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Agassiz seamstress to lead sewing workshops

Classes start this week at Kent Fitness/ Activity Centre
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Brenda Breitenmoser with the jacket she'll be teaching people who to sew during a two-lesson workshop at the Kent Fitness Activity Centre in November.

Brenda Breitenmoser knows a few things about sewing. And she's hoping to pass that knowledge on during a series of workshops held through the District of Kent's recreation department.

The seamstress has been working in her trade for about 35 years, creating fashions and helping people with alterations in the basement of her Agassiz home. Those who sew may recognize her name as a judge at the Agassiz Fall Fair, and as a fellow competitor.

She's also the mother of UFV fashion grad Sabrina Breitenmoser, who spent many days in her mother's sewing room while growing up. Now she's an accomplished seamstress as well. Both women just showed their work at the annual convention for the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, in Michigan.

"I usually enter something each year," the eldest Breitenmoser said. "It's a good outlet to be creative and do your own thing."

She's also just become the first person to receive a masters certificate with the ASDP. It's an accomplishment that took four years of study, divided into modules.

And locally, she'll be hosting a few workshops over the month of November, at the Kent Fitness/ Activity Centre. The first class that was planned had to be cancelled due to low registration number. That was a chance to learn about alterations, through one-on-one sessions with Breitenmoser.

However, a second date is scheduled for this Thursday, Nov. 1. Sessions are a half hour, and run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at a cost of $25.

After that, she is holding a zipper workshop. The five types of zippers will be covered, including hand sewn, exposed, flap, fly/invisible centre and slot. That workshop will run Nov. 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., for $45.

And then, just in time for winter, she'll be leading a two-class workshop in creating a custom tailored jacket.

This Fit For Art pattern has been designed for quilters and weavers, and its simple lines make it easy for all levels of sewing skills.

The project allows students to be part of the entire process from idea inception to wearable finished garment. A week interval between

the two steps allows the participant time to purchase fabrics and notions for step two of the project.

For more information about the workshops with Brenda Breitenmoser, or any other workshops, classes and programs at Kent Leisure/ Activity Centre, phone 604-796-8891. You can also download their Fall Winter activity book.



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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