Vaune’s April Newsletter www.vaune.com [email protected] 805-529-5005 Where I’ll Be....... Winter seems to have lown by - it is hard to believe it is already April! I am soo sorry for the delay in sending out this newsletter - my schedule has been busier than I realized, with fun, travel and teaching, as well as deadlines! Even as I write this, I am on a plane, returning from New Orleans. I have just spent several days here, teaching for the New Orleans Guild and sightseeing. The ladies were delightful, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing New Orleans with Gayle Hanrath-Campbell as my guide. We went on a tour of Oak Alley (beautiful) and on Sunday, we spent the day in the French Quarter at New Orleans Fest. This was my irst trip to New Orleans, and I can’t wait to come back nad visit! A shout out to the Zia Sun Smockers in Albuquerque - we had lots of fun there, too! and The Sewing and Stitching Expo in Puyallup, WA, was wonderful, as usual. For those of you who are planning to come to the SAGA convention, it is in Anaheim, CA this year, my neck of the woods! It will be nice to go without having to worry about how much my suitcases weigh! Registration stars Monday, May 2, at 10 am Central time. It is always such a wonderful experience to be with women who enjoy stitching. I have some new books and a couple of bargains that I have found on some favorites. Hope to see you soon, and Happy Stitching! Vaune As always, just pop me an email if you want to place an order! June Santa Barbara, CA Stitching Serenity Anaheim, CA August 18-22, 2011 ASG Conference October 11-16, 2011 SAGA Convention Anaheim, CA New New Classic Yoke from Classic Couture for Children Size 2-6 Includes 3 collars (peter pan, scalloped, and square) and 2 sleeve options (gathered and puffed). Order yours today! $12 Sewing for Yourself! One thing that I hear over and over again, from all over the country, is that you want to sew smocked garments for yourself. Added to that, you do not want them to be baggy and shapeless, the ‘caftan’ look. One of my goals is to bring you resources to help you do just that! To start with, I am going to talk about FIT! Although it may seem like it, fit is NOT a 4 letter word. Yes, it takes some time, but if you end up with a garment that fits you well, it is worth it! The goal is to have a garment that ‘fits like a glove’. You usually do not find that with ready to wear, and you probably won’t find that with patterns either. Even I have to alter my Classic Couture patterns to fit me! When patterns are created, they are made to a size 8 and then are graded (sized) up and down from the basic size 8. If you have ever watched ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ on TLC, you may have noticed that when someone orders a dress in an extra small (size 2 or 0) or extra large (18+) sixe that there is an extra charge. While that may seem to make sense for the larger sizes (you are using more fabric), it may seem a bit odd to have to pay extra for LESS fabric. This is because when the size difference from the basic size 8 goes beyond a certain point, the pattern has to be be redrafted, thus the extra charge. Each designer has a set of basic measurements and their own formula of ease that is used to create a pattern. We all have our own personal measurements, and whether we like them or not, they are what they are. Instead of fighting them, work with them! Learn them and alter your patterns to make them fit your body. It is more work in the beginning, but the result is well worth it. You should choose your pattern size based on your bust measurement and then alter accordingly. Shoulder, neck t waist, arm length, crotch and pant length are the starting points! Here are 2 books that offer a world of information! The Alteration book is an investment - it is a text book and is not discounted much on amazon. I will not be carrying this book all of the time (I can not get it consistently), but will have some in stock for this newsletter. Reg. $103 $95 Fitting and Pattern Alteration This book gives step by step directions with easy to follow illustrations to alter patterns for various adjustments. With 496 pages, this covers how to correct fit for over 100 different figure variations. it will become your alteration bible! Reg. $35 Special $31 One of the best sewing books that I have seen, the Threads Sewing Guide is a wonderful reference book from notions, patterns and fabric through sewing and serging to embellishment and repair. You will love it! The Library Shelf Deal of the Month! All About Cotton Reg. $60 Sale $35 All About Wool All About Silk Reg. $65 Sale $35 Reg. $55 Sale $35 Special!!! Complete Set $100*** first come, first serve *** One of my sources is clearing these out, which is why I am able to offer these at such a wonderful price. Once this batch is gone, they will revert back to the original price. This book is used as a text book in college textile classes even on Amaxon, there is not much of a discount, so if you have thought about adding these to your library, now is the time. New from Wendy Scheon! Mastering Shadow Work Embroidery One look and you will be hooked! Wendy shares her shadow work techniques, along with projects to practice your skills! Reg. $30, Special $ 25 AS&E #94 does not disappoint. Smocking and embroidery projects for your favorite little girl! One of the best issues they have had! Besides the