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Puyallup Sew Expo is Feb 28 to March 3, 2013

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

Did you know the nation’s largest event for sewing enthusiasts takes place right here in the Pacific Northwest? The Sewing and Stitchery Expo is a non-profit educational event that features inspirational seminars daily, hands-on workshops, style shows and vendors from all over the country with booths that specialize in the latest in fabrics, tools, and supplies! This year Sew Expo will be taking place February 28 – March 3rd at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. In addition to all the daily happenings, special guests, such as, Nancy Zieman, Mary Mulari, and the “Hot Fusing Chicks” will be flying in to make special appearances . Nancy and Mary will be presenting their second “Kick it Up a Stitch” and if you joined them last year, you know how much fun time with them can be! in addition, television host Ellen March, will be conducting a live audition for her television show “Sew it All”!

Be sure to check out Sew Expo’s website for all the details you need to know about the show. You can download a registration brochure which features all the seminar and class descriptions. Additionally you can register for the daily seminars on the Expo website. You can purchase Sew Expo tickets at all Quality Sewing locations while supplies last. Pre-sale tickets are only $10.00, they will be $12.00 the day of. The Sew Expo website also features an updated blog and some fun links including:

Pillowcase Patrol As a part of the “Million Pillowcase Project”, the 2013 Sewing & Stitchery Expo will be a collection point for handmade pillowcases. Create cheerful pillowcases for the children who are undergoing treatment at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Check out the Expo web site to download your free pillowcase pattern. Expo collected more than 5,000 pillowcases last year. How many more can we give this year?

Be Sure to Visit the Quality Sewing Booths – This year we will have an exciting notions and threads booth in the Pavilion. We have been shopping and negotiating with our various vendors for several months to bring you an amazing array of hot buys! We have combed our stores for close-outs and one-of-a-kind items that will all be priced to sell fast. We will also feature the new items that Nancy Zieman and Sue Hausmann will show in their seminars, all at special Expo prices.

We have many sewing experts on-hand this year and this will be a great opportunity to meet them. Across from the notions booth in the Pavilion, we have multi-needle embroidery expert George Moore and special guests long arm quilting expert Denise Applegate-Schober. Be sure to visit Simon Haskins, all the way here from Australia, over in the Showplex building. He will be showing his amazing techniques and designs along with his brand new designs that have just been released. In the Showplex, you will also find our main booth which will be filled with awesome special on machines and Floriani products. Across from our main booth, we will have special guest Ed Moore, the lead designer for Koala Cabinets. This event is not to be missed as it only happens once a year! View our 2013 Sew Expo Buyers Guide that showcases some of the fabulous deals to be had at this year’s event.


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Posted in Community Service, Crafting, Events, How To Guides, Machine Embroidery, New Products, Projects and Techniques, Quilting, Resources, Sewing, Sewing Celebrities, Sewing Studio, Show and Tell, Tips & Tricks | 1 Comment »

Mitering a Border Print, Will It Work?

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

I love stripes but finding a way to feature them in a project can be a challenge.  When I find a stripe fabric that is great, I like to feature it in my project so that it looks its best. Mitered Borders are a great way to achieve this.  But how do you know if the border print or stripe that you have chosen will work well for a mitered border?  It is a very simple process really, let me tell you how.

  1. Take a piece of striped fabric that you like
  2. Fold it in half with the wrong sides together.  If you are looking at fabric that is still on a bolt, it is already folded for you.
  3. Next, fold again so the folded edges are together.
  4. Finally, fold down the top corner (the loose one) 45 Degrees
  5. The pattern revealed will show you how your stripe will look when it is mitered.
  6. What do you think? Not sure? try it again but rotate the fabric 90 degrees first so that the stripes go the other direction.

Try this some time, it is a fast and easy way to “audition” a fabric and see how it may work for your project.

Enjoy adding some fun to your next project.

Reva


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Do You Dream of Designing? Project Runway Starts Thursday

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Don’t you just love the feeling of using your creativity to make something spectacular?  This time of the year I sure can used ajump start to my creative process.  Well just in time, it’s Project Runway to the rescue.

