Spend 5 days in New York city shopping for fabrics and trims with Ryliss Bod and Jo Hutchins.  There will also be plenty of time to go sightseeing and free time.

Ryliss has put together a walking tour of the garment district that is full of fabrics and trims. Both Ryliss and Jo will help you with your fabric and sewing questions. Everyone will receive a list of stores with addresses so they may return during their free time.


We will also visit -

*Kenneth D. King at his New York studio.
Fashion Designer, Made to Measure Tailor, Author, Instructor at FIT and the Sewing and Design School.




*The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Exhibit "Head to Toe"

Head to Toe will explore approximately 200 years of women’s dress from 1800 to the early 21st century through the lens of accessories. Often garments are the focus of fashion exhibitions, however accessories are integral components of the full ensemble, and are important in communicating vital messages about the wearer. Over time accessories have become powerful tools in articulating ideas about femininity, sexuality, modesty, power, class, and race, as well as an important outlet to express style and individuality.

Head to Toe will detail the intricacies and etiquette of Euro-American women’s fashion, showing its evolution over time and its changing social context. Topics such as imperialism, industrialization, feminism, and modernity will be explored.

*Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) Exhibit: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.

The Costume Institute’s In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, launches a two-part exploration of fashion in the United States in the Anna Wintour Costume Center. It establishes a modern vocabulary of American fashion based on its expressive qualities. Smaller in scale than Part Two, this portion of the exhibition uses the organizing principle of a patchwork quilt. A signature quilt begun in 1856 from The Met's American Wing collection opens the show and serves as a metaphor for the United States and its varied cultural identities.

Approximately 100 men’s and women’s ensembles by a diverse range of designers from the 1940s to the present are featured. Enclosed in scrimmed cases that represent three-dimensional “patches” of a quilt, they are organized into 12 sections that explore defining emotional qualities: Nostalgia, Belonging, Delight, Joy, Wonder, Affinity, Confidence, Strength, Desire, Assurance, Comfort, and Consciousness.

Part two, In America: An Anthology of Fashion—opening in the American Wing period rooms on May 5, 2022—will present sartorial narratives that relate to the complex and layered histories of those rooms.

*New York City Harbor Lights Cruise
Take in the lights of the Manhattan skyline from a boat on this evening harbor cruise. Listen to live commentary on the harbor’s sights—including One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, and the Chrysler Building.

Frequently asked questions
      How do I get my fabric purchases home?  Most stores will mail them for your.  Kashi at Metro Textiles has even holds your purchases until the end of the trip and then mails them.

      Is it possible to share a room with someone? Yes, I will collect names of people who want to share a room.

      What if I don't sew and don't want to go to the fabric stores but still would like to see the exhibits, Kenneth D. King, and the Harbor Cruise?  Just let me know and I will reduce the tuition for you.

      I want to take in a play or musical, is there anyone else that wants to do that?  You will have an opportunity to meet and greet all of the travelers.  Many group up and go together.

      Will there be a group lunch(s) or dinner(s)?  It's New York and I have found it easier if we break up into smaller groups to dine at a restaurant.  I will check around as the date gets closer to see if I can find a restaurant that will seat a large group. 

      What should I bring from home?  Comfortable shoes, clothing you can layer, yardage information for the types of garments you want to sew (many fabric stores do not have patterns).  Your cell phone.

      What if I can't walk far?  The hotel will be within blocks of the fabric stores.  You can easily take a taxi, they are everywhere and not that expensive when you ride with other sewing friends.

What I take to New York.

1 check-in suitcase
A back pack with my laptop, 1 change of clothes, makeup and medicines. My Dr. told me to switch from a carry-on to the back pack to prevent the bursitis in my shoulder from acting up, caused by lifting my carry-on up in the overhead bins in 2017 .

  *A light raincoat with a hood.  My my arms and hands to be free.
  *Walking shoes/tennis shoes.  They are the most comfortable and supportive shoes I have. 
  *Comfortable shoes.
  *I preload my phone with APPS for New York city maps for walking and subways, restaurants... 
  *Fill my suitcase with Air pockets (from packages mailed to me) or crumbled garbage bags to fill up space I am saving for returning home with purchases.
  *Lightweight Crossover bag or shoulder bag that closes, to keep my arms free and my purse more secure. Large enough for purchases.
  *Small Shoulder bag that carries my regular purse stuff.
  *Separates that all go together.
  *2-3 Scarves- all mine came from New York
  *Face masks- I bet there are some cool ones in New York 
  *Ibuprofen

You can find anything in New York, so don't worry if you forget something.


The schedule will be updated as we near our travel dates and arrangements are made.

Registration Deadline: Feb. 6, 2022 DO NOT MAKE YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL I CONFIRM THE TRIP IS A "GO'

Our Cancellation Policy for Classes, Workshops and Trips with a Registration Deadline

• If you cancel before the registration deadline, you will receive a full refund, less a $5.00 processing fee and the PayPal fees.
• If you cancel after the registration deadline, a student will need to replace you, you will receive a full refund, less a $5.00 processing fee and the PayPal Fees..