Is Learning a New Sewing Technique a New Year's Resolutions?

If so, then the latest workshop offering by the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild delivers! We have planned a 1 1/2 hour virtual workshop with Kenneth D King on passementerie, the "the art of making elaborate trimmings or edgings (in French, passements) of applied braid, gold or silver cord, embroidery, colored silk, or beads for clothing or furnishings." There are so many different ways to apply this technique, from embellishing little French jackets, bedspreads, draperies, or upcycling ready-to-wear, that this becomes a versatile creative tool in your sewing kit.

From MacKenzie-Childs, passementerie is used to embellish vases for beautiful botanicals!

Threads Magazine features several articles on passementerie, including one by Kenneth King for leather trim.  This article describes how to use an inkle loom to create passementerie.  

Looking for a way to make a cape stand out? Passementerie can be used for a tone-on-tone trim or something that contrasts.

Finally, passementerie can elevate ordinary sleeves to sublime!  

No matter your skill level, this workshop will make you rethink embellishment! The cost is $30 per attendee and a supplies list will be provided to all registered and paid attendees. Deadline for registration is February 1; we must have 20 students for the class to happen. 

Link to the registration form is here. Download and send it with your check to Kathy Saladino. If you have any questions, please post them below.

5th SATURDAY EVENT: Haori Jacket Sew-Along with ASG NOVA (FEB 29, 2020)

Join us for a Wiksten Haori sew-along with Julie Bowersett!

The Wicksten Haori is a Japanese-inspired jacket. The jacket is oversized with large pockets and a fold-over collar and is a great piece for your special fabric or embellishments.

The jacket is fully lined and reversible. The design includes three different lengths to choose from.

The following pre-class preparation is required:

All attendees should purchase the Wicksten Haori pattern. This is a pdf only pattern and can be found on the Wicksten site (https://shopwiksten.com/products/womens-haorisewing-pattern). 

If you do not want to put the pattern together yourself, we recommend printing it through https://www.pdfplotting.com/

All attendees should bring their outer and lining fabrics and required interfacing. Consult pattern for amounts of each. 

Note: Yardage requirements are shown for making a jacket line the one pictured (pattern) with the entire collar made in the lining fabric to show some contrast. If you would like to make the collar from the main fabric instead, follow the main fabric chart with choosing lining fabric and the lining chart when choosing the main fabric.

All attendees should bring their sewing machines and appropriate sewing tools.

Attendees are responsible for their own lunches and beverages.

The class is limited to 15 people, register early!

Link to registration form is here. 

Alternatively, you may register via Eventbrite.

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

Registration form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XfOmmBcEUX8AYRhQ5uOX8-CHYJ3cL4A3/view?usp=sharing

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

No refunds after May 15, 2019

Click here to download the registration form.

Registration Form

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

5th Saturday Event - Ellen's Esplanade Bucket Bag Class

Karen Hill of Cute Monkey Fabrics will deliver the 5th Saturday Program for the Northern Virginia ASG on Saturday, December 29th, from 10:30am - 4:30pm at Suzzie's Quilt Shop, 10404 Portsmouth Rd., Manassas, VA. The project is Ellen's Esplanade Bucket Bag by Chris W Designs. (Suzzie's Quilt Shop is only providing a location for the workshop and is not affiliated with the class. It does, however, make a great location for buying fabrics for this project!)

The Ellen's Esplanade Bucket Bag features two handy exterior side slip pockets with the main compartment closing with a recessed zipper. Inside you will find a spacious interior which includes a zipper pocket and a slip pocket. Make your bag completely fabric or create a combination of fabric and "vegan" leather vinyl or cork. Have a special fabric you've been dying to use? Feature it on this bag! Use fleece for the "slouchy" look or foam for a sturdier look. What about a brocade from G Street's upholstery remnants table? This bag will be one that you will want to make for family and friends for years to come.

All attendees must purchase their own copy of Ellen's Esplanade Bucket Bag, which is available for $6.95. It is a PDF pattern you download and print from home or your local print shop. You can also purchase it from Craftsy, which has the benefit of storage in your library, or through Chris W Designs. 

Supplies for sewing the bag are available on the Cute Monkey Fabrics website; use the code "ASG" to order some of the specialty and hard-to-find items (like hardware) and you can pick them up at the workshop, avoiding additional shipping charges. Even if you can't make this class, you might want to keep this site handy to order hardware and other bag supplies for future projects!

