Naver Couture's sewing workshops are a wonderful way to be sociable and creative whilst having fun. We caught up with Nathalie Underhill to find out more.
Why did you start Naver Couture? What has been the inspiration?
I wanted to inspire people to get back to basics by teaching them how to sew for themselves, and by practising this great skill we learn to value and appreciate our clothes much more and at the same time build a conscious closet.
I run classes to help people build their own home sewn wardrobes, make alterations for a better fit and up-cycle second-hand clothing to promote circular fashion. Students of all levels come to see me. There are classes that follow a set program and others that enable students to work on their individual projects. I help my students to understand how the various machines work, how to overcome sewing technical issues, how to use, hack and adapt commercial patterns and to create unique made-to-measure garments.
We all know it's hard to find clothes that fit correctly if you are slightly outside the regular cookie-cutter size template, especially for petite, tall, curvy or larger women.
I really enjoy interacting with people and sharing my knowledge. Seeing people's confidence grow as they master the various skills is very rewarding. The camaraderie that builds up in the various workshops really makes it fun! The classes are in English or French and sometimes both so we get a good mix ideas and people.
Have you been working on this idea forever, or was it something that came to you recently?
I was trained as a Fashion Designer at the Rhode Island School of Art and Design and worked for fashion houses in the US, the UK, Belgium and Switzerland. With the arrival of my children I decided to set up my own business from home making made-to-measure garments, alterations and curtain-making. It was not until two years ago when I accepted to give a few private sewing lessons to a client who was very keen to learn herself that everything changed. I discovered a new passion of teaching and I am now actively teaching people of all ages and I love it.
Do you have questions about how to register for the 2020 elections? Would you like to get an early jump on receiving your ballot? What if you have never lived in the US? Or perhaps, you wonder if your absentee vote makes a difference in an election’s outcome?
An estimated 9 million Americans live abroad, and Switzerland is home to about 20,000. Few Americans exercise their right to vote while living outside of the US, but there are good reasons to make the effort. As the 2020 primaries are right around the corner, it’s a good idea to register as soon as possible. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to add voter registration to your annual New Year to-do list, as most states require you to register and request your ballot every year you intend to vote.
Will your vote make a difference?
Absentee votes have decided the outcome in several recent races for federal/gubernatorial office, including Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina (2016), Senator Maggie Hasson of New Hampshire (2016), and Ohio Rep. Troy Balderson (2018).
And, as always, your vote is your voice. If Americans abroad choose not to vote, then issues that directly affect them are not addressed by lawmakers. Double taxation is a perennial issue that many Americans would like to see modified, for example.
Who doesn't like a board game? One of my favorites is Scrabble, although I'm not very good at it. I have memories of my parents pulling out the dictionary and arguing about the meaning of the words (or rather whether the word was allowed). Somehow my mother was always right! When I heard that there was a new Scrabble group starting up in 2016, I jumped at the opportunity to meet with other like-minded people. I caught up with Aurea Fagel, the president of the Swiss English-language Scrabble Association (SESA) to talk to her about it.
Why did you start the Scrabble Association SESA?
After coming from a Scrabble Championship Tournament, Kévin Meng and I realized that there was no existing club or association in Switzerland that organize English Scrabble. Therefore we wanted to create the very first Swiss English-Language Scrabble Association (SESA) in the country to spur interest as well as discover and meet people who share the passion for the game. With the help of our dear friends (Dave, Vicky, Sue, Bill, Anne-laure, Jaqueline, Benoit, Hugo) we met and formed SESA one September evening in 2016. SESA is the official English Scrabble Association in the country, officially recognized by the Swiss Scrabble Federation as well as WESPA, the world governing body for English Scrabble.
Starting this week, Geneva is hosting the exhibition: God(s), instructions manual; an educational and artistic journey into the world of religions. A free exhibition for all audiences, where prestigious museum pieces, humble everyday objects, photos, videos, music and artistic installations converge. And even a play.
Dieu(x) modes d'emploi, an exhibition on religions that does not deal with theology or history, but rather with contemporary religious practice. It crosses the three religions of the Book (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), the Asian religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism) and animism, from Africa to Oceania and the Americas.
The exhibition presents religious experience, in its universal (its questions) and particular (its multiple practices) aspects, by approaching religion from a secular perspective. Both scholarly and artistic, God(s) instructions for use will reveal the great diversity but also the similarities that religious practices present through nearly 200 objects, collectibles and photographs, multimedia installations and interview recordings. A twenty-minute play performed at the heart of the exhibition completes the picture: written by the Belgian writer and filmmaker Philippe Blasband, and directed by Michel Kacenelenbogen, it will address the theme of religious violence.
