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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Getting ready for the NW Quilting Expo
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Boy, does the time fly. It's already time for the annual NW Quilting Expo in Portland, Oregon. The event is held at the Portland Expo Center located at 2060 N. Marine Drive in the city. This show grows each year so it's always fun to see what is new. As a teacher and vendor, I love the fact that since it's in my home town, my husband helps me set up and break down, and I get to sleep in my own bed each night. It may sound silly, but, when you travel lots, it's always great to be home and still get to work your business. If you live or have plans to be in the area September 24-26, you can find more information about the show here: www.nwquiltingexpo.com. I know there is still room in my classes so come join the fun!
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posted by Marsha
on September 20, 2009
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Leather Source
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While I was in Albuquerque teaching at the ASG conference, I taught a "Sewing with Leather & Suede" class. A student told me about a place in the area that sells leather at good prices so Monday, before we headed to the airport, Marla Kazell and I walked over to RL Cox Fur & Hide Company (708 First St NW, 505-242-4980). It's a warehouse with piles of hides and skins everywhere. Most of the suede was neatly folded in small piles, while other scrap leathers were found in bins. I was concerned about lines forming in the suede from being folded or laying in piles. When I mentioned this to the owner, she said, "Oh, just throw it in a warm dryer then lay it out and smooth it with your hands." When I received my order, I did just that and the suede folds came out very easily. I then carefully piled the skins, one on top of the other, and rolled them up.
Storing leather this way prevents folds and wrinkles. I tied the rolls with small lengths of fold-over elastic, which works great. Never store leather under plastic. Instead, cover it with a sheet or a piece of cotton fabric to keep it protected from dust. Do you have any other tips on storing leather or suede?
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posted by Marsha
on August 9, 2009
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ASG conference
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I'm back from teaching at the American Sewing Guild conference in Albuquerque, NM. All who attended seemed to have a wonderful time. I taught four classes: Close It Up, Fun with Leather and Suede, Travel Accessories, and Planning a Travel Wardrobe. I had large groups in all of my classes. I received lots of positive feedback, which always feels good. On Friday night, I modeled in the fashion show. The audience members were surprised at all the ways the Vest-S-Cape can be worn and I sold out of the Sew Accessorized pattern the next day. I don't enjoy modeling so I must admit my main goal was to not fall off the stage and become fashion road kill!
I am including a picture of Marty Meyer in the gorgeous leather outfit she made for the annual ASG contest.
She won the best use of fabric. She took my leather class, but it certainly doesn't look like she needed it. Congratulations, Marty!
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posted by Marsha
on July 27, 2009
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FIT and Valentina exhibits
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Each time I take a group to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York City, I wish I could be lucky enough to be a student at this prestigious school. One of the costume collection curators takes us to a room, where we all sit around a large, muslin-covered table. One by one, she pulls gorgeous creations off a rack with designers like Chanel, Issey Miyake, Claire McCardell, Fortuny, Adrian and many others. She carefully shows us design details and the inside of each piece. It's fun to see how they were constructed.
After our presentation we go down to the Gallery to visit the current exhibit and see more beautiful garments. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to take pictures there. We then go to the book store, which has the best collection of fashion books I have ever seen. Walking through the campus we always find an exhibit of a senior student's work.
For this particular exhibit, each mannequin advertised a perfume the student had created.
On another day, we visited a special exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt Museum of Valentina's work.
She was a New York designer from the 30's to the 50's. Katherine Hepburn, Rosaline Russell and many Hollywood starlets wore her designs. Our guide shared many interesting details about her private and public life. It was a wonderful exhibit of her work.
If you are visiting New York this summer, FIT has an exhibit of Isabelle Toledo's work which should be outstanding.
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posted by Marsha
on June 29, 2009
at 22:48
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Visit to Koos van den Akker Workroom & Boutique
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Koos van den Akker is a Dutch designer who has been working in New York for years creating beautiful pieced garments. He uses whatever fabrics catch his eye - expensive, inexpensive or fabric cut from a garment he purchased because he loves its colors. His talent lays in how he pieces it all together, sometimes slicing the fabrics to show a layer below or layering two sheer fabrics together to create a new fabric.
Each time we visit Koos, he and his talented crew are working on new and inventive pieces. This visit, his assistant, Javier, showed us how they mount two sheer fabrics together using regular 4M spray adhesive. It works perfectly. After they are mounted together, other small pieces are sewn on top for a gorgeous effect.
In his boutique, on Madison Ave, a collection of his fabulous garments are there ready for consumers to purchase. He has beautiful swirling skirts, wrap tops, jackets and coats there for those lucky enough to purchase one of his one-of-a-kind designs.
You can visit his website at www.koosnewyork.com
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posted by Marsha
on June 11, 2009
at 06:50
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ASG New York Tour - May 16-22, 2009
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Well, I'm back from my second tour of New York City in two months. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it! Actually, it's my pleasure to share this fabulous city with like minded sewing enthusiasts. On this trip, we had 18 women, including a grandma, her daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, two sisters, two sets of mothers and daughters, and even one lucky husband. We had women from Canada, Australia and all over the US. I guess you could say it was an international family affair!
Here we are at Koos van den Akker's workroom. Spring had arrived in NYC and the weather was absolutely lovely. We visited museums, took a city tour, walked through Central Park, shopped for lots of fabrics, trims and buttons, and visited designer workrooms.
