The History of Sewing

The History of Sewing Learn to Sew: a Brief History of Sewing Lessons ChaptersBasic Sewing: How it All BeganSewing Projects: from Early Civilisation until TodaySewing Tools: Do You Have These in Your Sewing Kit?Patterns for Success: Fashion Shows as Creative ExpressionHow did the practice of sewing get its start?How did it evolve into the multi-billion dollar fashion industry we all know of today?For our next speculation, we must outline the following fact:To clothe oneself is a necessary aspect of human life.If that is indeed the truth, why do clothing prices range from a few pounds for a serviceable, off-the-rack garment to evening attire and business wear that costs more than a month's wages  for some?Why are events that showcase talent in clothing design so heavily attended?How did we get from draping ourselves in animal pelts to scantily clad Victoria's Secret models parading on the fashion  runway?Would you believe us if we said that high fashion and the Titanic are intimately related?Let Superprof now draw back the curtains of time, take you bac k to that first stitch, to see how it grew into the sewing culture we know today.Discover also how to sew from our sewing tutorials...The first sewing needles were made of bone Source: Wikimedia Credit: British History Museum fashion shows and high fashion itself became a part of high society living only toward the end of the 19th century.And it was all because of an Englishman named Charles Frederick Worth.Impoverished in childhood, he was apprenticed to Swan Edgar in Piccadilly at age 12, after an unsatisfying tenure at a print shop.He moved to Paris when he was twenty one and, even though he spoke no French, found employment at a fabric store that sold their goods primarily to the royal court dressmakers.Annoyed by the mediocre quality of dresses sold in complement to fine shawls and cashmere scarves  the store stocked, he started sewing his own designs, which caught the eyes of the well-positioned clientèle that frequented said mercantile establishment.The rest, as they say, i s history.His fine stitching and expert tailoring won him entrance into the world of dressmaking.Today, Mr. Worth is revered as the father of haute couture.Thanks to him, Paris became the world's center for fashion.Especially after 1868, when the Trade Association for High Fashion was established in that city, many aspiring tailors and designers, even from other countries, set up shop in Paris.Plenty of native French did so, too: Jacques Doucet, Mrs Paquin, the Callot Sisters and Paul Poiret among them.Although Mr. Worth was the first to use live models to promote his designs, the credit for popularising the practice goes to another English native: Lady Duff-Gordon.Working under the professional name Lucile, she was the first designer in the UK to gain international acclaim.Lady Duff-Gordon is the originator of the mannequin parade, the precursor to the today's live fashion shows.Quite apart from the fashion world, she is also known as one of the few Titanic survivors.Aside from the fame and scandal garnered by the Titanic rumour, more and more designers jumped on the idea of live models displaying their creations.The rumour in question is that  that her husband allegedly bribed crew members in their lifeboat to not turn around and rescue more people.It was Lady Duff-Gordon who trained the first catwalkers to adopt the haughty mien still expressed by models today.The idea of using models to demonstrate how designed creations flow with the body's movement caught on, and soon, regular fashion shows were scheduled through the Trade Association's three branches.Thus, fashion became an industry.Find out how a serger makes sewing more efficient!The American Natives' tipi are created by sewing animal hides together Source: Pixabay Credit: SkitterphotoSewing Projects: from Early Civilisation until TodayPrimitive man drew on natural resources, found in his environment, to clothe himself and create shelter.Crude sewing techniques were born of the need to protect oneself : from the elements as well as more tangible threats.Early man's wardrobe consisted of tanned animal pelts.Sewing needles were fashioned of bone or ivory, depending on the region the clan in question roamed.Elemental thread was made by stretching animal guts and tendons.Needless to say, nobody in the Paleolithic era hosted quilting bees.Instead, greater means of self-protection were devised.As our earliest ancestors designed more tools, they would find new ways to work hides: for building shelter and for foot coverings.American Indians are notorious for their craftsmanship in that respect. The design for their traditional moccasins, deer hide sewn with thin strips of the leather, survive today.Would you like to bet they would have loved to have had a rotary cutter for their fine, detailed work?Meanwhile, in Africa, where protection from the elements was not such an urgent affair, occupants of the Cradle of Humanity used broad, sturdy leaves tied with vines to protect their feet.Howe ver, as hunter gatherers, they were far more interested in fashioning baskets. This was done by interweaving various types of leaves and grasses together.The earliest records of woven fabric â€" felt made of wool fibres, date back about six thousand years. Chinese silk goes back just about that far.Depictions of clothing from Ancient Greece reveal that, while fabric was certainly dyed, it was not sewn.The fashion of the day called for draping lengths of cloth; metal clasps were worn to hold things together. There were generally no seams or stitches of any type in any of those garments.Over millenia, the process of producing fabric grew ever more refined until, around the Middle Ages, well-to-do citizens of Europe could treat themselves to tailored dresses, pants and shirts.For the