Another Sew Expo has come and gone, and it once again included plenty of shopping and learning opportunities. This year I did most of my fabric-shopping damage at Billie’s Designer Fabrics, and for once I managed NOT to buy any predominantly black or grey fabric! I came home with a lovely royal blue rayon knit, a royal blue + white + grey + black ITY knit print, and some nice bottomweight navy ponte for slim pants. All I can say is it is probably a good thing this gem of a fabric store is located more than two hours from my house. 😉
I took a fair number of mobile pix-Â none of which are that great – but I was tweeting like crazy woman during the show. If you want to see the whole kit and caboodle, check out my Flickr Sew Expo 2013 set. DOL’s can see a couple of not very good shots of Loretta in the ASG Fashion Show and a great shot of Marcy and Katherine in their booth. 😉
My classes were mostly good. Here is the report card I would hand out:
- B-    Industry Insider Techniques for Garment Sewing (Louise Cutting) Needs to update herpresentation. Not much that was new to me, but I did like her method for easing in a sleeve. Also she should use a video cam or some projection system so all attendees can actually SEE what is being demoed.
- C-Â Â Â Â Stabilizers – The Backbone Behind Stitching. This was heavily slanted for quilters/crafters. Teacher knew her stuff, but garment sewists can feel free to bypass this one.
- AÂ Â Â Â Â No Pins, No Basting, No Kidding (Islander Sewing System). Good presentation using a video cam so it was easily seen by all participants. And great techniques!
- A++ Thread Therapy with Dr. Bob. He was funny, organized, and so dang knowledgable. Learned a ton and laughed a lot!
- AÂ Â Â Â Â Make Your Fabric Work for You (Katrina Walker). I love textile geeks. You always learn something from Katrina! Rule #1. The stiffer the fabric the closer it needs to be to your body. (Unless, of course, you want to look like a tent.)
- AÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Ultimate in Under Things (Jan Bones). Those Canadians are a hoot. Debra Justice, Ce Podolak, Jan – they are all excellent teachers. Not to mention funny as hell! Take any class they offer.
- AÂ Â Â Â Â Cover Hem Workshop. Very good hands-on class and Gail Yellen was a great teacher. My goal for this year is to push the envelope a little more on my serger, and I got a good start in this class.
- C-Â Â Â Â Â Designer Serger Techniques. This hands-on workshop turned out to be techniques only for knits, and very little of it qualifed as “designer” IMHO. No way was this worth $70. Narrow hemming with decorative thread = “designer” ? More like “basic utility stitch”!!
The “After Expo Banquet” on Saturday night was festive(as usual), and the opportunity to be surrounded by my “tribe” of fellow sewing nerds for a few days is always inspiring and exhilirating. What am I looking forward to at next year’s Expo?
- I am thinking maybe I should enter the IPCAÂ Sewing Contest. You know – challenge myself a little. What do you think?
- The hands-on workshop can definitely be worthwhile. I think I will try more next year.
- Shams – you should definitely join the party. (You will love it!!)
- Marcy – I know you are a drapey kind of gal and I am a structured kind of gal, but think about tossing in some heavier ponte-type knits for slim pants. For those of us who want to skim over our lumps and bumps instead of draping right onto them! 😉
What did you think of Expo? What do you want to see more/less of next year?
Happy sewing!
Maris Olsen