OKC American Sewing Guild Camp Canyon Retreat 2019

I made some neat clothes!

Literally a month ago -- talk about a late blog post!!-- I participated in my first full sewing retreat. (I went to the 2018 retreat but only stayed for a day.) The Oklahoma City chapter of America Sewing Guild hosts a three-day long retreat annually at Camp Canyon Methodist Camp. The weekend consisted of make-n-take projects, a fabric "garage sale", door prizes (I didn't win any 😔) and lots & lots of sewing. We were housed in the main conference room but our meals were served 1/3 mile away in the mess hall. The campsite is super scenic so I spent a lot of time meandering around outside.

About forty ladies from sewing club participated in the retreat. I was seated at a long table with Karen, Brenda, Karla, Tammy, Irene and Amy. We all got along, which was great because we spent all weekend together (its pretty hard to move once you get your sewing station all set up).  My initial roommate was Marilyn but she had a last minute family emergency and couldn't make it, so my new roommate was Connie. And that's about all of the names I can remember from a month ago... sorry, my memory is crap. LOL

This is just one tiny sample of the fabric I bought from the garage sale. RagsReborn is going to have SO MUCH new fabric for fall/holiday craft shows!!!

The first thing we did after setting up our sewing stations was rummage through the garage sale. Everyone was encouraged to bring their left over scrap fabric (and pretty much anything else that is sewing related) to sell as a sewing club fundraiser. There was an entire room full of awesome stuff! We were allowed to pack as much as could possibly fit into a plastic shopping bag for $5/bag. I bought a bag of fun patterned fabric for RagsReborn and a bag of fabric and notions for me to use throughout the retreat. Each year, the sewing club holds a garage sale challenge where we make items using only fabric purchased from the garage sale. There are two categories - clothing and non-clothing, and I planned to make one of each to enter. I didn't know what I would do with all my new fabric, but I had all weekend to figure that out! My friend, Brenda, became my personal shopper and brought me all sorts of fabric to add to my stash. Honestly, she brought me more than I could use so I had to put some of it back. LOL I only brought a couple of patterns with me because I wasn't sure how much I could sew in one weekend. Especially because I was strictly sewing garments and I'm new (and not very good) at sewing clothes. 

All of my beautifully traced and cut pattern pieces 😍 Thanks again to Marilyn for letting me borrow her pattern and use her tracing paper. 

My first project of the weekend was to sew an outfit for the sewing club's pattern challenge. For the challenge, we had to choose a Simplicity brand pattern that is approved by American Sewing Guild, sew the garment and model it at our monthly meeting. My friend, Marilyn, and I decided to sew the same outfit. She was going to guide me through the process but since she couldn't make it to the retreat, I was on my own. And what do I do? I started sewing the shirt and decided that it would look so much better as a dress. Like, the cutest little mod shift dress ever! So I went rogue and spent all day sewing the black puppy dress (pictured in the very first picture of this blog post). The fabric I used was from the garage sale so I'll be entering the dress into the sewing club's garage sale challenge, clothing category. I did eventually get around to making the Simplicity pattern (#8021, view A & B). Brenda picked out the black suede fabric with the eyelet cutouts. 

The second day of the sewing retreat turned into a dress making day. I was going to sew a couple of different variations of the Simplicity pattern (to get the hang of making simple shirts and pants) but my friend, Karen, gave me this beautiful flowing yellow floral fabric. There was tons of it! I was pondering what to make with it when Carolyn and Brenda came over to show me this designer fashion catalog. I don't remember which brand/designer it was but there were gorgeous $400 summer dresses in it.  I showed them Karen's fabric and a dress that I liked and we set off to make a replica. Carolyn is a seamstress and used to own Helen Enox Fabrics where she did custom tailoring so I was in good hands. 

Top: the pattern I used for the bodice of the dress, Karen's yellow fabric and the dress from the catalog. Bottom: a cute keychain Brenda gifted me and our second make-n-take project; a tablet stand.

I would say that the dress was a team effort but Brenda and Carolyn mostly make it for me. The only part I sewed was the bodice, which I botched up so Brenda had to take it apart and re-sew it for me. Carolyn has the most incredible Bernina sewing machine (advanced, high tech and expensive could be other adjectives to describe it). It practically sews itself. She taught me how to use the gathering foot and rolled hem foot on it. Then, she taught me how to use her serger, which changed my life. Seriously. I have already started saving up money to buy one of my own. After we finished the first dress, I decided that I needed to make a second one by myself. I grabbed a few pink fabric scraps and sewed the dress pictured in the very first picture of this blog post. I decided on a different design for the bodice so I wouldn't have two identical dresses. Plus, I think the racer-back works better as a summer dress. I was so proud of myself. Not only did I sew a dress all on my own, but it was my fourth garment I made that weekend!

