Raise your hand (or needle)

If you have used a Stretch & Sew pattern or still have a favorite in your stash.  Here is mine --

Per my note on the envelope,
Obviously they ran a little short!

Well-drafted, and versatile wardrobe patterns (a nod here to the stirrup pants of the late 80's/early 90's) - the skirt and the slim pants are still sewable and wearable today.  Beginning in the mid 60's, Ann Person wrote books about techniques on sewing on knits and designed patterns, sewing notions (Perky Bond!) in addition to opening stores and franchises.  She was probably the most instrumental in changing the Big 4 to offer multi-sized patterns and helping several generations learn to sew with knit fabrics.  She was inducted into the American Sewing Guild's Hall of Fame in 2004.  Sadly, Ann passed away on August 10 at the age of 90.  

Haute Houston!

Online registration begins today for the American Sewing Guild Annual Conference to be held in Houston - August 16/20. Click here for more information.

Simplicity Patterns - ASG Creativity Contest 2012

Here are the Simplicity patterns for the 2012 American Sewing Guild Creativity contest.

The Annual Conference this year will be in HOUSTON, TEXAS August 16-20!!

The Conference brochure will be posted online on April 2 and online registration will begin on April 6

This year they have a new event open only to ASG members and anyone 18 and under sponsored by an ASG member. Two winners will be chosen electronically at random in the two categories.

Visit the ASG website http://www.asg.org/ for Conferenece and entry information.

1797 - Available March 23 Dress with princess-seamed bodice, waistline seam and flared skirt with a front inverted pleat. Jacket with short kimono sleeves, cropped length and boxy shape with an inverted pleat in the back

1885 - New, no picture available online yet. Short-sleeved dress/blouse, 3/4 length sleeved jacket and slightly wide-legged, flared pants.

1916 - Tops - sleeveless, short and 3/4 length

1920 - Sew Stylish magazine Short sleeved top, above ankle skirt, jacket, tie belt and scarf

1921 - Baby dress, jacket, diaper cover, hat

1927 - Girls dresses and bolero vest

2702 - Dress/blouse with three sleeve length options

2703 - Threads magazine Dress, jacket, sleeveless blouse and pants

2284 - Chanel type jacket (was also in last year's contest)

2286 - Skirt (was also in last year's contest)

2287 - Pants and jacket (was also in last year's contest)

2288 - Threads magazine Jacket and skirt (was also in last year's contest)

2293 - Girls/children's vest (was also in last year's contest)

"That's Clever!" featuring Houston ASG member tomorrow!

"That's Clever", an HGTV show, is showing American Sewing Guild Houston Chapter's Joanne Carpenter's Pink Poodle project on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 a.m.., CST. Joanne, a long-time member of the ASG and HAFA-Houston Area Fiber Artists, was filmed at her home about three years ago and has been waiting all this time for her segment to air!

Psst! Get your new ASG Simplicity pattern numbers here!

Hot off the presses!!

The nine new Simplicity Patterns for the American Sewing Guild's 2010 Creativity Contest are:

2642 ... 2645 ... 2659 ... 2665 ... 2696 ... 2702 ... 2703 ... 2705 ... 2715

Even if you don't enter the contest, these are good ASG-endorsed patterns with lots of fun sewing potential! And applause to Simplicity for their cool, updated website!

ASG Ronald McDonald House Pillowcase Project

Here are a few of the pillowcases I sewed for the Ronald McDonald House. I used the "burrito" sewing method to give a nice finish to the edge. Of all the directions I reviewed, the ones from Utah State University were the easiest for my brain to comprehend.

Adorable K.P. Kids & Co. fabric. And so soft, too! Love how the border print went vertical instead of horizontal.

And I embroidered a tiny heart on each pillowcase. . .

-----------------

Most recent count of pillowcases sewn by the American Sewing Guild -- over 1,000!!

Pilgrim & Mills Pants #2

No, I haven't made them. But at our ASG Neighborhood (Support) Group meeting last night we had a swapping table. I brought these and some other patterns and goodies to give first dibs to a sewist who would appreciate them before taking to Goodwill. I can't for the life of me understand why no one wanted these, can you?! This morning I tried Googling the pattern and the designers and nothing came up. I was curious to see Pants #1. Circa 1995, these pants were popular on Prodigy (remember that?!) and the Quiltropolis Sewing List and Wearable Arts Sewing Groups. I had printed off the pages with others variations, just in case. (The pockets do not stick out as shown on the drawing, in the photo the top of the pocket opening is at the knee.) Now I'm looking at them again and wondering, hmm... You do see these pockets and loose styling on recent patterns - Sandra Betzina and Marcy Tilton have versions, albeit a little more subdued. I did get rid of 15 other patterns, but think I'll keep this one around a little longer until it surfaces again. It still looks funky and fun - and stash reducing.

