Houston Quilt Festival...Londa's Classes

Houston Quilt Festival Classes with Londa 2011

The Class Catalog has been mailed to Quilt Angels (helpers) from last year. Others have been mailed today - June 27 via regular bulk mail. Links have just been added to this post for my classes. They just became available today, JULY 6, for online registration. For all info - go to to www.quilts.com website.
If you want to get a spot in my hands-on workshop(s), I highly recommend that you go ahead and contact Quilts, Inc. now, or be ready to register via the website on July 6!

Here is a link to register to attend classes. Click HERE

I am SEW honored and excited to be part of the faculty at the 2011 Houston Quilt Festival! I had just a few lecture/demo classes in 2010, which must have gotten good enough reviews for me to be accepted into this group of teachers for the 'top dog' show of them all...the Houston Quilt Festival! I'm sew excited that I just can hardly express the honor this is for me. I am SEW blessed.............

I've constructed this page (and added to my Blog as well) to give complete and more explanation of each class - links to the classes at the Quilts, INC. website, and page numbers on the catalog just received by many sewers all over the WORLD!

Lecture/Demo Classes

#307 page 40 Creative Sweatshirt Jackets - Londa's Way $35
Wednesday, November 2 8 - 11 am

Catalog Description: "Relax and learn not only how to transform a sweatshirt into a great jacket that fits using either of two techniques, but design principles that will help you look your best every day. Viewing photos and numerous jackets will get your creative juices flowing with ideas and clear techniques for wearable art garments."

Londa's Additional Description: This will be a GREAT class with THREE HOURS to slowly and deliberately not only SHOW you many photographs of jackets, but ALSO to teach you both of my fitting techniques. Armed with my techniques, you'll be able to 'fix' any 'sweatshirt jacket' you may have already created, but which you might not be happy fit-wise. This will be a 2 hour expanded version of the class called "Creative Sweatshirt Jackets that Fit n Flatter" as I teach at other expos around the country. IN ADDITION, because I know that understanding proportion, balance, rhythm, color and focal points are all KEY to creating a well-designed wearable art garment, this class will also include what I offer at many other expos around the country called "Frumpy to Wow..Design Principles for Creative Sewing". These principles will not only improve ALL your sewing, but also help you as you dress Every DAY!

#463 page 50 Londa's Fashion Show of Stylish Sweatshirt Jackets $8
Thursday, November 3 4-5 pm

Catalog Description: "Be awestruck at Rohlfing's inspiring one-woman show of spectacularly fashionable jackets that started life as...sweatshirts! Endless creative embellishments along with tried-and-true fitting and construction techniques will inspire you to recycle and rpurpose as you make great garments from your stash of fabrics desperate for new life!"

Londa's Additional Description: This is a the Trunk Show of ALL of my current wardrobe of Creative Sweatshirt Jackets. I weave as much 'how-to's as I possibly can into this fast-moving one woman Trunk Show, but this in no way replaces the above class. Instead, you'll see each and every one of my jackets ON my body so that you can really appreciate the fit and the design. BULLETIN: My designs are not just for sweatshirts!!!! My designs and embellishment techniques can be used on ANY BASE for a jacket that you so desire! I allow Photos in this class, but NO video taping.

Hands-On Classes

#105 page 29 Create a Stylish Sweatshirt Jacket --- That Fits! $122
Monday, October 31 8 am - 5 pm

Catalog Description: "Using Rohlfing's "Genesis Too™ Talking Pattern (sent to you before class to preview and study), re-cut a top quality sweatshirt to raise the dropped sleeve to a natural shoulder for a great fit; design embellishment with your fabric grouping using design principles taught: transform the sweatshirt lower band into a classic cardigan neckline; and trim with bias cut silky 'fabric fur" and yarn combinations." www.londas-sewing.com/pages.php?pageid=87

