Basic Tricks To Take Your Sewing Up A Notch

01 April, 2018

SewExpo 2018


 This years SewExpo did not disappoint.

Focused on all things in the sewing world from fabric and patterns to knitting and yarn, to experts and the classes. Not to mention meeting other sewists. Who become friends instantly.

Fabulous inspiration.

The above photo is of a Pendleton vest I would love to make. I love the black and white wool and no sleeves means no itching and not so hot for Oregon's mild temps. I bought some of the wool jersey binding for that future moment when I have time. Just fabric panels cut and then bias jersey to wrap the raw edges. Very few seams.



 One of the vendors had this headgear in their space. Pretend you stuck some scissors through your head.

 I liked the business concept of this shop - already a month ago and their name is erased from my memory. Pre-cut coordinating fabrics along with your choice of a free pattern. The patterns themselves were interesting. And most of their coordinating seemed coordinated.

Customers decide on their colorway, pick their choice of pattern and run sew with it. Cool business plan.

 This was a fabric Pencil Girl picked out for me. Which I promptly bought, because she has awesome taste for me.

I've actually sewed up the pattern but have some proportional issues in a time-out for now. It's a little long on my body.  I have some ideas on how to fix it up but I'll need some uninterrupted time to make it work. And those photos are still on the Iphone, so I may show them later, if I have the gumption.

 My sleeves are the solid light aqua. The stripey aqua is the base and the mesh is detailed around the back neck area and may appear on the front as well when I do get back to this shirt.


 VacuumingTheLawn passed on these Mollie Makes magazine (from the UK). They come with a free stitching gift and she embroiders them all up. Kyle's mostly on IG nowadays but you can see some of her MollieMakes on her blog. which she has mostly abandoned.


 And then, because I was committed to my knit shirt, I bought some Kai scissors designed to cut knits. They have a micro serrated edge on one of the blades so they don't catch on the knit thread loops.

They worked quite well. I could cut with my rotary cutter but I don't have a great place to do that and lay out the knit so it doesn't slide all over.



 I also bought two Simplicity patterns to play with. This dress has great style lines.


 Some christmas presents for my friend in Japan. Three months late.

I was mostly finished putting the box together but felt it needed some extras, so I waited for SewExpo, which did not disappoint.

Some converse shoes in red and black - just because they were miniature and cutecutecute.
Sewing themed buttons for the same reason.
Not to mention the tiny scissors print.

The airplane fabric is all for me though.

 Simplicity put out these tea towels and tote bags printed with pattern reprints. She needed those too.

I bought one towel for me but it can't go up because hubby thinks you should wipe first and then wash. Ahem. Guys are so backwards.




 Pacific Fabris is putting out some Seattle themed fabric for the last couple of years so I had to buy this one yard piece.

 Kenmore Air flies those DeHavilland Beavers. Big round engine noise designed to haul lots of crap. I first flew in one over thirty years ago up in Alaska. And here it is on fabric in my favorite colors.

And I actually managed to get a good photo of those new Kai scissors with the serrated edge.



 More micro stripe knit in a nice color for a tshirt.



And the new Eloflex thread  which stretches slightly for stronger seams on your regular sewing  machine. It worked great too.


 And finally, some springy flowers. (behind in posting those too)





This guy kept me company while I pruned the raspberries back.




7 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a lovely time at the Sew Expo! You came away with some very nice items too. Good color choices! I love the tea towels-those are too cute! Lovely spring flower photos. :)
    Happy sewing!

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  2. It is fun seeing photos of sewing expo and remembering fun times! I am glad to hear the Elofkex thread works well!

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  3. You really are the sewing-est person I know! I bet you had a fabulous time at the expo and I'm glad you found some things to make you happy. Your little Maple trees you gave me are starting to leaf out! Sweet! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. Wow, that looks like a great event! You got a lovely load of goodies!! The hair and is fab, and the clothing pattern choices look really good. I have bought a few stretch fabric patterns but not actually made any. I love love LOVE the simplicity and Seattle stuff! I still have the simplicity note book you sent me - only used for important stuff (and in my bestest handwriting!). Sadly Seattle (Bellingham) is not now in my future but I know my father was very happy there! Xxx

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  5. Did you ... drumroll please ... RUN WITH SCISSORS? :D Sorry - couldn't resist! It looks like your SewExpo expedition was quite productive - you got some fun goodies, and had some fun times - win/win :D I like the information on that picture of the Flowy Tee pattern --- "extra hip/tummy room" -- now that's a feature I could get behind ... and INTO! :)

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    Replies
    1. I really like the back. The front seems too long. 'll try to get back to it next week.

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  6. Well, of course the airplane fabric is for you! :-) The flowy tee pattern looks promising and I hope you can figure out how to alter the front to make it proportional for you. Looking forward to hearing about progress (sometime). Thanks for such great pics, especially the cute frog!

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