Sew Expo 2013

detail of paper collage/painting seen at booth

 

I'd never been to sew expo before.  I guess I didn't realize it was so big.  And they had lots of classes.  So this year I jumped in and headed down to look around.  I figured at the very least it would be an opportunity to sit down at all the different sewing/embroidery machines. 

I took six of the classes, and I must say, despite the pitches I took away some meaningful message from each one.  Everyone had their own style of inspiring others.

Highlights:

-Don't be afraid to do things your own way.

-"Don't let me buy anymore fabric" If you don't buy that fabric your not sure what your going to do with it, later you will be missing the said piece needed for what you are working on.  And you would never have that story of how that fabric you bought years ago was just perfect for your current quilt.

-Make sure your using the right materials to make your memories last in your work.

-Take other ideas and make them your sewing ideas.

-Be ready to break down designs to simple forms, master the simple forms separately, then combine them, then expound on them.  Think about machine quilting as an example.

-Pay attention to what works for you and ditch what doesn't.  Whether it be supplies or techniques I found this was a common theme that most all the speakers exemplified in some way.

I spent Friday and Saturday wandering up and down the isles and took three classes each day.  I did sometimes feel a bit out of place as part of the younger crowd in a demo of largely the Baby Boomer age group.  I think perhaps they just didn't market to the younger crowd, or else they couldn't get away from the kids?  

Sew Expo as defined by husband, "A bunch of women walking around wearing vests with big bags full of shit, buying a bunch of crap they will never use".  Yes well, it was funny the way he said it anyway.

Like the idea of making a raw edge pattern with scraps

purchases

I bought some trims and some hand marblized fabric.  So I did behave myself.  I enjoyed sew expo, especially since I got a break from the boys to walk around and see it.  I must say that it was inspiring to see a specialized community come together for an event like this.  It was a good experience for motivating all us artist sewers out there to get going and create.