Project Runway Star to Speak in Chanhassen

If you watch…Christopher Straub will speak about his experience of being part of Project Runway. See the Shakopee native from Project Runway Season 6 at The Sampler on Friday, Mar. 12, from 7:00 to 9:00. Cost is $30. Call 952-934-5307 to register.

The Sampler is a few doors down from the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and there are some good restaurants right across the street if you want to gather with friends and take in the event.

The Sampler also has a great idea:

Speedy Service Saturday
Saturday, February 20, 10-5
Drop off your machine (all makes & models) and get your machine cleaned and oiled while you shop!
$24.99
Call & make a time slot reservation!

For more details, here’s the link: www.the-sampler.com

New Classes for Winter ’10

And what a winter it’s turning out to be! Actually it’s very conducive to sewing. But I digress. We have a new listing of classes-Skirts That Fit, Jacket Techniques, Love Your Serger, Beginning Sewing-and then our two events-Clear Your Clutter Stash Swap and Dress YOUR Best. Check them out and sign up!

Speaking of the Stash Swap-this is a great time to be cleaning out closets and reevaluating the fabrics you have collected. Bring your items to January Club meetings (or arrange a drop-off) and we’ll give you “cash” to spend at the Swap. Then let’s all get together on Jan. 30 and get that creative energy flowing. Change is good.

Love Your Serger was the best I could come up with for a name for a hands-on serger class. I toyed with “Exploratory Sergery” but that’s as far as I got for catchy names. Any wordsmiths out there that can come up with a better option?

It’s been some time since I’ve had to update the site so please advise me of any errors you see. Thanks to those of you that keep at me to get classes posted. And as always, feedback is crucial. Are these the classes you want to take? Too cheap? (just kidding) Wrong times? Let us know how we can best meet your creative sewing needs.

Procrastination as an art form

If you subscribe to that belief then I am an artist-just kidding! Procrastination is one of my strong suits and this being very close to the end of the year, I have a few ends I really must tie up.

First off, Material Girls is on Marcy Tilton’s list of websites to check out (click here to see her December newsletter). Thank you, Marcy! Her newsletter is great and includes more Paris info and some great things that I missed.

Second, the new Threads magazine features our favorite ponytail holder technique and alot of other very cool ideas.

And third is the first installment of the December Club garments. Debbie’s pictures have been in my possession for longer than I care to admit so here they are. If weather or Christmas chaos kept you from getting to Club, you can get the sheets by email for free if were are a subscriber–$3 if you not. Click here to email.

Debbie's gored skirt with ruffled lining
Debbie's gored skirt with ruffled lining

Debbie's black crepe jean jacket and Silhouette blouse
Debbie's black crepe jean jacket and Silhouette blouse

Detail of blouse fabric
Detail of blouse fabric

Detail of jean jacket lines
Detail of jean jacket lines

Cowl with Parisienne tuck
Cowl with Parisienne tuck

Laurel and Kristin’s garments will be added before 2010 🙂

Would you like to know when there’s a new post?

My wonderful site administrator has added a feature to the website that will send you an email any time there is a new post to the website. To sign up, go to the the pink bar just to the right and above this post. It says, “Enter your email address here” and “Subscribe”. It’s as easy as that and you’ll always know the latest 🙂 -no more surfing and being disappointed that there’s nothing new.

December Club and New Year Plans

Paris is a very happy memory, the turkey leftovers are fozen and now it’s time to move on with December. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

We had our planning meeting yesterday and are very excited about our upcoming plans-we hope you find something to pique your interest.

November’s meetings had such great Show and Tell. This is very encouraging for us because that’s what we’re trying to do-Inspiring Creativity in the Sewing Sphere. Can’t wait to see what you’ve all done this month or maybe what you’re making for Christmas gifts.

Here are the results of our planning. As always, your comments are welcome as otherwise we can only guess at your interests.

Material Girls
December Calendar

FASHION SEWING CLUB

Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 10:30 and 6:30
Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul

Thursday, Dec.10 at 10:30 and 6:30
Associated Sewing, Bloomington

Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10:30
Associated Sewing, Bloomington

Jan.-March dates are listed in Fashion Sewing Club Schedule in top bar.