most part, the job of sewing these pieces was confined to women, who were labeled seamstresses.The next big step in the evolution of sewing came from Barthélémy Thimonnier, the inventor of the sewing mac hine, in 1830.A tailor himself, he married a woman whose embroidery designs earned her a living in her own right.His machine, patented with the help of a mining engineer, permitted him to establish the world's first machine-based clothing factory.It did not last long. Reports indicated that the workers themselves burned it down, out of fear that these machines â€" that could sew six times faster than hand sewing, would cost them their jobs.A subsequent patent was issued to Mr. Thimonnier for an embroidery machine, ostensibly to make his wife's work easier.The final historical step in sewing was taken by an American named Walter Hunt, the inventor of the lockstitch sewing machine: the same, efficient method used in machine sewing today.He also designed the safety pin; frequently used in making quilts.Join the discussion: should the art of sewing be reserved exclusively to women?Sewing Tools: Do You Have These in Your Sewing Kit?Needle and thread does not a sewing kit make.If such is the extent of your allowance to needlework, you may need a sewing tutorial or two.A well-equipped sewing kit should include, at a minimum:a needle assortmentincluding sewing machine needles, if your crafting aspirations include more than easy projectsa thimble or twoa collection of thread â€" of all types and coloursa needle threader would probably come in handy, toostraight pins and a pincushiona seam rippersewing scissors  - you may want to consider buying pinking shears and a rotary cutter; not just fabric shearsmeasuring tapeGoing further: you might frequent the sewing notions counter to select an assortment of zippers and buttons, maybe some hooks and eyes, or other types of  fasteners.A chalk pencil or two would come in handy for tracing patterns and marking fabric. You could pick it up when you select your sewing patterns.Elastic, velcro and bias tape should also be on your list.You may be starting out with simple sewing projects, but as you learn more, the more sewing suppli es you will need.If you are intent on going beyond hand stitching; if you have already bought your first sewing machine â€" or your first serger, you may have to take a couple of sewing tutorials.At the least, you should learn sewing machine terminology: bobbin, presser foot, thread guide, feed dogs, and stitch selector.You should also know the names of various types of stitches: backstitch, whipstitch, slip stitch, running stitch, blind stitch, basting stitch...You might opt for sewing lessons online: install your computer right in your sewing room, so that you can practice  the various manoeuvres  as you are learning how to sew.As you are taking these sewing courses, you may hear these basic sewing terms:seam and seam allowancehemliningdartspipingquiltingIn short, here is the straight stitch on sewing basics:Rather than picking up sewing tips from watching sewing videos, or reading sewing blogs or sewing books, it would be best to learn how to sew from somebody who is qualified to teach the craft.Check for sewing classes London here.Learning how to sew is a pattern for discipline and creativity Source: Pixabay Credit: 4Me2DesignYou too can gain an entire lexicon of sewing terms!Patterns for Success: Fashion Shows as Creative ExpressionIn spite of the insouciant attitude evinced by catwalk models during Fashion Week, a great deal of work (and worry!) goes into realising those biannual displays.And, what crowds they draw!Not just spectators and buyers for retailers, but the models, the designers, the artistic creators  - music arrangers, lighting engineers, set designers...The press!And behind the seams, far from the hullabaloo; concealed from the lights and behind the backdrop:The seamstress, finishing those last few sewing stitches on a hem or neckline, even as the model saunters toward the runway, with the garment swirling around her, showing it off to its best advantage.The prop master, checking the patchwork on purses or the appliqué on jackets â€" if th at season's line calls for such.The unsung dressmaker is, to great extent, responsible for our twice-yearly frolic into the tricks and technique of that multi-billion dollar industry.We should take our hat off to that sewer, even as we expound on the fact that high fashion does not necessarily produce practical garments for everyday wear.Fashion is not a particularly profitable enterprise.While it is true that a dress or skirt â€" or a scarf may fetch several thousand pounds, few people have the means to buy them, meaning that all of the skill and passion invested in these shows yields proportionately little return.And, after all of the confetti has been tossed and the champagne drunk, there remain bills to pay, including the wages of those that stitch the lofty threads together.The machine driving this phenomenon, besides the economy, is recognition.Fashion houses need to keep their label vital, visible and current; in touch with the times.In fact, one could say that they create th e times!Fashion Week happens in three major European cities: Paris, Milan and London; and across the pond, in New York.Their hype and embellishment seem to contrast sharply with any beginner sewing projects you might have undertaken out of fabric scraps from your grandmother's pattern making, doesn't it?Tying the knot on this sewing introspective, we conclude:Fashion, above all, is an art of change. - John GallianoIf such can be said of fashion,  shouldn't that sentiment include  plying the needle and learning to sew  as a step in your personal evolution?Discover how you can learn to sew from the masters of fashion!Explore how to interface fabric.Find out about French seams.

