Days are getting hotter, and more time to stay in the AC and sew. Let’s take time to share!
Save the date*
“LET’S BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT”
ASG Lunch Get Together
Thursday, July 31, 11:30 a.m.
Breadwinners Restaurant
4021 Preston Road, Plano
*Be looking for the invitation in a couple of weeks
We are getting excited about the Suzy Furrer workshop July 11,12. Due to a recent cancellation, we have one space open. Please respond quickly, as registration closes July 9.
See link here to sign up: Click to Registration
Plano ASG has many groups/events that still meet in the summer (although the July 4 holiday has interrupted some of the plans)
Here are this month’s topics.
July 1 – Suzy Furrer Measuring Open House
July 1 – We’re Sew Special TBD
July 2, – Couture – Jessica is giving an overview of Plano Senior High Fashion Design Program
July 3 – Beader’s Workshop – cancelled
July 4 – Community Sew – cancelled
July 11, 12 – Suzy Furrer Moulage/sloper workshop
July 12 – TAG – making beach bag
July 12 – We’re Sew Special Sew-in – cancelled
July 14 – Material Girls – Painting fabric with Ink Paint Markers
July 15 – Hoopla Sisters – Relaxing with Zentangles
July 21 – Upping Your Game – Discussing Pieced Garments
July 22 – Designing Divas – fitting slopers (or whatever anyone needs fitting)
July 31 – Beat the Heat Lunch Get Together
Don’t forget to register for your State Fair Entry by July 28. Register online https://bigtex.com/get-involved/creative-arts-competitions/
Let us know if you are entering and if you would like to have us take your entry or carpool.
On June 24 several members had the honor of visiting the Texas Fashion Collection at UNT. We saw garments from Givenchy, Christian Dior, Miyake, Hanae Mori, and even an 1800s man’s jacket. The curator knew exactly what kinds of details would intrigue us!
TAG is teaching young sewists the art of sewing in fun projects. If you want to help, let us know. If you know any youngsters who want to join us, they can register at https://www.planoasgsews.org/tag/
Note from National American Sewing Guild:
When renewing your membership, your membership card will no longer be mailed to you. When you are online at www.asg.org to renew, there will be a message, “Download Membership Card.” Your browser will prompt you to save a file called “Membership Card.pdf” which you can then open and print. :
Meet our newest member:
Gika Rector – joining us from The Woodlands and is excited about Suzy Furrer’s Moulage Class
Happy Summer Sewing,
Debby
June Plano ASG News!
June is the month to enjoy our Neighborhood Group Meetings!
Looking at the list of June activities in our Neighborhood Groups – How exciting is that? Sewing something for any interest! Which do you plan to attend?
Tuesday, June 3 – We’re Sew Special – Brainstorm Christmas ideas and share favorite sewing tool
Wednesday, June 3 – Couture – Learn how to have a hidden zipper inside a pocket
Friday, June 5 – Community Sew – make backpacks for homeless at Streetside Showers
Monday, June 9 – Material Girls* – art stick painting on fabric
Tuesday, June 10 – Beaders Workshop – complete amulet necklace project
Saturday, June 14 – We’re Sew Special Sew-in – making Thanksgiving bags
Saturday, June 14 – TAG – making aprons for Dad
Monday, June 17 – Upping Your Game – explore creative uses for zippers
Tuesday, June 18 – Hoopla Sisters**– Pat Fuller, guest speaker on Texas State Fair exhibit/entries guidelines review
Tuesday, June 24 – Designing Divas*** –fieldtrip to Texas Fashion Collection at UNT
To find more information about any of these groups, go to www.planoasgsews.org/calendar/
*Did you see that Material Girls will have its first meeting, Monday, June 9? Pam Walker is excited to again lead this hands-on neighborhood group where we actually get to make and take fiber art items. You will have to RSVP each month so she can premake kits for the activity. For information and response, email materialgirls@planoasgsews.org.
