Posted on by Kathleen

ASG COMMUNITY SEWING STARS

IMG_4620MANY STARS MADE LIGHT WORK

On Saturday February 3, 2018 Sewing People from the Atlantic Sewing Guild met to sew PJ pants for a homeless shelter in Halifax.  Fabric was donated by members and while some volunteers cut out the PJ’s, others worked as an assembly line to complete the pants.

At earlier meetings Guild members also donated hats, mitts and scarves to include.

The Atlantic Sewing Guild is a group of garment sewers that meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (September – June 2nd Tuesdays of the months at St Agnes Church at 7pm).

Once a year the group picks a group to benefit from the community sewing day.  Past projects have included fidget muffs for Alzheimer patients; pillow cases for the IWK; warm fleece booties & lapghans for Vets.

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Thanks to Norma Horne for the write-up.

We have a special guest lined up to speak at our next meeting – hints will be on ASG facebook & email to come!

NEXT MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018
7PM AT THE CAMPBELL CENTRE
(BEHIND ST. AGNES CHURCH)
CORNER OF MUMFORD & CHEBUCTO)

 

Posted on by Kathleen

FANTASY FOR THE NEW YEAR 2018

Friends collage

Friends catching up
JAN 9, 2018

Atlantic Sewing Guild started the New Year right – with something completely different for us.  We were joined by Jackie and Joseph Clairmont who are a wonderfully creative sister/brother duo.  As soon as they started the presentation about their Cos-Play adventures, they were inundated with questions from Guild members.  This was a particularly good result, as several of the most interested questioners had been self-confessedly totally uninterested in hearing about something so far from their usual experience as the world of fantasy creations!
Joseph started making his costumes way back in high school and Jackie thought this was a very peculiar pursuit – until she was later also bitten by this particular creative bug.  Now Joe fosters Jackie’s costume-sewing explorations & her studies in the Nova Scotia Community College Entrepreneurship Programme.  He approaches his work like it is “foam smithing”.
Joseph sculpts, casts & moulds many different types of materials into fanciful costumes & characters, with (and in) which he travels across Canada and as far afield as New York, where he attended Comic-Con with 200,000 other aficionadosIMG_4457!  (Comic-Con is a pop-culture conference phenomenon for people with interests as diverse as comic books, card & video games and which crosses genres as diverse as horror, animé and independent film.)  Can you even imagine being there with so many other people also enrobed in their fantastical dreams?
Once Jackie got interested in creating her own Hallowe’en costumes in high school, she began to see in Joe the perfect older brother guru, who introduced her to this world of most intriguing characters.  Joseph sculpts while Jackie sews.
IMG_4456She drafts and alters her own costume patterns and after NSCC is hoping to begin a costuming clinic.  Both are inspired by the challenging aspects of creating characters who exist first in the mind or from far-gone eras, then bringing them to life as interpretations with their artistic vision.  Jackie & Joe have met new friends from far & wide while also contributing to various charities through their participation & guest appearances.

Questions didn’t stop throughout the talk & beyond, members learning many new terms and concepts.  Before this evening, who of us could discuss the use of materials like ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the upcoming Geekquinox in April?  We even got to meet Ed Head, who serves as a base for Joe’s scupting.

Meet Ed Head

All in all, this was a fascinating glimpse into a new world for ASG.  And who could fail to be impressed with the obvious regard and respect for each other that Joseph and Jackie Clairmont shared with us this first meeting of 2018?  (and yes, they sometimes do commissions)

Super “I Can” Brother & Sister

ASG had a propitious start to 2018,

COZY FABRICS COLLAGE
filling up more boxes with materials for our community sewing day on February 3 *(SEE BELOW).  We are collecting warm hats, scarves and mittens for the homeless of our city.  And we will meet for a group sewing day to make pyjama pants from the warm donated fabrics.

We were able to glean some warm fabrics from Joy’s Finds recoveredfor our PJ purposes.  And this last grouping of Joy’s fabrics was again gratefully received by many members.

IMG_3946Janet kept her hands busy & Carolyn enjoyed the goings-on,

Carolyn enjoys the goings on

while Karen kept track of us and Sheila kept up with notes for us.
Wait a sec – who’s that?IMG_4475

SEW AND TELL

Edgar shows us how to successfully mix it up in his Christmas shirts (& he actually used real buttonholes for these!) McCall’s 6044

IMG_4485Tory also shows us how to mix it up, adding fly-front, pockets & waistband to her Jalie jeans.  In October, she gave her popular class to sew the Eleanore pattern in a day (seriously – one!).  Tory’s Jeans in a Day Class

Is that you Pat?

