Alison M. Schmidt, Technical Editor
alison@alisonmschmidt.com
A passion for sewing and quilting shared with the growing DIY sewing and crafting community, using the problem-solving skills gained in my 5 years experience as technical editor at a leading craft publisher and 10+ years of experience as a costumer in film and television.
SKILLS
Sewing: quilting (including long-arm machine quilting), including traditional patchwork,appliqué, improvisational work, and modern quilting; upholstery, custom-made garments, pattern drafting, alterations,, beading, embroidery; costume/fabric dyeing, distressing, and ageing, including tie-dye and batik; Sourcing vendors and materials for pattern drafting, pattern grading, and garment construction; co-coordinating costume shop labor (tailors, drapers, stitchers, etc); product placement (promotional items worn on camera); Script breakdown; scheduling; handling actor talent; budget management and tracking; accounting; photographic and historical research
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Technical Editing:
Verify accuracy of sewn project instructions (quilts, garments, bags, home décor, and crafts)
Verify accuracy of math related to sewn project instructions (cut sizes and quantities, finished sizes, yardage requirements)
Assess skill levels of projects and edit according to skill level
Maintain consistent styles of editing across 3 varying brand standards (C&T Publishing, Stash Books, and Funstitch Studios)
Prepare models for how-to photoshoots
Organize and schedule how-to photoshoots with authors and photographers
Source props for for photoshoots, including promotional materials from manufacturers
Assist on styled photoshoots to ensure technical accuracy of photography
Verify accuracy of how-to photos
Prepare estimates for digital illlustrations bids
Prepare rough hand-drawn illos for digital illustrators to meet high accuracy & print quality standards, as well as following company, design, and space utilization standards
Review and compile multiple rounds of edits with feedback from authors, other editors, and designers
Assist freelance editors and customers with technical questions
Correct errata in published books and maintain log of pending corrections
Garment sewing:
Determine materials and quantities needed for each costume/garment to be made, often in advance of actual pattern drafting
Create line drawings from costume illustrations to aid patternmakers
Source labor for manufacture of one-off and small production runs of costumes
Manage costume shop labor, ensuring on-time completion without excess overtime
Source/shop fabric, trims, buttons, etc and maintain records for future production
Fit made-to-order and/or purchased garments on actors
Alter garments as needed, quick ‘TV-style’ or couture-level (rolled hems, hand-stitched zips, etc)
Age and distress fabrics/costumes to meet designer’s vision
Act as liaison between costume designer and costume shop
Communication:
Break down scripts with specialized software to determine quantity of costumes needed, due dates for these costumes, and convey this information to the department
Track schedules and schedule changes
Create necessary customized forms in Excel to management’s specifications
Schedule fittings with multiple participants: designers, supervisors, actors, directors, tailors
Detailed note-taking in actor fittings and design meetings
Draft communication to Extras casting agencies re: costume guidelines for background atmosphere
Author professional correspondence to outside vendors, re: custom manufacture and high-end product placement (i.e. Calvin Klein, St. John Knits, Gucci)
Share costume designer’s and director’s vision with set costumers to ensure background atmosphere on set is correctly attired
Design:
Work with cinematographer and still photographers on set to ensure actors are appropriately represented
Prepare visual portions of design presentations
Research period and contemporary fashion, celebrities, historical figures
Knowledge of costume rental houses to meet the productions’ specific needs
Ability to mentally ‘size-up’ people to determine actual garment and pattern size
Ability and imagination to visualize
Accounting:
Manage and maintain a petty cash float as high as $10,000
Manage and maintain purchasing card accounts for multiple users with limits as high as $10,000
Write and track Purchase Orders for outside vendors
Write and track Check Requests for outside vendors
Track budget and create regular reports for accounting department and production supervisors
