The sewing world is inhabited by a friendly crowd with very diverse interests, but it seems we are always crossing paths in enlightening ways. The past month was so full of fun connections we just had to share.
A wonderful new friendship has been formed with Classic Sewing Magazine. We are so pleased that the Tabula Rasa Jacket is featured in the recently released spring issue!
This is a beautiful magazine with fabulous photos and gorgeous projects printed on lovely paper. We connected with the Classic Sewing team through the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo where they, like us, have a big booth full of beautiful sewing inspiration. Classic Sewing’s roots with founder Martha Pullen reminded us of an ASDP connection in 2018 when we hosted an event that celebrated Martha being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at ASDP.
The article in Classic Sewing introduces the Tabula Rasa Jacket and encourages gals to sew a mock-up to test the fit. I made myself a new mock-up using the lovely green and pink cotton leftovers from our new jacket fitting shells and pastel fabrics from my stash. It is the prettiest mock up I have ever made, perfect for this beautiful publication.
Speaking of mock-ups, be sure to check out the Threads Magazine online ambassador Becky Fulgoni in her Tabula Rasa Jacket mock up announcing a challenge she is setting herself to make a TRJ every month this year. We cannot wait to see all the design spin offs she creates with her base pattern!
Another crazy connection involves the Central Iowa ASG Chapter who patiently settled for a day of virtual inspiration after 3 reschedules of a 2-day live event. Turns out, their March speaker is Erica Schmitz of My Body Model who has really revolutionized fashion sketching for stitchers. She will show the Iowa gals how to sketch a TRJ on their personalized croque so they can plan for the guild’s TRJ challenge.
I met Erica while searching for resources on sketching for my Sew News Curve Appeal column a few years back. For the summer issue of that column, I have connected with our digital pattern designer, Madi Stage of Goheen Designs who helped me write about fitting exercise wear. We met Madi through ASDP as well.
The connections go on and on! The ASDP New England chapter is also taking a Tabula Rasa Jacket challenge in 2022. We met several of the gals who attended our 2019 French Retreat through the South Carolina chapter of the ASG. These ladies also introduced me to Stitching at the Beach and Farmhouse Fabrics, whose team helped me gather the beautiful cotton lawn TRJ’s to be featured in the summer issue of Classic Sewing Magazine.
As we come full circle, we would love to include you in our connections this year. Registration for our August retreat Enchanting France- Embellishing Fabric began this morning and space is very limited. We hope you have registered if you can join us for this splendid adventure. (If you want to be added to the wait list in the event of cancellations, please contact us.)
If you are not yet ready for intercontinental travel, come to our Baltimore area Sew Successfully Retreat in April where we will be delighted to help you connect with your creative sewing mojo, sewing resources and, as always, an improved fit. Find Retreat Registration here for both retreats!
If you are in the Atlanta area or attending OSQE Atlanta, please come model your Fit for Art creations in our Runway Fashion Show as we work together to keep garment sewing a thriving pastime. Advance registration is requested to participate in the runway fashion show; you will receive free admission that Friday as thanks for your help!
Connected by many threads, Rae and Carrie.
Join us virtually this week at the Virtual Sewing & Stitchery Expo for hours of classes and specials at all the vendor booths.
Rae and Carrie,
I really enjoyed all of your presentations the last few days. I’ve only made 3 TRJs…one is reversible so maybe 4. You’ve got me inspired to make more. Thanks so much for all your ideas and enthusiasm!!!
Thanks Linda, so glad you enjoyed the virtual presentations and I cannot wait to see what you design and sew next! RAE