SEWING Designer's wisdom will be available online

The classes will be posted on the Internet.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
For many years, designer-author Lois Ericson of Reno, Nev., has been a favorite of sewers. Her flair for the creative approach to sewing has inspired us, and we have devoured her books, magazine articles and classes.
Thanks to modern technology, we are now able to sign up for online workshops with her.
The innovative workshops, called "In the Studio," are produced by a company called Pattern Showcase, on their Web site www.patternshowcase.com/DSClasses. The purpose of the series is "to help your creativity and give your work a new focus or perhaps to see your projects in a different light."
Current and upcoming topics are closures, design, textures and techniques. As Ericson explains, "What a difference there is in your work when you sew creatively. Each garment you make can be unique."
How to get it
How do you access all this? The classes are on the Internet, posted weekdays in PDF format, and use Adobe Acrobat. The cost is $45 for a 9-lesson series, with a discount of $10 for new registrants. You can sign up on the site and pay by sending a check, or calling with your credit card number. Once completed, a printout of the lessons will form a textbook for future reference.
Discussion is held in a private e-mail forum, so you may interact with the instructor and other students. You can ask questions and receive answers, and read those of others as well.
Class topics are available on a rotating basis, usually repeated every few months. "Closures" has started, and the Design Workshop will begin Sept. 8. Call Heather Claus at (888) 416-6040 at Pattern Showcase for more information.