Sunday, October 13, 2019

January 2020 ASG Winter Sewing Retreat----It's Coming!

Woo-hoo! The January 2020 ASG Winter Sewing Retreat is now accepting applications!

This wonderful fun-filled event takes place Friday, January 24 through Sunday January 26, 2020 at the George Washington Hotel, 103 East Piccadilly Street, Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 678-4700

Early Registration is $150 for members and $200 for non-members
After December 25th, registration increases to $165 for members and $215 for non-members.

Registration includes sewing space, two morning and two evening meals. There are many restaurants available nearby for lunch. Please note the registration fees do NOT include hotel rooms.

The deadline for reservations MUST BE RECEIVED by January 9th, 2020.
There are NO refunds after January 9th, 2020.

Rooms are available for $98 on Thursday and $103 for Friday and Saturday, plus tax. Please make reservations directly through the hotel (540-678-4700). Ask for the block of rooms set aside for ASG. There will be a $5/day parking fee this year.

The main sewing room will be available from Friday morning at 9:00am until Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. The room will be locked when it's unattended so you may bring your supplies and machines and leave them without having to pack up daily.

Space will be limited, so DON'T DELAY sending in your registration! This event usually fills quickly!

Checks must be RECEIVED in order to hold your spot. An e-mail will be sent as receipt of your check and registration. Please make your checks out to NOVA ASG.

Link to registration form HERE. The registration has also been posted to the Facebook page.


Sunday, September 22, 2019

Quilts of Valor Quilting Bee

Our finished quilt!
On August 31, the NOVA ASG hosted a quilting bee benefiting Quilts of Valor.  Quilts of Valor provides quilts to military veterans.  The 16 makers who attended made 36 Quilts of Valor squares that we joined and then passed on to Billie Barbour from the Fredericksburg QOV chapter.  Billie says the request list is always longer than the donation list, so we hope to do this again in the future.
All of the lovely ladies to helped out!
Barbara H. could not stay, but she brought this quilt top to donate!
Making a QOV star

Monday, September 16, 2019

Northern Virginia Chapter Annual Meeting: Desserts, Social Media, Jacket Attack, and Show & Tell!

Presentations, Show and Tell, Trades, Voting, Drinks and Desserts at our Annual American Sewing Guild Northern Virginia Chapter meeting!

About this Event 

Join us on Saturday, October 19, from 1:30-3:30 pm for desserts and drinks (coffee and tea) at the ASGNOVA Annual Chapter Meeting.

We will be meeting at the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington. If you attended the annual meeting a few years ago, this is the same location.

Please bring your smart phones and your tablets or laptops! This is going to be an interactive session as we learn how to navigate Groupworks and Instagram! A subject matter expert will help you learn how to take photos, write captions, and hashtag your sewing projects so virtual and IRL (in real life) sewing buddies will ooh and aah over your beautiful creations!

You’ll learn how to follow others on Instagram, “like” and bookmark photos, use filters, and gain inspiration from fellow sewists through the Explore Tab.

There are some great and useful sewing videos on Instagram. Instagram is where the young and up-and-coming sewists are hanging out.

There are a couple of reasons why it’s important to document our sewing projects. First, if you’ve seen the sewing projects posted by inexperienced sewists, you know they are hungry for advanced sewing, quilting and embroidery techniques that will take their skills to the next level. Second, you know we HAVE those advanced sewing, quilting and embroidery techniques that we’d love to share with them---if they only knew we existed! That’s how we can transition their sewing from a solitary activity to one filled with a supportive network of sewists. This is where we have to be to grow our membership.

Stand by for the Jacket Attack! Not only will we learn technical skills, but we’ll have the opportunity to view—up close and personal—the beautiful jackets sewn over the past year in the various neighborhood groups. These range from the classic French–style jacket ala Chanel to the casual restyling and upcycling of sweatshirts plus everything in between.

Bring your show and tells, your items for trade, and things you want to give away! You’ll be able to pick the brains of members who attended the Sewing and Quilt Expo and those who were able to attend the ASG Conference in Boston! There will be lots to catch up on!

