Plano ASG Texas State Fair 2025 Winners

Our creativity has no bounds!!

Look at Mary Bensel’s work – She won first place State Fair in knitting – Poncho.

First Place – Wearable Art: Marie Barrese

First Place – State Fair Themed Doll: Jamie Roux

Second Place – In the Hoop Embroidery: Judy Nordseth

Third Place – Woven Articles: Margaret Montgomery

Honorable Mentions – Aprons: Tammy Moberg

Honorable Mention – Adult Apparel: Debby Bowles

Honorable Mention – Jewelry: Marie Barrese

Then we have winners of other competitions –

Look at Sandi Greigo’s quilt she entered and won first place at the Plano Quilt Guild Show.… Read the rest

How to Draft a Basic Bodice

           Submitted by Debby Bowles, leader of Designing Divas Neighborhood Group

Do you need your top to fit?  Do you always struggle with getting your patterns to fit?  Do you keep making several muslins before you get that perfect fit?

            I’m sure you’ve heard – You need a sloper.    Yes, a sloper does help with the fitting issues, although it is not the end-all solution to all pattern fitting. … Read the rest

PLANO ASG VISITS Texas Fashion Collection at University of North Texas

By Debby Bowles

Tuesday, June 28, 2025. the Plano ASG Chapter had the unique opportunity to visit the Westheimer Gallery of the Texas Fashion Collection at University of North Texas.  What an amazing opportunity.

The Texas Fashion Collection, housing fashion of top designers works, has over 18,000 items in their collection. … Read the rest

Slant Pocket with Zipper

Marie Barrese taught the Couture Neighborhood Group how to put a zipper in a pocket.  She adapted steps from Power Sewing Step-by-Step by Sandra Betzina, page 67. 

Zipper in slant pocket instead of side seam (pictures below)


Step 1 – Cut 1 side front from fashion fabric with the printed side of the pattern against the right side of the fabric. … Read the rest

Wool Denim? Yes!

Denim has long stood as a cornerstone of contemporary fashion, celebrated for its rugged charm and everyday versatility. Now, reimagined through the lens of textile innovation, wool-infused denim brings an elevated sensibility to this timeless staple.

Denim is traditionally made from dyed cotton warp yarn and undyed cotton weft yarn. Wool/cotton blends for denim historically involved blending the two fibres at the yarn stage, which is difficult to achieve due to wool/ cotton staple length and dyeing methodology.… Read the rest

“Topstitch Like a Pro: Stitch Length, Tension & Thread Mastery”

Sally Ann Flak presented an informative program about Top Stitching to the Upping Your Game neighborhood group in March. She generously shares it with all of you.

1. Tension Troubles?

  • If the top thread is too tight, loosen the upper thread tension slightly.
  • If loops appear on the back, increase the upper tension gradually.
… Read the rest

Low Vision Sewing and Crafting

Submitted by Marcia Moore

An insider’s tips and encouragement for those with less than perfect vision.

            As we age our eyes become less able to take in light needed to see and less proficient at screening out light we don’t need like glare and reflections.  Low vision can come in many forms such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which I am adjusting, to living with. … Read the rest

DIY Organizer for Sewing Supplies

At the last meeting of Designing Divas, Jami Roux demonstrated how to make an organizer for sewing supplies. Here’s a look at her method and pictures for your next inspiration project!

Decide what tools you want to store or organize. Will you use the organizer to take to classes or will it be used only to store your supplies?… Read the rest