Sewing Maniac!

As I make my "to do" list this morning, I consider - for just a moment - that perhaps I am tired. This past week I spent three days learning how to sew on laminated fabrics (I will share soon) as I made two new kits for raincoats. One is for a child and the other, matching, is for "Mom"! Yes, Washington, I am thinking of your climate as I prepare for the BIG  Puyallup Sewing Expo (just outside of Seattle). After being "in school" as is seemed, I treated myself to an old favorite (fabric) and made a new women's wool jacket (grey and heather) ~ yes this one is also destined to be a kit. Oooh, and I love it! 

One of my recent goals has been to make new samples of each  line of children's patterns that we carry. I have been working on Katie Cupcake patterns this week: Little Miss Sassafras & The Cargo Pants.  These are for my class in Puyallup. Whew! And, is that all?, well, no ~ not actually. I finished up a NEW Cuppy Cake kit (in sapphire blue), a new little girl's skirt kit; complete with an embellished tee (in peacock blue, hot pink & lime green) as well as an appliqued pair of lavender jeans to match a new fleece jacket kit (which Linda sewed up).  Last week, in addition to designing all of the above,  I sewed up a new apron kit for women ~ and what might the theme be for this one? . . .  coffee cups and donuts! I love aprons. I do not know if it is because I like sewing them or wearing them. Usually I forget to put one on when I am cooking, but I do have quite a collection! And, who has time to cook when they are a sewing maniac! Trust me, I do not usually sew quite this much on a daily basis. But, we (meaning all of us at Sewitup.com) have four big sewing shows this Spring. Oooh, am I crazy or what? I really should have my head examined.

So, where are all of these NEW kits? Well, a few are still awaiting their "portrait", some are in the editing stage of their picture and ALL are being cut as kits. We should be putting them on the site within a few days. BUT, wait, that is not all! I did say at the beginning of this entry that I am making my "to do" list this morning. I have SIX more garments to sew this week!  ~ all will be new kits.  Linda, Janice & Wendy  have volunteered to sew the OTHER 8!!! Yes, I have been very busy designing and sewing in my newly organized sewing studio. Even though I am a little tired - my eyes are burning this morning (ah, I just need more coffee or maybe it is just allergies), this really is the funnest part of my business. Yes, I remind myself that I am having fun! Now. . .  if my vendors would cooperate and get all of the kit's components in on time (I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed)  - I will save that for another blog entry.

PS The real reason that there are so many NEW kits in progress is because of all of the new fabrics and patterns that have come into the shop this week!

Wow! I can finally see the sofa!

I have been cleaning up my sewing room little by little this week so that it will be ready for my next big round of KIT sewing. There are already several new kits floating around in my head and some even cut out. I did take breaks to start on these fun little numbers. Then, I would go back to the organizing. Most of the time, you cannot "see" -  much less sit on this sofa! But now I could even have company in my studio. Wow, this feels so good. I just know that I am going to be more productive. I love organization, it brings about a certain inner peace!

During this major "clean-up", I  bagged up all of my  "UFO's"  to make room for the New sewing projects. I like to keep my projects in giant clear zip-loc bags. Once they are cut out, they go back in the bag, along with the necessary trims, buttons, etc. All ready for sewing!

I even organized all of my serger threads (see the two plastic boxes to the bottom left) and then filed away all of my patterns that were laying about. I have lots of these little plastic crates that I keep my more popular patterns in - just ready to be snatched out for action. Each box holds a particular type of garment; i.e. skirts, blouses, etc. This is my ladies' section of the "library"! The adjacent shelf holds my current children's patterns! Why you can even see the carpet in here now - amazing! And, it feels so good.

 

 And, check out this sewing area!

See . . . there are pattern pieces on the work area ready to go and the machine is all threaded up! Yeah . . .I am ready to get to work! Ah, but is it really "work" ~ no, this is the fun part!

2010 - Wow, do we have a lot going on!

Now that the holidays are over ~ the decorations are finally put away ~ and the “kids” are back at school (university), I must get back to work. So, the first thing that I do is organize  my 2010 calendar. Then, I start to hyperventilate! If you have logged on to our website recently, you already know what I am talking about.

So, next I schedule a staff meeting and share the calendar with them. And, what happens? They fire me! Funny, huh. Well, they are right. I need to get busy. They lovingly remind me that I have not posted anything on this blog in nearly a month and they gingerly inquire as to any NEW kits. My staff is fabulous and I could not do any of what I do without them. So, with so many shows and classes to prepare for, they urge me to lock myself away in my office/studio and start producing. I do what I am told :)

Our 2010 show schedule starts with The Sewing & Stitching Expo in Puyallup, Washington -  which is next month. This is the Biggest sewing show in the country that focuses on garment sewing. If you ever have the opportunity to go, you must! It is truly a fabulous show. I am so honored that I have been invited to teach a seminar there this year on Sewing for Children.  I am already busy writing my class notes and designing samples for the class. After all, it is just around the corner!

In March, two of us will travel to Atlanta, Georgia for  The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo. I have been told that this show has a greater focus on sewing for children, so I am looking forward to seeing what is there. I will keep you posted..  and then, later in the month, we will be supporting our local quilt guild. The Bear Creek Quilt Guild Show takes place this year in Fort Worth, Texas. They have a show every other year.

In May, we’ll be at  Martha’s Sewing Market in Arlington, Texas. This is our biggest local show. I always teach there and have four new seminars already in the works. But the really BIG news is this: I have been invited to be a guest teacher for the all-day Sit & Sew! ~ I am thrilled beyond words! ~ I have submitted my ideas and suggestions and am awaiting approval as to which class to teach. I am sure that they will be posting more details on their website soon. I love teaching the 45 minute seminars for Martha, but to be able to teach an all-day class will be so much fun!

So, what about our retreats for 2010? I have four scheduled for this year and they are already filling up! I promise that I will devote my next blog to the retreats as this blog is getting a little long. Eeeks, I must go to my studio now for a few hours of designing. Except . . . I’ll have to clean up the sewing space first!