Musicians Checklist How to Promote Your Band [Infographic]

Musicians Checklist How to Promote Your Band [Infographic] Megan L. Congrats on getting the big gig! Whether youre preparing for your bands first show or your album-release party, these tips will help you learn how to promote your band, make your best impression on stage, and get invited back to the venue to do it all again. Share this Image On Your Site pstrongPlease include attribution to TakeLessons with this graphic./strong/pbr /br /br /br / pa href=/blog/how-to-promote-your-band-infographic-z01img src=/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Musicians-Checklist-Gigging-Tips.png alt=Musicians Checklist: 23 Little Things That Will Help You Nail Your Next Gig width=710px border=0 //a/pbr /br /br /br / p At Least One Week Before Put up posters around town. Dont rely completely on social media and the Internet to promote your band. An eye-catching flyer or poster is another great way to grab attention and bring people out to your show. Step up promotion on social media. Share and re-share your Facebook event and a digital image of your flyer or poster, and make sure youve invited all your local friends and followers. Contact local bloggers, radio personalities, and alt weekly writers. If you can get a little media coverage for your gig, youll be able to reach new fans. Plus you can share the coverage you get on social media to keep your current fans engaged and excited. Look for people who specialize in covering local music or music in your genre to help you out. Send an email to your local fans. Maybe youve noticed that its hard to reach all your fans on Facebook? For that reason, its a great idea to have an email list, as well. When you have a big show coming up, you can be sure your fans will get your email. The same cant be said for your Facebook posts. Confirm advance information with the venue. Make sure you know what time you need to set up, how long your set is, and the terms for payment have been agreed upon. The Day Before Double-check your gear. Do all your cables work? Do you need new strings? Better to take care of those things now than have an equipment issue on stage. Pack your gig bag. I like to bring a bottle of water, a couple protein bars, a roll of duct tape, extra ear plugs, sharpies, spare guitar strings, a handful of guitar picks, a bottle of hand sanitizer, and a small notebook with me to each show. Pack your bag the day before to get it out of the way and reduce stress the day of the show. Print or write copies of your set list. Dont wing it on stage. Make sure youve planned your set and practiced it before your show. Plan your outfit. Figure out what you want to wear and lay it out somewhere. Dont add stress  by scrambling to find the right stage look  at the very last minute.  If youre in a band or ensemble, talk about what youre going to wear with the group so you can present a cohesive image. Get a good nights sleep. Youll perform better when youre rested, and youll have more fun. The Day Of Banish your stagefright with a calming activity. Get into a good mindset by reading a book, meditating, exercising, or watching your favorite show. Figure out what calms you and helps you prepare to play like the rockstar you are. Eat a light meal two to three hours before you perform.  When youre on stage, you dont want to feel heavy and sleepy like youve just eaten five Thanksgiving dinners, but you also dont want to get hungry and lightheaded. Have a healthy meal so youll be on top of your game. At the Gig Be there on time. Being punctual shows the venue that you respect their time, appreciate the opportunity youve been given to perform, and that youre professional. Seriously, if you dont follow any of these other tips, you must at least show up on time. Always be polite and professional. Save your complaints about the crowd, venue, or other bands for the privacy of your rehearsal space. When youre at the gig, be positive and kind. You never know whos watching, and you want to make a great impression. Say hi to the sound person, and remember their  name. The sound guy or gal is the person who has the biggest impact on how youll sound in the audience. Be nice to them, and always remember to thank them for the  help. Make friends with the other bands. Hang out and watch their sets, and theyll want to stay for yours, too. If youre lucky, the other bands will  like you and offer you another great gig. Dont forget to bring merch. One of the best ways to make money at a gig is to have something for sale. Additionally, people will remember you better if they have something to take with them. Whether youve got stickers and CDs or vinyl records and t-shirts, dont play a show without putting something on the merch table. Always thank the venue, the fans, and the other bands during your set. Be gracious, and spread the love. Being likable will help you get further in your local music scene than just talent alone. Have fun on stage!!! Enjoy your time in the spotlight. Your audience will feel the vibes and have a great time, too. The Next Day Post thank yous on social media to your fans, the other bands, and the venue. Keep the good times rolling by thanking everyone again. They  will notice and appreciate it. Re-post the photos that your  fans shared at the gig. If someone captured a really great live shot of you, show other people what they missed out on by sharing it. You can generate buzz for your next show by sharing how much fun your show was last night. Update the upcoming gigs list on your website. Make sure your concert listings stay current by updating your site the next day. Or, if remembering to update your list is too hard, sign up for  Songkick  and their widget will update for you when the gig has passed.  All you have to do is enter your performance dates, and Songkick will display them on your website, Facebook, SoundCloud, and other sites. Once  the gig has come and gone, remember that the most important thing is the music. Keep practicing and working on your craft, whether you have a show coming up or not. You can always  improve musically, and youll likely find you get better with every gig you play. Rock on, and good luck! Do you teach music lessons? Teaching music lessons is a great way for musicians to earn more on the side. Create a TakeLessons profile today to help you grow and manage your private teaching business! Photo by  Kmeron Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Homeschool Tutors in New Orleans - Private Tutoring

