SewExpo 2017

I am still processing this last weekend. At the literal last minute (6:43am), I was allowed time off work to attend SewExpo in Puyallup, Washington.

Pencil Girl had been up there since Tuesday and Kyle, from VacuumingTheLawn, was planning to attend. I wanted to go badly but someone else had the time off at work. Miracles do happen - even if the process is too tortuous to watch.

I watched serious sewing inspiration unfold before my eyes and I think I have the last puzzle piece to my future business plan. Since I came home, I have  been busy researching and figuring out how this puzzle piece will enable me to work from home and earn the income I need.

 I met Deb from Simplicity Patterns. She made this dress at the last hour before the show. You would never know how this pattern became this cutie-pie dress from looking at the pattern envelope. She added this denim pleated trim after making the dress and her discerning eye is apparently why she works for Simplicity patterns.

 Here she is holding that pattern up - pardon that lighting. Those were flutter sleeves on the envelope. It's always nice to meet someone shorter than myself who can fit for her figure. --- And then add the pizazz that makes it work.

 The McCall's Fashion Runway Show was amazing and inspirational. Gertie is another blogger who has made this industry work for her. She not only designs patterns and fabric, she is now rockin' the runway.

 Alongside her on the runway was a new to me blogger, Riva LaDiva (washington state). The runway patter was done by Melissa Watson (Oregon!). Her mom helped create the Palmer & Pletch Method of sewing (also Oregon).

These are all people who have made sewing create a living for themselves.

The trends this year are all about the sleeves. From Flutters to Cold Shoulders (shoulder cut-out), anything you do to make sleeves amazing is something to aspire to.

Next to her on the left is Kyle, from Vacuuming The Lawn, who is an amazing technical sewist  from the east coast who I specifically prayed to the gods of vacation to meet up ***in person***.

 Just loved this t shirt knit. I bought two lengths of knit for t-shirts because this show is evolving into garment sewing with vendors bringing those type of sewing materials. Quilting is still huge but it was nice to see some of the sewing notions available to learn about and buy that make sewing your own clothes successful.

I think we all agreed this booth, Style Maker Fabrics, was spot on with trendy fabrics.

 And, of course, the airplane spotting continues. This was in the ByAnnie booth with a ten dollar pattern. I already own this airplane block from numerous historical patterns. Her booth features her patterns and the supplies that make a bag better. Another person who has made sewing work for her.

 A little bit of cute irony. They did have the fabric available from which they fussy cut these little blocks. However, in a fat quarter of material, this was one of 20 sewing quotes.

Irony is the opposite of wrinkly. An embroidery project for the future.

 This piece was a bit overdone with the cut-outs. But I loved it for the inspiration when I make bags - having the under material peep out through cut-outs in the vinyl.

 Babylock's Embroidery machine. It can digitize your designs so you don't have to rely on someone elses designs and fonts. I'm thinking deep airplane thoughts here.

Just peeping out from under my arm is my big Pendleton shopping bag. It holds a million little purchases.

 In the same booth as the squirrel at the start of this post. If I ever quilted - I am in love with this strip applique method of adding texture and depth. 
Thankfully - I don't quilt.

Cuz - they sold kits.

Tempting - so tempting.

 Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) in a dragonfly motif.    Love.

My bag from Pacific Fabrics - with an airplane on it. You have to spend $50 to get the bag which is usually no trouble as this Washington fabric store understands marketing to sewists. They stocked pocket tissues with sewing machines on them. They often have airplane fabric, but also other cool fabrics that you must buy.

So, a funny story::: I went early on Saturday  morning before the crowds hit so I could look at everything in the Pacific Fabric booth. Then I took advantage of the cheap coat/bag check to store my Pacific Fabrics haul for the day so I didn't have to cart around heavy stuff.

I didn't know they closed promptly at 6pm. We were sitting in the food court chatting and eating and Pencil Girl had to go off to her Satuday Night Quilter's Evening Out show. Kyle and  I got up to go and get my bag and the door was locked. Tight. Then we had to find someone with keys. To open it up - cuz my car keys were in my coat. Just a little adventure....

Long post, too busy to figure out how to make several posts. Thank you for reading so far.
SewExpo is the best sewing show out there and I'm lucky enough to live 2 hrs and 40 minutes away from it.

I'm back on overtime, so my free time has been used up thinking deep thoughts about the future which is creeping quickly towards me. I'm happy the Sewing Gods intervened and made this trip possible.

