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Free Classes Carol Ahles – (Carol Ahles Co.) Let Your Feet Guide the Way – See how presser foot choices can make a dramatic difference in the quality of your stitching! Learn about presser-foot design to help you identify feet and understand their uses no matter what they are called; when a generic foot or one from another brand may be substituted for one not available for your machine; and how to take advantage of the benefits and compensate for the drawbacks of many helpful presser feet. As always, along the way learn Carol’s easy tips for precision and problem solving. (As featured in Carol’s “Let Your Feet Guide the Way” in Threads #134 and in Fine Machine Sewing, Taunton Press, updated soft cover 2003.) Perfect Turned-Edge Scalloped Hems, Borders, Appliqué and Quilts - Beautifully accurate turned-edge hems, borders and appliqué are a striking feature on garments, quilts, pillowcases, shams, place mats, table runners and valances. But just how do you plan, mark, cut and prepare perfect turned-edge appliqués and scallops? You’ll find it surprisingly easy with Carol’s tips and techniques. (As featured in Carol’s Creative Needle articles and in Fine Machine Sewing, Taunton Press, revised 2001, soft cover 2003.) Lorene Bonewitz (The Grapevine Collection) Kiddie Couture – From selecting fabrics to the final touches of embellishment, Lorene will detail her process of designing children’s apparel. By showcasing some of the adorable kits that populate her website, she will inspire you to sew more creatively as she shares how many of her designs evolved. Super Skirts! No Pattern Required! – That’s right, no pattern necessary for these super simple, quick to sew wonders. Come see what you can make in an hour. Whether you are a novice or an experienced sewer, these stylish skirts will inspire you to sew more for yourself! Sew Haute Couture! – When the temperatures rise, why not stay indoors and sew! Pick some basic patterns, make the “uniform” as Lorene calls it and then embellish the ensemble! Whether you do this with ready-made trims or make a simple jacket, shawl or over blouse out of a knock out fabric, you will be a designing diva! Lorene will show you how as she shares with you her new trunk show of goodies. You will leave this seminar armed with a plan to have fun in the air-conditioned comfort of your sewing studio! Tammie Bowser (Mosaic Quilt Studio, Inc) Memory Quilts - In this fun lecture you will learn five ways to use your computer to make amazing memory quilts. Pixels are magic and you will learn how to use them to make amazing quilts! Learn how to use strips, circles, triangles and more! Tammie has been seen on popular TV shows such as Simply Quilts, Sewing with Nancy, and Friends of Kaye Woods. Tammie was also a winner at Quilt Nationals 2007. Santi Brower (Hatched in Africa) Thumb Tack Placement - Do you fear complicated embroideries with your machine because of hooping? You know you need to get the placement just right or else the whole project looks a mess. Well, we have a fabulous tip for you. No fancy gadgets needed…with our thumb tack technique you will love to hoop accurately! Angelina Fibre - We all love shiny things! “Angelina Fibre” is a wonderful product for you to play with in your embroideries. Tired of old fashioned appliqué fabric? You need to come and see this…Santi will whole you how to apply your embroidery with the “Angelina” to make a wonderful card for any occasion. Cutwork Coaster - When it comes to heirloom projects and gifts, a beautiful technique has always been cutwork. This is such a simple technique and we will show you how it’s done. Santi will also discuss what fabric is ideal to use as well as stabilizers and cutting equipment. This is a must for every embroiderer. In the Hoop Quilting - Baby Block - Learn how to make a quilt block in the hoop of the embroidery machine. Do the quilting and then embroider a design in the center. No sewing required! When all the embroidery is over, all that is left to do is sew the blocks together on your sewing machine and complete your quilt. Bobbi Bullard (Bullard Designs) Quick Gifts on the Embroidery Machine - All new! Everyone needs a repertoire of quick and easy gifts; each one looking like it comes from a high end boutique. Bobbi will show you a vast array of gift possibilities ranging from journals to sophisticated spa wraps, “tea” bags to personal organizers, knitting needle cases to that special something for your friends who quilt and much, much more. Come away armed with more ideas than you can use in a lifetime. This is a must for all machine embroiderers. Elements of Design for Beautiful Clothes - Do you want to create embroidered fiber art masterpieces but don’t know where to start? Let this informative and entertaining class give you a map for your journey. You’ll begin your sojourn with a condensed course in basic design elements: line, pattern, planes, textures and color, all illustrated with stunning examples. Next, you’ll cover a systematic approach to the design process, from inspiration to design, from testing to implementation. You’ll enjoy a visual feast as Bobbi illustrates each concept with a multitude of examples using the embroidery machine as well as an assortment of embellishment techniques. Come join Bobbi for a trip packed with a wealth of design, creativity and sophisticated embellishment ideas. Barb Callahan (Barb Originals) Successful Felting - Needle felting is one of the hottest embellishment techniques out there. See how Barb has taken this beyond the usual. See many samples and even see pieces that have been knitted and felted in the washing machine. Explore 3D felting, wet