The Atlantic Sewing Guild Executives consists of the following members who volunteered to share some information about themselves:
- Julie W, President
- Lorna M, Past-President
- Pat M, Vice-President and Programs
- Carolyn S, Secretary / Speakers
- Marilyn O, Treasurer
- Deb C, Membership Coordinator
- Karen L, Librarian
- Minh T, Communications Administrator
Instead of just saying just a few words about ourselves, though, we thought we’d introduce ourselves in a more interesting way by answering some fun, sewing related questions about ourselves. Some questions were suggested, while others were provided by individuals themselves to answer and include in their profiles. All Executive members’ privacy was respected to share only what they shared in the survey done to get this post’s content. So without further delay, here are the Atlantic Sewing Guild’s Executive members for the 2020-2021 year.
Julie W
President
I work with a fabulous group of volunteers to connect sewists and their passion for all things sewing, through the Atlantic Sewing Guild.
| Member since | 2017 |
| Sewing since | I took my first Home Ec class in Junior High |
| What you like to sew most | I just made my first quilt and really enjoyed how it went together |
| Favourite item sewn | Years ago, I made a 2 layer parka with a fur collar or my wedding dress – both of which I can’t seem to part with |
| Favourite part of sewing | The satisfied feeling of accomplishment and creativity |
| Least favourite part of sewing | When I have to use the dreaded “seam ripper” |
| Sewing superpower | Lately, it had been repairing items for my daughter’s friends |
| Sewing secret | Make sure you allow yourself enough time, so you don’t feel pressure or rushed. |
| My biggest sewing accomplishment | My husband and I recently “tackled” sewing a 30 foot sail for our sail boat. Sewing with 6+ layers of Dacron is certainly a challenge, but it was satisfying to be sailing on a hot summer day with our sail blowing in the wind. |
| Future Sewing Commitment | To explore the width and breath of the online sewing fabrics and patterns. There is so much information out there. I need to take advantage of it. |
Lorna M
Past President
I am to provide guidance to our new Executive and help with nominations for new positions.
| Member since | About 20 years! |
| Sewing since | When I was about 10 years old, my Mother taught me to sew. Her mistake was not realizing how much I begged for fabric and sewing machine time! |
| What you like to sew most | My own unique clothing and gifts for others. |
| Favourite item sewn | Too many favourites! |
| Favourite part of sewing | Being creative, using my hands and brain. |
| Least favourite part of sewing | Frustration with not being able to buy fabric and notions locally and when trying to buy things on-line, not getting the colour, quality and weight as advertised! |
| Sewing superpower | Finding re-used and thrifted fabrics and notions. |
| Sewing secret | Having my own store “The Store of Lorna” so I don’t need to necessarily plan ahead! |
| What do you like about the Atlantic Sewing Guild | When I found the Guild, I found “my tribe”! The members have provided so much friendship, shared so my knowledge, inspiration, and, best of all, social sewing! |
| Do you like to teach sewing? | I love to teach sewing, especially working with children or helping others enjoy their sewing more! |
Pat M
Vice-President and Programs
Fill in for president and arrange our zoom speakers
| Member since | Joined way back when the guild started and left for a few years , Joined again 6 years ago |
| Sewing since | A child |
| What you like to sew most | Clothes for my family |
| Favourite item sewn | Too many to name one |
| Favourite part of sewing | Top stitching |
| Least favourite part of sewing | Anything by hand |
| Sewing superpower | I learned to make Irsh dance dresses for champions.. On my own |
| Sewing secret | I designed a pattern for Irish dance dress and sold world wide for several years. Then I got a call one day from an American who said that he got my number from Simplicity pattern company |
| Favourite pattern company | Itch to Stitch because they have cup sizes and amazing instructions. Jalie as they cover all sizes so I can make child and parent matching. Well until the kids are suddenly horrified to be dressed like parents. Unless it is PJs. |
Carolyn S
Secretary
I record minutes of meetings and maintain documents.
