Climate Change is a serious thing that can only be slowed down and reversed by everyone of us doing our part. At our November meeting members brought in many examples of using our skills to create reusable items (sanitary napkins, cosmetic pads, ‘paper’ towels, beeswax wraps, tea bags, and more) or ideas to use our scraps of fabric so they don’t end up in garbage — fabric rope mats and bowls, sandwich/snack bags, fruit/vegetable bags, underwear from old t-shirts–to name a few.

See some examples below

Angela Gladwin is spearheading this years Summer Challenge. She wants you to pull out that item hanging at the back of your closet.

Why do you still have it — do you love the fabric, a particular detail, how well it fits?

Why is it forgotten – is it out of style, no longer fits well, needs a repair?

What can you do with it so that it is no longer a forgotten gem? Can it be refashioned into a more current style? Can it be altered for a better fit? Can it be repaired? Can the buttons or a unique detail be removed and used for another item? The possibilities are endless🙂

We are looking forward to seeing your GEMS at the guild meeting on October 10, 2019.

Happy Summer Sewing✂️

We sat in awe of the beauty and talent surrounding us, listening to Christina’s stories behind the designing and creating of her quilts, clothes, accessories and home decor creations.

This tiger was the most challenging. A photo of a tiger at the Thailand Tiger Temple was her inspiration. Note the messages nestled in the blades of grass .. some one heard the cries for help because the Tiger Temple has been permanently closed.

And those lovely quilts were the backdrop for our ‘Sew and Tell’ where we were shown shopping bags made from PC coffee pod bags; a couple of early submissions for the May Apron Challenge, a Chicken Quilt, a Jalie rain jacket (just in time for spring in Nova Scotia) and a couple of very, wearable dresses.

‘ Short Snaps’ were the feature of the meeting — four of our members each shared an interesting, unique technique

• Brenda showed us how to make jewelry with strips of scrap fabric and beads
• Tory shared her story of how she Marie Kondo’d here way to a somewhat capsule wardrobe and taught us how to ‘properly’ our garments

• Heike developed a technique for stabilizing and fearlessly cutting into hand-knit fabric
• Elte marked out a skirt and top onto fabric using a measuring tape and some simple math .. no pattern needed!

How lovely is Lorna’s trench coat? It is the Taylor Trench pattern by Rebecca Page

Pat was busy sewing the Jalie Raglan 3245 for granddaughters but still found time to make herself a Josie top by StyleArc

This is the Gillianne Cardi from DG patterns made by Anita

Our February 2019 meeting fell on Valentines Day, so a challenge featuring lingerie and loungewear was certainly appropriate.

Marilyn watches TV in her burgundy sparkling (Style 2077) gown – just like a movie star ⭐️ While Mary prefers the warmth of this valentine fleece she used to make Kwik Sew 3209. And Lorna is just going for ‘sexy’ with her silky Jalie ‘Melanie’ kimono (#3889) worn over a silk slip.

Sleepwear that doubles as loungewear: Norma beautifully embroidered the neckline on this Kwik Sew 4080 nightgown. Suzanne’s Carolyn pyjamas (Closet Case Patterns), complete with pockets, are much to nice to be worn only for sleeping. Edgar and Kathleen like these comfy pj bottoms for lounging around the house.

And now for the ‘unmentionables’. Nancy’s itty bitty Scrundles (from Stitch Upon a Time) are too cute for words. Reina made a matching workout bra and panty combo that is really to nice to cover up (Keri No-Bounce sports bra and basic panties from Pin-Up Girls). What a good mother Carolyn is making these Jalie Gerald (#3885) boxers for her son. Jocelyn is feeling bashful about showing off her valentine panties. Carolyn made herself a bright sports bra from Stitch Upon a Time’s Greenstyle pattern.