**Note from Pat Fuller, our State Fair liason: I would encourage each one of you to look at the many options for entering in the Creative Arts Contest during the Great State Fair of Texas. Entry is open at this time through July 28th. For more information, go to https://bigtex.com/get-involved/creative-arts-competitions/arts-crafts-pre-fair-competitions/ The finished item or items are to be delivered to the Creative Arts Building on Aug 1-3, 2025. (respond to this email if you want a guild member to take your item for you)
Please, do call the office with any questions. They are happy to help. Email questions to creativearts@bigtex.com or call Creative Arts Office 214-421-8744.
***PLEASE JOIN US: In a couple of weeks Designing Divas will send a special invitation to anyone interested in joining our fieldtrip to University of North Texas to have our own personal viewing
Texas Fashion Collection, UNT College of Visual Arts & Design, 11 am, Art Building, 1201 W Mulberry St, in Denton. This exhibit has many couture designer clothing, such as Oscar de la Renta and others. We will get to study upclose design details of the beautiful clothing. 
Have you received a lovely card from Plano ASG lately for any illness or other life event? We hope you have. We are transitioning this beautiful care note from mail to e-card. If you get an e-card from MaryJo Forbes, please open it. It is not spam. It is our lovely Care Core volunteer sharing our thoughts and prayers. 
http://www.apparelartsproductions.com/
Suzy Furrer’s Moulage/sloper workshop July 11-12 is full! If you are still interested in attending, please email to be put on the waitlist at specialevents@planoasgsews.org
Are you getting weekly sewing blogs/news from the American Sewing Guild? I’ve learned “sew much” from these emails! Great classes by popular instructors around all types of sewing are advertised in these emails. Plano ASG was even featured earlier this month for our participation with Plano Senior High Fashion Department. If you are not getting these emails and are an ASG member, please reply to this email. I’ll check with National about adding your name.
Meet our newest members with Plano Chapter of American Sewing Guild
Becky Williams – enjoying getting back to sewing clothes that will fit
Kimber Rovito – interests in sewing and embroidery
Amy Jamieson – Clothes sewing while hoping for that perfect sloper
Enjoy your summer sewing,
Debby
President’s Highlights – May 2025 Plano ASG News! What great volunteers we have at Plano ASG! The fabric sale Saturday was a huge success. Thank you to all who volunteered, who supported, and who purchased. This enables our chapter to give great benefits to our members.ASG MONTHLY BENEFIT is our active Neighborhood Groups. This is definitely where we empower our slogan, “CARING and SHARING and Spreading the Love of Sewing.”  Remember – with the one yearly membership, you can go to as many neighborhood group meetings as fits your schedule. BIG SUMMER BENEFIT http://www.apparelartsproductions.com/  July 11,12 – Suzy Furrer IN PERSON Moulage/Sloper Class at the Best Little Retreat Center of Texas. In memory of Markita Gumble and Louise Schubert the Guild is underwriting most of the cost to host a nationally recognized instructor to help each participant create their own moulage that closely fits the body. She will share with the participants how to add ease to make the sloper. After the class, the participants will have an opportunity to have a muslin fitting of the sloper at the July 22 Designing Divas meeting. (Arrangements can be made if cannot attend this fitting.) Members cost will be $150. Plus, members will have two weeks to register before the class is open to nonmembers for double the cost. * Members – Be watching for registration to open on Tuesday, May 27. *If you are a nonmember and are thinking of becoming a member, this is an excellent time to sign up. COMMUNITY BENEFIT Plano ASG has officially adopted the Plano Senior High Fashion Design Department as a focus for spreading the love of sewing to the younger generation. Next year we will have exciting opportunities for all our members to share with the junior/senior teens. MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 1 – Beaders Workshop – Making amulets May 2 – Community Sew – making kitty mats for the Animal Shelter May 6 – We’re Sew Special – instructions review for VBS totebags May 7 – Couture – how to spark creativity to make garments more personal May 10 – TAG – craft making May 10 – We’re Sew Special Sew-In – make VBS totebags May 12 – Material Girls – postponed until June May 17 – Sneakers workshop (registration is still open!) May 19 – Upping Your Game – creative t-shirts May 20 – Hoopla Sisters – TBD – It’s a surprise May 27 – Designing Divas – developing drafting plan for complex top and jacket May 27 – Registration opens for ASG Members for the Suzy Furrer Moulage/sloper workshop Copyright © 2025 Plano Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