Here is another reason why you should attend the Annual Chapter Meeting. This is where we vote on the new leadership for the chapter and ensure we’re moving forward as an organization AND in support of our mission to recognize sewing as an art and life skill. “Many hands make light work,” “it takes a village to raise a child,” and “it takes two to tango,” all mean the same thing: we can’t do it alone. So, if you’ve been on the fence about serving in a leadership role (or leading in a servant role!), here’s your opportunity to throw your hat in the ring. You can vote at the meeting as an INFORMED CONSUMER because everyone there will let you ask any questions you need about the chapter positions. (If you can't attend the meeting, look for a ballot to come your way.)

Please RSVP so we’re prepared with plenty of desserts!

Croosh Deets:
What: ASGNOVA Annual Chapter Meeting
When: Saturday, October 19, from 1:30-3:30 pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 601 N. Vermont Ave, Arlington, VA (Ballston area) Enter the building from the parking lot entrance under the covered walkway. Go down the stairs to the Social Hall. If needed, an elevator is available from the entrance on the Carlyn Springs Drive end of the parking lot near the handicapped parking spaces.



What to Bring:
• Your smart phones (fully charged) and/or your laptops or tablets
• Your neighborhood group projects for the Jacket Attack
• Your show-and-tell items
• Things you no longer want (patterns, fabric, notions, and/or tools)
• Cool things you got or learned at the Sewing Expo or the ASG Conference

Before the Meeting: Download the Instagram app to your phone or tablet before the meeting so you can get started right away (Look for Instagram in the iTunes or Google Play Store)! You won’t want to miss this meeting!

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Fifth Saturday- Classmate Tote, June 29,



Our June 5th Saturday event saw Adrienne Bennett, Kathy Saladino, and Diana Warmann leading NOVA ASG members through making the Classmate Tote by Atkinson Designs.  The class was held at the Centreville Regional Library in Centreville VA.  The Classmate Tote is perfect for carrying all of your supplies when you are going to classes, like at the upcoming Sewing and Quilting Expo.  We hope to see you at out next event!



Friday, September 6, 2019

New Meeting Location for Springfield Sharing Threads Neighborhood Group!

With the loss of Bonny's Sewing & Fabric Store as a meeting place for the Sharing Threads Neighborhood Group, the leaders were keen to find something similar. Fortunately, they think they have!

The meeting planned for September 18 will be held at the Michaels Craft Store in Springfield across from the Springfield Town Center (formally Springfield Mall).  The meeting room is in the front of the store.  Best of all, it is set up for messy crafts!  We now have the opportunity to do more hands-on programs without worrying about the consequences. 

The address is:

6717 Spring Mall Drive, Springfield, VA 22150

It is a stand-alone store on the same side of Loisdale Road as the mall.

The time remains unchanged - 10:00 to noon.

We hope to see you there and provide feedback on this new meeting location!
Fairfax Seams So Fun
September 6, 2019
Laurene explaining a stitch
We had a very nice turn-out at the meeting today with 17 members attending. Laurene Jones gave an excellent presentation on beading. She had prepared kits with beads, thread, fabric and directions for us to learn several beading stitches. Some of us found it fun, but a bit of a challenge to work in this medium. Thank you Laurene for making up the kits and the directions and giving the presentation.


The Valor Quilt Fifth Saturday was a success, with a quilt top finished. Several of our NG members are interested in working on a quilt top as well. I will get details and hopefully have something to share at our next meeting.

