www.sewexpo.com Issue 10, August 2008
| Dear Sewing
Sisters,
There isn’t a day in my life that “sewing” doesn’t enter into it, one way or another. Recently, I repaired my husband’s favorite blue jeans, and got together with my sister Ronda to make reusable tote bags out of our supply of old family T-shirts. (Even in Iowa, we’re trying to “GO GREEN.”) Sewing is a life skill, and, for me, sewing changes as my life changes. When my boys were small, I could buy too-long blue jeans at the Goodwill store and hem them. Imagine how much money I saved over the years! Then, I even made some spending money sewing custom doll clothes during the Cabbage Patch craze. Of course, because I’ve lived my adult life in the “fat lane” – sewing my own clothes meant I could always create my own look, even when the ready-to-wear stores were ignoring anybody 16-plus. Sewing is a hobby that fits into your life – whatever that means. You can sew gifts for friends or family or use your skills to decorate your home. (This summer, I made slipcovers for all my porch furniture!) Maybe this is the year you’ll be fascinated by making art quilts – or making look-a-like outfits for your granddaughter and her American Girl doll. Sewing allows you to save money, maybe even make a little money – or provides a creative outlet. What other hobby does all that? Fishing? Knitting? Bowling? Painting? I don’t think so… |
|
No doubt about it. We all know it. There’s JOY IN SEWING. Every month, I try to write about some of the Puyallup exhibitors who help us celebrate the joy of sewing. Our exhibitors are the cream of the crop, the best of the best – and they come to the show every year from all over the world.
Joan Hinds, the owner of Fancywork and Fashion, lives in Duluth, Minnesota. Joan’s specialty is all-things-dolls. She has written 14 books about doll clothes, and designed scores of doll patterns. With the popularity of the American Girl dolls, Joan designed machine embroidery scaled for dolls, and has been busy writing articles for magazines. According to Joan, “Everybody loves the American Girl dolls! Because of EXPO, I started to carry a full line of doll accessories: socks, shoes of all kinds – even little tiaras!” By the time EXPO gets here, Joan will have six books (each book has 20 patterns) for the American Doll, and her pattern line will have 12 patterns. For a preview, check out her Web site: http://www.fancyworkandfashion.com/. Cindy Losekamp, the owner of Sew Artfully Yours, is a popular speaker who travels all over the country teaching classes and hands-on workshops at sewing machine conventions, dealerships or sewing guilds. For her schedule, check out her Web site: http://www.sewingart.com/. She is known as a “teacher’s teacher.” Her specialty is sewing machine embroidery, and her books are considered to be the best “how-to” in the industry. Unlike most machine embroidery books, Cindy’s books are written for specific embroidery machine models, so they provide excellent directions and are updated frequently. Cindy said, “I just assumed I’d have to update my book when a new machine came out. I just never knew how much work it would be! The sewing machine companies really keep me busy!” Cindy lives in Indiana with her husband, Ron, who travels with her. This is a picture of Cindy and Ron working in their booth in Puyallup.
|
|
But EXPO is mostly about YOU. The show would not exist if it weren’t for your support and enthusiasm. Every year, we notice more and more the many groups of “girlfriends” who come to the show. Here’s a mini-gallery of some of you, having a wonderful time at last year’s show…
Remember that for the 2009 show – our 25th anniversary – we are designing some special iron-on transfers AND machine embroidery designs that you can use to create your very own “show souvenir.” Here are some of the suggestions I’ve received:
Keep ’em coming, ladies. I’ll let you know when we pick the official slogans so you can make your own souvenirs – and let you know where you can go to buy them. You’ll have PLENTY OF TIME to sew up that stash before the big 2009 25th Anniversary Party!! |
|
In last month’s newsletter, I passed on the suggestion that
somebody start a group so sewing enthusiasts who live in the
Puyallup area could hook up with those of us who are coming in for
the show. WITHIN MINUTES – we had our group!! Here’s the
e-mail I received: Looking forward to your next
newsletter. AWESOME!! Thanks, Gabriele, for being SO FAST to set it up. I’m looking forward to visiting this Yahoo Group – and seeing what kind of connections happen. It’ll be fun to see how it works – and to write about your experiences after next year’s show. |
 |
So – hey – whatever you’re doing right now – start saving your money and making your plans for EXPO 2009. Remember – this is our 25th anniversary!! We have LOTS OF EXCITING things planned for you, and in next month’s newsletter we will be making the big announcement about the Saturday Night “Quilter’s Night Out.” See you at the show! Rita Farro P.S. Remember, please forward this e-mail to anybody you know who might enjoy coming to the show! It’s going to be the BEST SEWING PARTY EVER!! |
You have received
this newsletter as a result of being a past participant of the
Expo.
If you want to be removed from further email messages
regarding this event,
please send a message HERE, and your
email address will be removed.
If you received this from
someone else and would like to be added to our mailing list,
send a note HERE and we'll
add you to the next distribution.
Have a story or idea to
share? Please share it with us by sending a note HERE
Washington State University
Center for
Distance and Professional Education
208 Van Doren
Hall
Pullman, WA 99164-5222