American Sewing Guild Simplicity Patterns

Click here for the PDF to the American Sewing Guild's 2009 Creativity Contest using Simplicity patterns, along with the pattern numbers and thumbnail catalog photos. With Jo-Ann's sale this weekend, December 12/14, you can get them for $1.99. Even if you don't plan to enter the contest, these ASG-endorsed patterns are easy to sew and ready for your creative influence. If you Google around, you'll be able to find past years' winners and see how they transformed the basic pattern/s into something amazing! Last weekend I saw a friend wearing the 2938 jacket and it looked gorgeous sewn as is right out of the envelope.
(Simplicity 2903, 2925, 2938, 2939, 2940, 2958, 2977, 3588, 3807)

Sew For The Cure Pin

Sew Pink is being sold by the American Sewing Guild. Click here to purchase one or several. The cost is $4; which includes shipping. It measures 1 1/2" x 1" and has "ASG" on the right side.

American Sewing Guild - Pillowcase Project

The 2009 American Sewing Guild National Community Service Project will be making pillowcases for the Ronald McDonald House in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Even if you are not an ASG member, contact your local Ronald McDonald House or children's hospital to see if they could use pillowcases to cheer their patients.

I discovered some good Internet links with instructions to make a variety of pillowcase styles, including the infamous "Burrito Pillowcase Pattern". These websites complement both the visual and print instruction method sewers. Please be sure to use only 100% cotton fabric in children's prints and bright colors and make them in standard pillowcase size - 21" x 32".

Utah State University

Quilting in Connecticut

Quilted Forest

Quilt in a Day Community Forum

Burda 7968 - View C Camisole

This Burda pattern dog just won't hunt! I now know why the camisole was not shown on the envelope models, and you won't be seeing a photo of it on me either. This is a family blog!

How can View B be so large and fuddy-duddy and View C be so tight and skanky? I made the same size for both, in fact even added a little to the sides of the camisole for fitting insurance. The pattern drafters were snoozing on this one. Maybe I can count the hours spent on 7968 towards my ASG community service sewing? One, don't buy this pattern....two, if you do, plan on donating the outfits made to Goodwill.

Fashions From The Cotton Patch

The annual "Fashions from the Cotton Patch" fashion show expo and luncheon sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Fort Bend & Galveston Counties and the Houston Chapter of the American Sewing Guild will be held this year on Saturday, August 9 at 11:00 AM at the Bud O'Shieles Community Center in Rosenberg, Texas. If you are a Texas resident of Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Montgomery, Liberty, Brazos, Wharton, Matagorda, Colorado or Austin County, you (Adult, Professional, Youth) can participate in the show with your 100% cotton clothing, wearable art, accessories and home decor items. Adults and Youth (8-10, 11-13, 14-18 age divisions) are encouraged to enter. I attended last year and some of the outfits our up-and-coming sewists made were incredible!

Deadline for entries is July 28, luncheon is August 1. I'd mail it in as soon as possible, it was a packed room last year.Click here for the website link with ticket and entry information

Where's the Love?

At Hancock Fabrics! For four days only, April 24/27, they are having their "I Love Mom" sale which includes Vogue patterns for $3.99 and McCall's patterns for 99c. (Butterick goes on sale for 99 cents May 1/4). Another thing to note, Hancock's changed their ASG discount policy. You can still get 10% off, only now on non-sale items only. (Thirty-nine cents was nothing to quibble about when I got the $27.50 new Issey Miyake 1052 (I love the pants for summer, the jacket is making me sweat just looking at it) for only $3.99; and the clerk was so apologetic. I guess others must have been giving her grief. Truly, everyone needs to work retail at one point to see what life is like on the other side of the counter.) I also got two of the new Sandra Betzina Today's Fit patterns -- 1045 and 1049. Her new 1050 pants must be a big hit, the slot was empty.

Carol Watson at Houston ASG Chapter Annual Meeting October 13

The Annual Meeting of the Houston American Sewing Guild Chapter will be October 13 from 10 AM to 2 PM, featuring award winning fiber artist, Carol Watson AND the Leandro Fabric Traveling Trunk Show! Carol will present a slide show of her trip to Paris and a trunk show of her garments. You'll be able to purchase Leandro Fabric's cashmere, silk, lightweight wool, linens and more in precut yardages and chose from a great selection of buttons, too. Registration deadline is October 9. For more information, email events@asghouston.org

Hello, Kitty!

Temptation strong, will weak. Though I thought I did pretty well - three Japanese fabric squares/napkins/handkerchiefs tempered the price and stash space. And I heard these kitties are good luck because one paw is raised. Who doesn't need good luck and fabric?

And of course, Carol Lane-Saber was terrific. The Japanese garments, textiles and techniques were jaw-dropping. She'll also be teaching at the upcoming Houston Quilt Festival, visit their site for class information.

Carol Lane-Saber is coming to Houston August 11

The Houston Chapter of the American Sewing Guild is hosting an all-day program with Carol Lane-Saber on Saturday, August 11 from 10AM-4PM. The morning session -- Japanese textiles and a trunk show of her Fairfield Fashion Show garments. After lunch (included in the ticket price!), the afternoon session will be overviews of origami and incorporating it into clothes and quilts, shibori, Nuno fabric and fabric collage. Plus shopping opportunities of fabric and notions!