A few reminders:
1. We need volunteers for the Sewing Expo in Fredericksburg in Oct. Check the latest Full Seam Ahead for details.
2. Our Chapter meeting will take place on October 19, from 1:30-3:30 at the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington. Bring your jacket to show off and also your smart phones and tablets or laptops to learn more about Instagram and Groupworks.
3. Consider running for a CAB Position. See the Full Seam Ahead newsletter for details.
4. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SHOP. WE ARE LUCKY TO A VERY NICE SPACE TO MEET IN FOR FREE! THE QUILTER’S STUDIO CARRIES A WEALTH OF HIGH QUALITY SEWING SUPPLIES. PLEASE CONSIDER PURCHASING ITEMS FROM OUR LOCAL MERCHANTS.
Working on the stitch sampler
5. And last, but not least, we will meet next month on Friday, October 4. Our topic will be sewing problems and solutions. So if you are stuck on a sewing problem, bring it to the meeting and we can use our collective expertise to solve it. If you have come up with a good solution to a sewing problem, a handy technique or other skill come prepared to share that as
well.
Recommended needles


Several members brought items for show and tell:

                               

Joyce Buker, our newest member, brought two quilts to show. Welcome Joyce!


                                                       
Melissa Hayman showed a pair of shorts and the jacket she is working on for the Oct. Meeting.


                                             

Sandra Wishart modeled a muslin that is good enough to wear! Nancy Cooper cloned a favorite dress and Sue Murphy made a darling skirt.


                                           
Michele has been working on a blouse, a yoga skirt and a new pair of pants.


Sally Bibro finished the “quilt from Hell”.


And I know I missed getting photos of other show and tells…I’ll try to get all of them next time.

Our next meeting is October 4 at 10:30 am at The Quilters Studio in Fairfax.


Sunday, August 25, 2019

Take a Trip to New York City with Some Enablers

Join the Maryland ASG chapter for a trip to New York City to visit the Garment District, go fabric shopping, and browse at Macys.

Here are the details:
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Arrive NYC 10:45 am
Depart NYC 6:00 pm

2 Pick-up Stops:
6:00 am - Rolling Rd/Catonsville Park-N-Ride I-95 off Rt 166
6:45 am - White Marsh Park-N-Ride - Honeygo Blvd.

$75 per person (includes roundtrip transportation)
DVD/WiFi-equipped bus

Suggested NYC destinations:
Metro Textiles
Mood Fabrics
Broadway
Museums: The Met (features two guided tours: Fashion in Art and Women in Medieval Art: Saints, Seductresses, and Muses) or The Museum at FIT (Minimalism/Maximalism and Paris, Capital of Fashion)

To register:
Garment District Shopping Trip

This will be a lot of fun! You won't want to miss this!




Friday, August 16, 2019

Change to Sharing Threads Meeting Location on August 21, 2019


Bonny's Fabric and Sewing Center is in the process of closing. The Springfield Sharing Threads will not hold their August 21st meeting there.  Instead, the meeting will be held at the George Mason Regional Library at 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale at 10 a.m.  This is a temporary location while the Sharing Threads Neighborhood Group searches for a new meeting place.

The Sharing Threads program will be a hands-on presentation by Linda O.  She will be helping attendees make salt cellar pin cushions. 

Please bring embroidery scissors (small), a needle for embroidery, and floss in any color(s).  Linda will be supply any other supplies.

Wednesday, August 21
George Mason Regional brary
7001 Little River Turnpike
10 am to noon

Monday, August 12, 2019

Notion to Sew Fredericksburg Meeting


Our meeting at the Salem Church Library this Saturday, August 10 is "Serging--Beyond the Basics" and we will construct a half slip. Bring all fabric, lace, elastic, sewing equipment and your serger for this hands on meeting from 1:00 to 4:00.

Also, bring your Quilt of Valor Registration and $10 for the 5th Saturday event August 31, your show n tell, and your dress form with jacket if you are not coming to the September meeting or helping with our ASG booth set up October 2 from 11:00 to 1:00.

Please RSVP so we know how to set up the library rooms we are assigned.

Sunday, August 11, 2019



This installment’s jacket is the traditional blazer jacket. Taken from traditional men’s dress, the blazer is a powerful jacket for powerful women. A blazer is certainly worth the investment you make in it; both in time and materials, because your jacket will last the test of time.