felting and even creating a felted fabric. Sew Easy with Fine Fabrics - Explore the world of fine fabrics. Which fabric do I use and when? Matching the correct technique with the right fabric is a bit like fitting puzzle pieces together. You’ll see how all the pieces fit as you learn the techniques used to combine different fabrics and see the finished results in Barb’s many amazing samples. Geometric Garments – Easy to sew and comfortable to wear. Make these garments an exciting canvas for your embellishments. See Barb’s one-hour jacket, fitted, sewn and ready to wear with just the use of geometric shapes. Pin Weaving - Enter a whole new world of embellishments. This is a way to use pieces of ribbon, lace, yarn and fabrics to create a great new fabric. See many of Barb’s inspiring samples while you learn the art. Fabulous Buttons – Use these wonderful pieces in your garments or make a neckpiece or a bracelet to compliment them. Barb will show you some new ways to even make your own buttons. Jacket Magic - Create a whole new look with some simple changes to an already simple pattern. Learn how to change the center front line, add new interest with embellishments, how to change collars, sleeves and length. See how different fabric combinations and colors all add up to a new design. Wonderful World of Bags - Achieve professional results when you use Barb’s bag techniques. Easy construction techniques will inspire you. You will see samples of bags made from books, boxes, paper, shoes and even old sweaters. Bring an interesting bag to class for show and tell. Sheila Cheatham (Snip & Pins) Beginning Machine Embroidery Basics – If you are new to machine embroidery, let Sheila demonstrate hooping and stabilizer tips for your projects. This class is geared for the beginner and questions will be welcomed. Thread Tips – We will discuss the different types of thread available, size and uses. Samples will be shown and sew-outs available. Needle Size and type will be recommended. Jane Cook (Zundt Designs) Do It With a Jacket - “Do It With a Jacket” is one of a series of “Do It with Zundt Designs” projects being introduced at the 2008 Martha Pullen Sewing Market. This class will show you how to use a commercial pattern to create a one-of-a-kind jacket to accessorize your wardrobe. Zundt Embroideries will enhance your fabric and take your embroidery experience to new heights. With this project, we’ll show you new ways to create like the designers do! Do It With A Skirt - Another great “Do It With Zundt Designs” project. This class will add another new technique to your repertoire by showing you how to use your favorite skirt pattern and Zundt Embroideries to enhance your fabric. Take another giant step in learning how to use these beautiful embroidery designs. Do It With A Little Girl’s Pillow Case Dress - “Do It With Zundt Designs” did not want to miss an opportunity to do something special for that “little” girl in our life. This project combines a pillow case with one of the gorgeous Zundt Designs. It is especially geared toward the new-to-embroidery kind of girl. This class will make Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, or anyone who loves a little girl really shine using a Zundt Design. You’ll walk away from this class saying “I can do it, Jane will help!” Louise Cutting (Cutting Line Design) CUTTING to the Chase of Great Garments! - In each pattern Louise designs, she adds creative tips and sewing techniques to make your work look more professional, and that’s what she shares with you here. Learn how the leading design houses apply the collar, collar band, sleeve placket and cuffs. Learn to become proficient at setting in a sleeve without gathers, edge stitching and topstitching, and mastering the art of grading and clipping along seams and around curves. It will all help you make clothes that look flawless. Your garments will soar as you see what else slips out of Louise’s designer bag of tricks. One-Seam Pants….You’re CUTTING into That??? - After 42,000 patterns, it’s a One-Seam Pants revolution! Learn WHY this pattern draft will fit just YOU with very little alteration. They’re in all the designer collections, and you can see how this pattern will fit your body with about 20 minutes of fitting. With no side seams, they’re quick and easy to construct, comfortable to wear and up-to-date. Thanks to Louise’s great fit and secrets discovered while studying designer versions, they flatter the figure, too. Ellen Tracey has a silk crepe-de-chine pair for $385, Fendi’s 4-ply silk slacks start at $1100 and the original 3-layer chiffon style from Zoran’s now sells for $1800. CUTTING Remarks…On Just About Everything! - “I bet you made that!” is not a complement! Louise presents the latest tips from the designer showrooms, detailed in easy-to-understand ways. She has cornered the market on professional-looking garments. Louise will treat you to a wonderful selection of designer techniques including: the Armani pocket flap currently being seen on his jackets and silk georgette blouses…totally clean finished, the Yves St. Laurent barrel shirt cuff, which is sewn from the wrong side of the garment and a soft little shoulder pad found in a $900 Escada blouse that moves with you and the garment. With all the sheers that are in the current fashion collections, view the best way to achieve the strongest French seam. Louise has also cornered the market on interfacing know-how. Armani has created a wonderful chest shield that has both bias shape and straight grain for control. Once you see how easy these techniques are, you will be able to apply them to your fashion sewing. Louise will demonstrate many techniques that can be done completely on