Sunday, March 22, 2009

Weekend Project: Expo Inspiration!

It's a good thing to turn your mind upside down now and then,
like an hour-glass, to let the particles run the other way.
--Christopher Morley

I don't know if attending the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo really counts as turning my mind upside down, but it certainly is a refreshing and re-invigorating time! :)

Ana, Juana, Susan and I spent yesterday browsing the exhibit floor of the Expo in Tampa, Florida. Susan and I have attended together for several years, but this was the first time for Ana and Juana.

This year, I didn't have the time to attend any classes. But it was still a wonderful day! I did try something new - I attended one of the model shows. Women modeled clothes made with patterns from "alternative" pattern companies (i.e., not the Big 4) - patterns that we could buy there at the Expo. It turned out to be a really great idea - I bought two patterns - a skirt and a dress - that I otherwise would not have. (I'll save the actual patterns for my Wednesday posts.)

I think that Ana and Juana also really enjoyed it. They saw lots of new things - embroidery machines and quilting machines, for example. One booth was selling zippers for 5 cents each (one length only), fabric remnants for 10 cents each (fat quarter size or smaller) and lace for 20 cents per yard - they stocked up! Ana got a pattern for a patch quilt purse (seams on the outside) and picked out the fabric remnants to make it up for only $1 ! :)



I wanted to get a picture of the 3 of them at the Expo. Ana wanted me to be in the picture too, but I'm not a big fan of having my picture taken, so I tried to get out of it by saying that I had to take the picture. Ana promptly turned and, in English, asked a bystander if she would take a picture of all 4 of us. "Oh," I exclaimed in Spanish, "so NOW you can speak English!". She smiled smugly at me and replied in Spanish, "I can speak English when it is necessary." ;)

4 comments:

Faye Lewis said...

That brings back memories of our trip several weeks ago. I know you all had a good time!

Becky said...

I'm curious to see what these patterns are! I swear, I'm becoming such an indie snob....

Joanne said...

Love your Christopher Morley quote! So true, and it sounds like exactly what you did this weekend, seeing your craft from all different angles. I do that with writing by reading new authors, going to hear writers speak. It gives me much to consider in bringing back others' wisdom and experience to my own work.

gwensews said...

It looks like you had a great time. Good for you! I love sewing expos. Here in Michigan, we have the American Sewing Expo the end of September. I'm alraldy looking forward to it.