President’s Highlights – April 2025
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APRIL NEWS Hope everyone enjoyed our Spring Gathering. If you were not able to attend, you missed a delightful afternoon of fun with your sewing friends. Dr. Karen Zupanic from Heard-Craig Center for the Arts gave an outstanding overview of how art influences sewing. Several creative members presented their art inspirational sewing projects. Thank you to the special events team for organizing another great event. At the end of this email enjoy some of the pictures from the Spring Gathering. Announcing our SPRING FABRIC SALESaturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Willowbend Mall, Farmers Market. Be looking for the email from Pam Walker, our organizer. We still have needs for tagging fabric, packing, working the market, and packing any leftovers.  Next week you will receive the invite for the Sneakers Making Workshop on Saturday, May 17, given by our member, Joann Jensen. Be watching for details. This workshop will fill up quickly. We have three new members this month. Vickie McCartney – She has so many sewing experiences with Daughters of the American Revolution. Hope you get to meet her soon and see the beautiful period clothing she makes. Linda Nord – She wears beautiful muumuus with fabric from friends on a Pacific island where she frequently voluntarily teaches sewing. Jessica Medley – She is the teacher for the Fashion Design Department at Plano Senior High. We are hoping Plano ASG can adopt the fashion design program at Plano Senior High. Our participation was a pilot program this winter. We had so much fun that we anticipate opportunities for the entire guild next year.  Join us as several guild members are attending the Plano Senior High Fashion Design Students’ Fashion Show this Thursday, April 3, 7 p.m. at Plano Senior High Auditorium. (Reserved will be a section just for Plano ASG). To get tickets, go to https://www.pisd.edu/domain/14369 We are tentatively restarting Material Girls Neighborhood Group in May. It will be the second Monday of each month at the home of Pam Walker. This is a hands-own fiber arts group. Fun activities are already planned.  Have you heard that American Sewing Guild is sponsoring great classes virtually for the spring? Beginning today Sandra Betzina is doing a series of six classes, and Janet Pray is scheduled for two classes. Wonderful opportunities to learn new skills at great prices. Just like being at conference in the comfort of your own home!To register, go to https://www.asg.org/members-only/virtual/ (Note – on the website, https://www.asg.org/, you must log in to the Members Only section to be able to register)  SAVE THE DATE – July 11,12 – Suzy Furrer, owner of Apparel Arts Productions, will teach a moulage/sloper class. More details in June.Hope to see you this month at the various Neighborhood Group meetings, virtual classes, and the Farmers Market Sale. Happy Sewing, Debby Bowles |
President’s Highlights – March 2025 Spring is in the air! Hope you are already planning to attend our Spring Gathering Saturday, March 29, 1-3 P.M. Monday, March 3, you should receive your invitation. Here is the latest note from our Special Events Team about the Challenge: Have you ever wondered where fashion designers, interior decorators and accessory designers get their inspiration from? Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more the you use, the more you have.” We hope you have been using your creativity in preparation for our March 29th Spring event. Bring something you’ve created inspired by art, fashion, interior design or nature. And tell us what inspired you! The “Best of Show” winner will receive an awesome gift! SIGN UP NOW What: Plano ASG Spring Gathering When: Saturday March 29th, 2025 1:00 PM Where: Harrington Library in Plano, 1501 18th Street, Plano, TX Member Cost: $15.00 // Non-Member Cost: $20.00 Did you know you can keep up with Plano ASG News daily, weekly, monthly? Stephanie Shaw is doing an awesome job posting twice weekly our info on Instagram and Facebook. Check it out by joining Plano Chapter American Sewing Guild on both sites. https://www.facebook.com/PlanoASGsews (I use my cellphone Instagram app for Instagram viewing!) Kris Peterson is keeping our neighborhood group calendars up to date on our website, https://www.planoasgsews.org/calendar/ Deb Ramseyer is doing a great job posting on our website blogs and info about what is happening in the