Woodridge Resident is Finalist in Midwest Version of 'Project Runway'

Reality sewing television competitions are the inspiration for the “Passion for Fashion Sewing Challenge” that begins as the American Sewing Expo opens with 12 finalists designing and sewing garments for judging and a fashion show (similar to Lifetime’s Project Runway and Bravo’s The Fashion Show.)

The finalists design and sew garments for judging and a fashion show runway finale on Saturday, September 29. The contestants are from Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and North Carolina. First place receives a Baby Lock Symphony sewing machine; second place receives a Baby Lock Imagine DX serger and third place receives a Baby Lock Melody sewing machine. Baby Lock is providing the same machines for audience door prizes.

“Quick-Stitch, the challenge” is the daily reality sewing competition using a 75 minute fashion accessory, home décor or craft sewing project. The top daily contestants will compete on Sept. 30 in a two-hour “Quick-Stitch, Stitch-Off” challenge sponsored by Craftsy.

“The expo inspires creativity in beginner to expert sewers and crafters who will find fashion shows, classes and shopping at the event,” said Janet Pray, show producer of the largest independent consumer sewing show in the country. “This year, it is being held in conjunction with the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals' annual conference.”

Show instructors include couture expert Susan Khalje, who hosted HGTV's “Sew Much More” for six years; New York City Fashion Institute of Technology couture professor Kenneth King; fashion sewing expert and “Chanel and That Jacket” workshop teacher Claire Shaeffer; Quilting Arts TV and fiber artist Lynn Krawczyk; Sew News writer and founder of Labours of Love Heirloom Sewing Supplies Debra Justice; home seamstress and creator of Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing Gretchen Hirsch; sewing blogger and owner of A Fashionable Stitch Sunni Standing and other award winning fashion sewing designers including Linda McGehee, Joi Mahon, Kathy Ruddy and Angela Wolf.

Attendees can learn tips and techniques at "make-n-take" projects in vendor displays; as they sew their own project to take home at the Sew Party Café sponsored by Juki; and as they make a handbag and embellish it using their style and imagination at BagMania sponsored by Janome and Ghee’s.

The “Innovation Generation Fashion Show Competition” will be held on Saturday for 8 to 18 year olds who know the sewing process and have made their own garments. Entries are prejudged and then worn by the contestants on the Expo Fashion Stage. A Dream Sewing Room sponsored by Brother will be given away on Sunday.

Special exhibits will display cutting edge of fashion sewing, quilts, wearable art, Threads Magazine ASDP Challenge garments, Haute Couture Club stripe challenge garments, 2-D and 3-D fiber art showcase, Custom Home Furnishings Academy showcase vignettes, Passion for Fashion 2011 winner Erin Miller designs, American & Efird “Out of the Box Quick Gifts Challenge” and Art of Cosplay costumes.

“Show visitors can test-drive sewing machines, see a fashion show, do some shopping, or watch a demo to get creative tips, discover fresh possibilities and be inspired for new projects,” said Pray. “Sew’ many possibilities to learn new crafts, brush up on techniques and find out how the experts do it at this year’s show.”

The show features accessories, embellishments, one of a kind fabrics and supplies, fashion sewing, fitting, home decorating, machine embroidery, needle arts, quilting, sergers and wearable art. Showgoers will see over 20 exhibits, fashion style shows and sewing challenge competitions. Over 125 exhibitors from 35 states, Australia and Canada will be displaying sewing machines, notions, threads, patterns, yarn, technology, kits, gadgets, embroidery designs, tools and other products. Techniques and tips will be taught at over 200 seminars, hands-on workshops and demonstrations.

Suburban Collection Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Road in Novi, Michigan. Show hours are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Preshow workshops are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26 and Thursday, Sept. 27. Expo admission is $14 and children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. One-hour seminars are $14, all-day workshops are $130 and special combination packages are available. Onsite parking is available for $5. For more information, visit www.AmericanSewingExpo.com or call (248) 889-3111.

*The above was a media announcement from the American Sewing Expo.

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