Sew Expo 2016

Sew Expo is a large sewing conference / event that happens in February/March of each year in Puyallup. It was founded & by the same women who first taught me to sew. Though, it hasn't been until the last 10 years that I've made attending a regular thing for me. I always learn something, meet someone inspiring, and find great deals and even better quality notions, tools, and fabrics.  It's a wonderful show that I highly recommend. Honestly, the classes and connections made there are worth the price of admission to each one. 

This year, I signed up for 3 classes (1-needle = 1 hour) or seminars. I tried to get into Monica's camisole class, but it was booked up solid for both days it was offered. I ended up taking 2 classes from Lorraine Henry (why did I wait this long to study with her?!?) and one class from Pati Palmer. 

Day 1

Welcome to the showplex. This is one of the 2 main buildings where the classes and vendors are hosted. It's always a SEA of people and each booth is a delight for the eyes. Walking up to the showplex, I was reminded of the many, many, many shows where my mom and I have been vendors - all the time setting up, standing around talking with people, needing to be "on" all the time, then tearing down. I have a lot of compassion for all the vendors. It's VERY hard work to do a show for a couple days, let alone 4 days of Sew Expo. 

Pacific Fabrics always has a stellar booth. This year they has someone demonstrating some quilting blocks. They bring a large selection of swimwear knits (woo hoo!) and quilting cottons. 

I took Lorraine Henry's Swivel our Seams SOS class which was all about using the seam method of pattern alteration. Here she's demonstrating the slash and spread method. Sitting in her classes was a breath of fresh air. Oh my goodness is she a born teacher! She knows how to pause to allow students to process. She asks questions of students to teach them to think - for those moments when she is not there.  She's extremely knowledgable. And, she is fun, delightful and funny in her approach. What a doll. I'd take her classes any day!

Here's a lovely photo of Lorraine in her booth. She invited people over to ask questions and learn more.  Her SOS class was basically Elizabeth L. Liechty's book come to life! How utterly exciting for me, because I've been pouring over that book.  And Lorraine had copies in her booth of the 3rd edition, hot of the press, for sale. 

I also took a class from Pati Palmer, another amazingly talented, patient and knowledgable teacher, on using one pattern for both knits and wovens. It was quite interesting and chock full of useful details that I'm still processing and absorbing. I enjoyed Pati's class immensely. 

I stopped by the Palmer/Pletsch booth to see if I could get a photo with her and she said, "Oh, are we going to do a selfie?" That just tickled my heart and got me giggling. There was so much excitement and pure joy in her question that I could hardly hold my phone steady!

No trip to expo is complete without taking in Bravo Bella. This year, Monica added swimsuit kits and some wonderful patterns! 

One entire side of her booth is devoted to bra kits. Plus, she hand-dyes all the colors you see.  I love the kits I have from her. 

The other side of her booth was filled with fun ITY knits for panties, mock-ups of lace panties and the newest styles of her latest panty pattern. 

  

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If you turned with your back to Bravo Bella, you looked straight into the Tilton's booth. Hello pretty's, come to mama. The Tilton sisters always pick the best fabrics in the highest qualities. They have excellent taste!  I had enough in my budget this year to purchase 2 remnants. I love choosing to spend my money on a quality piece of fabric from the Tilton's. 

The back of this Katherine Tilton coat caught my eye. What a gorgeous seamline!

Below are 2 laces I picked up from the Bravo Bella booth. As you can tell, these are 8" laces. Perfect for making Jalie 2568 Brazilian Tanga panties in my size!  I got to work on making these up right after I got home from the show. 

Day 1 was excellent. Inspiring, fulfilling, and educational. 

Day 2

I was tickled that I finished one pair of the Jalie 2568 tanga panties in time to bring them to show Monica. I thought she and any other customers passing by might enjoy seeing a finished use of the laces she was selling in her booth. Plus, I got to show her the black lace pair I made earlier this month from lace I had ordered from her and the blue satin panties I made using the satin I also ordered from her. I was super impressed with how kind Monica was. She interacts with so many people while teaching several classes at the show, plus helping people in her booth. It's a lot to take on, not to mention all the fun of having and maintaining a personal life and family on top of it! She makes it look easy. Though I hope she gets plenty of rest after this!

Monica also had time to look at some photos I had posted to one of the Bra Making forums asking for help on fitting her pattern, Bravo Bella 2. I made sure to go back during a time when it was a little slower. She was infinitely helpful on many accounts. She drew photos, swapped bras, discussed how fit worked and didn't work and helped me find ways to alter that would keep things as simple as possible without having to re-draft every piece. I'm very grateful! I even spent time over the weekend pondering her insights, drawings and cut out a new BB2 making it #3. 

I gave it the 1 day test (since I only purchased 2 tickets to enter), and decided to purchase this swimsuit kit from Monica. She had several awesome prints, but this felt the most like me and received thumbs up from the other ladies working in Monica's booth.

I also decided to invest in more lace because the quality and price are right on! 

I also attended Lorraine Henry's 3-crotch figure class about fitting and altering where the body hinges. Wow, there were so many people in class who were very engaged. She's such a wonderful teacher! She asked for questions before we got started and I piped up and asked about altering for Swayback. She said, "dress, blouse, or pants?" Wow... all 3 really, but I chose dress.  She proceeded to give us the alterations for each one! Dang if half the room didn't ooo, ah, oh, and aha!  Boy was that a great question. Then a woman behind me leaned over and whispered that she took Lorraine's neckline class and she went into swayback in great detail. Note to self! Take that class!

One of the most useful tips Lorraine gave was the L before W rule. Alter lengths before altering widths on patterns. I invested in her pamphlet plus her "measuring made easy" packet - that tape measure with a zero point is worth the money! I also invested in her long crotch curve ruler. Mine doesn't reach my waist, so it's rather useless. Thanks for solving that problem, Lorraine!

I don't recall the name of this booth, but the quilting artist's work was divine! She sells kits so you can make your own. They are such a delight!

Silk ribbons are so rich and colorful. Who would love to have this in their studio, just to be inspired by the rainbow of colors?!

I enjoyed spending the afternoon of day 2 wandering with my mom, getting inspired and enjoying conversation. She has fostered my sewing and encouraged me for many years. It's wonderful to spend time sharing with her as we both have spent many hours sewing lots of clothing. Though today, she works with wee sized items creating wearable art, more than creating garments. Nonetheless, there was something for each of us to enjoy. 

I'm grateful for all the help, knowledge, beautiful fabrics, and inspiration. Thanks to each and every person for making the 2016 show such a delight. May fortune favor you.