Pat is ahead of schedule with her self-imposed 2018 quantity sewing.  She showed iterations of Jalie’s Marie Claude 3667 in some lovely knits from Mill Yardage of New England.

IMG_4507Nancy‘s raglan dress was cozy & just perfect for winter (although we did miss her Twirly-Whirly) Butterick 6494

Anita, with one of her most favourite TNTs: the Jalie Helen cardi

Leanne showing us she is not being accosted by her clever neckpiece creation & in stitches as we discuss her very sharp Colette Phoebe dress

IMG_4526Nasira shows us another pattern she has recently been happy to complete (great job with Simplicity 5463!)

We wrap up the evening with Carolyn in her Love Notions slims with their Sloan sweater; and our President Lorna taking a bow in her version of the Jalie Jean.

*NOT TO FORGET*
Community Sew Day is Saturday Feb. 3, 10 – 4
HALIFAX CHRISTIAN CHURCH
51 Farnham Gate Rd., Halifax
Atlantic Sewing Guild on Facebook

We have a special guest lined up to speak at our next meeting – hints will be on ASG facebook & email to come!

NEXT MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018
7PM AT THE CAMPBELL CENTRE
(BEHIND ST. AGNES CHURCH)
CORNER OF MUMFORD & CHEBUCTO)

Posted on by Kathleen · 2 Comments

REFASHION CLASS

REFASHIONING

With Lorna McKillip & Angela Gladwin
THURSDAY, MARCH 22 6-8pm shopping
SATURDAY, MARCH 24 10am-4pm sewing
LORNA
ANGELA

This class is an introduction to refashioning clothing, using pieces purchased on the shopping trip to Value Village (Bayers Lake location) or pieces from your own closet (your husband’s, your kids – whatever). You will need to bring a measuring tape and know your own basic measurements. The shopping trip is to help you find useful materials, understand what the possibilities may be for refashioning a piece or several pieces of clothing and/or other textiles into a garment. We will talk about where to find raw materials, what you can do with them and help you start to visualize various ways of combining them. This shopping trip is optional and set a couple of days ahead of time so that you will have time to launder and iron the items and perhaps even do some preliminary work on them if you know what you want to do on the sewing day. You may decide to just bring some items you already own as your raw material and that is okay as well. Our sewing day will be when you create your unique garment, with the help and advice of two people who have some experience with this type of sewing and creating! Prior to our shopping trip, we will provide you with some references to look at which may help develop ideas as to what you would like to accomplish. We hope you will enjoy this opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind garment for yourself that you will be proud to wear!

For further information, please see: ASG Classes page

Posted on by Kathleen

HEAD & SHOULDERS KNEES & TOES

Never listen when you hear that sewing
is a sedentary or solitary craft-

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Heads & Shoulders
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Knees & Toes
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Knees & Toes
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And Etcetera

-Because it’s really really fun when it’sIMG_3797

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THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD

Pre-holiday hijincks
& strenuous exercise

At the December meet-up, Barb Emodi exercised our brains with a fabulous presentation on the many ways to approach pattern manipulation for your very best fit.  (And a reminder to “Control yourself, People: do one alteration at a time!”)  She distills to the sensible axiom of using differing methods, depending on the preference, comfort, location & size requirements of the Sewer/Seamstress/Sewist. This brought up another interesting thought of what we call ourselves in 2017 – soon to be 2018 – my personal fave is Sempstress, a lovely Victorian & dignified term – probably not generally loved for the same reasons.  However, the funniest has to be her blog’s Sewing on the Edge accidental moniker “a serial sewing sexist”.

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Maybe it’s those racy pictures she uses to explain alterations?

Barb made clear the differences among the many methods – we could see lights beginning to go on as members nodded & “aha’d” throughout her presentation.  We look forward to her book coming up for publication in Spring 2018: “Sew The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge.  Real-Life Lessons from a Serial Sewist“.

Sew & Tell added to the usual hilarity, made all the more so by a sweet & savoury repast shared by our talented bakers.

Rhea‘s using reversible knit for Love Notions Origami

Which hand is it in?
Get thee behind me!

 

Anita‘s also using a Love Notions – Trendy tunic; And McCall’s slippers with leather bottoms & fabric from VV

 

Marilyn completed the coat she was working on at SSS with a panel of  pretty scarf & Japanese appliqués; a clever bag to match from scraps; a beach bag towel combo for gifting.