A good blazer can be worn as part of a suit or casually tossed over jeans or a sundress. A blazer that pulls in the waist can be an asset to those who want to hide a tummy and the slight flare at the hips can balance out those who are bigger chested.
The Ricky blazer from
SBCC Patterns

There are a number of good patterns out for blazers including:
  • Vogue 9342, a great Claire Shaffer option
  • The Jasika Blazer provides instruction on speed tailoring your jacket
  • McCalls 6172 (out of print) is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern which means it comes with a wealth of information for fitting your jacket
  • The La Paz jacket from Itch to Stitch comes with cup sizes.
  • The Ricky jacket by Skinny Bitch, Curvy Chick is sized for petite gals.
  • The Morris blazer by Grainline is designed for stretch materials and is unlined for a slightly more casual option.
If you need a little help with the construction of you blazer, BluPrint (formerly Craftsy) has a handful of options including:

Modern Jacket Techniques and Jacket Fitting Techniques, both with Pam Howard.

Check out my pinterest page for some blazer inspiration. Please note, I wanted to show powerful women in their powerful blazers. Appearance by some or lack thereof does not constitute any sort of political endorsement.

Saturday, August 10, 2019

5th Saturday Event: Quilts of Valor Sewing Bee

American Sewing Guild - Northern Virginia Chapter


5th Saturday Program - Quilting Bee to Benefit Quilts of Valor


Join us to celebrate Labor Day weekend by sewing a quilt top to benefit Quilts of Valor. We have 42 block packages with directions to assemble one full-size quilt, so bring your sewing machine, notions, and tools!

We will have a barbeque grill and will serve a picnic lunch. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time together and make a quilt for a deserving service member or veteran!

Quilts of Valor has had many requests for quilts. During this event, we will also collect fabric in patriotic themes and colors as a donation to Quilts of Valor.

If you are not interested in stitching blocks, we will have some other sewing projects that will be donated to charity.

This event is open to everyone. Do you have a friend who loves to sew, but is not an ASG member? Bring them, too!

DETAILS:

Saturday, August 31
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Lakeside Baptist Church
12450 Clipper Dr, Lake Ridge, VA 22192


Cost: $10 to cover the cost of lunch
Information about Quilts of Valor may be found at their website: https://www.qovf.org

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Fairfax Seams So Fun, Friday July 2

Hello Everyone,


We had a good turn-out for our meeting on Friday. Sheila Bohannon gave an excellent presentation on many items that can be made for holiday giving and/or decorations. Several of our members added ideas as well. I will list a few of them here, but the items were too numerous to list all.


Sheila showed an example of a finger pincushion. A wide variety of Christmas Stockings...
A delightful apron…  and a wall hanging among many items.



Below is a sampling of other ideas for holiday sewing:


Microwave bowls - directions on Pinterest, Covers for sewing machines, sergers and garments, Pot holders, Monogrammed napkins, Pillow cases, Decorator pillows, jewelry holders, Dop kit, Tote bags, Wine bags, garlands, table runners, rice bags, jewelry bags for travel, sleep masks, fleece blankets, china dinnerware protectors, hand-made angels from Olympic Wool works, one zip bags and more.


Show and Tell items included: a dress from Classic Sewing, a lovely onesie made from Swedish Flannel, a Wonder Wallet from Lazy Girl Designs, a purse made using the Texture Magic treatment and two lovely cardigans from Helen’s Closet.


It was a full meeting. This is by no means a complete listing of all the ideas that were shared.


Next month Laurene Jones will be giving us a demonstration of beading techniques, complete with a class project! We will meet on Friday September 6 at 10:30 am at The Quilters Studio, Fair City Mall, 9600 Main Street, Unit L, Fairfax VA 22031.

Hope to see you then!


Stay cool and sew on,

Sally

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

July Shenandoah Valley Girls 

The next meeting of the Shenandoah Valley Girls will be held on Wednesday, July 24 at 10 am at the Berryville VFW (425 S. Buckmarsh St., Berryville, VA 22611.  Enter the building from the south side.)  Our main topic will be embellishments.  This is a group participation presentation.  Everyone should bring 2-3 ideas for embellishment.  It can be something you have done on a garment, quilt, etc. or it can be a photo or other example of something you like.  This is all about inspiring others to think outside the box!

