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I've recently taken some time to sit back and think about the last 3 1/2 years that First Samples has
been open. How much we have grown and changed. The first class here had one lone male student (hi Rupert!) and now it isn't uncommon to
have multiple sold
out classes running each day and we have taught nearly1500 people some aspect of sewing or design. Because of your enthusiasm and
support,
we
have been far more successful than we had ever planned on being. In fact, this little experiment has become so
successful we need to stop for a while to figure out the best way to control our growth and expansion. It's time for a re-org
break. We are going to close up
shop at the end of July for a few months while we flip this ship.
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We will reopen with a completely
fresh start. There is a new logo and
identity package in the works from Launchpad Creative (launchpad321.com) and a new
website waiting to go once the identity package is done, being
designed by Jon Simmons from Penny Mosaic (pennymosaic.com). Our easier, more flexible sign-up system
and online
retail system is being debugged right now. And we will finally get up the community board to help you connect with seamsters,
patternmakers, designers and more.
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We are scoping out for a new space that will be modern,
fresh, industrial and hard working. A place where we can Heely freely, experiment
with dying fabrics, screen-printing, embedding electronics, burning fibers,
draping and designing. It might not end up as close to the oh so hip and
trendy So Co area, but when you are inside, you probably won't miss it. |
We will bring in some more dynamic and creative apparel
sewing, design and patternmaking instructors and offer a more diverse selection
of classes. There will also be a
certification system for the students so they can track
their accomplishments. If we can afford
it, we will also build in some community sewing hours and internship positions for those who can't
afford the luxury of a sewing or design class but can prove that they are really jazzed to learn.
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If you would like to send class requests or have anything
you would like to communicate while we are in hiatus, please send it hard copy
to:
PO Box
11653
Austin, TX 78704
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We are so excited for this break and even more excited for
the Second First Samples where we are sure there will be more friends to be
made, more creations to be created and more adventures to be sewn! All of this change is going to take a fierce amount
of effort, so we can't say when or where First Samples will re-open, but we'll
keep you updated through the monthly newsletters, the
Sewing with Style Meetup and the First Samples
blog. Thanks you to all of you who have
made this experience so memorable and successful and we would really like to
see you again.
Stay healthy and active and keep on sewin'!
Shauna
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