What fun!  150 embroiderers under one roof in St. Louis, Mo. Everyone braved the cold - 10 degrees in the morning! - to get an early start on the day.  Some came with friends and sisters, many made new friends. They stitched, they edited designs on the Baby Lock machines; fell in love with the NeedleCam™ Digital Camera on the Baby Lock Ellisimo; and hooped with regular hoops, Magna-Hoop and Magna-Quilter.  They learned what hoop works best for what task.  They stitched on satin, silk flowers, grosgrain, fur, terrycloth, knits, quilt sandwiches, flannel and cottons.

They used a variety of embroidery tools - target rulers, centering rulers, placement templates, glue sticks, Angle Finders and target stickers. Each team (27 of them) completed 12 projects over the two days. We talked about stabilizers, designing fashion embroidery and large scale embroidery compositions, thread coverage and proper hooping technique. We talked about navigating in the hoop - at the beginning of the design and during a mishap. We showed over a hundred sewn samples of embroidery.  Marie and I fielded questions on everything from 'how do I hoop a onesie' to 'how do I start an embroidery business'.

Everyone was immersed in embroidery - talking about it, looking at it, wearing it and stitching it. But it wasn't all work - there were some great meals provided by Jackmans - especially the chocolate fountain, their signature dish!  And no chocolate disasters - a few brown, shiny mustaches (so much more in vogue than the old milk mustache!) but no chocolate smears on fabrics.

Join me for my next event in Madison, Tennessee, just a stone's throw from the Grand Ole Opry.  Visit www.sallychaney.com for more information or call the store directly at 615-859-0038.  I know many of you have full-time commitments during the week so I scheduled two one-day workshops on a weekend to accommodate your busy schedule.  See you in Tennessee on Saturday, Feb. 20 or Sunday Feb. 21!  

2010 - a new year, a new decade.  I vowed to kick it off in a new manner because I love to do, well ... new stuff!  So this year, my sweetheart, Pete, and I accepted an invitation to join his siblings and their families in Northern Wisconsin for the New Year's weekend.  Since my first inclination when packing a bag is to grab a bathing suit and head somewhere warm, this would be different.  And was it!  When we landed in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the temp was 3 degrees and diving. Bundled in layers, we headed north to a lovely cabin on Yellow Lake. Greeted by hugs and kisses from the whole family, we were off to a great start.  Here's a pic of Pete and his sisters, Jody, Amy, Kathy and Tracy. 

The next day, the temp was no higher - single digits but sunny.  "Perfect for ice fishing!" the hardy Northerners said.  Ice fishing? Are you kidding me?  They don't sell fish in the grocery store here?  lright, alright, I'll give it a go. Always slightly concerned about what I'll wear, I learned fashion takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to ice fishing. Function is way more important than style. Because if you're not warm, it's not fun. As you can see from the bundled crew (Tracy, Gary, Amy and Steve) - warmth is everything. Once garbed appropriately, it's fun to get out on the ice, stand around, drink beer (which I don't do but I am good at watching others do that) and cut holes in the ice with an auger. 

In case you wondered what happens once you get the auger through the ice, I can tell you.  The auger quickly pulls you down to the open water below!  I think that's why the handle of the auger of wider than the hole.  Thank heavens for that. Of course, once the hole is cut, you can catch fish!  Here's Cory with a whopper! 

It's silly, I'm a middle-aged woman (geesh, did I just write 'middle-aged?) and still excited about walking and DRIVING on a frozen lake. Ok, we didn't drive our rental car on the lake but I did have my first snow mobile ride.  What a blast!  We did more of the same the next day but this time Pete took me for a ride on the snow mobile on one of Wisconsin's lovely trails (they are meticuliously groomed).  It was very romantic and made us feel like we were 16 again - well kinda - we had layers of clothes on and helmets that hinder any kind of communication so there's no murmuring of sweet nothings to each other.  But still, it's romantic.  I think Pete felt the same way (the being 16 again part) because he peeled off the trail onto a virgin pond and sped across the white surface topping out at 75 mph. Once I saw that uncharted territory I knew he wouldn't be able to resist.  And then when he spun around to go back to the trail, I saw there were two options - one a smooth, roundabout path to the trail and another - a steep short climb up to the trail. I knew we were headed for the steep climb so I held on then let go at just the right time when he rolled the snow mobile. Neither one of us hurt, a couple of rolled eyes and a heavily-gloved jab to his abdomen, we righted the snow mobile.  And then engine cut off. He confessed that "he never really watched how his brother-in-law Gary Johnson started the thing.  Oh cripe.  It's 20 below and we're 8 miles from the house.  So we gave it the old college try and after 7 or 8 attempts it started to purr.  Off we sped.  And sped. And sped. Until, a nice gentleman on a black snowmobile with blue and red blinking lights pulled up alongside us.  I spotted the star on his jacket and could read 'Sheriff' even while moving 50 miles an hour.  Since Pete's helmet limited his visibility, he just waved at him.  And then waved again. Finally, (after what seemed like an eternity) he slowed down and stopped.

