Posts Tagged ‘Nancy Zieman’

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 »

Trace ‘n Create Free Project Round-Up

Monday, November 7th, 2011

How many of you have used Clover’s Trace ‘n Create templates? If you’re not familiar with these great templates, they were designed by sewing guru Nancy Zieman. There are templates avialable for a multitude of different projects and they take all of the guesswork and uncertainty out of cutting the fabrics for your project. Simply place the templates on your fabric, choose your size, make a few quick marks, and then cut each piece of fabric perfectly every time! Be sure to check out the brand new template just released last week at Quilt Market – Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper.

Here is a round-up of Free Projects that you can make with the Trace ‘n Create Templates :

Dresden Christmas Tree Skirt Project

Dresden Trace ‘n Create Christmas Tree Skirt Project

Create a simple and lovely tree skirt by super-sizing a Dresden-style quilt pattern and leaving the center open for a tree trunk!

Download the full instructions here

Get the Dresden Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template here!

Dresden Easy Holiday Wall Quilt

Easy Dresden Holiday Wall Quilt

With a little sewing savvy and super-sized quilt blocks, you can create a wall quilt or table topper for the holidays! Using Clover’s Trace ‘n Create Quilt Templates–the Dresden Collection, a few of your favorite cotton quilting prints and in couple of evenings, you’ll create a sensational showpiece!

Download the full instructions here

Get the Dresden Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template here!

Lone Star Table Topper

Lone Star Table Topper

Create a dramatic patchwork table topper with only two — yes, two — quilt blocks. Using the Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template Lone Star, create a 36″ Lone Star block and four sections of the 12″ Lone Star block. Add borders, a flannel backing, and binding, and you’ll have a quilted masterpieces that says, “Wow!”

Download the full instructions here.

Get the Lone Star Trace ‘n Create Template here.

Grandmother's One-Patch Flower Garden

Grandmother’s One-Patch Flower Garden Table Runner

Create a traditional-looking Grandmother’s Flower Garden Table Runner with one template and no Y-Seams!

Download the full instructions here.

Get the Grandmother’s One-Patch Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template here.

Tablet Cover Inspiration & Ideas

Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Inspirations & Ideas

Get inspired about the new Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper templates with this pamphlet that includes such ideas as:

• Up-Cycling and Re-Purposing Jackets, Jeans, Ties, and more.
• Create a Textured-Surface Tablet Cover with Faux Chenille.
• Create a Pieced-Surface Tablet Cover with leftover fabric.
• Create an Ensemble: Handbag with Matching Notebook Cover using the Trace ‘n Create Florida Handbag Template.

Download the inspiration & idea sheet here.

Get the Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Templates here!

 

You can read all about Nancy’s adventures at the Quilt Market on her blog.

Let us know if you decide to try any of these ideas this holiday season. We always love seeing photographs of your finished projects (or even your works-in-progress).

Happy Sewing,
Chris


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Posted in How To Guides, Projects and Techniques | 1 Comment »

The Love of Sewing Retreat with Special Guest Nancy Zieman

Friday, January 21st, 2011

We recently hosted the Love of Sewing Retreat with special guest Nancy Zieman at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  This was a unique opportunity for our customers and employees alike as Nancy only presents four sewing retreats a year. The event was a success and I think everyone had fun!

Two of Nancy’s samples that inspired me the most were the Trace n’ Create Lone Star Quilt Template and Trace n’ Create Dresden Quilt Template. These templates are fantastic because you can create a 36″ block in the same time it takes to make a standard size quilt block. Using these Trace n’ Create templates, you are able to make a 12″,24′ 32″ or 36″ quilt block. It takes just as much time to make a 36′ block as it does a 12″ block. Either one of these large blocks would work well to create a queen size quilt in no time using a quilting machine!


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Posted in Events, Projects and Techniques, Quilting, Sewing, Sewing Celebrities, Show and Tell | 1 Comment »

Interview with Nancy Zieman

Friday, December 31st, 2010

Nancy Zieman and I at Baby Lock Convention this Summer

I had the opportunity to interview Nancy Zieman this week! It was so much fun. Thank you to everyone who emailed me ideas of questions. You can see the questions and answers below. If you enjoy reading this interview be sure to attend one or both of the Nancy Zieman lectures at the Love of Sewing Retreat next week. Nancy is teaching the Appetizer Reception and Tips N Tricks Presentation January 7th, 6pm – 9pm and the Behind the Scenes on Sewing with Nancy lecture January 8th, 9am -12pm. These lectures are only $20 each or $10 each if you are a Sew Fun member!

Interview with Nancy Zieman:

Q: When did you start sewing?

A: I started sewing when I was 10 and joined a 4H club and I have not stopped since.

Q: How did you get involved in creating your own sewing show?

