Travelogue of a Wandering Sewist – Visiting Marla Kazell

The continued adventures of Sheryl and her trip west.

Further north on our journey I had the privilege of spending the morning shopping in Portland, OR with Marla Kazell.  It was such fun!

She introduced me to the Old Mill Store, which is so massive and has such incredible fabric offerings that I could have stayed there an entire day! … Read the rest

Travelogue of a Wandering Sewist – Inspiration Time with Diane Ericson

While on our road trip from Sonoma, CA to Seattle, WA I had the great privilege to make two “sewing nerd” stops.  I know you understand my enthusiasm because if you are reading this you are probably a sewing nerd too.  ASG is full of people like us!  Yea!

My first stop was in downtown Ashland, OR at Diane Ericson’s studio. … Read the rest

Space is Limited … Reserve your Space for the 2015 Plano ASG Retreat

Retreat Logo - WordPress Version vs 2Pack your luggage and your sewing room for three days dedicated to nothing but sewing! Hunker down at your machine along with fellow sewists to … complete works in progress, focus on projects requiring your complete attention & to dedicate uninterrupted time complete your most complex & challenging makes!

Do all this and more on one of the most breathtaking 30-acre parcels of land in North Texas at the Lakeview Camp & Retreat Center !… Read the rest

It’s a Wrap! Oct 25th 2014

It’s a Wrap Challenge Rules 2014:

 For all categories:

You must be a member in good standing of the National American Sewing Guild at the time of the Judging.

All judging will take place at the ASG Plano Annual Luncheon. October 25, 2014, Blue Mesa Grill in Plano.  No entries will be accepted at any other time.… Read the rest

Neighborhood Group News

Growing and evolving – 

Our neighborhood groups change in response to our members interests.  The Hoopla Sisters (machine embroidery neighborhood group) has grown to  35 ladies. The new morning meeting time is 10:30am and no lunch. We also have a new evening meeting at 7:00pm and no dinner. Both these meetings take place on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.… Read the rest

Pressing Matters

pressing rectangleThe one habit that can make or break the success of your creations is the proper pressing technique.

To begin with there is a difference in ironing and pressing.  When you iron a garment, you are smoothing out wrinkles with a gliding motion.  Pressing, on the other hand is lifting the iron up and down with the goal to meld the thread into the fabric, open the seams or shape the seam or other portions of the item into a curved shape.  … Read the rest

Organization – Part Three – Projects and Pantone

Do you ever go to an all you can eat buffet and fill your plate because everything looks so good?  Well I am guilty of that with fiber of all types.  The almost unlimited selections of such beautiful fabrics, yarns, and ideas on how to use them finds my sewing space bulging with half formed projects and ideas for projects.  … Read the rest

Organization – Part Two – Patterns

This post collects some advise from our members on how they manage both patterns.   Projects will be the topic of the next organizational post.

Patterns/Designs/Paper/Electronic  

Even if you only started sewing, I am sure you have collected many paper patterns, pattern pdfs, patterns for your quilting and/or embroidery software.  And if you haven’t – you soon will!… Read the rest

It’s A Sewing Party!!!

Mark your calendars! November 8, 2014 is a first of its kind sewing and crafting educational event. If you love learning online The Sewing Party is the place for you. For one day sewing and crafting classes will be taught by leading bloggers and DIY educational experts.

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Attendees will have the opportunity to attend over 30 classes, and will be able to access the classes 90 days after the event.… Read the rest

Tips for Buying Fabric Online

I admit, I fear purchasing fabric on line. I’m one of those touchy feely types. I like to look at fabric up close and personal. Feel it against my skin. Lay it across my arm it to see how it drapes. When one ventures to buy fabric online … you don’t get any of those experiences.… Read the rest

Share Fair – September 27th 9:30 am – 3 pm

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Doesn’t everybody love a good fair?

Right here in North Texas we have the Renaissance Fair, the State Fair of Texas, the North Texas Fair and Rodeo, and I’m sure there are various other fairs I don’t even know about.  Usually fairs bring midways, corny dogs, cotton candy and lots of contests and displays. … Read the rest

Quiltin B’s new project “Storm at Sea”

New Project for the Quiltin’ Bs Neighborhood Group

The Quiltin’ Bs newest project is a “Storm at Sea” Quilt.  The Storm at Sea block gives the illusion of curved pieces, but without having to stitch curved lines.  This block is very versatile and leaves lots of room for the creativity of the quilter. … Read the rest