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....