Day 2 of the Original Sewing Expo

Okay, yesterday I wrote about my Embossed towel I stitched yesterday. I gave another classmate  from yesterday the directions on how to digitize the embossed design.  First class today was Beyond the Basic's in 4D/5D Professional software.

I learned so much.  Then as class broke up the lady in front of me overheard me and Mary talking about the embossed towel.  She asked if I had the directions, but I had already given my copy away to another lady.  So we talked through the directions and she was going to see if she could get a copy of the directions, from Diana Cedollia. Love that lady, she was so sweet and loved teaching us the new software. She demo'd the same project in both 4D and 5D at the same time. Flipping back and forth from window to window.

My second class was after lunch, making a laptop case.  I'm not a quilter, but I learned a couple of new techniques in this class.  First we embroidered the back, then strip pieced the front. Second was to make a block, I can't remember the name. After sewing the three pieces into one long strip. The hard part was fusing the tricot fusible to the three pieces. I had not pressed the seams in one direction. So I pulled the fusible back off,  pressed the seams again and the fused it again.   

 After basting to a duck canvas, we folded up the bottom (or front) and then boxed the corners.  Repeated for the lining.  The lining is slid inside the main bag, basted and then using bias tape, binding the raw edges.

 The three steps I have left, to bind, to place the grommet and then sew the tie on the front,

 Today was my small shopping time, I bought some threads, filled bobbins, an oil pen. Plus one splurge on a piece of red flowered fabric, so a skirt or maybe a hawaiian shirt for my annual trip to Vegas.

I'm going to post my towel and my laptop bag on the Amy Lou Who's Sew and Tell.

Day 1 of the Original Sewing Expo

Today was great I took 3 classes.  First was a presentation about digitizing by Diana Cedollia. She demo'd 5D and talked about the new changes.  I met some new ladies.  I am the kind of lady who talks to strangers in the  grocery store.  I talk to every one.

Second class was a hands on class about embossing, taught by Diana.  We set up the towels and walked through hooping and then started the embroidery machines to stitching.  Then Diana demo'd in 5D how to make and embossed design.  She answered a bunch of questions.  I got an extra copy of the handout for one of the ladies from this morning.

I'll post pictures of my towel tomorrow. I left it in the car is the parking garage. I walked around the very reduced expo hall.   Last year it was twice the size as this year.  Favorite booths are here, but... 

Third class was with Debra Bohn, who teaches 4D/5D software.  Even though I use my software all the time, I always learn something new during every class I take.  Today I learned how to set up an embossing, how to align buttonholes, and to use stitch editor to change an existing designs fill patterns.

Today, I was reminded that last year I got a call about the shooting at Ft Hood.  My son is stationed there and while I know the anniversary was last week.  Today is Veteran's Day. Thank your favorite Vet, or even your non-favorite Vet.  They will stand a little taller for it.

Original Sewing Expo

Today was the day before classes for The Original Sewing Expo.  I took Diana Cedollia's Serger Bootcamp classes.

The first class was all about learning the serger.  We made a bunch of samples.  I liked it, but Diana said that when she teaches the class at home, she takes 2 days versus 3 hours.  Each student brought their own machine, so every time we tried something new, Diana checked with each of the 19 students to see if they knew where the button was, or the dial.

After lunch, I switched to a Babylock Evolution serger.  I've been wanting one. Now I want it even more, but I need to wait. We finished two projects. This time the class was smaller, with 9 students. The first project was a sweatshirt.

I like the weight of it and I learned a few new techniques.  The second item was a tote.  It was interesting, she used the tucked in boxed corner technique that I use on my favority tote.

I need to stitch the hole for turning the tote inside out, and top stitch the top.  But it was really nice to finish two projects, and not come home with more UFOs. 

Tomorrow is two digitizing classes and one embossing class,  we actually leave class with an embossed towel.

I'm back

I'm sorry I was lost, but I'm not gone forever.

I was reading at Made by Rae about Celebrated the Boy and I got excited.  I sent the ladies an email about my idea.

But I can't chat, because I'm supposed to be packing for Minneapolis.  I'm going to the Original Sewing Expo, 11 - 13 Nov.  It is during hunting season around here.  Last year it was opening weekend of hunting season, so once your Hubby left for hunting, you could join the ladies sewing.

I will try to post while I'm at the convention.  They have rules about pictures at the Expo Hall.  I got caught last year, and asked to put up my camera.  iPhone to the rescue.

Okay really, I gotta go.

Day Three of IEC

Yesterday was fabulous.  I had a basic digitizing class with Terri Hanson of Terradon Embroidery. She is also from Minnesota.  She gave me a few good hints.  There was another lady in the class who also has 4D Pro, who was not happy with her software.  I helped her a bit, but I think she's going shopping for new software. 

After lunch Edie W, showed us how to print on fabric.  She talked about different brands of fabric sheets for ink jet printers.  She also showed up how to use Bubble Jet to make our own fabric sheets.  

I roamed around Evansville for a bit, stopped at Toys R Us for the grandkids.

Today, was all about embroidery.  My first class was Edie's Fun with Mylar class.  

After lunch, I had class with Reen, from Embroidery Garden. We made a small pumpkin coin purse in the hoop.  Putting my stuff away, I climbed in the truck and went to the mall for jeans and dress pants for my Dad.  He's tall and skinny, finding 36 inch inseam pants is hard.  Then I found the Joann's looking for more pirate fabric. 

Of course, Red Lobster was on the menu.  I came back to the room to watch Project Runway, but I guess I have to watch on the Internet tomorrow, because the hotel does not have Lifetime.    

Day One of IEC

My day started at 5 am, I was on the road at 6 am. 

I drove past Evansville, IN, to Ft Campbell KY.  My oldest son is stationed there.  We talked him into waiting on his car, until he found out what was going on at his first duty station, could he be deployed right away.  The answer is not until May 2011.  The deal we made was that I would bring his car in Oct when I came to visit my Dad. My dad lives 4 hours east of Ft Campbell. 

After finding his unit, I started to unload the car from the Tow Dolly.  I was startled when a sergeant asked me if I was repossessing the car.  I laughed and said no, I'd be a bad repossesser. Then I told him I was delivering the car to my son.  He offered to help me unload it.  After visiting with the boy, I dropped off the tow dolly and headed north again.  I'll stop back when we have more time together next week.

I made it to Evansville in time for the opening ceremony and first class.  Mary Young taught basic digitizing, called "Where do I start?"

 Mary is helping a student try to ungroup lettering.

Class was spread out, due to power plugs.

Mary and a couple of new friends. Darlene, sitting next to me is taking her part-time embroidery and quilting business to full-time.
 

On the Road

7 am Bemidji

9:15 pm in El Paso Illinois, 20 miles north of Bloomington.