Fur the Fun of It!

By Cindy Vance

What does one do with a little over a yard of luscious faux fur from Silhouette Patterns?

I decided to make a finger-tip length vest. The inspiration was Let’s Sew – The Fur Vest – Episode 193 from Silhouette Patterns YouTube channel. I followed Peggy’s suggestions on modifying a blouse pattern because it doesn’t have shoulder pads like a jacket pattern usually does.… Read the rest

The World of Sewing Fiction

Looking for something to read?  There are over 30 fictional novels revolving around sewing.  Here are a few to whet your appetite.

Add a comment below if you have another book to suggest.

Hardcover Elm Creek Quilts  (I, II, & III) Book

Jennifer Chiaverini is a historical fiction bestselling New York Times author best known for the “Elm Creek Quilts” series in addition to several collections of quilt patterns that were inspired by her novels.… Read the rest

To Box or to De-Stash?

by Maria Quian
After many years of just dreaming about it, the right house came along. My current house is in Texas and I am moving to Colorado. It is a now or never situation for many reasons.

But in life, all good things also come with other not so good things we must do.… Read the rest

Planning for Fall Sewing

I decided to try something different this fall, actually planning out more than one garment :). To start off I used my custom coquis from the https://www.mybodymodel.com/ app. I walked through Erin’s online class called “paperdolls for adults”. I was inspired to pull out some markers, patterns, fabrics and plan out an entire fall wardrobe.… Read the rest

I decided to try something different this fall, actually planning out more than one garment :). To start off I used my custom coquis from the https://www.mybodymodel.com/ app. I walked through Erin’s online class called “paperdolls for adults”. I was inspired to pull out some markers, patterns, fabrics and plan out an entire fall wardrobe.… Read the rest

Saving a Quilt with a Past

by Jane Dempsey

When I graduated from high school, my grandmother gave me a hand-pieced quilt. Since Grandma Ann didn’t have the money for new fabric, my mother bought the fabric. My grandma and mom didn’t have a wonderful relationship, so their cooperation with each other was noteworthy. In the past, Grandma made all quilts out of pieces of dresses that had worn out, and my mom knew I would like a pink quilt.… Read the rest

Dollmaking in the time of COVID

By Jami Roux

The Covid lockdown gave me an opportunity to practice my doll making skills. When the lockdown began my first thought was to make a doll as I didn’t need to sew more clothes for myself. I also knew everything to make a doll was in my stash.

With all the time to sew, I have made fourteen dolls for gifts, group challenges, tested new patterns, and just because I wanted to try something different.… Read the rest

Fireside Chat with Ann Williamson

Creative inspiration Alert! Our newest Fireside Chat with Ann Williamson is sure to get your creative juices flowing full force. Watch our 30 minute chat with her to learn about her creative process, her love of kimono silk, and her fun interaction with Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Follow Ann on her blog and Instagram.… Read the rest

Looking Back at Native American Heritage Month

November was Native American Heritage Month. Celebrating belatedly with Plano member, Debbie B as she shares her journey into her heritage and learning to make Choctaw apparel. Enjoy this 30 minute interview!

Learn more about the Choctaw heritage on their Main Website and their YouTube Channel. See more about the traditional dressmaking process here.… Read the rest

Celebrating Button Day with Benno’s Buttons

What better way to celebrate National Button Day than to spend a little time exploring the world of buttons with Jerry Dawson from Benno’s Buttons. Watch this video to learn a little bit about buttons and see some of the beautiful and unique buttons Benno’s offers. As Jerry says at the end of the video, what better way to celebrate the day than to buy a special button!… Read the rest

Fireside Chat with Oonaballoona

Join us for another episode of American Sewing Guild Fireside Chats. We spent an enchanting 40 minutes with actress, singer, sewing blogger and all around merry-maker, Marcy Harriell (a.k.a Oonaballoona). She shared both the serious and the shenanigans in this interview and we think you will find her to be just as entertaining as we did.… Read the rest

Red Hot Mess Challenge

What do you do when you receive a donation of a LARGE bolt of red knit fabric and a TUB full of tape measures? How about a challenge?! Our Special Events team created a fun challenge to find ways to incorporate both into any kind of project our members could dream of.… Read the rest