Learning Batik in Bali

by Markita Hall-Gumble

I spent almost 4 weeks in Bali.  I had so many textile experiences while there, including 3 different batik classes. First, what is batik?  In a simple answer, batik is a form of printing on fabric using wax as a resist.  Batik has a rich history and it’s origins are over 2000 years old. 

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Fabric Sale

We have been blessed with some fantastic donations of fabric and are now ready to participate again at the Farmers Market at Willow Bend.

The Shops at Willow Bend Farmers/Artisan Market

Saturday, April 15, 9:00 to 2:00

We are pulling out the storage!

We have some silks, high quality cottons and rayons, velvets, linens and loads of fabric with unknown fibers.

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Designing Divas Field Trip to Illumination Fine Fabrics

We found last spring that Illumination is such a great fabric store we needed a repeat visit.  the weather cooperated, and the owner was excited for us to visit again.

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Fabric Sale

The Shops at Willow Bend Farmers/Artisan Market

Saturday, June 25th, 9:00 to 2:00

We are pulling out the storage!

What will we find?

So much fabric for $1.00 per yard!

Designer fabrics for $5.00 per yard and Ambiance at $2.00 a yard

Fat quarters at 10 cents each

$5.00 bundles of home dec high end fabric

Fabulous deals on trims as well as 10 cent notions!

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Fireside Chat with Kimberly Jolly of the Fat Quarter Shop

We recently had the pleasure of doing this 20 minute interview with Kimberly Jolly. Kimberly is the owner of the Fat Quarter Shop and It’s Sew Emma. Between those two companies, she covers all sorts of quilting and cross stitching fabrics, supplies, and patterns. It was great fun to hear how this accountant turned creative and made her journey to where she is today.… Read the rest

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

Travel and Fabric and Sewing! Oh My!

If you are reading this article, I suspect you are a lover of fabric. Those of us sharing that love usually have a stash and the individual pieces of that stash sometimes have a story. Here are stories from Karen, Markita and Sheryl, a few of our Plano ASG members who have had the opportunity to wander the globe and love to feed their stash with souvenirs from their travels.… Read the rest

Is a sewing subscription service for you?

Subscription services – They used to be book of the month club, fruit baskets, etc.  Then came the beauty product clubs, and the popular clothing club, stitch fix.

There have been crafting clubs, quilting and embroidery clubs, knitting clubs, well now there is a new subscription sewing club.

 

 

Needle Sharp is the brain child of Mary Grabenstatter. … Read the rest

Dallas Fort Worth Area Fabric and Fiber Shopping Map

 

 

We are excited to announce the first ever Dallas/Fort Worth Fabric and Fiber Shopping Map!!!

Susan Annand from www.DesignSynse.com  in conjunction with the Plano TX Chapter of the American Sewing Guild invites you to enjoy all of the shopping opportunities in our North Texas Area!!!  Please feel free to link to our map, be sure you credit DesignSynse.com… Read the rest

Preparing to Sew – What you need to know

images of bolts of fabric

It is January a new year, I am sure you have lots of sewing projects planned for 2016.  Before you sew here are a few tips of preparation.

When shopping and you fall in love with a fabric but you are not exactly sure what you will create.  Here is a general guideline that several of our members use when buying fabric for misses sizing (especially for coordinates) :   3 yards for 1 garment; 5 yards for 2 garments  and 7 yards for 3 garments.… 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