An Expo Experience

I shared here that I was going away for the weekend to spend with a dear friend and to attend the annual Sewing Expo near Seattle. What a weekend! It was filled with things to see, things to learn, things to buy and, best of all, time with a friend who is dear to my heart. Unfortunately, this year no photography was allowed - and it was strictly enforced. I'm not sure why but I suspect it was to protect copyright laws and to prevent vendors' ideas and projects from being copied and sold by some not-so-innocent photographers. As I walked through the rows and rows of vendor booths with wonderful and, at times, nearly magical things to see I felt so bad. I felt bad that I couldn't share them with you - bad that you couldn't see them. There were booths of buttons and laces and ribbons, booths of beyond-your-fondest-imagination needlework, booths of fabrics to delight your heart, booths of sewing machines of all kinds and tools to help you craft the finest possible creations.

I took several classes and there were many more I would have enjoyed. I learned a lot of wonderful tips and tricks and got answers to questions that needed an answer. The teachers were among the 'who's-who' of the sewing world. My favorite was taught by Nancy Zieman of 'Sewing With Nancy'. She is a great teacher and she has the best sense of humor. I loved it when she dropped something on the floor behind her podium. She laughed and said if she were taping her weekly television program she would have said "Cut", the camera would have stopped, she would have picked it up and they would have gone on. Instead, she had to lean down and pick it up while we all sat and watched. In the future I will definitely sign up for more of her classes. And there were others whose wit and knowledge made class time pass far too quickly. And I learned a lot from people around me. Some of the best tips and tricks were overheard while standing in line waiting to get into class. And quiet conversations over lunch with a stranger who asked to share the table with me were among the special moments.

What did I buy? Not as much I would liked to bring home! I gave myself a budget and I took cash to back up my budget. I bought several patterns and a book, some sewing 'tools' and gadgets and odds and ends of little things I couldn't leave behind. My wish list still has quite a few things on it and it didn't even include any big items. I didn't buy any fabric this year. I thought about it. Long and hard. And I decided there was nothing I couldn't live without. And I really need to finish some projects and use fabrics from my stash before I add more. I avoided the large, open areas where machines of all kinds were being demonstrated. I knew if I even watched them at work I would want one. I purposely didn't go near the dealer who handles my machine, the machine I haven't begun to really learn. I knew I would be told that my machine couldn't possibly do what the new ones can do and I didn't want to hear it! I wanted to come home and love my machine and take up the challenge to learn everything it could possibly do. The bottom line? I wanted to be contented with what I have!

The trip north was fantastic! The weather was perfect - a crystal clear day with blue skies, mountains standing majestically nearby and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest at its finest. And the best part of all was time with my sweet friend. Time in her home where I was warmly welcomed and cared for. Even her dear little dog was happy to see me. I can't wait to visit her again. And I'm looking forward to returning to Expo next year. Next time I'll have a wish list longer than my arm! Guess I'd better start saving my pennies and dimes now so I'll be ready.

Photos compliments of allposter.com