Homeschool Tutors in New Orleans BobbiM Mar 17, 2013 Homeschool Tutors in New Orleans This post is the first of a series Im calling: Subject by City. What I mean is that Im going to highlight tutors that teach a specific subject in a city. Make sense? Okay, here we go. Todays subject of the day is Homeschool. And the city is New Orleans. Hence, Homeschool Tutors in New Orleans, or, people that homeschool within 20 miles of zip code  70119. Feel free to see the rest of the Homeschool Tutors in New Orleans area. A Quick Observation So, Ive noticed that there is quite a bit of inbound traffic from people looking for tutors that homeschool in the New Orleans area. I have a hypothesis. From what I know, and I could be totally wrong, New Orleans doesnt have the best public school in the state. If thats true, then Id imagine a large number of parents wish to homeschool their children because they might feel that by doing so their children could receive a better education than from the public school system. Heres what I think is interesting. Again, Google, through their search prowess, is describing a social phenomenon. They can predict I believe accurately which states are more likely to homeschool their children based on search data. How cool is that!

Expanded SAT and ACT practice test schedule for February 2013

Expanded SAT and ACT practice test schedule for February 2013 Now that preparation for spring 2013 SAT and ACT tests is in full swing, AJ Tutoring is offering an expanded practice test schedule at our Palo Alto and San Jose offices.   Starting Saturday February 9, practice SAT and ACT exams will be offered at both offices in the morning and afternoon.   The morning exam begins at 8:30 am and ends at 12:30 pm, and the afternoon exam begins at 1 pm and ends at 5 pm.Starting Sunday February 10, AJ Tutorings Palo Alto office will also be offering Sunday morning SAT and ACT practice exams.   Sunday exams begin at 8:30 am and end at 12:30 pm.   For students who have been granted extended time on the SAT by the College Board, exams on Sunday February 10 and Sunday February 24 at Palo Alto can be taken with extended time.For AJ Tutorings full practice SAT and ACT testing schedule, please consult our website.   Sitting for a practice SAT or ACT at our office is always free of charge for AJ Tutorings current and prospective students, and is highly correl ated with success on the actual test day.   If youd like to sign up for a practice SAT or ACT test, please email info@ajtutoring.com, or call (650) 331-3251.   We cant wait to see you there!