 

Sheila using some of our bounty of Joy fabric for OOP Vogue 8335.  Her Summer Challenge (3 visible fabrics) in OOP Vogue 1363

 

Suzanne‘s very painstakingly & beautifully sewn Vogue 9267, which she plans to alter & adjust further to her satisfaction; Kathleen‘s dress that started with OOP Vogue 8582 & ended with Joy fabric & some salvaged golf shirt collars

 

Pat made many oven mitts for gifts, using jelly rolls (so pretty!); We celebrate with Nasirah‘s first use of a commercial pattern Simplicity 5463; Norma‘s Silhouette 709 which she also started at SSS & found needing significant lengthening, along with coordinating Silhouette Yoga Pants

 

Angela‘s creative use of a tunic with interesting & colourful border detail, which she fashioned into coordinates, with top tied in with embellishment.

 

Our very own comedy troupe, Julie, Lorna, Linda & Carolyn, showing their Jalie Jeans made in Tory‘s Jeans in a Day Class

 

Edgar‘s festive McCall’s 6044 slim shirt

 

Our generous Atlantic Sewing Guild members filled 2 bins already with warm socks, mitts and fabric for our upcoming Community Sewing Day (February 3), when we will sew up warm pyjama pants for the homeless of Halifax.

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Here’s a bargain you can scoop up, if it fits your machine better than it fits Rhea’s embroidery machine.  $69.  Contact her: eggbert.coolen@gmail.com.

this onemachine trolley

Please remember to bring donations to the next meeting of warm hats, socks, mitts or warm fabric cuts for PJ bottoms for our upcoming ASG Community Sewing Project

NEXT MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD TUESDAY, January 9, 2018
 7PM AT THE CAMPBELL CENTRE
(BEHIND ST. AGNES CHURCH)
CORNER OF MUMFORD & CHEBUCTO)

Posted on by Kathleen · 2 Comments

PICTURES BEE WORTH MORE

THE GREAT HALIFAX SEWING BEE 2017

THE BEEG IDEA

THE SUPER BEES
Rhea, Mary, Anita, Brenda
HIVE FORCE beehind The Idea

Suzanne & Karen
Anita & Judy
The Giggles
Very Mary

THE SET UP

THE PROCESS

THE COLLABORATORS

THE RESULTS BEE IN

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Judy Judy Judy Judy Judy Judy Judy Judy

Good time beeen had by allTHE WINNERS

Thank you kindly for the pictures – Karen, Rhea and Official Photog Josée.

NEXT MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2017
 7PM AT THE CAMPBELL CENTRE
(BEHIND ST. AGNES CHURCH)
CORNER OF MUMFORD & CHEBUCTO

Posted on by Kathleen

WE HAVE A SEWING HEADLINER DECEMBER 12

Natural Resource & Dynamo

Barbara Emodi is one of Atlantic Sewing Guild’s multi-talented resources.  She is a sewing dynamo, teacher and popular blogger.  Over the years we have been interested Show & Tell witnesses of Barb’s tracks to various sewing permutations & combinations.  Barbara has taught sewing in Canada, Australia & the U.S..  She has written extensively for magazines (see Barb in Threads magazine and the Australian “Dressmaking with Stitches”) as well as on her instructional & often hilarious site https://sewingontheedge.blogspot.ca/ .  Hard to believe that she finds time to be accomplished in the (Muggle) non-sewing world as well!

Recently Barbara has been doing deep research on fitting methods and on December 12 will share a different way of fitting.  She will present some of the first principles of altering a pattern to fit and will introduce divergent approaches to fitting – all of them effective, each suited to a different type of sewist.  You’ve paid attention to many fitting methods over the years so it will be interesting to hear some of the whys & wherefores – & perhaps why we can merrily ignore things we’ve thought are musts!

We are pleased that Barb will present her latest ideas & theories at the ASG meeting on December 12, 2017, especially considering how busy she must be with her first book coming up for publication in May/18.  Link to pre-order Sew…The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge or Pre-order here: King’s Co-Op Bookstore to support your local independent book store (with 5% discount or higher if more than 3 of us order;  will be personally delivered by Kathleen).

p.s.  Just guess who the StyleArc Barb pants pattern is named after!  If you guessed Barbara Emodi, you’d be right – come to hear her speak at the next Atlantic Sewing Guild meeting.

NEXT MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD IS
TUESDAY, December 12, 2017, 7PM
the campbell centre (BEHIND ST. AGNES CHURCH)
CORNER OF MUMFORD & CHEBUCTO

 

Atlantic Sewing Guild Facebook link

ASG email link

Posted on by Kathleen

WE SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE GATHERED

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There was no mistaking the sheer happiness of Atlantic Sewing Guild members in each others’ company at the October 10/17 meeting.  Our theme could well prove to be faces smiling with joy in our night’s camaraderie and entertainment.  Shiny Happy People link (Do we love those classic cheerful 1990’s outfits?)