Well, turns out you need a current registration sticker posted on the snow mobile. We didn't know anything about the sticker, the registration, the rule. We gasped, "We're from Texas." Like that would give us a pass or something. But the sheriff was persistent.  Asked Pete for identification (which he had, thank heavens) and started to write a ticket.  Midstream, the sheriff paused and said, "Maybe it's in a compartment."  We searched every nook and cranny.  Found a baggie with LOTS of registrations.  The sheriff handed each one back, "No not 2006, no not 2007, no not 2008."

Ugh!  Had Gary changed his ways - legal for years then just disregarded all requirements?  How much are those things anyway? Can we buy one right now from you, Mr Sheriff?  Geesh, could you hurry up?  It's freezing out here!  And then finally, a piece of paper printed on Dec. 30, 2009 and good for 14 days until the stickers are mailed!  It was our get-out-of-jail- free card!  Yippee!  We were free to go.  We got a harsh warning about looking behind us (really, I don't know how you do that in all those clothes and a 10 lb. helmet while motoring along at 50 mph.), posting the registration sticker and obeying all traffic laws. We took him seriously though, after all, he's just doing his job and obviously loving it.  He gets paid to ride the trails!  Those Wisconsinites - hardy people of good stock!  There are the kind of people you want with you in a fox hole.

On October 24^th, I was on the road with my sister, Marie Zinno leading a Stitching Sisters event in Springfield, MO at BSew Inn.  Back at the ranch (the office of Designs in Dallas), my assistant (okay the woman who makes many things happen here at Designs) was taping a video about my new Stipple! Collection, Ho Ho Holiday.  She did this entirely on her own. Set up the tripod, pushed record and then flawlessly stepped in front of the camera and let loose with perfect diction and a thorough understanding of the Stipple! process (she doesn't even embroider).

She managed to commandeer a technical professional, Roy Garland, to edit her masterpiece.  And then showed the final cut to me - via YouTube.  I was blown away. I had no idea she was capable of producing a video with such enthusiasm.  Or that she even had the desire to do it.  She's watched me on camera countless times - and I imagine bored beyond tears - in her editing responsibilities. But to have the gumption and guts to do it on her own, well, I couldn't be more impressed.

And I'm enjoying watching the views climb daily - today, her video is over the 4000 mark!  That's awesome - and it's her first!  Check it out by clicking on the video above. Denise has been here at Designs for over 8 years and has mastered many skills - but I never would have predicted this one!  Good for her - and great for Designs to have her.

So this week when I'm in Tampa at another Stitching Sisters event, I wonder what she'll do.  Maybe I should put a padlock on the sewing studio...or maybe, I should put a trail of M&Ms leading into the sewing studio.  And then she'll start to embroider!  And I can stay in Florida for a few extra days of sun and fun.  Nah, I guess I'll be back in the saddle on Monday!

Marie and I, The Stitching Sisters, are mid-way through our six-city tour.  Last week, we spent Friday and Saturday with our host, Montavilla Sew & Vac in Portland, OR.  The event was held in the spacious classroom of Fabric Depot (a worthy destination for all sewers). It took a team effort to set up 28 top-of-the-line Baby Lock Ellisimos but we were ready for our 128 guests on Friday morning.  The staff at Montavilla was a dream team, each member greeted their guests and escorted them to their assigned seats.  They made an effort to treat each embroiderer like a guest in their home. 

And the fun we had!  Christy and Brett Moore (pictured here) lead the audience in the Baby Lock cheer - Baby Lock, for the love! (Ok, you had to be there to understand but it sure built team spirit.)   After we taught how to probably hoop and verify placement with some of the Ellisimo's unique features such as the camera, the whole room was cheering Baby Lock, for the love!  Oh it was fun and educational.  Marie and I worked hard and throughout the day our Jersey Girl attitudes came out of the closet!  Hey, you can't control 112 embroiderers in a meek and mild manner.  But everyone stayed on track and we finished six hands-on projects on day one and six more on day two.  Here's a glimpse at some wonderful people we had the honor of teaching.

