SEW AWAY 2011

Reportback from our customer "Head Girl", Morag Lewer:

"Dear fellow Husqvarna Viking ‘Hussies’ (ek vra verskooning dat hierdie epos in Engels geskryf is …)

It’s back to the real world now after the hype of the Annual Sew Away!  It raced by before we realised it – it came and went…! 

We all agree that this year’s project was simply awesome!  Hopefully the ‘fear and trepidation’ of free-hand work has gone for good and that we now feel more confident? 

Acknowledgements go to Nicky for the tea-bag idea and Macky Cilliers, a world-renowned master quilter from South Africa for the organza technique.  Let’s face it, these techniques have inspired us no end! It is wonderful how special seeds are planted and grow into beautiful trees!   

We are sincerely grateful to Marcelle for her sheer dedication and enthusiasm in organising the venue, creating new ideas and inspiration for our eagerly awaited Sew Away. And for Luiz nod of approval.  None of this would be possible without our special dealers, Annatjie, Colleen, and Nicky and their respective staff members who tirelessly assisted behind the scenes. 

We are aware of the endless hours of time, energy and effort that these dedicated people put into the annual project to whet our inspirational needs.  Besides, they have a business to run and are at our beck and call at all times during the year - not only at the Sew Away.

 We thank you for your generous contributions for their gifts which, with respect, they richly deserve. 

We thank Vivienne for the lovely ‘Thank you’ cards which she embellished and embroidered (with her own designs) – you have set a precedent Viv – so keep up the beautiful work! 

It was wonderful renewing old bonds and making new friends with the lovely new ‘Hussies” – Clara, Barbara, Elzabie, Koba&Nanette.  We are sure you will not miss the opportunity again! 

Congratulations to Annatjie (Potchefstroom) and Joey (Meyersdal, Alberton) with their new ventures as fully fledged Husqvarna Viking Dealers.  We wish you all the success in the world and may you soon be walking with “Diamonds on the soles of your shoes!” 

Our gala night is also a special highlight of the Sew Away.  The effort put into the outfits by one and all for the “Out of Africa” dinner was a wow! Well done to all of us – we can pat ourselves on the back!

 Our team would like to express our sincere thanks to Gretha Botma who  made the patterns for our “Rainbow Nation” outfits, which was originally designed by her for a production “Ziyabuya e Civic”, 25 years ago, when she was Head of Wardrobe at SABC 2&3. She opened her own couture studio, Gré Couture, when she moved to Nelspruit, where she still resides. She has however, retired from the rag trade.  Gretha donned the Orange outfit - and to Crissie, Malinda’s sister-in-law, thank you for making the time to join us with your busy cake making & decorating commitments. 

We all enjoy a bit of entertainment and we thank the Potchefstroom girls for their comical interpretation of “Little Red Riding Hood” with an African twist.  Well done, we thoroughly enjoyed your show - and Monica’s Basotho dance routine which got us into the spirit of the Out-of-Africa theme!  It was a true extravaganza of fun. 

The venue was wonderful, the sewing room was spacious and conveniently situated, the staff a treat and nothing was too much for them when we ‘squealed’ or requested anything.  The food was a wonderful – in five days there were no repeats! 

We would love you to share your photographs.  Please let your dealer have a copy of your photographs.  Whoever is interested can approach your dealer for a copy – just bring your blank DVD or CD along! 

To Luiz and Marcelle thank you for the special treats & gifts found on our sewing machines each morning and to our dealers Annatjie, Colleen and Nicky, we salute you all for yet another successful, fun-filled, renewal of old bonds, welcoming of new ladies and an inspirational Sew Away and instilling the slogan “Keeping the World Sewing” – we are eternally grateful to you for your special efforts and dedication!  Bless you all! 

With heaps of love and cyber hugs

The A-Team
Brenda, Denise, Helen, Malinda & Morag"

INGWENYAMA LODGE, White River	Our Sewing Room	Our PROJECT, focussing on TEXTURE
Sewing on the Diamond Embroidery Machine	Our GREAT Dealers	Annatjie "burning" Dot's Table Runner
Working hard!	The A-TEAM, "in the pink"!	Ina Potgieter
Malinda with her "burnt" Table Runner	The A-Team RAINBOW NATION on the Gala Evening	Majka Makovy on the Gala Night - "OUMA" from Ouma's Rusks
Resting up in the afternoon