Fall Fair, Costa Mesa, CA (Sewing Expo Review) 
California, UNITED STATES |
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Review rated Very Helpful by 2 people |
| Posted by: |
Lee Ann Hawkins |
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About Lee Ann Hawkins
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| CA USA |
| Member since: 1/11/03 |
| Reviews written: 35 |
| Sewing skills:Intermediate |
| Favored by: 17 people |
| expos reviewed: 2 |
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| Posted on: |
2/11/03 11:48 AM |
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* * * an update for my sewing sisters!! This event has moved from Orange Coast College across the street to the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds. Apparently OCC does not sponser this anymore. . .a commercial company took over. . .it is supposed to be bigger and better, but more expensive, naturally. If you are planning to go, please look up the website listed above. The dates are Nov 21-23. It was WONDERFUL previously, I have no idea what the new format will be, hopefully not all given over to crafts.
I wanted to add my voice to Collette's review from 11/12. I have been attending this for the past several years. Orange Coast College (OCC) is an easy to find, easy to park at, easy to walk around campus in Costa Mesa, CA, which is located about 10 minutes from the beach, about 20 minutes from Disneyland, about 1hr10 min from Los Angeles (I happened to grow up there). . .easy to drive to from anywhere in So. Calif. The wonderful thing about this expo is the small size. The lectures are held in the college classrooms. There are wonderful lecturers, as Collette mentioned--Sandra Betzina, Margaret Islander, Peggy Sager, Cynthia Guffey, Lyla Messinger, Jan Bones, Cecelia Podolok, Mary Ellen Flurry, Mary Lou Retton, Kathy Ruddy,to name a few. The price is inexpensive, only $35.00 for two days, you can wonder in and out of which ever lecture you want. There are fashion shows at noon both days (it is held on Veterans weekend, usually, on Sat and Sun). The topics include fitting, finishing, how to choose pattern, special seminars on sleeves, necklines, pattern drafting. There are also speakers on crafts, how to set up your own business, computer pattern drafting, etc. There is a small exhibit hall in which you can see & feel the lecturer's designs, and try on sizes, such as with Material Things, Islander, and Betzina's Vogue jacket to see which size fits you. There are book vendors, people that sell unusal trims, beads, buttons, etc etc, also can buy patterns from the independents represented. I learn so much when I go. To register, I call or email the college in the summer. They usually don't have the schedules out until late summer for the fall program. You can pay by Internet or by phone, they send you the tickets, programs, maps, or you can pick up at the college on day of attendance. The last couple of years I have taken the day off prior, taken my 16 year old dtr with me, we go shopping at South Coast Plaza, stay overnight in a local motel (great prices on that weekend as it is not busy--try the Marriot Suites or Wyndham by South Coast Plaza) and go both days to the seminar. My sister and her girls came down and met us there last year, so you see this can be a fun girls trip, too. I have never been to one of the big expos, but this suits me fine. . .if you have never been, and can get there, go, you will learn so much! |
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This was wonderful and really makes me want to go again (I went a couple of times years ago) if it is still this quality at the new site. I will faithfully attend any good garment-oriented in Southern California. I am disappointed that we have so few here. Aren't there enough of us sewing enthusiasts to merit more great events?
3/16/05 11:20 PM
Hi 10Ksteps; unfortunately it is not the same. The venue moved to the OC fairgrounds, in a big drafty building. . .fewer speakers, exhibits. The speakers are not provided microphones so very hard to hear them, not even easels with drawing paper or blackboards. Only a few people in attendance. . .I am surprised the speakers came back two years in a row. I am not sure I am going back next year. . .the organizer is very nice. . .however for the cost (About $300.00 for the three day's classes) the facilities should be top notch and they are not. It was cold, hard to hear, depressing. Maybe this year will be better, continue to grow, but they really need to fix the AV problems.
3/17/05 7:26 PM