About me and my School
I was born and raised in Europe (The Netherlands). I
worked as an Executive Secretary for 10 years, a
career I never did enjoy. In October of 1987 I met my
husband while he was stationed in the US Air Force in
Germany. We married in my hometown, Breda
(Holland) in December 1988 and moved overseas to
Hampton, Virginia for a couple of years. Then we
settled in the state of Georgia, south of Atlanta, and
found a great Church family. I have been living here
since March 1992 with my husband and 2 daughters
and we love the area.
worked as an Executive Secretary for 10 years, a
career I never did enjoy. In October of 1987 I met my
husband while he was stationed in the US Air Force in
Germany. We married in my hometown, Breda
(Holland) in December 1988 and moved overseas to
Hampton, Virginia for a couple of years. Then we
settled in the state of Georgia, south of Atlanta, and
found a great Church family. I have been living here
since March 1992 with my husband and 2 daughters
and we love the area.
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As a former Pre-School
teacher I always enjoyed the
"Arts and Craft" time. I loved
it when the little children
would proudly show their
projects to me, whether it was
a painting or something we
have made out of
construction paper, pipe
cleaners, tissue-paper, etc.
A clinical study commissioned
by the Home Sewing
Association (HSA) reveals
that "children who engage in
activities like sewing and
painting show increases of
creativity, while those playing
hand-held computer games
and watching television do
not."
teacher I always enjoyed the
"Arts and Craft" time. I loved
it when the little children
would proudly show their
projects to me, whether it was
a painting or something we
have made out of
construction paper, pipe
cleaners, tissue-paper, etc.
A clinical study commissioned
by the Home Sewing
Association (HSA) reveals
that "children who engage in
activities like sewing and
painting show increases of
creativity, while those playing
hand-held computer games
and watching television do
not."
| A few paintings of my brother Paul van Haasen |
"Sewing's multitude of choices in terms of color selection,
fabric options, design and proportion help stimulate and focus
creative energy and build self-esteem."
fabric options, design and proportion help stimulate and focus
creative energy and build self-esteem."
I was tired of working long hours at the office, and
wanted to start a business from the home. I thought to
myself: "Why not teach people to sew"? This skill has
become a dying art, and I wanted to bring it back in our
culture. My mother taught me some of the basics, but it
wasn't until I took lessons from a professional
seamstress, that I became more skilled in the art of
sewing. My initial idea was to only teach Juniors and
Adults how to sew. I changed my mind after I browsed
the Internet and found the "Kids Can Sew and Fashion
Design Program". The Founder, Carolyn Curtis, started
her company more than 20 years ago. She began
teaching her three daughters, during that time they were
6, 10 and 12 years old. Since Carolyn couldn't find easy
patterns, she made up her own. Soon friends of her
daughters also wanted to learn to sew and that is how
her business grew.
The Curriculum looked impressive and I went for it. I
received my official Certificate of License in April 2004
and opened my Sewing Studio (formerly my dining
room) in May of 2004. I started out with "Introductory
Classes". At the end of that same year I had 16
students enrolled. The students make several projects
from their Kids Can Sew Workbook, which explains them
step by step what to do. What I like about the "Kids Can
Sew" patterns is that they are much easier to
understand then the commercial patterns. So, there is
less frustration.
Now I am looking for young girls (or boys), who would
love to learn the art of sewing; children who want to
learn how to make their own fashion designs.
For more information on Kids Can Sew Program, visit
www.kidscansew.com
wanted to start a business from the home. I thought to
myself: "Why not teach people to sew"? This skill has
become a dying art, and I wanted to bring it back in our
culture. My mother taught me some of the basics, but it
wasn't until I took lessons from a professional
seamstress, that I became more skilled in the art of
sewing. My initial idea was to only teach Juniors and
Adults how to sew. I changed my mind after I browsed
the Internet and found the "Kids Can Sew and Fashion
Design Program". The Founder, Carolyn Curtis, started
her company more than 20 years ago. She began
teaching her three daughters, during that time they were
6, 10 and 12 years old. Since Carolyn couldn't find easy
patterns, she made up her own. Soon friends of her
daughters also wanted to learn to sew and that is how
her business grew.
The Curriculum looked impressive and I went for it. I
received my official Certificate of License in April 2004
and opened my Sewing Studio (formerly my dining
room) in May of 2004. I started out with "Introductory
Classes". At the end of that same year I had 16
students enrolled. The students make several projects
from their Kids Can Sew Workbook, which explains them
step by step what to do. What I like about the "Kids Can
Sew" patterns is that they are much easier to
understand then the commercial patterns. So, there is
less frustration.
Now I am looking for young girls (or boys), who would
love to learn the art of sewing; children who want to
learn how to make their own fashion designs.
For more information on Kids Can Sew Program, visit
www.kidscansew.com
Patty's Sewing Studio