Northern Virginia Sewing Guild
A Chapter of the American Sewing Guild
Monday, January 15, 2024
Interesting People Wear Hats
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Contest Ideas for Neighborhood Groups
Generated with AI ∙ November 9, 2023 at 12:18 PM |
One of the ways to engage sewing groups is to create a challenge! Sewing challenges spur risk-taking because it's a low-risk exercise with the potential for a fantastic payoff! After all, these are learning opportunities.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Use the same pattern selected by the challenger to create a project. Marvel at the different variations sewists can create! An alternative to this is to use the same fabric.
- Everyone writes down a project (aka UFO) that is lingering in their time-out bin or stash. A deadline is agreed upon and everyone reports the status at the end of the challenge period. This written commitment provides accountability that can move a project forward.
- Issue a "zero-waste" challenge and review the final projects
- Upcycle or alter a garment you never wear but don't want to discard. Make it better, however you define "better."
- Quilters must use a garment technique and garment sewists must use a quilting technique in a challenge.
- Propose a technique challenge. Sewing books that demonstrate couture techniques, sashiko, quilting, and embroidery lend themselves well to this challenge. Sewists may also find inspiration from YouTube videos, Instagram, and blog posts.
- Identify the oldest pattern, notion, or fabric in your stash and make something with it.
- White Elephant Challenge: Everyone brings a predetermined amount of fabric in a bag and bags are exchanged. (No peeking!) This could extend to trims, buttons, notions---the possibilities are endless!
- Identify a "Christmas in August" recipient (could be an individual or a facility). Everyone is challenged to create a sewing donation for the recipient. This could be hats, adult bibs, walker/wheelchair totes, scarves, etc.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Just a Reminder! Annual Meeting this Saturday!
Our annual chapter meeting is this Saturday, October 14, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Sully Government Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA 20151.
This year will be a potluck luncheon so everyone can share their favorite fall food! Yum!
We will be electing our three Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) positions of President, Treasurer, and Secretary at the meeting. Voting is now open so you can vote electronically. The final count will be announced at the annual meeting after all electronic and paper ballots are counted.
Activities and Events:
- View the lovely rope bowl creations!
- Listen to the president discuss the recent ASG Conference in New York City and ASG State of the Union
- Learn who the Neighborhood Group Leaders are, Neighborhood Group accomplishments, and plans for the upcoming year!
- Get a head start on your sewing calendar with plans for Fifth Saturdays, Workshops, and other Fun Events for 2024!
Saturday, October 7, 2023
It's Just Fabric; We Can Out-Think It
It's just fabric; we can out-think it.
It seems that you are quoting a phrase from a sewing discussion topic on PatternReview.com. The phrase was used by a user named BriarRose, who was commenting on a thread about Carol Burnett's outfit on a TV special. The user was expressing their admiration for the fabric design and their confidence in their sewing skills.
The phrase could also be interpreted as a metaphor
for creativity and problem-solving. It implies that fabric is not a fixed or
rigid material, but rather something that can be manipulated and transformed by
human ingenuity. It also suggests that there are no limits to what one can
achieve with fabric, as long as one has the right mindset and attitude.
There are other contexts where the phrase could be
relevant, such as physics, fashion, or philosophy. For example, some physicists have argued that spacetime is not really a fabric, but rather an illusion or an emergent phenomenon. Some fashion experts have criticized the sustainability of fast fashion and the use of synthetic fabrics. Some philosophers have
explored the nature of reality and the role of human perception in shaping it.
In any case, the phrase is an interesting and
provocative one, and it could inspire many different kinds of creative works.