Next week, I will blog about our visits and post more photos.
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posted by Marsha
on May 31, 2009
at 13:06
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American Sewing Expo New York Tour
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I am back from the American Sewing Expo New York tour. We had 15 ladies from the USA and Canada who took the city by storm. Each time I take a group to this fantastic city, it's exciting for me to see their confidence build throughout the week on how to get around the garment district on their quest to find the perfect fabric.
The visit to Simplicity showed us all that goes into creating the patterns you buy at your local fabric store. This year, we visited Koos van den Akker, the Dutch designer who creates patterns for Vogue Fabrics and one of a kind garments. He and his staff are always so generous in sharing techniques they use to create their unique garments. We visited the Museum of the City of New York for a guided tour of the "Valentina" exhibit. She was an American designer to the stars in the 1930-40's. Her work was creative and unusual. The Cooper-Hewitt Museum had the exhibit "Fashioning Felt". It's amazing to all the ways felt can be used. One evening, we were fortunate enough to see the preview of the Dolly Parton musical "9 to 5" before it officially opened on Broadway. What a cute show! Our stop at M S Schmalberg to see how fabric flowers are created, surprised many as it is done the same way it was a hundred years ago. One of this year's highlights was a visit to designer Jillian Lewis of Project Runway fame. It was exciting to visit her workroom to see what she is working on for the next season and her creative process. She and her business partner Lewaa, couldn't have treated us better. There was plenty of shopping time in the garments district for fabrics and trimmings. Our dinner at the Tavern on the Green was the perfect finish to a fabulous week in New York. Start planning to join us in New York in April 2010. Dates and more information will be available in about a month.
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posted by Marsha
on May 8, 2009
at 21:50
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New Product - Magnetic Snap
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Hi, everyone! My name is Michelle and I am the webmaster for the SAF-T-POCKETS Patterns website. I am making this post to let you know we have a wonderful new product available for sale on the site: Magnetic Snap The strong magnetic seal of this closure makes it ideal for use on purses, tote bags and even garments. It comes in four different finishes - gold, silver, bronze or gun metal - so you'll be sure to find the perfect color for your project.
And, at only $1.50 each, you can stock up on all the colors for future projects!
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posted by Michelle
on April 16, 2009
at 22:54
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Puyallup Followup
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We just returned from the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA. We started out with snow on the first day of the show but it certainly didn't slow down the women who attended. It was great to meet so many of you in person and to see the great SAF-T-POCKETS garments you have created. I took pictures and will be adding new photos to the Gallery of some of the garments.
Our two new patterns were introduced at the show and, if sales are any indication, they were very well received. I modeled the Vest-S-Cape in the Go Red fashion show on Sunday morning. I modeled right after Jillian Lewis, from Project Runway fame. She's young, pretty, tiny and wore a beautiful evening gown from her collection. It was intimidating but I survived. The audience seemed to really like the Vest-S-Cape as they flocked back to our booth after the show.
At the end of the show, my two helpers and I dismantled the booth and drove back to Portland Sunday night. Now it's time to get reorganized and back to my daily schedule.
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posted by Marsha
on March 3, 2009
at 15:37
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Bernina Jacket
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I just completed a Wear With All Jacket to send for Bernina's traveling show. I made it using the instructions for the pieced version. Instead of using three different fabrics, I used the same fabric as the base and created the three sections using different embellishment techniques. One section had circles of fabric with satin stitch circles mixed in, another had organza circles with pieces of painted steam-a-steam scattered in, and the third had satin stitch lines. It was fun to do and I was pleased with the final product. The lining was stamped and stenciled with Jacquard paints.
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posted by Marsha
on January 18, 2009
at 22:51
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Happy New Year
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It's hard to believe, but the new year has arrived. I still have uncompleted projects from last year that need finishing touches and a few that never even got started. How about you?
This year my hope is to balance work, which I love, with family, which I love even more. Let's just say I want to take time to smell the roses.
From now until Feb 26, I will be busy preparing for the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA. If you haven't attended this show, you must put it on your list of things to do. We still have a few spots left on our bus tour that leaves from Portland and drives you the 2 1/2 hours to Puyallup for two days of shopping, classes and fun.
Right now I am finishing a Wear With All Jacket for Bernina, so it can travel to shows throughout the US, showing some of the wonderful things you can do on your Bernina sewing machine. I'll post a picture soon.
Happy New Year to all and my best wishes for a prosperous 2009.
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posted by Marsha
on January 1, 2009
at 09:57
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Christmas Day
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Our weather is still very snowy so this year our extended family stayed home with their respective families. Christmas Eve was spent with our youngest son at our home sharing a turkey dinner since he volunteered to work on Christmas so those with children could stay home.
On Christmas Day, we had an exciting ride of slipping and sliding to spend the day with our older son, his wife and their 9 month old, Sophie. It was wonderful to see her parents beam as she learned how to open packages. By next year, I have the feeling she will be a professional. We were thrilled to be there to share her first Christmas. Papa and Grandma brought her a rocking horse that she seemed to enjoy riding so I thought I'd share a picture.
Happy Holidays!
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posted by Marsha
on December 26, 2008
at 08:32
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