Dear Sewing & Quilting Enthusiast,

You are receiving this - our very first e-newsletter - because you've attended Expo in the past. We don't buy lists of names, and we also don't sell names - so you don't need to worry that reading this newsletter will trigger a bunch of junk mail.

This is your "behind the scenes" glimpse of the 2008 Sewing & Stitchery Expo. Thanks to you - and 30,000 of your closest friends -- Puyallup is the largest sewing show in the USA. Although the show is only four days - hundreds of people work 365 days a year to bring you the best of the best.

Be sure to check out our website www.sewexpo.com for updates and information about whats happening in 2008. Were putting up photos and bios of all the Expo speakers - so youll be better able to choose classes and topics that interest you. Also - were adding a slide show of last years Charity Tea - so if you were there - you might see a picture of yourself!

With each issue of the newsletter - youll meet a member of the management team and learn what they do during the year to get ready for Expo. Hear from Joanne Ross near the bottom of this newsletter.

2008 - More Classes, More Events!

We are delighted to announce our biggest class schedule EVER -- with 200 daily seminars and 53 hands-on classes (both with and without sewing machines). Also - you asked for it - so we also have nine in-depth full or half-day classes! Be sure to go to our new and improved website for complete descriptions and details.  www.sewexpo.com

Speakers and teachers from all over the world apply to Expo - which is why Puyallup is the biggest sewing show in the USA.  We work hard to keep the show fresh and new.  This year, we have many new speakers - including Jenny Haskins and her son Simon -- all the way from Australia. (www.jennyhaskins.com) 

We have more hands-on classes than ever before - including some pre-show classes on Wednesday, February 27.  After the astounding success of last years "Quilters Night Out" -- we heard what you were saying.  You wanted more entertainment!!  In 2008 -- we are proud to present TWO special evening events -- so plan to stay late and party on both Friday AND Saturday night. 

On Friday night, we have a brand new "Friday Night LIVE" event.  Three of Expos favorite sewing stars - Sue Hausmann, Martha Pullen and Nancy Cornwell will share their musical talents. Its our very own LIVE reality show! Rita Farro will MC what may be a once-in-a-lifetime event! Between musical numbers, the stars will share their favorite sewing techniques, gifts to make, patterns theyve loved, television bloopers, etc.

With a little help from her friends -- on Saturday night, Kaye Wood will host an all-new, exciting "Quilters Night Out". Go to the website and click on "Quilters Night Out" for complete details. www.sewexpo.com

Attendees for both "Friday Night LIVE" and "Quilters Night Out" on Saturday night will receive a bonus gift souvenir booklet created specifically for YOU (were talking about two different booklets!) Seating is limited for both events - buy your tickets EARLY so you won't be disappointed. 

Another big improvement for 2008 is that we moved the location of the Rowenta Charity Tea (Sunday only) to upstairs in the Pavillion.  This move insures an even more elegant experience for you.  (It turns out your laughter disturbed the hands-on classes in the Restaurant building...)

Speakers and teachers all over the world look at The Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo as the place to launch their new books and patterns. We hope to profile one "Sewing Star" in every newsletter. For this inaugural edition - wed like you to meet Linda McGehee from Shreveport, Louisiana.

Linda McGehee, one of Expos most popular speakers - is the founder and owner of Ghee Bags. (www.ghees.com) Linda has written dozens of books, designed garments for the prestigious Fairfield Fashion Show -- specializing in embellishment. Linda always brings her "A-Game" to  Puyallup. But when we asked her to send some information for this profile - she didn't write about her newest book or latest pattern. She wrote - passionately - about a special childrens sewing event. The Quilt Quest/Childrens Sewing Day - which takes place during the Red River Revel, Shreveport, Louisiana. (www.redriverrevel.com)

Linda says, "Each October over 200,000 people attend the Red River Revel Arts Festival, a celebration of the arts held in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Festival features more than 130 visual artists from across the country, five performance stages, mouth-watering delicacies and a large area dedicated specifically to providing arts education for children.

QuiltQuest is a joint project of Red River Quilters (www.redriverquilters.com) and Red River Revel to provide 7,500 area fourth-grade elementary students an opportunity for creative expression by drawing a picture that would cheer a sick child. The children use fabric markers to draw a picture onto a six-inch square of plain white muslin fabric. Members of Red River Quilters then incorporate the art squares into colorful quilts to be given to children in area hospitals and care facilities.

The project is a success at every level. The students enjoy the opportunity to use their imaginations and learn that they can help others. The community and families benefit from the childrens quilts that are produced.

A quilt is often the comfort that a child who is sick or in unfortunate circumstances needs. So often, the story is repeated-children and families who have next to nothing, under sometimes terrible circumstances, with few resources-get a handmade quilt, made by strangers who care, let that child and family know that someone cares."

Linda will be teaching two different classes at Expo this year - and she is always one of the first speakers to sign up as a hostess at our Rowenta Charity Tea. It is a pleasure to welcome her back to Expo - and wed like to thank her for everything she does to promote sewing and bring it to the NEXT generation...

Joanne Ross, Show Chair
Founder of the Sewing & Stitchery Expo.

"My job is to keep the show fresh. Sometimes, that means planning a new event - like the Rowenta Charity Tea. Last year, we took a chance with the Quilters Night Out. I am always on the lookout for "the hot ticket" in the sewing industry. That means I spend a lot of time talking to other speakers or vendors. I could be researching on the internet, or traveling to other sewing shows to see for myself. My personal email is on the show website - because I want to be accessible to the Expo audience. I'm always open to suggestions or ideas - any way we can improve the show and promote sewing."

We hope you enjoyed this “behind the velvet rope” tour of what’s happening at Puyallup in 2008. In the next edition – we’ll tell you what Ann Sagawa does all year to get ready for the show! Be sure to check out the website www.sewexpo.com for all the latest information on classes and special events. Go to the Rowenta Charity Tea page – maybe you’ll see yourself at last year’s party. We also have a new toll-free number this year –- (866) 554-8559.

Make your plans to attend the largest sewing show in the USA -- February 28 – March 2, 2008. We are ramping things up -- and because of your support we get bigger and better every year. Thank you for coming – we’ll see you at the show!

Sincerely,
Joanne Ross