Fireside Chat with Emily Hallman about Capsule Wardrobe Planning

We spent about a half hour with Emily Hallman talking about color, style and the joy of sewing your own wardrobe. She publishes a capsule wardrobe blog and has over 40K followers on Instagram, both an enormous source of inspirational eye candy! Emily describes herself as a shoe lover, bookworm, dog mama, fashion enthusiast, and sewist.… Read the rest

Fireside Chat with Suzy Furrer of Apparel Arts

Suzy Furrer is the star of our next fireside chat and she is another delight you won’t want to miss. Suzy is the founder/director of the Bay area fashion design school, Apparel Arts where she teaches classes on pattern making, textiles, sewing, design principles and tailoring.  In addition to teaching at her own school, Suzy teaches at conferences, guilds, and schools around the country, online on Blueprint, and has even taught for big name companies like GAP, Pixar, and Lucas Films.… Read the rest

Fireside Chat with Gail Yellen and her Serge Magic

Join me for a 25 minute fireside chat with Gail Yellen of Gail Patrice Designs and hear all about her serger magic. Gail offers a collection of patterns, teaches a wide range of classes and workshops, authored the book, Serger Essentials, and has a YouTube channel where she offers a wide range of videos called Serger Tip Clips.… Read the rest

Plano ASG meets Jenny Rushmore at Cashmerette

When Jenny Rushmore saw a gap in the options pattern companies offered curvy sewists, she didn’t sit back and accept it. She started her own company and filled it! We recently had the pleasure of a fireside chat with her and heard about her journey through building her company, Cashmerette and co-founding the Curvy Sewing Collective.… Read the rest

Plano ASG meets Heather Lou at Closet Case

We recently had the distinct pleasure of spending a half hour with Heather Lou, founder and director of Closet Case Patterns. Heather has taken her business from her first pattern, the Bombshell swimsuit back in 2013 to the extensive line of 23 patterns, 7 supply kits and 4 online classes she offers today.… Read the rest

Behind the Scenes with Claire Cochran at Stitch Buzz

If you are a garment maker, you have very likely either made a cardboard template or wished for one many times. When Claire Cochran of Stitch Buzz felt that way, she invented a permanent one! In 2011, Claire launched her business with just one specialty ruler. Watch this 20 minute interview as she takes us behind the scenes into that journey.… Read the rest

Meet Jami’s ISOLATION Doll

When COVID-19 became a household word it sent us all into the isolation of self-quarantine.  What do you do when the walls of isolation begin to close in?  We asked Jami Roux how she has been spending her time and found out how she spells isolation….

Jami is a practicing doll maker, so it is no surprise that her idea of staving off the boredom was researching ideas for a new doll. … Read the rest

Homegrown Workshops

What We’re Making in Homegrown Workshops (subject to change)

  • Wristlets with Susan – Apr 4
  • Activewear with Mary and Sheryl – May 2
  • Swimsuit with Mary and Sheryl – June 6
  • Beeswax Covers with Terri and Sharon – August
  • Beginner Sewing with Carol – September
  • Faux Fur Poncho and Muff with Terri and Sharon – October
  • Quilting with Maggie – November
  • Tassels with Penni – December

Most workshops cost about $15-20 for members, with a $50 surcharge for nonmembers.… Read the rest

Jeans Making – Grand Finale

Welcome back to this Grand Jeans-Making Adventure! ICYMI, you can read about my search for the right fabric and supplies in Part 1 and my painful journey through jeans fit in Part 2. In part 3, my grand finale, I will share my experience of ….

Making a Wearable Pair of Jeans.
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Jeans Making – Part 2

Welcome back and thanks for joining me as I chronicle my grand jeans making adventure.  I had lots to learn about the various denim weights in Part 1

In Part 2 I found out the big thing to learn was JEANS FIT.  I had no idea when I started this that I would need to make 3 muslins!
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Jeans Making – Part 1

Part 1 – Getting Ready

Two years ago, I decided I wanted to jump on the jeans-making band wagon.  I bought the Closet Case Morgan boyfriend jeans pattern and was ready to go.  Six months later I had done nothing so when our chapter offered a jeans technique workshop, I was excited to attend. … Read the rest

Sewcial Sew

Let’s try something!  If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, we want to get to know you!  Join us at this meet up in North Dallas and hang out with other sewists!  Stay all day of just drop in for a little while.  Bring your sewing machine and work on a project, bring some handwork, bring a problem you want collaborative help with or just bring something to sip or snack on and visit. … Read the rest