For example, one could write a poem, a story, a song, or a code using the
phrase as a theme or a prompt. Here is an example of a poem that I wrote using
the phrase:
It's Just Fabric; We Can Out-Think It
We can cut it, sew it, dye it, knit it
We can make it into anything we want
A dress, a coat, a hat, a flaunt
We can stretch it, bend it, fold it, twist it
We can shape it into any form we need
A tent, a sail, a flag, a creed
We can weave it, quilt it, patch it, stitch it
We can mend it into something new and strong
A bond, a bridge, a story, a song
We can dream it, design it, create it, invent it
We can make it into something that reflects our soul
A vision, a passion, a purpose, a goal
This entire article and accompanying graphic image were generated by an AI prompt on the phrase "It's just fabric; we can out-think it."
Saturday, August 26, 2023
A Quilt Can Wrap Someone in Love - Quilt Donations for Maui
Thoughts and prayers can hold someone up spiritually, but a quilt can wrap them in love.
Wrap the World with Quilts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to sending quilts and sewing machines where they're most needed.
Their mission statement says it all:
Through the gift of a handmade quilt, we provide comfort and love, warmth and human connection to those suffering around the world.
Wrap the World with Quilts has been sending quilts to Ukraine but have recently added Maui as an option. Use the drop-down location option, "Wherever Needed Most," to route your donation to Maui. The "Aloha Quilts Donation Drive" began with Marilyn at the Maui Quilt Shop. If you'd like to register quilts as a group, just include a note in the box with a name and email and specify they should go to Maui.
Marilyn says, "Your donated quilts will be distributed wisely to those affected by this horrible fire. These quilts will give them comfort and help them heal as they try to overcome this tragedy. Thank you for caring about Maui! With Love and Aloha."
For shipping, Wrap the World with Quilts has partnered with GiveBackBox and UPS for an inexpensive shipping option that will go directly to the receiving organization. Donations may also be sent directly to the Maui Quilt Shop at 18 Central Ave, Wailuku, HI 96793
Go to THIS LINK to add the label to your cart. The address will be preprinted and, after you pay the $20 flate rate fee, the label will be emailed to you. Simply print it out to place on your package. The label will cover the costs for any size box up to 50 lbs.
Just drop it off at any UPS store.
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Woodbridge Sewcial Club July Meeting: "THRIFTING 101"
If you are new to upcycling or if you've never thrifted before, this meeting is for you!
The Woodbridge Sewcial Club (WSB) will first meet at the Goodwill Thrift Store located at 9769 Liberia Ave, Manassas, VA 20110 at 10:30am on Saturday, July 8th.
We will tour the store as I explain:
- The various sections of the store;
- The method I use for thrifting and what to look for; and
- Tips and tricks for finding the perfect thrifted item
Ideally, my hope is that everyone will find (and purchase!) that one perfect item on this trip!
We will stay at the thrift store for as long as we like, purchase any items we just cannot leave behind 😍, then head over to the Central Library at 8601 Mathis Ave, Manassas, VA, afterward to show off our thrifted finds and the next steps in turning this item into a new upcycled creation!
THRIFTING 101:
The Thrifting 101 series will continue over the next several meetings, and will include education and presentations on:
- How to clean or pre-wash your item (and any future thrifted items once you're hooked on upcycling---which I think you will be!) 💞
- How to envision what your item will become in its new life, considering its fabric content, any directional prints or nap, etc., and how to pick a pattern that suits your vision;
- How to deconstruct your item;
- How to lay out your pattern to maximize the "yardage" and/or deconstructed pieces you have to work with; and
- Maybe some open sew sessions for us to upcycle together!
If you haven't RSVP'd for the meeting, please message me asap at asgwoodbridge@yahoo.com. I'm only asking for rsvp's so that I know:
1. Who is coming and delay the start of the tour, if needed, if anyone is running late, and
2. Have enough handouts for everyone
I think this field trip will make for a really fun meeting and I hope you can make it!
My hope is that this crash course in upcycling will set us up for a more in-depth upcycle challenge in 2024 AND . . . if completed before the Quilt and Sewing Expo in Fredericksburg, VA, in September, you can walk the ASG Fashion Show in your upcycled garment!