the sewing machine. CUTTING is my name…CHANGE is my game! - Now you can keep those artistic juices flowing. View the original pattern designs alongside their newest variations to expand your style. Make your “Cutting Line Designs” (and other patterns) look different every time you create them. Learn the correct way to make long sleeves from short. Expand or reduce the circumference of garments and in the proper locations. You will be treated to an extraordinary trunk show featuring the original pattern design and the variations. Learn Louise’s techniques and fabrications that will enhance the garments shown. Discover the designs that work with your body type plus upcoming styles. Sissy Davis (Threads of Love) Threads of Love Sewing Ministry – Come learn how you can start a Threads of Love chapter or how you can use your talent for sewing to serve our Lord. Threads of Love is a sewing ministry serving the needs of newborns, tiny premature infants and their families in crisis. The ministry is about healing and binding together the hearts of parents at a time of uncertainty about their baby’s health, or when they lose an infant. The gifts of love are a reflection of the love of Christ that someone who they don’t even know cared enough to make a tiny gown, small enough to fit their very tiny premature infant. The goal is not to dress babies, but to use our gift of sewing as a tool to quietly say, the Lord is there beside you and He is faithful. The Smocked Preemie Dress pattern will be given to each class attendee. Stop by the Threads of Love booth and make a diaper shirt to donate to the NIC unit of John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Shelley Doyal (Wild Ginger Software) Using Computerized Garment-Making Software - In the market for purchasing computerized garment-making software? Come to this fact filled class on what questions to ask before purchasing your software. Already own computerized garment making software? What do you do with it now? Enjoy hearing helpful hints on how to use your computer for making great fitting garments. Patty Dunn (All Dunn Designs) Design Your Own Handbag - Use your creativity to the fullest and be the designer. Handbags are so popular and a great way to show your artistic flair. With a few easy steps you will learn about designing shapes, flaps and straps that will take your imagination on an exciting journey. This class is full of inspiration to design purses that are sleek, sophisticated, recycled with jeans, or trimmed to the max. Open your mind to endless possibilities! All Dolled Up! - Many times when making doll clothes the patterns do not fit the doll you are sewing for. In this class, Patty will give tips on testing and fitting the pattern, share ideas for sewing the small projects together and explain how to match a little girl’s dress when you don’t have the exact doll dress pattern. Creative Design Decisions - Learn how to execute a fabulous wearable art project and uniquely express yourself through sewing. This class will consider subtle to bold embellishments, layout and construction challenges, fabric decisions and discussions on how much is too much when considering your personal style and taste! Patty will help you take your creativity to the cloth as you actively design your next wearable art masterpiece. Trims, Glorious Trims! - One of the hottest trends right now is trim! Patty shares fast and easy ways to make and apply your own trims using yarns, cords, ribbons and threads. Why purchase trims when you can make your own much cheaper and accent your clothes, purses, shoes and crafts perfectly? Patty’s samples will inspire you to look at options for making and applying trims in a whole new way. Facing a Different Direction - In this class you will learn new and different ways to use, change or eliminate facings. We will discuss why you need them, when you don’t and options for creative substitutes. Patty will also address interfacing issues and easy finishing treatments to incorporate your choice of facing into the garment as a design detail. JOHN FLYNN (Flynn Quilt Frame Company) Double Wedding Ring – Almost every quilter wants to make a Double Wedding Ring at least once, for themselves or as a special wedding or anniversary gift. John Flynn has developed a quick strip pieced technique to make the arcs much faster and more accurate to piece. Thousands of quilters have learned his method of piecing the Double Wedding Ring; it is one of John’s most requested classes. Now making a Double Wedding Ring quilt is a piece of wedding cake! Storm at Sea – One of the most exciting processes of designing quilts is reinterpreting an old favorite. The straight line seams of the traditional Storm at Sea quilt end up looking curved – it is an optical illusion which has fascinated quilters for a long time! Color choices and fabric placement can change the look of a classic quilt into something new, dynamic and full of movement. Red Hawk – A John Flynn original, this variation of the New York Beauty was designed to make piecing much easier with simplified corners and strip pieced points. Red Hawk was also designed to feature John’s “Artifacts” fabric line, designed for Bernatex, Inc. Learning John’s unique technique for strip piecing points really adds to a student’s design repertoire. The wall hanging has a completely different look when done in 1930’s reproduction fabrics. Wheel of Mystery – Also called Winding Ways, this traditional block offers many design possibilities. Fear of piecing curved seams sometimes keeps quilters from blocks like the Wheel of Mystery. Besides an accurate 1/4” seam, there are other tricks to make curved seams easier. Many Wheel of Mystery quilt samples will