2013 Sew Expo SPEAKER APPLICATION

Yes, people -- IT TAKES A VILLAGE. The work on Sew Expo goes on every single day of the year. Really. You have no idea....

Right now, for example, Ann Sagawa, the Education Manager -- is working long hours on the new online "Speaker Application".

This is my best picture of Ann from last year's show...it was our set-up day...and she arrived at 6:30 AM so she could make sure the pre-show classrooms had HEAT (they did not)

Every year, we welcome new vendors and speakers...

Our loyal fans ARE ALWAYS looking for something they haven't seen or done before!!

They love it when there's a new classroom space...

I am being sarcastic, of course. Change is inevitable. But sometimes it's hard. And we are ALWAYS changing...
I will be announcing many changes about Sew Expo in this blog. Some of them affect the attendees -- others affect the speakers or the vendors. Every change we make is about IMPROVING THE SHOW...
And it really does take a village. Ann and Janet and Dana (and I don't know who all) have been working to develop an organized, user-friendly, online "speaker application". This will be a HUGE IMPROVEMENT -- and will allow our speakers -- new and old -- from all over the world -- to submit their class ideas with a stroke of their keyboard.
The biggest change for our attendees will be that they'll be able to see pictures of their speakers, read their bios, and even SEE A PHOTO OF THE PROJECT!
EXCITING, EH??
Since many speakers follow this blog -- GET READY!! Because there's a new day dawning... Be sure to keep checking the website to see when the neew speaker application system is "UP". We're looking forward to seeing your 2013 class topics and workshop ideas. It's going to be the BEST SEW EXPO EVER..!!

IPCA Midnight Magic

At the Sewing & Stitchery Expo -- we work hard to bring the NEWEST and the BEST events, teachers, seminars, workshops and style shows. It truly does TAKE A VILLAGE, PEOPLE..!!

At the 2012 Sew Expo -- the IPCA launched their first "Passport Event". In this design/sewing competition -- eight independent pattern companies had their customers/fans sew garments and our audience got to "vote" for a winner.

At their Sunday event, the IPCA unveiled the fan favorites for each pattern company...

It was a full house -- the audience was poised to win some great door prizes...

Dana Bontrager with one of her contestants, Mary Collen...

Mary's jacket had some very unique design elements.  Her embroidery was exquisite...

AND her tailoring techniques were also quite amazing...!!

As it happened, Mary Collen DID win the grand prize. Congratulations, Mary!! I'm sorry it took so long to announce your big win! Just what you needed, babe -- ANOTHER SEWING MACHINE PRIZE?? You rock, Mary. And it is always a pleasure to see how a real master-sewist interprets a pattern or design. The first year of any big new event is always a huge learning curve. So -- hey -- GREAT JOB, YOU!! I'm already hearing some rumbles about next year's IPCA Passport event -- and it will be fun to see how they're going to TOP THEMSELVES!!

Sew Expo Buildings

The Sewing & Stitchery rents space from the Puyallup Fairgrounds for the show. It is very expensive...and we pay for every building we use. We used to use the Restaurant building -- but it just wasn't worth the money. It was so open and noisy, and we had to limit the number of students....if the classes didn't sell out, we lost money. AND there were always a lot of complaints about the noise...ugh...

So we are always on the lookout for new spaces we can use. And it is thrilling when a new "building" comes available. This year, we rented the new building right next to the Pavillion for hands-on classes. After a big remodeling, we had two new rooms for classes in the State Patrol building. AND THEY WERE AWESOME.

Maybe we should have a "naming" contest for this great new building! 

This is the view from the balcony of the Paulhamus Building -- way out in the boondocks...

Ann Sagawa stood in the weather to give directions to the early morning students...who were all very confused...

But the classes WERE WORTH THE LONG WALK...Connie Crawford's class was packed!!

As a matter of fact, Connie's "Fitting the Girls" was such a popular class, it sold out 10 minutes after online registration opened. WOW! We never know what the "HIT" class is going to be. We have the best teachers in the world coming to Sew Expo -- and they ALWAYS want their class to be your #1 choice. I can hardly wait to see what they come up with for next year!!

As hard as we try, and as many signs as we make, the Paulhamus building was still a hidden gem... 

Kathy Ruddy's early morning class decided to keep their coats on...

By the time Barbara Crawford was teaching her class, the rooms had warmed up considerably...

