S & S Expo, Day 1

Today, Varina and I enjoyed Sewing and Stitchery Expo, in Puyallup, WA. We'll go back tomorrow -- we simply couldn't see everything, and take every class we wanted in one day!
Today I attended seminars on Refined Embellishment Techniques (I learned a lot about bias tape possibilities, and about couching yarns), on recycling vintage hankies, tablecloths and garments into new options (my least favorite class -- it was a shameless plug for the teacher's web-business and new book), and on working with slinky knits (didn't learn much, but it's nice to know that I was all ready on the right track!).
Of course, a big part of the draw of Expo, is the opportunity to see fabrics, notions, software, books, tools, new technology, etc. from some of the leaders in the sewing industry. Translation: I went shopping!!!
Here's today's haul:

4 yds. Burmese Silk Dupioni in a stunning copper/bronze shade
3 yds rayon/silk challis in a floral-foliage print that has greens, browns, coral, salmon on a black background
pattern for making a teddy bear crib quilt
pattern for making a 3-D fan and block quilt
book by Martha Pullen on heirloom-style lingerie, including all patterns and an embroidery CD
kit for making warercolor quilt
pattern for making reversible kimono
and, [this one really has me excited]:
CD for machine embroidering lace 1-4in Cluny and Venice lace trims. I can now make my own heavy, thick lace trims for a song!! Well, the CD was $70.oo, but the first time I make enough lace to trim the hem of a full nightgown, I shall have made it back.
Everything I bought was on special prices for the Expo, but that didn't stop me from asking for, and getting, Military discount and/or Extension Agent discount!!! Shameless, I know.

Sorry, there are no pictures -- can you believe I left home for the beautiful Pacific Northwest without my camera???

New report to follow later!

Three for Tea

When my daughter, Varina (of http://varinascostume.blogspot.com) went back to Seattle after Christmas, she left a tea towel behind. I noticed that it is stained, and I felt that I should replace it. Also: I just finished teaching a 4-series cooking class for kids (see: I don't only sew) that culminated in teaching them yeast-raised bread methods. As a parting gift, I embroidered tea towels for each student, with which to cover their dough whilst rising.
I had some fabric left over, so I embellished some for Varina.
First, I bought a dozen "flour sack towels" from Costco for a song (actually $6.85), and cut each large towel in half. I did this partly because I had 14 students, and only 12 towels, but mostly because the full size was way bigger than is handy for covering a large mixing bowl full of dough. Then, I serged a narrow, tight rolled hem on the Baby, because I thought the hemming they had done was sloppy. Then I embroidered a corner of each one with a slice of decorated cake.
For Varina's towels, one has a teapot, one a teacup and the last has a slice of cake (I was on a roll).
I think they are adorable. What do you think???
I shall bring them to Varina next week, when I fly to Sea-Tac where we will spend 3 days at Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup.
I hope to see you there!

Latest Haul

Q: What do you get when you mix a great sale on patterns (www.voguepatterns.com) and one of those annoying rebate credit cards that you forget about until 3 hours before it expires????

A: This



They are
V8561 Marcy Tilton
V1014 Bellville Sassoon
V1039 Donna Karan
V1110 Sandra Betzina
V1045 ibid
V1164 ibid
V1165 ibid

Not a bad haul for consistently paying the electric bill on time!