Hats in Bloom was a HUGE success! Thank you to the special events team for above and beyond. I think it was the best spring event yet. If you still have questions for our guest speaker, here is the contact info for Elena Wittman from Art of Hats Studio website. https://www.artofhatsstudio.com/
The table decorations were so lovely. This picture had to be included:
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Time to get your tickets to the Plano Senior High Fashion Show this Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m. at Plano Senior High Auditorium. You will be amazed at what these high school students can create with only two years’ experience sewing. Thank you to all the basic sewing skills and guidance.
Here is the link to purchase your ticket.
Plano Senior High School Fashion Show | planoisd Box Office
If PSHS gets you excited about fashion shows, some of the ASG Members have volunteered to create and model outfits for the Heard-Craig Fashion Show on Saturday, August 29. I’ll share ticket info when that information comes available.
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Our neighborhood groups are busy this month. Please join us as many times as you can. (Notice a few little name changes!)
April 1 – Garment Sewing & Couture Techniques (formerly Couture)
UFOs – Helping decide what to do with unused fabrics
April 2 – All Things Beads – Jewelry, Embellishments, Ornaments (formerly Beaders Workshop) – twisted bracelet or member’s choice
April 3 – Community Sew – stuffed animals for Pediplace & kitty beds for Richardson Animal Shelter
April 7/10 – We’re Sew Special – visitation and meeting
April 10 – TAG – making baskets * See note below about more TAG opportunities
April 13 – Material Girls – making bar lotion
April 14 – Hoopla Sisters – visitation and sharing
April 20 – Upping Your Game – Adding details to “up” a pattern/fabric
April 28 – Designing Divas – drafting collars
For more information about any of these neighborhood groups, go to Calendar – Plano ASG
****We are looking for a VOLUNTEER to post neighborhood group email updates – no creative writing required, just cut and pasting information. If interested, please respond to president@planoasgsews.org ****
TAG is expanding! Here are volunteers who recently helped at the private school, Alpha School Plano, as the children learned how to sew items for charity.
GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH TEXAS have reached out hoping we can do some summer workshops teaching girls how to sew. If you are interested or want more information, please respond to TAG@planoasgsews.org
NOTE: With all the TAG outreach, if you have cute quilting or fleece fabrics, please consider donating to TAG.
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Plano ASG Fabric Sale
Saturday, May 16, Plano Farmers Market
4721 W. Park Avenue, Plano
****Please volunteer to donate, shop, and work the sale****
SUMMER WORKSHOPS
Lots of opportunities to learn new skills this summer! Share with anyone wanting to learn something new! Registration will happen this spring. Note: Members have a very low fee for each workshop!
- Saturday, June 20 – Beginning Quilting – taught by Tiffani Standridge and Sharon Merlo
- Saturday, July 18 – Beginning Hand Embroidery – taught by Jami Roux
- Friday, August 14 – Beginning Bag Making – taught by Cathey Jordan
- Saturday, September 26 – Umbrella Making Workshop – taught by Tammy Moberg and Roxanne Carder
Please Note: Have you dropped your home landline? We get membership reports with the first home number listed. If you want Plano ASG to contact your cell, please drop the landline number from your account. You can do this when you renew. Plus, remember you need to print your own membership card. National no longer sends these via mail.
Happy Sewing,
Debby
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President’s Highlights – March 2026
The Plano ASG Annual Spring Gathering is just around the corner! Keep a look out in your email, as registration opens on March 4th. This year’s theme is “Hats in Bloom”
(Wearing a hat is not required, but all hats are welcome.)
- Come hear Elena Wittman of ArtofHatsstudio as our guest speaker (zoom on a big screen) gives us some history and tips for creating and wearing hats.
- Please bring your make from using the challenge bag. Two great challenge prizes will be awarded: one for the Fan Favorite and another specifically for a hat created using the items from the challenge bag.
Make plans to join us in March for a fun afternoon—sip some tea, enjoy a sweet treat, admire some great makes, and maybe even take home a prize! Yes. There will be door prizes. 🎩🌸
Maybe you will get inspired at a March Neighborhood Group Meeting to finish your challenge for the Hats in Bloom!!
March 3 & 14- We’re Sew Special – making a table runner
March 4 – Couture – exploring sewing rooms in small spaces
March 5 – Beaders Workshop – making twisted bracelet
March 6 – Community Sew – making stuffed animals for PediPlace
March 9 – Material Girls – making polymer clay buttons
March 14 – TAG – making a sewing tool holder
March 16 – Upping Your Game – TBD
March 17 – Hoopla Sisters – Making a patriotic card
Designing Divas – drafting various necklines
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ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR!!!!
April 2, 7 P.M.
Plano Senior High Fashion Show
Plano Senior High School Auditorium
Several of our members have spent hours assisting the students in learning sewing skills so they could develop creative garments. A fun evening outing for all of us. At the Hats in Bloom I will have information on how to buy tickets.
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Alpha School Plano has asked for volunteers on Friday. 1-2 p.m, March 27, to help the elementary students sew a charity project. If interested, contact me at president@planoasgsews.org.