highlight the possibilities of this traditional block. Hand Quilting and Trapunto – John Flynn has won prizes for his hand quilting and it is his first love. He has done research into hand quilting and stippling and how they affect the look of a quilt. Trapunto is a technique that really enhances a quilt’s appearance with very little extra effort and doesn’t need to be a time consuming exercise. Beverly Graham (Adorable Ideas) Adorable You – Embellish your clothing with your own photographs. Learn how to incorporate a photo with embroidery and captions to create unique wearable embroidery using John Deer’s new innovative Adorable You ideas. Applying Heirloom Embroidered Vintage Lace – Learn to apply heirloom home embroidered lace to your custom or store bought garments. During this class, you will learn the proper way to run lace, combine pieces and how to stitch them directly to your projects. Beverly is a licensed Martha Pullen Educator and educator for John Deer’s Adorable Ideas. Vintage Teardrop Lace Sachet – Join Beverly to learn how easy it is to create beautiful vintage lace accessories for home and gifts. Michelle Griffith (Michelle’s Designs) Creating Eyelet and Lace with Embroidery - Frustrated trying to find that perfect trim for your project? Michelle will show you how easy it is to create your own eyelet, lace and ruffles with embroidery. She will also show you how to create borders and sashing strips with embroidered buttonholes. You will receive a handout with instructions. Carrie Held (Richland Sewing Center) Notion Commotion - See the latest in sewing, embroidery and quilting tools, gadgets and accessories. You see them in magazines – now watch them in “action.” Most things shown are not machine specific – just fun for everyone. Take this opportunity to test drive many sewing goodies. Sis Hutchison (Martha Pullen Co.) Beginning Heirloom Sewing by Machine – Learn the basics of heirloom sewing by machine as Sis combines lace, insertions, entredeux and Swiss edgings to create those “cream-puff” heirloom treasures. Learn the basic applications and machine adjustments needed to combine heirloom elements that create fabric masterpieces. Heirloom Lace Shaping – Lace shaping only has three techniques and after this short seminar, you will know how to do two of the three – curving and mitering. Come and have tons of fun and discover how easy heirloom lace shaping is as Sis demonstrates the technique and shares many beautiful samples from the Martha Pullen collection. Sandy Jenkins Tiny Faces – Let Sandy show you techniques that will make it fast and easy to hand stitch the smallest faces with lots of details. Satin Stitch - Learn satin stitch by hand in this hands-on class. Sandy will teach both padded and regular satin stitch. Crazy Quilt Stitches - Learn to combine traditional stitches for a great new look! These stitches also make great borders! You will love it! Picot Lace - Looks like tatting and it is so easy! Join Sandy and learn a great edging for a little added dimension in your hand embroidery. This is a quick and easy hand embroidery technique that will amaze you! Bullion Roses Made Easy! - Same look but so easy. Learn the proper technique of wrapping the thread around the needle to make the perfect bullion. No more struggling with pulling the needle through those tight wraps! Monogram Magic - Monograms are really popular and add a special touch for gifts or for yourself! Let Sandy show you how to make Raised Satin Stitch lettering for the look of elegant antique monograms. Cindy Losekamp (Sew Artfully Yours) Extraordinary Embroidery Extravaganza - Well, she’s at it again…lots of new samples, new products and innovative ways to use your embroidery machines to the fullest. Join us for a class of pure pleasure where you will see and touch Cindy’s latest samples. Learn from the queen of embroidery as she guides you through taking your creations to the next level. Tired of creating garments that look like they are dotted with embroidery? Learn artistic placement, how to create backgrounds for your designs, and how to choose the perfect palette for that award winning garment or quilt. Cindy will also touch on creating with many different types of printer fabric…even creating entire garments from printer fabric. Learn to print your own specialty fabric pieces using silk, linen and cotton fabrics that you run through the printer. You simply won’t believe how easy and FUN this can be. You will go away inspired and be eager to start your Extraordinary Embroidery! Modifying the Surface - You’ve heard the terms…foiling, paint sticks, rubbing plates, screen printing…oooh! The lingo sounds like you need to be an artist. NO WAY! If you can color, you can do this. It’s absolutely so much fun and so satisfying. Join Cindy for this exciting class and you will never use plain old fabric again. Embellish and enliven with these fun, easy and inventive ways to create. You CAN do it! It’s a Crazy Quilted, Upside Down World - Victorian Crazy Quilting is so beautiful…learn to make embellishments for your home, your wardrobe and for gifts. Cindy has added a new twist to traditional crazy quilting…playing with heavy threads in the bobbin case instead of time consuming hand work adds an extra dimension that is just amazing. You’ll learn the methods of how to crazy patch a background, adding the extra panache of working with thick, gorgeous threads…all from the wrong side of your work. Add some vintage images that are printed on beautiful silk for a special touch. Cindy will cover fabric choices, threads and stitches that will work best, how to print on fabric and where to get the images that add so much. Join us for this fun and creative