Needlin` Around

nd
u
o
r
A
N e edlin’
C h a r l o t t e N orth
lin
Caro
New Members
Anne McParland
Renewing Members
Barbara Bentley
Martha Anne Corkrin
Nancy Murray
Pamela Allison
Rebecca Cauble
Marjorie Guess
Constance L Larson
Table of Contents
1
2
2
3
Presidents Note
February- Turtle Pillows
ASG Annual Conference
Getting to Know Me–
Reita Fisher
4 Garment Fitting
5 Meeting Schedule - Sat
6 Meeting Schedule - Cont.
7 NC- VA mini Regional
Meeting
9 CAB Information
9 March - Purse Insert
9 Bright Ideas
10Vocabulary- Stitches
11 Stash Management
Central
12Advertising Rates
12Changing Contact Info.
12Online Membership Info
12 Membership
Renewal
Volume 19 Number 2
a
a Chapter
etrolin
M
/
www.asgcharlotte.com charlotte asggroups@yahoogroups.com
2011
E-mail: dpburleson@carolina.rr.com
President’s Note
I recently returned from a very
productive mini regional meeting.
It was a long trip for me, but it was
worth it. I learned some things that
could help us grow into a more
productive chapter.
I am currently working on a
variety of projects. I am learning
how to quilt. I am a garment sewist,
so quilting is very different. My idea
of a small quilt is a table runner size
that can hang in a particular place
on my living room wall. I hope to
have an assortment of styles and
colors, soon.
Spring is almost here as I write
this. It has me thinking of all the
new shirts I want to make before
the annual conference in Los
Angeles this year. I have so many
nice garment fabrics that I have not
been sewing since I retired from my
full time job last year. I plan to get
at least one made.
Have you made your reservations
to go to the annual conference?
Each one is different and not
just in one location. Classes and
instructors vary so you can learn
new techniques from other sources.
Also, Los Angeles has a garment
district. Another bonus to going to
Needlin’ Around
the west coast,
perhaps?
Don’t forget
to
pre-order
your
ASG
cookbook. You
can check out
the pricing at
h t t p : / / w w w.
asgla.org/
cookbook2.
html. I sent in
a few of my
favorite recipes
(yes, I can cook
some things) so I’ll be ordering my
copy.
So far, our chapter has 10
completed turtle pillows with some
members having others under
construction. If you would like to make a pillow or two, please e-mail
me with your name and address and
I will get a pattern and instructions
to you.
Wishing all of you a joyful spring,
Diane Burleson
Let’s go on an egg hunt!
Can you find these 4
sewing eggs elsewhere
in the newsletter?
April 2011
1
February- Turtle Pillows
On
Saturday
February
19th the
Saturday
Creative Stitcher’s group made
15 turtles for this year’s ASG
community service project – The
Painted Turtle, and welcomed a
prospective new member (happy
to report that she joined before our
March meeting).
We started at a turtle’s pace.
Progress was slow, due to
two primary hurdles. The first
challenge was simply figuring
out the directions for assembly.
The second was cutting out all the
turtle components. The pieces are
large and there was a shortage of
available templates to start cutting
from. However, there were enough
precut turtle pieces (thank you to
those who did that) for some to start
sewing while others cut from the
few templates.
It was exciting to look around
the room to see the emerging
personalities of each turtle. Some
turtles got various embellishments
on their shells, like rickrack and
decorative stitches, while others
2
Volume 19 Number 2
ASG Annual Conference
ASG
Conference
offers
workshops, seminars and lectures in
two-day, all-day, half-day, two-hour
and 90-minute formats. Classes are
tailored to every sewing interest and
every level of sewing skill.
2011 Schedule of Events
Wed - Fri.
Aug. 17 - Aug. 19
• Trained Sewing Instructor
Workshop
Thu
Aug. 18
• Annual Meeting (Half Day)
• Optional Workshop Day
Fri.
Aug. 19 - Aug. 21
• Core Conference
Mon.
Aug. 22
• Optional Tour Day
got cute embroidered faces, while
Lodging
others saw creative uses for buttons.
Westin Bonaventure
404 South Figueroa St.
By the end of our meeting, we
Los Angeles, CA 90071
had created quite the collection of
Group rate available until July 27,
completed turtles with a few more
2011. Subject to availability.
going home with
some of the
members
ock
to complete
Hanc s
c
later.
Fabri 0%
sa1
offer nt to
u
Reita
disco mbers.
Fisher
me
ASG
Needlin’ Around
April 2011
Getting to Know Me
Welcome
to our New
Advertisers !!!