Londa's Additional Description: This is a full day class, but they allow for a 2 hour lunch break - (however I WILL be available during that entire time span if you want to continue to work!). I can NOT promise that you will finish your jacket...because everyone 'does their homework' (or NOT!) and understands differently, AND, everyone works at different rates. However, What I DO PROMISE is that you WILL understand the fitting and embellishment/creation process VERY WELL so that you can go home and finish up your jacket with confidence. The homework PRIOR to class is KEY to achieving great progress during the hands=on class. Your sweatshirt and my Genesis Too™ Talking Pattern™ will be sent to you before you arrive. YOUR assignment is to sit in front of your computer and watch/listen to me explain each and every step of the creation of this jacket as you view photos of every step! THAT is what a Talking Pattern™ is! (My invention!).
You MUST do this or I cannot be responsible for making up all the difference in your understanding during the class...as that would NOT be fair to those who HAVE made the time to watch and learn from this wonderful opportunity. (If you still have dial-up internet service, you'll have to go to a library or somewhere with faster service, as it does NOT work on dial-up! - something over which I have 0 control.) ALSO- if you are a generously sized woman, I really want to give you some additional guidance on what to bring, think about BEFORE the class. Please give me that opportunity. We can creatively solve your challenges, but with the time constraints, we need to work on that BEFORE the class.
The class limit is 25 students, BUT I will have Carol Coleman with me - who is very experienced in my techniques and fit, who will be the SECOND teacher available to you in class!

Regarding Supplies: The $49 Kit includes: Sweatshirt (Size 2XL to 3 XL-for more generously sized ladies) in a color of your choice, my Genesis Too™ Talking Pattern™, the needed Straight Fusible Stay Tape, and 5 spools of matching Metrosene polyester thread. $49 is a real BARGAIN for these products - which would normally retail at $63.95 ($66.95 for 3XL sweatshirt needs)! I need to have as much lead time as possible (minimum of 4 weeks!) in order to get the sweatshirts ordered and to each of you, and also the pattern so that you can DO YOUR LISTENING AND LEARNING HOMEWORK!!! I really don't think this will be a problem, as I anticipate this class filling very quickly since it was SO requested during my classes and Fashion Show in 2010. Though everyone will be making the same general cardigan style jacket, with 3 different design plans (that will be emailed to you well before class), and everyone's different fabric combinations, all students will leave with a one-of-a-kind jacket!

Also You Need to Bring FABRICS: a coordinated grouping including 3/4 yard of Fabric A (the 'Main Actress'), and 1/2 yard each of Fabrics B & C (the 'Supporting Actresses') AND 2 silky fabrics in accent colors plus a coordinating Yarn. I will soon have up HERE some sample combinations to help guide you.

Available for Purchase in Class of the other Sewing Supplies Listed in the brochure will be: Fabric Chenille Brush ($5.25) and Monofilament Nylon Thread ($3.75). There is a shortage of monofilament nylon thread currently, so I highly suggest that you find and bring some to class. Polyester can also work. Clear if your yarn is a lighter color - Smoke if your yarn is a darker color.

#814 page 67 Fiber Embellishments for Artistic Wearable Garments $47
Sunday, November 6 31 9 am - noon

Catalog Description: "Learn all these tricks while stitching away the morning - Rohlfing's techniques for folding fabric for bias cutting, stabilizng edges, fine finishing for bias, creating luscious 'fabric fur' from silks, selecting and applying couching yarn, and twin needle texturizing. See demos for multi-cord sole couching and twisted cords.
www.londas-sewing.com/pages/.php?pageid=87

Londa's Additional Description: You will be making samples - as you learn techniques for all the 'embellishments' that I incorporate into the creation of my wearable art jackets. You will also see many garments (NOT sweatshirts) from my own wardrobe so that you can envision adding these embellishments to your own clothing.

Regarding Supplies: The $8 kit fee includes shaped knit fabric to stabilize and bind, fusible stabilizer, Italian Trim, and yarn to couch.... a Kit of all the bases and things you need to apply. For other supplies, see the brochure from Quilts, Inc.

Challenges of Travelling and Shows!!!!!!!