At the time of its creation, the exhibition was validated by an experienced scientific committee chaired by the historian and essayist Elie Barnavi, Professor Emeritus of Modern Western History at Tel Aviv University and specialist in 16th century religious wars. Conceived under the direction of the Tempora company and the Museum of Europe, the exhibition aims to show the richness of the modes of expression of the faith, to inform about religious reality, but also to promote a climate of freedom of conscience and belief while strengthening knowledge of the various approaches to religious facts.
Taking place beside the lake in Morges between 6-8 September 2019, this 10th edition of Le Livre sur les Quais festival will host around 300 French- and English-speaking writers, covering a wide range of literary genres from children’s books through to travel writing and crime fiction. A comprehensive program of talks, readings and round-table discussions has been set up throughout the 3 days of the event, some of them taking place on the lake in the form of literary cruises, as well as at various venues in and around Morges.
The Great Debates
Once again this year, Le livre sur les quais is pleased to offer a series of debates with the leading authors of the program! You will find the program of this 10th edition through the main website under "billeterie".
Literary Cruises
As every year, the boat Le Lausanne awaits you at the end of the quay, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, for literary cruises. A unique opportunity to set sail with many authors! Sail on Lake Geneva with your favorite author by booking your ticket directly through the main website under "croisières".
- GAOS' Really Youthful Group ends the summer break with "Grease"!
- e5 Summer Academy offers children age 12 and older a creative outlet
- DinoWorld Versoix is offering a family pack of 4 tickets!
- Indoor mini-golf and bar recently opened by Geneva-based Scottish entrepreneur
- Win a limited edition souvenir glass and free tasting tokens for the 3rd Festibière!
- 40 women-driven red cars for charity drive: London > Paris > Geneva > Monte Carlo
- A high level obstacle course organized by Spartan launches its first race in Switzerland
- First European Women's Football Strategy launched by Nyon-based UEFA
- The 3rd edition of the Lausanne Art Fair represents 80 galleries!
- Joto Tennis offers intensive training as well as fun summer camps
- A Lausanne start-up presents a new online ticketing service
- Charity appeal for donations of old football kits to help African children who cannot afford shoes
- Music Together in Geneva Center joins in "Teach Music Week"
- ESCA Paddle for CancerSupport needs your support
- A recently launched novel written in Verbier is already in its second printing
- The Art of the Brick: an imaginary world of one million colored LEGO© bricks on display at Palexpo!
- Glowing candles create giant patterns at the Château de Prangins 20th anniversary
- How the Bains des Pâquis and French classes inspired local Malcolm Lucard
- Enter our competition to win a free place on the Millionaire Mindset Workshop
- Enjoy a weekend break in the stunning alpine village of Verchaix
- Win a great family day out at the Fête d’Eté in Le Châble with lunch included!
- Enter our competition and win a free InterSoccer camp for your child worth over Fr. 500.-!
- Summer camps in Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France, 2018
- 15 free invitations to be won for Yatouland's water park in Vernier!
- Get ready for the holidays and learn how to scuba-dive in Lake Geneva!
- Help your child to develop their English and French language skills through fun, active play at Gymboree Nyon
- 5 double tickets to be won for the Château de Vulllierens’ Summer Floralies
- Garden Party invitation to celebrate HM The Queen’s 92nd birthday!
- Take the STEAM off the screens and put the fun in your kids' hands with TechLabs’ weekly classes and holiday camps
- Get creative at Knock on Wood's urban workshops for adults and kids in Geneva
- Second World opens new virtual reality gaming center in Ecublens
- Alimentarium launches new annual theme: The faces behind food
- Jan Michalski Foundation launches new literature festival, BIBLIOTOPIA, in Montricher
- Château de Prangins kicks off 20th anniversary celebrations with appeal for 500 volunteers!
- Lausanne History Museum reveals new permanent exhibition to public at grand reopening in April!
- New English-speaking photography club is launched in La Côte region
- Win free tickets to the Lausanne Art Fair!
- New camp opportunities for kids who want to learn programming
- Two great opportunities for girls interested in science and technology
- Former Swiss champion opens new tennis academy in Geneva
- Sign up for Onl’Fait’s exciting new maker series of workshops for children and adults, combining modern technology with traditional DIY!
