April 7, 2003
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Sewing Tip for the Week from Dody Baker
While team teaching with Dody Baker last week in Detroit, she taught me two wonderful sewing tips. The first is to soak blue marks made on your fabric with a water soluble marker in cold water at least 30 minutes (especially if you have ironed on them like we did with lace shaping). We also reminded the students that a coat of starch on the fabric before pinning it to the board makes the blue marks come out more easily. Dody taught us that washing the dress with detergent before completely soaking out the blue marks would set the marks (make them permanent). In other words, they must be completely soaked out in clear water before using detergent on the garment.
Dody also taught us another wonderful trick. When you shape lace (we shaped a teardrop) and pin it to the lace shaping board you need to spray starch the shaped lace and iron it while it is still on the board. We recommend using glass head pins and a piece of batiste as a press cloth for all heirloom shaping and ironing so you won't scorch the lace and fabric while ironing. The lace shape, starched and ironed, will seem lightly "glued" to the board, which makes it hard to repin the lace to the fabric when you are removing it from the board. Slip something about the thickness of a credit card or thin plastic ruler underneath the fabric where you are repinning the lace to the fabric as you remove it from the board and you won't catch the board's fabric with the pins, making the task easier. And you'll only have to use about a quarter of the number of pins used to shape the lace when you are "repinning it" while removing it from the lace shaping board.
SEWING TIP FROM SUE HAUSMANN
Sue gave many sewing tips in her speech at our banquet in Detroit. One I thought I might share was invented by Patty Jo Larson for Sue's TV show, America Sews with Sue Hausmann. Patty Jo had stitched a large pumpkin on the super sized hoop and then glued the machine embroidery onto a barn board. She had also stitched the words, "The Larson's" on a piece of burlap and glued it onto the other side of the barn board. In other words, she had made a welcoming sign to hang on her front porch entryway or to put into her family room or kitchen using machine embroidery. So cute!
PERSONAL LETTER FROM MARTHA
Dear Sewing Family,
You might notice that I used sewing family not friends in today's letter. This week I have been thinking that although you are my friends, you are also my family — my sewing family. I decided to address you this way if that is OK with you. You are truly my extended family as well as being my friends.
We had a super fabulous week in Detroit with all of the superb students, the incredible staff of Helen and Bill Shamble's, our amazing teachers and assistants and our extraordinary staff who not only managed our store in the hotel but also drew off all of the designs on my projects so the class would go much more quickly. I am actually writing this letter from my hotel room in Detroit.
We sewed and laughed and in general had a very fabulous time. It was such a joy to be teaching in the Detroit area — my "northern school" as many called it. One of the best parts of any of our schools, for me personally, is the students telling me how much they have looked forward to coming. It is truly a blessing for us to be able to bring joy and fun to sewing friends around the country. I started to say "relaxation," but one would hardly call our schools relaxation when we "sew until we drop." Oh, I mustn't forget that we also eat pretty regularly!
Sue Hausmann came to present the most gorgeous speech for our banquet. It was so wonderful to have both Sue and her husband, Herb, here with us for the day on Saturday.
Early Saturday morning Sue called my hotel room and asked, "What room are you in? I want to bring you a surprise." I told her, and soon there was a knock on the door. When I opened the door, there stood Sue and Patti Jo Larson, with whom Kathy McMakin and I traveled for so many years doing schools all over the world. I have not seen Patty Jo in a couple of years and I thought I would cry for joy when she stepped into my room. She is at home raising two precious little girls, Joanna and Sandra, and does not travel very much now. Everybody always thought Patti Jo was my daughter since she also has red hair and is about the age of my children.
Patty Jo had to rush to the airport but Sue had indeed brought me a wonderful surprise. My sewing friends around the world are truly my sewing family and I think this trip has made me realize this even more than ever. I think since we are praying so hard for our men and women in our armed forces who are fighting so hard across the world, I have become so much more aware of how precious my family and friends are to me.
I want to thank every student who came to this event because without you we would not have the privilege of traveling and teaching sewing. I want to thank our teachers: Kathy McMakin, Peggy Dilbone, Connie Palmer, Deb yadziniac, Dody Baker, Jody Hooker and Patty Smith and all of our assistants. I want to thank Sue Hausmann for coming to the banquet and speaking. She and Herb had to drive about 5 hours (to Toronto) after she spoke for for an appearance there. I want to thank Viking/Husqvarna for sending machines and sergers and teachers to make this event fabulous. I want to thank Bill and Helen Chamblee for their sponsorship and for their help in coordinating the event and for their friendship and hard work.
