Sewing Inspiration

Disclaimer: Appearance of a business or activity on this page does not represent endorsement by the ASG NOVA or the American Sewing Guild and is provided solely for inspiration and awareness.

Current and Upcoming Opportunities in the DMV 

Check the site for current and upcoming member programs and exhibits.

In addition to scholarly events, the Costume Society of America regularly presents free webinars. 

950 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20560
Use the search option to view past exhibitions which include fashion descriptions and links to videos and downloadable collection photos.

Road Trip-Worthy

Claire / McCardell
Claire McCardell redefined women’s fashion in America during the 1930s –1950s and she continues to influence American sportswear today. By designing for modern American women like herself, McCardell became synonymous with the American fashion rebellion.


Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
Best known for its innovation and award-winning exhibitions, the museum has a permanent collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the eighteenth century to the present. The museum's online collections feature more than 2,500 object images as well as installation images from over 100 past exhibitions.

The Met is noted for its annual fundraiser, the Met Gala, held the first Monday of each year. The Met Gala marks the opening of The Costume Institute's spring exhibition. You can view garments not on exhibit but viewable in the Met collection by using the search option. 

This site provides information on current and upcoming exhibitions. Past exhibitions and programs are available and include additional resources and videos for discussion. The information provided on a day in the life of a seamstress at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory is noteworthy. 


The International Quilt Museum's mission is to build a global collection and audience that celebrate the cultural and artistic significance of quilts. The museum has the world's largest publicly held quilt collection, dating from the early 1700s to present and representing more than 60 countries. Diversity and inclusion are central to the University’s and the IQM’s mission and pursuit of excellence. Virtual experiences are available for those unable to travel.

National Quilt Museum - Paducah, KY
The National Quilt Museum is America’s premier museum for contemporary quilting. Paducah was designated a UNESCO Creative City in 2013. Members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network are designated in seven creative fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music. The other US UNESCO Creative City devoted to Crafts & Folk Art is Santa Fe, NM.

The mission of the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum is to present exhibitions and educational programs in all fiber arts that enrich and inspire, honor cultural traditions, and celebrate the creative spirit.

Sewing & Stitchery Expo - Puyallup, WA
Annual event held late February-early March
The annual Puyallup Sewing and Stitchery Expo held every spring hosts seminars, classes, activities, vendor booths, and more to appeal to quilters, cosplayers, wardrobe experts, and whimsical DIY-ers. 

Textile Center - Minneapolis, MN
A national center for fiber art, Textile Center’s mission is to honor textile traditions, promote excellence and innovation, nurture appreciation, and inspire widespread participation in fiber art. The facility features exhibits, hosts educational opportunities and a shop as well as a library.

Textile Heritage Museum - Burlington, NC

Windham Textile and History Museum - The Mill Museum - Willimantic, CT

Historic Costume and Textile Museum - Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
The collection tracks the history of Kansas for over 200 years. The museum collection also features the work of Kansas-born designer and dress manufacturer, Nell Donnelly Reed. The Nelly Don Frocks collection encompasses over ninety of her designs, patterns and patents. The Historic Costume and Textile Museum was given a substantial donation from American Designer Calvin Klein as well as nearly 150 pairs of salon shoes from many well-known designers.

Couture Pattern Museum - Santa Barbara, CA
Private guided tours are offered by appointment only. Check website for sign-up options as well as rare exhibitions.

Fascinating Enablers

The Upcycle Creative Reuse Center provides a resource center to reuse materials and a creative maker space for the community.

Artistic Artifacts is a creative resource for fabric, fiber, and mixed media art products sold online and in the shop in Alexandria, VA. They are an authorized BERNINA dealer and carry a full line of WonderFil Specialty Threads. They also service BERNINA sewing machines here.

Committed to textile reuse and recycling, Fabscrap provides guest lectures, tours and interviews, and assists teachers with supplies. Learning about textiles and upcycling as well as volunteer opportunities for sorting textile scraps are available in New York.

Founded over fifty years ago, this club is all about buttons. Buttons reflect the history of societies, the use of materials, the study of design. 
Meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month at 10 am at Christ Lutheran Church, 3810 Meredith Dr., Fairfax, VA. 22030. Meetings feature a presentation on a button topic, show-and-tell by members, and opportunities to buy buttons!

Original Sewing and Quilt Expo - Fredericksburg, VA
Visit our booth, volunteer to be an ambassador, take a few classes, and check out the vendor hall! ASG NOVA members walked the runway on Saturday, September 30, wearing their handmade or upcycled creations. It was so much fun!

A Fiber Arts Guild for Charlottesville and Central Virginia

This 501(c)(3) organization focuses on smocking, heirloom sewing, and the related needle arts. Local chapters provide opportunities for interaction and hands-on learning.

The Commercial Pattern Archive (CoPA) is an official project of Save America's Treasures. CoPA-Online contains over 55,000 scanned images (garments & pattern schematics) from 61,000 commercially produced patterns, dating back to 1847. Use the search option to find your pattern!

Know of an event or exhibit that others might be interested in? Please comment and we'll update this page!


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