Meet Holly Vlasak, Armored in Fashion

Last weekend the Haute Couture Club Chicago presented Elements of Glam Fashion Show celebrating the earth through fashion.  What a treat!  Wind, Water and Fog, The Tundra, Flora and Fauna, Precious Metals and Stones were just a few of the inspirational design categories.  My favorite theme was Water and Sky.  The Shades of Blue garments really captured the allure of daylight and midnight skies. 

I was so tickled to meet Holly Vlasak.  Holly is a design student at the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago.   She won a 2012 Haute Couture Scholarship.  Holly's designs were featured in a display at the entrance to the fashion show and of course she was wearing one of her designs.

 

Holly Vlasak, Armored in Fashion

Listen to Holly's design inspiration.... armor.  Really loved how she implemented the armor theme from the fabric selection right down to the thoughtful metal clasp on the removable shrug. 

The Haute Couture Club of Chicago is nearly 50 years old with members of all ages and interests.  Joining a club is a great way to refine your skills, meet new friends and widen your circle of inspiration.  Whatever your sewing interest, there is always magic when sharing stories and stitches.  Find a club in your community or start your own club.

Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

Nancy's Notions Sewing Weekend 2013

Nancy Zieman is a jewel.  And last weekend's Nancy's Notions Sewing Weekend in Beaver Dam, WI was no different. . . a cherished weekend of friends and a love of sewing all brought about by Nancy's unwavering business savvy and passion for sewing.

From Nancy's humble kitchen table to this massive shopping and educational event, the Nancy's Notions Sewing Weekend was impressive to say the least.  This was my first trip to Beaver Dam.  The product selection was extensive from Gingham Square bobbins to Roll The Gold Rotary Blades, SCHMETZ needles along with every notion ever made, fabrics, books, patterns galore and of course, Baby Lock sewing machines.  Designers, authors, educators and consumers from around the world found the love of sewing at feverish level.

Look at this pattern selection!  And this was just a single of multiple rows of patterns for garments, quilts, home dec, crafts and much more!

Nancy's Sewing Weekend is a three day event, but I stayed for only 24 hours, so I had a chance to catch up with Rita Farro and Mary Mulari of the Midwest Ya Ya Sisters.  Well, it was actually more than that since earlier in the day they volunteered me along with Nancy Zieman to model for their evening performance "All Wrapped Up".  Lots of laughs here as Rita and Mary unveiled their whimsical wraps and stylish shawls with stories.  Above Rita and Mary expose their high tech teleprompter - yes, you are right . . .  Magic Marker on scrap cardboard!  

Add this date to your calendar - May 1 - 3, 2014 for the next Nancy's Notions Sewing Weekend in Beaver Dam, WI.  Now I'm off to go sew some of the fabrics and patterns I picked up last weekend!
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com

Quick Threading Needle

I want to introduce or . . . reintroduce you . . .  to the SCHMETZ Quick Threading needle.  This is a Universal needle with a little slit off the side of the eye.  Just like the name suggests, the Quick Threading needle is very easy to thread - just slide the thread down the length of the needle until the thread pops into the eye.  Voila!

SCHMETZ Quick Threading Needle
Available in Sizes 80/12 and 90/14

The Quick Threading needle is a terrific alternative when a built-in machine needle threader is not available.  Kids who are just learning to sew find quick success when threading this needle.  The SCHMETZ Quick Threading needle is favored by sewing enthusiasts with arthritis in their hands hampering easy threading.  Low vision and blind sewists also use this needle to continue their passion of sewing.     

There is one important tip to using this needle . . .

S...L...O...W.... D...O...W...N.........

Reduce your sewing speed!  Easy to thread . . . easy to unthread.  Yes, the thread has a tendency to pop out of the eye when sewing at high speeds, so slow down!  The SCHMETZ Quick Threading needle is a convenient needle for your friends that may just be learning to sew or may have difficulty threading the needle on their own.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com

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Today's Fit by Sandra Betzina

It is no secret that I love to sew.  A few months ago while attending the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA, I found an unusal fabric at the Vogue Fabrics booth.  The fabric interior is a fleece with all the comfort of a favorite sweatshirt, while the right side has vertical rows of zigzag stitched ombre colored yarns - burgandy to pink to white to black.  I don't recall the fiber content and held my breathe when I cleaned the yardage on the delicate cycle in the washing machine, I was thrilled that there was no pilling or fabric deterioration.  Easy maintenance... that's what I want in my fabrics and garments. 

From my local store I found a Sandra Betzina pattern #1243.  I had been wanting a cute jacket to wear with jeans - a throw-n-go type jacket. 


Vogue #1243

I chose View C since the design was unique to my regular wardrobe . . . no lapel and soft gathering at the neckline.