class. Romancing Your Wardrobe - Do you love romantic garments with elegant laces? Do you like to dress like a Victorian Lady? Do you love those beautiful old linens that Grandma made but you hate to cut them up? Have some of your precious memories been lost through the years? Well, let’s learn to recreate those beautiful treasures. In this class you will learn about types of fabrics, threads, stitches, embroidery designs, and machine crochet done with decorative stitches, Madeira appliqué for details on garments and an amazing amount of ideas you can do to create that Shabby Chic look that is so popular. Garment modifications, bags, table linens, and home dec - all with a vintage flair you will love! Join us and learn to create the new, old fashioned way. Peek-A-Boo, I See You - Discover the amazing things you can do when embellishing denim with interesting and unexpected fabric mixes. You will learn reverse appliqué where you cut away the main fabric and replace it with another then appliqué on top for a double appliqué technique. See how to make anything match using Cindy’s peek-a-boo method of creating. Use bits and pieces of sheer fabric, a printed image of your family, and a morsel of special sentimental fabric to create “one of a kind” wearables. This class utilizes embroidery machines to the max along with standard sewing machine techniques. Come along and see if you can find the magic. Priscilla Madsen (Madsen Originals) Introduction to Machine Embroidery Placement - Take the fear out of combining smaller designs to create large, overall designs. Learn how to do embroidery placement with a simple and quick technique that can be used in an endless array of applications. Donna Marcum – (Martha Pullen Co.) Beginning Smocking - This “hands-on” class is a must for those who are “halfway” familiar with smocking but are still unsure of themselves. Learn the basic beginning stitches and the importance of developing good tension. You will be furnished with a piece of pleated fabric, needle and floss so you will be able to stitch with the teacher. Donna will also show you how easy it is to use the basics and smock on the “ready-made” Smockables line of children’s clothing by the Martha Pullen Company. Once you complete the smocking on these garments, your project is completed. Voila! Getting to Know Your Pleater - Let Donna show you how to use the pleater to easily gather pleats for smocking. She will show you how to properly guide the fabric into the pleater for straight and even pleats. Learn about pleating plaid, check and stripe fabrics and how to achieve the desired look and perfect pleats. Perfecting Picture Smocking - Often referred to as advanced or stacked smocking, picture smocking adds a new dimension to your garments. Once you know how to read picture graphs, and learn the tricks of perfect tension, you will be amazed at how creative you can be! Hands-on practice will make this class one of your favorites! Donna will also share with you how the picture smocking is great on the “ready-made” Smockables from the Martha Pullen Company. Kathy McMakin (Martha Pullen Co.) Heirloom Sewing by Serger and Sewing with Knits – Get more out of your serger than ever before – Don’t just use your serger for finishing off seams or fabric edges. Learn how to use your serger for creating beautiful heirloom projects using fine French laces, embroidered insertions and edgings. And learn serger tips and techniques for sewing the beautiful baby knit fabrics from Martha Pullen Co.
Sewing with Whimsy - Kari will be sharing with you her favorite tips and techniques from her newly released book, Sewing with Whimsy. Based on three classically styled patterns, Kari demonstrates how to transform your sewing from ordinary to extraordinary with the use of fabrics, trims, sewing techniques and embellishments. Techniques include how to add unusual trims, making your own overlays, adding shirring to a design, using machine feet, making rickrack roses and more! View garments from her book, Sew Beautiful magazine articles and her other patterns up close and in person. Sewing with Whimsy is among Kari’s most creative endeavors to date, making a person wonder what sewing journey she’ll take us on next! Sandra Miller (Cutting Corners/Fabric Collections) Cutting Across the Country in Style - Is your suitcase always too heavy on a trip? Do you take clothes you never wear and need things you didn’t bring? Learn how fewer garments can make a bigger wardrobe then see how to pack for a trip. Get tips for safety and convenience while traveling. Be comfortable and coordinated on a trip to the grocery store or across the country. Cutting Through the Clutter - Lost your way in your closet? Steer a new course through shopping on paper and in stores. Navigate fabrics, prints, colors and styles to find what works for you. Include accessories to spice up your journey so you can arrive at your destination in a wardrobe that fits your lifestyle and budget. Vaune Pierce (Vaune) Pretty Pinstitch and Organdy Inserts - Come learn to pinstitch on a piece of linen! The embroidery of Madeira is considered the best in the world, and the pinstitch is one of their most often used stitches. From appliqué inserts to appliqué hems, this stitch can add an elegant beauty to all types of garments. Stitch along with Vaune as you learn the stitch technique as well as a bit of history of the embroidery of Madeira! This seminar will take the mystery out of organdy inserts and Madeira Appliqué and give you new techniques to try! Bullions with Fabulous Floche - Come make a beautiful bullion using fabulous floche! Are you looking for something new that will add a new dimension to your needlework? Floche is