I've Got Some Catching Up to do!

In one way, I know it's been a week since I last posted...but in another the days seem to be whirling by...cause peoples it's August 2nd already!  So this is going to be a catch up post. Then because I did actually sew the last three days of my vacation, I will have a couple of garment posts for you too!  I know hard to believe right...sewn garments being shown on a sewing blog! *LOL*  I'm going to list these events as they happened...

McCalls Reception ~
Tuesday evening The McCalls Pattern Company hosted a reception for NY area bloggers as part of their new social outreach to sewists.  I was honored to be included in this amazing group of bloggers and to be able to walk the hallowed halls of The McCalls Pattern Company.  Seriously, as a high schooler choosing her future career path, one of the things I wanted to do was work for one of the pattern companies. So getting to visit the offices was thrilling for me!

This was taken on my iPad - so a little fuzzy

but I had to have Wanett's and my picture taken by the sign!

Frank Rizzo, the new President and CEO of The McCall Pattern Company kicked the evening off speaking to us about how the company is focusing it's outreach on the home sewist.  How they're listening to our issues with the company, taking it all in and working to give us the styles and sizing that we all desire.

That was followed by a quick tour of the offices...seriously I could have lingered in some of these areas longer! Then a presentation from Kathy Marrone, Editor of Vogue Pattern Magazine and Melissa Watson, one of the designers for the McCalls brand.  We got to see some upcoming designs, as well as, some of the actual designer garments used to make current designer patterns.

Kathy presenting to the group

Melissa Watson explaining her process

Finally, we headed back to the Fabric Library for refreshments and to mingle with The McCalls Pattern staff and each other.

A few more photos from the event...

The pattern drafting department

Another view of the pattern drafting area

The dressmaking area

  

The in-house photography studio

There was an area of the photography studio that had racks and racks of amazing shoes.  I meant to turn around and take a picture but we moved on after the group shot. However, if you remember the section of the movie, "The Devil Wears Prada" where Andy goes into the magazine's clothes closet with Nigel, that's how I felt when I first spied the shoes in the photo studio!

This is the fabric closet for the Fashion Library

I loved getting to see this closet and talking with Penny Payne, the Fabric & Notions Editor, about how fabric is purchased and used for photo shoots.  This isn't the only fabric closet at The McCalls Pattern Company.  There is one in the dressmaking area, but it was awesome to see what was stocked here and to hear how it came to be. Truly one of the highlights of the tour for me!

A group shot stolen from the new McCalls Pattern Company blog! If you're looking for news on The McCalls Pattern Company, I would add this blog to your blog roll. Of course, they blogged about the event with some great photos so check it out here!  Also, don't forget to follow them on Instagram!

I had a wonderful time and thank you so much for inviting me!

Star Blogger Picks for Vogue Pattern Magazine ~
You guys were all so kind when I was featured as one of the Star Bloggers in VPM. A few more of my favorite sewists have been featured since. But has one of your favorites been featured? If not, and you think they should be, why don't you send a quick note to editor@voguepatterns.com and include "Star Blogger" in the subject line.

This is a fantastic way to highlight some of our favorite sewing bloggers who make amazing garments that inspire us!  Please know that if you don't nominate your favorites, they may not be featured.  This is just another way that The McCalls Pattern Company is reaching out to the home sewist to show their appreciation for our continued dedication to their product.

An Awesome Fabric Sale ~

I'm sorry that I'm late with this since only 23 hours remain on the sale...but Fabric Mart is having an AMAZING sale for 51 hours.  The entire website is on sale for 51% off.  Please see the exclusions above.  I haven't ordered anything yet...keep going back and forth over whether I really need another piece or two...but I hope if you've been admiring something on the site that you take advantage of the sale! 

Picture Taking Day ~
My daughter and the kiddies will be here shortly and even though it's suppose to rain most of the day, clearing up in the late afternoon, I'm taking pictures of my latest finished garments.  Look for those posts up next!

...as always more later!