ETA California

This past weekend I taught a class and had a booth at ETA California.  This is a sewing conference organized by Peggy Sagers.  The first  ETA was in California 8 years ago after the Sewing Education Conference in Long Beach folded.  ETA = Education in Textile Arts and is devoted to textile education.  Peggy now has ETAs in Dallas, Washington DC, New York, and Chicago.  I also taught at the Dallas ETA last year. That was really fun and the ladies were a hoot.                      

Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of my classes or the event this year.  The conference consists of a vendor hall and has over 50 classes. The core group of instructors are: Jan Bones (she has great lingerie patterns); Lyla Messinger (great classes on knits, patterns, and owner of The Sewing Place); and Emma Seabrooke (another great instructor  on various techniques).  I did a class on half slips and had a great time and hope to be asked back again next year.

The vendor hall has about 15 booths that include fabric, jewelry, patterns, notions, patterns, and sewing tools.  The price for the conference is very reasonable and usually includes the hotel room.  If you have an ETA in your area, I strongly recommend going and checking it out.  My booth was next to Kandi Christian who teaches heirloom sewing and machine embroidery and has written many articles for various sewing magazines.  During class times the vendor hall is quiet, so she and had got to know each other.  They also had Margot  Silk Forrest and Destiny Carter authors of "Sassy Feet".  they had some really fun classes on how to transform your shoes and purses using paints and embellishments.  The conference has a wide variety of classes.


Here's a link to the brochure

T-Shirt Marathon

After the wedding gown and Chanel inspired jacket, I needed something simple to sew.  I also noted a "hole" in my wardrobe this summer in the lack of t-shirts to go with jeans and/or shorts. I am now working part time (3 days a week) and spend more time in casual clothing then work clothing.  (By the way, 3 days a week is perfect and I love my new schedule.)

I pulled together some 1 yard cuts of fabric and bought a few online and sewed up 6 t-shirts.  I think the thread changes on my serger and coverlock was the most time consuming portion.

The Jalie 2805 and Simplicity 4076 (gathered cf neckline) are almost identical.  The Jalie has the tulip sleeve and the fit is a little more generous.  Because I only had a yard of each fabric (except the pink), I was limited on the details for Vogue 8879 and not able to add the sleeve details which I do like and will most likely make again with the details. I will not add the open back feature. I now have some fun new tee's to wear with jeans this fall. 

The black and grey striped is from Stone Mountain and is a sweater knit; the pink is a rayon knit from FIDM for $1 a yard; a couple are from The Sewing Workshop and are still available. I love prints with letters and this fabric is so soft and washed really nicely; this gold and white striped fabric is a great weight and I'm tempted to buy more. 

Oh, and I finished my Chanel inspired jacket.

I'm not sure if I like it or maybe I'm just tired of looking at it. But I'm so glad it is done.  Here are some details. 

The buttons I purchased from Susan Khalje.

I'm not crazy about the trim either but could not find what I had envisioned so I used grosgrain ribbon and a trim.  I will most likely wear this jacket with jeans.

chain at hem; hook front closure; quilting details