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Last week I attended my first ever sewing show, the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, Washington. I was overwhelmed with just how much there was to see and do—I felt like a kid at a theme park! If you’ve never attended a show, this is the download on it. The major categories are: vendors, classes, and fashion shows.

Vendors have hundreds of tables filled with fabulous notions, fabrics and tools. Sewing companies come from all around to show you their best. I saw so many exciting new notions and I can’t wait to show them to you in “Notions" in the next few issues of Threads Magazine.

You can take your sewing skills to the next level with the many classes offered. I attended 9 different classes! Below is a picture of Lorraine Henry demonstrating to me that an arm length measurement actually gets shorter the farther out the arm is from the body.

Fashion shows allow you to see what’s the latest and greatest among the pattern lines. The major lines such as McCall’s & Butterick, Vogue, and Simplicity all have shows, as well as some really great independent lines. Below are a few fabulous patterns we saw fashioned. Two are from Cutting Line Designs and one from The Sewing Workshop Collection.

I loved the Sewing and Stitchery Expo and definitely recommend it (and all other great sewing shows)! 

Did you attend this year’s Puyallup Sewing and Stitchery Expo? What other shows do you recommend?

Annie O'Connor, assistant editor
Posted on Mar 11th, 2011 in sewing, tools & supplies

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Comments (22)

lvislief writes: After reading the comments, I grabbed issues 152 and 153 of Threads. On opening the front cover of #153, there was a full page ad entitled "The biggest Sewing Party in the United States" for the Puyallup, WA expo on March 3-6. It is on page 20 of #152. The Toronto expo is on p. 18 of #153 and p. 19 of #152.

There is an expo in Kansas City in October and one in Minneapolis in November. ASG does a one week New York fashion tour in late May or early June. They also have a National Conference that has many aspects of an expo and changes locations each year. This year it is in LA, Aug. 17-23. If you are a member of ASG, the quarterly Notions magazine advertizes all the expos too.
Posted: 6:07 pm on March 26th

Sewsie writes: I've been meaning to attend this event for years but haven't made it there yet. I usually see the advertisements in the fabric stores ahead of time, but didn't see any this year. I didn't stop to think that vendors would have speciality fabrics, trims, and notions. A little more motivation to go next year.

For those who came from out of the area, I hope it didn't rain too much for you. I live a bit north and we had a couple of real downpours in that time frame.
Posted: 7:31 pm on March 22nd

LauraSews writes: The Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo is the most fabulous, creativity-inspiring event! My Mom & I have been attending for over 25 years. It is advertised in some sewing magazines & vendor websites. But if you want the latest info, subscribe to their free e-newsletter. Just go to www.sewexpo.com to sign up. You can also fan them on Facebook - Sewing and Stitchery Expo. And, you can also join the Sew Expo fans Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PuyallupSewExpo/ Next year's Sewing Expo will be March 1-4, 2012. Seminar registration will be the beginning of January 2012.
Laura
Sew Expo Junkie
Posted: 7:05 pm on March 21st

JeanJ writes: Fabrics, notions, style shows, great classes (some short, some longer), lots to see and do and FEEL. For those who want to be informed, this show is put on by the Washington State University Extension service. There is a blog and an official website. If you go to the blog, it will give you information about next year's show dates. HINT: classes fill quickly, especially with popular topics and instructions. Many people register the first day it is available. Plan ahead! And wear comfortable shoes. You will have a great time. And chances to win sewing machines and other things, too!
http://sewingandstitcheryexpo.blogspot.com/ Sew Expo Blog
Posted: 6:41 pm on March 21st

kaptar writes: I have attended Sew Expo for years, at least 10. It is the best. You might find it interesting to know that it is managed by Washington State Univeraity. It is a not-for-profit event. Go Cougs!
Posted: 6:34 pm on March 21st

RitaFarro writes: Hey, Annie -- THANKS THREADS for the great review of the Sewing & Stitchery Expo! I do the marketing for Sew Expo -- and it was a GREAT show!! I'd love to interview you about your first impressions. Next time -- let me know you're coming and we'll get you a Press Pass.
Posted: 2:36 pm on March 21st

PatsyS writes: I've been to Puyallup one time. It is ABSOLUTELY the most fabulous sewing event ever. My ASG buddies talk about planning a trip out there, after I told them I'd been. We need to stop talking & just do it! My sister & I went and that made it even better. I would love to go every year. I think you could walk around for 3 days & never see the same thing twice. I always appreciate all the talent & vendors that make the trip out there for the benefit of the creative souls out here. You'll always find something in Puyallup that you'll not find anywhere else. It should be on everyone's bucket list! We have a very good show that comes annually to Atlanta but nothing matches Puyallup.
Posted: 3:32 pm on March 20th

sewinghands writes: Never been to a sewing expo before. And I been sewing for sometime. I have read about them and always said I would go to one. Going to look on the internet to see what I can find so this way I can see other things in the world of sewing. Im sure I will enjoy an expo.
Posted: 7:03 pm on March 19th

morris921 writes: Are there stitchery expos on the EAST coast? I'm in NY and flying to WA for a weekend is a bit pricey!!
Posted: 8:07 am on March 19th

DLSsewing writes: I have attended this event with my Mom and sister three times now - it is a great event. Yes you can buy fabric and notions at the show. There are lots of classes that feature not products which are sold during the show.

