Lodging for Spring City Knitters Seminar, June 6 & 7, 2008

To enjoy the discounted rates at Mainstay Inn and French Creek Inn, you must mention the Spring City Knitters seminar when making your reservation. Regards, Donna

Marcia Hauser at Spring City Knitters Seminar, June 6 & 7, 2008

• Marcia Hauser –An artist and a legend in the craft of machine knitting, Marcia brings enthusiasm and excitement everywhere she teaches. She has taught at many seminars across the country. I have the privilege of taking one of her classes at the former Oley Valley Knitting Seminar a few years ago. What a great class with lots of useful information.
• Specializing in creating artwork using the knitting machine, her works have found their way into galleries and private collections throughout the country. Three-dimensional knitting, unique trims and embellishments are just a few of her machine knitting specialties. For our seminar Marcia will be focusing on the art of garment construction.
• Proficient with Design-A-Knit she combined it with her imagination and 30 years plus knitting experience to write over 10 books, 100 plus patterns for all levels of knitters, articles for the now out-of-print Machine Knitters Source magazine. She is a frequent contributor to the Knittingmachine Yahoo list. Her Cooperative Knitting series takes a knitter to a place where the machine manuals do not go. She advised me she is at her happiest when the knitting machine and her student’s imagination and skill come together. Hope the seminar attendees will consider taking her classes. Below are course descriptions of her classes. To learn more about Marcia visit her website: http://www.marciahauser.nu/
• The registration form to attend the Spring City Knitters Seminar can be found at our website: http://www.geocities.com/springcityknitters
• Inquiries about the seminar should be sent to Tammy Noble, email: knitandsew44@yahoo.com
• The Garment Style for your Shape. This class will focus on what styles are good for your shape, and what to avoid when selecting a garments to knit In addition, we will talk about the "Law of Symmetry" and how it helps in selection of garments that we choose to make. We will further discuss alternate ways to close garments, that slim the silhouette, and are easy and simple to knit, and that give visual interest and style to any garment. These alternate closures do not use traditional buttons and zippers, but rather use simple I-cords, and plain knitted pieces. We can create buttons and closures of exceptional interest, including 3 dimensional roses, knitted and assembled to create buttons, as well as lollipop closures We will spend a small amount of time, talking about Shapes n Such, its uses and proper fit for all body types. Brother knitting machine will be used for demonstration. Session 1 Friday morning.
• Brother - Lets Not Forget the Sleeves. This class will focus on the sleeves as well as stylish ways to create interest at the hemline of garments Sleeves can bring the eye down and slim the body, but also, particularly the set in sleeve, can be decorated with some amazing trims that bring creativity to the plain sleeve. Several methods of sewing sleeves into garments will also be addressed. Additionally, we will discuss unusual ways to cast on at the hemline, using individual knitted loops. These loops, when grouped together, form wonderful patterns and brings great variety to your garments. ribs and hung hems can be replaced with something far more interesting. If time permits, we will learn how to use beads to stuff trapunto, to give our clothes interest, but also to help better balance the figure. Brother knitting machine will be used for demonstration. Session 2 Friday afternoon.
• Blocking for Elegance. This class will focus on the difference between homemade and handmade, and how to block and assemble the garments we make to look like very elegant and sophisticated clothing. There is a particular order to blocking and assemblage, and we will try to study the steps and order of assembly, to try and bring perfection to our garments.
• Beginning with the swatch, we will look at the method and order of each piece of the garment,and will end with how to get the perfect rib. This method is the same for almost all yarns, andwe will briefly discuss the options for different materials. If time permits, we will also look atthe ways to block 3 dimensional fabrics, so that its texture and integrity remain intact. If folkshave swatches or pieces they would like blocked, and time permits, they are invited to bringthem, and we will attempt to block those as well.
• We will also spend time discussing the perfect skirt, one style that is wonderful for almost anybody shape, that does not stretch or seat, and we will look at 3 dimensional trims that enhanceour garments, and the placements of those trims for visual interest and esthetics. Brother knitting machine will be used for demonstration. Session 3 Saturday morning.
• The Cooperative Knitting Machine. This class will deal with some basic knitting techniques, while showing you quick easy methods that your manual doesn’t tell you about. As an example hanging an entire hem in under 30 seconds, and in particular 3 dimensional knitting. We will focus on how to knit and select the proper trims to balance your garments, and spend time on pin tucks, which definitely slim the body. Knitting both sides of the neckline at once will be discussed, since often the necklines are not even, as well as methods for knitting more than 2 colors in a row without floats and color blocking that looks like intarsia. We will also discuss 3 needle knitting Finishing our garments to have a sophisticated look is essential, and faux crochet will help you achieve that goal If time permits, pockets knitted in under 2 minutes will also be discussed, and this pocket method can be used to create so many other wonderful knitted garments. Finally, we will concentrate on free form knitting, which gives rise to interesting looks in garments, while giving the imagination a chance to shine. Brother knitting machine will be used for demonstration. Session 4 Saturday afternoon.

