Elissa K, President of Operations of Sew Fast Sew Easy, is a fashion designer who not only manufactured and sold her own collection to major department stores and specialty stores, but is still consulting in the industry today. A former instructor at Parsons School of Design, she has developed a new upbeat method of teaching sewing and design. Her method is patented and comes with a workbook that is written to accompany the classes at Sew Fast Sew Easy. The workbook was recently expanded into her popular book Sew Fast Sew Easy: All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew. She has the only store in the country to successfully create custom-fit computer designed patterns that are made to measure for each customer. Elissa's upbeat and unique "21st century style" has transformed thousands of enthusiastic beginner sewers to fashion sewers from all over the world.

Some of these students have even gone to work for top design companies or started their own businesses. Elissa's national and international credits include television spots on CNN, New York One, Fox 5, and NBC. Editorial features appeared in Time Out magazine both in New York City and in Europe, New York magazine, Burda International magazine, Threads Magazine, Frank magazine in London, Paper magazine, Cosmo Girl magazine, The New York Times (Sunday Style section), The Daily News, The New York Post's fashion section, Newsday, Star Ledger of New Jersey, and the Manhattan Spirit. Elissa also wrote a portion of The Secrets of 7th Ave. Sewing published by Rhodale Press. In 2002, her own book Sew Fast Sew Easy: All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew, was published by St. Martin's Press. With another book currently being published, it is no wonder that people in New York City flock to her classes.

See selections from Elissa's portfolio here

James Livingston developed the love of sewing as a kid growing up in Brooklyn. He had influence of his mother and grandmother – both avid seamstresses. He attended New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. His clothing projects cover a broad spectrum – from wedding dresses, men’s suits as well as theatrical costumes such as Siegfried and Roy in Las Vegas as well as for major Broadway productions such as Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Kiss of Spider Woman, Will Rogers Follies and others. Dance costumes for The Alvin Alley American Dance Theater production of The Magic of Kathryn Dunham, Ballet Hispanico, and The Feld Ballet.

James also designed and sold his own line of Men’s wear under the label of James Livingston Ltd. He recently worked on The Cremaster Series project with artist Matthew Barney, which is on view at the Guggenheim Museum Spring of 2003.

James runs the day to day operations as well as teaching classes. James has the patients of 20 Saints and can get any nervous beginner off to a great start. You will always see James wearing one of his wonderful designs!

See selections from James' portfolio here

Deborah Green has been sewing for over twenty years. As a teenager, she started making her own clothing and worked on costumes in theatre as well. She is a graduate of Barnard College with a BA in English literature and fine art. In recent years she has worked both in design and production at Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Phillips Van Heusen and Squeeze a junior company. She works with Elissa on the freelance projects and manages the daily operations at Sew Fast Sew Easy. Deborah teaches many of the sewing and pattern making classes. She loves to teach and gets a real thrill out of inspiring people to be creative. Deborah has also appeared in many of the TV spots with Elissa.

Georgia Rucker is SewFast SewEasy's webmistress. She first met Elissa and Deborah when she took Level I, quickly followed by the other Four Part Series classes, the hipster 2-night class, the poncho class, and more! She has maintained, designed, and illustrated the site for SFSE since its start in November 1998. See more of her graphic design work here.

Charlene Alexis Gross, one of SFSE's teachers, creates costume designs for theatre, dance, and live events. She designed clothes and makeup for The Gamesters "Manhattan Magic" at the Sands' Copa Room in Atlantic City; Xerox; and Thermasilk as a creative associate for CPR-Group. Her dance credits include a number of new pieces for the Juilliard School, NYU, and Doug Elkins' "Shuri Durga." Charlene assisted Carrie Robbins on a number of shows and events from Broadway ("A Class Act") to benefits. She also assisted Emilio Sosa on the Broadway production of "Topdog/Underdog." When not designing costumes, Charlene is often creating illustrations, paintings and other pieces of fine art on paper and in cloth.

Farah learned how to sew at Sew Fast Sew Easy and has become a great teacher for Level 1, circle skirt class, and more --- when she's not busy singing on Broadway!

Julie Benson, Controller, bookkeeper and cash flow expert for small business Sew Fast Sew Easy. She can get any one out of debt and on the right track. Especially these artsy types at SewFast SewEasy. Julie also has her own computer fit patterns and can sew a drop-dead dress as well as pay taxes and balance a checkbook for Sew Fast Sew Easy. She is the proud mother of two children as well.

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