I just returned from Minneapolis where thousands of quilt retailers, designers and industry icons gathered for Spring Quilt Market, a trade show for quilt store owners. For days I was surrounded by beautiful art quilts, new designer patterns and all things quilter-ly.
Market is where store buyers go to purchase the things that you see in their shops–they’re buying fabric lines, patterns, giftables and all kinds of notions, rulers, zippers, etc. In my way of thinking, it’s a hard job to pick out what to buy from the thousands of new items available, and with limited budgets as well.
The good news is that the number of exhibitors was up this year and over 10% of the vendors were new. It’s always fun to chat with new people and learn about what they do for our industry.
What did I see as trends? Eco-friendly consciousness–from fabric fiber content to handles on tools going from plastic to bamboo. Look for lots of cute animal prints and cartoon-like imagery–lots of owls it seemed. Also, lots of mini-sewing patterns and kits, so that you can “grab and go” at the store, picking up exactly what you need prepackaged. What a timesaver, and also a confidence builder so you don’t have to mix and match fabrics–it’s been done for you.
One of my favorite parts of Quilt Market is looking at the displays of wonderful quilts and garments. It’s always one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments.
If there are quilt and sewing shows in your area that are open to the public, be sure to attend–it’s definitely a great source of inspiration and a way to recharge your creative batteries.
If you love the appeal of vintage accessories and fabrics, this book will delight. Written by Emma Brennan, Making Vintage Accessories looks at designs from the 1920’s to the 1960’s. While some of us might not consider some of that time frame as yet vintage, the author gives a brief history of each of the 25 sewing projects included. Whether you’re looking for Art Deco, Hollywood glamour or feminine and flirty, there’s something to entice almost ever sewer to action. Each era includes a unique selection of bags, hats, gloves and textile jewelry. Look for rickrack roses, fabric cloches and lace earrings to bring back memories of days gone by. Step-by-step color photos detail the instructions. Pattern templates are included for copy machine enlargement to full size.
Although it sounds a bit scary, a shark-bite hem is a popular fashion detail at the moment, on skirts, tops, T-shirts and even sleeve hems. How has this intriguing creature of the deep influenced our sewing?
A shark-bite hem is essentially a hemline treatment that’s uneven, creating longer sides than the middle, mimicking what it would look like if a shark chomped on the garment at center front and/or center back! The hem edge finish can be turned and stitched, serged or left raw, depending on the desired effect, or in some instances the undulating line has an added ruffle. You’ll most often find that this hemline has only the two enlongated portions on each side, but sometimes it has several long and short portions across the width, like baby sharks took multiple bites out of a previously even hem edge. For beginner sewers, a shark-bite hem offers flexibility from the standard straight hemline and the precision needed to create it. It’s a fun, fanciful detail that’s easy to create with scissors, even if the pattern doesn’t call for it.
Do you have a favorite dress, top or other garment that is so comfortable and looks so good on you that you wish you had 3 more of them? In my closet, there are a few garments that have a certain style or detail that I just love.. and I suspect that one of those will be the unusual top with the shark-bite hem that I found recently.
Many of us have a favorite garment that we wish we had at least one more of. If you’d like to duplicate a look from your favorite garment, the booklet “Copy It!” by Mary McCarthy will show you how to do just that, without taking the original garment apart. The book describes in detail how to copy a shirt and a pair of pants, using the garment itself as a guide. It also describes how to copy details such as darts, pleats, pockets and collars from any type of garment, even knits. The booklet is $14 and includes s&h within the U.S. Email Mary at mmsewing@bellsouth.net for more information.
I’d like to sew a dress from sequined fabric, but have no idea to work with it. Can you help?
Real sequined fabric has the small paillettes sewn onto a base cloth, either by hand or by machine. When you cut out the fabric, use an old pair of sharp scissors to be able to cut through the metallic disks. Transfer markings with chalk to the wrong side of the base fabric and remove the pattern pieces.
Before sewing seams, carefully remove the sequins up to the seamlines and any darts and save them. Also, remove sequins in the hem area to avoid having them snag hosiery. Pin seams within the seamline only to avoid damaging the sequins, then sew the seam as you would for any other fabric.
It’s best to finger-press seam allowances open, as the heat of the iron can melt some sequins. Before you use an iron, test-press on scraps and use a press cloth.
Reattach the loose sequins over the stitched seamlines for a continuous look.
At neckline and armhole openings, use bias binding in a coordinating fabric to finish, or cut facings from the coordinate.