a wonderful embroidery thread that is great for smocking, bullions, shadow work, satin stitch, cutwork, granitos and all types of embroidery! In Madeira, known the world over for its magnificent workmanship, floche is used for all of their embroidery. You will see first hand many samples of this wonderful thread used in various types of embroidery. Proper needle style, size and application will be discussed. See different design elements using floche that will add an elegant style to your creations. Beautiful Babies and Beyond - What can be more satisfying than working with fine and luxurious fabrics to create those perfect heirlooms for your cherished little ones! The fun doesn’t have to stop with babies! The techniques, fabrics, and design ideas can be used beyond babies – from toddlers to children to teens, and yes, even adults! We will talk extensively about sewing for babies – fabrics, trims and laces, patterns, design ideas, construction tips and helpful notions. Then we will explore how these techniques can be applied to all of your sewing, no matter what size you are sewing for! Martha Pullen (Martha Pullen Co.) You Can Make Money From Your Hobby – Martha presents a seminar on how you can start and grow a sewing business. Hear about how men and women all over the world earn money, with a home-based business, using their sewing machines and sergers. Kathi Quinn (R & K Inc. & Floriani Stabilizer) How to Create a Stable ENVIRONMENT for Your Machine Embroidery - Join Kathi for an informative and fun class packed full of the latest tips and techniques on how to build a good foundation for your embroidery. You will learn easier methods for using different types of stabilizers for all varieties of fabrics, as well as embroidery placement, better hooping and ideas for how to use stabilizers in your quilting and appliqué projects! Don’t miss this information packed class. Floriani Software - Come join Kathi Quinn and experience the new Floriani digitizing software. The Floriani software is very user friendly so if you new to digitizing software you will be amazed at how simple and straight forward the Floriani software is. Kathi will take you through digitizing and saving your designs using Floriani family secrets. For you more experienced digitizers Kathi will show you all the flexibility and commercial ease. Mary Lou Rankin (Park Bench Pattern Co.) Fashion for Today’s Sewing Hobby - A “show and tell” trunk show. Trends as well as fashion changes daily. This is also true in your quilting hobby. Nothing stays the same and this is a good thing as it helps to keep sewing forever new. Independent pattern designer Mary Lou Rankin breaks with tradition and designs clothes with timeless style as well as comfort for today’s needs. Forget tailoring and skinny tight fit. We want comfort and also the opportunity to express our individuality. See strong simple styles that are comfortable to wear, quick to sew, easy to size, and look great on all figures. Using these simple clothes designs as “canvases” for your quilting, piecing and embellishing ideas you will see how you can bring new life to an old hobby and create clothes you will love. What Fabric for What Pattern – It is a minefield out there! Choosing the right fabric for your pattern can be a real challenge and making the wrong choice can lead to disaster. More sewing failures are the result of poor fabric choices not from your sewing skills. You need a marriage of both fabric and pattern since every fabric will not do everything and each pattern design has its own special needs. Learn how much influence fabrics have on your sewing success. Overcome design flaws and say goodbye to unfinished projects. Help I Have Nothing to Wear – And No Time to Sew! – Let’s talk. If you can find two hours to sew a couple times a week then I can show you how to have a new, exciting and creative wardrobe by the end of two months! Come see patterns that work. We will talk about fabrics that add style and comfort, simple embellishing and design suggestions that are quick and easy, some quick sewing tips, and how to incorporate some of your unfinished projects into fashionable clothing. Your friends will be amazed at the new you! One Jacket for All Seasons – Wouldn’t it be great if you really did only need ONE pattern to do everything! I am going to show you garments made from 3 different patterns. See casual, business wear and dressy styles for spring through fall. Learn how choosing the right fabric can make all the difference in the world. See how small pattern adjustments can change the garment’s personality. Then see some little creative design ideas to add spice! The possibilities can be endless! When Sofa Fabric Sneaks into Your Closet – A great design addition for your fashion sewing as well as your wearable art creations can be achieved by combining fabrics from the home decorating department with fashion fabrics. You have all seen garments made from these types of fabrics. And you have also seen it is not always a success. However, when it is done right, you can create exciting garments people will admire and you will love wearing. Let me show you why some things work and some don’t. You will be amazed at how the different textures and colors in these fabrics work so well when combined with fashion fabrics creating exciting new looks. Cherished Treasures – New Beginning – Old lace, antique linens, vintage fabrics, obis, kimonos, ethnic textiles, buttons, etc…we have all collected treasures and we had great plans for using them. Are yours still in a drawer waiting to be re-discovered? Come explore the design possibilities that these treasures offer when they are incorporated into your fashion sewing. Learn