I hope many of you will be able to join us next July for our School of Art Fashion in Huntsville. We have the greatest schedule, and teachers coming from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. The school in Huntsville is the "granddaddy" of all of our schools. We look forward to having new students come for the very first time and to having students return for the "no telling how many" times. Some of our students have come to Huntsville 15 times to our school — taking different classes each time. Please click here for school information.
I know this letter is a little short this week but I am flying to Memphis tonight for a photo shoot tomorrow there. I'll tell you more about this very special photo shoot for Sew Beautiful magazine next week. I want to tell you how deeply I appreciate all of your subscriptions flooding into the office at this time. I think you are really excited about Sew Beautiful as well as the new Sew Beautiful subscribers club. I talked with Joanna once this week and she said, "Mama, we can hardly keep up with the renewals and new subscriptions coming in right now." That is exciting news and you will love our new "Sew Beautiful Subscribers Only Internet Club." Click here to read more about it and to subscribe. Or you can call 800-547-4176 ext. 115 or 116 to subscribe.
When I asked the students in Detroit how many belonged to the IEC, nearly every hand went up. Thank you to all of you machine embroiderers for loving the IEC so much. We have many more fabulous designs coming to you throughout the whole year.
The phones are also ringing off the hook with callers signing up for Martha's Machine Embroidery, Quilting and Sewing Market in Arlington on July 10-12 and for Martha's Quilt Academy on September 12-14.
You still have time to sew that special Easter outfit for your little ones and we still have time to cut lace and fabrics to send. We will extend the doll sales for you to put in your Easter baskets — and don't forget to order jewelry and beauty pins for your special clothing.
We have had several students at the Detroit school who have told me, "Martha, I make all of my own clothes." That was so good to hear. I used to make nearly all of my own clothes and almost all of my boys' clothes. Today, I am happy to say that Sue Pennington makes most of my clothes, and a lot of them are made from our Six Easy Patterns for Women Only book. I travel so much and run a large company and I am afraid I don't have quite as much sewing time as I had when my boys were little. I think almost everybody at the Detroit school loved my new suits from that book.
Joe and I are back at the gym three mornings a week at 5:30 am when I am in town. At Weight Watchers last week, I weighed in at a four-pound loss over two weeks. I was elated, since one of the weeks I had been in New Orleans at the Viking convention! That is a total of 7 for three weeks. I am writing down my food like WW tells me to do, although I do have to admit I have not followed the program exactly while I have been in Detroit. Next Tuesday morning should be interesting. In my Tuesday morning class there are several people who have lost over 70 pounds and one lady who has lost 102 pounds. It took most of them over a year to lose that much weight; it took one person two years to lose that much. The important thing, they say, is to stay with the program and write down what you eat in your food diary.
I continue to pray for a quick end to the conflict in Iraq and to pray for our men and women who are fighting. Most of the men in my family served in our nation's military, and my family has always been very patriotic. I continue to pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones and for the families of those who are overseas.
Thank you for letting me come to your home each week. You are my sewing family and I appreciate each of you.
May God Bless You and Those You Love,
Martha
SALE!!! 20% Off 18" Dress Me Joanna and Dress Me Mary signed and numbered Gotz dolls! These dolls come with a dress (value $14) , tights, shoes and the book Martha's Doll Dressing (value $$15.99). Regular price for this doll (plus the goodies) is $79. Your sale price is $63 plus $8 s&h. While supplies last. Go to: Online Store Doll Page
GOTZ BABY DOLL SALE EXTENDED! THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE! We have been shipping massive numbers of baby dolls out all week for your Easter basket sewing and gifts! 40% OFF SALE: GOTZ BABY DOLLS (Plus a FREE book)! (By the way, the large baby doll patterns in the book will also fit a newborn baby.) 21" dolls regular price: $79 (Sale price, $47.50 plus $8 s&h). 16" dolls regular price: $59 (Sale price, $35.50 plus $8 s&h).
Go to: Online Store Baby Dolls Page
SALE — VERY BIG SALE — ON Sew Beautiful SUBSCRIPTIONS! REGULAR PRICE $29.99 — YOUR PRICE $23.99!
