Sew Expo, Atlanta Frocktails, JOANN Closing

Oh My!

I’m writing this as I sit in the Delta Skylounge in Atlanta Airport as I prepare to head to Washington to teach—yes, the state. And as I sit here, Murphy’s Law is, well, Murphy’s Lawing.

I’m heading out to Washington to teach at Sew Expo. I love teaching here because it’s one of the only garment sewing conferences. Could I teach at quilting ones? Sure. But this conference is where I really found my love of teaching sewing and got my footing. But I don’t know if I’ll be able to continue to teach because the way my adrenal glands are overworking… I’m just going to lay it all out, air my grievances, and then embrace a positive attitude…

• Sew Expo doesn’t offer vendors or teachers a general place to ship things too which means that if, like me, you’re traveling literally across the nation to get there, you have to ship things, you either have to know someone or hopefully set things up for delivery the day you arrive.

• I set the patterns needed for my classes to be delivered the day I arrive—today. As I was driving to the airport, UPS notified me they would be delayed.

• We have to pay out of pocket for everything upfront. So all those patterns I won’t be using and will have to reprint? Yep… out of my pocket.

• I have to fly. Need I say more?

• I’m experiencing a little PTSD from previous years. It’s way colder in Seattle and last year the place we stayed didn’t have any heat. It wasn’t fun trying to navigate being cold outside and then being colder inside. And then there were the people who yelled at me because a fabric I chose for hats wasn’t to their liking. Oh, and then there was the comment calling my piercings ugly.

I could go on but things could be worse… I could not have the fabric needed and then have to have a friend source it from Joann’s AGAIN—yes, this happened last year. Everything is going to be awesome and I can’t wait to see the things that my students make and enjoy my friends.

JOANN’s is Going Under

I’m sad about it for the new crafters but after reading the comments for how badly JOANN employees were treated? Man…

Come Chat With Me LIVE!!!

I’ll be joining Lisa from Black Women Stitch live on both YouTube and Instagram this Thursday! This should be a good time.

Have You Gotten Your Atlanta Frocktails Tickets Yet?

As soon as I get back from Sew Expo I’m going to start sketching out my look. I have some ideas because I want it to be all whimsy couture feeling. Like I really want to make something that is out of this world and surprise myself. I know that it’s not something I’ll wear again but goodness… I want to have FUN with it!!! We’re putting together a weekend of events that will be published soon which I’m super excited about. I love spending time with people that sew and make things!!! The early bird tickets are almost sold out so get yours here:

Things living rent-free in my head:

• Why do people talk on their speakerphone in public? Also: no one should ever put me on speakerphone lol!

• I’ve made a lot more pairs of pants than I thought. As I was packing, it felt really good to be able to have lots of choices.

• Substack is still my favorite place to share my thoughts and ongoing but sometimes I feel like I’m too random. I also want to dust off my blogs.

• All zippers are not made equally. I installed a zipper FLAWLESSLY into my Coe Trousers only for it to break before I even got the waistband on.

• I think more fabric sellers should have fabric swatches.

• I love teaching series. I just wrapped one for the Butano Button Up and I loooooved doing it that way.

• The needles you use in sewing matter more than you think.

What’s living rent-free in your head?