Sewing 101: Sewing Program Instructor to Offer Sewing & Craft Classes in August

If you've been wanting to learn a little about sewing, or just brush up on what you already know, but you don't want to commit to a full Industrial Sewing class at Henry Ford College, we have a solution for you! Sewing expert Rachna Chandra, of Taj Cottage and instructor for the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program, is offering her own sewing and craft classes this summer. Learn everything from how to create personalized pillowcases (a great gift idea for that summer wedding you are attending) to sewing crossbody bags and beach coverups for fun, summer activities.

All ages are welcome and spaces are limited, so call 734.464.2986 for more information and to reserve your spot. Classes will be located at 25580 Abbey Dr., in Novi.

Congratulations To the First Class of the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program!

The energy in the classroom at Henry Ford College M-TEC was palpable; the students were excited, the instructors looked so proud and we couldn't have been happier to spend the last hour of the first Industrial Sewing Certificate Program with everyone. The students showed off their sewing sample books and shared stories of their time in the program. They even explained how they named their sewing machines based on the “personality” of each machine.

Once each student had an opportunity to share about her time in the program and next steps for becoming employed with a cut and sew manufacturer, we had a ceremony to present the students with their certificates. Following the ceremony, we enjoyed refreshments and snacks and did a little more mixing and mingling.

Next up: The faculty at HFC M-TEC, DG3 and the manufacturing partners will meet to discuss all aspects of the pilot program and determine what should be tweaked before the next program launches January 26, 2015. The January class will be another 6-week, Monday through Friday, 180-hour program. If you think you may qualify for funding, call your local Michigan Works! office to start the process to get into the program. If you are able to pay your own way, email artushin@hfcc.edu for information on how to apply.

On The Town: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program

“The idea began almost two years ago when Mark D’Andreta of TDIC, which is a cut and sew company in Sterling Heights, and his wife Lynne were chatting with me about the difficulty of finding skilled industrial sewers,” said Karen Buscemi, President of DG3. Lynne suggested we start a sewing program that will train people in industrial sewing. “And that was it,” says Karen. “There was no need for a light bulb, she was the light bulb and two years later, here we are.”

The 6-week program will teach students all the key skills necessary to get a job in any area of cut and sew operations, including automotive, apparel, upholstery and boating – just to name a few. The first class began yesterday, Oct. 13, 2014. We ended the day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and it went off without a hitch. Not only did we have DG3’s Board, the staff of Henry Ford College and the media in attendance, we were also able to invite the students and instructors to join us for refreshments, sewing demonstrations, speeches and, of course, the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon for the first class.

All of this wouldn’t be possible had it not been for our partners who have come together to make up The Makers Coalition DG3. We’d like to thank The Makers Coalition, SEMCA Michigan Works!, Lear Corporation, TDIC, Henry Ford College M-TEC, and the other cut and sew manufacturers around the state. We learned that HFC’s president is no stranger to industrial sewing programs, so we had huge support from early on when we first started working towards this curriculum.

“I’ve been involved in an industrial sewing program in Colorado and I thought ‘Sewing?’ [when I initially heard about it], but I saw it just explode and change peoples lives and get employment,” said Dr. Stan Jensen, President of Henry Ford College. “So, when Dr. Vernier brought this to my attention, I said I’ve already done that research and it is a good thing and I know that this will produce jobs, and students will enjoy employment and great futures.”

Once the students graduate from the pilot program, all of the partners will evaluate the success of the curriculum and prep for an evening option, too. So if you weren’t able to get into this class, more options will soon be available. More information can be found on our website, Henry Ford College’s website and through Michigan Works! 

On The Town: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at The Runway Fashion Incubator in Lansing

Yesterday was a perfect fall day for a road trip to Lansing for the ribbon cutting ceremony of The Runway Lansing, a fashion incubator and retail space located in a portion of The Knapps building, which had been the site of the iconic Knapps department store.

The major partners behind the first fashion incubator in Michigan are LEAP, City of Lansing, Lansing Economic Development Corp., Eyde Company and Downtown Lansing, INC, with consultant Jeff Henry as the driving force behind the project.

The space includes a first-floor retail area, showcasing the products from the designers of the incubator, along with other Michigan-area designers. The second floor is for the designers in residence and associate designers. The designers in residence are equipped with their own office space, and along with the associate designers, they have access to all of the industrial sewing machines, two computers, a digitizer, Gerber cutter and state-of-the-art software. Manufacturing consulting, marketing consulting and business consulting is offered to the designers in residence while the associate designers have discounted access to the consulting. Overall, the Runway Lansing is a great example of people getting together to help push Michigan’s fashion industry in a positive and exciting direction.

For more information, visit www.runwaylansing.com or if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and shop their retail showroom in a couple of weeks when it opens! Runway Lansing is located at 300 S. Washingtown Square in Lansing. 

Industrial Sewing Certificate Program Orientation

Today was a historic day for DG3. After almost two years of blood, sweat and tears, the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program orientation happened today and it was a great success. Many potential and curious students, Michigan Works!, other workforce partners and cut and sew manufacturers came together to see the classroom and learn about what the program has to offer. The orientation covered how this program came to be, a quick overview of what will be covered during the course and a tour of the class and the industrial machines everyone will be working with. It was a fantastic morning, and for those interested in the program who missed the orientation or would like more information, we have some fast facts below.

Fast facts:

-The program starts on Monday, October 13 and is a 6-week course.

-The classes will take place Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-Course topics will include, but are not limited to, workplace conduct and safety, types of machines and fabrics, machine control, quality control, pay procedures and work methods.

-If you qualify, you can receive funding from Michigan Works! by contacting your local Michigan Works! agency and specifically asking for the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program, and asking to be placed in their orientation. The orientations are filling up fast but if you tell them you are interested in the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program, they will fit you into the next orientation.

-The program is $2,000 for those of you who would like to take the course and can afford to pay for it yourself.

-Right now, the program is during the day but once the first class has completed the program, Henry Ford College M-TEC will be ramping up evening classes.

Below is a list of Michigan Works! locations. Contact the one nearest you about the program, as soon as possible:

Dearborn
Inside ACCESS
6451 Schaefer Rd., 2nd Floor
Dearborn, MI 48126
Ph: 1-313-945-8380
Dearborn Service Center Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Highland Park
144 E. Manchester Street
Highland Park, MI 48203
Ph: 1-313-826-0299
Highland Park Service Center Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Livonia
In Woodland Square Mall
30246 Plymouth Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150
Ph: 1-734-513-4900
Livonia Service Center Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monroe
Inside the Monroe Mall
1531 North Telegraph Rd., Ste. D
Monroe, MI 48162
Ph: 1-734-240-7950
Monroe Service Center Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Southgate
Inside the Downriver Community Conference
15100 Northline Rd., Ste. 179
Southgate, MI 48195
Ph: 1-734-281-0700
Southgate Service Center Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wayne
35731 West Bound Michigan Ave
Wayne, MI 48184
Ph: 1-734-858-4284
Wayne Service Center Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM