Blog posts by category: Sewing
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 1:38 PMYou can make your own eyeglass case
Dianne Sanders of St. Clair Shores demonstrates how to make quilted eyeglass cases in today's Handmade column.
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 3:01 PMLearn to sew by winning a copy of "The Sewing Bible"
If learning to sew is on your list of things-to-do, but you can't seem to fit a sewing class into your busy schedule or tight budget, then the next best thing to do is pick up a copy of Ruth Singer's book "The Sewing Bible, A Modern Manual of Practical and Decorative Sewing Techniques" (Potter Craft/$35), due to be released next month.
What a wonderful introduction to sewing techniques that you'll use over and over again. It's easy to read and not packed with a lot of instructions on techniques that are hard to understand, or useless to someone wanting to master BASIC sewing skills.
If you're like me, someone who loves vintage sewing notions, then you'll enjoy the photos that feature old wooden spools, along with facts about using vintage buttons on garments.
The book is divided into three main sections: Practical Techniques, Decorative Techniques and Using the Techniques. Each section includes several projects for you to try your hand at making.
Whether you're a beginning sewer or one who knows your way around a sewing machine, so to speak, this book is SEW helpful. It's the sewing book you'll refer to time after time!!!
If you'd like a chance at winning a copy of the book, just email me at jbrown@detnews.com and tell me something about your sewing skills/project(s). Please remember to put the words "sewing bible" in the subject line.
Good Luck and Happy Sewing!!!
(If you sew and knit, you'll definitely want to check out Ruth Singer's blog.)
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Thu, Aug 13, 2009 at 2:28 PMTime to register for classes at the American Sewing Expo
Michigan's biggest sewing event is just weeks away!!! That's right, it's time to register for your favorite class(es) at the 16th annual American Sewing Expo at Rock Financial Showplace. In case you're not interested in taking a class, then it's time to prepare to shop for fabric and sewing supplies like there's no tomorrow!!!
The following details were just sent in this afternoon:
Hands-on classes and seminars to fashion style shows and demonstrations will all be at the 16th annual American Sewing Expo at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27.
"This is the place for beginner and veteran crafters to be inspired for sewing, quilting, home décor, or needle and fiber arts," said Janet Pray, show producer. "You'll see and learn something new here every year."
Over 125 exhibitors will be displaying fabrics, sewing machines, notions, threads, patterns, yarn, sergers, technology, embellishments, kits, gadgets, embroidery designs, tools, and more from 35 states, Australia and Canada. Showgoers can participate with quick Make and Take projects at some vendor exhibits.
Attendees can learn unique tips and techniques as they make their own sewing and embellishing project to take home at the Sew Experience Café, decorate their own jeans with machine embroidery or reprocess them into different projects at the Re-Construction Zone and participate at the sewing lounge from BurdaStyle.com. Other options to learn new methods, improve skills and find out about the latest products and tips are available at the educational presentations at over 160 lectures, hands-on classes, seminars and all-day workshops led by industry professionals and at over 60 presentations on the free show floor demonstration stages of the largest independent consumer sewing show in the country.
Experts include Kenneth D. King, professor of the haute couture program at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, sewing expert on PBS-TV series "Sewing Today" and author of Designer Bead Embroidery and Cool Couture Construction Secrets for Runway Style. He has designed clothing, home furnishings, and accessories for Elton John and Jim Carrey and will share his resources and ideas during hands-on Cool Tricks, Son of Cool Tricks, Embellishments fit for a King and Royal Tassels classes.
All day workshops will be conducted by New York fashion designer Koos van den Akker who is a master at using garments as a canvas for unusual collaborations of color and creative collage techniques. He is a featured Vogue pattern designer, has dressed Bill Cosby, Cher, Barbara Walters, Stevie Wonder and Madonna, exhibited at the New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and sold fashions at Saks and Bloomingdales.
Corinne Leigh, host of "ThreadHeads" show and Meg Allan Cole, host of "Décor It Yourself" show from ThreadBanger.com will share their passion and secrets for making their own fashion in the Re-Construction Zone. ThreadBanger.com is a network of forums, shows, blogs and newsletters for people who want to create and discover their own style through alternative fashion of recycling, up-cycling and re-fashioning with simple sewing tools and techniques.
Sewing Jackets, 20 Tips to Sewing Better and Easy to Make Great Fitting Clothing are the seminars presented by Pati Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch International School of Sewing in Portland, OR, where she trains consumers and sewing educators. She is a sewing book author and The McCall Pattern Company and Vogue pattern designer.
The Passion for Fashion Sewing Challenge will begin Friday as 12 finalists design and sew their garments for judging on Saturday (similar to Lifetime's Project Runway and Bravo's The Fashion Show).
Embroidery Extravaganza Fashion Show sponsored by Creative Machine Embroidery magazine will be held on Friday featuring garments from their publication.
PatternReview.com founder Deepika Prakash will host a Top Ten Challenge Fashion Show and Contest on Saturday in addition to being available at their exhibit.
The Innovation Generation Fashion Show Competition will be held on Saturday for 8 to 18 year olds who know the sewing process and have made their own garments. Entries are prejudged and then worn by the contestants on the Expo Fashion Stage.
BurdaStyle members will present the caliber of their work and designs as they show off their creations at a fashion show Saturday.
A Dream Sewing Room that includes items from Brother will be given away on Sunday. Several special exhibits will display art quilts, couture collections, fiber art and fashion designs.
Rock Financial Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Road in Novi, Michigan. Show hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Preshow workshops are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 24. Expo admission is $12 and children 16 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. One-hour seminars are $14, all-day workshops are $98 to $148 and special combination packages are available online in advance. Onsite parking is available for $5. For more information, visit www.AmericanSewingExpo.com or call (248) 889-3111.
(See you there!!!)
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 11:11 AMCheck out new class schedule for The Material Girls
I recently received the following list of sewing classes from The Material Girls: Machine Applique Towel: Thursday, March 5, choose daytime or evening class. Think spring! Learn to applique flowers and leaves on a tea towel. In this class you will learn to prepare a raw edge applique and stitch it with a machine blanket stitch. Learn tips to successfully maneuver curves and points. Practice first and then stitch a beautiful towel to take home. Kit required. Instructor: Karen
Kimono Tote: Saturday, March 7, 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Bag of the Month. Make this great tote bag that is based on a kimono design. This bag uses several coordinating fabrics. Pattern required. Instructor: Velda
Mystery Quilt: Saturday, March 14. 10:15 a.m.-4 p.m.Join us on National Quilting Day. Do you like a mystery? Spend the day sewing with other adventurous souls. Don't worry, the laundry will wait! Bring your own lunch, there will be a break. Instructor: Jan
Rio Blanco Top: Wednesdays, March 18, 25, April 1,8. Choose daytime or evening class. This easy to make shirt/topper creates a long, slimming line with set-in contrast fabric at the waist and sleeves. We will use both the sewing machine and serger to create this great spring look. Pattern required. Instructor: Velda
Crossroad Wearable Art Jacket: Tuesdays, March 24, 32, April 14, 21. 5:45-8:45 p.m. Using a sweatshirt as a foundation, you'll put together a great little jacket. Instructor: Lurilee
Japanese Temari Ball: Saturday March 28th, 10:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. $35 + $20 kit fee. You'll learn the basics of Japanese Temari while making an Intertwined Diamonds Design Temari Ball. You will have a choice of colors. You must be pre-registered by Friday, March 6th, with your color choice. Stop in the store or see choices online.
Birdie Sling Bag: Saturday, April 4. 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. This honey of a sling holds everything and it's easy to make! (Great for beginners) Modern styling and dynamic proportions will make this one of your favorite carry-all bags. Pattern required. Instructor: Jan
Quilt As You Go: Thursdays, April 9, 16, 23. Don't struggle trying to quilt a full-size quilt on your sewing machine anymore. Learn Velda's technique to quilt each block individually before you sew them together. This technique creates a quilt that feels and looks like the batting is in one piece, not individual blocks. This is a great opportunity to learn how to quilt with your embroidery machine. Instructor: Velda
Portraits in Fabric: Saturday April 25, 10-4 p.m. This all day class will take you through a step by step process on turning a photo into a fabric portrait. Included in the price of the class is a kit fee of $25.00. You will be spending time in a "how to session" and then will work on the provided sample. Enhancing your image will also be provided.