Lori
Janet & Lucy
Rhea

IMG_3359Contributing of course was BRENDA BOUDREAU’S presentation of her husband Bob’s quilts, which lived up to long-awaited expectations.  Who knew that she is, in addition to a long-time member of ASG, our very own salmon & trout fly-casting girl?  Brenda spoke lovingly not only about Bob’s amazingly detailed quilts, but also of the enthusiasm they share for the great outdoors and fishing.  This is true synergy: she became interested in his fishing & he became interested in her sewing machine.  Bob is a true Renaissance Man with his hands in business, Bonsai, landscaping & gardening, photography — & this night’s presentation: his quilting!

BOB’S PROCESS

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THE QUILTS

Nfld. jelly bean houses

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HIMSELF

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Bob Boudreau’s quilts are works of art deserving to be hung.  His painstaking compositions are studies in patience combined with the artist’s eye for minute detail.  The gradations of colour and fine machine stitching are accomplishments particularly admired by ASG members.  The quilt shown directly above is made up of over 1750 tiny squares and is created from his early school portrait.  (All these works were deserving of far better picture quality; unfortunately, this photographer & her camera phone fall short.)  Brenda did justice in her presentation and all in attendance were captivated.

SUMMER CHALLENGE: 3 fabrics within one garment

FUN CREATIONS SHARED THIS FINE EVENING

L?
Lu?
Lucy!

LUCY used Marcy Tilton Vogue 9057 and McCall’s 7122

EDGAR our quick-change artist delights us with his homage to Star Trek in McCall’s6044

KATHLEEN’S Tilton Vogue 8975 and Style Arc Toni   MARY in her TNT Silhouette top

Barb
Leanne

Librarian BARB’S shirt Loes Hinse 5203      Coffee Host LEANNE’S skirt Made by RaeCleo

Angela
Marilyn

ANGELA shows Her Own design Upcycle       MARILYN combined Kwik Sew 3873 & 3915

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BRENDA’S Newport Bag

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We’ll take our leave of October 10 with the Smiling Faces of sisters ALAYNE & FAYE

REMINDERS

  • GREAT HALIFAX SEWING BEE takes place at our November meeting.  (The festivities are Very Secret – not even your executive knows what we’ll be up to – other than more ASG fun!)
  • For the GHSB we will be using the gymnasium rather than the Campbell Centre
  • Bits & bobs – haberdashery & scraps & interesting smalls will still be gladly accepted at beginning of Nov. meeting
  • There will be no Show & Tell this month
  • December 2, 2017 Tory’s Jeans in a Day Class link
  • Visit the Atlantic Sewing Guild on Book of the Face Atlantic Sewing Guild link
  • email us AtlanticSewingGuild@gmail.com

NEXT MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 7PM IN THE GYM (BEHIND ST. AGNES CHURCH), CORNER OF MUMFORD & CHEBUCTO

Posted on by Kathleen · 2 Comments

JEANS IN A DAY CLASS

SEW THEM TODAY WEAR THEM TOMORROW?
You really can with Tory’s Jeans Class

Tory
Our kind and patient Teacher Extraordinaire TORY LEBLANC

Atlantic Sewing Guild is happy to announce that Tory  has agreed to do a reprieve of her Jalie Eleanore Jeans Class.  (we were also happy to hear the buzz of approval when we announced the class at our most recent ASG meeting)

This pull-on pant pattern is designed for stretch wovens (stretch denim!) with 20% stretch.  The Eleanore features an elastic waist, mock fly front/front pockets, back yoke, functional back pockets, plus all the top-stitching found on ready-to-wear jeans

While this is primarily a sewing technique class, minor fit issues will be addressed.  Moving the waistband higher or lower, adjusting for a curvier backside, thinner/thicker waist and width of the pant leg will be covered.  Back pocket details such as stitch design, size and ideal location on the tush will also be discussed.  If extensive fitting help is required, you are welcome to use the class time to develop your first draft of a muslin.

Jalie patterns can be purchased at the Halifax Fabricville or online at Jalie.com  buy pattern on-line  (available as an instant electronic download or as a standard paper pattern that will be shipped). The pattern calls for 132 or 150 cm. stretch denim, with at least 20% stretch and good recovery.  You can make this pattern with any stretch woven fabric, provided it meets the stretch/recovery requirements.