gorgeous dress on the cover with the scalloped yoke, there is a jumper, a pretty bishop dress, a sundress, an adorable romper, a special occasion dress and a button down the front yoke dress. $18 Tip: When storing your stash (and don’t we all have one?!), fold each length size (1 yd, 1 1/2 yd, 2 yd) in a different configuration. That way, when they are stored, all you have to do is look at how they are folded and you will know the yardage! Tip: Tired of having the wires pull out of the needle threaders? Just put a drop of super glue over the wires - this will strengthen the join where the wires are inserted into the aluminum so they won’t pull out as easily! Here is a chance to put a bit of smocking to your busy life! Add a smocked insert to the front of a lunch bag or one of the other projects to make a one of a kind tote! 25 different sacks and wraps (there is even a crocheted apple wrap to keep your apple from getting bruised). See below for helpful notions for making bags! $16 Soft and Stable stabilizes the sides of your soft bags so they will stand Shape ‘n Create is a stabilizer that you put in the bottom of your tote or bag up! $12 18”x58” $6.75 Create a Strap is interfacing that helps you make straps quick as a wink! $6.75 Soft and Stable and Shape and Create is available in White or Black Dovo Scissors New from DOVO - a 4 1/2 inch silver Art Deco scissor with an Art Deco sheath. A wonderful addition to your scissor collection! Reg. $70, Special $63.00 Just Released on April 12! For those of you familiar with Cindy Foose, her daughter, Martha, has just released her 2nd cookbook, A Southerly Course. Filled with delicious recipes and wonderful stories (she gets the wonderful gift of story-telling from her mother!) Her first book, Screen Doors and Sweet Tea, won the James Beard Award dfor American cookbooks..........will this one follow in the same footsteps? Available on Amazon.com 6 inch Art Nouveau shear is also new from DOVO Reg $70 Special $63 The last new item from DOVO is the 4 piece set. It includes the 4 inch embroi- dery scissor and the 5 in and 6 in shears in a red leather flap case. Reg $225 Special $200 DOVO scissors are handcrafted in Germany. Each pair is made with a pair of blades (not massed produced right blades and left blades that are put together) that is balanced. 90% of their scissors are hot forged for a stronger result. Once you use them, you will understand! Sam / Samantha One of my new class proposals, Made with fine Dimity, it has tiny pintucks and embroidery on the bodice. Tatting edges the linen collar and cuffs. Also includes puff sleeve and peter pan collar. Next newsletter I will include information on all of my new classes. If you have a request fir a specific project or something you would like to see, let me know! Oak Alley Plantation If you are in Southern California or want to take a visit to Santa Barbara, our smocking guild, ‘Berry Good Smockers, is hosting a sewing weekend in Santa Barbara. Cost is $175 for the weekend, which includes sleeping accommodations on Friday and Saturday night, 3 meals on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. We have a wonderful room to work in with lots of light! You can work to your own schedule, whether you are an early bird or a night owl - the room is available 24/7. It is truly a delight to spend time with women who love sewing and needle work. If you want information, just send me an email - [email protected] An incredible view, beautiful flowers and wonderful history. If my kids were little, the first thing they would say would be that they had good climbing trees! Bourbon Street, here I come................. Well, I was a tourist, right?! Gayle was a perfect guide and The French Quarter Fest was wonderful. I can’t wait to visit again! Marfy Patterns ***Not for the faint at heart!*** I don’t know if you are familiar with Marfy patterns...........they are patterns from Italy. High fashion, unique and incredible designs! If you go to http://voguepatterns. mccall.com/about-marfy-pages-1022.php (sorry - pdf, so you can’t click) you can see the patterns. They are NOT multi-sized, they are already cut out and do NOT have directions or seam allowances. Day 2 with the Greater New Orleans Smocking Guild - they were the definition of Southern Hospitality! Delightful! As we head into Easter, I hope you have a safe and joyful holiday - may you share it with friends and family! Keep those creative juices flowing, and try to do a little bit of sewing or stitching everyday - it will keep you sane! If you are interested, email me and i will give you the contact information for Nancy, who orders directly from Marfy (it is easier and cheaper to go through her rather than Vogue). she has 4 ‘postage amnesty’ days per year. If you do not have to have the pattern right away, she sends in the orders all together, so everyone saves on postage (postage ended up being about $2 per pattern doing it this way - different patterns had different prices, but in general, it was about $22 per pattern, including conversion rate and shipping). I hope to see many of you in the near future! P.S. - I will NOT be in Arlington this year. I am so sad - first time I will miss in about 9 years. Martha’s show is late this year and conflicts with our Santa Barbara weekend, which is always the last weekend in June. Happy Stitching! Vaune
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