Notify management of potential or existing budget overages in timely manner
Maintain detailed recoverable asset list, including photos, descriptions, and physical locations
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Current:
Freelance Technical Editor -Client list/references available upon request
2011-2016:
Technical Editor, C&T Publishing, Concord, CA
Publications:
Rainbow Quilts for Scrap Lovers, Judy Gauthier, Stash Books, 2017
No Scrap Left Behind, Amanda Jean Nyberg, Stash Books, 2017
Modern Triangle Quilts, Rebecca Bryan, Stash Books, 2017
Stripe Quilts Made Modern, Lauren S. Palmer, Stash Books, 2017
Transfer, Embellish, Stitch, Jen Fox and Sarah Case, Stash Books, 2016
Hack That Tote!, Mary Abreu, Stash Books, 2016
Sew Illustrated, Minki Kim, Kristin Esser, Stash Books, 2016
Patternless Sewing Mod Style, 2016
Doll Days! Sew an Everyday Wardrobe for 18″ Dolls, Erin Hentzel, C&T Publishing, 2016
#OOTD (Outfit of the Day) Sew & Style, Angela Lan, Stash Books, 2016
The Appliqué Book, Casey York, Stash Books, 2016
Quilted Celebrations, Amanda Murphy, Stash Books, 2015
Flip & Fuse Quilts, Marcia Harmening, C&T Publishing, 2015
The Modern Medallion Workbook, Janice Ryan and Beth Vassalo, Stash Books, 2015
Wool Appliqué the Piece O’ Cake Way, Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins, C&T Publishing, 2015
Girls’ Guide to DIY Fashion, Rachel Low, Funstitch Studios, 2015
Sewing to Sell, Virginia Lindsay, Stash Books, 2014
Ribbon Girls, Maryellen Kim, Funstitch Studios, 2014
Modern Appliqué Illusions, Casey York, Stash Books, 2014
Sew in Style – Make Your Own Doll Clothes, Erin Hentzel, Funstitch Studios, 2014
Adding Layers, Kathy Doughty, C&T Publishing, 2014
The Refashion Handbook, Beth Huntington, Stash Books, 2014
Modern Prairie Sewing, Abigail Long, Stash Books, 2014
At Home with Modern June, Kelly McCants, Stash Books, 2014
Boutique Casual for Boys & Girls, Sue Kim, Stash Books, 2014
Visual Guide to Working in a Series, Elizabeth Barton, C&T Publishing, 2013
The Loyal Union Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts, Jennifer Chiaverini, C&T Publishing, 2013
Stitch Zakka, Gailen Runge, Stash Books, 2013
The Best-Ever Appliqué Sampler by Piece O’ Cake Designs, C&T Publishing,
Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkins, 2013
The Essential A-line, Jona Giammalva, Stash Books, 2013
Liberty Love, Alexia Abegg, Stash Books, 2013
Color Essentials, Amanda Murphy, Stash Books, 2013
Inspired to Design, Elizabeth Barton, C&T Publishing, 2013
Sweet Celebrations with the Moda Bake Shop Chefs, Lissa Alexander, Stash Books, 2012
Hat Shop, Susanne Woods, Stash Books, 2012
Fresh Perspectives, Carol Gilham Jones and Bobbi Finley, C&T Publishing, 2012
2011 – earlier:
Film/TV:
Captain America, film, Key Background Costumer
Big Love, TV series, season 3, Key Costumer
Lily, TV pilot, Key Costumer
Nurses, TV pilot, Key Costumer
3 Lbs., TV pilot, Key Costumer
Franklin & Bash, TV series, season 1, Set Costumer
The Whole Truth, TV pilot, Set Costumer
Three Rivers, TV series, season 1, Set Costumer
The Riches, TV series, season 2, Set Costumer
Numbers, TV series, season 1, Set Costumer
Sunshine Cleaning, film, Costumer
Spring Breakdown, film, Costumer
Catwoman, film, Costumer
Happy Endings, film, Costumer
The Tenants, film, Costume Supervisor
Bruce Almighty, film, Assistant Costume Designer
I Witness, film, Assistant Costume Designer
Sleeper Cell, TV pilot, Assistant Costume Designer
Hollywood Division, TV pilot, Assistant Costume Designer
Bounty, TV pilot, Assistant Costume Designer
Retail:
Sew Modern, fabric shop, Los Angeles, CA, sales/sewing class teacher/quilt math for shoppers
Borders Books, Bridgewater, NJ, sales/visual merchandising
EDUCATION
Carnegie Mellon University – Pittsburgh, PA
B.F.A in Costume Design with University Honors, 1997
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); Google Docs and Sheets; Social media: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, Flickr
C/Plot Pro & MTPro (costume department breakdown & budgeting software)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Costume Designers Guild, IATSE Local 892, Assistant Costume Designer
Motion Picture Costumers, IATSE Local 705, Key Costumer
IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical & Stage Employees) International Conference 2010, Delegate
Los Angeles Modern Quilt Guild, member since 2009 founding
References available upon request
Alison M. Schmidt, Technical editor 