See you at the seminar.

Donna

Lodging for Spring City Knitters Seminar, June 6 & 7, 2008

• As with most seminars, expenses are a real concern. They can make the difference between attending or not. In order to help our attendees keep their expenses to a minimum, we have arranged for the owners of the French Creek Inn and Mainstay Inn to provide accommodations at a discounted rate.
• The French Creek Inn, is closer to the Seminar location which can be found at the end of this blog. It is located at the intersection of 724 and Route 23. The rooms are a good size. All rooms have two double beds, a refrigator and microwave. The discounted rate for the Spring City Seminar is $64.99 per night plus tax.
• To make a reservation at this accommodation call 800.870.5040 and check out their website at http://www.frenchcreekinn.com/
• The Mainstay Inn is located in downtown Phoenixville, PA. Phoenixville is right next door to Spring City, PA. Located a mine or two from Spring City, itis still within a comfortable driving distance to the seminar. In fact, one can use public transportation, SEPTA Bus 99 to Royersford, PA to come to the seminar. Public transportation information can be found at the end of this blog. This Inn is slightly less expensive than the French Creek Inn and the rooms are slightly smaller. There are two types of rooms: Large is $55.95 per night plus tax; Small is $50.95 per night plus tax.
• At the Mainstay Inn enjoy historic downtown Phoenixville withi its restaurants, coffee shops and shopping.
• To make a reservation at the Mainstay Inn call 610.933.7998.
• The rates for the French Inn and Mainstay Inn are in effect until May 1, 2008.
• Seminar location: The First United Church of Christ 145 Chestnut St. Spring City, PA 19475
• SEPTA Bus 99 can be boarded in downtown Phoenixville, PA. Get off at New & Main Streets in Spring City, PA. It is about a 10 minute bus ride. Walk on Main Street to Chestnut St. (about 4 blocks away) Walk up Chestnut St. to church.
• A registration form to the seminar can be found on our website: http://www.geocities.com/springcityknitters
• Our POC for seminar information is Tammy Noble, email: knitandsew44@yahoo.com
• See you at the seminar. Donna

Passap Teacher at Spring City Knitters Seminar - June 6 & 7, 2008

SHARON MINRATH - PASSAP TEACHER

For those who own a Passap knitting machine, you will be in for a treat. Sharon Minrath, our Passap teacher for the Spring City Knitters Seminar, was a Passap Knitting Consultant for six years, an instructor at Passap University for seven years, and the seminar coordinator for the last Passap Evolution. A high school art and photography teacher for 27 years, her Passap experiences have afforded her the opportunity to continue her teaching career, but on a different level.

As with so many machine knitters who have been involved with this craft for many years, her first Passap was a DM-80 followed by the ascquisition of an E-6000 a few years later. Her intimate knowledge of the Passap includes writing the Passap Drive-thru programs which were distributed to dealers as a teaching tool for Passap machines. So knowledgable and proficient with the Passap, she shares her joy of the machine by writing patterns.

