Well – I’m officially a part-time “empty nester,” and it’s time I start sewing again.  There is no longer a bed or evidence of a teenage boy living in my sewing room!  I have organized all my “had-to-have” patterns and fabrics and I’m ready to roll for Spring and Summer sewing.  But first I think I need some refresher classes that sound great at Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Raleigh this June 20-22.  I checked to make sure the following classes still had plenty of room in them (often the hands-on classes sell out early), so here is what I plan to indulge in:

Thursday:

What Does This Fabric Want to Be?  – how great will this be for my HUGE stash of had-to-haves…9:00 – 10:00

Laminated Beauty Bag:  Let’s Make Up  -  this sounds really fun!   12:30-3:30

Downtown Bags  -  you can never have too many fun bags, right?   4:00-5:00

Hipster Chick  -  sew many techniques in this class – I’m excited to have a travel e-reader sleeve and learn how to do a monogram!  6:00-9:00 PM –will sleep well tonite!

Friday:  

Mix it Up  -  Another class with ideas for using different fabrics (different teacher, also)  9:00-10:00

Soup to Nuts Bracelet

Bead Soup to Nuts Bracelet  -  I saw a sample of this….so awesome!!  12:30-3:30

3:30-6:00   -  SHOPPIN TIME!

Color Me Confident  -  I’ve always wanted to know if the colors and fabrics I love are good choices for me.  I’m bringing lots of swatches!  6:00-9:00 PM

Saturday:

Seven Core Sewing Skills  -  Fabulous sounding class from an impeccable seamstress  10:30-11:30

Seams Make the Difference  -  I’d REALLY like to know more than serged finishes!   12:30-3:30

Sew,  I am bound and determined to push myself with a pretty strenuous schedule, because I KNOW I will come home with completed projects, samples and knowledge to get myself back on the sewing track.  Next time I go to an Expo,  I think I might dabble in some beginner quilting classes!!!!   RALEIGH,  here I come!

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo is excited to see you in Raleighat the Raleigh Convention Center on June 20, 21 & 22, 2013!

You can take workshops, explore quilts in the Display Gallery, make quick projects in The Spot, and much more!

Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a FREE Value Package A. 

Value Package A includes 5 class sessions, 3 day general admission, an Expo shopping bag and a limited edition neck wallet! Yippee…

Giveaway ends on Monday May 13th at 9:00 AM EST.

The giveaway is now closed.

Congratulations to Ginny Sharrow, the winner of a Value Package A!  See you in Raleigh…

To all the fashionista’s out there–I (Aly) figure it couldn’t hurt to have an overview of some major spring trends happening right now!

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE checking out all of the Runway’s for fresh fashion trends and ideas. We’ve even got some stellar fashionista’s in the office here that are always representing great style and swag.

This is straight from some hopping sources (i.e. Glamour, Elle, and Bazaar and E!)

Here’s what you NEED to know:

1. Bermuda Shorts

• Slouchy, almost oversized shorts for the way-cool girl.

2. Funky Stripes

• I’m loving this look from Christian Dior. Such an interesting way to add appeal and flatter with the skirt overlay and the red stripe throughout the look. Way fun!

•  Or even this Oscar de la Renta gem. I’m in love.
• Don’t be afraid of the bold black and whites!

3. Pale Nails

• Going even further than just garment fashion–let’s not forget to look at the whole look, ladies! 
• It’s not necessarily about the bold, obnoxious brights, but the subdued, calm pastels. 

4. Bomber Jackets

• Woah…throwback!
• An easy way to streamline a look toward a luxury, sporty look. Throw over and go!

5.  Oversized, White Shirts

• An interesting one, that’s for sure. But definitely not worth neglecting. Thoughts?

There’s so much more to look at and chew on! But I hope this inspires you to dabble in some fashion trends and check out what we have to offer at the expo!

Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

What are your must have’s for spring? What are you most excited for?

To check out some happening trends, check out what we’ve got to offer at an Expo!

• Make-It-Center: featuring Amy Butler’s new Alchemy Collection by Rowan Fabrics to make a super-chiq Infinity Scarf!

• Teachers and Classes: featuring some of the greatest faculty in all of the fashion-sewing world!
• Shopping: take home some trendy, fun items from all over the country!
• Fashion Show: Get some real-life inspiration from our New Designer’s Fashion Show that happens at each location!

In case you haven’t heard, Original Sewing & Quilt Expo has started a new initiative this year called the Style Makeover!

Yes, you read right. Attendees who come to our Style Makeover event at the show have the opportunity to participate in style transformation right before your very eyes!  This is an unforgettable opportunity to refresh your look! One of the lucky attendees will be chosen to working with one of our talented Expo designers to create a whole new, flattering look with style, color and pinnache. See the “before” and the fabulous “after” and learn how to create a new look for yourself this season.
Do you want to be part of the Style Makeover?

Well you can! Our designer will work with you to find the most flattering styles, colors, fabrics and details to make a whole “new” you. If chosen, you will receive a $100 Expo Shopping Spree so you can start creating your new fashion trend right away.

If you would like to become part of the Style Makeover, be sure to attend this unforgettable event at the show! Check the The Spot and Studio schedules at the show to see when it’s happening, or ask one of our staff members for more information. 

Check out some of the transformations that have happened so far this year:

Meet Ruth– our participant in Atlanta! She was so encouraged by stylist Carol Steinbrecher!

