American Sewing Expo Q&A

My impatiens recovered from the deer "salad bar" in time before frost to bloom again. I love it when they look like this--big and healthy and spilling onto the sidewalk.

You had questions about the ASE, and I have answers!
jillnjosh asked:
Kyle, you said that the Simplicity AF jacket that you tried on was 2284? That's a new pattern then, right, since it's at the beginning of the number set? (They've been adding patterns at the beginning of the catalog this year.) The only AF jacket I've seen is 2446, which I've purchased and not sewn yet. I love the multiple cup size patterns.
Yes, it's 2284 and it's part of the Simplicity fall 2010 collection, but it doesn't seem to be on their website yet! I had no idea that they are adding patterns at the beginning of their catalog! Multiple cup size patterns definitely rock.

Lisette M asked:
I'm so jealous, enjoy yourself! Do you remember the pattern number for the coat/dress? on your first runway picture?

Lisette, I was so jealous of everyone who attended the ASE last year and SPR weekend Portland, neither of which I could attend. So going to SPR Philly and the ASE were priorities for this year and I'm glad my sewing conference dreams came true! The orange coat on the runway is New Look 6006

Rose and Antoinette both commented on my annoying room situation. I asked for another room but they said no. I don't own headphones so I had bought earplugs at CVS but it didn't make a difference. I wound up moving to a hotel that was twice the price and equally noisy! But when I asked them if I could move to a different room, they said yes, and finally I had a quiet place to rest. I seem to be more sensitive to noise as I get older; I guess I'm becoming a diva of quiet! (or as my mom says, when I was little I said I wanted a "piece of quiet").

Kristin commented on her room and the wind on Friday night. It was incredibly windy that night! When I left the convention center I was really surprised; the wind helped me along to my car.

Antoinette guessed that the pink dress from the Passion for Fashion contest was inspired by a pink Cadillac and she is correct!

I'm already thinking about sewing this weekend. I'm going to try the New Look 6922 senate confirmation knit jacket again, but this time in an aqua rib knit. I think I have all the kinks worked out from last time, and I have some new tricks my sleeve from this past weekend. My plan is to share the tricks I learned at the ASE when I actually use the tricks in future garments.

Kristin, here's the blurry picture I took of you in your gorgeous garment during the SPR Natural Fibers contest:


Readers, it's an exquisite dress and you can read all about it on Kristin's blog.

Last night I saw David Sedaris at McCarter Theater in Princeton. It felt so good to laugh! His brand new book came out yesterday, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. I already put it on reserve at the library. I saw him in Princeton last year too. He's just great. At the end of reading from his new book and other works (including diary entries) he took questions from the audience. One woman asked how he organizes his notes. He keeps a diary and writes down what happened to him. Then he creates a master index of what's in his diary, so when he's looking for story ideas, he can easily see a summary of the stories. Pretty clever.

Good night!