Monday, September 30, 2013

Back from American Sewing Expo

Hello, readers! I spent the last several days in Novi, Michigan teaching at the American Sewing Expo. It was a fabulous time and I got to meet lots of cool sewing enthusiasts.

One of my favorite things about the expo is the shopping, of course. Here are a few key purchases:

I bought some white tonal striped silk from Haberman Fabrics, and some bright green basket weave wool from The Wool House to make a blouse and pencil skirt. And then I found the perfect vintage green buttons for the blouse!

In fact, I found lots of great vintage buttons! Most are from Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods.



I stocked up on my favorite pins: Clotilde glass head pins in red and white. Also: adhesive thimbles!


An expo must: purchasing fusible stay tape from Emma Seabrooke.


I went momentarily insane and bought 4 yards of sparkly pink ruffled mesh. 

What can I say? It spoke to me. 

Also potentially insane? This quilting cotton.


Perfect for jammies, right?

Anyway, it's great to be back and working on my book again. Henry has been following me around since I got home--I think he missed me!



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30 comments:

  1. Claudia MBSeptember 30, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    I have never seen adhesive thimbles before -- what a great idea! I can use them for bookbinding as well as sewing (trying to stitch through a stack of pages always leaves my fingers pin-pricked). Thanks for the tip.

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  2. Rosie WednesdaySeptember 30, 2013 at 12:02 PM

    Oh, that green basket weave wool is divine!! I was so hoping maybe you'd have a treat for us too up in the Etsy shop.Looks like you got a great haul, though!

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  3. UnknownSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    Hi Gretchen, Thanks again for joining us at the American Sewing Expo 20th year birthday party! You should tell everyone you were also the Cover-Girl this year.

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    Replies
    1. GertieSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:22 PM

      Thank YOU, Janet! I had a great time. I'm saving my cover model news for its own post! I feel so famous! xoxo

      Delete
  4. LizSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:19 PM

    Hawt Dawg! That "quilting cotton" screams Elisalex with a gathered skirt to me.

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  5. That's Sew AmySeptember 30, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    OMG that quilting cotton print is amazing! I love it :D

    -ThatsSewAmy.com

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  6. breadmakerSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    I've been eyeing the flannel version of that cotton for pajama pants but it hasn't gotten cold enough for me to justify buying it (yet)

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    Replies
    1. GertieSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:42 PM

      IT COMES IN FLANNEL???!!!!! OMG.

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    2. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2013 at 10:15 PM

      I want the flannel! I have the cotton (it's now a full circle skirt) but flannel?!

      Delete
  7. welldressedmakerSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    holy macaroni! That quilting cotton is ADORABLE beyond words! And I love the green buttons you've found!

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  8. mimi oSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Wow...all sorts of wonderful goodies. I have never heard of the sticky dots. I can't stand sewing with a thimble. Just never got the hang of it I guess :-P I love the pink ruffle fabric and that hot dog, milk shake and burger pattern is truly out there and would make a wonderful pair of jammies!!! Will you be attending the Sewing Expo when it comes to Massachusetts?

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  9. lsstroutSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    The ruffled fabric screams BLOOMERS to me, but you do what you like with it. :)

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  10. PatFSeptember 30, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    The choice of fabrics in the USA is amazing, compared to Europe.
    And prices are good too. How do you do it?
    I've just ordered some washable cord cotton for winter trousers from USA, it's not expensive.You can't get it here.

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  11. Ally and WoozleSeptember 30, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    That quilting cotton is perfect for jammies!!!
    A bientôt
    Ally

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  12. Nancy KSeptember 30, 2013 at 2:19 PM

    Love the adhesive thimbles. Is the vendor online? I've never seen them before.

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  13. UnknownSeptember 30, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    The green wool is so beautiful. I can't wait to see the garment that it becomes!

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  14. Karen SSeptember 30, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    My friend Patty and I were at the Expo on Saturday. I saw you on the vendor floor one row over from us. I was going to say HI but lost you in the crowd. Love the green wool. Did you go to the fashion show? There were some great outfits in the show this year.

