Original Sewing & Quilt Expo-Chantilly, VA Sept 29, 30, Oct. 1, 2011
Posted on 06. Oct, 2011 by gail in Blog
Had a wonderful time at the OSQE in Chantilly, VA last weekend. It was great meeting so many new and enthusiastic sewers in my workshops. And I had the pleasure of meeting one-half of the Ya-Ya Sisters–Rita Farro. (Am hoping to meet her sidekick Mary Mulari next week at the OSQE in KC, MO.)
Don’t you just love Rejeana Tinsley’s jacket using the Counterpoints Jacket pattern with Template Set 2? I do–great work, Rejeana!
My wonderful assistant, Pam Schneider, took the Booth picture while I was teaching a workshop and just before the Vendor Floor opened to all of those anxious shoppers.
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Albany American Sewing Guild Chapter Event
Posted on 20. Sep, 2011 by gail in Blog
Had a wonderful time Saturday September 17th presenting the “It’s All About Embellishment!” lecture/demo/trunk show to members of the Albany ASG Chapter. And want to extend a big “thank you” to the great women who helped make it a fun, well-planned day. Lunch with Sue Speir, Kathy Wise and Lucy Gee afterward at “Peaches” was yummy. Thanks for fortifying me for the ride home.
The trip to Albany was spectacular. There’s nothing like driving through the Berkshires early on a clear (almost) fall morning. And driving home was just as beautiful.
Thought you’d enjoy a few pics from the day. (And congratulations to Lucy Gee and her husband. They’re celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary!)
Don’t you just love hand-dyed ribbon?
Posted on 14. Jul, 2011 by gail in Blog
Have been hand-dyeing yards and yards of 1/4″ and 1/2″-wide ribbon for my “It’s All About Embellishment” hands-on workshop at the 2011 American Sewing Guild National Conference in Los Angeles in a few weeks. Just finished pressing a bunch and put them on my table to grab a phone call. When I came back, thought they looked so pretty in a jumble, wanted to share them. Hope to see lots of you in my classes and workshops!
Downton Abbey goes Vogue!
Posted on 06. Jul, 2011 by gail in Blog
My favorite new PBS series, Downton Abbey, will be back on air in January 2012–hooray! If you’re a fan of British drama a la Upstairs Downstairs, be sure to check it out. I’ll have to re-watch Season 1 on my DVD set this summer to hold me ’til then. But the latest issue of Vogue will help the withdrawal symptoms a lot. Can’t wait ’til it arrives in the mailbox.
Alabama Chanin at the Textile Museum
Posted on 19. Jun, 2011 by gail in Blog
Had a fun visit with my sister, Judy and her husband Jeff in Baltimore last week. A few weeks ago, was thumbing through the Members’ Magazine of the Textile Museum and noticed that on Thursday evening June 16th Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin was the featured speaker. Have been a fan of her beautiful work and decided to make the pilgrimage to attend the event, “Life Is In the Details.” She spoke about her business model and how her “slow design” enterprise evolved. Natalie took lots of questions from the audience and she signed my copy of her book! (It’s a personal triumph that I even remembered to bring it with me from home.) If you’re visiting our nation’s capital and have a chance, head over to 2320 S St. NW and tour through the museum–it’s well worth it.
Thursday was a very museum-y day. Earlier that day, Judy and I also attended a lecture by Rena Hoisington on 18th century French etchings and prints at the Baltimore Museum of Art. (The BMA has (I think) the largest Matisse collection in the world.) As we were walking back to the car, I looked down at the sidewalk outside the museum and saw this button and beads.How cool is that? I think it’s a good omen for my upcoming book on embellishment techniques!
Shout Color Catcher® to the rescue! Or when red dye bleeds onto white fabric
Posted on 01. Jun, 2011 by gail in Blog
Haven’t posted in a while, but yes, I’m still alive and well! Am working on a book aptly named “It’s All About Embellishment!” It will be loaded with close-up color photos of each technique and clear step-by-step instructions. All of the techniques in the book can be done on any zigzag capable sewing machine. Stay tuned-will let you know when it’s available to purchase.