Zion Mennonite Church Quilting Workshop 2016

I drove out to the Zion Mennonite Quilt Show this morning after work.

I have known about this amazing array of quilts for many years but this was my first time where my work schedule and my other life schedule said "Go!".

It's not very far from my house and I know many of the quilters.
This is their 44th year holding the workshop.

Her machine is a Brother.

 You can't come to a quilt show without your quilted tote.

 I liked this strip quilt set on a dark gray solid.

Little kitties playing. Embroidered baby quilt.

 Hawaiian Applique

 The big room in their fellowship hall. Giant quilt frame. Anyone can join in.
The walls were lined in quilts.

 Liked the seeming simplicity of this pastel quilt.
It probably is easy to make, or not.

 A couple of flower wall hangings.

 Someone made the stuffed toy. 
I liked the quilt behind it and really liked the photographer in my shot.

 I love these giant sunbonnet sue variation quilts. This one with fabric and embroidery. Each one holding a posie. This quilt is hand-quilted.

 This is not some giant quilt show that charges admission. The ladies accept donations to fund their charity of choice but all items can be touched, photographed, lusted after.
Look at these tiny sweet sewing machines.

 This appliqued quilt is to the left of the sewing machine montage.

 Teeny, Tiny one-inch squares. Set on point.
Gorgeous mini quilt - although it is baby quilt sized.

 Vintage Amish Baby quilt.  Sorry - the sign tag had too much light to show up.

 Dimensional BowTie.

 And then we get to the Friendship quilts. A couple of these were from the 1970's. I thought most were done in the 40's & 50's. 

This pink sashed one above is very typical. Everyone was given a white block to embroider/sew/autograph and then it was sashed in pink with white squares between. Squares and rectangles.

 The one I found at an estate sale (for a buck) was more elaborate with the hexagons.
It was in very poor shape and I salvaged what I could and upcycled the good parts into pincushions.

Made in the 40's, this Grandmother's Flower Garden incorporates typical 40's pinks and greens.

Oh - I did find one airplane quilt made with these Michael Miller fabrics ( I have these same fabric panels stashed away!)

Nothing to compare with my Lucky Lindy airplane quilt:


I still have not decided what to do with this. The wadding is all lumpy in the seams. There are only a couple of places where the fabrics have worn through, however, it is in poor/acceptable condition because of the wadding. 

I had thought of hanging it at the head of my bed. I need to find a rod and brackets and then fashion a hanging pocket on the back.

***If you click on the photos, you can see the tag details of who made the quilt, what year, what pattern.

Donations are accepted via Zion Mennonite Church and fund various charitable groups.

Sewing Machine Fabric

I can't sew right now.

 My coworker's mom passed away and I've done 8 weeks of overtime plus mgmt's "you're a crap employee" talk twice now - once on overtime to the tune of $75 to listen (ha) to "blahblahblah" and don't even get me started about the heat that has stricken western Oregon.

Fortunately for me, I have air conditioning, so I can catch up on some blog reading. 

Kadiddlehopper is on my "C" list; blogs I like to keep an eye on to see if they continue being interesting. She made a t-shirt out of this knit. I fell into lust. I wanted this fabric. Beautiful blue background with lighter tone sewing machines and cute little hearts in the scissor borders.

I clicked the link which led to a UK shop, so I chased down a US seller,  and half-an-hour later, paypal'ed my own sewing machine knit fabric.

It came with a little note saying a swatch had been cut into the fabric and she sent *extra*.

 Knit from Lillestoff - out of Germany, I think. 
Very soft, very nice next to the skin.

I have a yard and a half to pet.

Pencil Girl Made Me Do It

Pfaff Quilter's Expression 4.0


I had been thinking about a Bernina 450 - mainly because of the 9mm stitch width and the stitch regulator.
I came to SewExpo to check other brands out. I am 30 minutes from dealers who may -or may not - stock all the different machines.
For instance, the Bernina 450 is an older machine -came out five years ago. Difficult to see one in action as the dealers all want to sell their 500 series now.

Anyway--- the Pfaff did one up on that 450 with the dual feed, aka, the walking foot -- permanently attached to engage or disengage without tossing the notion drawer in my sewing room looking for this attachment.

And, even though the overtime money is plentiful right now, I am super pleased to have spent way less than half of what the Bernina would have cost.
Show special - brand new in the box.

Oh --- Why did I fall in love with the 9mm stitch?

The buttonholes look amazing at that width.