Volume 19 Number 2
My name is Reita Fisher and I joined ASG Christmas
of 2009. My husband and I moved to Charlotte in
1999. We had our first daughter in 2002 and our second
in 2005. I consider myself having two jobs, the first
raising my girls, and the second as a part time as a
graphic designer.
I have always enjoyed working on crafts of all kinds.
Garments and other sewing machine projects have
only recently joined the list. I have always admired
my Grandmother’s and Great Grandmother’s sewing
skills. My first attempts at making garments was in Jr.
High, with more frustrations than finished garments.
At the time, I found myself more suited to hand work
such as cross-stitching, needlepoint, and hand piecing
and Quilting. I tried sewing garments again about 4
years ago, making Halloween costumes. Since then,
garments and home dec projects have dominated what
little free time I have. I truly love to sew and learn from
others so that my work can get better and easier. Other
hobbies of mine are decorating cakes, scrapbooks, and
other design projects.
I am frequently asked why do I sew when it takes
so long, requires so much effort/ patience, and can be
expensive? I sew because I love the gratification of
achieving something that many don’t even want to try.
I find sewing relaxing and therapeutic not to mention
to show off my work.
Reita Fisher
Needlin’ Around
April 2011
3
Garment Fitting
As one of only two people in
attendance at Diane’s home on
Sunday February 27th for the Metro
Garment group, I am here to report
that there is much to learn about
fitting that I hope to one day know.
I hope to use this article to educate
some and perhaps entertain others.
I learned what not to do is as
important as what to do. The
day’s lesson quickly turned
into: “How to convert the
results of uneducated choices
into something you can work
with.” Let me explain how
I inadvertently changed the
day’s lesson.
Did you know how easy it
is to buy the wrong kind of pattern,
and even harder it is to buy the
right one? Since I didn’t know
what a sloper was exactly, I had
two choices, I could ask or guess.
I thought, how hard could it be to
figure out? Besides, surely McCalls
will tell me what I want to know
right? All I would have to do is look
for the word “Sloper” somewhere in
the description. Guess what, I didn’t
see that word anywhere, so I went
with the next best thing I could find;
“to create a perfect fit”. Surely one
would work? What I really needed
was McCalls pattern 2718, Vogue
1004, or Butterick B5627 ($9.57
each online at butterick.mccall.
com., voguepatterns.mccall.com)
4
Volume 19 Number 2
Now that I had my patterns
selected, what size should I
get? OK, let’s see, where do my
measurements, as determined at the
last meeting, fit on the little chart on
the back? That didn’t help much,
half my measurements are in one
size, and the other measurements
are in another size and the biggest
part isn’t even mentioned. Better
go with the closest to the greatest
common denominator. That way at
least I am covered, then I will make
it Diane’s job to show me how to
adjust the unnecessary parts out.
Seemed logical to me. Alright now
that I have established I am this
size or that one, let me get the right
envelope. Great, can’t any of this be
easy? The pattern splits those sizes
up. I could buy both sizes, they are
on sale after all, just to be on the
safe side (of course I didn’t).
Ok, now I have several different
styles of shirts to
choose from, there
is a shirt with darts,
two with different
kinds of seams at
the bust line, and
if I screw up with
the shirt patterns, I
even have a pattern
for pants and one
Needlin’ Around
for a skirt for a back-up. Won’t
Diane be so impressed with my
thoroughness?
Diane tells me the shirt with darts
had too many darts, one of the seam
configurations was not ideal for
setting up the sloper and the other
one was way too big. The pants and
skirt were not right either. This is
where Diane’s lesson plan changed.
Now is when I find out that it is
easier to make a smaller pattern
bigger and much harder to go back
the other way. Next lesson: shirt
patterns must first fit the shoulders
and the rest is adaptable, pants and
skirts must fit at the hips. If unsure,
it is easier to make bigger than to
make smaller.
With some of the hard
lessons out of the way, it was
time to start the process of
cutting out, folding, pinning
the tissue paper to find out
where more was needed and
where some needed to come
out. I left with a stack of
altered pattern pieces with
directions of what to try first.
Diane also recommended,
and referenced, a book called “The
Sew/Fit manual” by Ruth Oblander
and Joan Anderson to answer any
fitting problems you may have.
Of course it is also out of print,
although you can find it on Amazon
ranging from $10- 125.
Reita Fisher
April 2011
“Advancing Sewing as an Art and Life Skill” ASG M ission S tatement
CREATIVE STITCHERS’ DAY
When:
Meetings are held the 3rd Saturday of each
month from 12:30 – 3 p.m.
