hide, still dubious. 
Aiyanna wonders, "May I sit down?" 
Julaina says "Many gather dresses also use gathers...appropriately enough." 
  Julaina has a twinkle in her eye as she motions for Aiyanna to sit. 
Aiyanna grins, slightly as she takes her notes and sits back down. 
Julaina looks around and waits for the class, by now chattering excitedly 
  about personal matters, to calm down. "As I was saying..." 
Sachie raises her hand again, thinking about that last comment. 
Aiyanna turns her full attention to Julaina. 
Julaina says "As you can see from the sample, we're going to be making two 
  parallel lines of *very* loose bastingstitch...*ahem* Yes, Sachi?" 
Sachie pops back up again, having gotten the hang of the process now, "Is 
  that why they're called gathers?" 
Julaina chuckles a bit to herself, covering her mouth. "Um, I don't think 
  so.." *ahem* I believe they're called "gathers" in both cases because 
  they're gathering things together. People in one instance, fabric in 
  another." 
Sachie ohs and sits again, making sure to write down that very logical and 
  rational explanation. 
Aiyanna scribbles down all this, quickly on her hide. 
Julaina says, "As you can see from the sample, we're going to be making two 
  parallel lines of *very* loose basting stitchfirst. Why don't you girls, 
  " She glances at the sole boy in the class. "And boy, get started on 
  that." 
Aiyanna grins, as she finds a needle, some thread and starts with the 
  basting stitch. (_very_ loose). 
Sachie sets her notes to one side and digs around in her bag for some older 
  hides, already covered with scribbly writing, shuffling through them 
  hurriedly with occasionally glances to her latest notes. 
Julaina wanders around in between the chairs helping out with questions and 
  such then stands up for a minute. "You'll want to put the shorter piece 
  of fabric to the side for now." 
Aiyanna nods, setting aside hers. 
Sachie hasn't even started yet, still hunting around through a sea of 
  hides, some right side up, others upside down. 
Julaina wanders over to Aiyanna's side, looking approvingly at her work, 
  then glances up at Sachie. "What are you looking for there?" 
Aiyanna nods as she accidentally pokes herself, ouch. She quickly snags a 
  thimnble from the supplies basket and shoves it on her thumb. 
Sachie mumbles something, not too distinct to begin with, less so with the 
  distance, and keeps searching through the hides until she finally finds 
  the one she wants and intently studies the contents. 
Julaina walks over to a girl with her hand up and the two speak quietly for 
  several moments. 
Gabe wanders in from the hallway. 
Adonia steps in from the hallway. 
Julaina stands up from talking to the apprentice. "Yes? May I help you?" 
Julaina smiles at Adonia, and motions her to sit down. 
Adonia looks around and sits down. 
Gabe says "I"m here to take your class, Jouneryman. Or at least I think 
  it's your class.* 
Julaina goes to her supply table and gets some materials for both people. 
  "Well, have a seat then. We've already had the introduction, but the 
  sample is being passed around, and I'm sure the others will be willing to 
  help you." 
Adonia nods. 
Sachie at last picks up the fabric and finds needle and thread, carefully 
  reading over the words on an older hide before scrutinizing the fabric. 
Gabe says, "Thank You." as he takes the supplies. 
Julaina leans over between Adonia and Gabe. "Put the shorter piece of cloth 
  aside and, thank you" She turns and accepts the sample from the other boy 
  in the class." and then make two parallel lines of loose basting stitch 
  about a thumbs-knuckle apart.* 
Adonia watches closely. 
Gabe looks at the cloth then begins to sew a few stitches. 
Julaina says "The stitching won't show, so you don't have to be too neat 
  about it." 
Adonia follows her instructions and completes the basting stiches. 
Sachie looks at the erratic stitches she's made then to the hide again, 
  comparing the two briefly. 
Gabe quickly catches up to everyone else. 
Aiyanna grins, sheepishly and then glances down at her a bit too neat 
  stitching. 
Julaina quirks a brow as she sidles up to Sachie. "What are you looking 
  at?" 
Julaina mutters to Sachie, "... really do have trouble... the... 
  thing...if... don't..." 
Sachie clears her throat and tries to shove her hides back into her bag 
  without skewing them too much. 
Gabe mumbles a something about wait as he continues to sew. 
Julaina shrugs and moves on, helping here and there. She gazes around. 
  "Everyone pretty much finished?" 
Adonia nods. 
Aiyanna nods, too. 
Gabe nods. 
Julaina looks around at the bobbing heads. "Alright, now take the ends both 
  lines of thread at either end, and pull them at the same time." She picks 
  up the sample and demonstrates. 