Brenda, me, Carolyn and Karen

Sunday was the third and last day of the retreat. I think most of the women were ready to leave but I still had sewing to do! Brenda picked out some black & brown fabric for me and I had promised her that I'd use it for something before the retreat ended, so I made the shirt pictured in the very first picture of this blog post. I also started the round purse pictured below. I had no idea that round purses were so trendy now; I just felt like designing and sewing one. The chain and charms were from a kit that I picked out at the garage sale so I'll be entering it into the sewing club's garage sale challenge, non-clothing category. Our two make-n-take projects for the weekend was a shopping bag made from recycled feed bags (I used an old dog food bag, pictured below) and a collapsible tablet/book stand. Those are so cool and useful. I'll be making more of those and adding them to my craft show inventory line up.

Final inventory from the retreat - three dresses, two shirts, one pair of pants, one tablet stand, and two bags. I would call that a huge success. I had a blast and am so thankful for all of the new friends that I made. Everyone is so smart and talented! I plan to use what I learned to sew many more outfits. Now, let's all wish me luck in the Simplicity pattern challenge and garage sale challenges! 

Erica discovers the Dallas Fabric District.

A couple of months ago, I found out that Hancock's was planning on closing. It is the largest fabric and sewing supply store in Oklahoma City. It can't close!! Where will I get fabric? In a panic, I got on Google and searched for fabric stores and learned that Dallas has a FABRIC DISTRICT. An entire part of town that has nothing but fabric stores??!?! OMG, I must go!!

I love Project Runway so when I walked into Golden D'or Fabrics, I was like, "OMG, it's happening...I feel like I'm in Mood. Make it work!"

As I mentioned last week, The Darkness concert was on a week night so Wes & I took some vacation time off work and stayed in Dallas for two days. (Any excuse to take time off work, am I right?) On the second day, we went to the Fabric District (which is really a subsection of the Warehouse District but we didn't go into any of the other surplus stores). We drove out to a pretty sketchy part of Dallas and parked at the first warehouse-- Golden D'or Fabrics. It was a huge fabric outlet and a sewing machine store. It ended up being my favorite store in the distinct. (^_^) April was serger month so they had all the models out and they were all on sale and I wanted one but I refrained. I walked around in awe and picked out a couple of fun fabrics and patterns. I wanted everything but I knew we'd have many more stores to visit so I only bought my favorites.

We left my car at Golden D'or and walked to the other stores. It was all on one side of the street but in between the fabric stores were strip clubs and road construction so it made for an interesting morning walk. The other fabric warehouses were much cheaper in price but their selection of fabric wasn't that great. And the stores were much less organized.
       We went into an extremely cheap warehouse that had a good selection of material but it was all stacked on top of each other on large tables. It was a nightmare to look through. There was also a lady there aggressively haggling and making a scene so it was super awkward.
       There was one store (Fabrictopia) that sold nothing but spandex. I saw mermaid tail patterned spandex and wished I knew how to sew yoga pants.
       After getting a bunch of stuff for RagsReborn, I decided to start getting materials for the decorations I am commissioned to make for my mom's wedding. I ended up getting some red suede and almond fringe. Almond is a very difficult color to find and match, by the way.
       I bought some faux chiffon that I plan on using to make an infinity skirt. And a really cute mint and white floral fabric I'm hoping to make a pencil skirt out of.

After dragging poor Wes into all the fabric outlets, I decided it was time to go to lunch. (He held my bags for me and helped me find almond colored trim. Yay for a supportive husband!!) We went across the street to a really yummy and authentic Mexican restaurant, La Paisa. Their lunch special was 75 cent tacos! We got three tacos a piece, some chips & queso and Mexican soda. The tripe taco was soooo good. After lunch, we drove home with happy and full bellies. The Darkness in concert and a day exploring fabric warehouses... what an amazing way to spend our first wedding anniversary!

It's President's Day & RagsReborn is (sorta) celebrating!

Happy Presidents' Day! My place of employment observes this government holiday so I am at home on my laptop doing my homework. I probably should be out enjoying the day like the rest of my coworkers but spring craft show season is about to start and I have things to get done. I'm not exactly sure how you're supposed to celebrate Presidents' Day but, today, I've been researching Oklahoma small business and tax laws. (Fun, right?)
       Here are some helpful websites and advice that I found in my research. None of these websites are mine-obviously-and they are to be used as reference materials only. I am not giving any legal advice nor claiming to be an expert in the topic. I am not promoting these websites. They were helpful to me and my situation. I wanted to pass them along so if the subject matter interests you, please feel free to click and read. And, once I get my business name registered and tax ID assigned, we can all celebrate together!

