Contest Ideas for Neighborhood Groups

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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.

What ideas have you used for sewing challenges? What was your favorite challenge?

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.

Knitting or Quilting the Intervals

There are a lot of interesting projects on the innerwebs for documenting intervals, whether it's changes in temperature to waiting on mass transit. No matter which data you'd like to collect and record, the sewing and needle arts seem uniquely positioned to capture and beautifully display this information!

In quilting, it's fairly easy to create a temperature quilt. You simply assign a number or range of numbers to a particular color. If you do this for a year, you'll have 365 blocks, so draft your measurements accordingly! Darcy has an example of her temperature quilt here: Temperature Quilt Rachel discusses her temperature quilt here: The Life of Riley: Temperature Quilt: The Details (rachel-thelifeofriley.blogspot.com) and check out this collection on Pinterest! 

On this quilt, the triangles represent the highs and lows for each day, creating a different effect. The Quilt Show featured an exhibit of quilts devoted to climate change. 

If you're into knitting, there are many examples of capturing temperature changes. How about one that uses the time spent waiting for the train? This woman in Europe documented the number of minutes her train was delayed.

     

If you're interested in reading peer-reviewed literature, check out this article on using quilting terms to align data using art and science! 

If you'd rather read about the data BEHIND a quilt, check out this link!

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is sponsoring a sold-out virtual knitting workshop with Amy Wike, an artist who knits Morse Code, another version of intervals. 

What Are Your New Year's Sewing Resolutions?

 

What are your New Year sewing resolutions?

Common sewing resolutions include, but are not limited to:

• Altering and adjusting patterns for a personalized fit
• Learning tailoring techniques
• Practicing couture finishes
• Optimizing sewing time  
• Experimenting with various specialty stitches and presser feet 
• Using sewing tools such as hams, irons, and notions more effectively
• Sewing down a stash
• Creating a sewing plan

The Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild reached out to its members for ideas on what they'd like to learn in 2021.  Members of our various Neighborhood Groups voted on broad categories, including;

• Quilting and Ruler Work
• Accessories and Crafts (includes bags, purses, and aprons)
• Machine Embroidery
• Sergers
• Cutting Machines, such as Cricut
• Upcycling
• Home Décor
• Art Quilts
• Cosplay

Because we also do charity sewing, we discussed sewing projects that would  benefit our communities. Such sewing activities include creating fidget blankets, dignity scarves, wheelchair or walker caddies, and holiday-themed placemats and napkins for Meals on Wheels.

One of the strengths of Neighborhood Groups is the availability of hands-on expertise or access to subject matter experts to solve sewing problems, whether it's a fitting issue, an opinion, or a recommendation. Membership in the Guild builds relationships and connections to others with similar interests. Our Neighborhood Groups use Zoom to create virtual meetings where members present tutorials on select topics and share their sewing knowledge, so wasted time and driving are minimized. We do hope, at some point, to be able to meet again in person, and one of our Neighborhood Groups is doing hybrid meetings to meet the needs of its members.

If taking your sewing to the next level is one of your New Year's resolutions, consider attending one or two meetings. Or maybe your New Year's resolution is to meet new people safely----we're here for you!

What are your New Year sewing resolutions?

We'd love to hear what your sewing plans are for 2021!

Please comment below! 

Spring Fling 2020: "Sew Your Own Path" on March 14, 2020!

Join us on Saturday, March 14, 2020, to hear Michelle Umlauf share her story on how she went "against the grain" to pursue a career in the sewing industry!

Michelle graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and spent nearly 20 years working for the federal government. With her husband’s encouragement and support, she made a major career change and is now pursuing her dream of teaching others how to sew, quilt and embellish. Michelle is a member of the American Sewing Guild. In 2014, she became the president of the Maryland ASG Chapter.

Michelle enjoys all types of sewing and likes to challenge herself with incorporating new techniques in her projects. She is partial to free-motion sewing, and using Sulky products has helped her learn and gain confidence in this skill. Michelle says that the book, Embellish Your Life with Sulky, is right up her alley. She hopes to inspire you at our annual Spring Fling!

In case you haven’t yet signed up for our March 14th Spring Fling or the workshop the day before, please remember to send your registration soon.
More things to do at the Spring Fling:

• Swap fabric or sewing supplies on our Swap Table  
• Participate in our fashion show 
• Channel your inner kindergartner and enjoy "show and tell"

You will have a great time & a chance to catch up with your sewing friends!  

The Registration Form is attached.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fez96nZgkqgWRyWxEk6BaCJ0h_vYG1AY
The deadline is March 2, 2020.
Mail your Registration Forms soon!

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!

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

Class Registration is OPEN in Fredericksburg!

Grab your tablet or computer and check out our NEW CLASS SCHEDULE!

Looking for NEW classes to discover? Want to meet NEW faculty to inspire you? How about some NEW techniques to add to your toolbox? You'll find all of that and more when Original Sewing & Quilt Expo returns September 27, 28 & 29, 2018 to the Fredericksburg Expo Center. Class Registration is OPEN. When you register for a class value package, you'll save with discounted class fees, FREE general admission and shopping bag. Complete pricing and class details online at sewingexpo.com.

Discover what's new in Fredericksburg!

Click for all the details.

It's a creative world inside Expo classrooms. Spend time with a talented teacher and experience something new. For the best selection of classes and special pricing, register now! 

From cute boutiques to your favorite manufacturers – get your creative juices flowing...and sewing! Shop all the latest tools and supplies for sewing, quilting, embroidery and more.

Fredericksburg Expo Center 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22401 September 27, 28 & 29, 2018 Thursday & Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm Stay at a host hotel Take a break from your day-to-day routine and stay at a host hotel with special rates for a mini-vacation, all for YOU!  Parking is FREE! Immerse yourself in a one day or two day workshop before the Expo opens! Share in the guidance, artistry, technical advice and inspiration these experts bring. Your registration automatically qualifies you for a Value Package, which includes discounted pricing on your MDB class AND any additional Expo class sessions, 3 free General Admission tickets and a free shopping bag! Lunch is included. Click here for details and to register. Two-Day Workshops September 25 & 26 | 9am-5pm Your Body Double: Draping for Fit and Fashion Joe Vecchiarelli with Nick Coman Serge, Stitch and Embroider: The Lounge Day Collection Kathy McMakin & Alicia Welcher One-Day Workshops September 26 | 9am-5pm Perfecting YOU: Color, Style and Proportion  Cynthia Guffey I Have to Make a Quilt Today! Karen Benke Start to Finish: Quilts by the Foot Jill McCloy Cork Crossbody Bag Connie Palmer