Can I teach English abroad with an associates degree

Can I teach English abroad with an associates degree Almost 700,000 people graduate with an associate’s degree, a two-year degree awarded at many junior and community colleges across the States, every single year. (Note: The Canadian and UK equivalent to a US associate’s degree are two-year diploma programs, offered at a variety of post-secondary education institutions.) There are so many great reasons to earn an associate’s degree. Whether you plan to transfer to a four-year college for a bachelor’s degree or better prepare yourself for the job market, an associate’s degree is a cheaper and less time-consuming way for any student to get their first two years of college under their belt. But what if you want to move abroad and teach English? Does your associate’s degree count for anything in the competitive global ESL job market? Where can (and can’t) you teach with your associate’s degree? And how can associate’s degree holders make the most of their credential when it comes to teaching English abroad? Read on to find out the answers! 1. Add more value to your associate’s degree with a TEFL certificate. The standard qualifications to teach English abroad usually include a bachelor’s degree, native-level English skills and a TEFL certification. If you’re falling short of this first requirement, then a surefire way to make your resume stand out amidst the competition (the majority of whom will have a four-year degree) is to get TEFL certified. Getting TEFL certified will not only get you shortlisted for jobs. It will also expand your ESL teaching know-how and help you impress at the interview stage. In short: It’s going to be difficult for you to get hired for a well-paying, legit English teaching job without a TEFL. 2. Search for English teaching jobs abroad you qualify for with an associate’s degree. Most government teaching programs (like EPIK in South Korea)accept only graduates with a bachelor’s degree. While China is one country where you need a four-year bachelor’s degree, there are a whole bunch of English teaching destinations overseas that welcome applications from associate’s degree holders with the right TEFL training. Take for exampleSouth Americancountries, like: Costa Rica Bolivia Chile Argentina Nicaragua These are all great countries to focus your job search if you’re interested in living and traveling in an astoundingly diverse, beautiful and dynamic region. (Yup, that makes two of us!) The salaries aren’t as high as you can expect inEurope or Asia, but the cost of living and competition for jobs is much lower. And if Asia is where you want to teach, don’t panic - all is not lost! Countries like Taiwan, Thailand and Cambodia don’t require overseas teachers to have completed a four-year degree - your two-year degree and TEFL certificate is plenty. And South Korea isn’t out of bounds, either. The TaLK program accepts candidates with an associate’s degree as well as students who are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program. The perks aren’t quite as good as you’ll get with EPIK, but you’ll earn enough to live comfortably and explore this incredible country. Read this: No degree? 5 places to consider teaching English abroad so you can see the world this year. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. 3. Consider volunteer teaching job opportunities. English teaching opportunities overseas come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re into the idea of teaching English abroad on a volunteer basis, then there are organizations based in countries worldwide that are clambering to hire people with an associate’s degree. Usually, you’ll earn a stipend to cover your daily living expenses, plus accommodation costs covered. Best of all? By volunteer teaching abroad, you have the chance to live like a local and immerse yourself in the culture and community, rather than experiencing it as a tourist would! Sold? Get started by reading more about volunteer teaching English in China. Moving abroad is daunting for any new graduate. You’ve been in education for quite a while and the real world might feel like a terrifying place. But think of the amazing people you’ll meet, the life skills you’ll gain and the experiences you’ll encounter while teaching English abroad. The world is your oyster. Grab life with both hands and go for it!