Location:
Hobby Lobby, 2310 Matthews Township
Parkway, –, NC
Group Leader: Margaret Johnson
January 15
Project: Planning Meeting
February 19
Project: Community. Service- Making Turtles
March 19
Project: Purse Insert- Atkinson Pattern $9.15
Leader: Diane Burleson
April 16
Project: Art Cover for a Small Journal
Leader: Mary Ann Evanoff
Supplies:
Charms/ ButtonsRic-rack/Lace Scraps
Sewing Thread Sewing Machine
Fabric Scraps Old Colored Thread (for nests)
Small Journal (no wider than 6”w x 7”Long)
Provided:
Pattern
Heavy Muslin
Face Fabric
Bird Applique Misc. bits
Buttons Fun Word Fabric Other appliques
May 21
Project: Stack and Whack Place mats
Leader: Marcia Kephart
Supplies:
4 Fat quarters Batting
1 Yd. Coordinating backing
For Y
our
Refer
ence
Look on
Yahoo G
ro
July 16
Project:
Wreath&Zipper
ups for
Brooch
current
Most
I
nforma
Leader:
tion
Reita Fisher
Wreath Supplies:
Wreath of your choice
Hot glue gun
Buttons Misc. Notions
Other Decorations
Zipper Brooch:
14+” Zipper(s) Felt scrap (match zipper)
Needle Tread
Provided: No Sewing Machines Required
Directions Floral Wire
Pin(s) for brooch
August 20
Project: Pot-Luck & Challenge
Leader: Margaret Johnson
Directions:
Create a new look for an old
garment. Start with an existing garment and
use your stash for embellishing -at least 3/4 of
additional materials (only 1/4 should be new for this
challenge). Please bring a before picture of garment.
September 17 - National Sewing Month
Project: Display/ Demos in Hobby Lobby
October 15
Project: Intro to Jewelry Making– Necklace
Leader: Darlene Maurer
Supplies: To be Announced
November 19
Project: UFO Smack down
Leader: Wendy Arend
December 11 (Sunday)
Project: Holiday Party
June 18
Project: Scissors Case
Leader: Kristine Fisher
Supplies:
1/3 yd.. each: Inside, Outside, and Padding
(Blanket looking stuff, fleece works too)
1 Pkg Binding
Provided:
Pattern
3/8”- 3/4” Elastic
Volume 19 Number 2
Needlin’ Around
April 2011
5
For Y
our
Refer
ence
Look on
Yahoo G
ro
current
ups for
Most
Inform
ation
CHARLOTTE/METRO GARMENT
When:
To Be Announced
Location:
To Be Announced
Group Leader:
Diane Burleson 704-332-0578
Project: To Be Announced
Special Events
Field Trip To YLI Factory
When:
April 28, 2011 10:30 am
Location:
Rock Hill, SC
Group Leader:
Marcia Kephart 704-615-0797
Other Information: Will take around an
hour, we will go to lunch after for those who
wish
Are You interested?
Bodice Workshop
How many of you would like a wellCHARLOTTE/METRO EVENING
fitting blouse or shirt pattern? How
about one that can be used to create
When:
other styles? Well, there is a workshop
Thursday April 14, 2011 6:00
A spec
for that.
ial
p.m.
Thank
Joan Cavin from Raleigh
Y
Location:
is exten ou
has
done just that for her
ded to
Eddie’s Place
chapter. She has agreed to host
iCi
617 S. Sharon Amity Rd.
for the Printing
a
workshop
in our area to guide us
ir gene
Charlotte, NC 28211
rous do
in proper measuring, altering the
n
of our
704-442-0147
printed ation
basic pattern, and creating a basic
newsle
Group Leader:
tters.
blouse or shirt using Connie
Diane Burleson 704-332-0578
Crawford’s pattern B5300. It
Other information:
will be a workshop spanning 2-3 weekends,
Dinner, visit, and bring your show and
depending on the level of information you
tell
items
want. The maximum number of students is 6,
so please let me know if you are interested. This
workshop would be held in the summer at a place
to be determined. Cost is still to be determined; this
is just an announcement to gauge interest.
Please contact Diane Burleson at dpburleson@
carolina.rr.com if you are interested. More
information will come when details are available.
