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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Working on new pockets
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I have been working on some new pocket ideas for a class I am teaching at the ASG national conference. It's always fun coming up with new concepts and ideas. Right now, I find there are some very cool pockets in ready to wear. They give me inspiration then I like to add my own twist to create something different. Where do you get your inspiration?
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posted by Marsha
on July 7, 2007
at 09:27
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Deciding on new designs
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Right now I'm in the process of deciding what will be the next pattern. I have a great jacket idea that has been brewing and I've done a 1/4 scale pattern on it. It's a little more fitted jacket with bands down the front and a band that runs under the bust (empire)and around to the back waist. Below the band the lower jacket falls from no ease at the band to a bit of a flounce. I think it would look good on many figure types and pockets could hang inside from the band. You know it must have pockets!!
I am also thinking of a blouse pattern with some interesting pocketing ideas and a more fitted pants (shaped waist and back zipper) with assorted pocket options.
If you have any ideas or suggestions along these lines, I would certainly like to hear your feedback. You always have such good ideas and you know what you want.
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posted by Marsha
on June 30, 2007
at 07:36
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RE: Mixing business and family
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Right now I'm so busy getting ready to go teach at the national American Sewing Guild conference in Sacramento, CA July 26-30. I have some new classes that need samples which always take lots of time.
This weekend I decided to put work on the back burner as we had a family house warming for my son and his wife at their new home. Family came from out of town and we all gathering in their beautiful backyard for a barbecue.
There was lots of laughter, eating, wild games of croquet and a few men running into the house to watch Oregon State win a game in the national baseball championship. Then I had a house full of company for the night.
Today I just lounged around to build up energy for the next week.
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posted by Marsha
on June 24, 2007
at 21:42
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Martha Pullen's Show in Arlington, TX
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Last weekend was spent in Dallas, Tx at the Martha Pullen Show. We met many new people and enjoyed participating in the fashion show. I taught classes while Sharon worked in the booth. I appreciate all the kind words I received from those that attended my classes. People are so polite in Texas it was a pleasure to be there. I ran out of some products so I guess that's a sign it was a good show.
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posted by Marsha
on June 20, 2007
at 19:29
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Back to Work
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I'm back from Spokane. What a pretty area and a great group of ladies! I had never been there before and totally enjoyed the weekend. I taught a day class for the American Sewing Guild in the hopes that a new chapter would form in the area. Enough ladies joined to start a chapter and they are very enthusiastic about all they can accomplish as a group. It was exciting for me to see new friendships being made as they talked, and to be a small part of the experience. The following morning, I taught a class on planning and packing a travel wardrobe and, after lunch, I talked about creating surface designs and texture on fabrics, and making accessories. A bonus for me was my cousin attended the class, joined ASG and invited me to have dinner we her. Now back to filling orders that came in over the weekend.
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posted by Marsha
on June 4, 2007
at 08:17
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Paul Poiret Exhibit in New York City
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This was one of the best exhibits I've ever seen at the Costume Collection at the Metropolitan Museum. They had elaborately painted sets plus two computer generated exhibits that were fascinating. Since most of his designs start with a rectangle of fabric, one computer exhibit showed a flat piece of fabric and how it folded to create one of his design. I stood and watched it over and over again and was relieved when I heard the tour guide say she watches it repeatedly when she's in the area, too.
Tomorrow I head to Spokane to teach a weekend class for the American Sewing Guild. It's always a pleasure meeting fellow sewing enthusiasts in a new area.
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posted by Marsha
on June 1, 2007
at 00:16
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New York followup
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My intention was to blog each day in New York, but, as you can see, that didn't happen. The days and evenings were filled with activities and, by the time I returned to the hotel each night, I just jumped into bed.
Everyone on the tour seemed to have a wonderful time exploring all the stores located in the garment district from about W 35th Avenue to W 40th Avenue between 6th & 8th Streets. One thing people new to the area don't realize is many of the best stores are located on the upper floors of the buildings and not at street level. It's the one area that I will take flyers being passed out on the streets as that is how I found some of my now favorite stores and some great sample sales. Most of the fabric is on rolls rather than bolts. Sometimes this makes looking a little more challenging, but you soon learn to pull out the rolls for a better look. The stores are more like warehouses, but isn't the dig part of the fun?