Click on this link (Sew Beautiful INTERNET CLUB) to read complete details about the brand new Sew Beautiful subscribers Club! SAVE 35% off the newsstand price by subscribing and get MUCH, MUCH MORE IF YOU SUBSCRIBE! Don't forget about ordering the Sew Beautiful 2002-2003 Video for $9.99 if you subscribe. You can subscribe on the internet — don't forget to send your e-mail address on the form or call 800-547-4176 ext. 115 or 116.
MARTHA'S MACHINE EMBROIDERY, QUILTING AND SEWING MARKET, JULY 10-12, 2003 — ARLINGTON, TEXAS !
The brochures are ready! MARTHA'S MACHINE EMBROIDERY, QUILTING AND SEWING MARKET dates are July 10-12, 2003 (for the actual market) and our Sit and Sew day will be July 9, 2003! We have about one third of the registrants already signed up for the Sit and Sew day. By the way, we have a fabulous Friday night quilting event. Katie Pasquini Masopust will present a quilting lecture. If you have a ticket for the market, your admission to this fabulous event will only be $5 extra.
To register for any of the three days call 800-547-4176 ext. 109 or 114. To receive a free brochure, please e-mail diane@marthapullen.com All Sew Beautiful subscribers (in the 5 states surrounding Texas as well as Texas subscribers) and attendees from last year will automatically be mailed a brochure when they are ready, and some of the tentative mini-seminars are listed on our market web page: CLICK HERE
JULY SCHOOL OF ART FASHION REGISTRATION GOING ON NOW!
We are now registering for our July School of Art Fashion! Pre-days are July 27-29, 2003. The four day school is July 31-August 3, 2003! Please call to register as quickly as possible if you want to come this summer. Not only do our women's schools fill very quickly, so does the kids' school. The summer is the only time we have a Joanna's Sew Kool 4 Kids School; we have some kids coming back for the fourth year! The complete brochure is on the web site so click here to see the complete guide to classes for the best summer vacation of your lifetime! The adult school is in the Civic Center; the kid's school is in the Hilton. The kids join us for the barbeque, the banquet and the heirloom table top clinic night. During the day, all of their activities, including lunch, are at the Hilton. Please call 800-547-4176 ext. 105 to register.
The schools offered this July are Beginning School, Beverley Sheldrick School, Fine Embroidery for Little Ones, For Women Only, Joanna's Sew Kool 4 Kid's School, Lynne Holyoake School, Mirella Arroyo School, Wendy Schoen Baby School, Bernina School, Husqvarna Viking School and Pfaff School.
MARTHA'S SECOND QUILT ACADEMY — SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2003: PRE-DAY CLASSES OFFERED ON SEPTEMBER 11, for the very first time.
We have another FABULOUS date to announce. Our Second Annual Martha's Quilt Academy will be September 11-14, 2003 here in Huntsville. In addition to the three day academy (September 12, 13 and 14) we will also have pre-day classes on September 11. You must be registered for the 3 day academy to take the pre-day classes, which will have an extra charge. The tuition for the 3 day academy is only $150. Pre-day classes are $15 each. We have many people who have already registered! Please register as soon as you know you are coming so you won't be disappointed.
Our STAR-STUDDED line up of teachers include Alex Anderson, host of the television show Simply Quilts, Ricky Tims, quilter and musician, Libby Lehman, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Angela Madden (from England), and Margaret Rolfe (from Australia). Our pre-day teachers are Barbara Vlack from Electric Quilts, Gloria McKinnon from Australia, and Ema from Japan and Julie Wallace from Australia. I will do two free workshops (for the academy registrants only): 1. Heirloom/machine embroidered quilts; and 2. Turning your hobby into a business.