You can register for the class by paying Suzanne Pelletier, our VP & Class Co-Ordinator ($40.).  (There are limited spots so the earlier you register, the better).   There are several places you may find Suzanne: Saturday, Oct. 14 at Sew-It-Now Saturday Sewing at the Church (see below); Sew-It-Now meeting Tuesday., Oct. 17; next ASG meeting Tuesday, Nov. 14.  You could also contact her through our ASG email address or our Facebook page:

atlanticsewingguild@gmail.com

ASG on Facebook

Date: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2017

TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Halifax Christian Church
51 Farnham Gate Road, Halifax
map to the Church

You must be a member of ASG to participate in our classes.

Posted on by Kathleen

Rescheduled to tomorrow – Oct 10/17 Bob Boudreau’s quilts

We are excited to give you a little preview of the guest speaker’s topic for tomorrow’s ASG meeting.

bob-boudreau
Bob Boudreau

Brenda Boudreau will do a presentation of her husband Bob’s quilted wall-hangings. She will show how he constructed them, supplies he used and the inspiration behind the nature and people-themed works. 

A few examples of Bob’s beautiful work.

 

Bob is unable to be present at the meeting himself….he will be out shopping for supplies to make his next wall-hanging!

See you tomorrow!

Posted on by Kathleen

ASG OFF TO A ROARING START

September 12 saw the first 2017-18 meeting of
Atlantic Sewing Guild

Our Autumn Meet-up did not fail to fulfill expectations.  Many old & new friends excitedly buzzed the registration tables – after all, we’d been waiting to get back at it since June!  Our new members are already contributing to the great ASG energy.  Many people contributed during the run of this grand evening, which bodes well for this upcoming year.

A Warm Welcome from President Lorna with approval from VP Suzanne

Lorna
Suzanne

Lorna inspires us with her outfit in which she created fabric for the top with bits from other projects.  Suzanne wears an ASG favourite sew, her Farrow dress.

Presentation and Discussion of many Independent Pattern companies

Leanne, Cindy and Kathleen each spoke for a few minutes about their experiences with ordering, downloading and creating from the Indies.  It was interesting to hear the different perspectives.  Our members have such varied interests and skills that the ensuing discussion and questions were lively and informative.  No doubt there will be more Indie garments shared with the guild in coming months.
As promised, here is the link Cindy mentioned, for a blog called Diary of a Chain Stitcher.  For the adventurous among us, it is a list of independent pattern designers (oh my! – don’t get so lost that you miss our next meeting-)

Cavalcade of Creations

Oh Canada Edgar’s version
The Agate Energy shirt

EDGAR’S McCall’s 6044 – the Oh Canada & Agate Energy versions

Norma’s Canada 150 quilt
Brenda’s new friend

NORMA’S CANADA 150 quilt (that’s our home on top centre!)
BRENDA with new friend from old pattern

Angela aft
Angela fore

We’re happy that new member ANGELA showed the top  she refashioned from a Mexican dress

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We’re also pleased to welcome newbie KATHY, who sewed her lucky granddaughter a Vogue 9043 coat

Marilyn summer warm
Marilyn summer cool

Who can keep up with our MARILYN?  This time it’s variations on Butterick 6247.

Barb surprised by all her makes
Anita speaks from her heart

BARB”S world of Emmaline & Peek-A-Boo bags.
ANITA shows us a Clone she created from one of her favourite dresses.

Dress of MANY colours aft
Many colours fore

We’ll miss MINH at next meeting, so he showed his own design for the Summer Challenge – he used 8 Fabrics.  Such an over-achiever is our Minh!

REMINDERS

  • Please bring your Summer Challenge projects to share at the Oct. 10 meeting: a garment made with a minimum of 3 visible fabrics – can’t wait to see them!
  • Bits & bobs – haberdashery & scraps & interesting smalls wanted for next meeting, which we’ll use in the November Great Halifax Sewing Bee
  • Your Devoted Executive has surprises to share
  • Slow Fashion October 
  • Visit the Atlantic Sewing Guild on Book of the Face Atlantic Sewing Guild
  • We’ve been eagerly looking forward to the showing by Brenda of her husband Bob’s landscape quilts Bob’s quilts, which had been postponed due to nasty weather last winter.   We’re finally going to able to have her presentation, which is rumoured to be very very interesting (as are all the wonderful things Brenda shares with us!)

    NEXT MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC SEWING GUILD IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 7PM AT THE CAMPBELL CENTRE (BEHIND ST. AGNES CHURCH), CORNER OF MUMFORD & CHEBUCTO