American Sewing Expo--My Take

I went to the Expo Saturday. First of all, a lot of credit to Janet Pray for the unending work and effort she puts into this show. I cannot imagine the hours it takes to pull something of this magnitude together.

That being said, the best part of the day was spending time with my friend, Jan. We took a class called "Free Form Knit and Crochet Handbag". First of all, our "classroom" was once again, a draped-off section in a large room, where other classes were being held. That is never a good situation. You cannot hear the instructor because of the background noise of the other classes and the noise on the floor. I am sure that Kenneth King, Koos and Sandra Betzina had their own private, soundproof rooms. Again, the situation would be about cost.

The instructor was not organized. She was tired and hungry. In addition to the class fee, we paid $35 for a kit fee that consisted of a few tiny balls of scrap yarn and a piece of plastic canvas.

I didn't go to the show last year because my husband was recovering from open-heart surgery at that time. I thought that after missing a year that the vendor floor would have changed and there would be something new and exciting. Nope! The only thing different was there were less vendors. Not surprising, due to the economy. The cost for them to travel, hotels, food, paying their employees way and wages plus the cost of the space they rent has to be huge.

I saw the same, tired things I saw two years ago. If I saw one more quilted jacket I would scream! Same for sweatshirt jackets. Batiks. The bright spot was Vogue fabrics and Habermans with some gorgeous pieces. PR was there, but I didn't stop at their booth. I bought nothing.

Still, it was a good day. A day to talk and laugh with a friend.