One of the technique chapters is on twin needling. I used a red variegated cotton quilting thread that I’ve used loads of times without any problems, but this time when I removed the water erasable lines with a wet Q-Tip, the red dye bled onto the white jacket fabric in a couple of spots! Major problem. (Fortunately the fabric had been pre-washed.) Here’s a wonderful solution.
I threw the jacket into the washer (gentle cycle) with a small amount of detergent and a Shout Color Catcher® sheet. Most of the dye came out of the white fabric and the thread retained its original color. One more cycle with another Color Catcher® sheet and the spot is so faint it’s almost impossible to see. Crisis averted!
It’s All About Embellishment! at R I Sewing Network
Posted on 14. Feb, 2011 by Gail Yellen in Blog
Took a ride to East Greenwich, RI early last Saturday (February 12th) to present my “It’s All About Embellishment” workshop at the Rhode Island Sewing Network. What a talented, inspiring group of women they are! It’s always fun to see Diane Martin, Carolyn Gazerro and the whole gang. Thanks for inviting me.
Had 2 fun surprises. They say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Sheila Vargas created a Collage It! jacket from my Template Set 1 that’s a terrific color copy of the Template 1 cover jacket. Thanks Sheila-great job! And Ruth Gross created a vest from felted sweaters in the same neutral color combo as my very first Collage It! jacket–beautiful!
Hope to see all of you again soon.
Here are a few photos of our creative workshop.
“Fabulous Felting” in ASG’s Notions winter issue
Posted on 26. Jan, 2011 by Gail Yellen in Blog
Calling all American Sewing Guild members! Check out my article “Fabulous Felting” in the winter issue of Notions (ASG’s quarterly publication.) It’s an overview of the felting process using wool sweaters to create collaged fabric. Along with clear close-up photos, the article takes you through the construction process. I’ve made a variety of jackets using Template Sets 1 and 2 and the Counterpoints Jacket pattern. You can see all of them on my Gallery pages. Check it out!
Bobbie Horwitz and Me-2009 National Sewing Month Contest Winners
Posted on 19. Aug, 2010 by Gail Yellen in Blog
One of the many high points of participating in the recent ASG National Conference in Atlanta, was a visit to my vendor booth by Bobbie Horwitz. She and I were two of the top 3 winners in the 2009 National Sewing Month Reuse, Remake, Restyle Contest. Made from an assortment of plastic bags, her raincoat,was serged together to create her own very cool collage. What a fabulous idea. (I’m wearing my winning entry made from some of my late mother’s sweaters. I used my Template Set 1 and Counterpoints Jacket pattern.)
We met at Blondell Howard’s Sassy Sewer Salon in Baltimore last June during a Friday night “meet and greet” get together that kicked off my Serger Workshop weekend. I was having so much fun meeting and greeting lots of sewing enthusiasts, I neglected to get a picture of us together. Couldn’t let another golden opportunity go by. Thanks for stopping by, Bobbie!
Threads magazine reader’s closet
Posted on 10. May, 2010 by Gail Yellen in Blog
Just wanted to let you know that I posted pics of my latest Counterpoints Jacket using Template Set 2 and pieces from 5 different sweatshirts in Threads online reader’s closet. It’s impossible to get wool sweaters to felt in the warmer states and sweatshirts work great. And since it’s already May, it’s getting too warm for felted wool (although it’s been extremely windy and unseasonably cool in CT for the past 3 days.) The felting process is eliminated and there’s no need for interfacing or lining, so the construction is very quick. Also did some beading to highlight design details. The color combo reminds me of coffee with cream and sugar. Finished the beading while watching “It’s Complicated.” Very entertaining. I love Meryl Streep. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were also excellent. Next up: The Stockbridge Skirt with “It’s All About Embellishment” techniques.
