Conference 2020 – What’s In It For You?

We’ve all begun hunkering down away from social gatherings with our minds on COVID19. It can be exhausting to constantly listen for the latest news so we thought, why not take a break and dream about the summer?

Every year ASG hosts a conference somewhere in the US and every year lots of people go. … Read the rest

Homegrown Workshops

What We’re Making in Homegrown Workshops (subject to change)

  • Wristlets with Susan – Apr 4
  • Activewear with Mary and Sheryl – May 2
  • Swimsuit with Mary and Sheryl – June 6
  • Beeswax Covers with Terri and Sharon – August
  • Beginner Sewing with Carol – September
  • Faux Fur Poncho and Muff with Terri and Sharon – October
  • Quilting with Maggie – November
  • Tassels with Penni – December

Most workshops cost about $15-20 for members, with a $50 surcharge for nonmembers.… 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

Jeans Making – Grand Finale

Welcome back to this Grand Jeans-Making Adventure! ICYMI, you can read about my search for the right fabric and supplies in Part 1 and my painful journey through jeans fit in Part 2. In part 3, my grand finale, I will share my experience of ….

Making a Wearable Pair of Jeans.
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Jeans Making – Part 2

Welcome back and thanks for joining me as I chronicle my grand jeans making adventure.  I had lots to learn about the various denim weights in Part 1

In Part 2 I found out the big thing to learn was JEANS FIT.  I had no idea when I started this that I would need to make 3 muslins!
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Jeans Making – Part 1

Part 1 – Getting Ready

Two years ago, I decided I wanted to jump on the jeans-making band wagon.  I bought the Closet Case Morgan boyfriend jeans pattern and was ready to go.  Six months later I had done nothing so when our chapter offered a jeans technique workshop, I was excited to attend. … Read the rest

Sewcial Sew

Let’s try something!  If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, we want to get to know you!  Join us at this meet up in North Dallas and hang out with other sewists!  Stay all day of just drop in for a little while.  Bring your sewing machine and work on a project, bring some handwork, bring a problem you want collaborative help with or just bring something to sip or snack on and visit. … Read the rest

State Fair Sewing

Plano ASG member, Debbie Reid, tells us her story of entering Texas State Fair sewing competitions over the years. We were so impressed and think you will be too.
Debbie wearing her 2019 winning entry

I have loved the Texas State Fair since childhood but it never occurred to me to enter a contest until a colleague at work encouraged me to give it a try.… Read the rest

Janelle’s Journey into Kantha

Submitted by Janelle Brantley

My sister Jacki called me on a Monday, from a Tues. Morning in East Texas, telling me about some Kantha throws she’d found and how wonderful they were.

They reminded her of  jackets she’d seen on Pinterest and in magazines and thought the throws would be perfect for a project.… Read the rest

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snickett’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is a story of three orphans and their evil guardian’s repeated attempts to gain control of their family fortune before the oldest of the three turned 18 and claimed control.

What does this have to do with ANYTHING sewing related? Well, as I reflected on the current state of affairs of our local, independent fabric and sewing supply stores, it certainly does seem like we’ve had an evil guardian out there lately trying to do something similar.… Read the rest

Hitting it out of the Sewing Room

Plano ASG member, Tricia Kemp, showed off her latest creation at the November Toujours! Couture meeting.  It is a story of creativity and the value of ASG relationships, so we knew we had to share.

With the help of ASG friend, Penny Hanstein, Tricia developed a blouse sloper that she can now use to design any blouse she wants. … Read the rest