We will also get started on our cape/jacket challenge.  Will those who have the old discontinued ASG pattern please bring it to the meeting?  Linda will bring the other supplies needed.

Don't forget to bring your sew and tell!

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Fitting Perfection! Making Full Bust Adjustments

Kingstowne Clothiers, a Neighborhood Group of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, is featuring a hands-on workshop to make full-bust adjustments! There are a few ways to do this, and attendees may bring in the supplies listed below to make adjustments to a personal pattern of their choice or watch and take notes (suggested: pen or pencil, notebook or paper, and a fully charged smartphone to take photos!).
Examples of patterns with princess seaming
If you're doing the hands-on workshop, please bring the following supplies with you:
  • Traced-off pattern front, either a jacket or a shirt from your stash or a project you want to do (preferably with princess seams). We'll look at clever ways to make adjustments and eliminate the side dart for those who don't like them!
  • Pencil
  • Paper (Tissue, non-fusible interfacing, or Swedish tracing paper)
  • Straight ruler
  • Measuring tape
  • Cutting mat
  • Removable tape (Scotch Magic tape)
If you won't have these supplies, do not fear! Let us know ahead of time and we can bring enough to share! Don't let this be an obstacle to improving your sewing skills and taking your sewing projects from "homemade" to "hand-made!"
We have a few birthdays, so there will be cake, yum!
As always, the best part of the meeting is show and tell (aren't we all just kindergartners at heart?)! Bring in your completed projects or works in process. Bring in projects you would like advice on! We love to help!

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Copying Ready-to-Wear - Program on Monday, May 20 at Burke-Alexandria Public Library



Jennifer will be leading our program that evening on Copying Ready-to-Wear.  

We’ll look at ways to copy a ready-to-wear piece. 

Each method used will accommodate progressively more difficult pieces.  

From being able to simply trace an outline and create a new garment to the steps it takes to copy a more complex garment, there are techniques and tips that will help you do that.  

This fits right into the current trend of "recycling" our clothes.  Instead of buying something new, take a favorite, use a piece in your stash, and have an old new piece!  This is a demonstration and notes will be provided.

If you have an article of clothing you would like to copy, bring it along and get some suggestions!

Also, bring your show-and-tell for all to see & enjoy.  

Hope to see you Monday evening.  

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

April 2019, Sewing Rundown, Spring Fling and the Classmate Pouch

Many of you know that I moved to Northern Virginia about 2 and half years ago from Atlanta. One of the things that I love about this area is that we have a proper spring! In Atlanta the weather can swing from ice storm to 85 degree days in the span of a couple of days. Here in Virginia, we have our fair share of 60 and 70 degree days, which is a wonderful change. I gave myself until March to sew any winter clothing. So March saw the end of my cold weather clothes. As it turns out, because my life got busy, and I had a number of items to finish up, so I didn’t get a whole lot done. C’est la vie! Make 9 progress How are you doing on your make 9 goals? Mine are pretty slow but that’s why you have 12 whole months to complete them.

