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 lost their lives. Some have not seen family and friends during the year. How have we been able to not simply survive these times but, in many cases, to even thrive?

My friend and fellow ASG member, Kendra, and I were discussing this topic during one of our many phone calls this past year. Kendra is a nurse in a major hospital’s Covid wing. When I asked how she was doing, she explained that she had just had a horrible day in which she had lost five patients to the virus and was feeling especially down. In that moment, she felt the best thing she can do for herself was to come home and go to her “happy place”— her sewing room. She said that when she goes into her room and starts to play with her fabric, the stress and tensions of the day seem to melt away and she is renewed to fight another day.

As I talked with other friends who have weathered this Covid-19 storm, I’ve heard over and over again how sewing and ASG have made the difference for them and gave them the strength to not just go on, but to go on with a positive attitude.

So many of us rallied in the beginning when we were asked to make masks. We were compared to Rosie the Riveter of WWII, heeding the call to service not for our own gain but to help others on the front lines. Our knowledge of sewing gave us the ammunition to wage war on the virus. This didn’t just help pass the time, it gave us purpose and a feeling of accomplishment. We were so engrossed in service, we didn’t have time to waste fretting over being isolated at home.

As mask production began to taper off, we found we had time on our hands—time for us! Luckily, most of us had enough fabric stashed away to feed our sewing habit, and we began sewing for ourselves. Just about that time, both ASG National as well as many chapters kicked in with internet neighborhood groups and classes. Without having to risk possible infection, we could stay home and tune in to some great programs on sewing, fitting, quilting, wardrobe planning, sergers, and more. All we needed was a computer or a smartphone, but even a land-line provided audio access. How amazing was that! When Director Joi Bostic introduced us to Zoom at the ASG conference in Boston in 2019, who would have thought that this new concept would (within a year) be the lifeline on which so many of us now depend? Not only did it link us to our ASG organization it also provided a means to keep in touch with extended family members that we couldn’t visit.

Speaking of families, I can’t ignore the stories I’ve heard of how our ASG family has reached out to each other during this past year. Whether it was through phone calls, emails, or Zoom, our sewing sisters and brothers have reached out to keep relationships going and check on the well-being of this national family. ASG Director, Sheryl Belson, started a Saturday morning group in Plano, TX for just that purpose. What started out as a homegrown group to just check in on Plano members has blossomed to include members from across the country and has even introduced some new members to ASG. Way to go, Sheryl!

I’m reminded that my 2020 New Year’s resolution was to do more with my embroidery machine, so I started a small ASG embroidery group with 4 other women. We first met in January for an organization meeting, then February brought high hopes of doing special projects. By our March meeting, everything in our state was shut down for what was supposed to be just 2 weeks. In April we decided to go online and have been holding Zoom meetings ever since. We have now reached our first anniversary and I am thrilled to say our group is going strong with 50 members from chapters across the country. It has been an amazing experience to share our knowledge of sewing and inspiring projects with each other.

Looking back on 2020, I have to admit it brought many challenges and disappointments but, thanks to ASG, it also came with inspiration, learning opportunities, feelings of purpose, and so many new and renewed friendships. So, thank you ASG for getting me through 2020, and I know that whatever 2021 has in store, my ASG family will be here for me as well.

~Rosemary Fajgier

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 this critical PPE item was able to be used to protect healthcare workers. Congratulations to all! Read the full story

Dayton, OH Chapter

And as the world went in to lockdown, the Dayton chapter encouraged its members to make face masks or sew other community service projects. With the stay at home order, here’s how members, Carol Coleman, set up a one woman very efficient assembly line. Each step was completed for all the masks before going to the next step. She pre-washed some donated cotton fabric, then used a Silhouette Pattern that covers the face with no gaps to cut out all of the fabric. From there, it was on to serging the curved part of the lining and placing the inner lining of either a knit or old sheeting on top of the two outer sections which were cut out right sides together and serged this curve (4 layers). Then it was on to opening the curved seams and placed the lining and and the outer fabric wrong sides together and stitching around each mask. Some time at the ironing board allowed for pressing and folding up the 1/2″ for the casing. The ribbon or 1/4″ bias tape (sewn closed) was cut and enclosed in the casing. In 4 days time, 75 masks were completed and on their way to a medical supplier in Long Island, NY.