Julaina grins. "It's kind of fun watching the fabric scrunch up." 
Julaina says "You'll want to make sure the gathers are even all across the 
  fabric." 
Adonia nods as she pulls the thread and sets down her piece. 
Aiyanna watches closely and then after a few trial and errors, has the 
  fabric smoosh together. 
Gabe follows Julaina's example. 
Sachie has disconnected. 
Gabe says "That's not hard at all." 
Aiyanna chuckles softly. 
Gabe glances around the room. 
Aiyanna sets down her work as she looks up to Julaina. 
Julaina puts her fabric on the table and smoothes out the gathers. "Now, 
  get your other piece of material. 
Gabe picks up his material. 
Aiyanna peers over to her supplies and takes the other material. 
Julaina says "You'll want to fold over its edge about half to a quarter of 
  a knuckle. that's the end the gather will be sewn to." 
Gabe sets his materials down on the table. 
Julaina picks up a second demonstration piece and points out, "You'll need 
  to pin the gathers under the folded side of the piece of straight 
  material." 
Gabe makes the two folds. 
Julaina pins rapidly, leaving enough room for the students to see. "Think 
  of a bodice on a skirt, or the straight edge of a cuff on a gathered 
  sleeve." 
Gabe begins the job pinning carefully. 
Aiyanna watches and follows suit. 
Julaina says "Once you have your material pinned, you can begin 
  stitchingvery close to, or on the edge of the covering material. This 
  stitching needs to be straight and fine, as it *will* show. Stitch in 
  between the parallel lines you've made on the gathered fabric." 
Aiyanna concentrates on stitching as neatly as she can. 
Julaina puts her demonstration model down and wanders between the students, 
  helping with technique. 
Gabe says "I can't stich that close." 
Julaina stops by Aiyanna's chair. "Very nice work. We'll have to recruit 
  you." She winks at the young woman before moving on. 
Aiyanna grins, blushing, "thanks." 
Julaina moves to help Gabe. "Here, try a backstitch, like this." She 
  demonstrates slowly. "It will take more thread, but will help you get the 
  stitches close until your straight stitch gets more refined." 
Gabe tries the new stitch which he quickly learns and begains to use. 
Julaina address all the students, "For cuffs and other small projects one 
  line of stitching would be enough, but count on at least two lines for 
  heavy items like skirts, especially when you're working with velvet and 
  other heavy materials. Stitching a line of ribbon inside or outside, 
  depending on the style, will also help to give the bond between materials 
  more strength.* Julaina encourages the students to help one another out. 
Julaina smiles as Aiyanna finishes up. "Nice work." 
Gabe carefully works on this new stitch. 
Julaina turns to the others, stopping by apprentice Tarin's chair to help 
  him with his stitching. Julaina nods to the young boy, murmering her 
  approval of his work then moves on to the next student, and so forth. 
  "Very good. You're all doing splendidly. Don't forget to tie these 
  stitches off when you get to the end.* 
Julaina looks around. "Okay, everybody done?" 
Gabe shakes his head as he quickly finishes. 
Most of the students nod their heads, except for one frantic-looking 
  slow-working apprentice who sighs and guesses she'll just catch up later. 
Julaina grins at the girl and turns back to the class. "Now pull out the 
  two parallel lines of stitching from the gathered part. You may have to 
  pry certain parts of the thread up with a needle tip." 
Gabe begains to pulls out stitches. 
As an afterthought, Julaina adds, "If you have any embroidery at the seam, 
  it's a good idea to do it before you attach the fabric to a gathered 
  piece." Julaina looks around. "So, how are we doing? Looks like you all 
  have it pretty much taken care of. Any questions?" 
Gabe shakes his head trying as a stitch becomes to hard to pull out. 
Julaina sits down next to the young man and helps him cut up the offending 
  thread with small scissors. 
Gabe sighs, "Thank you, Journeyman, er Journeywoman." 
Julaina smiles. "My pleasure. Class dismissed." 
Julaina finishes up helping Gabe and then goes about tidying up amidst the 
  scramble of apprentices, hurrying off to their various chores. 
Gabe says "Can I help you, ma*am?" 
Julaina smiles. "No, I think I've got it, thank you." 
Gabe asks, "Are we allowed to keep the piece of work we made today?" 
Julaina nods. "Certainly." 
Gabe says "Thank You, ma'am!" 
Gabe picks up his "wonderful piece of art" and leaves the room. 
Julaina nods and turns back to her tidying before getting together some 
  hides for her next class.