PDX COLLECTIONS -- PHOTOS FROM THE FASHION SHOW

Hot fashions in an industrial setting.  Models strutting while rusty railcars roll by.  This was the setting for the first PDX Collections fashion show, Sunday, June 14.

To see the show, visit www.studioskb.com.  You'll see fashions from Sharon Blair/StudioSKB plus Adam Andreas, Carolyn Hart, Alyson Clair and Janeane Marie.  Enjoy!

WRITING FOR MAGAZINES

Hi Sharon!  I am writing to ask you some questions about writing articles for sew and craft magazines. I saw your "Hems in a Hurry" piece in Threads, and since being laid off last month :( I am looking for anyway I can to supplement my income. I don't see myself writing informational and or instructional pieces so much as fun, easy and cute things that can be made with recycled fabrics etc. 

Are there any tips you could give me to help my ideas stand out from others? Do you supply the photographs as well as the instructions? How much could I expect to be paid for something like this? Also, if you have any contact information or any other tidbits of info you think I could use I would appreciate it so much! 

Thank you Sharon, you are my powerhouse of knowledge! -- VM

Dear VM -- So sorry to see that you've been laid off.  Ugh!  With luck, the economy will turn around soon.

Contact the editor for the magazines of interest to you.  Get a copy of their editorial guidelines.  Make a list of topics you'd like to write.  Choose the one you think is most appropriate to them and where you feel the strongest.  Make sure they haven't had a story about it recently.  You can do this on-line.  If they've had such an article in the distant past, be sure to get a copy so whatever you write is not the same -- better that it is new and improved!

Then choose an article you like from the magazine.  It doesn't matter what it's about.  Write your article in the same style and format.  This lets the editor know that you will fit in.  Write tight in short, declarative sentences.  Need a reference?  Look up William Zinsser's "On Writing Well."

Then send a pitch per their editorial guidelines.  Sometimes this is just a paragraph.  More often it's an outline that shows them you know what you're talking about and can give them a complete article.  And hey, you've pre-written the article, so creating the outline will be easy.

Be ready to give them visuals.  Sew up samples and send in pictures to show how you'd illustrate the article.

Understand that the editor could change things dramatically.  No worries, they are just trying to please their readers.  You just work with them to make it accurate.  Be prompt and easy-going and they'll ask you to write for them again.

BTW -- This does not pay well.  But any money these days is a good thing, right?

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Answers to your serger questions

Hi Sharon,

Thank you for teaching us the Sergery 1: Basic Serger class Saturday.  Even though I have used my serger for a number of years I did learn some new things in class.  Would you please remind me of the types of serger thread cones are the best to use.  I checked all of my cones when I got home and found them to be TruLock. -- A

Dear A -- Glad you enjoyed the class and got something from it.  Maxilock is the thread I recommend for consistent, top-quality results.  But go ahead and use your TruLock until it's depleted -- or give it away. SCRAP and Goodwill donations give you a tax deduction.

Hi Sharon -- My serger is a hobby lock made for Pfaff from the 1980’s.  In order to do the gathering/ruffling and other fancy things with the serger do you think that I should trade up for a newer model with a differential drive and the miscellaneous feet attachments that come with the newer machines?  If so what machine do you think is the best on the market today? -- E

Dear E -- If you plan to serge regularly, especially with 2-thread or embellishments, then you might want to trade up.  Babylock Evolve (has a coverlock) and Babylock Imagine are the top of the line.  As I showed in class, they thread the loopers with a puff of air and have a tension dial that not only sets automatically for different kinds of stitches but also senses the different kinds of fabric.  If you don't want to spend that kind of money, then look for a Husqvarna 936 computer overlock/coverlock. It has a wider hole for accepting fabric than the Babylocks.  Even less spendy is the Janome 634D.

I use the 936 and 634D as my school machines.  They've taken a lot of abuse from students and keep on ticking.  I don't use the Evolve and Imagine in my school because I keep them too busy myself!  They too are workhorses and have not given me an ounce of trouble.

But if you plan to use only 4-thread for wovens or 3-thread for knits and your Pfaff is working well, then stick with it!