www.sewexpo.com                                                             Issue 4, February 2008 Dear Sewing & Quilting Enthusiast, Things are starting to get fast and furious as we ramp up for the Expo here in Puyallup!  Most people don’t realize it, but the Sewing & Stitchery Expo has become the launching pad for every new product in the sewing world. Every teacher, designer, or speaker in the sewing industry views Puyallup as the best time and place to unveil new products.  Whether it’s a new sewing machine, book, pattern, embroidery design, or thread, Puyallup gets it first. Planning Your Expo Schedule - 4:30 Classes  We are so fortunate to have an unbelievable roster of talented sewing and quilting teachers.  In this issue we’ll focus on some of the speakers who drew the short straw – the oh-so-dreaded last teaching slot of the day.   The time slot is 4:30 on Thursday & Saturday.  Sure, it’s late in the day.  You’re tired –you’ve had a long, fun day of seminars, style shows, and shopping.  But this year consider taking the last class of the day.   Here’s some information you may not know about some of the hard-working teachers who are offering wonderful classes during the 4:30 time slot.   Visit www.sewexpo.com for complete class descriptions. #113 – Jan Bones – The Anatomy of Sleeves Jan Bones says:  Winnipeg, Manitoba is home for me.  2008 will be my 10th year teaching at the Sewing Expo.  Sewing has been a part of my life forever. My Mom taught me to sew when I was very young.  For the past 30 years I have taught pattern and garment design at the University of Manitoba. I live by the expression, “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” "The Anatomy of Sleeves" is my seminar presentation for 2008. I have always been fascinated with the design of sleeves.  Women are so self-conscious about their upper arms. What looks good? What feels comfortable? What is unique?  I invite you to join the class to learn about sleeve shapes, how they fit and which sleeve is right for you. #127 – Pam Damour –  Slipcovering Basics   Pam Damour writes:  I live on the end of a peninsula on the shore of beautiful Lake Champlain, in the northeast corner of New York state.  I travel internationally teaching home decorator sewing techniques at sewing shows, sewing guilds, and sewing stores.  I've developed my own Window Treatment Certification program, now six years old, for people wanting to shorten their learning curve by 10 years!   I ran a full-service interior design business for 26 years, so I have always sewn for a living.  But I like to do other fun things along the way, like bartending and being a test rider for a parasailing company.   I've developed a new window treatment system that’s a whole new concept in making custom top treatments. It will change the way you decorate! I'll be demonstrating the new system in my booth at expo, so come by! I also have two brand-new DVDs, and a new unique ruler! #129 – Jane Garrison – Subtle to Stunning Jane Garrison says:  My husband and I live in a small town -- York, South Carolina. I feel very lucky that I get paid to do what I love! I got a sewing machine for my 5th birthday. My first garment was a pair of shorts for my mother but I did not understand about the "crotch thing" so they were two tubes.  She tried to put them on and really praised me for my efforts!  I had a great aunt who lined coffins for her living and was also the town milliner. She took great pains with my handwork efforts. Both grandmothers quilted prolifically and all the women in my family sewed clothing. My “real job” is Director of Education for YLI Corporation where I answer consumer questions.  My job includes education of dealers and consumers. I try to find new and interesting ways to use threads in all aspects of sewing. My seminar at Expo is centered on lots of new fibers (and plenty of old ones). We’ll discuss the fibers that work well with different techniques. We’ll also look at simple additions to purchased clothing that can look a lot more complicated than they are, and produce stunning results. #186 – Amy Stalp – The Simpler Side of Sewing Amy is the Editor of Sew Simple magazine and the Senior Editor of Sew News.  She writes:  I live in Littleton, Colorado (a suburb of Denver).  Before working at Sew News and Sew Simple, I worked for Nancy Zieman at Nancy’s Notions. I learned how to sew in 4-H. My mom sent me and my five sisters to a professional seamstress to learn how to sew. She was smart enough to know that we wouldn’t listen to her! Do you enjoy the simpler side of sewing? If you prefer a project that can be completed quickly and reflects your personal style, you’ll enjoy my seminar. I’ll showcase many quick and easy projects, and you’ll learn tips for teaching others to sew and ideas for modifying the projects you see in magazines.   Sewing & Stitchery Expo - Looking ahead... Did you see the sewing article in the Seattle Times on Saturday, February 2? Nicole Tsong wrote a great story about the growing popularity of sewing among young people. To read the article, visit the Seattle Times archive. Her article made me think about how each of us has the opportunity to introduce sewing to the next generation. Are we doing that? So many women tell me sewing is more than their hobby. It’s how they express themselves, it’s their creative soul or it’s their relaxation.  Sewing is how they stay centered. It’s what they share with girlfriends – or it’s how they spend their time alone. I love the idea, “Each one, teach one.”  We gift the products of sewing when we make a quilt for a new grandchild, or whip up a new outfit for a friend. But what about giving the next generation the ability to express themselves through sewing? Bring them to the show. Make that your gift. Really. Invite your daughter, niece, granddaughter or the young mother living next door. Tell them about the Expo. Invite them in – make them feel welcome. This topic is something I encourage us all to think about. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for how we can embrace these young women and bring them into our sewing circle. We can't remind you enough... Rowenta Charity Tea Attending the Rowenta Charity Tea just got a little sweeter – both Simplicity and Coats & Clark are sending some fabulous goody bags for the event! We will draw one table number during each tea session, and everybody at that table will win one of these bonus goody bags. We’d like to thank Simplicity and Coats & Clark for their generosity – please visit their websites and sign up for their newsletters! www.simplicity.com www.coatsandclark.com In the next issue of the newsletter you’ll read one of our Girlfriend stories, learn about the "Expo Insider", and read about an extra special, one-time-only door prize from Nancy Zieman! See you at the show! Best, Rita Farro Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Special Events Coordinator  You have received this newsletter as a result of being a past participant of the Expo.  If you want to be removed from further email messages regarding this event,   please send a message HERE, and your email address will be removed.  Washington State University  Center for Distance and Professional Education  208 Van Doren Hall  Pullman, WA 99164-5222