Get a kleenex, cause if this saga doesn't make you cry - you'll be laughing your heads off!
IF you think traveling, vending, teaching it shows is 'glamorous' - take heed! While I still consider myself to be VERY fortunate and blessed to be doing all this..... it DOES have its challenges!

I truly believe the Lord has something for us to learn through EVERY situation, and honestly, what I think he's telling me is that I'm stronger than I think I am, and that ONLY with the great helper/friends He has brought my way could I every possibly be handling days like today.....

Puyallup show was early March. Had my 7 boxes of jackets, booth fixtures, lighting, cash register, stock, brochures, credit card machine, etc. shipped by my great helper Kathy and her hubby on Mon, March 8 directly to Tampa area - my helper here, Elaine and her hubby - in Clearwater actually. That allowed plenty of time. I sent an extra box of stock..... had some jackets with me for intense work on my NEW BOOK!

So got home from Puyallup March 8. Monday. That Thursday I flew off to Cleveland from Indianapolis (that is a 2 our drive from my home - dear son drove me)...to go tape an episode for the new PBS sewing show, It's Sew Easy. More on that later...exciting, I met and worked a bit with SUEDE - designer from season 5 of Project Runway..... It snowed there 7" or so overnight. Taped Friday morning - after which my head cold took hold of me with a vengeance. Had gotten that because I slept with the humidifier on me to make noise to balance the CPAP mask my husband has been told he has to sleep with - which keeps ME awake. That's another whole story - had a huge scare with his health in Jan and early Feb causing me to cancel the Feb. Denver Show..... So as soon as I got done taping that morning, I really start blowing my nose constantly. So - got home Saturday morning.

Made more Jacket Kits like crazy, proofed NEW BOOK, and then left again for Indi arriving on Tuesday. Also - that Monday, my helper here called to let me know that THREE of the SEVEN boxes had arrived. Not worried - figured they'd arrive on Tuesday - no sweat!

THANKS BE TO GOD ABOVE, at least those 3 boxes contained ALL my jackets, and kits from Puyallup. If those get lost, I may as well just give up an entire year of travels!!!!!!!! God is GOOD!

So - start to track the other 4 boxes, they're lost. Then appear perhaps in the area and change with UPS the delivery to be here to my hotel. Praying they arrive on set-up the booth day, Wednesday. See the UPS truck roll up - raise arms in praise - assuming they are on the truck - NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sew - nothing to do but to start to re-buy what necesssary to pull off a booth:
New cash register, print out forms for credit card purchases, new clipboards, black fabric to cover tables, screen and hooks, pvc pipe, ..... you get the idea. Go home to motel last night. Think ahead and realize my projector for Power Point programs for classes is also lost. Knew I could use the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo one - but would need a connecter to go to my Apple computer - go buy the one dear son tells me to buy - at Best Buy. Grateful thought of before class started...feeling quite smart.
Program the NEW cash register. Went well - felt very smug and smart I did it so easily - was the same type of cash register as my old one. Read that batteries needed to hold journal info for $, but no alert it held everything else also only with batteries...well found THAT out this morning.

THEN... backing out of the parking place about 9 pm finally having done everything in booth possible, CRUNCH!!! A fender bender in the parking lot, - but really not even a scratch on either car - and Elaine had NEVER had any type of mishap driving! I'm feeling so responsible and terrible... and so indebted to all their great help - I'm sure you can imagine!

Then went to eat and sat in the bar area instead of waiting and got lousy service. I mean... it took 10' at least to get a glass of nerve-calming wine I figured I needed/deserved...........

What an end to a day that started with the only thing on my list of real concern was stopping at a drugstore to get eyeliner so I had 'eyes' cause it didn't get or keep packed! At this point - I could care less if I have proper eye makeup!!!
Could I sleep? After programming the cash register - thinking it was done perfectly - then NO, I couldn't sleep!