If you bought a machine, you were crowned with a feather boa and your team-mates were awarded a free collection of Kriswell embroidery designs.  The whole Montavilla team got in the mood - sporting boas and crowns when one of their team members purchased a machine. 

The Stitching Sisters are embarking on a 6-city tour to teach over 400 embroiderers in 2-day, hands-on seminars.  We start in Longview, WA on Sept. 18, 2009 and end on Nov. 14, 2009 in Tampa, Fla - with four stops in between.  We are pumped!  We've been planning this and working on the details for months now and just can't wait to get on the road and meet other Stitching Sisters.

These events couldn't happen without the generous support of some the nation's most successful sewing machine dealers. The Stitching Sisters handle all the kits and tools but the dealers supply the classroom, machines and oh yes - the food!  The dealers also provide talented staff members to assist during the two-day event.  And believe me, do we need them - 25 machines, 100 students in a classroom is quite an event!  We haven't had a mishap yet because the Baby Lock and Brother machines are so user-friendly and extremely dependable. The editing features are a delight to show students - everyone goes home with a new-found respect for what these machines can do.  And many go home not only with that new-found respect but also a new machine!  There are great deals to be made at these events.  It's also the only time you can buy Designs' product at a discount.  So if you've been yearning to purchase some of Designs' tools or hoops, this would be the time and place to do it. 

Marie and I hope to see you this Fall.  The Stitching Sisters Embroidery Bash is a great girls-get-away, so grab a friend or come by yourself. Join us for two days of embroidery education, new friends, new techniques and great food! Just bring yourself - no machines or class supplies to cart.  We'll have everything ready for you.  Here's the schedule:

SOLD OUT

Sept. 18-19, 2009 

Longview Sew & Vac

Longview, WA

               360-578-2628        

Oct. 16-17, 2009

SOLD OUT

Montavilla Sewing & Vacuum

Portland, OR

               503-254-7317        

Oct. 25-25, 2009

B Sew Inn

Springfield, MO

               866-961-8209        

 http://www.bsewinn.com/product.php?productid=2827&cat=142&page=1

Oct. 28-29, 2009

B Sew Inn  http://www.bsewinn.com/product.php?productid=2828&cat=142&page=1

Oklahoma City, OK

877-415-702

Nov.  6-7, 2009

Rocky Mountain Sew & Vac

Littleton, CO

               303-979-2334        

Nov. 13-14, 2009

SOLD OUT

Keep Me In Stitches

Tampa, FL

               813-908-2334        

September 11, 2009

I get tons of questions about embroidery - hooping, stabilizer, placement and the like. I understand that many embroiderers still struggle with the basic elements of embroidery. The embroidery machine manufacturers offer us wonderful new features with every new machine. But we're still challenged on landing an embroidery design exactly where we want it on the fabric.

I've learned the key to success in any embroidery project is planning. Planning on where to place the design, select the proper stabilizer and find the correct hoop for the job. I've also learned that planning is whole lot easier when you have the right tools. The first tool I start with is a printed template of the embroidery design. I print on vellum - available in the scrap book section of most craft stores - because it's sturdy and translucent. If you've never created a template, you'll be amazed how easy it is to do and how valuable they are.

Insert a sheet of vellum into your printer. Open your embroidery design in embroidery software (any embroidery editing software will work). Go to File, Print and click OK. A printed image of your design will appear on the vellum. Most likely the image will have a cross hair to designate the center of the design. Now, place the template on the fabric in the intended spot. If you need to center the design on a pocket or cuff, use a centering ruler (three sizes are found in the Embroidery Tool Kit).

Just position the template on the zero mark of the ruler. Remove the ruler then slide a target sticker (found in Designs' Embroidery Tool Kit) under the template, aligning the crosshair. Now remove the template. Your center point is marked and you won't have to deal with the cumbersome vellum template during the hooping process.



 

Time to select the hoop - pick the smallest hoop available for the design. If using a spray adhesive, protect your hoop with Hoop Guards (found in the Embroidery Tool Kit). You'll never have to clean a sticky hoop again.

To make sure you're hooped straight, there are a number of tools to aid in that task. First, adhere Adhesive Centering Rulers to the hoop (these highly visible marks make alignment a breeze).




 

Another handy tool is Target Rulers - large crosshairs (comes in two sizes) with a hole in the center for the target sticker. Place the Target Ruler over the target sticker. Make sure the Target Ruler is parallel and perpendicular to the edges of the hoop. If so, you're ready to press go.