I just love the thought of being given a random challenge and seeing what one will come up with.   Not that I my sense of style always agrees with what the designers on Project Runway comes up with, but the show does hold a full pallet of inspiration and ideas for projects that I am planning and working on.  It sure has me looking at life around me with a whole different perspective.

The challenges remind me of the classes that we have in our stores. Have you ever noticed how each person in a class can make the same project but they all look so different when they add their own fabric choices and personality.  I just love seeing what is created in a class!

This years season looks promising with a group of contestants that have such a wide variety of personalities and styles.  We will also get to see designers who’s ages range from 21 to 57, one is even Snohomish and two are from Portland.

I have found a ton of information about the designers and have gotten a glimpse into what they are like by going to the Project Runway info page on LifeTime. Here you can even see what their work spaces look like.  If you have Comcast, I did find that all of the video clips are “OnDemand” under “Tv Series”.

The new season of Project Runway starts this  Thursday, July 28th @ 9pm on Life Time.

If you are not able to watch the series at the scheduled time, it is usually re-aired during the following week.  Also in the past, LifeTime has posted the current episode on it’s website within a couple of days and is available for a short time period.

This is a great way to share an experience with the younger ones in your life and may even ignite a spark of interest in sewing.  Even though my family does not share the same interest in sewing and design that I have, it has been fun to interact with my husband and two teenagers through this show while listening to their opinions on what each show presents.  Also, my best girlfriend lives in California and this show can always give us something fun to talk about!  So consider “watching” the show with your friends, kids, grandkids, or nieces/nephews. If you are not able to watch it together in the same room, compare thoughts with each other via texting, email, or Facebook.  You just might be amazed at how much a simple TV show and Social Media may open up dialog and actually give you one more thing in common with someone you care about.

Join me in watching!  We can all watch it together and chat about it on the Quality Sewing Facebook page.

I will meet you there!

Reva


Posted in Events, How To Guides, Projects and Techniques, Resources, Sewing, Sewing Celebrities, Show and Tell, Tips & Tricks | No Comments »

I Love Our New Puppy but Our Carpet Doesn’t

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

This past fall we got a wonderful new addition to our family.  Roca is the sweetest puppy ever!  The only drawback is that we had just had our carpets cleaned and our sweet little pup didn’t come pre-trained or with a bladder larger than a postage stamp.

Now that you can surely imagine my plight, let me give you a further twist to my dilemma. We are on well water that is high in iron and tends to spot our carpet brown when used to clean a spill.  I always feel like I am trading one spot for another.

There is a product that I saw at one of our stores by Riccar Floor Care called Dry Carpet Cleaner.  I got a kit, to start with, called the Pet Survival Kit, which comes with the Dry Carpet Cleaner. What did I have to lose? So I thought that I would give it a try. After all, my husband thinks the carpet is ruined anyway.

At the advice of the store manager, I followed the package directions and restrained myself from overdoing it.  I was told not to use to much product or scrub too much.  It seemed wrong to use what seemed to be so little and to not scrub extensively.  I must say, the stains, even though old, came out beautifully!  I know where the spots were, but I really can’t see them.

Here’s how it works… Use the Pre-Treatment Spray to moisten the area and let it set for 5-10 minutes.  Use the sifter that comes with the powder and dust the surface, covering the stained area.  Let it stay there until it is completely dry (mine stayed overnight because I forgot about it). Vacuum to remove.  It was actually very easy to use and really was no work at all.

Somehow all of the stain is absorbed by the Riccar Dry Carpet Cleaner, and it leaves no tell-tail sign that my puppy had ever been there. The fibers of the carpet are not matted down or damaged like they can be from the use of a machine.

I was very impressed and plan to always have this on hand. But I sure hope that our pup is now old enough to not present this particular issue again.

Reva


Posted in Home Decor, How To Guides, New Products, Resources, Show and Tell, Tips & Tricks | 1 Comment »

Embroidering with Metallic Threads & the Designer Diamond deLuxe

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Have you ever embroidered with metallic threads?  I just love how they look.  However, when using these temperamental threads, one thing that needs to be considered is that normal tensions and sewing speeds don’t always work well for metallic threads. Even when the machine is adjusted for them they can be tricky.

