Suzy Furrer is the star of our next fireside chat and she is another delight you won’t want to miss. Suzy is the founder/director of the Bay area fashion design school, Apparel Arts where she teaches classes on pattern making, textiles, sewing, design principles and tailoring. In addition to teaching at her own school, Suzy teaches at conferences, guilds, and schools around the country, online on Blueprint, and has even taught for big name companies like GAP, Pixar, and Lucas Films.… Read the rest
Category: Books & Articles
Fireside Chat with Gail Yellen and her Serge Magic
Join me for a 25 minute fireside chat with Gail Yellen of Gail Patrice Designs and hear all about her serger magic. Gail offers a collection of patterns, teaches a wide range of classes and workshops, authored the book, Serger Essentials, and has a YouTube channel where she offers a wide range of videos called Serger Tip Clips.… Read the rest
Book Review
I recently had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of the new book by Sarah Gunn and Julie Starr, A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing. Since my self-described style is “Audrey Hepburn with a Twist”, I was excited to see what this book had to offer. And I was not disappointed. … Read the rest
How to Be Online Fabric Shopping Savvy
The Plano ASG Chapter met on Saturday, Oct 27. If you missed the annual luncheon, you missed a wonderful event! We were fortunate to have Rosalind Gaither of Sew Much Fabric (www.smfabric.com,) Katy, Texas, as our speaker. She has been in business since 1987.
Rosalind shared four important things to know when “Online Fabric Shopping.”… Read the rest
Sheryl’s Creative Journey into the land of Koos
In 2017 I decided to set a goal of growing my creative skills. These do not come naturally to me. I am a process/rows-and-columns kind of thinker by nature. As I set out to look for way to achieve that goal, I decided to sign up for Marla Kazell’s Koos coat workshop. … Read the rest
Fabric knowledge : Twills
What I learned today – contributed by Sheryl Belson
There are many things I love about being a part of the American Sewing Guild. I was reminded of one of them just today. In the Sewing With a Plan meeting we focused on incorporating more denim into our wardrobe. When it was my turn to show my project idea I told the group that I was having a horrible time trying to get the fabric on grain. … Read the rest
Sewing and Designing Resources
I just wanted to share some of my favorite resources for fashion design and sewing. I love books, maybe it is my age or desired learning style.
Books
Our local chapter has collected a great many books that are available to check out for a month at a time to any member of ASG. … Read the rest
ASG National Conference Highlights
As your chapter President, I attended the 2016 national conference. The first evening and 2nd day of the conference have separate track for Presidents or their delegates. Thursday was the annual meeting of the corporate members. Chapter awards were as follows: Newsletter: Houston Website: Indianapolis Chapter Growth: West Oakland Michigan . … Read the rest
Interview Project Runway Junior Winner Maya Ramirez
Last ye
ar we posted the request from Lifetime looking for young creative clothing designers for a new format of the Project Runway competition series. This new format selected 12 designers from ages 13 to 17 to compete in weekly clothing design challenges. While there were no contests from our local area, Maya Rameriz, the inaugural season winner’s aunt does live here.… Read the rest
Textile Conservation
What comes to mind when you think about preserving our history?
We’re familiar with preserving famous paintings, architecture, furniture, and historical documents, but where do textiles fit when you think of history?
Because textiles are thought of as utilitarian, they rank at the bottom when conserving history comes to mind.
But, how can you think about your personal history without including memories of your wedding dress or your child’s christening gown?… 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
Pressing Matters
The one habit that can make or break the success of your creations is the proper pressing technique.
To begin with there is a difference in ironing and pressing. When you iron a garment, you are smoothing out wrinkles with a gliding motion. Pressing, on the other hand is lifting the iron up and down with the goal to meld the thread into the fabric, open the seams or shape the seam or other portions of the item into a curved shape. … Read the rest