 

If not, use the Angle Finder to determine how many degrees you must rotate the design (on the machine's editing screen) to land the design exactly how you planned.

The right tools make your planning process so smooth - you'll be stitching mistake-free right away! 

Click image below to watch a video demonstration! 

Want more information on the Embroidery Tool Kit?  Click here for more information.

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Have you read the interviews of the Texas Sew Down speakers in the latest issue of Designs (March/April 2009)?  I had so much fun reading the answers. You know, writing the questions was a pretty easy endeavor.  I wrote a first draft and then sent those questions to my partner in crime, Denise Holguin.  She cleaned them up and off we sent them to the speakers - Nancy Zieman, Mary Mulari, Deborah Jones and my sister, Marie Zinno.  I didn't really give it much thought until the answers started to arrive.

One by one they came in and I savored every one!  I learned many things about each of these fine ladies and some of the comments made me laugh out loud while other responses brought tears to my eyes.

Let's look at Nancy first - she was quite brave revealing that under those gorgeous blond locks lies a headful of gray hair. And she's going to be a grandma!  Wow - that's a big milestone in her life.  Her favorite mid-afternoon snack - popcorn!  How upper Midwestern, don'tcha you know? Gotta keep those Wisconsin farmers in business.

The next time I have to clear a driveway, I'll call Mary Mulari and tell her to bring her Toro Power Max snowblower.  Apparently, she's a pro at handling this big tough machine and good thing because her hometown of Aurora, MN gets 52" of snow every year. In the middle of the afternoon, you'll find Mary munching on one of America's favorite snacks - chocolate chip cookies and milk.

Okay, truth be told, I am a huge Oprah fan.  And I have eaten lunch with Deborah Jones once a week for EIGHT years and never heard this story. I had to read her interview to learn she embroidered letterman-style jackets for guests on Oprah's show.  Now that's a really well-kept secret!  Her afternoon snack - a bowl of Cheerios.  Oh for heaven's sake Deborah, at least wash the Cheerios down with chocolate milk.  

Now I know Marie Zinno very well.  After all, we're sisters.  Although she often tells me she's proud of that she did happily reveal in the interview "she's the 'younger, more fun sister." I laughed when I read that and then wept when I read her answer to the next question, "Describe your perfect vacation day". She responded, "sitting on a beach on a tropical island holding my husband's hand." How sweet is that?  I was her maid of honor, 17 years ago (okay, MATRON of honor), and the Zinnos are still quietly, madly in love.  What she didn't say was that if it was in the afternoon, her other hand would be holding a Double Stuf Oreo®!

So let's see, if it snows on April 3-4, we'll be in good shape because Mary can clear the parking lot. If MY gray hair starts peeking through, I can have Nancy make it magically disappear so I look my best for the Texas Sew Down. And to make sure the event gets the coverage it deserves, I'll have Deborah Jones call Oprah and get us ALL on the Oprah show!  And if I am too exhausted to go on stage, I can always count on Marie to entertain the troops since she's the YOUNGER, MORE FUN SISTER!

I hope you'll join us in Grapevine, April 3-4, 'cause we are planning on having one heck of a good time! There's still time to make arrangements, just click here for more information http://www.dzgns.com/texsewdown.php or call the office at                888-739-0555        .

Normally, when I arrive at a sewing machine store to teach, I introduce myself and browse the samples and products so I can familiarize myself with the store's area of expertise and the customer's interests. Then I get busy unpacking and setting up my classroom.  Well, I had some trouble focusing on the task at hand when I walked - shall I say, submerged myself, into Quiltique in Henderson, NV.

Wow - I love this quilt shop - I was bowled over when I walked in.  Every where I looked I found inspiration. Their samples are amazing  - they hang on walls, drape over gorgeous wrought iron furniture, nestle in pretty containers, spill from armoires,  upholster regal chairs and more.  I can tell you that at every turn in this xx square foot paradise, you will be inspired.

A family-run Bernina dealership and world-class quilt store, Quiltique is just a stone's throw from the Las Vegas Strip and worth every mile (it's under 10).  For heaven's sake, I would take a cab here if I was attending a convention on the Strip. So long noisy casinos, hello piece (pun intended) and shelter in the desert!