I had a very different experience this past week.  Some of our stores had the privilege of having an educator from Viking come and show us the features of the new Designer Diamond Deluxe.  One of the most amazing advancements of this machine is the new automatic Deluxe Stitch System.

What is that?  This new technology is a secondary tension system that when turned on, replaces the traditional style tension disks of the machine.  It is a set of rollers that smoothly glide the fabric through and releases the appropriate amount of thread for the thickness of the fabric and thread that you are using. So no matter how thick or thin your project, the feeding of the thread is adjusted automatically.  In most cases, you will not even give tensions a single thought.

The project that we stitched out was a very sheer scarf using designs that were created on the machine and using metallic thread in both the needle and in the bobbin.

Metallic threads in both the needle and bobbin?! Are you kidding?!!! I said the same thing.

What makes this work so well is that we used the Deluxe Stitch System instead of the traditional tension disks.

It was really quite fascinating how the Deluxe Stitch System accommodated the metallic threads in both the needle and bobbin without making any adjustments at all.  There was no need to test sew, adjust tensions, test sew again.  The machine was even able to stitch with the metallic threads at a high speed due to this new System.

Before this experience, I really did not understand the advantages of the Deluxe Stitch System.  Once I saw it in action and tried it for myself it was very impressive.  I invite you to stop by one of our stores and try it for yourself.  It is something worth seeing!

Reva


Posted in Home Decor, Machine Embroidery, New Products, Projects and Techniques, Resources, Sewing, Tips & Tricks | 2 Comments »

5D MultiWave Fill

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Have you upgraded your 5D software with the new FREE features Reva mentioned in our earlier blog post? They are amazing! The MultiWave Fill is powerful and beautiful. This impressive technique allows you to do fills with a default wave fill, or change the wave to any creative style you wish. By changing the line that controls the wave you can build movement into your design, add softness to the wave, intensify, overlap, or create an effect that is totally your own idea.

In the examples below, you will see three of the many ways you can create. Example A shows the default MultiWave Fill. Example B shows the default wave was not only manipulated with new curves, but you can also do straight lines and corners. Example C shows using Motifs in the MultiWave Fill, and there are hundreds of gorgeous decorative motifs in this software. You can also tell the software to wave in multiple directions.

You are the artist and 5D MultiWave Fill is your paint and brush. Capture your inner artist (no art class needed) and create something exciting, stitch it out and send us a picture for our Facebook page.

To get you started, here is a link to the Spring Leaf design above for you to stitch out, zipped for easy download:
Spring Leaf.zip
Let me know what you think!!

If you would like to see this software, stop by one of our stores for a demo. You will be delighted at how easy this software is to use. If you have the software already, we offer classes to get you using this valuable tool. Take your embroidery to the next level with great software.

Enjoy your sewing adventures!
Lana L Jones
Educational Consultant
Quality Sewing and Vacuum


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Sewing with Betty Cotton

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

This past weekend I was at the Puyallup Store and Audrey was giving a class on Cotton Theory by nationally sought after Author and Designer Betty Cotton. It has been a bit since I have made a project using the Cotton Theory. After seeing how much fun everyone was having, it has encouraged me to start another one. I think that I might make one that is fall on one side and Christmas on the other. I love 2 for 1 projects!

In a nut shell, how the process work is that you complete one section or block at a time: top, batting, backing and quilting. All of the pieces of fabric and batting are small enough to be very easy to handle.

There are several things that make this system so great to work with.

Some of these include:

  • It is fast! When the sections are stitched together, then that part is complete. Just move on to the next section.
  • It is easy to handle! Since each section is small in size, it is just as easy to make a queen sized quilt as it is a table runner
  • It is reversible! Since all the seams are finished as the sections are assembled, a completely different back fabric can be used so that you will have 2 projects in one.
  • It is dimensional! The texture that is created by the unique and easy seam finishing technique adds so much more personality to the project than traditional quilting can give.
  • It is fun! Such a fun way to explore working with reversible embroidery, decorative stitching, and beautiful threads.
  • Hey, did I mention fast? I know I did, but it is sure worth repeating! :) Those of us who are into more of an “Instant Gratification” type of project, this is right up our alley!