6
Volume 19 Number 2
Needlin’ Around
Diane Burleson
April 2011
LONG CREEK MILLS
Adhesive Remover
Stabilizers
Threads
Charlie Rector
Owner
Monday - Saturday 9:00 -5:00
108 Webb Street, Gastonia, NC 28052
longcreekmills.com
Phone 704-864-6651
Toll Free 1-866-869-6651
Fax 704-865-8242
Volume 19 Number 2
NC-VA mini Regional Meeting
A big thank you to Joan Cavin
of Raleigh and Anne Humphrey of
Hampton Roads for organizing a
mini Region 3 meeting in Virginia
Beach, VA on Sunday March 13. We
had a good day of exchanging ideas
concerning ways to motivate and
grow members. Jan. Squires, our
Region 3 Representative, was there
with guidance and encouragement.
All chapters, large and small,
have similar concerns. We all want
to reach out to prospective new
members with new ideas to share. We
all want to encourage our members
to attend neighborhood groups for
fellowship and fun. We all want
to hear from our members
regarding their interests so we
can try to incorporate those into
future meetings. We want members
to enjoy the guild.
So how do we do these
things? We need you, our
members, to let us know what
you are thinking. If you want a
neighborhood meeting in your area,
say so. Maybe you can get it started
with a couple of friends. If you
Needlin’ Around
would like a special presentation
or workshop or speaker or road
trip, we need to hear from you. Just
contact one of the board members
by phone or e-mail.
I want to promote my love of
sewing with others. My favorite
way is with the American Sewing
Guild. I hope you do too.
Diane Burleson
Please support
our advertising
retailers. Whenever you
patronize an advertiser,
tell them you saw their
ad here. It will encourage
them to continue their support
of the ASG with
their ads.
April 2011
7
8
Volume 19 Number 2
Needlin’ Around
April 2011
Chapter Advisory Board
PRESIDENT
Diane Burleson
704-332-0578
dpburleson@carolina.rr.com
TREASURER
Wendy Arend
704-321-1583
wendyarend@msn.com
1st Vice President
NEWSLETTER
Reita Fisher
704-573-4738
fisher41@bellsouth.com
2nd VICE PRESIDENT &
MEMBERSHIP
Judy Harkey
803-547-6794
jharkey@deltamold.com
SECRETARY
Mary Ann Evanoff
704-888-0977
mae1049@aol.com
PUBLICITY/WEB
Marcia Kephart
704-615-0797
marciamsk@carolina.rr.com
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Phyllis Yandle
704-458-2742
pyandle@carolina.rr.com
March- Purse Insert
On Saturday March 19th the
Saturday Creative Stitcher’s group
welcomed a new member and a few
visitors. Our meeting started in the
usual way: visiting, while unloading
our sewing machines, and other
supplies, show/tell, ask about new
business.
Show and tell seemed to take
longer than normal, due to all the
wonderful things we got
to see. There where
several quilts, a
purse, towel, and
dress. I am always
impressed at the
quality of work
our
members
exhibit
along
with the variety of
interests.
This month’s meeting seemed to divide itself evenly between those
who wanted to visit
and those
who wanted to sew.
Everyone
seemed
to
have
bought a
pattern, that Diane
was kind enough to order
for everyone.
Diane offered up
helpful hints, and
lessons learned so
that our assembly
might go easier. I
think most of us
where able to, at
least cut out what
was needed.
Reita Fisher
NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP
COORDINATOR
Margaret Johnson
704-537-4191
mandcjoh@yahoo.com
CHAR/MECK EVENING
Diane Burleson
704-332-0578
dpburleson@carolina.rr.com
CHAR/MECK “CREATIVE
STITCHERS”
Margaret Johnson
704-537-4191
mandcjoh@yahoo.com
SUNDAY GARMENT GROUP
Diane Burleson
704-332-0578
dpburleson@carolina.rr.com
Region 3 Representative
Jan Squires
352-746-5380
Cell 352-586-0347
jsquires4@tampbay.rr.com
Volume 19 Number 2
This newsletter is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
All newsletters past and current are on the National ASG web site at
www.asg.org.
Newsletter dates: April
July
October December
Articles Due:
3/1
6/1
9/1 12/15
Delivered:
4/1
7/1
10/1 1/4
9
Needlin’ Around
April 2011
Vocabulary – Stitches
http://www.favecrafts.com/Sewing-Tips/Sewing-Dictionary#
Arrowhead stitch/ Triangular stitch used as decoration when stitched loosely or to reinforce
Arrow strain areas of a garment when stitched tightly
Back-tack (back stick) Stitching in reverse to secure a line of stitching
Bar Tack Short thread reinforcement
Basting stitch (baste) A long, quick stitch used to hold fabric in place temporarily
Blanket stitch A stitch used to finish a fabric edge, such as around a buttonhole or
blanket
Blind hem stitch An “invisible” stitch not meant to be seen on the right side of the fabric.
Used to hem an item or can be used to applique in quilting.