some sewing techniques to use when working with these special textiles. See lots of design ideas that will get those treasures out of that drawer and into your creations. A New Direction For Your Quilting Hobby – Did you start out making clothes then switched to making quilts because it was easier to fit a bed than your body? Now you can do both and have a lot of fun at the same time. Choose from several simple jacket or vest patterns that are quick to size and very simple to sew. Plan a pieced design taking graphics from magazines, wallpaper samples, printed fabric, etc. These graphics will be manipulated to create unexpected shapes and unique designs. They will be transferred to the garment creating your individual design. Sewing is a great hobby. Let’s keep it new and exciting. Building a Fabric Stash You Really Use! - If you are going to sew you need a good “collection” of fabric. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to collect. We all have a lot of fabric, but can you find what you want when you need it? Do you really have the kinds of fabric you need for your projects? And do you have a collection of colors you want to use? Learn to shop wisely. Learn how to sort and organize once you bring your fabric “finds” home. Let Mary Lou teach you how to build “fabric bundles” that help jump start creative ideas instead of only relying on books and classes. You are going to be surprised to find your best creations will now begin with your own fabric collection. Helen Ray (Dalco Home Sew) Appliqués – Basic and 3D - Explore machine embroidery appliqués as a basic design, as a 3D design and how to achieve the fringe and loop look. All participants will learn 3D technique and all will have the opportunity to try the fringe and look technique (bring a pair of cutting snips) as the demonstration proceeds. Dalco catalogs and handouts will be available for students. Donna Robertson (Fabric Café) Sensational Sweatshirt Refashioning - Forget off the shoulder sloppy and saggy or rolling hems. You’re about to learn the secrets of making a fashion statement with an ordinary sweatshirt. You’ll learn insider tips and tricks that add pizzazz to very project. You won’t believe these designs are sweatshirts! Each attendee will receive a free pattern for the “Zippy Jacket.” Cute Clothes for Adorable Kids - Come see how easy it is to make your little ones look like they stepped out of a pricey boutique. And it’s so easy. We’ll share tips on refashioning plain sweatshirts and sweat pants into great clothing items. Each attendee will receive a free pattern for a little girl’s jacket. Gidgets, Gadgets and Techniques - Come hear tips for using more than a dozen items that make sewing time easier and more enjoyable. These items may even be things you already have in your stash, but didn’t know how versatile they can be. Each attendee will receive a free copy of the Fabric Café Sewing Secrets pamphlet. Eileen Roche (Designs in Machine Embroidery) Designer T-Shirts with Wal-Mart Blanks - Learn how to transform ordinary t-shirts into fancy, ready for dinner ensembles. All you need is the right embroidery designs, stabilizer and a little guidance to step out in style! Stitch Notes - Personal monogrammed stationary – with your own embroidery machine! Let your message and thoughts stand out! Learn how to do it – paper, stabilizer, software and hooping – all in a flash! Penny Ross (Martha Pullen Co.) The Magic of Monogram Wizard – It’s so easy to create a one of a kind monogram to personalize a gift for someone special or to indulge yourself! The Monogram Wizard Plus can be used to save files for all machine embroidery formats. Penny will show you unique tips and techniques using the Monogram Wizard Plus software that will have you ready to create beautiful and classic monograms of all sizes. Lou Ann Rudeseal (The Sewing Basket) You CAN Teach Your Kids to Sew! - This class will help you succeed in teaching your kids or grandkids to sew! Topics will include: Teaching Sewing Machine Savvy, Safety First, Sew Cool Tools, Sewing No-No’s, Keeping Seams Straight, Fancy Foot Work (presser foot, that is), Choosing the Right Projects and How to Encourage Your Beginners. You Can Do It! Peggy Sagers (Silhouette Patterns) Fact or Fiction - “The grain line has to be perpendicular to the floor.” Fact or Fiction?? Come uncover the truth on a whole host of sewing fictions that are causing you extra time in your sewing. Learn to simplify and understand truths that are necessary for success. “Small armholes give more mobility?” Fact or Fiction?? You’ll be amazed at all these myth-busters. The French Curve Connection - As explained in Threads magazine, all who sit behind a sewing machine need to know how this wonderful notion works. It will help you so much and it simply solves so many problems. Bring your French curve and learn many new things that will help you in your sewing process while impressing your husband and sewing buddies with your new knowledge. Copy new necklines, great sleeves, beautiful design lines, etc. Take six measurements and learn how to duplicate your favorite sleeves. You will be amazed and excited about using your new best friend, the French curve. A Dozen of our Best Patterns and Why? - Come see what the “Top 12 best-selling Silhouette Patterns” are and why you like them. Ideas for fabric changes, time-saving shortcuts, and easy sewing methods will be shown. You will see all the reasons you can sew them quickly and how to really broaden your wardrobe by including them over and over. Don’t miss out! A trunk show of samples will be shown. Jeans for Every-Body - $300 Jeans with bling? Top fashion jeans from Escada are selling for $20,000. Designers