SCHMETZ Color Codes

So little changes about needles, so the news of SCHMETZ color coded needles is HUGE!  From my travels the most frequent comment heard was about identification of the needle . . . . especially after it was out of the package.  The problem is now solved!  

Most needles will have two bands of color - the top band to identify the needle TYPE and the lower band to identify needle SIZE.  The SCHMETZ Universal will have just one color band identifying needle size.  The new SCHMETZ color coded needles are shipping now to your local stores.  Yahoo . . .   Happy New Year!
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
PS:  This is my last blog post at this address.  Read the new blog on our website at www.SCHMETZneedles.com.

PatternReview.com Natural Fibers Contest

If you enjoy fashion sewing, checkout PatternReview.com.  Deepika started sewing in 2001 and founded PatternReview.com the same year.  Her big "why" in creating PatternReview.com was just as the name suggests . . .  to review patterns on-line - to help remove some of the mystery around garment patterns - and has since grown to include reviews of notions, stores, sewing machines and so much more.  PatternReview.com also has contests throughout the year. 

This spring SCHMETZneedles.com sponsored the Natural Fibers Contest.  And the winners are...
First Place Winner .  . .

Anne K. . . . . Anne created this comfortable StyleArc Stella Coat of Italian double faced cotton twill from Mood Fabrics  She especially loves the mandarin collar and the lack of closures on this wrap coat.  She stitched the body of the coat on a Seiko STH-8BLD-3 with a SCHMETZ DPx17-100/16.  For the lining she used a Janome 6500P with a SCHMETZ Universal 70/10.  Anne is a frequent contestant in PatternReview.com contests.

 Second place . . .



Katrina B. wins with this delightful vintage inspired medium weight silk charmeuse dress.  She combined two Burda Style patterns for just the "right" look.  This was Katrina's first win with PatternReview.com.  Katrina sews exclusively with SCHMETZ! On this project she used a SCHMETZ Microtex size 60. Katrina says, "SCHMETZ Microtex is invaluable for silk!"  Check out her blog post for more details on this demur dress.

There were 86 entries in the Natural Fibers Contest.  Competition was tight!  Congratulations to both ladies!

It is not too late to enter the current PatternReview Sewing For Children Contest also sponsored by SCHMETZneedles.com.  Entries are due August 31st.  I can hardly wait to see all the adorable outfits!
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com

www.patternreview.com

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Friend of SCHMETZ: Sandra Benoit

I love meeting new people.  I especially love learning the stories of quilters and sewists.  While waiting for the 2013 QuiltCon exhibition doors to open in Austin, TX, I had a delightful encounter with Sandra Benoit.  Our conversation opened while admiring each others eye glasses.  Mine are Italian, but Sandra's glasses are not only French, she bought them in person . . .  in Paris.  Voila!  Sandra loves to quilt and as a former math teacher incorporates mathematics into her quilt designs.  In fact she designs quilts in Excel spreadsheets!

Sandra's iPad was loaded with pics of her quilts:  A soothing, reflective Japanese garden quilt, a biblical quilt with each block telling a bible verse or story and a wedding quilt for her Islamic friend.  In this video Sandra explains the thought process in the creation of her Islamic floor tile inspired quilt and develops an eight point star using flying geese.  Really!

Thanks Sandra for your inspiring conversation and quilts.  Next time I open my Excel spreadsheet to plug in numbers, I will think of you designing beautiful, thoughtful and mathematical quilts. 

Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
PS:  Sandra's favorite needles are SCHMETZ Microtex/Sharp 70/10 and Universal 70/10.

Digital Goddesses . . . and they love to sew too!

Wow!  I'm excited about our daytime line up of diverse, creative and inspirational digital goddesses that will "tell it like it is" at the SCHMETZ Sew-cial Bloggers Boot Camp.  Here's a glimpse into their lectures.   Hang on to your hats because these gals have moxie to share with you!

+Jake Finch, Co-Founder and Publisher of Generation Q Magazine

Pinterest:  Friends with Marketing Benefits and

Kickstarter:  Kick Your Way into Non-Fat Funding

Pinterest is the social media craze overflowing with creative people seeking the latest and greatest.  Come laugh with us as we find out about the good, the bad and the glory of using Pinterest for your evil creative blogging purposes.  Then, we will look at how Kickstarter can be a blogger's answer to those funding prayers for that next business idea you have dreamed of launching.  It is a lot of helpful info packed into a fun session, complete with chocolate!

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+Sarai Mitnick, Owner and Designer, Colette Patterns

Know Your Audience:  How To Learn From Your Readers

What can good design teach us about growing a blog or small business?  Sarai, founder of Colette Patterns and former user experience researcher for Goggle, shows how the universal principles of design can help you to communicate meaningfully, increase your online presence and engage with your audience.

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+Angela Mae Jorgenson, Etsy Extraordinaire

Crack the Google Code!

Angela cracked the Google code.  It wasn't easy - it took lots of trial and error - and she sometimes didn't shower or eat for days on on end - but she cracked it!  That is how she moved up to #1 in the Google search engine - and sold over $100,000 of handmade wedding merchandise on Etsy in her first 14 months.  Angela has been in the Etsy trenches - and has real opinions on what you should name your Etsy store, how you should handle shipping and how to turn every customer into repeat business. . . .  your success depends of cracking the code!

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+Niamh O'Conner, Evil Genius of www.UrbanThreads.com

Urban Threads:  Purveyor of Fine Machine & Hand Embroidery Designs

Niamh talks about her new and innovative approach to both machine and hand embroidery.  Hear how social media marketing has played a big role in the website's growth, as well as what it's like to take risks with non-traditional products in a traditional market.  When it comes to embroidery and crafting, the only limit is creativity.

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Registration includes a sewist's delight goodie bag - a $200+ retail value, hands-on evening classes 2013 New Product Review and a VIP and One Needle Session passes to opening day at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo. 

Do it now! Download the Boot Camp brochure and register at www.SCHMETZneedles.com.
Save $50 and register now before January 1!
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHEMTZneedles.com

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The Magic of Sewing

One of the joys of my job is talking to sewing enthusiasts from around the world.  Whether teaching or walking a sewing show, sewists like to show and tell about their garments, quilts, wall hangings, crafts and charity projects.  I met Bill earlier in the year between my SCHMETZ: Get to the Point classes at Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting store in King of Prussia, PA.

Bill Brown

Bill showed me a photo album of his sewing projects and his newly created sewing room.  Thanks to his daughter moving out of the house, the bedroom was free and Bill moved right in setting up sewing machines, a serger, lots of shelves, thread racks, a cutting table and extra lights.  Bill was beaming ear to ear over his awesome sewing studio.

Bill loves to sew quilts . . . . and thoughtfully creates lovely gowns for the burial of premmie babies.  The gowns are complete with lace trim, satin ribbons and dainty rose trim.  The gowns are donated to the local hospital.

Curious to why Bill learned to sew? Magically, he can thank his Mom.  Special pockets?  I'm lucky to install one good pocket.  Thanks Bill and the customers and staff at Steve's Sewing and Vacuum for a terrific Sew SCHMETZ day!  If you missed it check out my March 28th blog post for more details about Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting store in King of Prussia, PA.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

www.stevessewandvac.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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