I did a little research before I started RagsReborn last year. I reviewed the Oklahoma Tax Commission website and talked to a vendor friend of mine. I concluded that I would only be participating in occasional sales and the functionality of RagsReborn would be more as a hobby than a business. I would collect taxes and turn them into craft shows as requested but I didn't need my own tax ID. Almost all of the craft shows I attended provided a tax form at the end of the show for me to complete and remit money. I also came across this little article: How To Sell Things You Make Without A License.

Earlier this year, I spoke again with my vendor friend (so much thanks goes out to Marie of Glass Soldier Gifts... she talked me through my first year of craft shows. Her knowledge and friendliness has been much appreciated!!) and she strongly advised that I just get my tax ID. If I don't make any sales in the month, I don't have to report. If I do make sales, then it's a super easy process to report online. Many craft shows ask for your business FEIN anyway so why not have one? It's convenient to remit everything to the craft show, but it's also good to take on that responsibility yourself. 

I also called the Oklahoma Tax Commission. I spoke with Monique who informed me that anything more than three craft shows a year does not qualify for "occasional sales." She suggested that I apply for my tax ID online immediately. She echoed Marie's advice in that I only had to report when necessary and the entire process is simple & can be done online. She also stated that if I wanted to register my business name with the Secretary of State (something she highly advised that I do), I would need to get that done before I registered for my FEIN.

Then today, I delved in further. Full on research mode! I want to grow RagsReborn and participate in more craft shows. I want to have a heavier presence on Etsy. I want to really promote my sewing of custom orders and gain an actual customer base. I legitimately want to be a small business! Here's what I found:

Answers courtesy of the Oklahoma Tax Commission website.

Since I started out as a seller on Etsy, I went to their discussion forum first. Etsy has a really good community when it comes to providing knowledge and advice. Etsy advised that I consult the government so that was my next stop. 

       https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/9799713/page/1 

       https://www.irs.gov/uac/Business-or-Hobby%3F-Answer-Has-Implications-for-Deductions

       http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/sales-tax-business-registration/

So it's done... I completed the Trade Name Report and mailed it off to the Secretary of State. I will be waiting patiently as it is processed and once I am notified of its completion, I will go online to register for my FEIN. Then I will report my earnings monthly and fill out this form here next year when I do my 2016 taxes.
       Oh what fun it is to wade through legal research! At least it's done and I feel better about RagsReborn. I am crossing my fingers that this all goes live before my first craft show on Friday February 26th. That's still weeks away so I should be fine. The registration for a tax ID supposedly only takes 15 minutes online. And, I already made sure that RagsReborn Gifts wasn't taken as a business name in Oklahoma so the registration with the Secretary of State shouldn't be too much of a hassle to approve either. This is me thinking positively.

One more thing I have come across- using licensed fabric (and t-shirts, in my case).
       I was worried about this at first but quickly dismissed it since there are "junkers" and "upcyclers" all over Etsy and who participate in craft shows. I have seen numerous quilts, Christmas ornaments, coasters, jewelry & hair bows boasting college logos, movie and TV characters, etc. If you can get your hands on a yard of Oklahoma Sooners fabric, you can craft anything out of it. Very few of these crafters have licenses, myself included.
       This spring, I will be participating in a show that strictly does not allow original collegiate merchandise. I called the show organizer and explained my product to her. I wanted to be sure that I could still participate. She said that as long as I am using licensed t-shirts and fabric, my products will be fine. They are not originals and I am not reproducing the collegiate logos. But, she warned, if I sew a pillow that is orange and black with my own interpretation of the OSU logo on it, I will be asked to leave.

Fortunately, I have not had any bad experiences with copyrights and trademarks. (knock on wood) I have a sign stating RagsReborn Gifts is not associated with any of the brands or images on this item and does not own the rights to the image posted on my booth at all my craft shows and the disclaimer is listed on my Etsy shop profile and on each item description profile. 
       I have been contacted once through Etsy by a member of Fall Out Boy's merchandising team who asked me to remove a pillow I had made using one of the band's t-shirts. No problem. I immediately removed it and wrote a polite and apologetic reply. It was all handled very professionally.
       Then a few months ago, I received a message from a fellow crafter who asked if I have ever gotten in any legal trouble over my products. No, I have not lest the Fall Out Boy incident. I wouldn't even call that a bad experience since no harm was really done. She was surprised and expected that I had received numerous cease and desist letters. Since the possibility of product confiscation and forced closure of my Etsy shop is becoming a reality, I better do some research.

From whatthecraft.com

For now, I think I will be okay. I believe I am doing everything I can to stay out of trouble. But the legal landscape is always changing so I will need to keep abreast of this. If any of you have any experiences and advice to share, I welcome it.
       My apologies if this blog was a little dry but I did say in the first paragraph that I would be doing my homework today. And homework is never titillating. But it's done now and it's back to sewing for me! The spring craft show line up will be revealed next week!!