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  15. Kari BSeptember 30, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    I agree with the other commenters: the green wool is awesome! Also, I just bookmarked Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods for the next time I need vintage buttons. Thanks for sharing, Gertie, I just bought your book at Powell's in Portland and can't wait till the next one comes out!

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  16. CarleeSeptember 30, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    That quilting cotton is amazeballs!!! Screw jammies, make a dress!

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  17. CatherineSeptember 30, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    oh how exciting! The green wool is so nice - i love green. and what a cute name for the thimbles - Poke-a-dots!
    That pink ruffle fabric is looking like it might belong to a party dress. I hope that's what your planning to do with it? Can wait to see them!

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  18. UnknownSeptember 30, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    Love the buttons! I hoard buttons because I think they're too pretty to use. Insane.

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    Great haul! I must say that I have purchased all kinds of fusible tapes from Emma Seabrooke (at other events) and use them all the time. They are a must-have for a fashion sewer.
    Love the green wool --- it is so of-the-moment, Pantone green. And -- I am waiting eagerly to see what you'll do with the ruffled fabric.

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  20. AnnabellouiseOctober 1, 2013 at 6:09 AM

    Lucky you. I just missed the Sewing Exposition. I came back to London from Detroit the day it started. I went to it two years ago and loved it. Bought some lovely fabrics then.

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  21. LaurenOctober 1, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    I can not believe I live in driving distance of this didn't know it was happening!!!!!!! I'm totaly gonna go w/ my Nana next time. It looks like lots of fun.

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    Replies
    1. Karen SOctober 1, 2013 at 9:25 AM

      It's every September-you should sign up for their newsletter. http://www.americansewingexpo.com/

      Delete
  22. themissymomOctober 2, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    Love your purchases!!! Especially the buttons. I have been known to purchase ratty clothes to salvage the vintage buttons!!!

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  23. Toby HabermanOctober 8, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Hi Gretchen,
    I really enjoy your blog and wish we had been able to chat at the EXPO. It sure was hectic and filled with goodies and classes. Glad you had fun shopping and that you found fabrics you like at Haberman Fabrics' booth. Love that silk charmeuse jacquard stripe. And the bold cotton comic book "hot dog" print is just too much fun. We made a flirty mini skirt in it at the store. I'm afraid it's not on our website shopping pages yet. But until it is, if anyone's interested, they can email ContactUs@HabermanFabrics.com.
    Thanks for joining us in Michigan. Hope you see you next year. Toby Haberman, Haberman Fabrics

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  24. LeslieOctober 11, 2013 at 4:37 PM

    My parents and I took a, ahem, scenic journey through southern Georgia this summer in order to get to Florida, Gertie, and we stopped at a retro-style diner, the name and location of which I don't currently remember. But they went HEYDAY with that quilting cotton!! Their barstools are upholstered in it and a topping of clear vinyl. They have Japanese screens separating the kitchen/prep area and what I assume is a storage area. They have giant canvases covered with the stuff on the walls. And the booths were covered in a coordinating vinyl. I wondered about its origin, but I'd never have expected to see it again, lol!

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  25. LeslieOctober 11, 2013 at 4:37 PM

    My parents and I took a, ahem, scenic journey through southern Georgia this summer in order to get to Florida, Gertie, and we stopped at a retro-style diner, the name and location of which I don't currently remember. But they went HEYDAY with that quilting cotton!! Their barstools are upholstered in it and a topping of clear vinyl. They have Japanese screens separating the kitchen/prep area and what I assume is a storage area. They have giant canvases covered with the stuff on the walls. And the booths were covered in a coordinating vinyl. I wondered about its origin, but I'd never have expected to see it again, lol!

    ReplyDelete
  26. KristenNovember 1, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    I bought a dress in that quilting cotton from ModCloth a few years ago...funny to see it pop up again!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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