- Award-winning authors descend on Geneva
- Sign up for a free ceramics class at the Ceramuse workshop in La Rippe!
- Online art magazine, Art Decision, is launched in Geneva!
- Launch of Living In Sion – a new website in English for locals, business travellers and tourists
- New “mobile” paint-your-own-pottery studio, Doodlepotz, is launched in Vaud
- AQUATIS, the largest freshwater aquarium-vivarium in Europe, opens in Lausanne!
- Enter our competition to win a free InterSoccer day camp for your child
- Giants arrive in Geneva this week!
- The mysteries of the human body revealed in Geneva!
- Back-to-the-roots adventures in the Lake Geneva region from Chantal & Max
- Three places up for grabs on InterSoccer summer camps based in Geneva, Vaud, and neighboring France!
- Le Café Vivant opens new academy center for the performing arts in Gingins
- Learn all about the art of sports photography and get creative with your own photos…
- Enter our competition to win tickets for the classic car show, Concours d’Élégance Suisse
- Alimentarium explores concepts of good and bad in new annual theme for the museum: Food - Vice or Virtue?
- Michelle Petersen Photography launches new online photography club
- Gold for the Swiss Under 17 Netball Team at European Netball Championships
- Win tickets to 4th Edition of Geneva’s organ and silent film festival, “L’orgue fait son cinema”!
- Open your child’s eyes to coding on a TechSpark Academy camp
- Replenish your energy on a Snowshoe and Yoga retreat in the beautiful Alpine village of Bellevaux in France
- Win free tickets to see Lausanne Hockey Club play last home game before playoffs!
- Ice rink opens at the summit of the Salève Téléphérique
- Internationally-acclaimed experts to speak at Inside Game Coaching Conference
- Ville de Genève publishes handy guide on local exhibitions
- “Microcosmes” – unique photographic exhibition by Samsofy appeals to both adults and children
- Invest in yourself at the new Health Quota fitness and well-being center between Geneva and Lausanne
- Win a free place for your child on a Coerver Coaching football course!
- Dinosaurs invade Geneva - book your tickets to see them now!
- Elevate your game with coaching from Caroline Goasguen of Golf Geneva
- Two great opportunities to meet renowned authors attending this year’s Le Livre Sur Les Quais literary festival in Morges
- Summer camp recommendations for Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France!
- Great tradition celebrating classic cars is revived in Coppet with the 1st Concours d'Elégance Suisse
- Giant water slide returns to Geneva on 11 June!
- Get a taste of the new Alimentarium 2016 at its grand reopening this weekend!
- Win a free place for your child on an InterSoccer day camp this summer!
- Ignite your child’s curiosity and creativity with a Peak Results’ camp full of adventurous, entrepreneurial spirit!
- A magical night out at the museum!
- Léman International Fair celebrates 10th birthday at this year’s spring event
- Come celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday at special garden party event!
- JoTo Tennis hosts special Exhibition Match between Mats Wilander and Jonas Svensson
- Special weekend of free activities at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne to mark the arrival of the Olympic flame that will light up the Games in Rio this summer!
- Immerse yourself in the world of Charlie Chaplin at stunning new museum opening this Sunday in Corsier-sur-Vevey
- House of Basketball: a great place to visit for all enthusiasts of the sport
- New series of free workshops for teenagers at the Geneva Writers Group
- Swimming classes with a difference at La Lignière clinic in Gland
- Save time with the new pick-up and drop-off ski service from Leave it to Me and Williams Services
- Come and celebrate Christmas the traditional English way at Vevey!
- Les Automnales returns to Geneva even bigger and better than before
- Geneva hosts first International Netball Test Series in Switzerland
- Information session this Thursday on historic event to be held in Rolle next spring
- Foxtrail invites urban treasure hunters to take on the challenge in Lausanne this summer
- Learn to dive with GO Dive and explore the hidden depths of Lake Geneva!
- Camps galore in Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France this summer!
- Exciting program of activities and events for kids and their families at this year’s Lilibiggs Festival in Bougy-Villars
- Great donkey activities for kids at the Elevage des Charmilles … or book your own donkeys for a special event!
- Gliss'en Ville giant water slide arrives in Geneva for one day only!
- Real life characters - from princesses to superheros - make your child's dream come true at Once Upon A Time Parties
- The Alimentarium launches a globally unique learning platform ahead of its reopening in 2016
- New temporary exhibition at The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum portrays the story of Ghandi through images of nonviolence
Page 22 of 49