Machine Sashiko Coasters: Thursday April 30, 11, 1-4 p.m. Do you love the look of Sashiko, the traditional style of Japanese decorative quilting, but hate the time it takes to hand sew? Learn how to use machine stitching to create beautiful traditional Sashiko designs. In this class you will learn four different Sashiko designs that will be used to make the four coasters. Once you learn how to sew these designs the applications are endless--from quilting designs to embellishments for garments and accessories. Instructor: Linda
Circle Bag: Saturday, May 2, 10:15-2:15 Back by popular demand! Come and learn to make a circle bag with no zippers, it's just too easy. This bag's shape is a roomy 10-inch circle with two asymmetrical flaps, an inside pocket, and purchased cord straps. The front and back sections of this creative design can be made in four different fabrics, plus the gusset. Flip the flaps, and you can get four different looks. Plus it is reversible! Come join the fun and leave this class carrying your new fashion statement. Pattern required. Instructor: Linda
(The Material Girls is located at 1850 Grindley Park in Dearborn. For more information, call (313) 561-1111).
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 3:43 PMHaberman Fabrics to host Superbowl Sunday sewing event
I just received the following information from Haberman Fabrics:
Haberman Fabrics, 905 S. Main St., Royal Oak, hosts its 12th Annual Super Bowl alternative party, on Sunday, Feb. 1, from 12-5 p.m. Sewing is the hot new trend for teens through 30-somethings, so activities at this lively sewing event are geared to these new sewers and to experienced sewers. All admission fees benefit Shades of Pink Foundation.
Join the happy huddle. You'll visit, sew, laugh and learn with friends from the entire metro area. Enjoy three terrific project demo lessons and an all-day sewing clinic guided by Habermans' excellent staff. Bring your sewing projects or start something new. Share the store's sewing machines or bring your own. Then play "Sewers' Bingo" to win $50 Haberman Fabrics' gift cards in celebration of the store's 50th Anniversary (1958-2008). Enjoy light refreshments too. If you're a football fan, you'll be home in time for the game or to go to parties. Not a fan? You'll be set for a creative evening at home with your new projects. It's SEW COOL to D-I-Y!
All admission donations for the full day's activities, $20.00 (minimum) in advance, or $30.00 (minimum) on February 1, support the excellent work of Shades of Pink Foundation. This foundation strives to assist women financially with the extra burdens encountered during breast cancer treatment and recovery.
Event Schedule:
12:45 p.m. Meet Special Guest Speaker Dr Pamela Benitez, Shades of Pink Foundation medical director and Beaumont Hospital Breast Surgeon. Dr. Benitez will welcome guests and discuss Shades of Pink Foundation and breast cancer updates.
Three free sewing demonstrations for all sewing experience levels. Watch, learn and start a new project for yourself or to give as a gift.
1:00 p.m. "Huddle Wrap": Cozy or glamorous, this versatile cover-up keeps the chill "off-sides".
Teacher: Susan White
2:00 p.m. "Touch Down Tote": Learn to make Eco-Triendly Totebags for the market. So easy you'll make them for yourself and for friends and neighbors. Teacher: Lynn McCabe
3:00 p.m. "After-Game Party Bag": A clever way to keep track of your game equipment, comb, lipstick, cell phone. Teacher: Eugenia Patterson
(For more information, call Haberman at (248) 541-0010.)
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:40 AMThe American Sewing Expo Set for Sept. 26-28 in Novi
I received the following information last week from the American Sewing Expo.
Embellish your sewing, quilting, knitting, home decor and fiber arts prowess, and "sew" much more at the 15th annual American Sewing Expo September 26-28, 2008 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi.
"From sock monsters to the chance to win your dream sewing room -- there's never a dull moment at our show," said Janet Pray, show producer. "There's something for the beginner to the expert and everyone in between, from hands-on workshops and demonstrations to fashion style shows and celebrities."