OK - so I go to teach my class at 9. WOULD YOU BELIEVE - that the connector sold to me by Best Buy was NOT the correct one?!? No such port on my apple that fit that thingie! Thankfully I had my cell phone on me - and called Mark the superboy of this group - and he arrived about 10' into my class - getting power point up and running. Meanwhile - was 'winging' it..... Such Fun!

Get back to booth - to take over cash register I leave dear Eileen with (hasn't run cash register in about 50 years) - she'd been playing and it wasn't programmed, nothing working!!!!!!!
Long and short of it: that brand new cash register would NOT hold the tax rate in it - and most of the time - not ALL the time, mind you - it did not add the proper 7% tax. Which meant we had to hand figure/check everything. Ahhh - but what wonderful customers sewers are! Everyone so understanding, patient, etc, etc. Meanwhile, Elaine and hubby Dave and also helper Sandy who had volunteered to help out - learning as they go and picking up pieces of me everywhere it seems!

Running out of brochures, stock, already. But always excited when reception of my stylish sweatshirt jackets is positive and exciting...which it seemed to be. Keep Smiling, Londa.... Keep Smiling.............
Meanwhile blowing my running nose constantly... EAT? fat chance! Mouth dry as cotton - nasal drainage...
Keep Smiling, Londa,,,,,,

4:00 - Sandy and I leave having taken down most of the 39 jackets, to the Free Stage to do my one woman fashion show of jackets - THAT's a Sweatshirt??!!?? Half way through - the lavalier microphone stops working! Sew... OK - we'll use the hand-held mic - a bit taxing with constantly putting on and taking off jackets. I think there must have been 250 to 300 in the crowd. Great audience - I shared a bit of my 'experience' thus far - I NEEDED EMPATHY - and they were SO kind!
While I'm giving the show - my cell phone (in my bra) - starts buzzing like crazy - like yea, I'm gonna whip it out of my bra and answer!!!!!!!

Well - guess what? The dear lady in Puyallup UPS office has news that the 4 boxes have been located - and are being delivered to Elaine's house - in Clearwater! NOT what I had changed it to - so now this evening, her dear hubby Dave drove the 1.5 hours each way to go fetch the boxes. Is that a dear, wonderful, generous man or WHAT?!?

At this point - leaving it all in the Lord's most capable hands - that the cash register WORKS. That the Credit card Machine WORKS, etc......... Because you can be SURE that I marched the faulty cash register right back to Staples and got a refund.

Now my fingers are tired as well - but I feel better already and do bet I'll sleep tonight!

That's All Folks.... Stay Tuned! I'm just gonna write a list of my blessings and call myself fortunate. I mean come on - if all the people in the world (how about Japan right now!) could have 2 rolls of toilet paper, a clean bed, an air conditioned room, a computer - internet connection - how amazing would THAT be? So - please don't get me wrong, though I know I'm complaining, I DO realize and appreciate the many blessings.

Say - the events in Japan will be affecting sewers in a significant way. While I"m almost hesitant to share this - as those people's lives are SO much more important.... but already my
scissors man friend says he's gotten notification of 22% increases in prices of scissors coming from Japan (KAI among others!) and that is only the beginning! And, so much fabric is printed in Japan as well! Costs were rising before, but now - just hold on.........

I truly believe God is trying to get EVERYONE's ATTENTION! HE is in control, and when you think anything else, He'll put you and me in our proper places. That is where I pray my heart and head are tonight - in the proper place in relationship to Him!

Thanking and praising my helper friends, customers, but most of all Jesus my Lord.. and our Father above............
Good Night!



'sinifical

Houston Creative Inspiration - 11/3/10

The inspiration we see as gals stop by our booth #717 here at the Houston Quilt Festival 'Preview' night was AWESOME!

Look at this top - on a sheer knit black base. My super dooper assistant Carol eyed this jacket and broughtd her over to me and my camera! She's sitting here with me in our motel room at 12:30 am 1 1/4" folded strips (ala Clover 3/4" wide Bias Tape Maker), then folded wrong sides together a bit less than half and stitched with white thread to the black base. Marking it would be interesting, but certainly possible: right sides together of the black base, with 2 layers of dressmaker carbon, right side out slipped inbetween.

