The Real Sewing Summit Recap

While I've already told you about the Curves class I took at Summit, there's so much I haven't blogged about yet. The six months of anticipation were definitely worth it. It's hard to know where to start, so I'll try chronological order.

Ella on the left, Shannon on the right

I'm glad I decided to go a day early and participate in the Shop Hop. People are often surprised when I tell them I'm an introvert. At work, or when in a leadership role, I can be outgoing, but I get nervous in unfamiliar social situations. The shop hop allowed me to get to know people in a smaller group. I'd arranged to grab coffee with one of my blog friends, Shannon of Hello My Name is Quilt, but she's a total morning person and hit Starbucks way too early for me. But, she brought me a latte for the bus ride. Thanks Shannon! I also connected with Ella of Throw a Wench in the Works, who I've swapped with twice in the 3x6 mini bee, on the shop hop.  We were loaded up with swag at every stop along the hop, plus I picked up a a ton of new fabric. I would definitely recommend signing up for the shop hop to Summit first timers.

Shop hop purchases

On Thursday night I went to dinner with a terrific group of ladies. It was another chance to make connections in a smaller setting, which I appreciated.

 

Friday was a whirlwind of classes. My first class was a serger class where we made a ruffle scarf. I discovered that the serger and I do not get along. I don't know why, but I am terrible at serging! I ended up with holes and wonky edges. I didn't even bring my unfinished scarf home - it was that bad! My machine partner Tina had much more success than I did.

My other classes on Friday were Zippers 101 with Sara of Sew Sweetness, Photography with Vanessa Howell (I picked up some great tips) and my Mini Curves quilt class.

Sara during Zippers 101

The zippered pouch swap also took place on Friday. I love the pouch I got. It's by Nydia of the ADD Quilter. Isn't it pretty?

Shannon and I ended the day with dinner at a fabulous Indian restaurant. We swung by the party put on by the Salt Lake City Modern Quilt Guild, but to be honest, I was so tired I just wanted to head back to the hotel and go to sleep.

On Saturday, I took a Metal Frame pouch class with Kelly of Kelby Sews which was fabulous, a lecture on blog design (man, does this blog need a redesign!) and I made a Maxi Skirt on the dreaded serger. I made mistake after mistake, but the instructor was very patient and I ended up with a skirt that fit. Hooray!

Sewing Summit is really about so much more than the classes and the swag (omg, the swag! We got so much great stuff from Summit sponsors!). It's about being around 250 people who share the same passion you have for creating beautiful pieces from fabric. And that, in and of itself, is reason enough to go. I can't say enough good things about the experience. In fact, I've been in withdrawl since returning home. I can't wait until next year! Thank you Erin and the Sewing Summit team for putting on a fabulous event.