Novi Woman Finalist in Passion for Fashion Sewing Challenge at the American Sewing Expo

Sarah Kolis of Novi, Mich. is a “Passion For Fashion Sewing Challenge” finalist at the 20th annual American Sewing Expo, Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 29.
      
Reality sewing television competitions are the inspiration for the “Passion For Fashion Sewing Challenge,” sponsored by Baby Lock, that begins as the show opens when 12 finalists design and sew garments for judging and a fashion show on Saturday, Sept. 28 (similar to Lifetime’s Project Runway, NBC’s Fashion Star and Bravo’s The Fashion Show). The contestants are from Illinois, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio. First place receives a Baby Lock Symphony sewing machine; second place receives a Baby Lock Eclipse DX serger and third place receives a Baby Lock Anna sewing machine. Baby Lock is providing the same machines for audience door prizes.

"Quick-Stitch, The Challenge" will also be a live sewing competition, sponsored by Craftsy and Pfaff. Three times per day, contestants will compete in a 75-minute challenge to create a fashion accessory, home décor or craft project.

“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.

Show instructors include fit specialist and couture expert Lynda Maynard; couture sewing expert from “It’s Sew Easy TV” Angela Wolf; home seamstress and creator of Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing Gretchen Hirsch; Baby Lock’s Love of Fashion national spokes-designer Joi Mahon, instructors from the online craft education and community platform Craftsy and other award winning fashion sewing designers.

McCall Pattern Company will feature sample garments from their McCall’s, Vogue, Butterick and KwikSew patterns, explain how to measure for sewing pattern sizing and provide information on creating a pattern line including information on printing patterns.
     
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 an item and embellish it using their style and imagination at the Artistic Studio sponsored by Janome.

The “Innovation Generation Fashion Show Competition,” sponsored by Coats & Clark and Baby Lock, 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 Bernina, will be given away on Sunday. 

Special display exhibits and events will include the cutting edge of fashion sewing, quilts, wearable art, American & Efird “Push the Envelope Contest, 18” doll clothes charity project and Social Media Lounge. Attendees can bring 8” x 8” quilt block for display and use in The Leukemia Foundation Quilt project sponsored by Simon Haskins of Jenny Haskins Designs.

“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 225 seminars, hands-on workshops, demonstrations and seminars including drafting and fitting patterns, professional and industrial sewing techniques, equestrian show costumes and heirlooms.

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. 25 and Thursday, Sept. 26. 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.