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posted by Marsha
on May 26, 2007
at 09:14
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New York Fabric Shopping
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Today was our first day in New York. We started the day with a city tour that included stops at Ground Zero and Orchard Street with a visit to Mendal Goldberg Fabrics. There, we saw beautiful wool boucles ready for Chanel style suits, gorgeous cottons and silks. As the owner explained, it is like the Tiffany's of fabric stores. Many purchased treasures to add to their collections. We saw Wall Street, Chinatown, Little Italy then headed uptown to Central Park. It was a beautiful day with many New Yorkers enjoying the day in the park. We were conveniently dropped off in the heart of the garment district and made a visit to one of my new favorite stores, Metro Textiles. They have designer overstocks and also swatch and ship. The packages piled up and many had them shipped directly home. Next, we visited the now famous Mood Fabrics of Project Runway fame. The place is huge and it was fun seeing all the students with the design boards swatching fabrics for the garments they had illustrated. Next it was B&J Fabrics for more fabulous fabrics. By that point, all were starting to go on overload, so we walked back to our hotel with just a few more stops at button stores. More to come tomorrow!
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posted by Marsha
on May 7, 2007
at 20:28
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New York Here We Come
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The last few days have been spent packing, double checking appointments and generally getting everything ready for our 6-day tour to New York City. There will be 13 of us, which is a nice sized group for moving throughout the city. Those of us flying from Portland are taking a red-eye flight this evening and will arrive bright and early Sunday morning. Our rooms won't be ready, but we will be able to leave our luggage at the hotel and head straight to a huge accessories show at the Javits Center. Sunday evening, we will all meet in the hotel restaurant for a get-to-know-each-other dinner, so we will be ready on Monday morning for our city tour. I alway like to do this the first day so everyone starts to see how the city is laid out.
Well, back to the packing! I'll try to post while in New York.
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posted by Marsha
on May 5, 2007
at 07:33
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Recipes from Spring Sew Inn
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This week has been busy catching up on what didn't get done last week. Here are two of the recipes that many of the Sew Inn attendees requested. Enjoy!
Sharon's Brunch Bake
| 3 cups | | cubed cooked ham | | 1/2 lb | | grated cheese | | 3 cups | | cubed French bread (dried) | | 3 tbsp | | melted butter | | 3 tbsp | | flour | | 1 tsp | | dry mustard | | 6 | | eggs | | 3 cups | | milk |
Place bread, ham and cheese into a greased 9x13" pan. Drizzle with melted butter. Combine flour and mustard, and sprinkle on top. Beat eggs with milk and pour over mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350F for 1 hour. Serves 8.
Marsha's Cream Cheese Pie
Crust:
| 1 cup | | flour | | 1/4 cup | | brown sugar | | 1/2 cup | | chopped hazelnuts or almonds | | 1/2 cup | | butter |
Place all ingredients in pie pan and place in oven at 425F degrees. Stir every 5 minutes for 15 minutes and then press into pie pan. Let cool.
Filling:
| 8 oz | | cream cheese | | 2 cups | | Cool Whip (defrosted) | | 1 tsp | | vanilla | | 1/2 cup | | powdered sugar |
Beat cream cheese, then fold in remaining ingredients. Spread into cooled pie crust and chill for 1 hour. Top with cherry or blueberry pie filling. Chill in refrigerator.
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posted by Marsha
on April 28, 2007
at 13:46
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Spring Sew Inn Followup
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I just returned from our Spring Sew Inn. This time we had an exceptionally great group of women who sewed, shared about themselves and made some terrific SAF-T-POCKETS garments. Three women made the Shell Seeker this time and it was fun to see just how different each one looked. We had one women who came with her friend just for a girl's getaway and had not sewed for years. She went home with a completed garment. It was fun to see her excitement build as she accomplished different parts of the garment.
My friend Sharon Schwabauer prepared wonderful meals for the group and everyone seemed to enjoy the food and meal conversations. The weather for two days was absolutely gorgeous so I was impressed at how they stuck with their projects and waited until after dinner to walk on the beach.
Many new friendships were formed along with some lovely garments over the weekend. I will try to get some pictures posted on the blog along with a couple of requested recipes we had at the retreat.
Don't forget we have another Sew Inn coming in October. Come and join the fun!
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posted by Marsha
on April 23, 2007
at 08:57
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SAF-T-POCKETS Spring Sew Inn
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Our Spring Sew Inn starts tomorrow. We have ladies coming from 4 different states and it will be a great time. Today I'm finishing up the final food details with some last minute shopping. Many people are watching their diets but I've found that when they are at retreats they like to eat well and enjoy the whole experience. My feeling is to have it all available and they can pick and choose what what they nibble.
The hardest part of putting on the Sew Inns is packing the vehicles with all the needed supplies without leaving anything behind. The trusty list is an invaluable tool. Now back to packing.
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posted by Marsha
on April 18, 2007
at 09:05
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