Events, Retreats, Seminars

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 I am retired now. A time where one transitions from their professional life to a new, evolving and exciting time. Despite the creaking of bones and the gravitational pull on body structure, we soldier on, finding ways to best spend our time. I have been sewing since age 9, I started on my Grandmother's Treadle machine. I had one thread color, red, and a white sheet off my Mother's laundry line. The rest is history as they say. 

My Dear Sister has the treadle machine, I have moved through many machines over the years. The current one is beyond my imagination at times. Therefore, continuous training is required.  

I enjoy an occasional event or retreat focused and themed for sewing, embroidery and/or quilting. It has sure been a busy week. Inspiration, camaraderie, meeting up with friends, old and new in a supportive atmosphere is a wonderful way to learn more about our craft. No one attempting to shove their political agenda at you, no interruptions by telephone advertisers, and no pushy sales.
Learning the correct stabilizer for your project is important for a quality stitch out. I mostly get mine at the dealer's shop because it is just right for my machine. In addition, the printed label provides the information you need to choose the correct product. 
For example, this design was quilted on a light-weight interfacing because it had quilt batting a heavy stabilizer was not required. These blocks were samples made using a Jelly Roll. I think there are 6 or 7 of them. I will assemble them one of these days. They were bumped in the queue getting ready for Christmas. The design is "Feathers" from Anita Gooddesigns. The designs are on a CD, transferred to a USB, inserted in machine, sized for the hoop and stitched out with the push of a button. As a quilter this works well on small projects for a precise design and spacing. My free hand feathers are not so good!
In addition to machine embroidery we had a little session on cutting. Nicci mentioned that she really was not a quilter although she belongs to a guild and helps her friend occasionally. She discovered that it is not her quilting or stitching that causes her grief but her cutting! Bingo! My issue exactly. I purchased my Accuquilt cutter several years ago and find that using a sharp die to cut blocks, strips and applique have changed the quality of my work. Cutting was the issue. Some poo-poo the process thinking it wastes fabric. If you do not position your fabric properly that can occur but even the small pieces can be cut and re-cut many times. This system, the Accuquilt, is my preferred. 

Attending with a best friend makes it even more exciting. 40 machines buzzing along, a room well appointed with absolutely everything you need to be successful in your project, and smiles all around. It was good, it was really good.

The key to having a well produced event involves several components. Number one, the venue and the sponsor. Ours was held at a local racetrack/casino with several hotels nearby, off an interstate or two, great parking, great security. Our sponsor was a local Baby Lock dealer who goes above and beyond to be sure that everything we need is available and the staff and helpers at the event are knowledgeable and available.

The presenter was Nicci Brazzell, a nationally recognized expert in machine embroidery. Well organized material interjected with funny stories and great humor gave us all the opportunity to learn the fine points of more complicated processes needed to use our machines. 

While there were all levels of expertise among the attendees, Nicci made sure that each person was in step with the other and the sponsor's helpers constantly roamed the venue to assist and support. No one left behind as can often happen at events like this. Probably one of the best I have ever attended. 

I'm tired, really tired, I have to check my pulse now and then to make sure the old ticker is still keeping up!💖
  • Food was very good! 
  • No hard sell of machines or merchandise.
  • Length of day was 6 hours of  intense sewing, lunch and a break. Just right. 
  • Merchandise in the "store" was geared to the work we were doing. Priced very well at 30% off.
  • Much of what we worked on was geared to machine embroidered applique and in the hoop projects. 
  • There were several members of Nicci's Destiny Diva On-line Classes attending. We were all very busy. Met at the end for a group photo. Nice to see the locals of the same mind!
  • Many samples to view and examine.  
  • At all stages of life a challenge is important to keep the old brain cells in shape. 
 
 Image may contain: Nicci Brazzell, smiling, standing and indoor
   Meet Nicci Brazzell. Our theme was camping. The event sponsor provided these wraps, embroidered with our initials, to cuddle up in. Many of us sort of moan and groan about being cold. That is how you can tell the pre and post menopausal attendees!

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