Peggy Sagers had several topics this year --

Peggy's class on measuring yourself (by yourself) was also a huge hit. Because it was scheduled for the Expo Runway -- where we have the raised stage and all those fabulous, comfortable chairs -- over 400 students could attend!!
Now THAT'S A GOOD USE of space, people!! Next week, if I can, I'm going to post some pictures of the various 2012 Fashion Shows -- AND I'll start to give you some hints about the changes we're planning for next year.
But here's one thing I can tell you. THE ADMISSION PRICE IS NOT GOING UP NEXT YEAR. We want to hold the line...even as our costs increase every year, we are doing our best to keep YOUR cost affordable. The last time we raised the admission price was 2008. AND our One-Needle classes will STILL BE $5. The absolute BEST value in the world.
To save money, we cut down on the Rita Snack bar instead....

2013 Sew Expo Planning Meeting

Sorry -- but I'm still struggling with this badly designed-yet-brand-new Blogger template. My pictures get all screwed up, and the code often doesn't have a beginning or an end...there are words behind the images....this has been a HUGE learning curve. AND I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!! So I'm just going to write -- and if the pictures do not jive with the words -- you'll just have to learn to live with it.
It was a pleasure for me to visit the beautiful Seattle area in May. I stayed at Gail Brown's condo -- and enjoyed early morning walks along the beach. Wow. That ocean is a thing of beauty, people... So every morning, I started off by clearing my head...and there are always a THOUSAND THINGS SWIRLING AROUND up there...lol...

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Janet York is Operations Girl. She is the face of the show when it comes to vendors. And negotiating with the fairgrounds. And the show dresser. And the AV company. Well -- you can see -- it's a BIG JOB...

Because it doesn't JUST HAPPEN, people. We're always planning ahead. There are so many things to consider. New teachers, new events, how it went LAST year, etc. We go over every suggestion or idea that you sent in. Joanne Ross is writing the after-the-show newsletter. The good news -- as you already know -- is that 2012 was a FABULOUS SHOW. Thank you once again for -- being there!! Our numbers are holding strong. Although we were down by 300 on one day -- we were up by 300 on another day. And in these economic times -- we consider that a HUGE VICTORY. Our special events were sold out successes. Friday Night LIVE with Martha Pullen was sold out -- and I guess it didn't hurt that Baby Lock gave away 5 sewing machines that night!! Saturday -- our Quilter's Night OUT -- with Alex Anderson was also a great success. Thanks to Bernina for providing those fabulous canvas tote bags (mine is currently carrying 50 Barbie Dolls) -- and a quilting sewing machine.

There are always a few complaints -- but it is amazing how FEW they are. Really. We know the tents can be cold, but most of you understand that's the WEATHER -- and if we could build a new building for you, we'd do it. We're just grateful that the ShowPlex replaced the old horse barn. Remember those days? lol... And hey -- maybe next year it'll be warm and sunny!! Then, of course, there will be complaints about the tents being too hot...ugh... Mostly -- we appreciate you -- the BEST AUDIENCE in the whole wide world. You come, you learn, you sew, you laugh, and you do VERY LITTLE COMPLAINING. I have always beleived that women who sew are the most giving, generous people in the world. And you proved me right again. HOW GREAT ARE YOU?? That you brought 4,480 hand sewn pillowcases to the show -- to give to the children of Mary Bridge?? AMAZING... During my visit to Puyallup for the planning meeting -- I spent my last morning at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital -- and I have some great pictures that I'll be sharing in the coming months.

We're working on a BRAND NEW EVENT for the Sunday charity event -- and we'll be announcing some big changes in the coming months. SO STAY TUNED, PEOPLE!!

Because we are working on the 2013 Sew Expo -- and we want it to be the BIGGEST AND BEST EVER...!!

Pacific Fabrics

So -- okay -- since I'm already IN SEATTLE -- I might as well stay a couple of days AFTER the planning meeting and have some fun. Let's see...where should I begin? It just so happens that one of the most wonderful fabric stores in the country is in this neck of the woods...

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FABRIC STORE!!

That's right!!  Pacific Fabrics.  Actually, I consider Pacific Fabrics a national treasure.  As a small chain of independent fabric stores -- they carry quilt fabrics, fashion fabrics, yarn -- they do classes -- and they are ONE OF OUR FAVORITE VENDORS...

I found some pig flannel my sister Ronda had NEVER SEEN BEFORE...

Can you see the Missoni-like knit fabric?  WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT I MADE...

Ann Sagawa, me, Sharon Stoffel and Annette Millard.  We had a FABULOUS LUNCH...

Of course, if you are doing it right -- the LUNCH IS always the best part of a business meeting.

I made a few informative little "videos" during my visit to Pacific Fabrics -- and I'll be posting them on this blog as we ramp up to the 2013 Sew Expo.

Mostly, the meeting with Pacific Fabrics was to review what happened at the 2012 Sew Expo -- and we discussed some TOP SECRET plans for next year's show.

I will give you a hint...

What is Pacific Fabrics famous for??