Below is a description of the classes Sharon will be teaching.

Session 1, Friday morning (approximately 2-1/2 hrs long)I know you've noticed the list of numbers that represent a Form program shape, but do you really know what they mean? We'll start at the beginning andunravel the mystery of these numbers.

Sesson 2, Friday afternoon (approximately 2-1/2 hrs long)In this session we'll use the Form numbers to turn a pullover into a cardigan, alter the length of pans, and adjust the width of a jacket or shell. Did you know it is so eary to turn a Form program designed for a garment band into a form for a skirt? Come and see how this can be accomplished.

Sesson 3, Saturday morning (approxmately 2-1/2 hrs long)This session will take a look at several creative ways to achieve perfect bands for our garments. I will also show you three possible way of attaching a neckband to a garment: Passap's commercial neck band, St. John's crochet techniques, and the Japanese technique of re-handing neck edges.

Sesson 4, Saturday afternoon (approximately 2-1/2 hrs long)How long has your U-100(E) been it its box? Well, it's teime to get it out and reintroduce (or introduce) yourself to it. I will show yu how easy it is to use the U-100(E) and evey one of it's settings as well bending the rules to make beautiful creative fabric.

We know every attendee of the Spring City Knitters Seminar who has a Passap machine will benefit from her extraodinary knowledge.

Above is a photo of a garment knitted on the Passap by yours truly (Donna). I posted it to let others know what the Passap is capable of knitting.

For a registration form to the Seminar, go to http://www.geocities.com/springcityknitters

See you there!!!

Donna

Spring City Knitters Seminar - June 6 & &, 2008

For those machine knitters who own a Passap, knowing how to do basic Passap repairs is important, especially since a Passap repair person is not easy to find. One of the benefits of attending the Spring City Knitters Seminar on June 6 & 7, 2008 is that Tammy Noble will be demonstrating basic Passap repairs. The repairs include:

• How to replace needles
• Replacing brake springs
• Replacing channels
• Replacing the color changer

Feel free to contact Tammy Noble @ 484-685-6154 (cell) or email her at knitandsew44@yahoo.com to learn more about her demonstration.

For more information about the seminar, see other posts on this blog.

Regards,

Donna

Spring City Knitters Seminar - June 6 & 7, 2008

Spring City Knitters Seminar Theme: The GARMENT Date: Friday & Saturday, June 6 & 7, 2008 Time: 8 AM – 4:30 PM Location: First United Church of Christ 145 Chestnut Street Spring City, PA 19475 Two day cost with buffet lunch: $100 before March 31, 2008, after March $120 One day cost with buffet lunch: $55 before March 31, 2008, after March $65 Payment: All checks should be made payable to “KNIT AND SEW” Payment: Credit Card payment acceptable Mail paments to: Knit and Sew 44 N. Main St Spring City, PA 19475 POC: Tammy Noble @ 610-340-452 email: knitandsew44@yahoo.com Seminar format: * Classes approximately 2-1/2 hrs long * Labs available to strengthen techniques you have learned * Passap and Japanese loom instructors * Design-A-Knit instructor * Special Market Place & Unique Fashion Show * Demonstrators: ** Sharon Minrath on Passap, Form Program, U-100 ** Marcia Hauser on Brother ** Jackie Willard on Design-A-Knit

Spring City Knitters Seminar - June 6 & 7, 2008

The Spring City Knitters invite you to a seminar on "The Garment". The art of knitting by machine to make Dresses, Skirts, Slacks, and other wearables knits. Save the date: Friday & Saturday, June 6 & 7, 2008 Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Place: First United Church of Christ 145 Chestnut St. Spring City, PA 19475 Activities: - Morning and afternoon clases, approximately 2-1/2 hours long - Labs available to strengthen the knitting techniques you learn - Passap and Japansese looms and Design-A-Knit represented - Special Market Place & Unique Fashion Show For more information contact: knitandsew44@yahoo.com www.geocities.com/springcityknitters See you there. Donna