Over 300 vendor booths will be displaying fabrics, sewing machines, notions, threads, patterns, yarn, sergers, technology, embellishments, kits, gadgets, embroidery designs, tools, and more from 35 states, Australia, Canada and South Africa. Showgoers can participate with quick make-and-take projects at some vendor exhibits.
Attendees can learn unique tips and techniques at the Sew Experience Cafe and make their own sewing and embellishing project to take home. Other options to learn new methods, improve skills and find out about the latest products from fashion design to tips for mitering corners are available at over 100 daily lectures, hands-on classes, seminars and all-day workshops led by industry experts and at the free demonstration stages on the show floor.
Showgoers can recycle their own jeans at the Re-Construction Zone, hosted by "Jean Queen" Luveta Nichols of The Junk Jeans People, and turn them into different projects from an iPod case to a tote bag with decoration or machine embroidery.
Couturier to the stars Kenneth D. King, has designed clothing, home furnishings and accessories for Elton John, Jim Carrey and many others. He is a professor of the haute couture program at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, sewing expert on PBS-TV series "Sewing Today" and author of Designer Bead Embroidery and Cool Couture Construction Secrets for Runway Style, which will be published in November. His resources, ideas and tips will be shared during hands-on Cool Tricks classes, Creative Process presentation and Birth of a Bustier workshop.
John Murphy of Stupid Creatures Toy Company and author of "Stupid Sock Creatures" will bring his sock monsters to Novi as seen on HGTV and in the Washington Post. Showgoers will be able to dress up pre-made hand puppets at the Make and Take children's hand puppet project, and take classes on making stuffed toy patterns or weird, wacky and funny sock creations from cast-off socks. "Sew Everything Workshop" author Diana Rupp, who founded and runs the New York "Make Workshop" that teaches everything from using a sewing machine to spinning your own yarn, will demonstrate how to sew fabric scraps and thread together to create a handmade greeting card for holidays and special occasions and will instruct a class on making designer throw pillows.
Carmen Webber and Carmia Marshall will hold classes on an eco-friendly way to recycle denim or how to revamp your wardrobe with little to no money. They are the authors of Denim Mania that features stylish ways to transform jeans and have appeared on Bravo Project Runway and E Network's "Look for Less." They also are the designers behind the Sistahs of Harlem label which is known for its version of street couture, a mixture of urban street fashion and high Parisian style.
Special exhibits will display innovative and traditional quilts, needlework, 2007 Passion for Fashion winner's collection, wearable art and home decor items. The Baby Lock Passion for Fashion Sewing Challenge will begin Friday as 12 finalists design and sew their garments for judging on Saturday (similar to Bravo Project Runway). A Dream Sewing Room that includes items from Bernina will be given on Sunday.
Rock Financial Showplace is located on Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Road in Novi, Michigan. Show hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Preshow workshops are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 and Thursday, Sept. 27. Expo admission is $12 and children 16 and under admitted free with a paying adult. One-hour seminars are $14, all-day workshops are $98 and special combination packages are available in advance online. Onsite parking is available for $5. For more information, visit www.AmericanSewingExpo.com or call (248) 889-3111.
(Rock Financial Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River in Novi).
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Fri, May 9, 2008 at 3:47 PM'49 Sensational Skirts' Book Giveaway
If you're one to step out of the box when it comes to your wardrobe, then Alison Willoughby's recently published book, "49 Sensational Skirts, Creative Embellishment Ideas For One-of-a-Kind Designs" will help you put together some really "head-turning, show-stopping skirts."
Willoughby shows you a lot of different creative techniques, like deconstructing, layering, using found objects as embellishments, using strips of fabric and much more.
For a chance to win a copy of the book, just email me at jbrown@detnews.com and tell me a little about your sewing projects. Please put the word "skirts" in the subject line and remember to include your name and address.
Good Luck!
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 2:26 PMAmerican Sewing Expo announces 2008 challenge, contests
From the folks at The American Sewing Expo:
The 15th annual American Sewing Expo is accepting entries for its Baby Lock Passion For Fashion Sewing Challenge Art of the Quilt contest and Innovation Generation Fashion Show contest.
The Baby Lock Passion For Fashion Sewing Challenge submission deadline is July 1. Twelve finalists design and sew their garments beginning Friday at the event and finish Saturday, showing off their garments live at the expo.