So far, I have worked with two of my make 9 fabrics. The latest fabric is my African print wax purchased from G Street Fabrics. This fabric became my Easter dress! I used the Upton dress pattern by Cashmerette Patterns. I chose the pattern because of the beautiful back option that they have. For those who have not run across Cashmerette Patterns, they are a company that are designed for the more curvy amongst us. The patterns go up to a size 28 and an H-cup. If you have trouble finding patterns that fit your curves, this is a great place to look. All that said, I had issues with the pattern because it is designed for someone who is bigger than me. I am 5”2” and have a shoulder length of 3.75 inches. As you can imagine, I spend a lot of time adjusting patterns to fit my petite frame. When making this dress, I had to make the bodice twice. This dress was so worth the time and effort. I think it is beautiful. I am going to Rome next month, and hope to wear it a couple times while I am there. At the beginning of March I finished another one of my favorite tailored skirts. Most importantly I finished a dress that I have been working on for a friend, and I finished the quilt top for my daughter’s graduation quilt. I am the costume designer for the Theater ministry at my church. Last year, the group put on a production of Seussical. Part of the cast gift to the director was Dr. Seuss fabric, to have a dress made from. Her and I have very full schedule, so getting together for fittings was a challenge. I used Butterick 5748 which is a pretty vintage reprint. The dress was a quick make. Since the fabric is slightly see through, I added a cotton batiste lining. Finally, I finished my daughter’s graduation quilt! The quilt is made of 120 log cabin blocks. Whew! We are making the decisions on quilting now, and will get it done before she leaves for college in July.
ASG Happenings I was glad to see so many of you at the Spring Fling. Austin McDonald from Fabric Place Basement told us about some of the lessons he has learned while working in a fabric store for over 30 years. It was a great talk and although he was talking about his retail experiences, these are lessons that can be spread across so many facets of our lives. I hope everyone had a great time. Our next 5th Saturday event will be held on June 30. We will be making the classmate pouch. Please check the website for the flyer and sign up information. We are asking that you sign up by May 15. We will be purchasing the vinyl and hardware for the bags, signing up early will help us get the correct amounts of those items. Please be sure to check out the first Jacket Attack post. I hope to have these out by the last day of each month. The big test is if I am able to actually accomplish that goal! I think by this point I have typed enough. Y’all enjoy this wonderful spring weather and I will be back soon!

Thursday, May 2, 2019

5th Saturday Event - Lots of Pockets!


Saturday, June 29, 2019

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Centerville Regional Library

14200 St. Germain Dr.

Centerville, VA  20121

(The location is close to I-66 and Rt. 29 intersection)        

Class will be led by:

Diana Warmann, Kathy Saladino, Adrienne Bennett

We need a minimum of 10 paid registrants by May 15 or the program will be cancelled.  Maximum is 24.


The following pre-class preparation is required:

·       Purchase your pattern direct from Atkinson Designs: 
https://atkinsondesigns.com/collections/all-patterns/products/classmate-pattern 

(OR see below***)

·       Purchase all fabric & supplies except vinyl, which will be provided, precut.

·       Cut out all fabric and interfacing per pattern instructions and mark piece sizes.

·       Press the strips in pattern steps A and B; class ironing stations may be limited.

·       Plan 1/2 day (at least) to cut and prep all your materials prior to class.

***You may join in a bulk order for the pattern at a discount; add $7.50 to the class price when you register.  The order will be placed on May 16 and patterns distributed at the June 19th Sharing Threads NG meeting or the June 8th Fredericksburg NG meeting.  A list of supplies needed will be provided shortly after May 15 by e-mail to registrants so you may start purchasing fabric and notions even if you don’t have your pattern yet.

Class participants should provide their own lunch and beverages.

*Registration Form and Check 
must be received by Wed, May 15, 2019

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Jacket Attack, April 2019



Jacket Attack

Welcome to the Northern Virginia ASG, 2019 Annual Chapter challenge- Jacket Attack! The Annual challenge is a way for all of us to do something as a Chapter. First off a few guidelines for the challenge:
1. Your jacket does not need to be a brand new made from scratch jacket. It can be a refashion, it can be a store bought jacket that has been embellished, let your creativity go. I am always so amazed by what you make,
2. It does not have to be a coat, or even that particularly warm. Just a piece that you would put on top of your shirt.
3. You have to wear your jacket to the annual meeting.

To help you along I will be posting ideas and some history of jackets for you. I am also asking that the neighborhood groups devote one meeting to a jacket in their meetings. We are also asking some people who participate in the challenge to share the with the Guild so they can be part of our booth at the Sewing Expo in October.