North Jersey Chapter

Anne Marie Soto was interviewed by NorthJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network, sharing the North Jersey’s chapter’s enthusiastic readiness and support to make masks for healthcare facilities in the area. Read the full story

Plano Chapter

Sheryl Belson shares a funny video she made regarding making masks.

Sacramento, CA Chapter

More than 30 members of the Sacramento chapter shared their time and talents by making thousands of masks for area hospitals. There is no doubt that their efforts touched the hearts of the recipients of these masks of love. Read the full story

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 double the decorating punch.

Runners can be as simple as a length of fabric with both edges fringed—a perfect project for kids to make, or they can be more elaborate as a canvas for stenciling, stitching, piecing and quilting.

Don’t limit the use of a runner to an eating table—they can also be used on dressers, coffee tables, buffets, breakfast bars, atop shelving units and other flat surfaces.

Fabric

Fabric for runners runs the gamut from burlap for a casual look to velvet, brocade, organza or sequins for a more elaborate occasion. Runners can be single layer, or combined with batting and backing to offer more protection to the table surface. If the runner goes on a patio table, consider a laminate, oilcloth or other outdoor fabric.

Edge Finishes

Edge finishes can be simple fringe, applied trim, binding, lace, piping or narrow hems. Or, for a reversible look, make each side different with encased edges. It’s easy to combine Thanksgiving and Christmas in one double-sided runner.

Runner Ends

Runner ends can be pointed, round or square. Because runners can be shorter than the table length, the same length or longer with a generous drop, there are creative opportunities for end finishes. Tassels, beads or decorative fringes are often added for weight if the runner extends beyond the table length.

Table runners can be used to dress any table shape, from rectangular to circular. On rectangular tables, they can be placed lengthwise down the center, at one end or crosswise. Multiple crosswise runners can double as placemats. Runners can also be combined both lengthwise and crosswise on a table, visually connecting diners.

Use coordinating fabric to make napkins to accent your runner.

Size Wise

So how wide should a runner be? While there are no absolutes and it’s purely a matter of preference, the general rule is that a runner should be about 1/3 the width of table if it will be displayed lengthwise. This allows for place settings on both sides without having plates teetering half on and half off the runner. So, for a 48” table, the width should be about 13”-16”.

And how long? Again, a matter of preference. If the runner is longer than the table, there should be a 6” fabric overhang on each end. If it’s going over a tablecloth, the runner should not hang below the tablecloth edge. It should also not hit the seat of any guests. On a buffet table accent, the runner could go all the way to the floor as it won’t interfere with diners.

When figuring length, it’s important to consider any leaves that might be added to the table, as you might need longer runners if you’re adding leaves to increase the table length.

Another consideration for length is family pets (and small kiddos) who might be intrigued with dangling tassels, beads, etc. and opt for pulling the runner off the table surface sending any breakables crashing to the floor.

Runners roll up for easy storage, so plan to make several for different occasions.

~Linda Griepentrog
Linda is the owner of G Wiz Creative Services and she does writing, editing and designing for companies in the sewing, crafting and quilting industries. In addition, she escorts fabric shopping tours to Hong Kong. She lives at the Oregon Coast with her husband Keith, and two dogs, Yohnuh and Abby. Contact her at .

February 12, 2021

To Boldly Go Where No Quilt Has Gone Before

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 it. As a 12 year old, I loved Star Trek so I brought it home and there it sat, in my stash, for several years. Then COVID-19 happened and everything shut down, so I used my new-found free time to sew and vowed to use some of my stash. Like many, I made masks, but I also needed to do something creative and fun. I came across the Star Trek fabric and went to work. In a few days I had a nice lap quilt in red and black, quilted with embroidered stars, but it really didn’t fit my decor. I decided to ask my son, Andrew, if any of his friends would like a science fiction quilt. He thought about it and came up with a plan. He wanted to put it up for auction on Twitter for charity.

I really didn’t think anyone would pay much for it, but anything for charity is good. Since the pandemic had caused food insecurity for so many, we chose Philabundance. After five days on Twitter, the winning bid was $125.00 from a young man in California named Josh. I was so happy that the quilt would feed people and make Josh happy.