A: It was a fluke – I was traveling a lot giving seminars promoting Nancy’s Notions. I started Nancy’s Notions in 1979. Then in 1981 someone asked me to do a cable television pilot. At the time cable television was no what it is today and thankfully they had very few viewers at the time. The local producer did not want to produce it. I did not want to produce it myself but I knew that if I didn’t, I may never have another opportunity. I negotiated a 3-month contract, they took a chance and I took chance on producing and the rest is history.

Q: Where do you get inspiration for your new ideas?

A: This is an ongoing process and not from one source. I read blogs and magazines like Real Simple and Martha Stewart Living. I watch the trends that are out there, outside of the sewing market. I also go to publishers and see new books.

Q: What sewing technique have you found the most difficult to master?

A: I am not an intricate quilting piecer, I like to free from art quilt. Different personalities gravitate towards different techniques. That is the beauty of it; we now have Nancy’s Corner at the end of the segment where we interview different artists.  It is so interesting to me to see a variety of personality types that are interested in sewing. College students, architects, men and women making all different things garments, arts quilts, a great diversity of skill levels and interests.

Q: If you had one piece of advice for sewers and quilters, what would it be?

A: Don’t point out your mistakes. Enjoy the process.

Q: What are your favorite time saving tools?

A: The thing I use every time I sew is the 5 in 1 sewing gauge. Very simple but I use that all the time. I have an obsession with scissors, different scissors for different projects, kind of like a cook in the kitchen with knives. The new Stack ‘n Stitch Thread Tower has been fun to design – from conception to seeing it next to my sewing machine, that is the neat part. (To read more about this check out Nancy’s blog post.)

Q: When you are not working what is your favorite type of sewing projects?

A: At home – I basically do landscape quilting.

Q: What was your worst “Blooper”?

A: Oh yeah, I have had lots. One time I could not say Alamagora, New Mexico. It took seven or eight takes.

Q: If you had a crystal ball – what would you predict for the future of sewing? You have seen the world explode with new technology, what do you think sewers will be doing different in 5 years.

A: The world of embroidery will continue to have exponential growth but not all people gravitate towards embroidery. I see a resurgence in the 20-40 year olds sewing in a different way, a very free form non-traditional way. There are not fabric stores or sewing stores that cater to that.

Q: Is there an Ask Nancy sort of website?

A: The best way to ask me a question is via Facebook or my blog.

Q: How do you balance your personal life with such a busy and demanding career?

A: This has always been a challenge, learning to say no. When our youngest son was born, I took great efforts to say no and I have never regretted it. Many times I lose business opportunities but I keep my sanity. Having priorities, doing normal things, volunteering locally, doing things that do not benefit my business. Everybody has to brush their teeth in the morning!

Q: If you were going to be doing something different than your current profession, what would it be?

A: I would like to be the Ambassador to Norway!

I hoped you enjoyed reading this as much as enjoyed interviewing Nancy. I love her tip, “Don’t point out your mistakes. Enjoy the process.” It is so true! What was your favorite part? Be sure to comment and let me know.

Happy Sewing, Carmen

PS: If you want to know which question Nancy liked best – check out her blog post here!


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Help Me Interview Nancy Zieman!

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

Next week, I am going to have the opportunity to interview Nancy Zieman! What questions should I ask? I really want to know what her favorite sewing projects are and how she became the sewing icon she is. What else do you want to know? Comment on this blog with your questions or email directly at carmen@qualitysewing.com. I can’t wait to share the answers and insider info with you!

If you want meet Nancy Zieman yourself – she is coming to Puyallup this January when Quality Sewing & Vacuum Centers hosts the Love of Sewing Retreat. There are still a few spots left at the Nancy Zieman lectures, they are only $20 each and you can sign up here. Don’t miss out on this fabulous educational opportunity!

Happy Holidays, Carmen


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Posted in Events, Sewing, Sewing Celebrities | 1 Comment »

KBTC Sewing Shows and Recent Pledge Drive

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Quality Sewing employees and Sew Fun consultants answered the phone.

Do you watch the sewing shows on KBTC? They have a wonderful flight of sewing & quilting related sewing shows each Friday and Saturday morning. We are so lucky to have so many great sewing shows playing in our area! Many communities are lucky to have 1 or 2 sewing shows that play weekly and we have 8 different shows that play weekly. Thank you KBTC! Quality Sewing & Vacuum recently participated in the KBTC Pledge Drive. Many of our Sew Fun educators and staff answered  phones and took pledges! With the help of Baby Lock, our joint sponsor, we gave away two different Baby Lock machines (Baby Lock Sofia 2 & Baby Lock Eclipse DX serger) and tickets to the Nancy Zieman Love of Sewing Retreat on Jan 6, 7 & 8th at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Plus everyone who pledged $35 or more received a ticket to the Northwest Quilt Craft & Sewing Festival and  a Quality Sewing Gift Card. Thank you to everyone who pledged and helped support public television and the sewing shows.

