In this episode of Sew In The Know, Ellie Threadwell takes a quick spin around the sewing world with a look at the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo headed to Dallas-Irving, Texas.

Ellie talks about why sewing expos still matter, what they reveal about the problems sewists are trying to solve, and why every shiny new tool deserves one very practical question: when would I actually use this?

Then she puts that question to work with Ricky Tims’ Stable Stuff Poly, a unique stabilizer that can be torn away or left inside a project. Ellie breaks down what it is, where it can be useful, and why it might earn a place in the sewing room for applique, paper piecing, decorative stitching, quilt marking, machine embroidery, and trapunto.

Because new is fun.

Useful is better.

If you have questions, comments, product suggestions, or topics you want covered on the show, leave them in the comments below.

In this first episode of Sew in the Know, Ellie Threadwell kicks things off by talking about what's happening right now in the sewing and embroidery industry — including BERNINA University 2026, one of the biggest dealer events of the year, happening this week in New Orleans.

Ellie shares her thoughts on where the industry is headed, what all the new machines and tools are really telling us, and why "new" doesn't always mean "necessary."

She also gets into stabilizer — not just what it is, but how to actually think about it. Because there's a big difference between buying stabilizer and understanding it.

This is episode one. Go easy on her.

If you have questions, comments, or topics you want covered on the show, leave them in the comments below.