At the top of my thumb nail, that is a folded edge, as the edge I'm holding.

An ETSY buy - this customer's fabric coiled necklace drew our attention. It was cotton, straight grain cut and folded strips, somewhat twisted here and there, but not twisted at the very center, with also just folded edges showing at the center. No stitching at all - all glued onto a base. Carol and I think trying this or a lighter weight fabric - on the bias and doing an ODD number of 'roses' would be a very inviting creative task. Gee - I can even see this done out of an old flannel plaid shirt! Chain was attached to each end to complete the necklace. She shared she thought it was still on ETSY (I'm too tired to look right now), just search there for 'coiled fabric rose necklace' and we think you'd find them.

I taught my first class yesterday - a 3 hour class on my sweatshirt jackets...starting out with my 'Frumpy to Wow' Design Principles class, then my Creative Journey program where I walked them through several jackets' design inspiration and construction. My students called it a 'sleeper' class - explaining that they loved it all and got so much more than they expected. That was great to hear - and a wonderful way to start this last show of the year for me. Their feedback also has led me to conclude that I will propose a hands-on all day class for next years' Festival. It was wonderful to have Carol in the class to help out too - and the wonderful staff in the Faculty Center are amazingly helpful and a great, safe place to keep teaching supplies.

We had a lazy start to this long day because we were lucky enough to get in quickly yesterday and got in 4 hours' work after my morning class. We finished setting up the booth from noon to 4 when the 'Preview' hours started and went til 10...!!!!

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to my Trunk Show class from 2-3 in the ballroom! Reporting more tomorrow......

HUNT for reversible knits!

One of the most fun parts of doing the Sewing Expos is seeing all the neat clothing on our fashion-conscious customers! Often self-created, but also store-bought (RTW = Ready-To-Wear). I always keep my camera handy and when I ask permission, most often the wearer is flattered and I get to take pictures. This is really where I get lots of the ideas that end up in my Creative Sweatshirt Jacket Talking Patterns™. I honestly forget if this gal was at the Novi or the Chantilly shows I just completed, but the 'dust has settled' and I'm wading through ideas I got at those shows.
Check out this jacket - it is a single knit - meaning that the crosswise edge WILL curl - usually to the right side - and that means also that the knit itself looks like stockinette stitch on one side, vertical, and horizontal ribs on the reverse side. That being said, this jacket was made of one of those knits which, in addition, had a different character on both sides - dark grey heather on one side and lighter grey on the other. Anyway - FIRST- a straight UN-pleated strip of the same fabric, with the opposite side up - about 1.5" wide was stitched down along the hemline, stitching about 3/4" from the top raw edge. . (To keep the knit body from stretching out of shape ala 'roller coaster' look, I would advise STAYING where you are going to stitch, on the INSIDE with Straight Fusible Stay Tape.) Then - kinda like all the rag quilts, the 3/4" edge above the stitching was simply cut into every 1/2" or so perpendicularly TO the stitching.

THEN - the box-pleated row ruffle was added on top - opposite side of the fabric 'up'. The 'ruffle' was really box pleated row of trim - cut about 2.5" wide, cut edge 'finishing' both edges. If I were going to mark and stitch all that, I would certainly make use of the Simflex Gauge to do the marking - as this wonderful crazy tool automatically evenly spaces things. It appeared to be stitched about 1/2" from the top edge, right on top of the other trim's stitching, and then the opposite side flopped down over top of the stitching creating the 'double' row of light colored fabric you see. Remember- raw edges everywhere, as knits do NOT ravel!

Look at the collar - it appeared to be a double layer - with 'wrong' or light sides together, simply stitched about 1/4" away from all the edges.

Next, check out the little gathered ruffle, raw edge, stuck into the top of the sleeve cap seam. Then, the diagonal row of embellishment down the center fronts appeared to be a hand-whipped strip of rolled fabric.

