Sew Inspirational

STITCHES & CRAFT SHOWS 2008

Sew Sensational Fashion Parades and Sewing Workshops Programme

We invite you to come to the Stitches & Craft Shows throughout 2008 to join in the fun, meet up with old friends and new, learn from the fashion sewing experts and be inspired.

The 2008 Stitches & Craft Shows will be held in:

Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show Caulfield Racecourse
Wednesday 12^th - Sunday 16^th March 2008

Brisbane Stitches & Craft Show Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Bank
Wednesday 30^th April – Sunday 4^th May 2008

Sydney Stitches & Craft Show Rosehill Racecourse
Wednesday 20th - Sunday 24^th August 2008

For more information on any of the Shows call 1800 770 222 or visit www.stitchesandcraft.com.au

Stitches & Craft Show Fashion Parades 2008

BRISBANE 2008 - by Sue Neall

The Brisbane Stitches & Craft Show fashion parades will be a showcase of fashion, creativity and inspiration for 2008. The variety of parade styles cover all ages, all sizes and all occasions and will leave you in no doubt as to what to sew this season. Our information packed presentations will guide you through your pattern, fabric, interfacing and fitting dilemmas to creative success.

11.00 – The Art of Dressing – Kerryn’s Fabric World
Discover the Art of Dressing and learn how to create the visual illusions needed to enhance your unique body shape and personality so that you can dress with confidence.

It takes the same amount of time and money to make the WRONG garment as it does to make the RIGHT garment. Discover what is right for YOU and WHY.

11.45 - My China Scrapbook – Perpetual Patterns
Perpetual Patterns presents garments that will get your creativity into high gear. Just imagine that you are lucky enough to take a trip to China. Whether you are going to the Olympics or soaking up the sights, sounds and culture there are two exciting things to think about. What will I wear and what will I bring back?

Perpetual Patterns presents inspiring garments to answer these questions. Enjoy a parade of garments to inspire and excite your imagination!

12.30 – Brother International – A Century of Innovation
Over the last 100 years the world has watched and enjoyed the evolution of fashion - from the 20s’ flappers, Christian Dior's New Look, the Swinging Sixties, New Romanticism, 90s Eclecticism. What have we learnt from each and every style? That the most fashionable assembly is your own unique style. At Brother, we celebrate uniqueness and individuality, which is why we continue to develop a range of sewing machines that cater to all.

Brother International is proud to present pieces that reflect the distinct features of the Brother range of sewing models – Enjoy!

1.15 – Fashion Showcase - Lincraft and Simplicity Patterns
Lincraft, together with Simplicity, New Look and Burda Patterns present the latest in fashion and fabrics for 2008. The trend is still retro and whether mini skirts and 70’s baby doll tops or 50’s glamour there is something in today’s fashions for everyone. Lincraft has a great range of fabrics to cover everything from casual to formal wear. Take the opportunity to see the new season’s fashions and hear about the latest developments in home sewing.

2.00 - Fashion and Imagination - Bernina
The Bernina Fashion and Imagination parade will give you the chance to view the cutting edge of wearable art. See amazing garments created by well known Australian artisans, including Kirry Toose and Ruth Osborne, plus many more Bernina friends who have made sewing their passion and developed new and interesting ways to use their machines, accessories, threads and stabilizers. From appliqué to beading, embroidery to quilting the techniques used in these garments are truly exercises in creativity, originality and fantasy. This parade will inspire you to get creative.

Australian Sewing Guild Workshop Programme - Brisbane April/ May 2008

The Australian Sewing Guild is celebrating its 11^th year and has become an integral part of the Show attractions. At each of the three annual Shows the ASG has a display stand ‘womaned’ by its members. You can visit the ASG stand to find out more about the Sewing Guild, to ask a sewing question or just to chat with like-minded friends. At the Brisbane Show in May 2008 the Stitches & Craft Show has offered the ASG an exclusive Workshop space in which to showcase some of their fabulous talent, the ASG and fashion sewing.

The Australian Sewing Guild workshops showcase six fabulous fashion sewing teachers who will definitely educate you to improve all your fashion sewing and make it all ‘Sew Sensational’.

10.30 – Alison Wheeler – Collars and Sleeves
Alison Wheeler operates her own sewing school, "The Sewing Lady", in Brisbane.  She is an experienced dressmaker and teacher offering a wealth of knowledge and information to her students across a wide range of sewing techniques.  Her presentation will cover setting in sleeves and the construction and finishing of collars with a focus on achieving a very professional finish.

11.30 – Lyn Larkins - Luxurious Lingerie
Have you looked at beautiful, expensive lingerie and asked yourself ‘how hard can that be?’ Well, working with the most beautiful laces and satins can be such a rewarding experience and Lyn will take you through the techniques of creating gorgeous garments, especially for you. Limited only by your imagination this information will inspire you and ignite the desire to create the most beautiful lingerie.

12.30 - Kerryn Swan ‘Doctor of Dress’ –The perfect outfit for YOU!
Every person is unique. This presentation is all about YOU and how each person can discover and understand themselves so that every garment they make is perfect. Look at – Fit, Shape, Colour, Length, Line and Design, Pattern Fitting, Personal Style, Fabric Suitability, Fabric Selection, Texture, Travel and Profession.

It takes the same amount of time and money to make the WRONG garment as it does to make the RIGHT garment. *See Kerryn’s  regular articles in  Australian Stitches Magazine

1.30 - Julie Davie – Machine Feet
Julie has been involved in the sewing machine industry for 30 years, working with all major brands. Her specialty area is accessories.

Have you ever wondered what all the extra feet do? They were designed to make sewing tasks easier and faster and that’s what every sewer wants.

Julie-Anne will guide you through the fabulous range of extra feet; some recent additions to the market and even some from yesteryear. These feet were made for sewing and that's just what they'll do.

2.30 – Maureen Thomson - A New Skirt in the Latest Fashion Without
Having to buy a New Pattern Every Time?
Design several skirt styles, using your favourite basic straight skirt pattern. You won’t believe how simple it really is.

Create a single front dart skirt, a flounce to attach anywhere, semi-A line, full circle skirt, flared skirt, square skirt or hanky hemline, four-gore skirt, hipster yoke/belt, six-gore skirt, four-tier skirt with a twist, six-gore skirt with godets and flare, dippy overlay with ties, straight skirt with yoke and a flared skirt with a yoke.

You will gain great confidence with your new found knowledge.

3.30 – Rachel Bond - Beyond Topstitching
Rachel will demonstrate how to take a basic skirt, shirt or pants pattern and individualise and enhance each garment that you make simply by adding design details such as - inbuilt embroidery stitches, tucks, pleats, yokes, pockets, piping, bias trims, contrast bands, braid panels, ribbons, threads and lace details and decoration.