After several years of absence, the Sew Expo Atlanta was my first show after a long while. It was so great to meet up with friends whom I had not seen for some time as well as to acquaint with new ones.  Moreover, it was great to see Carolyn and Evanlee, and share good times again.

I think the Sew Expo 2010 will be the most memorable conference I ever attended. My samples and creations of the past twelve years, managed to drop off the back side of my truck, somewhere between the Gwinnet Conference Center and Satellite Boulevard. It didn’t help that by the time I realised anything was amiss, several hours had elapsed and with the rain and heavy traffic, there was no  hope of recovery. I was devastated for some while, but then pulled myself together and I hope to recreate better and elaborate samples in the coming years.  

There were several new samples that I had created for the show, but the show stopper was the Grace collection and the Battenburg I lace collection. I am glad that I did take some pictures of my favorite shirt using the designs but the t-shirt (of which I hadn’t taken pictures) is gone forever, until I re-create another.  The white linen shirt with the designs from Marrakesh stitched in white on the front and the hemline and sleeves, as well as the neckline trimmed with the battenburg lace was stunning.  I am a bit sad that I never got the chance to wear it even once.

The battenburg lace 1 is a wonderful collection of freestanding lace motifs which blend together to create edgings, insertions or lace panels.

Although there are only eight (8) designs in the first of the lace collection, each one is not only perfect in size and texture, but also allows the embroiderer the choice to create multiple different lace designs.  The other most important factor is that the laces do not have to be joined in the hoop, rather they are extremely easy to join in the sewing machine without the hint of the joint ever showing. In the same manner, they can be attached to wearables and home decor items, whether as edges or as insertions. As both the top and bottom sides of the lace are alike, they make excellent candidates for insertion laces.  The shirt shoulder, seen above in the close up is a prime example of my vision. My t-shirt was emellished in the same manner giving it a totally different look.  The floral medallion was used as an accent on the back side of the shirt, giving a discreet peek-a-boo effect, romantic and vintage all blend together.

The battenburg lace 1 was the most sought after designs, even by those who didn’t own an embroidery machine!  Years ago, when I had first created the battenburg lace collection, I always felt that there was some element missing and with the present collection, I’m proud to say that they fulfill the look and feel of the real tape lace.  I hope to upload the collection to my website in the next few days as time allows.

There were several interesting items that caught my attention at the Expo. I saw more quilts and wearable quilts than I have ever seen before…yes, there are some patterns that followed me home. Batiks were the fabric of choice and I indulged  there as well….despite my vow not to purchase any more fabric, until I finish the stash that I possess. All in all, the show was great and I was pleased to have attended it. Its memory will stay with me forever, and yes, I do intend to check the tail gate from now on.