SAF-T-POCKETS Patterns
15942 SE Brooklyn Street
Portland OR 97236-2049
503-761-6460 (phone)
503-762-1617 (fax)
sales@saf-t-pockets.com
 
 
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THE INSIDE POCKETchronicles of an independent pattern company owner |
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Making a Tote Bag from a Leather Coat
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Recently, I taught a class in Atlanta for the American Sewing Guild (ASG) national conference on sewing with leather. It's easy to sew on, is luxurious and wears well. Leather skins can be expensive, but you can find old leather coats in thrift stores or at garage sales. My sister gave me an old black leather coat made from a soft lambskin, which I made into a bag.
Some areas of the coat had problems, but most of it was fine. I used one of the sleeves to make the straps for the bag and created the main part of the bag from the back of the jacket. A shoulder seam created the shape of the pocket flap. Another bag was created using a very worn out pink leather jacket. In fact, it smelled.
I removed the lining and washed the jacket in the wash machine. I patted it dry and then laid it flat to continue drying. The bag came out great!
Start looking for fun jackets you can repurpose into interesting accessories and send me photos of your finished projects!
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posted by Marsha
on August 19, 2010
at 22:38
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Help With Packing is Here!
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Getting ready for that big summer vacation trip? Feel like you're packing everything you own including the kitchen sink? Learn how to take less and pack more efficiently using a method taught by Susan Foster. Her book, Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler teaches you how to pack right for every type of trip, sail through airport security, minimize baggage fees and so much more. You'll discover everything you need to travel with confidence and comfort.
To make things even easier, we now carry the companion Smart Packing DVD! Now, you can watch Susan show you step by step exactly how to pack into one suitcase for just about any trip. Don't start your next trip stressed out because you over-packed. Buy these tools and start packing like a pro. Remember, it's a suitcase, not your closet!
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posted by Michelle, the webmaster
on July 12, 2010
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Garments made from unusual items
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Recently, while at the Portland Airport, I came across a display of "recycled" garments made by Oregon designers. I was fascinated to see how they used objects like plastic spoons, Crown Royal liquor bags and venetian blinds to create beautiful creations. Isn't it amazing what can be used to make beautiful clothing?
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posted by Marsha
on June 7, 2010
at 00:00
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April NY American Sewing Expo Tour
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In April, Marla Kazell and I showed a group of 17 around the garment district of New York City. On this trip, we had the opportunity to visit a fabric wholesaler who sells gorgeous European fabrics. While we were there, a fabric feeding frenzy occurred.
We had a behind the scenes tour of Simplicity Patterns and the offices of burdasewing.com. The dutch designer, Koos van den Akker welcomed us to his workroom. We also visited his boutique on Madison Avenue to see the finished garments he creates.
We visited the workroom of Kenneth King. He showed us wonderful leather garments he has been creating. We took a "Behind the Emerald Curtain" tour of the Broadway smash "Wicked". The costumes are fabulous, some weighing 35 pounds.
The actors manage to dance and sing while wearing them, which isn't easy. It was a fascinating look at what it takes to make a Broadway musical happen. On our last night, we took a Spirit dinner cruise and had a lovely meal with a spectacular night time view of the Statue of Liberty. It was a party atmosphere that everyone enjoyed.
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posted by Marsha
on May 5, 2010
at 21:53
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Las Vegas IPCA Fashion Show
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Last week, I attended the International Textile Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was held at the Rio Hotel. As a part of the Independent Pattern Company Alliance (IPCA), I had five outfits in the fashion show that kicked off the expo. Here are three of them:
Fabric vendors supply fabric from their collections and we make the outfits. I always enjoy seeing my garments on the gorgeous Las Vegas models. No matter how much length I add to the pants, they always seem to be cropped pants on them.
At the show, IPCA has a booth and we sell our patterns to fabric stores across the country. This year, I was excited to pick up several brand new stores that are just opening. I'm glad to see that, instead of closing, some new stores are opening. While I'm at the show, I always take the opportunity to look for interesting fabrics that I can offer my customers. Keep checking our website for new offers in the near future.