We will have a banquet (again something new for this year) and a quilt/wearable art fashion parade. The Heritage Quilters of Huntsville will once again be working with us on this huge event. They will have a "judged" show which everyone who attends will enjoy. We have even scheduled more time for shopping with our vendors. Each student will take every class for the 3 day academy. If you are ready to register now, call Diane Bradshaw at 800-547-4176 ext. 109 or Patti at 114. Or you can e-mail her with your physical mailing address and we will mail you a brochure
If you want brochures (which are ready now) to be sent to your quilt or sewing guilds, please give Diane a call and tell her how many you want. We had several bus loads of quilters come last year and we expect even more this year. We have already had one guild in Florida tell us they were bringing a bus. Go to: Quilt Academy Information
IEC IEC IEC IEC - Internet Machine Embroidery Club
The time is now to renew or subscribe to the IEC for only $59 for the whole year! The machine embroidery Internet Embroidery Club is truly something to save for future generations. When you join you will get to download two antique alphabets. During the year, along with the new embroidery designs to download each month, we also have antique pictures and articles which can range from 60 to 120 years old. So far, there are SEVEN designs posted as the monthly downloads! Each month you ALSO get SALE prices on regular Martha Pullen Company merchandises and during the year our new machine embroidery CD members' price is $54 plus $5 s&h. Click here for complete information
MARTHA PULLEN LICENSED TEACHER WEEKS
The next machine groups (which have openings) and dates are as follows: Babylock, June 17-23, 2003; Viking, October 2-8, 2003 (full, but taking a waiting list); and Beginning Sewing Teacher Licensing, November 17-22, 2003. Call 800-547-4176 ext. 107 or 108 to get more information. Or visit our licensing info page: Licensing Link
MARTHA PULLEN BEGINNING SEWING LICENSED TEACHER PROGRAM — FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME — NOVEMBER 17-22, 2003! WE ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN TAKING REGISTRATIONS!! Call 800-547-4176 ext. 107 - Or you can e-mail beginninglicensing@marthapullen.com for complete information.
We are now taking registrations for a licensed teacher group to teach beginning sewing (not learn beginning sewing). Please call soon if you want to come; we are about half full with deposits already and the class is not until next November! The demand is GREAT for teachers who know how to successfully teach "totally beginning" sewing classes to adults. The demand is there in the fabric chain stores as well as in sewing machine dealerships for beginning sewing teachers. This beginning sewing teacher licensing will be different from the Heirloom classes in our other licensing weeks. Visit our licensing info page: Licensing Link
TO CONTACT US BY PHONE: 800-547-4176 ext. 2 or 256-533-9586
TO e-mail ONE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, choose from this list:
catalog@marthapullen.com (send your postal address to request a color catalog)
orders@marthapullen.com (for order questions)
subscriptions@marthapullen.com (for Sew Beautiful subscriptions)
schools@marthapullen.com (for School of Art Fashion)
licensing@marthapullen.com (for teacher licensing questions)
markets@marthapullen.com (for our sewing markets)
marthap@marthapullen.com -- MY PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK — Isaiah 40: 8
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our god stands forever.
This week in Detroit has been a testimony of God's goodness to me personally, and, I pray, for all who attended. We experienced God's love and goodness through the classes, the friendships made and the good times. We prayed hard for our men and women who are defending our freedom by serving in Iraq and in other parts of the world. So many people told me they had not prayed so hard in many years as they are praying now. We had a wonderful Sunday school class in the hotel and we claimed many verses of scripture for our worldwide conflicts.
I would like to thank the Gideons for placing Bibles in every hotel room around the country. I actually forgot my Bible so I was able to read from this beautiful Gideon Bible. (I had my bible verses for my Sunday school class typed out on my lesson.) No matter how grass withers or flowers fade, the word of God always is true and indeed stands forever and forever. I love the Bible. I thank God for this event we have just had in Detroit and I thank God for each of you who get this newsletter. I pray God's richest blessing on you and your families. Several of the women here at this school have sons or other relatives fighting in Iraq. I pray for all who get this newsletter who have relatives fighting in this conflict. Of course, I pray for all of our troops and God willing they will be home soon.
Hilda Wright's No Fail Chicken Salad
2-3 boneless chicken breast
2 stalks of celery
1 onion
Add a dash of salt, celery stalks and onion to 3 c. of water. Bring water to a rolling boil. Drop in chicken breast. The water will stop the rolling boil. Wait until water begins to boil again and then set your cooking timer for ten minutes. Let chicken cook no more than ten minutes. Take chicken out of water and cut up using your kitchen shears.
Add: 1/4 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped onion
1-2 T. mayonnaise
1 t. prepared mustard
1/2 c. chopped pecans,
1 cup seedless green grapes
dash of salt and pepper
Mix together and chill. Serve on a bed of fresh lettuce.