2022 Plano ASG Retreat

By Sharon Merlo

The 2022 Plano ASG Retreat was one for the record books.  I have been hosting the Plano ASG Retreat for a number of years now and this one is the most memorable to date. 

We were scheduled for Feb 3rd through Feb 6th, 2022 (Thursday – Sunday) however, Mother Nature had different plans for us. … Read the rest

The World of Sewing Literature – Part II

Looking for something to read?  There are many fascinating books revolving around sewing.  Here are a few to whet your appetite.

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

The Golden Thread by Kassia St. Clair.
From colorful threads found on the floor of an ancient Georgian cave to the Indian calicoes that fueled the Industrial Revolution, The Golden Thread illuminates the myriad and fascinating histories behind the cloths that came to define human civilization―the fabric, for example, that allowed mankind to shatter athletic records, and the textile technology that granted us the power to survive in space.… Read the rest

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

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

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

Fireside Chat with Anita Morris of Anita by Design

We had an incredible 37 minutes with this lovely lady! You will love her exuberance, authenticity, joy and sparkling smile. Anita Morris of Anita by Design shares her passion for helping people learn to sew, her unique way of planning her sewing projects, as well as how she has weathered some of life’s hardest moments.… Read the rest

Summer Sewing Inspiration

Are you thinking about summer sewing?  We are!  We reached out to a few of our members and asked if they had any summer inspiration to share.  Whether you are looking for machine embroidery, quilting, garments, bags or even beading and weaving, we have a few ideas to get your summer creative juice flowing!… Read the rest

After the Masks

When COVID sent us all inside, our minds were consumed with questions like

WHAT NOW?

We needed something to combat all kinds of feelings.  Fear.  Boredom.  Lack of purpose.  And we had to find the solution to those feelings within the confines of our own homes.

Because we sew, many of us found the solace we needed right inside our sewing room. … 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

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