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posted by Marsha
on March 21, 2010
at 15:40
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Chizimi Shrinking Thread
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I have been working on this garment for the Sewing & Stitchery Expo Pink/Red Fashion Show:
It is a Brief Escape jacket. I have used Chizimi Shrinking Thread to change the texture of the collar. I used matching thread in the machine and the shrinking thread in the bobbin. I stitched lines in a grid about 1/2" apart. The fabric needs to be large enough to shrink 30%. I then held the iron approximately 2" above the piece and steamed it. It's fun to see it shrink right before your eyes. I steamed it a second time to make sure all the shrinking had taken place. Once it cooled, I cut out my collar pieces and continued construction. This is a product you could use to do all sorts of interesting stitching for different effects.
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posted by Marsha
on February 21, 2010
at 07:21
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Sewing for Puyallup
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Right now, I'm sewing frantically for the Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo - four outfits for the IPCA fashion show, plus one for the Red and Pink fashion show. I've been in the planning stages for a while, but now it's time to get those ideas made up into some lovely garments. Each day, I tell myself I'll get this much done, but, at the end of the day, it just doesn't seem to happen. Tomorrow, I plan to tie myself to my sewing machine so I can get something completed. Wish me luck!
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posted by Marsha
on January 21, 2010
at 22:57
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RE: New Year Sewing Resolution
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Each year, I try to make some resolutions to improve my life. I already exercise regularly so I can chalk that off my list. This year, I've decided to start sewing from my stash of fabrics. Now, mind you, I don't have near the collection some of my friends have accumulated, but it is a respectable treasure trove of fabrics. Each piece reminds me of where I bought it, the city I was in and what made me decide to add it to the collection. They are like old friends or maybe fine wine since many have been aging for quite some time. Now, it's time to bring them out of their storage containers and into the light of day so I can decide what each piece will become. Isn't the planning part of the fun? I just love that part. Right now, if I sew from the stash exclusively, I probably will need to live to about 125 years old to get through it. How do you plan to handle your fabric stash?
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posted by Marsha
on January 6, 2010
at 14:21
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Merry Christmas to All
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This Christmas season, I have had the chance to sew some for my granddaughter, Sophie. She is 21 months old and has brought such joy into our lives. I made her this dress for a photo surprise for her parents.
The photographer would take the shot, then she would smile a huge smile. We just never seemed to get the smiles at the same time the photographer snapped the shot. I think we got some sweet photos, in spite.
We want to say thank you to all of our customers for your loyal support. Merry Christmas and our best wishes for a wonderful new year!
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posted by Marsha
on December 15, 2009
at 15:46
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Zippers in Fashion
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I've been seeing zippers used not only as closures, but as embellishment. In fashion magazines, many pockets have zipper closures, jackets zip with unusual zippers such as exposed metal or separating invisible zippers, and dresses have long back zippers that are exposed metal. I've seen them used as piping and coiled as trims. I made a black jacket with a rhinestone separating zipper up the center front. I took apart a second zipper and inserted half around the neckline like piping. It gave the appearance that the zipper could be zipped right around the neck and made an attractive finish.
Recently, I found these great necklaces and earrings made from zippers:
Long pieces of zipper tape are turned and twisted to create a flower. They are very light weight and comfortable to wear, but still make a bold fashion statement. The current trend in jewelry is large and chunky. These items fit the bill without being heavy. Check them out in silver and gold in our jewelry department. They are the perfect gifts for a sewing friend.
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posted by Marsha
on December 4, 2009
at 22:55
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Puyullup Sewing Expo Tour
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The fliers have been sent out to existing customers and the registrations are arriving daily. If you haven't been to the biggest sewing show in the USA, you owe it to yourself to participate. Sign up for our tour before all the spaces fill or plan to drive/fly on your own. If you are interested, check out the show at www.sewexpo.com or go to our tours page to print off the registration form.
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posted by Marsha
on October 28, 2009
at 13:53
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Puyallup Sewing Expo Tour
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Currently, I'm getting information together to send out the flyer for the Sew Many Options Tours Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo tour. The upcoming show will be February 25-28, 2010. Each year, we take a 56 passenger bus from Portland, Oregon to Puyallup, Washington (about a 2 1/2 hour drive). Participants have two full days for classes and shopping at the show. This is considered the largest sewing show in the US and it's an event no sewer wants to miss. Be watching for the flyer that should be on the site in the next week.
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posted by Marsha
on October 9, 2009
at 00:16
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