are showing dressy and casual, but both have become the mainstay of everyone’s wardrobe. Make them a part of yours as well. Bring your favorite jeans and find out why they are your favorite and how to duplicate the fit. Learn the fitting differences between various types of jeans. Then let’s learn the sewing techniques that differentiate jeans from pants. Pattern Basics - You can’t overhaul an engine if you can’t wield a wrench, and you can’t get a pattern to fit if you don’t know how to use a French curve. See how using one helps you solve fit and design issues. Women all over the country think that they have done something wrong when the pattern does not fit. Come learn that it is not you; it is the pattern and how to make it better. Be smarter than the pattern without much effort. Susan Schrempf (Victorian Venture) Simple Silk Ribbon Embroidery & Beading by Machine - Be truly amazed as Susan Schrempf, national educator and author of Simple Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Machine, demonstrates how easy it is to turn fine silk ribbon into a garden of flowers. Roses, carnations, peonies, irises and more will bloom before your eyes. Adding machine applied beads will kiss your embroidery with early morning dew. Beverley Sheldrick The In’s and Out’s of Silk Ribbon - Beverley will discuss how to prepare your fabric to make it ready for silk ribbon embroidering. Learn what not to do and correct tension guidelines. Learn how to make a simple spider’s web rose, how to get perfectly shaped leaves and find the answers to all your silk ribbon embroidery questions. Pam Skersick & Carol Lockwood (Crone Art) The Art of Creative Embellishments - Explore options for creating wearable art by adding buttons and embellishments to your wardrobe and sewing projects. Simple clothing additions will be demonstrated along with home decorating ideas and easy art projects. Create the art you’ve always wanted! Connie Spurlock (Sew Wonderful Dreams) What Can You Do With A Sweatshirt? – Do you love Laurel Burch? Come let us You Too Can Have Perfect Points in Your Quilting! – Are you tired of doing all of the piecing only to be discouraged with the finished result? Paper piecing may be just the answer for you. The expertise is in the pattern, not the person, so even a beginner can do it.
Let us show you the easiest way we know to make quilting fun for you. It is 10 Tips For Successful Fusible Appliqué – Is your appliqué too stiff? Is the array of fusibles confusing to you? Are you completely perplexed as to how to finish the project and you are thinking about throwing it all in the trash? WAIT! With a little information it can be fun and foolproof and we would love to show you how. Batting and Binding – Have you finished a quilt top but it never makes it to Cheryl Weiderspahn (Homestead Specialties Patterns) Low-Sew Boutique-Worthy Purses - Imagine shopping for trendy fabric to make purses and accessories that are already cut out, the edges are hemmed and the back is already lined! Choose imitation leather and upscale fabric that is already pieced and quilted, embroidered and embellished, beaded and bound, or feathered and fringed (all at an affordable price!) Quickly create stylish boutique-worthy bags while taking full advantage of someone else’s labor and cleverly re-purposing ready-made pre-finished household and hardware items. Perfect low-sew projects for the beginner sewer or the experienced sewer looking for guilt-free shortcuts. Dawn Wenner (Designs by Dawn) Put a Little “Sparkle” in Your Life - Learn the correct application for Swarovski crystals and Hot Fix metals, along with the many ways to apply them with the equipment and accessories available. See ideas for adding them to your embroidery and learn alternative ways to apply crystals to create your own designs along with fun ways to get children involved. This class is for those that are new to the “sparkle” world. Trudy Winfield (Unique Patterns) Put Your Best Fit Forward – Look better than ever by exploring the basics behind a flattering fit. Get to know yourself and your fit preferences. Learn to choose and adapt patterns to improve the fit of any pattern. Hope Yoder – (Designs by Hope Yoder) Tag-A-Longs - This lecture is based on a new embroidery collection of Tag-A-Longs. Learn how to use your embroidery machine to create wonderful quick gifts. Hope will use a Power Point presentation to guide you through a Virtual class showcasing each step-by-step technique used to make practical name badges, gift tags, identification tags, embroidered charms and zipper pulls. Learn creative ways to PERSONALIZE IT! Romantic Shirts 101 - Learn all the tricks and tips Hope uses to create her beautiful romantic shirts. There are many useful notions on the market but what do they do? Which presser foot will give you the best results? Hope will use a Power Point presentation to guide you through techniques such as: shaped bias, folded tucks, lace shaping in the hoop, pintucks, topstitching and many more. Trendy Techniques - Hope is known for her romantic look and now she will share some of the embellishment techniques found in her trunk show. This lecture will cover many topics such as: “Curvy Wurvy” quilting, raw edge ruffles, twin needle quilting, silk ribbon by machine, filled cord handles and much more. See each technique demonstrated on Hope’s colorful Power Point show. Marie Zinno (Designs in Machine Embroidery) Perfect Placement for Children - Marie Zinno takes the mystery out of embroidering on children’s clothing – how big should the design be? Where should they go? What stabilizers work best? Marie will answer all of your questions.
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