chapter. https://www.planoasgsews.org/ ————————————————————————- The Collin College Foundation and The Texas Wendish Heritage Society both acknowledged our generous donations in memory of Markita Gumble and Louise Schubert. Families of the ladies requested our contributions to these foundations, respectively. Another great contributor to the sewing education for the American Sewing Guild passed away in January, Claire Schaeffer. Here is her tribute. https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2025/01/11/shaeffertribute ——————————————————————  MATERIAL GIRLS Neighborhood Group is returning in April! Pam Walker has volunteered to once again lead our fiber arts neighborhood group. Meetings will be at her home on the 2nd Monday, 10 a.m. Watch for an update on the first meeting.——————————————————————- DATES TO REMEMBER: March 29 – 1-3 pm Plano ASG Spring Gathering Harrington Library, Plano Special Speaker – Karen Zupanic from Heard-Craig House April 3, 7 p.m. – Plano Senior High School Fashion Show by Senior Fashion Design Students – tickets are $5 at the PSHS Auditorium (several members have been advising the students as they create their ensembles) April 26 – Farmers Market Sale (more information next month) May 17 – Sneakers Making Workshop led by Joann Jensen (This is a date change. Invites will go out in April.) —————————————————————– NEW MEMBERS IN FEBRUARY : Jane Macalla Vickie Scott ————————————————————— GALentines Luncheon was very special, thanks to Maria King for planning. We love our sewing friends!     I finally attended my first overnight sewing retreat. Amazing! You wake up in the morning and think, “What am I going to do today?” With a broad smile you answer – “SEW!!!” A big shout out to Sharon Merlo who has this retreat down to perfection. Amazing ladies with amazing projects. Enjoy the pictures below.                     |
Neighborhood Group Spotlight – Couture
At the February Couture meeting the Plano ASG member behind Tape Free Patterns, Kathe Campomanes, is explaining her company. Here’s a chance to meet her and learn all about pdf patterns.
Couture: Wednesday, February 5, 10 a.m.
Plano Sewing Center 2070 W Spring Creek, Plano, TX 75023
**Plano Sewing Center is having an embroidery thread sale. Plus, on Couture Meeting Day discounts apply on in-store purchases.
New Member – Let’s all welcome Pat Fuller as a January new member. Pat works with the State Fair Creative Arts Department, and through your entries she has learned about Plano American Sewing Guild!
So many fun pictures! First from the Intown Retreat, then from Designing Divas where Jami demonstrated how to draft supply carryalls.
Intown Retreat February 7-9
Designing Divas January 28
President’s Highlights – January 2025
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were wonderful. It was definitely a time to reflect on how wonderful the Plano Chapter of ASG has become. As I review all the different aspects of our group, I am amazed at how many of you volunteer your time and effort to encourage and spread our love of sewing.
I challenge you to join me in one of my many New Year’s resolutions – to attend a new neighborhood group or activity I haven’t tried.
An easy group to try will be held this Friday, January 3, from 9-noon for the Community Sew at the Richardson Senior Center. This is the perfect time to try it out since no sewing machines are needed this month. Just scissors or rotary cutters and pins or weights to cut out baby and toddler bibs for Hope’s Door. Sewing will be done in February. Give it a try!
Perhaps try out the Stay at Home Retreat Friday – Sunday, January 17-19. You can attend 1, 2 or 3 days. The link to sign up for the retreat is REGISTRATION
The Special Events Team is getting excited about our Spring Event in March. They are being very creative in their challenge this year. It will be called “Unleash Your Imagination.”
What inspires you to create beautiful clothing, accessories or home decor? Is it a piece of art, a picture, nature or maybe something you’ve seen on Pinterest? The ASG Special Events team has decided to switch up our spring challenge to showcase your creations and hear what inspired you to make them. All creative endeavors are welcome! As you have come to expect, there will be a grand prize for the Viewer’s Choice award.
The spring event date and location will be announced in January, once a venue has been booked. So get those post-holiday juices flowing and we’ll see you this spring. Possible links to include: 10 Fashion Designs Inspired by Iconic Artworks Domestika or Vintage Inspired Accessories – Nataya or Pinterest
Also save the date on April 26th for a Tennis Shoe making class hosted by Joanne Jensen. Details will be coming out soon.
Happy Sewing,
Debby Bowles