Ticket price for ASG members is $25, $45 for non-members. Visit the Houston Chapter website or email events@asghouston.org, for more information and space availability. Registration deadline is August 7.

Fashions from the Cotton Patch

Fashion Show and Luncheon...

Co-sponsored by the American Sewing Guild and the Texas Cooperative Extension.

Isn't this a cute, cute table arrangement?! The container is an antique dairy can. (No, we didn't get to take them home!)

Here's what was in our goody bag - That little container at the top right is cottonseed oil. One of the door prizes was a gallon of it! Fun cotton fact: One bale of cotton will produce enough oil to cook nearly 6,000 snack-size bags of potato chips.

Our county has over 35,000 acres of Upland cotton, producing 50,000-100,000 bales. It is the #1 crop in Texas!

There was a fashion show, lunch, presentation by the Extension Agent and lots of door prizes, all for $10. For the fashion show, all the entered garments had to be made from cotton. While there were six adults competing in their division, it was really wonderful to see 10 outstanding entries in the 10-13 Youth division. Each received a green participation ribbon, and red, blue and white rosettes were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. And with all the great prizes--even a grand prize sewing machine for the 10-13's--I bet there will be even more next year! Sewing and cotton are growing in Texas!

AS IF we need further incentive

Medical proof sewing is good for you --

From Heart Healthy Living (Winter, 2006) "A 2004 study found that people who do something creative every week make fewer doctor visits, take less medication and report less depression than those not engaging their artsy side. Part of the benefit comes from the social aspect of group activities (Me: American Sewing Guild!), and for solo pursuits, a sense of individual mastery, according to Gene D. Cohen, Ph.D., director of George Washington University's Center on Aging, Health and Humanities.

How To Make Cool Ties

Our neighborhood group decided to make Cool Ties for our soldiers as our community service project last week. The grand total -- 91!


Juanita had a stamp made for this and our other service sewing projects.


These were easy to make, especially if you do assembly-line style sewing. I could handle it in groups of three.

You'll need:

100% cotton, cut in strips 5" x 39" Or you can just tear across from selvedge to selvedge -- 44" or 45" does not make that much difference.

We had a discussion about the different fabrics -- muslin, camoflauge colors, fun quilting prints (don't you just love the Snoopy comic strip, bluebonnets and the John Deere tractor prints?) I found the washed muslin was a booger bear trying to get the pellets down the tube, but the prints had a nice finish and they just slid right down. If there are any restrictions about the color, the military can sort them. My husband is a former Marine and he said they would all be needed and appreciated...the prints could be used during training in the hot weather.

Root Watering Crystals

One brand is Agrosoke. You can find this at Lowe's, Home Depot, even Wal-Mart. Their 800# is 1-800/880-2476. These little pellets EXPAND into a gel. A little goes a long way. Believe us!

Sewing machine, serger

Thread, scissors, pins

Measuring spoons, specifically - 1/4 teaspoon

Directions:

1. Fold strip lengthwise, wrong sides together. Fold under short ends 1/2"

2. Serge long edge, leaving short ends open for the pellets.

3. Find center of strip and sew down the middle, backstitching beginning and end.

4. Put 1/4 teaspoon of pellets down each side of the tube. Shake 'em down so they are next to the stitching. Sewing machine needles do not like the pellets.

5. Mark and sew 4" away from center




6. Repeat with another 1/4 teaspoon of pellets on each side. Sew another seam 4 inches away from previous stitching so you now have 4 pockets of pellets.

7. Sew or serge ends of tubes closed.

There are other versions and variations of these ties, but we found that having the 4 pockets helped distribute the pellets/gel more evenly.

We all had a good time doing good. I know you will, too, and they will be really, really used and appreciated.

Hey Quilt Girl!

I've been getting emails -- "Peggy, you talk the talk, but have you actually ever made a quilt?" Yes, I have, but I gave them away. "Ha!," you say. But seriously, they went to St. Jude's in Memphis, Tennessee and to Houston for the Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

To the above left are the St. Jude quilts our ASG Neighborhood Group made. Mine is out of camera range (true!), I was standing in the street to take the photo as it was. But on the right is one of my Katrina quilts. I was hoping it would go to a child, hence the 'Scooby Doo" and "Lion King" prints. Note the Texas flag print in the center. (If you like, you can read my quilting stories for PatternReview.com by clicking here for St. Jude's and here for Katrina)

Since I was and still am a quilting beginner's beginner, I used Kaye Wood's 6 Hour Quilt book-let. People, if I can do this, anyone can! Several years ago at the Houston International Quilt Festival, Kaye had an area where people could take a break, sit and serge strips for the Love Connection charity quilts, using her method. Even if you had never quilted, or sewed for that matter, this was easy and simple enough to do. When I originally bought the book, I thought it would make a nice Christmas gift in holiday fabrics or out of denim (the legs). I still do...! ;-)