FEBRUARY 2024

Happy 2024!

It's a big birthday year for me and I'm also celebrating 40 years in my sewing business! It has changed and evolved over the years, but I still love it.

Every now and then, our sewing takes us down a new path. My path led me to sewing a quilt. Not my first, but the first in a long time. When a friend explained that Hopewell House, a residential hospice center here in Portland needed quilts for their residents, I decided to help. I knew how much my mom had appreciated a simple little lap quilt I had sewn for her, and hoped a quilt could give some comfort - both physical and emotional - to another person.

I seized the opportunity of spending some rare time with two sewing friends last October and put together the quilt top with their help and advice. Another dear friend generously volunteered to quilt it. I finished up with the binding and delivered it just before Christmas.
I was very happy when notified that my quilt was chosen by a resident, and hope it brightened their days. Knowing my sewing skills could help a fellow human being in this way gave me such feelings of warmth and satisfaction that I know I'll do it again.

Creating custom clothing for my clients and teaching sewing skills to my students is also very satisfying. If I can help someone look and feel good in their clothes and, by extension, in their skin, if I can help give someone confidence in themselves, or if I can help someone be proud of their skills, then I'm doing my job.

My entire 2024 workshop schedule is now up on the website. Which workshops will fill your needs? Join me in March for Get Fit – two days of pattern fitting instruction. In May, we are concentrating on tops in Fabulous T-Shirts, Shirts and Tops. Brush up your sewing with knits skills in August during Knit Camp. September is jacket month. Whether you want to sew a classic tailored jacket or coat or a more casual style jacket, there's a workshop for you – either Tailoring Jackets and Coats or Casual Couture: Jackets.
Do you need some help with your sewing projects or just want to get together with friends and sew? Then you will want to come to a Sewing Camp. They are scheduled for February, April, June, July and October and a shorter Weekend Sewing Retreat in March.
All workshops are held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lake Oswego, Oregon with plenty of restaurants within walking distance. Come a day early or extend your stay after the workshop, and take advantage of some great fabric shopping here in Portland.

Some workshops are already full or only have a few spaces left. Go to my website for all the details and book your spot today!

For students in the Portland area or if you'd like to plan a weekend trip, join me in Vancouver, WA at Sew-Op – the home of Palmer/Pletsch workshops. I'll be teaching some great hands-on classes one Saturday a month. You will learn couture sewing skills, techniques and fun details that you can add to your sewing repertoire. Classes are small and you'll get lots of individual help as you practice your new skills in class. Find all the details and sign up for these classes at palmerpletsch.com.
If coming to Portland isn't in the cards, I can come to you. I'm happy to plan an in-person or Zoom workshop for your chapter or group. Contact me to discuss dates and topics.

May 2024 be a great sewing year for you!


Happy sewing!




PS - If you would like to donate a new, handmade or gently used quilt to Hopewell House, visit their website for donation information and guidelines.