| Member since | 2017 |
| Sewing since | 2016 |
| What you like to sew most | Active lifestyle clothes. |
| Favourite item sewn | Red softshell cycling jacket. |
| Favourite part of sewing | I like taking 2-D fabric and turning it into 3-D items. |
| Least favourite part of sewing | Cutting out/tracing patterns. Fast Fashion. |
| Sewing superpower | In a pinch sudden bursts of inspiration and innovation. |
| Sewing secret | Sew your own way. Sewing Rules are meant to be bent and broken. Ignore those that want to force you into a mold. |
| What sewing items make you most happy? | Things that I made that get handed down and re-loved by many people. |
| Why do you sew? | A means to an end. I sew to create items that work for me or whoever I’m sewing for. I am not interested in fashion or big brands. |
Marilyn O
Treasurer
I look after the books and deposit money and write cheques, and set the budget.
| Member since | 2010? |
| Sewing since | 1960 |
| What you like to sew most | Clothing for my granddaughter. |
| Favourite item sewn | My fall coat. I used lots of different grey fabrics and a quilting technique where you make fabric using curved piecing. |
| Favourite part of sewing | Designing especially when i don’t have quite enough fabric and have to make design changes to get what I want. |
| Least favourite part of sewing | I like all aspects of the process from the original idea, to getting the fabric and patterns, the cutting, the sewing and the cleanup. |
| Sewing superpower | Not being afraid to try something new that I don’t know how to do. |
| Sewing secret | Try to put your ironing and cutting stations away from your sewing machine so you have to get up and move each time you need to iron or cut. |
| Why do I love sewing so much I could do it every day? | It fills a huge need to be creative, I love having a useful product at the end of a project, I enjoy being able to help people with my sewing, whether it is making quilts for charity or hemming my neighbours pants. And it allows me to bask in the admiration of my granddaughter who thinks I can make anything. |
Deb C
Membership Coordinator
I record and document membership data.
| Member since | 2019 |
| Sewing since | I was 8 yrs old as joined 4H |
| What you like to sew most | Things I create without a pattern |
| Favourite item sewn | A wool lined Nero Jacket and Bell bottom pants in my last year of 4H. ( Still have it 😊) |
| Favourite part of sewing | Finding the perfect fabric and pattern |
| Least favourite part of sewing | Copying and tracing patterns, so time consuming |
| Sewing superpower | Late night creations and inspiration |
| Sewing secret | Love shopping for fabric more than anything |
| Best sewing advice | Sew for kids as it eliminates making something for myself and find out it doesn’t fit or I just don’t like it anymore… |
| Stash Control | Just move every 10 years or so, it helps |
Karen L
Librarian
I make sure the library is running efficiently, with loans back on time. Research new books and try to update for lending. Some older books are still the best.
| Member since | 2015 when I retired |
| Sewing since | Home Ec class 1968 |
| What you like to sew most | Clothing that fits |
| Favourite item sewn | Clothing that fits, lol |
| Favourite part of sewing | Sewing |
| Least favourite part of sewing | Mending |
| Sewing superpower | None, still learning |
| Sewing secret | Stop when frustrated, come back later |
Minh Tan
Communications Administrator
I take care of matters related to communications, with some help from others, including the blog/website, Facebook group, email to members, and responses to communications related questions.
| Member since | 2011? |
| Sewing since | 2010? |
| What you like to sew most | Anything that makes a statement when worn |
| Favourite item sewn | Winter duster coat with four sword holders, in black, fake snakeskin with silver trim |
| Favourite part of sewing | Designing, but if that doesn’t count, cutting fabric |
| Least favourite part of sewing | Serging sleeve holes |
| Sewing superpower | Inability to follow pattern instructions, I mean ability to hack instructions provided |
| Sewing secret | I don’t actually like sewing! |
| Best sewing advice | Err larger than smaller |
| Biggest sewing motivation | Turning a meaningful new design I have into reality |
Thank you for reading to get to know us. We hope one day, we will be able to get to know you, whether through comments you can post to introduce yourself by answering some sewing related questions, or by joining us and having the opportunity as a member to be featured.