Applicants must be 18 or older and have the basic sewing skills needed to sew a fashionable garment and have it fit a model. There is a $25 nonrefundable jury fee and all applications must include one fashion garment or outfit that will be returned. Finalists will be notified by Aug. 1.
The Art of the Quilt contest submission deadline is Sept. 5. Quilts are to be "other than traditional" in nature and reflect the theme "A Touch of Magic." Entries must consist of three layers held together with stitching and the work of a single individual. There is a $15 nonrefundable entry fee per quilt with a limit of two. All quilts will be returned after being on display at the expo.
The Innovation Generation Fashion Show contest deadline for submission is Sept. 12. The contest is for ages 8-18 years, knowledgeable on the sewing process and who have made their own entry. Garments will be prejudged and then worn by the entrants on the Expo Fashion Stage. There is a $15 nonrefundable entry fee.
Applications and complete list of rules and prizes are available at www.AmericanSewingExpo.com or call (248) 889-3111.
The American Sewing Expo will take place at the Rock Financial Showplace on Sept. 26-28. The event features celebrities, experts, national fiber arts exhibits, free stage demonstrations, more than 100 seminars daily, hands-on-workshops, competitions, young sewer programs, fashion style shows, contests and more than 350 vendor booths displaying sewing, quilting, knitting, home decor and fiber arts products.
Rock Financial Showplace is located on Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Roads in Novi. Show hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Preshow workshops are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26, and Sept. 27. Expo admission is $12 and children 16 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. One-hour seminars are $12, all-day workshops are $95 and special combination packages are available in advance online. Onsite parking is available for $5. For more information, visit www.AmericanSewingExpo.com or call (248) 889-3111.
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 4:18 PM"Finish It" With The Material Girls in Dearborn
"The Material Girls, LLC fabric shop at 1850 Grindley Park (in) Dearborn, is hosting a program called "Finish It" as a fundraiser for the Dearborn Animal Shelter to support the pets that people are leaving behind. This (event) is scheduled (for) April 29-May 2, 2008 at the store.
"People are invited to come in to utilize the store's classroom space to finish those projects that have been languishing. In the sewing world, those items are called UFO's (unfinished objects). There is space for six people during each three-hour session. The "charge" is a donation of $10. Sewing machines will be available if someone does not care to bring their machine. The sessions will run from 10 (a.m.)-1 (p.m.); 1-4(p.m.) everyday with an additional session on Thursday from 5-8 p.m."
To register, visit their online catalog for classes at www.materialgirlquilt.com. For more information, call (313) 561-1111.
Category: Sewing
Posted by Jocelynn Brown (The Detroit News) on Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 11:52 AM"Denim Mania" Book Giveaway
STOP!!! Before you toss out those dated or ripped jeans, you might want to consider transforming them into a unique and stylish garment.
"Sistahs of Harlem" Carmen Webber and Carmia Marshall will show you how in their just released book "Denim Mania, 25 Stylish Ways to Transform Your Jeans."
You'll be New York chic when you turn those old bell bottoms into a frayed-edge, mini skirt. Then for a top, use your scraps to add short, puff sleeves to last year's white shirt.
My favorite redesign project in the book is the really hip-looking Kimona jacket, "constructed from three pairs of denim pants." The elbow-length sleeves are actually the entire upper back from two pairs of jeans. Each sleeve showcases a rear jean pocket on its front and back. How cool is that? The jacket is cinched in at the waist with an obi belt, also made of denim.
But if you're a little less daring when it comes to fashion, there's the more traditional-looking denim jacket that's been altered with sweat shirt sleeves and collar. Or, maybe you're in need of a denim vest. The "sistahs" show you how to create one by simply cutting the sleeves off a denim jacket.
You'll definitely want to save those scraps for making the featured scarf, headband and cross-over collar. Also, hang on to any leftover pockets to embellish a heavy cotton shirt.
If you'd like a chance to win a copy of the book, just email me at jbrown@detnews.com and tell me why you like wearing denim. Please put the word "denim" in the subject line, and remember to include your name and address.
Good Luck!!!