For your first month, I present to you the most iconic jacket - The Chanel Jacket. The Chanel jacket was first shown by Coco Chanel in the 1957 Spring/Summer Collection, but had been in the works for many years with the first iterations showing up in Chanel’s collections in the 1930’s. The Chanel jacket is traditionally made from a boucle tweed, is lined with silk, trimmed with braid, and uses a chain in the hem to create weight so the jacket falls perfectly on the back of the wearer. The Chanel jacket was inspired by men’s suit jackets, but is not made with interfacing which gives the jacket a less structured look and is easier for the wearer to move. Although beautiful with a matching skirt, a Chanel jacket is equally at home with with jeans.



If you are interested in making your own Chanel-style jacket Claire Shaeffer’s Couture Sewing: The Couture Cardigan Jacket is an indispensable resource. The boucle for your jacket can be found at most sewing stores and if you don’t want to pay Chanel prices for wool, a wool acrylic blend can be more cost effective. And really, nothing feels nicer than silk charmeuse next to your skin.

I have made a Pinterest board with Chanel and Chanel-style jackets to provide you with some inspiration: https://pin.it/zrrkcr5zj43jen


I cannot wait to see what you make!

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

March Roundup, Make 9 Progress, Spring Fling, and More Sewing Randomness




I have promised to blog my sewing adventures to help cheer you along in your sewing journey.  First off, I know everyone says this, but, can you believe it is April? We have already blown through the first quarter of the year.  Jeez, I guess I better actually start thinking about starting my resolutions!


Spring Fling
The Spring Fling is a couple of weeks away and we are planning a fun one!  Have you sent in your reservation yet? Michele Parker is emceeing the event.  Austin McDonald from Fabric Place Basement is giving a speech titled “Some Assembly Required”.  A little birdie told me that Austin will also be bringing a couple gifts from the store as door prizes.


I will be filling you in on all of our plans for 5th Saturday events, and the 2019 challenge “Jacket Attack”. We will have our Spring Fling fashion show. Come ready to share your latest make! We will also have a table for a fabric swap, so bring in that piece of fabric in you stash that makes you ask yourself “Why did I buy this?”.


Make 9 Progress
I have now completed one garment in my make 9 fabric and am well on my way with the second fabric.  Fabric number two will be my Easter dress! It is a beautiful African Print wax fabric that I bought at G Street in my Spring fabric buying spree.  I am making the Cashmerette Upton dress. I have run into some problems with the bodice. The same problems I always have. I have a petite frame, with a big bust.  So I end up having to size up the bust, but size down the back and shoulders. In a sleeveless dress I also have to raise the armscye. I have had some issues, but I am getting there!


5th Saturdays
If you missed the 5th Saturday in March where Adrienne Bennett demonstrated embroidered buttons, you missed a fun time!  It was so surprising how truly unique and beautiful buttons can be constructed so quickly, and with not a lot of work. If you are not into hand embroidery, Adrienne also showed us some ideas for using an embroidery machine and flower foot on a regular sewing machine.



I hope that you can join us on June 29 for the Classmate Pouch Sew-a-long.  The class will be held at the Centreville Regional Library. Be on the lookout for a flyer coming to your inbox soon!

I am sure you have heard, but make sure you keep your calendars open for August 31 for our Quilts of Valor quilting bee.  We plan to have a grill out and lots of snacks to keep you energized as we make a quilt for a Veteran!


Sewing Randomness
The ASG will hold their Annual Conference in Danvers, Massachusetts on August 1-4.  Registration just opened up. Are you planning on attending? Let me know, maybe we can have a NOVA ASG dinner while we are there.


Stitch Sew Shop in Alexandria has moved to a new location at 1219 King Street.  I know Kalle is planning to load up that bigger space with lots of fabric and plenty of room for classes.


I know many of us follow sewing blogs.  Sadly, Vatsla Watkins from Fashion Behind the Seams passed away after having been missing for over a week.  I am not sure of all of the circumstances, but I do know that she has two small children.  My heart just breaks for the whole family. If you could, would you please send your prayers and good energy to her family?

Happy Sewing!

Rachel