Hands-on for 154? Yikes!

Tomorrow is a big day! My Stitching Sister, Marie Zinno, and I will teach 154 embroiderers at Jackman's Fabrics in St. Louis, Missouri. This will be the largest hands-on sewing class we've attempted. To get ready for the big event, we warmed up by teaching 85 embroiderers in Fairview Heights, Jackman's Illinois location this week. What a wonderful store, fabulous customers and staff. We did 10 projects in two days, every one flawless! Many of the attendees exclaimed, "When are you coming back to Jackman's? I want to do this again!"

So what's it's like to get ready for 154 embroiderers? Well, it's planning, shopping, cutting, and counting. Counting? Yep. Counting sheets of stabilizer, ribbons, silk flowers, flannel, batting, Magna-Quilters, Magna-Hoops, scissors, glue sticks, magnets, Angle Finders, hoop stands, etc. The list goes on and on but the counting is key. Our goal is to have every embroiderer succeed in our classroom. And I know from experience, if she doesn't have the right tools, she will struggle. So we count and recount until we're sure we have enough tools and supplies.

We are looking forward to teaching this group new techniques, shortcuts and tips that will enhance their embroidery experience. Marie and I are passionate about machine embroidery and love sharing our knowledge. And we learn so much from the students. They bring (and wear) gorgeous embroidery to show, to tell and to share. They make new friends who also love to embroider, they laugh with one another and they laugh with us. It's a fun two days, join us some time. Click here to see our schedule for 2010.

Video Debut

On October 24th, 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!