Original Sewing & Quilt Expo

Per my earlier post I was lucky enough to win a prize package to the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Tinley Park Il. 

I received a package of 5 classes, a shopping bag, ticket holder and 3 days of free admission.  I was only able to attend on Saturday so I took 3 classes.

Vortex Quilt with Debby Kratovil was a hands on class  from 8:30 to 11:30 so it was worth 3 classes.   The $20 class fee covered the pattern and ruler.   This was a fun class.  The Bernina machines were loaned to us by Linda Z 's sewing center.  The machines were easy to use and I had no problems sewing with the unfamiliar brand and model.   I liked the knee lift for the pressure foot. We were not able to finish the small quilt in class but here is my progress so far.  This will be a small quilt lap or wall size. If I ever get it done that is.
















                                                    



         We were all given a small package of bating by Warm and Natural.  Nice gift and much appreciated.

and  a CD of Some Bernina Projects





I then had a baked potato with chili for my lunch.  It wasn't bad but it was  something more to my husbands liking.  He went shopping and had lunch at  Cabelas.   I looked at some of the vendor booths for just a  few minutes, then went to my "Do it in the Hoop!"  class with Cindy Losekamp. 
This class focused on embroidering with Angelina sheets and fibers, not something on my sewing list for the near future but the information is always nice to have in case the shinny bug bites and I feel the need to sparkle up my sewing with Angelina

My last class was Core Sewing Skills , the Next Step with Cynthia Guffey

Cynthia is passionate about  sewing, it is interesting to me that she doesn't have a serger so she spends a bit more time with the techniques than I do.  She puts in had picked zippers and does generally more hand work .  Most of our hour with her was spent talking about the grain of fabric, how important it was to find out if your fabric was on grain by pulling a thread and if necessary how to straighten the grain.  She told us the importance of stay stitching to prevent stretching the fabrics and how we should sew with the grain of the fabric even though you might have to switch directions 3 or more times for a sleeve.  I can see changing directions 2 but probably would change 3 times on a sleeve.  Maybe I'll try it and see what happens.  I then spent just a bit more time looking at the booths.  As my sewing room is a complete wreck The only thing I purchase was Swedish tracing paper.  Then it was time for the long drive home.

I had a nice day, learning and re-learning sewing techniques, being inspired by the projects, ideas and beautiful quilts that were on display.

Mabenka's Resturant

My DH and I drove to Chicago to go to the Original Sewing  Quilt Expo.  We went on Friday afternoon so we drove a bit further than Tinley park and ate our dinner at Mabenkas.   "A warm and friendly casual dining atmosphere with ample Polish and Lithuanian ethnic charm".


Since it was a Friday night we decided on the specials, he the Polish combination plate and I chose the Lithuanian combination plate. 













We started out with soup, his was beet soup and mine was pea soup.  My soup was very good, better than the beet soup.  The soup was a full bowl not a cup so it would have been enough to have it with the good bread that was served to us.

The service was fast enough and friendly  and you can see my meal below.  I had no idea that there would be so much food.  Being of German descent I have had sauerkraut and various sausages many times in my life but I had never had the other two items.

Kugelis and Cepelinai,  You can see the sour cream and horseradish I was given to eat this meal with.  Both of the new items were interesting,m not bad but not on my favorite list either.  I think I will like them better when ever I have them again.  The problem was that there was to much food to really enjoy it completely.    My husband said his dinner was better than mine (except for the soup).

Next time Kids portions for me!

American Sewing Guild Annual Meeting with Pam Damour

Saturday November 2 was the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Sewing Guilds 35th annual meeting. Held at Primo Banquet Hall in Indianapolis.

As usual this was a fun day, we hold our elections have lunch with a bunch of friends  and are entertained by a National speaker all for a very reasonable cost of $35 per person.

We each received a packet that included the agenda for the day, some information about a bed and breakfast and possible retreat  locations as well as  a fat quarter of fabric.



 
 
 






Pam is a high energy, entertaining speaker who loves to teach.  She showed us many ideas that are used in home dec  that can  be used in any type of sewing you do.  One of the things  that was really appreciated was how to miter.  I have done mitering before on skirts and jackets as well as other items but I usually have to look it up every time.  Pam also has developed several tools that can make your sewing easier such as a double scallop ruler and a piping trim ruler.  She  has   DVD's, patterns and a couple of books (possibly more).  One is a pillow book that I purchased last year.  This book has some cute pillow ideas, some machine embroidery and a few recipes.  I plan on making one of the pillows for Christmas and hopefully it will be done this year.

Pam is also a zentangle instructor and sells  a pattern book and supplies.


We all received a tile(paper) and pencil and then with Pams instructions  drew a  pumpkin. Just like sewing each persons was a bit different.  I bought a white and grey fabric pen with the thought that some day I might draw some zentangle designs on fabric. 




There were many prizes and I think the majority of us won something.  Below is my prize.  This is cute, not something I would wear but it would be a cute pillow or wall hanging or part of a lap quilt.  I think I have plenty of time to decide what to make with it.   The grand prize was a paid registration to ASG's National conference.  I think just about everyone wanted to win that one.





A style show was held after lunch and I am  totally impressed with the wonderful outfits we were presented with.  I would like to have shown pictures but they didn't turn out well.   It is inspiring to see what "home sewers" can and do accomplish. 






Here I am with Pam and  look she is still smiling after a long day.

Pam, thank you for being our speaker this year, you were great.

Primo, thank you for the good food and nice atmosphere.

Indianapolis CAB, thank you for all your hard work.  I had a wonderful day.

Darlene

Butterick 228 aka 5101

This Butterick pattern was a nice surprise.  I have had it in my stash for quite a while  and I have had the fabric for quite a while too. It was purchased during my New York trip about 3 years ago.  

 The Indianapolis Chapter of ASG's Annual meeting was Saturday November 2nd and I wanted to make something new.  I kept debating on what I should make and pulled lots of patterns and fabric to audition for the part.  What ended up happening was paralysis due to analysis.  I finally decided on Friday November the 1st that I would make the wrap dress but then my daughter said she would really love a sweater from this super soft mid weight knit.  


I had 3 yards of fabric so I ended up making a top instead of a dress.  Since I was worried if the wrap dress would stay together correctly anyway  I was fine with the decision.  luckily the pattern  has cut on sleeves and is super easy to make.  There were only 4 pieces, a front, back tie and tie loop.  

I wore the top all day on Saturday and did not have to adjust it one time.
the left front wraps around under the right front and has a tie that goes around the body and exits from an opening on the left side seam and meets  the tie for the right front.  Since the tie is at the side front and not in the center, it didn't add a lot of bulk at my stomach area which I  appreciated.



I already have plans  to make this pattern again in a quieter, less bold knit the next time.