I encourage you to give this a try. I started with a table runner and many others have started by making place mats. Betty Cotton has several books and patterns available, check one of our stores to see what they have in stock and try this today! If you are near the Puyallup Store, go in and take a look at Audrey’s great samples (She is a Certified Betty Cotton Instructor) and while you are there sign up for one of her classes.

If you have made a project using the Cotton Theory by Betty Cotton, send us a picture or post it on our Facebook page. We would love to see what you have made.

Hope to see your pictures soon!

Reva


Posted in Crafting, Events, Fast Projects & Gifts, Home Decor, How To Guides, Machine Embroidery, Projects and Techniques, Quilting, Sewing, Sewing Celebrities, Show and Tell, Tips & Tricks | No Comments »

Pinless Pin Weaving

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Do you remember, back in elementary school, how much fun it was weaving construction paper strips together to make a checkerboard placemat?  I always loved that project.  There was something so instantly gratifying to see how the pattern began to form from something so simple.

Later, paper turned into fabric.  Strips of fabrics can so beautifully be transformed into a new textural element for use in a project. Even easier yet, I have found that ribbons of all different widths are perfect to use for this process.

Way back when, when I was first introduce to the concept of “pin weaving” fabric strips, a padded board was needed to actually pin the fabric strips into place while weaving.

Well, I am all about making things easy…

The way I have found that makes pin weaving nice and easy is to use Wet-n-Gone Tacky as a base for the weaving.  This eliminates the need for pins and holds the completed woven areas in place very securely.  Also, it is very easy to handle and work with while adding it into a project.  When all done with your project, simply rinse the stabilizer away.


Here’s how it works…Take a piece of Wet-n-Gone and place it, paper side up, on top of a  gridded cutting mat, you can see the lines of the mat through the stabilizer.  Use these as a guide to help keep your weaving rows straight.

Peel up some of the paper on the edges and tape the stabilizer down to the mat.  Place paper back down onto the stabilizer.

Gather your Ribbons – For this example we will assume that you are using two different colors of ribbons.  But of course, you can use as few or as many colors and widths of ribbon as you wish.  You will want to have enough strips cut of one ribbon (we will call it A) that will cover the area that you want to have woven.  So, if I want to have an area that is 10″ x 12″, I would want to have my ribbon cut into 13″ (or so – gives us a little extra to work with) lengths. I will want to make sure that I have enough of them so that, placed side by side, they will be at lease 11″ (again giving us a little extra).

Repeat the same process for your second color (B) of ribbon. Only this time you will want the strips to be 11″ and

you will need to have enough of them to measure 13″ when side by side.

Prepare your first direction of ribbons (A).
On the end or your stabilizer that you want to begin weaving, fold back one edge of the paper about 2 inches. Using the lines on the mat as a guide, layout one of your ribbon colors (A) side by side in one direction.  To weave, lift every other ribbon (A) and place (weave) your second color (B) through (over/under) the first color.  Continue weaving alternating the ribbons that are lifted up.  This locks the ribbons together and creates a checkerboard pattern.


When you reach an area on the stabilizer that is covered by the paper, peel back a couple more inches to expose the adhesive and then continue weaving.
Once you are done, the tacky nature of the stabilizer will hold your weaving together so it can be stitched into a project and then will wash out when laundered.
Use your woven piece as a fabric piece for appliqué or an accent for what ever project you may   be working on.


The Table runner that is pictured here has multiple colors and widths of ribbons. The woven section was used in the center and has machine embroidered leaves surrounding it and anchoring the outer fabric and the ribbons securely into place.
Hope you have fun with this idea.  Would love to see what you create!
Reva


Posted in Crafting, Fast Projects & Gifts, Home Decor, How To Guides, Machine Embroidery, Projects and Techniques, Sewing, Show and Tell, Tips & Tricks | No Comments »

Vacuum Survival Tips for the Holidays

Friday, December 10th, 2010

It’s that time of year that we are all scurrying around trying to clean our houses before company comes over! It’s work enough preparing to entertain, but when your vacuum doesn’t work right, it is even harder. Your vacuum cleaner is an important tool to keep your carpets and floors clean. With the holidays coming, your vacuum will be put to the test. The holidays bring an abundance of dirt, soil, food, pet hair, leaves and pine needles into your home. While we can’t prevent the mess, we can prepare our vacuum for it!