If you go to the Sewing Expo Web site you can sign up for email notification of the event and of course notices of most of the shows covered in others comments are covered in Threads Magazine.

Check the Sewing Expo web site and put next years date on your calendar now.
Posted: 12:33 am on March 19th

Sewista writes: It has always amazed me how these shows manage to avoid the Northeast where the population is so dense. Is the rent too high or what? I would love to attend one of these shows but until it is in New York, Boston, or in between I can't manage it.
Posted: 6:55 pm on March 18th

SoManyColors writes: Martha42-Original Sewing and Quilt Expo was in Duluth GA last week. I was going to vend at their Cleveland show next week til a back problem sidelined me. They have other events listed here: http://www.sewingexpo.com/Home.aspx

bsewhappy mentioned The American Sewing Expo which is in my neck of the woods in suburban Detroit. It's always in the fall: http://www.americansewingexpo.com/

The Sewing and Stitchery Expo in WA is a truly national show. There's a review on PatternReview.com with raves about all of the big names (Ricky Tims, Eleanor Burns, Nancy Zieman and many more) that you could actually speak with. Never been to it but it is on my bucket list.
http://www.sewexpo.com/
Posted: 5:54 pm on March 18th

bsewhappy writes: I love the American Sewing Expo in Novi, MI. There's so much to see and do with shopping, all types of classes from top names like Kenneth King and Koos van den Akker, make & takes, fashion shows, interactive events, displays and demos. But my favorite event is their design challenge called Passion For Fashion. You get to watch 12 designers from start to finish in a Project Runway type challenge with professional models and a fashion show where the winner is announced. The talent is unbelievable. The show is Sept. 23 - 25 this year and they have a newsletter that keeps you informed about the show.
Posted: 12:35 pm on March 16th

Martha42 writes: Do they ever hold these expos in my area (GA).
Posted: 10:12 am on March 16th

VeraS writes: Great review and I'm sorry I missed it. Again. What I find utterly baffling is why I always read about these sewing shows AFTER they've come and gone. No pre-advertising, no announcements, no email - nothing. I know it's a specialized audience, but I subscribe to a few fabric / sewing resources and I've not seen anything about shows in my area (San Francisco) or Puyallup. In this world of email spam all-day-every-day, I don't understand why I don't get any notice of these shows from anyone, including the sewing machine dealer where I just bought my serger. I'd love to support this hobby as much as I can but it's a bit hard when you don't know where and when to go.

I guess I'll have to put it on my 2012 calendar today because I probably won't hear about any sewing shows next year until they're over.

OK, back to more positive things, like Kenneth King's lesson. :o)
Posted: 9:17 am on March 16th

jamaskip writes: How do you find out when and where they are being held? Can you buy fabric and notions at the show or are they to show what is coming out?
Posted: 12:49 am on March 16th

denisekerner writes: My mom and I have travelled from California to the Puyallup sewing expo for the past 11 years. It's the biggest and the best. You must go! To the lady who was wondering about a similar show in Los Angeles, there's Education of the Textile Arts (ETA California) put on by Peggy Sagers of Silhouette patterns every year in October. I've gone for the past 3 years, and while smaller, the event offers first-rate sewing instruction. I've also been to expos in Toronto, Reno, and Minneapolis; yes, I'm addicted! Going to a sewing expo, for me, is like taking a little vacation in Sewing Paradise, leaving the rest of my world behind for a few days.
Posted: 10:59 pm on March 15th

Makeag writes: My sisters, Mom and I have gone to the Expo three times and it is a most. We will travel from all over the country to meet next year to attend again. You must say "I'm going" If you don't set a date it never happens. Just like taking time to sew. Just tell the family, "I'm sewing, you know how to cook. Thank you, call me when its ready."
Posted: 8:42 pm on March 15th

tcdiana1 writes: I've been going to the Expo for about 25 years. It is always exciting. There is always something new to see and learn. This is the biggest in the US. I've gotten several friends and even my granddaughter to attend.
Posted: 8:21 pm on March 15th

JustBeginning writes: Sounds great. Are there any in New Jersey?
Posted: 5:49 pm on March 15th

sewweezee writes: Do shows like this ever come to Los Angeles? Is there a web site for monitoring if/where/when there are shows?
Posted: 5:28 pm on March 15th

Lisas365 writes: Yeah, I'm in Seattle and I'd been wanting to go since I moved out this way but this was the first time. It was fabulous! I'll be there every year.
Posted: 1:42 am on March 15th

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