Of course, the samples and the staff are just the beginning.  I really get to know a dealership when I meet my students - their customers.  I've always felt the attitude of the customers is a reflection on the treatment they are accustomed to receiving from their dealer.  And what a happy bunch of embroiderers I had over two days.  Many learned new techniques and discovered new tools to make their hobby more pleasant (and professional).  But most of all, we (me and 80 students) had a ton of laughs, recovered a disaster or two and finished 160 projects in two days.  Of course, none of that would have been possible without the gorgeous Quiltique setting, competent staff (thanks Lynne and Kay!) and Bernina 630 machines.  A recipe for success!

I'm just back from meeting 165 lovely embroiderers in Sarasota at Sew Worth It's Love of Sewing event.  Wow - talk about a successful event.  Sue Goldberg owner of Sew Worth It, really knows how to put on a first class event.  Attendees were treated to hands-on classes, lectures from Nancy Zieman and me, great food and the use of Baby Lock's top-of-the-line machines.  They went away with a wealth of knowledge for their favorite hobby and all were inspired to get home and get stitching! Wow - that was Sew Worth It.

I love meeting fellow embroiderers and am happy to go on the road to share my embroidery experience.  But truly, I'm a home-body (you wouldn't know it from my frequent-flier miles) so I'm really looking forward to hosting the Texas Sew Down in April in Grapevine, TX.  We're busy taking care of tons of details, right down to some Country Western music!  I just learned Nancy Zieman's son, Tom, is joining us.  This is a special year for Nancy and I as we are both preparing our youngest children to graduate high school this spring and launch them off to college in August.  My son, Ted, will also be on hand at the Texas Sew Down to well, lend us a hand!  Good to have two strong young men to help with this event because we're expecting lots of happy embroiderers to join us. 

We've been busy planning the presentations and recently made a call to our writers to send some of our readers' favorite garments from the pages of Designs for the fashion show.  If you've never attended one of my fashion shows, you might be surprised to learn how educational it is.  I share my embroidery expertise as I critique each garment and discuss stabilizers, placement, color and thread selection.  This 60-minute review will help you plan your own garments with confidence.

After a fine Texas-style meal, Nancy will take you behind the scenes of the Sewing with Nancy® television show. With over 25 years of television production under her belt, Nancy has some hysterical stories.  Imagine the funny stories you've collected in 25 years in your own life - add the pressure of television, guests' unknown talents (or lack of) and severe Wisconsin winters. That's definitely a recipe for a disaster or two!  Of course, all of this is presented by Nancy in her charming, down-to-earth, humble style.  And that's just Friday night!

My Stitching Sister, Marie Zinno, joined me for a 'glamorous' weekend here in the Big D.  We're working on our first joint book, Machine Embroidered Monograms for the Home.  And Saturday was our photo shoot. 

On Thursday, I picked Marie up at DFW - she flew in from her hometown of sunny Canton, OH - and headed to my house for our Show N Tell.  We dumped all her bags and mine in the living room and tried to make sense of the embroidered projects.  She had worked on the dining room and bath accessories in Ohio while I focused on bedding here in Dallas.  We loved what we saw but realized we still had some work to do.  So of course, we shopped!  We needed just the right color blue fabric, a multitude of napkins for a very cool photo layout, a dust ruffle, some Double Stuf® Oreos - oh maybe they weren't really a necessity but I had to find a way to keep Marie motivated!

Then we made a list that didn't seem very long at all until we started working on it.  We stitched all day Friday and into the evening and still, an early wake-up call on Saturday was needed. We headed to the studio Saturday morning -right on time, samples, props, embroidery machine (still a design or two to finish!), and threads all packed in the car.  My favorite photographer in the world - Steve Woods - generously helped us unload and the day began.  One thing nice about monogrammed accessories, there were no models involved so we didn't have a tight time table.  One thing horrible about monogrammed accessories, HOURS and I mean, HOURS, are spent pressing and steaming.  Then a click of the camera, an adjustment here and there, another click and then you 'rip the set.' Which means, all that pressing and steaming is now ruined! Talk about a glamorous weekend in the Big D.

But she's coming back for a truly glamorous weekend - this time in Grapevine, when we unveil the Machine Embroidered Monograms for the Home.  She'll be joining Nancy Zieman, Mary Mulari, Deborah Jones and I for the Texas Sew Down.  Oh my, are we excited - we have weekly meetings discussing menus, schedules, seminar content, menus, shipping details, travel plans, menus, audio-visual supplies and more menus!  Yes, we are going to teach our top techniques - embroidery, sewing and quilting - but we're making sure everyone gets a true taste of Texas!  Ya'll come down, now ya hear!