Puget Sound Sewing & Craft

Sew Fun = Sew Stylish Jackets in June

Nothing sparks admiration like a beautiful, custom-made jacket.  This month in Sew Fun, you will learn how to take an ordinary sweatshirt and turn it into a stylish jacket.  In Nancie M Wiseman's latest book, Start with a Sweatshirt, Sew a Stylish Jacket you will be inspired to add couture style to an ordinary sweatshirt by combining your favorite palate of fabrics.  These jackets are easy to make. The illustrations and instructions will guide you through the process.  Once you complete your style of jacket, embellish it with dimensional flowers made from coordinating fabrics.  Learn to create new and exciting flowers using "old-fashioned" methods including prairie points and various ruching techniques. Use the flowers to embellish quilts, wearable art or make a decorative pin for clothing or accessories.  Add embroidered buttons and your creation is complete!

Remember, you do not need to register in advance!  Come and join the fun!

Sew Fun Seminars at Quality Sewing:

• Everett: Monday: 6/1: 1p & 6:30p

• Everett: Tuesday: 6/2: 10a

• Kirkland: Tuesday: 6/2: 6:30p

• Kirkland: Wednesday: 6/3: 1p & 6:30p

• Alderwood: Thursday: 6/4: 1p & 6:30p

• Alderwood: Friday: 6/5: 10a

• Ballard: Monday: 6/8: 1p & 6:30p

• Northgate: Tuesday: 6/9: 1p & 6:30p

• Bellevue: Wednesday: 6/10: 1p & 6:30p

• Issaquah: Thursday: 6/11: 10a& 6:30p  

• Tacoma: Monday: 6/15: 1p & 6:30p

• Tacoma: Tuesday: 6/16: 10a

• Federal Way: Tuesday: 6/16: 6:30p

• Federal Way: Wednesday: 6/17: 10a & 1p

• Silverdale: Thursday: 6/18: 10a & 2p & 6:30p

• Burien: Monday: 6/22: 1p & 6:30p

• Puyallup: Tuesday: 6/23: 1p & 6:30p

• Puyallup: Wednesday: 6/24: 10a

Create a New Look With Simply Beautiful Seams

I love to use a variety of seams.  Not only for adapting to a particular construction challenge, but especially for decorative purposes.  When you have a pattern style that is flattering and you've perfected the fit, it's nice to be able to create multiple versions without simply duplicating your work.  Using decorative seams can give a whole new look to a project.

One of my favorites for visual impact and ease of sewing is the bundled fagoted seam.  A traditional fagotted seam has threads bridging a gap between two fabric pieces.  In the bundled fagoted seam, the threads are stitched down the middle with a triple straight stitch, creating a look of little tied 'bundles'. 

The secret star of this technique is: the fringe foot!  We're all familiar with using the fringe foot for fun textural effects.  But it also makes sewing a perfectly spaced fagoted seam a piece of cake.

Here's how it's done:

Step 1:  Using the fringe foot and decreased needle tension, stitch at least a 5/8” seam, right sides together, using a zig-zag that just clears the fringe bar.

Step 2:  Pull seam gently apart and press the seam allowances away from the seam on the wrong side.

Step 3:  Use the triple straight stitch (regular tension) to sew up the center of the fagoted seam, pulling fabric taut to the sides to keep seam open as much as possible.

Step 4:  Use decorative stitches (Angie Spong 9mm stitch shown here - available at this month's Sew Fun presentation) up the sides of the seam to hold seam allowances to the side and give additional decoration.

That's it!  If you'd like to see more of this fun technique, come to a Sew Fun club presentation.  You'll be amazed at the many ways you can add a little more oomph! to your next project.

Project Runway - Who will make the top three?

Project Runway is down to four - who do you think will make the top three? Last week the designers had to make an outfit for another designer that was inspired by a genre of music. It was down to just five designers: Korto, Suede, Jerell, Leanne and Kenley. I was pretty sure even before I saw the show that Suede would be cut. He did a rock n’ roll outfit for Jerell and while it was not horrible it was not great. The pants were pretty bad and Jerell looked like Jerell and wasn’t transformed into a rockstar.

The clear winner was Korto with her version of Punk for Suede. He was really transformed into a punk rocker and the pants were a lot of fun. Korto wore a country outfit designed by Leanne that I really did not like. The color choices really didn’t work for me. However since Leanne is one of my favs - I was really happy she didn’t get cut. Jerell did a great job with Kenley and pop music. She really did look uncannily like Brittany Spears. Kenley did not have such luck with her outfit though, she designed a hip hop outfit for Leanne and it just wasn’t really hip hop. It was sort of urban chic - maybe? But still poorly executed. Kenley seemed to have a hard time creating an outfit that was not a retro inspired dress.

I have been thinking all week about which three designers I would like to see go to Bryant Park and I have to say I am rooting for Korto, Leanne and Jerell. I really think each of these designers will come up with interesting collections. I am pretty convinced that Kenely’s collection would be full of very wearable, adorable and fun retro style dresses but it wouldn’t be very diverse. Jerell strikes me as a designer that could come up with an innovative collection that really pushes the creative envelope. I think Leanne and Korto would both have very nice collections with good execution, style and diversity. I really want to see a collection that is innovative, creative, fun and inspiring like Jay’s collection from Season 1. Which three designers are you rooting for?

- Carmen

Project Runway Meets State 4-H Fashion Revue

2008 Washington State 4-H Fashion Revue State Champion, Senior Division, Johanna Svensson with her new Brother Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine, donated by Quality Sewing and Vacuum.

