August arrivals and a visit from designer RAE HOEKSTRA!!

Sewing Garments with MADE BY RAE!! Wednesday Aug. 28, 6 - 9PM Come and meet Rae Hoekstra: designer, pattern maker, world famous sewing blogger, and all around lovely lady. Rae will begin the evening with a meet and greet, followed by a presentation and Washi Dress trunk show. A wardrobe full of handmade clothing is possible! Rae will walk you through how she conceives and alters a basic pattern to make many different variations using her many samples of the popular Washi Dress as illustration. She'll also share some of the things she's learned along the way about choosing fabrics, taking measurements, using patterns (both printed and digital PDFs), and more. You'll be inspired to sew up a closet full of handmade clothing of your own! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You can also sign up for Rae's Washi Dress Techniques Workshop. Thursday, Aug 29, 9AM - Noon. This workshop is designed to offer time to work on the Washi Dress with Rae's assistance. Rae will also cover many of the sewing techniques needed to complete the Washi Dress. Possible topics are: sewing a smooth dart, shirring with elastic thread, adding facings, seam and armhole finishing, and hemming. These techniques are commonly used in many other women's (and even children's) clothing patterns as well! Please note that due to time limitations, we will not be able to sew an entire dress from start to finish; however, Rae will be available to assist you and answer questions specific to your dress. Workshop space is limited so call or come in to sign up. In addition to this, Rae has offered some time on Wednesday for those of you who would like a private fitting. Call us at the shop to find out more and to schedule appointments. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We have lots of smart prints for those returning to school! [Collage is shown above.] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It is hard to believe we are already more than a week into August and soon school will be starting once again. Fall is close and new sewing projects are piling up! This mid-season shift is a great time for fabric as we recieve Summer's last arrivals and Fall's firsts.... We are very well-stocked in the shop! Here is a peek at
what's NEW:
Briar Rose!! by Heather Ross, Lush Uptown by Erin Michaels for Moda, Ziggy (and zaggy) prints form Windham,		numbers, masks and other novelties from AH, Nordika by Jeni Baker for Art Gallery, Collage by Carrie Bloomston and lots more....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fall classes have been scheduled!!! View our listings here. Call or come in to sign up. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Happy August Sewing, Anita, April and the Sew To Speak Team

Rae Wraps Around

Today our blog tour, wrap-along hops over to the marvelous blog of Rae aka Made by Rae! She has crafted this super sweet "Festive Flag Garland wrapped around a “Plucky-Pantry-Box” with a POCKET to slip a card inside! How fun is that?! Both projects can be found in Ruby Star Wrapping!

New baby boy gift by Made By Rae!

For more inspiration, insight into her pocket addition and other loveliness see her full post here: http://www.made-by-rae.com/2012/12/ruby-star-wrapalong/