Behind the Scenes

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!