KBTC, Comcast Channel 12 airs a wonderful flight of sewing and quilting shows that broadcast every Friday and Saturday morning. The current schedule is below:

Paul LaPonte, Owner of Quality Sewing pictured with Jane Moxey from KBTC

Friday Mornings
9:30am- Linda MacPhee’s Workshop
10:00am- Fon’s and Porter’s Love of Quilting

Saturdays Mornings:
8:30am- Quilting Arts
9:00am- Linda MacPhee’s Workshop
9:30am- Lap Quilting With Georgia Bonesteel
10:00am- Sewing With Nancy
10:30am- America Sews with Sue Hausmann
11:00am- Martha’s Sewing Room
11:30am- Fon’s and Porter’s Love of Quilting
12:00pm- Quilt in a Day

You can even view a few of the shows online like Sewing with Nancy. This Sewing with Nancy video is on Sensational Scarves. They look like they would be a great holiday gift or a fun way to spice up your wardrobe this fall. View her shows online here.

Enjoy!

Carmen


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Posted in Community Service, Events, Resources, Sewing Celebrities | 4 Comments »

Design the Sewing Room of Your Dreams with Nancy Zieman

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Do you have your own sewing room? I wish I did! I sew in my dining room and living room, stashing my machine and supplies in the hall closet.  I have three small children so the majority of my sewing happens late into the evening hours. I shut down shop when I am not sewing and put away my machine and all my supplies when not working on a project for the safety of my kiddos and to protect my favorite fabrics.  Having an organized sewing and crafting room would be a dream for me! My current set-up takes so long to prepare to sew, I often don’t work on a project unless I have at least an hour or more to work on it. I know I would sew a lot more if I had a designated sewing space and a sewing cabinet.

Does this dilemma sound familiar? Having a designated sewing space makes sewing much more accessible. Plus it allows for more organization and saves you time and energy so you can just enjoy sewing! A sewing and craft room can take shape in many ways and can be set up in a corner, a closet, an attic or even an entire room.

Nancy Zieman has teamed up with Koala cabinets to create the sewing room of her dreams. Take a tour of Nancy’s dream sewing space and get inspiration to create a sewing space or room in your home. Also view  the Customers Style Gallery where owners of Koala cabinets have shared their own sewing studios. Its great to see a wide variety of different spaces that are utilized for sewing and crafting!  Plus you can enter to win a Koala Studio from Koala Cabinets, click here to read more details and enter the contest which ends 12/31/10.

My Mother's sewing room with the Koala Treasure Chest Plus IV and Koala Storage Center Plus IV in Birdseye Maple.

Not all of us can have the luxury of such a large space like Nancy for a sewing room. Here is an image of my Mother’s sewing room. She has taken a standard bedroom sized room and created a sewing and crafting room.

What is your sewing room like? We would love to see what your sewing room looks like, send us an image to share with all of our customers for inspiration and motivation to re-vamp our creative spaces!

Happy dreaming . . .

Annalee



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Posted in Crafting, New Products, Sewing, Sewing Celebrities, Sewing Studio | 2 Comments »

KBTC Pledge Drive This Saturday!

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Be sure to watch KBTC this Saturday morning October 9th from 9am to Noon. Not only will you see the wonderful flight of sewing and quilting shows that broadcast every Saturday, but you will see many Quality Sewing Sew Fun educators and staff answering the phones during the annual pledge drive. Before you say, “pledge drive, I don’t want to sit through that”, listen to what we are doing to help support sewing programs in the Great Northwest:

Pledge & You Could Win One of These Machines!

In conjunction with Baby Lock, our new joint sponsor, we are giving away two different Baby Lock machines! The Baby Lock Sofia 2 and a Baby Lock Eclipse DX serger! The Sofia 2 with USB is a perfect travel machine, a great 2nd machine or the ideal starter machine for someone who is just getting into sewing and wants a machine that’s fun and easy to use. The Baby Lock Eclipse serger has the amazing Jet Air Threading and will take your sewing to a new level. Everyone who pledges on Saturday morning will be entered into the drawing for the Baby Lock Sofia 2. We will draw the winner Saturday about Noon. The Eclipse DX serger will go to the individual who tenders the highest pledge on Saturday morning.

We are also going to donate 2 special classes that we have coming up this fall or winter. The Nancy Zieman Love of Sewing Retreat on Jan 6, 7 & 8th at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. See Nancy Zieman in person! A $299 Value. And the John Deer Embroidery Event October 30-31st at Mount Vernon Convention Center or November 6-7 at Puyallup Fairgrounds. A $69.99 Value. Everyone who pledges will be entered to win these events as well!

But that’s not all, to help support public television and keep sewing programs on the air, we will give everyone who pledges $35 or more a ticket to the Northwest Quilt Craft & Sewing Festival, a $10 Value and a Quality Sewing Gift Card. You will have to watch on Saturday to find out the full details! Plus KBTC has special gifts for everyone who pledges as well!

So don’t miss the fun. Look for us on TV and place or renew your pledge to help keep Sewing on the air in the Great Northwest.

-Carmen


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Posted in Community Service, Events, Resources, Sewing Celebrities | No Comments »