Finally, up the Center Back, it was stitched wrong sides together, seam allowance exposed on the right side to emphasize a nice slimming vertical line. RAW edges again!

So thanks - whoever you were - I lost your name, sorry! But be sure we appreciate your great taste i RTW!
If you find a great reversible knit online, post it as a comment for the rest of us here at this post. Remember, I must approve all posts before they show up - so feel free to send me a quick email alerting me that you posted. londa@londas-sewing.com.

Sew.........beware when you visit my booth - I just may photo and 'pick' at your great clothing!

Kona Bay Cotton Sateens arrived

Yummy - yummy! Scrumptious, soft, luxurious cotton sateens have arrived from Kona Bay.
Yes - I weakened at Quilt Market despite my best intentions...
BUT - BUT - But I told myself - these would be GREAT in my Creative Sweatshirt Jacket Kits! AND, my old buddy Pres. Doug from Kona Bay made it just TOO attractive to pass up.

FYI - SATEEN means that the floats of the fabric go horizontally - rather than vertically as in SATINS. Floats of threads over more than one in the opposite direction reflect light - thus it is in the weave, not the finish, that the beauty of satin and sateens resides!

Sew.... dresses, purses, bags, pillows, cushions, robes, jackets...and, of course quilts - but HURRY - yardage is LIMITED!

Spring Quilt Market Review

OK - back and recovered for a few days now from Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis.....and caught up on business here at home - and I guess 'recuperated'!

Quilt Market is held 2 times a year: once in the spring and it travels around the country - and then the other time in late October in Houston, right before the infamous Quilt Festival. Market is where shop owners, designers, distributors, etc. go to actually place orders for their shops and businesses from .... people like myself: pattern designers (of which there are UNTOLD numbers!), fabric manufacturers (the REAL draw!), trim people...about everything and anything you can imagine might be sold in a fabric/quilt shop. It is where shop owners go to 'find something new', find out what is 'hot', etc.

A booth selling SuperMan fabric even brought in a bonafide Phone Booth! Amazing...
To put it simply - I was honored to be a part of this event. It is certainly a testament to HARD WORK - takes most of us a full day to cart in and set up a booth - and untold hours of preparation besides. It is really good old USA Capitalism - meaning WORKING FOR a LIVING at its best. imho.....


Twas quite an experience! I was there 'peddling' my own line of Talking Patterns™ (which received rave reviews by the way!), book and DVD. My new Genesis Too™ pattern was extremely well received due to having made the samples in current quilt fabrics, and having a Teacher's Outline available to help utilize it in classes and workshops. My friend/helper Von went with me and had a VERY good time shopping! Though you're not supposed to 'sell product', but only take orders - HMMMMM - quite a different story. I sure took product so they could take home - saving us both shipping expense! Many others did the same thing - and if minimums weren't met, were happy to sell at retail. Let's just say Von has plenty of 'work' cut out for her! :) She was great at 'sniffing' things out for me though! I'm VERY excited about what I found to offer MY customers at Londa's Creative Threads website and expos around the country. My head is SPINNING with new ideas, interpretations of my jackets on which to use all these great ideas and products!


Some things to share. First - I just must state that the effort that vendors go to in order to make spectacular booths AMAZED US! The first photo above is of a chest covered with a wire GATE, covered with glass! Just too cool an idea for a coffee table, or any kind of table. Under the glass - see the memorabilia? Then - on the legs that supported the gate - were big old bed springs - or what looked like that. TOO CUTE~!!
Am always after new ideas for decorating - even display in my booth, so in the 2nd photo the arrangement of bars held by fabric caught my eye. Sending to all of you - and Dear Daughter-Mother of my #1 perfect Grandson - for an idea of displaying his artwork. If you look hard under the purse at the pattern, you can see that it is anchored by a push pin from the back of this huge painted bar - like a huge popsicle stick.

The 3rd photo was just a very nice room setting all created with quilt fabric. The chest really caught my eye especially - the fabric glued to the drawer covers.