Meet Tami–our participant in Cleveland! Overall, her experience was so positive, she even said this about it:

 

I just wanted to say thank you so very much for the style makeover! [You and] Carol were wonderful. I learned a great deal. Again thank you! Next year we are going to bring a larger group to the show. It was beautifully set up and very inspirational!

 

See you this week in Schaumburg! To see our up-and-coming locations, visit us at www.sewingexpo.com!

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo is excited to see you in Baltimore at the Baltimore Convention Center on May 9-11, 2013!

You can take classes, see amazing quilts in the Display Gallery and enjoy all kinds of activities in The Spot.

Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a FREE Value Package A. 

Value Package A includes 5 class sessions, 3 day general admission, an Expo shopping bag and a limited edition neck wallet! Yippee…

Giveaway ends on Friday March 29th at 3:00 PM EST.

The Giveaway is now closed.

Congratulations to Gee Maszczenski who won the Value Package A!  See you in Baltimore…

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo is excited to see you in Worcester at the DCU Center on April 11-13, 2013!

With classes, shopping, displays and all the sewing and quilting enthusiasts in your area, you’re sure to have a wonderful time!

Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a FREE Value Package A. 

Value Package A includes 5 class sessions, 3 day general admission, an Expo shopping bag and a limited edition neck wallet! Yippee…

Giveaway ends on Friday March 1st at 9:00 AM EST.

Comments are now closed.

Congratulations Fran!  You are the lucky winner of a Value Package A for the Worcester Expo!

That’s right, we have MORE UFOs!

Ellen had countless UFOs to pick from, but this coordinated, wrinkly trio represents the most recent additions to that bottom shelf that might someday get quilted…

Aly is just jumping into quilting, working away on this bright, paper-pieced project…

Holly brought this cheery blue and yellow fabric into the office a few weeks back.  Technically it wasn’t even a UFO yet, just supplies gathered for a duvet project.  That said, Holly had a deadline, and it looked like she was going to finish her project before anyone else…

She had already made a cover for her sewing machine and serger.

Along with some coordinated window treatments.

And, just in time for her house guest, Holly finished the duvet!

Variety is the spice of life and our staff dabbles in all kinds of stitchy projects.

Kari is an accomplished doll maker.  Like quilts and garments, dolls take time to construct too and they can creep into the UFO category.

It’s amazing how Kari manipulates the fabric to create this expressive face.

As Kari works towards finishing her dolls, Liz is knitting away on a great hat.  The yarn is leftover from a cozy sweater that Liz wears on cold days, and soon she’ll be so chic with a hat to match!

Liz is also in the midst of making a pink blouse with some pink cotton sateen.  She even had enough fabric left over to make some house blocks for a project she’s working on with her quilting group.

All this pink and red, will Liz be done by Valentine’s Day?  When will Kari finish the dolls?  Keep sewing Liz and Kari!

The initial rush of starting a project is ohh-so-exciting!  Sometimes you just can’t stop, and sometimes, well weeks, months, even years can fly by before you make your way back to finish it.  Unfinished objects, lovingly referred to as UFOs by quilters, sewers, and crafters alike are everywhere…

Just around our office we discovered many projects waiting patiently to be finished.  Over the next few days, you’ll see a sampling of the projects that haunt us!

Cindy is almost finished with a great batik apron.  In fact, it even looks finished in this picture, but the bib and apron aren’t sewn together just yet…

And, why sew just one apron?  Cindy has three others started!

The ruffled edge is a great detail.

While Lynn may have an abundance of UFOs, she is very organized with this tote labeled and ready for a rainy day, or week!

Lynn’s oldest UFO is from a few years back.  A friend gave her embroidered flower blocks as a wedding present. Lynn pieced the blocks together and dreamed of using similar flowers out as the quilting motif.  Now, Lynn has all the tools to digitize this design and finish the quilt!

Who will finish their project first, Cindy or Lynn?  What UFOs are you hiding?

People who sew LOVE fabric.  From batiks to novelty prints to reproductions and beyond, quilters have endless choices when it comes to fabric.  With choice comes a difference in taste, so while the neon trend might be your favorite thing, your fellow quilters might be leaning towards a more restrained palette.

Because we know you know what you like, and since you probably have yards and yards and yards of it in your stash, we are offering some of our classes as BYOF, which stands for Bring Your Own Fabric!  Look for the BYOF icon online or in the class catalog, and use this as an opportunity to use your favorite fabrics in a classroom setting!

Besides making something that fits your unique aesthetic, BYOF lets you see what other quilters think looks good together, who knows, you might be surprised that you like an unlikely combination of fabrics.  Here’s a sampling of what a few ladies from our office would use for a BYOF class:

Kari chose a palette of warm and cool batiks for a quilt for her sister.

Ellen dug into some new prints!

Liz is planning a project with this rich fabric she picked up at Some Art Fabric at an Expo a few years back…

Marlene’s fun prints are ready to sew!

Bonnie had these fun prints leftover from an apron project – perfect for BYOF!

Fingers crossed that we all sew, sew, sew this fabric up!

If you are interested in a BYOF class, here are some options:

The Chameleon Block Quilt with Holice Turnbow is offered in Atlanta, Lakeland and Cleveland.

Debby Kratovil’s Arrowheads Quilt also allows you to pick your favorite fabric!  Join Debby in Atlanta, Lakeland and Cleveland…

Peruse the full class catalog for Atlanta, Lakeland and Cleveland to find more BYOF classes, and stay tuned for more classes and more cities throughout 2013!