Joi of Sewing

Meet Joi Mahon or as she likes to be called Designer Joi.  You may have already seen Joi and her designs featured in Sew It All, Sew News, Wedding Essentials, Threads, Designs in Machine Embroidery to name just a few.  She is a Baby Lock Love of Fashion National Spokes-Designer.  Our paths first crossed in 2009 when she won the Passion for Fashion Live Fashion Design Challenge at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, MI.  Really loved her undercover dress (The "secret agent" design challenge was to integrate a concealed recording device into the dress.) with its playful mix of stripes, polka dots and stripes.

Joi and I most recently met again in March at the Sewing with the Stars Love of Fashion Retreat, organized by Pam Cortese, owner of My Sewing and Vacuum Place in Santa Rosa.  Joi designed a wonderful black lace top that was both sassy and stylish.  Her students were so very pleased to finish their projects in less than half a day.  Part of Joi's class instruction includes SCHMETZ needle education - especially the importance of changing the needle.  Here is a a little clip of Joi talking about the importance of changing the needle.........

You will be seeing more of Joi.  Look for her at sewing shows and for her appearance in an episode of Sew It All TV later this fall on PBS.  Check out Joi's website.......... and remember to change your needle!  
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

www.designerjoi.com

Sewing With The Stars 2012

Last month I was Sewing With The Stars!  Pam and Luigi Cortese, The Sewing Place in Santa Rosa, CA planned a delightful hands-on sewing retreat at the Double Tree Hotel in Rohnert Park.  SCHMETZ: Get To The Point was my post lunch talk.  Really, there is always someone giggling in the audience who learns that changing a needle really does make a positive difference in quality sewing.

Wish I could have stayed to sew some of the fantastic projects - Joi Mahon's fun lace top, Diane Aholt's travel suit bag.and more.  Take a look at a few pics from just one day.  Everyone loves stitching on their Baby Lock machines! 

Last year when Pam planned this event, I thought visiting sunny California would be a terrific time to vacate cloudy, dreary winter weather in Chicago.  Mother Nature sure has a few tricks up her sleeve.  While I was in CA, Chicago was enjoying sunny 80 degree weather!  Who can figure?  Thanks Pam and Luigi for a delightful event!  Your staff and customers, just cannot be beat!  More pics and video to come! 

Sew SCHMETZ!

Rhonda

www.mysewvacplace.com

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Steve's Sewing Vacuum and Quilting, King of Prussia PA

What a joy to visit fantastic sewing dealers from coast to coast!  Earlier in the month I taught SCHMETZ:Get To The Point classes at Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting store in King of Prussia, PA.  Wow!  


First the physical store is impressive - it's a former electronic store that Steve Chubin, owner, remodeled allowing natural light to dance among Baby Lock, Bernina and Janome machines.  Gloriously anchoring the store among 3,000 bolts of fabrics, vacuums, and the service department is the luxurious Miele kitchen that not only looks fabulous, but draws customers from all corners of the 35,000 sq ft store with freshly baked cookies.  Really!  

Steve's professional, educated and friendly staff was wonderful in assisting customers with sewing machines, vacuums, services and classes - sewing and yes, even cooking classes.   The store was a buzz in every department including the classrooms with instruction in long arm quilting, Kid's Clubhouse and my SCHMETZ classes.


When you find yourself in the Valley Forge area of Pennsylvania, make sure to drop by Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting Store.  You are sure to be impressed and find some goodies too.  Thanks to Steve, Liz P and all the staff for making a great SCHMETZ day!
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.stevessewandvac.com

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