ASG Meeting- First Timer

Being new to sewing I thought it would be a good idea to connect with others in the sewing community.  I checked out my local American Sewing Guild meeting on Tuesday and I am so glad I did.  Even though I have a calendar and wrote it down for some reason I thought it was at 10:15 and not 10.  OOPS (not out of print but really oops)!

Walking into a room full of people and late at that is the worst.  Two of my phobias, crowds and being late, mixed into one.  All of the ladies were sitting around a long table and I found a chair right next to the wall.  They welcomed me to scoot right up to the table and introduce myself.

There were lots of updates about what was going on with ASG and then came the fun part.  They had what I would equate to a Show and Tell.  Purses, quilts, dresses, baby clothes.  I was amazed by the level of talent surrounding me.  Everything was so wonderful.  They also showed a lot of items they made for charity.  The things they were donating were just as great.  Hopefully the recipients will be grateful for the time and effort put into them.  Pretty pillowcases, aprons, clothes.  

After the meeting several members came up and spoke to me.  It was great that they were so welcoming because I was very nervous.  They all went out to lunch afterwards and then to a local quilting shop.  One member so kindly told me next time just take the whole day off!!

It felt like an honor to be in the prescence of such talent.  No pictures, I forgot my camera and I thought it would be really awkward to start snapping photos of people I really didn't know anyway!!  Needless to say it was a great experience and I am looking forward to going back next month.

Seam Binding- Now What?

On Thursday I stopped in Goodwill near the Joann Fabrics to see if they even carried anything sewing related.  No books or neat machines like other people find.  I did however find a bunch of seam binding.  Some are lace too.  Since I don't have a serger is this the stuff I use to clean up the insides of my garmets some?  I am sure it will be used somehow.  What do I do with the lace ones though?

Look how much one of them used to cost. 17 cents. I wonder how old these are!!

Fabric- Where To Start?

If I could tell you how many hours I have spent looking at fabric online, adding it to my cart, and never buying it I would probably be embarrassed.  As a beginner one of the hardest things for me has been learning about different fabrics.  The closest store to me is Joanns, so of course I have been there but I want to go to a "real" fabric store.  There are a couple about 1 hour from me but finding 2 hours to commute and then time in the store to wrap my head around everything equates to one full day.  The next time I have a full day to myself will be... ummmm.... well.... errrrrr...yeah, you get my drift.

I did check out More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina from the library.  This book is great.  Not only does it give a description of the fabric it goes into a lot of details about working with the fabric.  Everything from preshrinking, needle to use, presser foot, thread, and more.  It has been quite helpful but I need to FEEL the fabric.   

The need to feel it led me to finally pull the trigger and sign up for the Julie's Picks Sample Club at fabricmart.com.  It seems to be a easy way to get a handle on some of the options available and familiarize myself with different fabrics.  I called last week to inquire and she gave me the rest of this year and next year for what equates to about $3/month When January 2011 rolls around I get a $25 coupon which really means this will cost somewhere around $1.50/month.  

Let me tell you I was like a kid in a candy store waiting for those samples to come.  She told me once they go out I would probably get them in 2 days.  Sure enough on day 2 in my mailbox was a nice little envelope from them.  Inside, about 30 samples, 5-6 per page, with descriptions.  Joy.  They provided a nice variety of fabrics and a nice price range as well.

Please think back to your days as a beginner and give me some advice on how you went about buying fabrics.  How long did it take you to start buying fabric online?  Fabric mishaps?  Do tell!!

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I just set up a twitter account for my sewing fun.  Come tweet with me. 

@takijsews

Fall Is Here And I Have No Clothes

Here we go again.  Another fall is upon us and as always a look in my closet is such a sad, sad occasion.  Since I am not a shopper I tend to find a few pieces I like and wear them for years.  I am to young to be like this (I think) so I will try and fix my wardrobe dilemma by making some new clothes.

First up will be a jacket. Then a shirt.  Then a vest.  Then another shirt.  Then a skirt.  Then a shirt.  Well at least I am hoping to get into some sort of groove where I can revamp my wardrobe while also becoming a better sewer.  I have a bunch of patterns to choose from.  There are a few Vogue's that I want to snag while on sale this week at Joanns and Simplicity will be $.99 next week.  After that I am done buying patterns.  Seriously.

I did pick up the Butterick 4865 a while ago so I will start that this weekend.  The fabric is a gray cordury. Depending on how well this goes I may get a heavier fabric and make a second one from this pattern as well. We'll see.

Are you sewing this weekend?  What do you have lined up?