Overcast/overstitch Stitches done over a seam to prevent raveling
Overlock See “serging”
Prick stitch Used on fabrics such as velvet where every stitch shows, this is done with
a tiny backstitch on the right side and the remaining back stitching on the
wrong side
Running stitch A simple stitch made by running the thread over and under the fabric for
basting or as a marker for more decorative stitches
Satin stitch A tight zig zag stitch with very small stitch lengths (just above 0)
Serger (overlocker) A type of sewing machines that stitches the seam, cuts off excess fabric
and finishes the seam allowance in one motion.
Stay-stitching A stitch 1/8 inch from permanent line of stitching on a curve to keep the
curve from distorting
Straight stitch Standard single, forward stitches
Tacking/tack Temporary stitching to hold material until final stitching is completed
Tailor’s tack A method for marking buttonholes or darts, by drawing two threads in
a needle through the fabric layers and then cutting (or snipping them),
leaving tails of thread from the top AND bottom of the fabric
Top-stitching A visible stitch done on the top of an item 1/4 inch from the edge of a
seam for stabilization and/or decoration
Under-stitching Stitching as close to seem line as possible to keep a fabric folded under
Whipstitch Simple running stitch that holds two pieces of fabric together
Zig-zag Stitch going sideways one way and then the other, preventing raveling.
10
Volume 19 Number 2
Needlin’ Around
April 2011
Stash Management Central
I have been
undergoing
a
huge clean out
and organizing
of my sewing
studio
and
annex.
After
not being able
to find a magnetic
closure for a purse in my “stuff”
(I now know I have 9 of them) I
Before
Volume 19 Number 2
declared war on the piles, drawers,
closets, boxes and bags. Borrowing
from Boston, my endeavor was
lovingly dubbed The Big Dig.
These are some of the things I have
learned. Take heed before it is too
late for you too. If it’s too late, sister
I feel your pain.
Marking fabrics that I buy “just
because” would have been more
productive if I had kept track of the
yardage and the care instructions.
Figuring it out now will be a use of
time I am not real excited about.
Prewash or don’t prewash, either
way mark the fabrics to reflect their
washed status.
When buying yardage for a
specific pattern find a way to keep
the pattern and the fabric(s) together.
In the case of multiple cuts for a
project make notes on which fabrics
are for which part of the projects.
After spending time in a fabric
shop picking out what was that day
deemed to be the perfect 4 fabrics
for that fabulous purse pattern I
now can’t remember which pattern
it was or which cut was the outside/
inside/front pockets/strap.
Don’t be afraid to give fabric a
new life someplace else. I have been
able to let go a lot more fabric after
getting such a lovely response from
the various organizations I have
been donating it to. Even though
I didn’t know it at the time I was
evidently buying lots of yardage for
Sunday school projects and the arts
school costuming department.
ALL the scraps from every project
do not really have to be saved.
Letting go of that extra little can’t
really make anything out of it pile
was very freeing. I saved tons of
Needlin’ Around
After
scraps from clothes I made my kids
when they were little. What I didn’t
do until now was trim some down to
manageable squares without all the
ratty ends. That messy pile from my
21 year old’s preschool clothes is
now a nice pressed stack of potential
quilting fabric.
Lastly, projects that never really
got finished and really aren’t ever
going to be finished I have deemed
learning projects. They don’t have
to be finished. I learned something
from them, even if it was that I don’t
like doing that, so now they can be
thrown out.
Wendy Arend
April 2011
11
www.charlotteasg.com and ASG Charlotte e-mail address: dpburleson@carolina.rr.com for more information Charlotte meetings & events
American Sewing Guild
Charlotte Metrolina Chapter
2123 The Plaza
Charlotte, NC 28205
The American Sewing Guild is a non-profit organization of home sewers. Its purpose is to provide information education, and programs for its
membership and the community. Membership is open to the public.
For information contact: The American Sewing Guild National Headquarters 9660 Hillcroft, Suite 510, Houston, TX 77096
Advertising Rates Per Quarterly
Newsletter
Full Page
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(Standard)
Classified Ads:
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To Change your name, address or
phone number write:
The American Sewing Guild
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$10.00 Plus $.20 /word
Volume 19 Number 2
Needlin’ Around
Renew Your Membership Online
You can now renew your membership online:
1. Go to the ASG web site at www.asg.org
2. Click on Membership at the top left
3. Scroll down to renewal Member
4. Under Choose a Chapter
5. Choose NC-Charlotte
6. Enter your Member ID#
7. Click Renew
8. You can then pay with a credit card.
April 2011