Taunton's Threads - For people who love to sew
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Threads magazine Fashion is the Focus at American Sewing Expo 2003 The Expo's 10th anniversary provided the perfect opportunity to showcase fashion sewing, plus everything that goes into it September 19-21, 2003, Threads staff, along with thousands of other consumers, reveled in the festive atmosphere of the 10th annual American Sewing Expo, held in Novi, Michigan. In addition to quilt, garment, and doll displays, the Expo offered dozens of classes in all areas of sewing, style shows and trunk shows by designers, technique and product demonstrations, presentations by keynote speakers Virginia Avery and Kayla Kennington, and loads of shopping options at the more than 150 vendor booths.
Each year, Threads and the American Sewing Expo collaborate on presenting a fashion show featuring the finalists of the annual "Inspired by Threads" fashion challenge. We at the magazine have the always difficult but very exciting job of selecting finalists and, from them, winners, while the Expo staff takes on the massive project of organizing and producing the show itself. This year's winners are listed below; a full story with photos of their work will appear in the February/March 2004 issue of Threads (#111), along with the announcement of next year's challenge. While you're waiting for those details, take a look at the winning ensemble by Brenda Bolin-Sandage, at right.
Prizes were donated by Brother International, Embroidery.com, Haberman Fabrics, Islander Sewing Systems, The Taunton Press, and Wild Ginger.
In addition to the "Inspired by Threads" show, two other style programs showcased some very impressive garment sewing. First was the Innovation Generation Fashion Show and Contest, featuring pieces made and modeled by young sewers, ages 8 to 18. The overall winner of this contest was Sarah Benczik, an 18-year-old from Indiana who fashioned an iridescent silk evening gown using couture techniques she researched in books by Claire Shaeffer and Susan Khalje. (Her 11-year-old brother Ryan won the first-place award in his age group.) Saturday evening, as part of the Expo's Fashion Gala, the Metro Detroit area Creative Clothing Club presented a show as well. The members gave themselves the challenge of designing and sewing an ensemble from a limited set of fabrics (two yards of each of three fabrics, for a total of six yards, in their choice of bright or earth tones). The audience enjoyed seeing what these sewers, most of whom admitted to having at least 40 years of sewing experience, came up with. The garments, modeled by their makers, ranged from pant- and skirt-suits to dressy dresses and quilted coats.
Both of these shows were commentated by Barbara Gash, sewing columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Gash's encouragement of sewers both young and more senior was enthusiastic and sincere. This year, due to a minor glitch in the sound system, the multi-talented art-to-wear designer Virginia Avery took a seat at the piano to accompany both the Inspired by Threads and the CCC shows with smooth and continuous background music. Brava, Virginia -- we're now doubly in awe of you. The fabric of fashion This year's Expo offered an exceptional opportunity for garment sewers to supplement their fabric stash with high-quality, high-style fabrics that are increasingly difficult to obtain in many areas of the country. From the Metro Detroit area and farther afield, fabric vendors brought rolls and bolts of yardage that just begged to be taken home, and consumers were happily answering that call.
Also in the Detroit suburbs is Stewart Fabrics, run by Peggy Krug. Peggy brought a nicely edited selection of fabrics suitable for everything from daywear to your fanciest engagement. As a service to the local sewing community, she also underwrote some of the cost of the Creative Clothing Club's fashion show by providing fabrics at a discount to the participants. You can visit or contact Stewart Fabrics at 33266 Woodward Ave, Birmingham, Michigan 48009; 248-646-0665; www.stewartfabrics.com.
Mesee Wilson brought an assortment of spectacular fabrics from the Fabric Gallery in Williamston (closer to Lansing than to Detroit). Mesee was recognized with the "Outstanding Exhibitor" award for her thoughtfully selected and displayed merchandise. With this eye for fashion and fabric in the family, it's no great surprise that Mesee's daughter Enid won one of the prizes in the "Inspired by Threads" fashion challenge. The Fabric Gallery, which will swatch and sell fabric by mail, is located at 146 W. Grand River Ave, Williamston, Michigan, 48895; 517-655-4573; and on the Web at www.fabricgallery.net.
In the category of specialty fabrics, Hands of the Hills stood out for the quality and quantity of its imported textiles. Owner Theresa Mertens had fabrics from Thailand, Japan, Burma, Indonesia, and Nepal for sale, including a fabulous selection of multi-hued Thai sarongs woven in the ikat style. Beads and hand-carved boxwood netsuke were also on offer. Find Theresa and her wares at 3016 78th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, Washington 98040; 206-232-8121; and on the Web at www.handsofthehills.com. Teaching and industry awards The American Sewing Expo honored three entities and individuals for their contributions to home sewing in 2003. As noted above, the Fabric Gallery in Williamston received the "Outstanding Exhibitor" award. Linda MacPhee of the MacPhee Workshops was given the "Excellence in Teaching" award, based on votes from show attendees. Finally, Threads magazine was recognized for its "Outstanding Contribution to the Industry." Janet Pray, who founded and still organizes the American Sewing Expo, should be commended for her own contribution to the home sewing industry. But it's worth noting that, in addition to being an ace businesswoman with great organizational skills, Janet is an accomplished fabric artist with a yen for experimentation. Over the past year or so, she and three friends, Susan Lazarecki, Darlene Murray (Darlene and Sue both work with Janet on planning the Expo), and Nadine Cloutier, have formed a group that meets monthly to explore surface design and dyeing techniques. At this year's Expo, they put together an exhibit of the resulting fabric. "To Dye 4" showed dyed and printed fabric yardage, a calendar embellished with selected swatches from their endeavors, and a set of four "Ya Ya Sister" dolls they created. There's no better evidence that the masterminds behind the show truly do share their audience's interest in fabric, embellishment, and sewing.
What more do you need to know? If you're already itching to get to next year's Expo (to be held October 1-3, 2004) check out the specifics at www.americansewingexpo.com.
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