Then something exciting occurred — Josh and Andrew were contacted by William Shatner. Yes, “the” William Shatner… the REAL CAPTAIN KIRK! Mr. Shatner told Josh he was lucky to get the quilt and wished that he had seen it sooner so that he could have bid on it and put it in his children’s charity auction. Josh was so sweet, he donated the quilt for the auction! I boxed the quilt up and sent it to Mr. Shatner’s company in April of 2020 and included a note about the quilt. And since Josh was so nice, I made him a new Star Trek quilt to replace the donated one.

The pandemic continued and I kept busy, not thinking much about the quilt. In early November, Andrew received the following tweet from Mr. Shatner:

@yoda have you seen the current bid price? Your mother should go into business!

I couldn’t believe it! Now don’t think that I am vain enough to believe that my sewing skills are worth that much. It may have something to do with the fact that the quilt was signed by William Shatner – Captain Kirk himself – on the label.

I was so excited and shared this story with my friend, Dianna Kelly, and she mentioned it at our Sew What group Zoom meeting. I hadn’t followed up on the bidding because I just didn’t think it would go any higher … but then Beverly Betz found this:

Final bid $ 905.00! I am beyond thrilled that my sewing hobby has helped children and provided food for those who are struggling. The takeaway here is a reminder that what we do as sewists is now being looked at in a different light since the pandemic started. Whether it’s quilts, masks, or caps for friends, family or strangers, what we create is making a difference in the world. So to paraphrase Mr. Spock from Star Trek — live long and prosper — and keep sewing.

~Lynda Harrison, ASG Member

January 29, 2021

Slick Tricks: Working with Laminated Fabrics

If you’re looking to make that perfect raincoat, try one of the great laminated fabrics on the market today. Colorful cottons with a clear coating are ideal for rainy weather attire, and a host of other projects from cosmetic bags to totes and aprons.

And you have options—laminated cottons come with either a matte finish or a glossy finish, depending on the brand and the desired look. In many instances, the same print is available in a non-laminated version, so that you can use it for facings, hood linings, binding, etc.

Although they do require some care when sewing, there’s nothing off-putting about these fun fabrics. Just be sure to purchase a laminated cotton, as opposed to traditional oilcloth fabric which has a heavier mesh base and is best suited for home décor items.

The coating on laminates makes them water resistant (not waterproof), and it keeps seam allowances from fraying. Some coatings are lightweight and others a bit heavier, so select the fabric by the intended use. Softer coatings are ideal for garments, as they’re more flexible than heavier ones.

Preparation

When choosing a pattern, look for simple lines and few seams, as well as raglan sleeves vs. set-in. There’s no room for error with laminates, so be sure the pattern fits you.

When you cut out your project, opt for pattern weights instead of pins, unless you keep them only within the seamlines as the marks are permanent.

Mark with chalk or soap slivers and never a tracing wheel, as that can damage the coating.

There are some helpful notions for stitching these sticky fabrics. Spring clips, such as Wonder Clips, help hold layers in place without pinning, as do coated paperclips.

If sticking is an issue, opt for a non-stick presser foot, or put tape on the bottom of a regular foot to keep it moving. Sticking becomes an issue usually only if you’re sewing with the right side up, otherwise, the fabric should move smoothly under the foot.

Adjust the stitch length to slightly longer than normal and use a small needle to avoid large holes in the fabric.

Pressing isn’t an option for most laminates, so keep the iron away. To keep the seams flat, finger-press, then topstitch, either open or with seam allowances to one side. Topstitching is also recommended for all edges to keep them flat.

Finishing

If your raincoat requires buttonholes, interface the area with a sew-in interfacing (not fusible) and use the setting on your machine that produces a buttonhole with simply straight stitching around the slit. Any dense satin stitching can damage the fabric.

For hems, there’s no need to finish the edge as the lamination keeps the fabric from fraying—just turn up the hem evenly, clip it in place and sew one or two rows of stitching evenly from the folded edge.

On a tote, bound edges work perfectly—not only are they easy to do, but they also reduce the bulk of multiple laminate layers on turned-and-stitched edges.

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