Abel Bliss, Jr. (August 8, 1853 – April 18, 1936) was an American engineer and businessman.
Bliss was born in New Lenox, Illinois on August 8, 1853, the sixth of seven children. He attended high school at Englewood, and afterward was a student of engineering at University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. He was married, on February 21, 1877, to Nettie Lynk. He gave up engineering partway through his degree, due to circumstances that required him to take charge of the family farm, where he grew wealthy through his agricultural business and real estate investments. In June 1874, the University granted him a partial certificate in civil engineering. His business ventures included agriculture and real estate, and by 1929, he was a partner in the land development and oil production company of Bliss & Wetherbee.
Bliss died in Shreveport, Louisiana on April 18, 1936 at the age of 82.
V. Vijaya Prabhakaran (born 13 December 1990) is an Indian politician and Youth Wing Secretary for Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam since April 2025. He is the son of actor turned politician Vijayakanth.
In 2024, Vijaya Prabhakaran contested in the 2024 Indian general election for the Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency representing Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam. However, he was defeated by Indian National Congress participant Manickam Tagore and ended in 2nd position with 380,877 votes.
Lok Sabha Elections Contested
Elections |
Constituency |
Party |
Result |
Vote percentage |
Opposition Candidate |
Opposition Party |
Opposition vote percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 Indian general election |
Virudhunagar |
DMDK |
35.87 |
Manickam Tagore |
INC |
36.28 |
A patternmaker is a skilled worker who produces patterns on paper or fabric for use in the clothing industry.
Apparel patternmakers draft patterns based on a designer's sketch of a style. The designer gives the sketch to the patternmaker, who can ask questions to determine details the designer is looking for.
Patterns may be drafted on paper or in a computer program designed for patternmaking. Most of the time, in modern American samplerooms, the patternmaker pulls an existing pattern (or block) and makes a modified copy of it to match the new style, either on paper or on computer. If the style is completely new, the patternmaker will usually drape a rough draft in muslin fabric on a dress form, then show it to the designer to discuss any changes before transferring the markings to paper to create the pattern for cutting. Patterns may also be drafted from measurements, this method can also produce well fitting garments as long as the patternmaker has a good handle on shapes and balance. Patternmakers are also asked to copy existing garments without damaging them. This is a common practice in American samplerooms.
Patternmakers have a combination of engineering and design skill. They need to be able to understand what the designer wants, and translate that into the lines of a pattern that will cause the garment to fit correctly. Ideally, the pattern captures not only the fit, but also the flair intended by the designer.
Patternmaking is taught in conjunction with fashion design education, as it is vital for designers to understand the apparel development process. It is also taught as a major at certain trade schools. There are many books on the subject, but it is rare for a patternmaker to become a professional through teaching oneself. Apprenticeships are almost unheard of in modern America, but would serve well to improve the transition from student to professional status. Because this occupation is relatively unknown outside of the apparel industry, there is a serious lack of patternmakers who can accurately interpret designs in Los Angeles, and possibly other fashion capitals.
Passage to Dawn is an epic fantasy novel series written by American author Derrick Smythe. The series combines traditional high fantasy elements with themes involving institutional religion, political conflict, prophecy, and moral philosophy. Published entries include three primary novels — The Other Magic, The Other Way, and The Other Battle — alongside companion prequel novellas set in the same fictional universe.
The series has received recognition within independent publishing circles and has been the subject of reviews across genre blogs, book review platforms, and audiobook media outlets.