Mystery of the Little Red Dots!

Although I consider myself a quilter, I have returned to sewing garments. What fun it is to shop & sew with so many different fabric types, textures and colors. I consider myself to be pretty good at sewing, but fit - well you know how fit can foil even the most precisely executed garment. So, I've been sewing outside my comfort zone and trying new patterns. My current sewing project is a Fashion in Harmony Magic Bias dress. What fun! The fabric is a jersey knit with overlapping quarter size circles of white, beige, black & midnight blue. This pattern has been so very fun to sew with excellent instructions. The dress seam swirls around my body, while the sleeve seams swirl around my arms.
http://www.fashioninharmony.com/ 

While sewing I noticed a series of tiny red dots all in an even row running parallel to the raw edges of my seams. These little red dots almost looked like minuscule mites, except they didn't move. What in the world could these dots be? Where are they coming from? I was sewing at the end of a work day and my lipstick was still somewhat fresh. Imagine… I was using my super thin Swiss Iris pins and holding them between my pursed lips before securing my fabric pieces together. Each pin had just a hint of Fire & Ice lipstick!

What needle did I sew with? SCHMETZ, of course. A SCHMETZ Stretch 75!  What's YOUR Favorite SCHMETZ needle? 

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2010 SCHMETZ Portfolio Designer: Carol Ahles

Carol's Favorite SCHMETZ Needle - Twin

For Carol Ahles' stitching with twin needles opens many practical as well as creative possibilities: Stitch two perfectly even rows of topstitching or decorative stitching simultaneously; Stitch both sides of a narrow ribbon or trim at the same time; Add texture and/or color, especially when the stitching is corded; Creatively hem a garment or disguise the crease line when letting down a hem; Create pintucks on light-to-medium-weight fabrics for a classic heirloom look; Embellish sheer fabrics with a shadow-work effect.

  

Carol is known for her many years of contributing to Threads and Creative Needle magazines and her best-selling book, Fine Machine Sewing. She is a lifelong sewer and former fabric store owner and sewing machine dealer. She has taught thousands of students in North America and Australia how to use any sewing machine to its fullest potential. Carol is now the distributor of heirloom sewing tools that are made using the best traditional English finishing methods. Check out Carol's website for her teaching schedule and beautiful sewing tools - http://www.carolahles.com/.

   What's YOUR favorite SCHMETZ needle?

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A Thank You Note from a SCHMETZ User

Thanks to the representative from SCHMETZ who cleared things up for me regarding the double-eye needle at the recent International Quilt Festival show in Rosemont, IL. She asked me to send a pic of the quilt I just finished, so I'm sending a full and close-up view. The name of the quilt is "Pandora's Box". It is being entered into a Fine Arts competition later this month. It features 100% cotton, Dupioni silk, beads, couched wire I crimped, free-motion quilting and Shiva paint sticks. I hope you enjoy it.

Jeanne Pfister

2010 Sewing & Stitchery Expo - Group C

This is the last group of pictures from the show.  Enjoy the creative uses of zippers, peacock feathers and buttons.  Throw in a teddy bear and Mary Mulari's surprise zipper bags and a snappy rain coat.  Really!  This was the first time I've ever seen a sewer model their own rain coat.  The workmanship was impeccable! 

 

Thanks to YOU, the 2010 Sewing & Stitchery Expo is now a delightful memory.  All the energy, creative ideas and friendship made for a wonderful show.   Thanks for visiting the SCHMETZ booth to share your sewing passion. .  . .  Now, let's start planning for 2011!  What will you be sewing?  And how will you share your sewing enthusiasm with others?

 
  Share YOUR Sewing Passion!  

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2010 Sewing & Stitchery Expo - Group B

Do you have a friend that "used to sew?"  Maybe someone that learned sewing in high school, but got busy with work and family?  Or maybe someone that has put off sewing until they retire?  The American Sewing Guild booth was on hand at the show to help connect those individuals with a  neighborhood ASG chapter.  Sewing is fun and relaxing.  It's also a great way to socialize with others that enjoy our great hobby and art.  Go to http://www.asg.org/ for more information.     

 

Quilted ribbons . . .  Floral hair ornaments . . .  Louise Cutting of Cutting Line Designs  . . . . Deepika of http://www.patternreview.com/ . . . A snappy Make It With Wool suit . . . .  and Jackets designed by Connie Crawford . . . .  and more . . . .

What's YOUR Favorite Sewing Project?

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2010 Sewing & Stitchery Expo - Group A

Sewing is not just for ladies, but men at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo were very few.  Finally in this group of pictures are a few guys that sew and enjoy the fine details of sewings.  Check out the gentleman wearing the fishing hat trimmed in nylon feathers to promote his kite making business.  Yes, kites!  When's the last time you made a kite? - and a kite that flys! . . . Then there's the gentleman that made his own vest and beret shown with his best friend. . . .  Then there's Steve wearing the leather jacket - although I'm pretty certain he did not make his jacket - but he knows every twist of thread.  Steve's a thread expert!. . . . You'll also see pictures of Sandra Betzina, Mary Mulari, Deepika of http://www.patternreview.com/ , Micky Mouse, a wonderful kimono and more...

 


What's YOUR Favorite Needle?

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RECYCLED JEANS DAY - Group 5 - 2010 Sewing & Stitchery Expo

Here's the last group of pictures from Recycled Jeans Day in Puyallup, WA.  Western boots . . . floral embroidery. . . . FRINGE . . . . aprons . . . zippers, zebra stripes and a big splashy print!  Whew, from A to Z we saw a cadre of projects.  After all, who can really throw out a pair of worn or even unworn jeans - you know - those jeans that "looked so good" in the store?  Giving a new purpose to jeans was fun.  Thanks everyone for stitchin' up a new life for your jeans!

More Puyallup non-denim pictures to come in future postings!

What needle do YOU use on recycle denim projects?

  

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