2009 Las Vegas Convention Review

Industry Educator Janith Bergeron receives Master CSE designation

In cooperation with the Sewing Educators Alliance and the SDTA, the Certified Sewing Educator (CSE) program is offered to home sewing industry teachers who truly educate and inspire others to sew. During the 2009 VDTA/SDTA Trade Show & Convention in Las Vegas in March, industry educator Janith Bergeron of Barrington, NH, was honored as the newest Master CSE. Janith received her award during the VDTA/SDTA Awards Ceremony on March 11.

Janith has always been a creative person, and as a youngster she started sewing clothing for her Barbie doll. By age 20 she was sewing for brides. Starting Designs by Janith in 1991, she specialized in custom bridal wear and alterations. She designed a line of executive maternity clothing -- originally calling the company Frugal Fashions.

Seeking more education, she attended an American Sewing Guild weekend, taking classes taught by national sewing educators such as Sandra Betzina, Judy Burlap and others. As she began to learn more and more, Janith quickly became hooked on a career in sewing education. A week of couture with Susan Kahlje, a course in pattern making with Sandy Newman, and Lasell College was just the beginning.

Janith is a former charter member of Professional Association of Custom Clothiers, the founder of the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Sewing Guild in 2001 and was Chapter President until 2005. She was elected to position of Region 1 Representative for two years, assisting 19 chapters in the Northeast. She attended annual ASG conferences and sewing expos where she took many of her CSE courses, and completed the Trained Sewing Educator (HSA) training in 2002.

She founded The Sewing Tree in 2004, offering sewing lessons, sew camps and seminars. Her most recent workshops have been the popular “sew green” tote bags made from recycled polyester. At the Massachusetts Homeschool Expo, 20 non-sewing youth were shown how to sew. They used old t-shirts that were dyed green and learned to sew them into grocery totes.

Janith has enjoyed teaching classes at area retailers and is known for her roman shade and home dec classes. Working with Augers & Sons, a local retailer as their in-house educator, she continues to plan sewing events demonstrating techniques and accessories that make sewing easier and answering the “Why should I buy a new machine?” questions.

Since the press release announcing her Master CSE award, requests for her sewing classes have more than doubled. The Sewing Tree is expanding and will open a new studio in Dover, NH. Janith hopes to showcase various machines and techniques as part of her Step into Sewing Series, Free Sewing Days and her two new series on garments and garment alterations. She continues to teach the skills and demonstrate the tools that make sewing fun, creative and exciting.

Recapping her experience at the VDTA/SDTA Convention, Janith said she was excited to see so many educational (SEA) opportunities and enjoyed meeting educators taking these classes.

She shared, “This convention offered presentations and seminars that were exciting. The classes enhanced my sales knowledge. And the exhibitors offered further education as well as opportunities to connect and see new products. A big thanks to the distributors for taking the time to ‘educate the educators’ and improve our ability to demonstrate products better. The more we know, the easier it becomes for us to sell. The show was a big win-win.”

Reprinted from SQE Professional, May 2009