The class fee is $40. This is a great day project or gift, and if making a bag is on your to-do list, but you've been putting it off, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn tips and tricks that will make sewing future bags a breeze!

Need more convincing? Here's a review of sewing Ellen's Esplanade Bag: Review

Holiday Honeycomb Smocked Ornament Workshop

ASG NoVa

5^th Saturday Program

Saturday, December 3

(5^th Saturday on the 1^st Saturday due to holidays)

12 PM – 4:30 PM                   

“Holiday Honeycomb Smocked Ornament”

Presented by Carolyn Cooke

at

Kings Park Library

9000 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015

Early bird registration before November 10th: $10

Price after November 10th: $15

Learn this basic fabric manipulation technique which can be applied to garments and home dec projects. No smocking experience is required!

Registration fee includes complete instruction and a kit to make one ornament.  Kit includes, pleated fabric, floss, needles, ribbon, pins and styrofoam ball. Participants bring basic sewing supplies, light and magnification if typically needed, and a sack lunch. Beverage containers must have a lid.

Seating is limited; reservations will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis.

All participants are asked to help with room set-up and clean-up.

No refunds after November 10 unless reservation can be sold from a waiting list.

To register, complete the registration form and send it in!

5th Saturday Program - Kumihimo Japanese Weaving

Reserve the Date for another fabulous 5th Saturday Program.

Have you ever completed THE perfect garment but couldn’t find the perfect acces- sories for it? Then make your own using the easy techniques of kumihimo. This ver- satile form of weaving (braiding) can be used for garment trims, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, hair ornaments, belts... get the idea?

Join Julie Witham and Kaye Gonterman and a group of your ASG friends as we learn how to do a basic kumihimo weave necklace. We will also include some beads for a bit of bling. These exact techniques can also be used to make a bracelet. Addi- tional supplies won’t be available in class but good sources for additional supplies will be provided.

The complete kit fee for this class includes:

•   written and well-illustrated instructions for the project
  
•   braiding materials
  
•   coordinating beads
  
•   magnetic clasp
  
•   loom
    bobbin set

• WHO: Northern Virginia ASG members – limited number of seats available
• WHAT: 5th Saturday Fun with Kumihimo
• WHEN: Saturday, October 29, 2016, 10:30AM – 3:00PM
• WHERE: Community Room, Montclair Public Library, Montclair, VA (near Woodbridge)
• HOW: With lots of fun and sharing with your ASG friends ... and probably a bit of chasing dropped beads!
• FEE: $26 

Send in the Registration Form today!  

Fifth Saturday Program - A Great Succes

by Sheila Bhoannon

Fifteen members registered for our third successful Fifth Saturday Workshop and made a Pet Screen Summer Tote. We all had a great time and left with finished or nearly completed tote bags. The July 30, 2016 program was led by Michele Parker, assisted by Debbie Tollin, with special thanks to Ellen Rogers for provid- ing the pattern and detailed instructions. Kaye Gonterman ordered the required supplies and prepared kits for each attendee, who brought two fat quarters of their choosing for the tote’s focus fabric.
These totes make great beach bags because sand can fall through the screen bottom and sides; however, they can also be used as purses and everyday totes. The fifteen designs were quite diverse despite everyone using the same pattern and the themes included fruit, dolphins, batiks, water, bugs, graphics and fish.
You don’t want to miss the next 5th Saturday programs! Kumihimo Japanese Weaving is scheduled for October; registration information is in this newsletter.
A honeycomb smocked ornament workshop is planned for the first Saturday in December since the
5th Saturday is New Year’s Eve. This fabric manipulation technique can be applied to garments to create inter- est. Details will be available soon.
Then in April 2017 we are planning a quilted tuffet workshop! Go ahead and mark your calendars now and plan to spend every 5th Saturday with your sewing friends learning something new.

Woodblock Printing

by Martha Walker

ASG NoVa is sponsoring a hands-on woodblock printing program at Artistic Artifacts Saturday, April 30, 2016.  Details are in the this flyer.

5th Saturday Event - Charity Sew-In

Ladies,

Mark your calendars! The October Fifth Saturday event will be held October 31, 2015 at Manassas Mall.  Mary Grace Ronan will lead this event, a Charity Sew-In, and we will make Sailors/Soldiers quilts.  Show your support of our active and retired military members while having a fun day sewing and socializing with your friends.  Additional details about this event will follow.  

Deb Tollin’s Skirt Fitting Workshop will be rescheduled.

Your Oct 5^th Saturday Team