Plus, I was really curious about the jacket construction.  Leave it to Sandra Betzina. Not only does her design style speak to me, but her pattern directions are so well written.  I stitched this jacket up in no time - and thanks to my serger. The sleeve construction and soft gathers at the neckline were a breeze.  The front jacket is lined with a sheer floral that along the hemline and front I rolled forward for a nice contrast finish. 

I love this little jacket!  Will pair up a lace camisole under this jacket, but really need sun and warmer temperatures before venturing outside. 

Sandra Betzina designs Today's Fit patterns for Vogue Patterns.  She has an array of garment patterns that are stylish and fun to sew.  This week when I received Sandra's Power Sewing newsletter I was thrilled she featured this pattern in Episode 127: Simple Travel Jacket, just after I had already finished my own jacket.  Timing is everything!  Check out Sandra's jacket pattern on her Power Sewing website. 

Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
PS:  I used a SCHMETZ Universal 80/12.
www.SCHMETZneedles.com
www.powersewing.com

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Mother's Day

Mother's Day is around the corner.  Here's a nice gift suggestion for Mom or that special someone that taught you how to sew - the SCHMETZ Gift Box. 

Six Gift Boxes Available
Embroidery, General Sewing, Heirloom, Quilting, Stretch and Universal

A convenient hinged tin contains the ever-popular SCHMETZ ABC Pocket Guide, four packs of needles and a sample of Sulky Poly-Lite thread.  Remove the interior foam plugs and the tin stores up to 20 packs of needles.  This cute little tin is the perfect size for use next to a sewing machine or for tucking into a tote of class supplies. 

And if your Mom taught you to sew, then give her a big hug!

The SCHMETZ Gift Box is available at your local quilt and/or fabric shop and machine dealer.  See all variations at www.SCHMETZneedles.com.

Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com

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Grabbit Sewing Tools

I love Grabbit tools!  Maybe you don't know the name, but I bet you know and already use a couple Grabbit products:  Grabbit, the original magnetic pincushion and BobbinSaver, the skinny donut shaped bobbin organizer.  I use both of these products nearly every time I sit down to sew.  Now I want to tell you about a few more Grabbit tools to make your sewing life easier...
www.grabbitsewingtools.com

Grabbit Sewing Tools
 

Wrist Grabbit
Do you have a tendency to put pins in your mouth?  I confess I do, and I know I am not alone.  The solution is the handy Wrist Grabbit.  Smaller than the original magnetic Grabbit, this Grabbit straps to your wrist for easy pin access.  Now here's the thing... place this magnetic Grabbit on the INSIDE of your wrist.  When I first started using this I had pins flinging through the air as I lightly hit my wrist on the sewing table, but no more.  Even my husband likes this too - he finds fewer needles in the carpet!

Magnetic Needle Threaders
Speaking of magnets, these little needle threaders not only help thread a hand needle easier, but they are magnetic and certainly easier to find when placed in a Grabbit pincushion.  Love the power of magnets!  Plus the larger threader has a convenient built-in thread cutter.   

PressIt
I am not a fan of ironing, but do it because of its essential role in nicely finished items.  The PressIt Steam Pressing Cloth is nifty because of it absorbency without dripping.  Have a hard to press wrinkle?  Create more steam with your hot iron by adding additional water to this viscose fabric cloth.  PressIt in no time flat!  Ha, ha... no I'm not sorry for this pun!  :)

Spooler Spindles
Yes, I really like this handy product.  Right now I am working on three different sewing projects each with a different color of thread.  So when I switch projects, marrying up my filled bobbin with the matching spool of thread is neat with a little thread trap at the end of the spindle.  Saves me time searching. 

The designs of Grabbit are thoughtful and clever.  Sewing is fun . . .  especially with handy tools!
Visit the Grabbit Sewing Tools website for more information.  Buy from your local quilt shop and machine dealer.

Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com
www.grabbitsewingtools.com

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SCHMETZ Needle App

There should be an app for that!  Right a needle app. . .  Yes, a SCHMETZ needle app is in the works and soon ready for Beta testing. If you have a iPhone, iPad or iPod updated to at least iOS 5 and interested in testing this new app, then I want to hear from you.   

 

 

 

 

 

The SCHMETZ App will be a FREE app based on the ever-popular SCHMETZ ABC Pocket Guide.  Information will include SCHMETZ needle types, a needle and fabric reference, needle anatomy and other useful needle information. . . . handy info at your finger tips.

 

Be part of the fun in testing this SCHMETZ app.  To participate send an email to info@schmetzneedles.com with your name, email address, and device type - iPhone, iPad, iPod.  Contact me by Monday, April 22nd.  Yahoo!

 

Sew SCHMETZ!

Rhonda

www.SCHMETZneedles.com

 

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