IPCA Passport Event

INTERNATIONAL FASHION SEWING COMPETITION
PRODUCED BY INDEPENDENT PATTERN COMPANY ALLIANCE (IPCA)


A fashion sewing competition produced by IPCA, themed “Midnight Magic” launches September 6, 2011. Contestants will create a garment from any of the eight IPCA pattern company’s collections and submit photos with an application form by January 26, 2012.

March 1-4, 2012 semi-finalists entries will travel to the fabulous Sewing Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA where attendees of the expo will be invited to vote for their favorite. Each of the IPCA members will display up to 3 semi-finalists with one winning the “People’s Choice” award of a $100 gift certificate from that pattern company. On Sunday, March 4th a very special fashion show with door prizes will be presented at the expo and the People’s Choice award announced.

March 6-16 semi-finalists will be presented in a slide show on the very popular modern sewing site, BurdaStyle.com, where thousands of international visitors will be able to vote for their favorite garments electronically.

March 19 - 21 all semi-finalists will be presented in Las Vegas at the exclusive trade show, International Textile Expo. Entries will be featured in the annual IPCA fashion show produced for the textile trade professionals. During the expo, a fashion exhibit will showcase the garments for attendees to get an up-close view. Grand Prize winners will be announced and prizes awarded during this event.

For complete rules and application go to: www.patterncompanies.com

The Independent Pattern Company Alliance is made up of Independent Fashion Pattern companies who have joined forces to increase awareness of quality independent pattern companies. These fine companies are: Dana Marie Designs, Fashion Patterns by Coni, Great Copy Patterns, Islander Sewing Systems, Kayla Kennington Pattern Collection, LJ Designs, Petite Plus Patterns, and Saf-T-Pocket Patterns.

Sponsors of this contest include. Baby Lock providing the grand prize of a Baby Lock Symphony sewing machine, Sewing and Stitchery Expo, American Sewing Expo, Fine Fabric Stores, Distinctive Sewing Supplies, Waetcher’s Fine Fabrics, Kai Scissors, Supreme Novelty Fabrics, Bosal, Schmetz, BurdaStyle.com, Professional Sewing Supplies, Superior Thread, Rowenta, Dress Rite Forms, Fabulous Fit, Pendleton Wool and Gold Star Tool.

2012 Registration Brochure

THIS IS ALWAYS SO EXCITING. The teachers have sent in their seminar proposals -- if you know of a new, exciting teacher -- be sure to tell Ann Sagawa (asagawa@wsu.edu) because there is still a little time. (altho, the deadline was Aug 2).

We are working on the cover for the new brochure. Maybe a "shopping picture" would be good. I love this one...
But, for the cover, it needs to be"vertical"... so here are some of my favorite 2011 shopping pictures. Do you see yourself in any of these pictures?

You get some VERY SERIOUS SHOPPING done at Sew Expo...

Thanks again for playing our shopping game...

This is a great picture...of our crowded aisles...

Maybe your picture will be on the cover of the 2012 Registration Brochure...

LOADING up on some fabric bargains...





Rushing to your next class?

Spending time with your best friend? Like Helen and Wendy...(just in case they read the blog today)...

Our vendors work hard to bring colorful, creative booth decorations...

Pacific Fabrics always has an exciting theme going....

The weather was nearly perfect...(if you live in the Pacific Northwest, that is...)

You came out in droves....THANK GOODNESS.....

AND, there was something for everybody!! I hope you've enjoyed my review of "vertical shopping pictures"....

And one of these days --I'll have to post some pictures of what I made out of the zebra fabric!!

Mystery Speaker

I AM SOOO EXCITED.

Every year, we try to top ourselves. If you come to Sew Expo, you know we added special "evening events" several years ago.

Last year, we had two blockbuster nights. Nancy Zieman was our entertainment for "Friday Night LIVE" -- and Ricky Tims presented his show for our "Quilter's Night Out" on Saturday night.

Both events were sold-out. Do you know where you were sitting?



Can you find yourself?




AND -- can you guess who will be our special entertainment for 2012??

Oh, yes, this is really going to be fun...

Mary's Stalker Gift

You will remember that the Ya Ya Stalkers came to the 2011 show loaded with GIFTS...

Mine was a zebra-striped ironing board cover, complete with t-shirt FRINGE!! There is no end to the imagination of these two inventive sewists...

Here's my favorite group shot...the four of us standing behind MARY's special gift...

Once you get a closer look -- of course, you can see Mary's ironing board cover is made out of sewing fabric...and can you see what the fringe is made out of??

A thousand PONY TAIL HOLDERS!! They are attached with golden metallic fasteners...

That's right -- SAFETY PINS...!!

WAY TO GO, GIRLS!!! Mary and I were completely stunned by your creative efforts. It ALMOST makes me want to iron something...

Zebra Book Journey

In 2009, we had a Sew Expo design contest. John Deere developed some embroidery designs -- and the projects were amazing. One of our favorites -- Sandra -- made this awesome umbrella. In this picture, with John Deere and Rhonda Pierce of Schmetz needles...receiving her prize...


Fast Forward. I got bit by the Zebra bug...and I was writing about it all the time. In 2010, Ann Sagawa gave me my favorite Zebra watch and a Zebra purse...and SHE had a zebra manicure!!

Last week, you heard about my Zebra ironing board cover from Judy & Chris -- the Ya Ya Stalkers...

The most amazing KARMA "zebra gift" story is about a zebra book I received at the 2011 Sewing & Stitchery Expo. I was rushing from one building to another (yes, I am capable of rushing -- in short spurts). Umbrella Sandra was in a class, and she surprised me with a zebra journal. PERFECT -- right?? Shockingly -- London actually took this picture at the MOMENT Sandra was giving me the zebra book. You can see the top of her head...I didn't even realize I HAD this picture...


Remember -- Sandra gave me the zebra book at the 2011 Sew Expo in Puyallup. I had no idea where Sandra lived. And she could have had no idea that I'd be using the Zebra book when I attended the 2011 Spring Quilt Market two months later -- in Salt Lake City...

Well -- guess what? Sandra LIVES IN Salt Lake City. And -- furthermore -- she CAME TO QUILT MARKET...

I was working in the Schmetz booth when Sandra came up to say "hello"...and I SHOWED HER THE ZEBRA BOOK...

Which had come full circle. Sandra bought it in Salt Lake City and took it with her to Puyallup to give to me. I took it back to Iowa, and two months later, it went with me to Salt Lake City. Back where it started. And, without even trying -- I bumped into the WOMAN WHO BOUGHT IT...right there in Salt Lake City...

I am telling you. It's the magic of the Zebra stripes...!! Karma is a wonderful thing...