How T.A.G. Helped My Daughter Learn to Sew

by Susan Clot de Broissia

When my daughter was nine years old, she announced she wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine to make clothes and accessories. We had been crafting together for several years, but I was unable to teach her, never having used a sewing machine before.… Read the rest

Registration is Open: Annual Fall Meeting and Fashion Show

by Davie Marie Hurlbert

Heard Craig House

Plano ASG will be hosting our “Annual Meeting” on Saturday, October 12th at the Heard Craig House in McKinney. Since the fashion show was so popular 2 years ago, we thought it was time to do it again.

We’d love to see what you have been working on in the last year or two and give you an  opportunity to inspire your fellow members. … Read the rest

Our Texas State Fair Winners!

Several ribbons were won by members of our chapter. Here are the pictures and stories they provided.

Jami Roux

Creative Arts Department: Dolls
Category: Handcrafted Dolls
Class: Cloth
Ribbon: 1st Place

My doll is named Abby and she is showing her lamb at the state fair of Texas.  She was inspired by a picture in the Livestock Exhibitors handbook from the fair. … Read the rest

The World of Sewing Literature: Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World

Contributed by Davie-Marie Hurlbert

A magnificent work of original research that unravels history through textiles and cloth—how we make it, use it, and what it means to us.

A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
How is a handmade fabric helping save an ancient forest?
Why is a famous fabric pattern from India best known by the name of a Scottish town?… Read the rest

The World of Sewing Literature

The Last Runaway
by Tracy Chevalier

Honor Bright, a modest English Quaker, moves to Ohio in 1850–only to find herself alienated and alone in a strange land. Sick from the moment she leaves England, and fleeing personal disappointment, she is forced by family tragedy to rely on strangers in a harsh, unfamiliar landscape. … Read the rest

Ice Dyeing – Way too Cool!

by Debby Bowles

We arrived at Fiber Frolics Art Studio in our grubbiest paint clothes, with our prewashed fabric, ready to learn a whole new way of dyeing – Using ice.  Martha, the studio owner, walked us through the process step – by – step.

First, we presoaked our fabric (about two yards worth, except for one – she brought her hoodie to dye!)… Read the rest

Sewing Podcasts

Welcome to the Clothes Making Mavens podcast. Helena and Lori are two women who love to talk sewing but have exhausted the good humor of their non-sewing friends and family, so they now talk to each other! From across the continent they Skype to discuss their obsession with garment sewing. They also interview other like-minded sewists and delight in the wonderful international sewing community.

… Read the rest

These Spring Dresses Won’t Last Long!

Check out these floral dresses at Northpark. Fleurs de Villes Exhibition

Dallas welcomes the exquisite Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE exhibition, a floral spectacle making its Texas debut at NorthPark Center through March 24. This world-renowned show presents 15 unique fresh floral mannequins, each crafted to celebrate the rich arts and cultural scene of Dallas-Fort Worth.… Read the rest

Spotlight on ASG Members – Joanne Jensen

This is the first of a series designed to help us know each other better and what better place to begin than our new president, Joanne.

Joanne was born in Queens, NY, and shortly after her family moved to the original Levittown on Long Island where she grew up.  Joanne is the oldest of three daughters. … Read the rest

Barcelona, Shoes, and Ribbon Foreword

Markita loved to travel and to share her experiences. Even though she is no longer with us we wanted to share this last post that she wrote for us.

Barcelona, Shoes, and Ribbon

by Markita Hall-Gumble

My friend Kim – @quiltaholicsanonymous and I have been on a shoe adventure.  Kim the amazing quilter didn’t stop with 2 pairs of SneakerKit shoes. … Read the rest