Look carefully around the top of the 4th photo (sorry - don't know how to get photos by verbage ) to see the penants made of the quilt fabric. How fun is that?!? And a 2nd grader on up could help make those for their room! What a fun summer project...

Below - is the RUSH of Sample Spree held the first night. My conclusion: not a one of these eager buyers has ANY fabric! Yea - right!!!!! The fabric manufacturers give spectacular buys on fabric at this crazy night. And these ladies PAY $10 to get in! We decided that basically, the customers want ALOT but for a steal of a price. Was an experience to behold - crazy ladies (mostly) shopping!

















This is Art Felt. The most amazing
new thing' - at least to me - that we found.
It's not needle felting.
It's not wet felting.
It's not fulling.
It's Artfelt®.

My starting order is on its way - and I can't wait to get my hands on this. I envision it in the collar on one of my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets! Like especially Esther from my book, Creative Sweatshirt Jackets...Londa's Way, which everyone thinks is felted fabric anyway. The 'secret' is the paper - which is of potato starch. During the process, it gives you something to 'felt to'. Then- after agitation (which they say is all that is needed - wetness plus agitation - the drier), you pour boiling water over it to dissolve it. It's kinda like the Solvy Scarf idea - you stitch the ribbons to water-soluble Solvy Stabilizer, then wash it all and the Solvy disappears...well - this is the same! More once it comes in and I get to PLAY! Ohhhhh - and the roving colors, mixes - absolutely breath-taking! Gives me goose bumps remembering.....!!!!! Can't wait - can't wait - can't wait!

I was tickled to death to see amazing, luscious FABRIC as selected by Linda Lee from the Sewing Workshop available at my main supplier! So - OF COURSE I have some ordered - be on the watch for it to arrive soon.

Trims Trims and more TRIMS. I was on the lookout for a good, narrow black - and I found that, plus GOLD, plus great yarns, decorative threads. In my mind - all for my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets - but just fun to offer on my site and in my booth at expos for your creating pleasure. Can't wait - can't wait!

Did see the Roll the Gold 45 mm Rotary Blade there too...then, when I got home, it finally arrived in stock. This blade is Titanium nitride coated steel...which WILL last longer than your everyday rotary blade! Installed mine on my favorite Dritz (pressure activated) and Clover Rotary Cutters last night. I have a few garments to whip up in the next few weeks - so they'll get a workout. Two blades for $11.95 - not too bad - if they last longer - which I'm pretty sure they are destined to do!

New 'Chosen' Interpretation

I cut out a 'regular' jacket using a Vogue princess line jacket pattern yesterdy. Fabric is a linen/cotton small neutral stripe.
THEN, out of the print linen i bought to go with it - I cut the large Crescent Collar from my CHOSEN pattern.
Goal is to stitch up to show that my designs/patterns can be used on a base other than a sweatshirt!

After this weekend here in Pittsburgh as speaker for the ASG Anniversary Event - I can't wait to get SEWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This jacket, then a black linen one using the large scarf collar from my new LIVING pattern.
Then... some new jackets to create my TRUNK SHOW as will be offered to shops carrying my patterns...debuting at the Spring Quilt Market in May in Minneapolis.

Then...there's the new pieces I have great fabric saved for to wear to my 40th High School Reunion...

All this sewing??? In my dreams...but I'll try my best. I really need a sewing FIX!

Eeeks - YEA - I get to teach at Houston Quilt Festival!

Eeks - and once again, I'm humbled to be selected to be on the faculty for the Houston Quilt Festival! I discovered the email notifying me of my selection buried in the hundred+ emails here as I dig through them in the Houston airport!
Not sure which class proposal they selected - certainly one of my Creative Sweatshirt Jacket classes.
Can't wait to get home and dig into the contract being mailed to me...
Meanwhile - I'm just thrilled to smithereens - is that a word?

Keep tracked of my travels on the lower right corner of my website...
Londa's Creative Threads