UNHEMMED!

This hem will never fall out again!

Last week I was packing for a trip to Baby Lock Tech - the annual meeting of Baby Lock dealers in St. Louis. While packing I noticed a pant hem had pulled out. Something about the fabric and thread combo causes the hem to fall out.  Yes, this was not the first time these pants needed to be hemmed.

Luckily my sewing machine was already threaded with white thread.  Yep, I stitched in a straight hem.  Then, I wondered, what am I thinking?  I'm going to a machine dealer meeting - - - a fancy decorative stitch is in order. 

Yep these hems will never pull out again!

. . . . and why stop at just one pair of pants?  I did two!

St. Louis was beautiful with lush colorful gardens and a view of the Arch within an easy walk of the hotel. 

Thanks Baby Lock for inviting SCHMETZ to your annual meeting!

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Dog Collars, 5 Petal Flowers, Bubble Skirts

Ok, what do the above items have in common? 

They're all fun sewing projects organized by the National Sewing Council - host of The Sew Creative Lounge last month at the CHA Chicago Craft Super Show at Rosemont.  Nearly 400 people - of all ages - completed one of 8 free Make & Take projects.  Check out these happy kids with their projects.

If your furry friend already has everything -  make a one-of-a-kind dog collar!

Have bare flip flops?  Embellish them with little fabric flowers.

Sewing up a Bubble Skirt in less than 90 minutes . . .

and having fun wearing the newly made Bubble Skirt!

Just have fun sewing with friends!
It's the cat's meow!

Look for more creative sewing events scheduled by the National Sewing Council!
http://www.nationalsewingcouncil.org/
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2010 SCHMETZ Portfolio Designer - Linda McGehee

Linda's Favorite Needle:  Ask and Linda will tell you Topstitch . . . Metallic Twin . . . Jeans . . . Universal. . . . and . . . well you get the idea.  Linda has a favorite needle for every type of work she does!

Linda has a diverse sewing background from garments to handbags, piecing to heirloom, surface manipulation to combining techniques.  She travels the globe demonstrating and lecturing from her many books and patterns.

Bags Galore is Linda's newest DVD.  Get motivated to create your own handbags.  Linda shares informative techniques to create an array of handbags.  She covers products, basic construction, pockets, straps, snaps, zippers - everything to make dynamite bags!

Linda loves zippers.

I adore this black lace zipper with the dainty floral zipper pull.

My favorite is the clear zipper above in an array of neon colors. - I have an idea for a wrap using that neon yellow! - I just need more time for sewing up all my ideas!

You will find Linda at a variety of sewing shows around the country.  Her company name is Ghee's.  Check out her booth for terrific handbag hardware - high quality hardware -  frames, clips, feet.  If you can't travel to a show, look for her teaching in a store near you or check her website at http://www.ghees.com/.

Sewing & Sharing - Changing Lives One Little Dress At A Time

Little Dresses for Africa
What project have you created recently to help someone else?  Recently I visited Priors and Sew Forth in Imperial, NE.  What a wonderful, well organized store with a broad range of quilting and fashion fabrics.  This small town store is remarkable!  Every town & city too, should be so lucky to have a local fabric store.

Ann, Jackie & Janet
Prior's and Sew Forth

Janet on the right is the owner.  She and her staff are delightful and true quilting & sewing enthusiasts.  In fact they participate in a wonderful non-profit program, Little Dresses for Africa. Simple dresses are made from pillowcases and sent to orphanages in Central Africa. To date with contributions from 49 States, over 50,000 dresses have been distributed to over 13 countries.

A Tower of Change

Prior's has already contributed over 100 dresses to Little Dresses for Africa, with their next shipment ready any day now.  Dresses are shipped to Nancy's Notions in Beaver Dam, WI for distribution.

Want to combine your love for sewing with sharing with others?  

Contact www.littledressesforafrica.org.

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Garden Inspiration

August is here!  How does your garden grow?

My front garden is very young with all new fresh plants.  What a pleasure it is to watch new vines and branches sprout.  Now the ultimate waiting game begins -  hoping leaves and flowers will sprout with an abundance of color dancing through my garden.  My expectations are even greater for next year . . . 

 . . . . yet simple pleasures are found in a fleeting moment as a bright and happy little finch visits my favorite Harry Lauder Walking Stick Tree.

Sewing is sometimes like gardening - starting simple, sometimes getting help and building upon your ideas - and along the way sharing.  Read my next blog on sharing.

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2010 SCHMETZ Portfolio Designer - Debra Justice

Debra's favorite SCHMETZ needle:  Hemstitch 100/16

Debra is the proprietress of Labours of Love Heirloom Sewing Supplies, a Canadian based mail order company.  Her discriminating taste is reflected in her "How To" DVD series. 

Debra uses the Hemstitch - sometimes known as a Wing - needle, to make old fashioned "pin stitching" or dainty little holes in natural fibers.  She uses the Hemstitch needle to attach lace and embellish the edge of lace.  Debra also likes to use the Hemstitch needle to join laces and make entredeux for free!

Debra makes heirloom sewing easy & inspiring with her patterns, books and DVDs. 

Debra's eye for design does not stop in the sewing room.  Visit her blog for terrific recipes and design ideas ... Sushi Cupcakes?  ... and what about that Louis Vuitton birthday cake!  Bravo!!!

Debra Justice

http://www.laboursoflove.com/

http://www.debrajustice.blogspot.com/

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2010 SCHMETZ Portfolio Designer - Louise Cutting

Louise's Favorite Needle - Quilting 75/11

Louise uses the SCHMETZ Quilting 75/11 exclusively for all her garment sewing along with 100% cotton thread in either 50 or 60 wt.  She finds the combination of the 75/11 Quilting needle and the 100% cotton thread to have a wonderful stitch quality.  The seam does not pucker and lies flat when it is first sewn and after washings.

The SCHMETZ Quilting needle has a special taper to the slightly rounded point allowing easier fabric penetration and elimination of skipped stitches.  This needle is made especially for piecing and machine quilting.

Louise  is a contributing editor of Thread's Magazine and frequently lectures at the American Sewing Guild National Conference, The Sewing & Stitchery Expo, Original Sewing & Quilt Expos and Martha Pullen's Market Place.  Louise's TV appearances include HGTV, DIY and PBS.  Thirty-five years ago Louise founded Cutting Corners, Inc., a successful Couture Custom Clothing Buisness designing bridal gowns, tailored suits and "high end" sportswear.  She established "Fashion Collections" as a haven for sewing enthusiasts filled with New York and European designer fabrics and buttons.

One Seam Pant

Louise started "The Cutting Line Designs" pattern company.  Her most popular pattern One Seam Pant(C) sold 43,000 patterns!  Isn't this astonishing!  Are you wearing a pair today?  This pattern collection now offers twenty different designs representing today's lifestyle with a timeless and easy elegance. 

One of my summer sewing projects!

With over 30 years of knowledge Louise compiled a series of booklets "Expert Tips and Techniques for Fine Sewing."  She is also co-creator of "Shapes" pattern line offering super simple and fresh wearables.

Louise is a professional Fashion Illustrator with many illustrations appearing in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar.  She was the Dept. Head for Fashion Merchandising and Design at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and Prospect Hall College. 

View Louise's website for her newest patterns: http://www.cuttinglinedesigns.com/. 

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