Tips on readying your vacuum:
1. Change all the filters.
Even if your filters say they can be washed, don’t…replace them instead. Dirt and water make mud and create mildew. Clean filters create better air flow and reduce particulates including the added pollen that a live Christmas tree will add to the air in your home.
2. Change the belt.
Most vacuum belts are rubber and they stretch out. When your vacuum belt is stretched it does not allow your brush roll
to agitate your carpet fibers and deep clean. The next time you are in the market for a new vacuum, be sure to ask about cleaners with lifetime belts that never stretch, and never require replacement.
3. Clean Your Brush Roll.
Take the time to turn your vacuum upside down and remove hair, ribbon, thread and other items that have become twisted around your brush roll. Try using a pair of scissors to quickly cut away the foreign fibers from your brush roll. If you do this frequently you can often remove all debris from your brush roll without having to take the faceplate off your vacuum!
4. Change the bag at least every month.
A fresh vacuum bag keeps odor and mildew from exhausting into your home. Changing the bag regularly also improves the vacuums “vacuum” and allows for the unit to perform at its maximum performance. As your Christmas tree dries out, the extra pine needles will fill your vacuum bag up quicker than normal…if your vacuum smells like a Christmas tree, it’s time to change the bag!
5. Watch out for what you vacuum up.
Vacuums are designed and built around vacuuming small debris. So if you can see it, pick it up with your hands. Also,
vacuums with hoses are more susceptible to clogging. Pine needles, leaves, wrapping paper and clothing tags can block hoses causing clogs. Pine needles are the usual culprit for clogged vacuums this time of year, while its temping to suck them all up in your vacuum, its a good idea to scoop up as many as you can with your hands and throw them in the garbage before turning your vacuum on!
6. Get your vacuum serviced.
A clean vacuum cleans better. Vacuum service centers experience more service volume the first week of every new year, the reason is clogged vacuums. Pine needles are the # 1 reason for a clog during this time of year. Have your vacuum serviced at Quality Sewing and Vacuum prior to the rush. We will replace the filters, replace the belt, clean and oil the brush roll, completely wipe down the housing and motor. So you can clean throughout the winter into the new year!


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Bobbin Work

Friday, October 29th, 2010

Add texture, depth and individual style to all your projects

A new spin in decorative sewing is Bobbin Work.  Bobbin Work allows sewers to use various threads, yarn and ribbon that can’t pass through the eye of a needle in decorative stitches to add texture and make them look hand stitched. Wow, my grandmother would really have appreciated this!

It really is an easy process, simply wind the heavy decorative thread on the bobbin. Insert the bobbin into the special bobbin case and stitch on the back side of stabilized fabric.  Using an embroidery thread that coordinates in color with the bobbin thread in the needle, will yield a superb look.
It is helpful to fuse or use spray adhesive to attach the stabilizer to the back of the fabric.  Then it is possible to draw lines or designs to follow when doing the decorative stitching.
The Laura Ashley Machine from Brother includes a special bobbin work bobbin case and door cover.  The bobbin case has a tension system that makes it work beautifully with the heavy threads.

Decorative Bobbin Work and crystals accent this table topper creating a unique conversation piece

The special bobbin door cover helps keep the bobbin seated just perfectly and prevent any bouncing around that might occur when using heavy, uneven threads.
The Brother Quattro upgrade and the Baby Lock Elissimo upgrade also includes the special bobbin work set. It also includes 14 beautiful embroidery designs that can be stitched with the decorative threads or even narrow silk ribbon.

Embellishing the outside edges of the floral pattern with Bobbin Work creates an intricate border around the flowers that appear detailed and hand sewn

The best news of all is that now both Brother and Baby Lock have put together bobbin work sets that fit most current models!  These kits are an economical way to add exciting new stitching styles to most any Brother or Baby Lock sewing machines!  The heavy threads give the look of hand stitched. Stop by one of the Quality Sewing locations and ask to see a sample of the bobbin work stitching, it really is fun! Heavy thread yields the look of hand stitching!
For even more information on bobbin work, check out this informative blog from Threads.

Happy Stitching,
Carol


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