March Madness Munchies

March Madness Munchies http://www.sheknows.com Seven-Layer Court Dip Need we say more? Seven layers of pure deliciousness carefully arranged to resemble a basketball court will be the hit of the party. The layers consist of refried beans, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, olives, and scallions. Make sure to add crispy tortilla chips in the stands to watch as your party guests devour this delicious appetizer. http://www.werecallingshenanigans.com Dunkin Buffalo Chicken Bites You’ll make a slam dunk with these buffalo chicken bites dunked in either blue cheese sauce or ranch dressing. Simple and quick for those party throwers who have a full day of class before throwing the party, this is the perfect snack. Grab some plastic condiment cups from the dining hall and use a Sharpie to draw a net. Dunk your chicken bites and score some points! http://blog.emeals.com Buffalo-Ranch Chicken Taquitos Nobody can say no to a crispy, delicious taquito. These homemade buffalo ranch chicken taquitos are bound to go quickly at your watch party. It might not be the roundest snack to remind you that it’s March Madness, but you’ll forget that once you start munching on them! http://unsophisticook.com Basketball Popcorn Bags This is another easy-to-make March Madness Munchie for the busiest of college students who like to play host or hostess. Take some orange popcorn bags and a Sharpie to draw lines that resemble a basketball. Pop some popcorn, your flavor of choice, and fill the bags to the brim so your friends can eat while watching their favorite teams play each other. But beware, you may find popcorn on your floor the next morning! http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com Nutter Butter Referees These cookies are absolutely adorable! Buy some Nutter Butter cookies and melt some white chocolate. Dip half of the cookie into the melted chocolate and let dry. Put some black icing into a plastic bag and cut the corner off so you can make precise lines for the hair, mouth, and lines on the ref’s uniform. Your guests will be sure to love the cookies who call the shots! http://www.julieseatsandtreats.com Peanut Butter Dip For those peanut butter lovers out there, they will be sure to hover around this dish at your March Madness party. Creamy and sweet, this dip will go with anything you want to dip in it: pretzels, apples, cookies, you name it! Make sure to buy a bag of Reese’s Pieces and arrange the candy to look like a basketball on the surface of the dip. It’ll add a great crunch to your munch! http://www.2wired2tired.com Slam Dunk Basketball Cookies Everyone loves Oreos. So you can’t go wrong with these chocolate covered Oreos made to look like basketballs! Melt some Wilton orange candy melts on a stovetop and dip the cookie in. Let the chocolate harden on wax paper. Once it’s dry, take some melted black candy melts and pipe it through a plastic bag to make the lines of a basketball. They’re sure to make a slam dunk at any basketball party! http://www.hanielas.com Basketball Hoop Cupcakes If you’re feeling a little crafty, these cupcakes will surely be a slam dunk! Topped off with a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and carefully placed icing, your guests will enjoy trying to eat this dessert without making a mess while watching their favorite team dribble the ball down the court. Show off your unique baking skills to impress your guests! http://www.recipegirl.com Basketball Strawberry Everyone loves chocolate covered strawberries, so why not step it up a notch and decorate this classic dessert to look like a basketball? Just like the Walton orange candy melts used for the Slam Dunk Basketball Cookies, melt it on the stove and dip the strawberries in. Use a plastic bag with a corner cut off to delicately place the black icing to make the pattern of a basketball.

Updates Changes to the Teaching System

Updates Changes to the Teaching System Are you interested in getting online language lessons or speaking practice? Weve made some important updates to the website that we hope will make it easier to find a teacher that suits your needs! We are separating our Language Teachers into Community Tutors and Professional Teachers. Secondly, we will divide the services which are provided into formal Language Lessons, Speaking Practice, and Language Exchange. What has changed? * Weve made a new menu for the website that will make it easier to pick a service Language Lessons, Speaking Practice, Language Exchange (and of course Answers, Notebook, and Groups) * We have new profiles for Users, Teachers, and Tutors. Now you can make it clearer what youre looking for, whether it is a Chinese language exchange partner or a teacher to practice English. * We have a simplified rating system for teachers * We have made it easier to contact other users, particularly teachers and tutors What Teacher Service should I choose? If you wish to just focus on speaking practice or getting help on your homework, then you can take a session with our Community Tutors. A Community Tutor is generally a native speaker of the language, but does not work as a teacher or have formal training as a teacher. A Community Tutor is great for people who are already taking lessons offline, or are intermediate / advanced level. Many Community Tutors also prepare in-depth lessons like Professional Teachers. Professional Teachers are able to give formal language lessons, and teach you how to learn all aspects of a foreign language. Professional teachers are trained in a teaching method, and can provide a structured approach to learning. Professional Teachers are necessary for beginner level students, and are a faster way to progress for advanced and intermediate level students. For any questions about these upcoming changes, please check out the italki support forum or email support@italki.com.