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February 2026
Sewing and Stitchery Expo, 2026. Puyallup, Washington
Cochenille will be vending and Susan will be teaching at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in late Feb/ early March. Registration begins on January 12, 2026. Change and Effect: Working with Patterns Thursday, February 26, 2026. 10:00AM-10:45AM. Showplex B Puyallup, WA This class will explore how changes to a pattern for fit or fashion result in a domino effect that leads to changes in other parts of the pattern. There are relationships between armholes and sleeves, necklines and facings or collars, and…
Find out more »March 2026
Webinar: Let’s Make a Top
Let’s Make a Top Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 2 p.m. PT Web-156 To register, click here. Let’s Make a Top will walk you through the process of creating various styles of tops with Garment Designer. It will cover design considerations, fabric choice, appropriate styles in Garment Designer, the sequence of steps in building a top. A variety of styles, neckline, armhole/sleeve and hem treatments will be shown. Design and construction tips will be included as well as inspirational ideas. The…
Find out more »Webinar: Creative and Practical Pieced Design
Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, 10 a.m. PT Pieced Top made with pieces of Japanese vintage textiles If you follow fashion, you will see that ‘pieced garments’ are all the rage at present. This technique is no longer the domain of quilters, it has moved to the runway in a big way. Pieced garments are not only fun to make, they are also a great way to explore your creativity, practice sustainability by using up what you have, and expand your…
Find out more »Webinar: Fitting Points in Garment Designer
Fitting Points with Garment Designer Monday, March 16, 2026, 10 a.m. PT Web-146 This webinar will take you on a tour of the various ways you can achieve 'fit' in Garment Designer. We will explore the use of Darts (bodice and bottoms), Princess Lines, Contoured Styles, Dart Equivalents, and the use of Ease. In addition we will address some fitting issues such as rounded back, forward shoulders, non-symmetrical bodies, and approaches to dealing with them. Click here to purchase. If…
Find out more »Webinar: Combining Knit/Crochet with Fabrics (with Garment Designer)
Combining Knits/Crochet with Fabrics Wednesday, March 25, 2026. 9 a.m. Web – 139 Combining Knits with Fabric Garment Designer allows you to create for both knitting and sewing. So, why not make garments that utilize both! In this webinar, you will learn how to plan for, and create garments that incorporate have both knit/crochet and sewn parts. Of course, this could also apply to knit fabric and woven combinations for those who don't knit or crochet. The options are endless. Fashion…
Find out more »May 2026
Cochenille Retreat: Fashion, Textiles, and Silk Painting in France
Fashion, Textiles, and Silk Painting in France May 26th - June 5th, 2026 Lyon and Burgundy, France $1800 Silk Painting in Burgundy This year we are combining our days of exploring Lyon with days of textile and garment design and Silk Painting in Burgundy with textile artist Nadja Lancelot. Our France retreat will begin in Burgundy where we will embark on a magical time with artist Nadja Lancelot, creating various fabrics using a variety of textile art techniques on…
Find out more »August 2026
Convergence 2026, New Orleans, LA. August 13 – 16, 2026
Cochenille Design Studio and Susan Lazear will be at Convergence this coming summer in New Orleans, LA. We will have a booth during the vending days, and Susan is actively teaching lectures, seminars, and workshops. Convergence 2026 Both Susan and Dottie will be in the booth during the conference. Susan is teaching at Convergence. Go here to see the full slate of classes. Here are video links for a preview discussion of Susan's Classes. Several instructors are featured in each…
Find out more »New Mexico Garment Designer Retreat 2026
From Fabric/Yarn to Garment Garment Designer Retreat August 21st - 25th, 2026 Cimarron, New Mexico $420.00 The Casa, site of your 2025 Design Retreat. We are continuing our tradition of truly retreating in an amazing location and spending focused time with Garment Designer. So, we return to Cimarron, New Mexico and the 100-year-old inn we have grown to love. Skill Level: All you really need is computer comfort and some sewing experience. It is advisable to get the software in…
Find out more »October 2026
Italy Fashion, Craft and Food Retreat 2026
Italy Fashion, Craft, and Food Retreat Verona, Italy October 8-18th, 2026 Italy Fashion, Craft, and Food Retreat Verona, Italy October 8-18th, 2026 Susan has been going to Verona since 2007 and she now lives there half-time. She has developed a sense for Italian fashion, food, and lifestyle. She has also established contacts with various artists, designers, stores, museums, and food-related businesses. This year, our 2026 retreat, centered in Verona, will include day-trips to Venice and Vicenza. The Retreat will…
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