This past Sunday was the Washington State 4-H Fashion Revue Championship, at the Puyallup Fair.  25 young men and women from all over Washington came to compete for the title of State Champion, and a new sewing machine.  These young sewing enthusiasts were chosen from 80 preliminary contestants who competed on the preceding Saturdays and Sundays at the Fair for the opportunity to participate in the Finals.  Prior to coming to Puyallup for the preliminaries, each contestant had to first qualify to participate in their home counties.  Just like Project Runway, each stage of competition involves a new set of judges, and new questions and challenges.

In 4-H Fashion Revue, the contestants must make the garments that they are wearing in the contest.  They are evaluated by a team of judges, who not only critique the quality of their garment construction, as the garment appears when worn by the contestant, but also ask the contestants questions about the construction techniques they used and their knowledge of textile science and general sewing.  The contestant's ability to express themselves clearly and accurately, and their poise in presenting themselves also plays an role during the judges' evaluation.  This interview is the most important stage of the Fashion Revue competition.  At the conclusion of interview judging, the contestants then are asked to exhibit their garments in a fashion show, where they may also be judged further on their presentation skills. 

This year's show was an amazing display of talent from these young people.  Everything from historical costumes to tailored wool suits and evening gowns were on display.  This is truly the future of sewing!  I certainly would not be surprised to see any of these gifted young men and women winning Project Runway in the future!  I have been very honored to be the Superintendent of the State 4-H Fashion Revue competition for the past three years, and look forward to seeing more incredible talent next year.

Our 2008 State Champions:
Senior Division: Johanna Svensson, Kitsap County
Intermediate Division:  Sarah Hoenig, Kitsap County

Reserve Champions:
Senior Division: Lacey Coolbaugh, Kitsap County
Intermediate Division:  Andy Lo, Pierce County

Outstanding Interview Skills:
Senior Division: Roxana Acock, Walla Walla County
Intermediate Division: Elsie Lehman, Benton County

Outstanding Construction Skills:
Senior Division: Elizabeth Lenz, Kittitas County
Intermediate Division: Kayla Yearout, Grant County

Outstanding Modeling Skills:
Senior Division: Rosanna Larson, Lewis County
Intermediate Division: Michaela Nordheim, Walla Walla County

Congratulations to these and all of the 80 contestants in this year's Washington State 4-H Fashion Revue competition.
--Katrina

Sew the Puyallup!

A Sewing and Fiber Enthusiast's Guide to the Puyallup Fair

Yes, indeed - it's that time again.  Time for the tacky Fair Theme Song to invade our TV sets and radios on a regular basis.

What you might not realize is that the Puyallup Fair is a great field trip for a sewing, craft or fiber enthusiast!  In fact, I'm a bit nostalgic because I bought my first Pfaff at the Fair 10 years ago.  No matter what you're interested in, there's a little something for everyone, and here's a guide to help you to make the most of it.

Daily:
The Pavilion Building (Gold Gate) is the host for not only the Washington State 4-H Fair sewing, craft and photography exhibits (and more), but also the Puyallup Fair's Open Class Quilts, Garments, Knitting and Crocheting exhibits.  Downstairs in the southern area of the building is where you can see exhibits created by youth from across the state.  Upstairs (there is an elevator in the southwestern corner, or escalators in the center of the west wall) is an incredible display of quilts, garments and much, much more from local artisans who have entered their work to be evaluated by the Fair judges.  There are often artisans performing demonstrations as well.

Under the Grandstands (Red or Gold Gate):  At the northwest corner of the Grandstands building is the Artists in Action store.  This is a fabulous place to stock up on roving, yarn, handwovens, pottery, jewelry - always an amazing selection of beautiful locally produced items.  I've found many 'gems' here over the years.  You can also get a contact list of the various artists for future mailorder reference, which is very handy.  Various artists are on hand demonstrating their crafts.

Showplex (Blue Gate)and Expo Building/Under the Grandstands (Red or Gold Gate): See the latest sewing, quilting and embroidery machines at the Quality Sewing booth!  If you haven't seen what the latest in sewing technology can do, prepare to be amazed.  I always find myself drooling over the multi-thread embroidery machines - I love just watching them stitch out a design.

Weekends:

4-H Fashion Revue competition: Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 pm on the Education Stage.   Not to be missed:  Washington State 4-H Fashion Revue Championship, Sunday, September 21 at 5:00 pm on the Education Stage.  The competitors in Fashion Revue must make and model their own garments and be interviewed by a judge regarding their clothing construction and sewing knowledge. My heartfelt thanks as Superintendent to Quality Sewing for continuing to be a major sponsor of the State Championship!

September 5 - 7:  Open Class Sheep Show and Fleece Show.  Ongoing through the weekend.  An outstanding time to see many different breeds of sheep (and Angora goats as well) and their fleeces.  Not to be missed -The Puyallup Cup on Sunday, September 7th at 6:00 pm.  This is the 'circle of champions' for the show - the outstanding exhibits from each breed compete for the overall 'best of the best'.  One of the largest displays of sheep breeds in the U.S. - all in the same arena at the same time.

September 12 - 16: 4-H Sheep Show and Fleece Show.  The actual sheep show will take place on Sunday.  Fleeces and sheep will be on display (not to be handled) throughout this time.  At times 4-H youth will be demonstrating fiber skills and working to prepare their sheep for show.

September 17 - 21: Animals of the World.  An exhibit of exotic animals from around the globe, including some fiber producing animals such as yaks.  My favorite: the Tennessee Fainting Goats.

For much more information, including a terrific Fair Planner with daily calendars, visit www.thefair.com.

If you still haven't found what you're looking for, just remember that the Puyallup branches of Pacific Fabrics and Quality Sewing are just up the hill!  Conveniently located right next to each other, across from South Hill Mall.

--Katrina