WATCH FOR DATES!!!

January Class-Skirts that Fit
February Class-Jackets-Laurel’s Sleeve Head, Collars, Lining and more
Both are hands-on classes

January-Clear Your Clutter Stash Swap
*Start the new year right –clean out the old and bring in a few new pieces
*Fabric, notions, books, patterns, et cetera

March-Dress Your Best
+Get your colors done -this should be done periodically as “things” change ☺
+Make-up refresher
+What’s up for spring fashion trends-sewing for your spring wardrobe

NEW SUBSCRIPTION-JAN-FEB-MARCH-$25

Paris: The Final Installment

Yet another wonderful day in beautiful Paris. The day looked like yesterday, which was warm, but it was decidedly cooler.

We headed over to the Sunday flea markets-a great mix of antiques, junk and the button guy! I mixed and matched until I got what I wanted to have and matched my budget.

By then fingers and toes needed warming. The potty break included the first squatty potty but, oh, the chocolate was good!

The second flea market had fresh produce, seafood (sold by the fishermen that caught them) and scarves.

We took a bus back to the hotel to warm up and add layers. Then a bus to the Arch of Triumph. Parisiens, and all of us tourists, have a way of spending their Sundays. Everyone was out, the dogs, the kids and their scooters, the grandparents and teenagers. Many Christmas decorations are lit and the ferris wheel was taking passengers.

Four of us walked all the way back to our “neighborhood” stopping for croissants and sweets. I was feeling confident in my French and asked for “deux croissants”. The nice young man got a big smile on his face and said, “English?” I told him American. I guess I can’t fool anyone. He told me America was better than Paris anyway. I told him it was all beautiful. And it has been beautiful and the French people have been wonderful. I have made great new friends on this trip.

This “Paris Tilton” trip has been the perfect way to start the second half of my century here on this planet.

Almost forgot-we had dinner at the restaurant featured in “Something’s Got to Give” last night and they sang Happy Birthday” to me. Tres bien!

Home tomorrow.

Paris: Take Three

Hopefully this will go better tonight but I’ve just been to the local wine shop and tasted a few plus having a glass with my purchases from today- goat cheese and a whole wheat pretzel looking bread with raisins. I’m finishing the glass of wine with chocolate.

Today was a perfect day for me. It started with a bus ride to the D’Orsey Museum. It’s got mostly Impressionist art. I discovered artists I didn’t know of before. It was a very alive place with many school groups.

We proceeded to the Bon Marche (yet another large shopping mall) where I joined up with my new friend, Brown, and proceeded to spend an hour in the amazing grocery area. Clothes I have a hard time shopping for but give me a grocery store and I have no problem. It’s such a great way to see how everyday people live. Of course, this grocery store was equivalent to nothing I’ve seen in the States. Think Kowalski’s times ten. Fresh seafood, poultry, bread, deli and gift items galore. My 10 euro gourmet grocery bag is my prized possession!

After today, I can really see why people love Paris. We sat and had a simple tuna on toast salad-sitting outside, yet again and getting typical Parisien service from our waiter. No one has been impatient or rude to us even tho we are a group of twelve or so. I have never felt unsafe although I think I’ve experienced most of the scam artist tricks by now. The day was very mild and the sun was out for most of it. We walked to Notre Dame and walked right in- no lines. Then walked along the Seine to Ile St. Louis and ate magnificent ice cream and drank tea. The island of St. Louis was noticeably more quiet. Beautiful, and the sun was setting.

A solid walk back via Rue de Rivoli and Opera, my own private wine tasting with my grocery purchases and I call it a magnificent day in Paris. Tres bien!

Paris Take Two

Sitting in the hotel lobby with my wine and chocolate. Tuesday was great trip to a flower making atelier. Such a wonderful place, family business with clients like Dior but the owner spoke like he was one of us-in French of course. And original petal cutting forms.
We have seen so many beautiful clothes and eaten great food. I went inside St. Paul’s church today-first church.

This blogging from my iPhone is proving a bit difficult or maybe I’m just tired. So here are a few pictures to tell the story.

A bientot!