Organizing All Those Self-Drafted Patterns

by Debbie Bowles

I love drafting my own patterns.  The idea of going from a concept, to drafting that concept, to sewing a garment tells my complete story of garment construction. I’ve been pattern drafting for several years, and I have a chunk of self-drafted patterns.  So how do I organize it all?… Read the rest

Spring Fling!

We started out at the Schimelpfenig Library and quickly moved to the Renner Frankford Library in far north Dallas when we found that we had the reservation that never was! Whether it was real (our view) or fictional (their view) somebody really scrambled to find the new venue and no one seemed to have trouble getting there.… Read the rest

The World of Sewing Literature – Part III


Looking for something to read?  There are many fascinating books revolving around sewing.  Here are a few to whet your appetite.

Add a comment below if you have another book to suggest.

My Name Is Resolute by Nancy E. Turner. The year is 1729, and Resolute Talbot and her siblings are captured by pirates, taken from their family in Jamaica and brought to the New World.… Read the rest

State Fair Contests Are Open for Registration!

The Creative Arts Handbook for 2022 is now available at:

There are four departments that might interest our members and you should check the classes for all of them, beginning on page 31 of the handbook.

Holiday Corner
Needlepoint, Crewel, and Counted Cross Stitch
Needlework and Sewing
Afghans, Rugs, Quilts, and Bedspreads

I was surprised to notice that the Holiday Corner included classes for Christmas and Halloween wearing apparel.… Read the rest

2022 Plano ASG Retreat

By Sharon Merlo

The 2022 Plano ASG Retreat was one for the record books.  I have been hosting the Plano ASG Retreat for a number of years now and this one is the most memorable to date. 

We were scheduled for Feb 3rd through Feb 6th, 2022 (Thursday – Sunday) however, Mother Nature had different plans for us. … Read the rest

The Bag Ladies’ Tea

by Mary Jo Forbes

Who doesn’t love a tea party? Over the years that I’ve been a member of Plano ASG we’ve had several but we wanted this tea to be different, a celebration of returning to meeting face to face. We wanted to be able to circulate, to interact, to really enjoy, not just the food, but the event itself.… Read the rest

The World of Sewing Literature – Part II

Looking for something to read?  There are many fascinating books revolving around sewing.  Here are a few to whet your appetite.

Add a comment below if you have another book to suggest.

The Golden Thread by Kassia St. Clair.
From colorful threads found on the floor of an ancient Georgian cave to the Indian calicoes that fueled the Industrial Revolution, The Golden Thread illuminates the myriad and fascinating histories behind the cloths that came to define human civilization―the fabric, for example, that allowed mankind to shatter athletic records, and the textile technology that granted us the power to survive in space.… Read the rest

Mr. B and the Bean Bag Chair

by Pam Walker

Well, I have been asked to write a short something for our blog.  As my life has gotten extremely complicated, my passion for sewing and crafts has been sort of put on hold.  However, my family, God bless them, run to me with all the mending issues.

Thanksgiving day I was honored to put Mr.… Read the rest

Peyote stitch, it’s all in the details

by Catherine Seles

I have to say I enjoy beading more than sewing right now. Not sure if it’s easier to just pull up my beads than my sewing machine? I’ve been working with many different patterns to make various bracelets. I have made several bracelets and even earrings with the peyote stitch.… Read the rest

Fur the Fun of It!

By Cindy Vance

What does one do with a little over a yard of luscious faux fur from Silhouette Patterns?

I decided to make a finger-tip length vest. The inspiration was Let’s Sew – The Fur Vest – Episode 193 from Silhouette Patterns YouTube channel. I followed Peggy’s suggestions on modifying a blouse pattern because it doesn’t have shoulder pads like a jacket pattern usually does.… Read the rest

Lemons to Lemonade

In August of this year I couldn’t flee the heat to the mountains as I generally do and was a bit grumpy about it. I didn’t have the mobility, but definitely had lots of extra time on my hands. Instead of moping around, I began to think about those who permanently didn’t have mobility. … Read the rest