Overnight retreat at Sunset Retreat Center was amazing! I personally had so much fun getting to know the fabulous sewists. Plus, the wealth of knowledge that attendees openly shared was so appreciated. It was a great time to try something “out of my box”. I already have plans for what I want to attempt next year! Go ahead – Reserve the first week in February, 2027, for our annual retreat!
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SUMMER WORKSHOPS
Lots of opportunities to learn new skills this summer! Share with anyone wanting to learn something new! Registration will happen this spring. Note: Members have a very low fee for each workshop!
- Saturday, June 20 – Beginning Quilting – taught by Tiffani Standridge and Sharon Merlo
- Saturday, July 18 – Beginning hand embroidery – taught by Jami Roux
- Friday, August 14 – beginning bag making – taught by Cathey Jordan
- Saturday, September 26 – Umbrella making workshop – taught by Tammy Moberg and Roxanne Carder
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Have you ever forgotten to renew your ASG membership before it expired? You received an email reminder well in advance and you thought you had plenty of time to renew and then, the first thing you knew, three months had passed and you were no longer eligible for the $5 discount on your renewal. You will now pay the full annual fee. How can you avoid that? It’s easy! Next time your renewal date approaches, sign up for auto-renewal. Sign in to your Account Information online, click on Renew Membership, and choose the Auto Renewal Option. You will pay as you would for a regular one-year renewal, print a membership card, and be all set! Thirty days prior to your next year’s renewal date, you will receive an email informing you that your membership will auto-renew on your renewal date in plenty of time to opt out if you choose to do so. You won’t have to worry about missing out on the $5 discount or about not being able to opt out if that’s what you choose to do. It’s really the smartest way to avoid missing out on the discount or risking a lost-in-the-mail check. Give it a try – it will be one less thing to worry about!
April 23- 25 – ASG Spring Virtual Conference (via Zoom) Registration will begin later this month.
Hope to see your sewing creations at a March meeting or Hats in Bloom! Debby
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President’s Highlights – February 2026
I certainly miss my sewing friends! Between the holidays and the icy weather, I’ve had much needed sewing time, but not much time to share sewing stories and news with my sewing friends.
I can’t wait for the retreat Feb 4-8 at Sunset Sewing Retreat Center. I’ll have lots of fun stories and pictures to share!
February gives us many more opportunities to be together!
GALentines Lunch
Friday, February 13, 11:00 A.M.
Aboca’s Italian Restaurant
100 Central Expy, Suite 63
Richardson, TX 75080
We love to have this chance to spend time with our GAL sewing friends over good food and atmosphere. Let us know if you can attend this “Dutch treat” event by emailing Maria at membership@planoasgsews.org
February Neighborhood Group Meetings
Our neighborhood groups are back for lots of great ventures in February:
February 3 and February 14 (sew-in) – We’re Sew Special – making creative heart patterns
February 4 – Couture – learning echniques to make that 3rd Piece
February 5 – Beaders Workshop – making herringbone bracelets
February 6 – Community Sew – making small stuffed animals for PediPlace
February 9 – Material Girls – playing with Cricket Explore 4
February 14 – TAG – making hats and scarves
February 16 – Upping Your Game – learning latest 2026 fashion trends
February 17 – Hoopla Sisters – sharing ideas and programing
February 24 – Designing Divas – Drafting princess seams
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The Plano ASG Annual Spring Gathering is just around the corner! This year’s theme is Hats in Bloom, and we’re glad to welcome Elena Wittman of ArtofHatsstudio as our guest speaker. Wearing a hat is highly encouraged, so don’t be shy—show off your style! 📅 March 28 | 1:00–3:00 PM. Save the date!
The spring meeting also features the Annual Challenge Reveal. This year, two great prizes will be awarded: one for Fan Favorite and another for a hat created using the items from the challenge bag. What will you have for us?
A few challenge bags are still available. If you’d like to participate, please contact Donna at specialevents@planoasgsews.org and take the challenge!
Make plans to join us in March for a fun afternoon—sip some tea, enjoy a sweet treat, admire some great makes, and maybe even take home a prize! 🎩🌸
SUMMER WORKSHOPS
Lots of opportunities to learn new skills this summer! Share with anyone wanting to learn something new! Registration will happen this spring.
- Saturday, June 20 – Beginning Quilting – taught by Tiffani Standridge and Sharon Merlo
- Saturday, July 18 – Beginning hand embroidery – taught by Jami Roux
- Friday, August 14 – beginning bag making – taught by Cathey Jordan
- Saturday, September 26 – Umbrella making workshop – taught by Tammy Moberg and Roxanne Carder
The Dallas Handweavers and Spinners Guild will be sharing weaving demos you are sure to enjoy.
The Third Thursday each month, Feb-May, 10 A.m. – noon
Plano Heritage Farmstead Museum
1900 West 15th Street
Plano, TX 75075
Free with purchase of general admission ticket
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See you this February!
Debby
