Janet Pray – A Passion for Fashion

(Originally posted August 23, 2015)

Janet Pray

Janet Pray

American Sewing Expo is the largest independent sewing expo in the United States.  Janet Pray, President of ASE, says, “We work all year to have the most exciting sewing show possible.  No matter what your sewing interest is — fiber arts, fashion sewing, quilting, needle arts, sewing for children, home dec, or crafting — ASE has the latest in products and education.”

ASE has an exciting vendor floor for shopping and make-and-takes and classrooms for seminars and hands-on sewing workshops.  Three stages on the show floor have ongoing free demonstrations and style shows.  But perhaps the most exciting, unique element to the American Sewing Expo are the CONTESTS.

Passion for Fashion 2013

Passion for Fashion 2013

Contests are the heart and soul of the American Sewing Expo.  No other consumer show in the country even comes close.  Janet Pray clearly wakes up in the middle of the night, dreaming of new contests for ASE.  For 2014, there were an unbelievable SIX different contests and/or sewing competitions.

  • Passion For Fashion:  This premier LIVE design challenge event takes place on the show floor during the show.  On Friday morning, contestants received the official “challenge” and were given their “Expo Dollars”.  They shopped the show floor — then designed and sewed their garments in a designated area.  On Saturday afternoon, they did model fittings, and the Passion For Fashion FINALE Runway show took place in front of a live audience that night.
  • Innovation Generation is a sewing competition for youthful sewists, age 8-18. The participants were divided into three different age groups — and the audience was delighted with the skills and creativity at the free Innovation Generation style show.
  • Fashion Design in Half Scale was an online sew-a-long led by ASE 2013 Teacher of the Year, Joi Mahon.  Participants purchased a kit, including a half-scale dress form.  The theme in 2014 was Fashion Icons Through the Ages.
  • Push the Envelope is the contest where EVERYBODY can participate. The theme in 2014 was Pocket Pizzazz — and entries can be anything sewn. Quilts, garments, accessories, home dec. You just need to include ONE POCKET.  The entries were displayed during the show and winners were selected after judging.

    Janet’s Inspiration for COSPLAY 2014

    Janet’s Inspiration for COSPLAY 2014

  • COSPLAY:  NEW in 2014.  The first 100 who arrived in costume on Sunday, September 28 received a gift.  At 3:00, there was a contest on the Fashion Stage.  The costumes can be any type: Anime, historical, TV, movie, comic book, video game character, etc. — they must be handmade,not purchased.
  • Dream Sewing Room:  Always the exciting conclusion to the American Sewing Expo weekend — attendees have the chance to win a dream sewing room. A sewing machine, serger, table, patterns, fabric, scissors — it truly is a DREAM sewing room.

When it comes to providing sewing inspiration — nobody is doing a better job than the American Sewing Expo.  Grab your best friend, or plan a mother/daughter sewing weekend to attend this cornucopia of sewing events.  The 2015 show is September 25-27, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.

Janet says, “Be sure to check out the page on CONTESTS — because we have something for everybody.  And if you are part of a sewing club or a guild — be sure to contact us to find out about the special perks we have for buses or groups!”

www.americansewingexpo.com