American Sewing Guild (ASG)

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April 29, 2022

Zippers as Trim

Zippers from Ghees.com

Sometimes things normally found in our sewing rooms end up with surprise uses. Such is the case for zippers! With the myriad types of zippers available, they can definitely do more than close a garment. Think about them turning into jewelry or becoming piping or a surface trim. When grouped, they can also cover an […]

Tagged With: National Zipper Day, sewing, zippers

March 4, 2022

Single Layer Construction

Photo courtesy of Bernina

One Layer at a Time There are times when more than one layer of fabric really isn’t necessary or desired—think bulky hems, facings, etc. Single-layer construction techniques to the rescue! Fabric Choices Many types of fabrics are suitable for single-layer construction, but those that are most commonly used are sheers, laces, handwovens, fleeces, boiled wools […]

Tagged With: coat, sewing, single layer construction

February 11, 2022

Moving the Dart to Create a Princess Line

Bust dark drawings

If good fit is important to you, especially when sewing with woven fabrics, you already know the significance of a properly placed and well-fitting bust dart. Darts shape that two-dimensional fabric to fit around your three-dimensional body. Even for the less-endowed figure, when darts are the correct size and pointed to the correct location, they […]

Tagged With: bust dart alteration, dart, sewing

January 7, 2022

Horsehair Braid

What do horses and braids have to do with sewing? Now that we’ve got your attention, let’s talk about this uncommon notion called horsehair braid! Historically, it was made from the stiff hair of a horse’s mane and tail, and then from cotton and linen, but today’s version is made from nylon or polyester fibers. […]

Tagged With: hem, horsehair braid, sewing, shoulder

November 12, 2021

Sew Thrifty

Thrift store display

Every sewer seems to have a bit of a thrifty soul…whether it’s finding a great fabric at a bargain price or reusing something to create something new. An easy way to do both of those virtuous tasks is to shop thrift stores. We’re not suggesting that you do that as your sole source for sewing […]

Tagged With: recycle, recycle sewing, repurpost, reuse, sewing, thrift store finds

October 29, 2021

Grams Per Square Meter – Why Does It Matter?

Fabric shopping

GSM stands for grams per square meter and is a standard industry-wide method of measurement of the density or weight of a fabric. (In the US, because we haven’t embraced the metric system of measurement, you might see this measured as oz/sq yard.) The GSM measurement is not thread count, which is a different method […]

Tagged With: fabric, fabric shopping, GSM, sewing, textiles, thread count

October 8, 2021

Pressing Tools—Clapper and Sleeve Board

sleeve board

It doesn’t matter whether you tailor fine wool jackets or make casual everyday wear, or if you’re a quilter—getting a good press is of the utmost importance for a professional-looking project. There are tools to help with that process. Let’s take a look at two tools that work for all sewers and quilters—a clapper and […]

Tagged With: clapper, iron, quilting, sewing, sleeve board, sleeves

July 23, 2021

Sew Confusing: Pattern Instructions

As you read pattern instructions there may be some unfamiliar terms or worse yet, things that sound similar and you’re not sure what’s what. Let’s take a look at some often-confused terminology and set it straight for your next project. Interfacing/Stabilizer Interfacing (woven, non-woven or knitted) is used anywhere more firmness or body is needed […]

Tagged With: learn to sew, sewing, sewing terms, sewing tools

July 12, 2021

What I’m Sewing: Alyce Blouse

Alyce Blouse

Linda Jensen from the ASG Lake County Chapter shares her experience making this great-fitting blouse from Silhouette Patterns. Q. Item Created  A. Blouse Q. Independent Pattern Designer A. Silhouette Patterns Q. Name and Number of Pattern A. Alyce Blouse #621 Q. Fabric Used: A. Stretchy knit, but a wide variety of fabrics can be used […]

Tagged With: blouse, pattern, sewing

June 25, 2021

Matching Points

Example of mismatched points on a quilt block

Nothing causes quilters more angst than getting perfect points on their blocks. With multiple small pieces often combined into a single block, keeping points and seams aligned can be tricky, but there are a few tricks that help with the task. If you’re not a quilter, never fear, these same principles can apply to garment […]

Tagged With: matching points, quilt blocks, quilting, sewing

June 18, 2021

Is Your SewJo Languishing?

dark sewing room

What is a languishing sewjo you ask? I recently read articles in both the New York Times and NPR about this new condition. It’s apparently a real thing that isn’t depression but is a lingering state of “meh.” When I read it, I immediately thought – YES! This validates what I have been feeling! My […]

Tagged With: getting back to sewing, languishing, sewing

March 12, 2021

Covid Sewing: How I Survived 2020

As we reach the one-year mark of what was to have been a two-week isolation for Covid-19, it’s hard to believe that a virus could shut down our world, cause schools, restaurants, gyms, stores, and even churches to shutter their doors. So many got sick, lost jobs, experienced feelings of isolation and depression, and even […]

Tagged With: ASG, covid, friends, masks, sewing

March 12, 2021

Covid Sewing: Chapter Stories

Central Illinois Chapter The Central Illinois chapter members, spearheaded by Charlotte Cronin and Vicki Ghidina, made repairs to 52,000 N95 protective masks for OSF Healthcare. The elastic in those masks had deteriorated and without their help of ASG members, friends and family, the masks would have been deemed unusable. Instead, these mask angels assured that […]

Tagged With: chapter, covid, masks, sewing

March 5, 2021

DIY Table Runner

Run, Run… Table Runners A table runner can be used to add color and interest to any part of your home décor, showcase a display of collectibles, or it can be used simply to protect the dining table surface. You get multiple functions in one! A runner can even be used over a tablecloth to […]

Tagged With: home decor, sewing, table runner

February 12, 2021

To Boldly Go Where No Quilt Has Gone Before

Star Trek Quilt

This is the story of my little lap quilt that ended up across the country, helping people. I’m sure all sewists can relate to seeing a certain fabric that catches their eye and the excitement of seeing that it’s on clearance! JoAnn’s had Star Trek fabric for $3.00 a yard and I had to buy […]

Tagged With: Captain Kirk, charitable sewing, quilt, sewing, Star Trek, William Shatner

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