Sunday, February 16, 2014

Fleece Chemo Caps completed by Charity Chics

The December delivery of  the bandana-style chemo caps to St. Francis Hospital oncology department brought an immediate thank you to the Charity Chics, but also a special request for some of the fleece style.  Our very cold winter this year has affected everyone!

So this meant that the Charity Chics already had a project on their plate for the January 16 meeting, and boy did they ever fulfill the request!!  37 caps were completed and most of them were embellished with a handmade pin, just so each of them had an individual style.  Check out a sample group below....



Fleece Chemo Caps
The  February 20 meeting's project is to work on our UFO quilt tops.  A couple still remain from last year's jelly roll challenge.  Come join us if you can!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Creative Design and Techniques

Our topic for this month's meeting was Creative Design Touches, which was a bit open to interpretation.  We had deliberately left it that way to see what kind of discussion or examples resulted from it.  And we had a very creative time with the topic!  Linda, Judy and Mary brought samples of those little extras put into making a sewn pieces, whether a garment, home dec item or fabric art.  Maura and Cindy brought along books on the topic that inspired them, from Victorian patterns to pleating fabric.  Pat discussed the use of vintage costume jewelry to embellish various projects. I'm going to save 11 thousand words here and just show the pictures.
Mary's wall hanging from a challenge uses embroidery and beading.

Close up of hand embroidery (upper left) and bobbin work (bottom right) as well as beading.




Judy's customized piping using machine embroidery to add coordinating colors.

Jacket with decorative seams
Close up:  serged flatlocked seams


Outlining a motif - this one uses bobbin-work. 

From a Gail Yellen workshop - different applique techniques, including elements sewn into openings (right).

Embroidering a ribbon or tape

De-colurant used to add color over original.

De-colurant used to remove original color.

Paint sticks let you draw directly onto fabric.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

SEW HIP has a successful first meeting!


No photos of the actual meeting yet, but if you are considering joining the group and making a pair of Jeans that actually fit comfortably here is all that you need to know, thanks to Danielle Rudi, Special Interest Group Leader:

We discussed the fit of the jeans and things to take into consideration when choosing a size as follows:

  • fit is snug through the hip and thigh, flares out at the knee into a wide boot cut
  • stretch denim or corduroy is essential for this pattern to work - 4% lycra is suggested ... check the pattern envelope for the required amount of stretch
  • the back is higher than the front and the rear leg is wider than the front leg ... this give the jeans a flattering cut
  • seams are 3/8"
  • fabric should be washed 2 - 3 times before cutting, as denim shrinks progressively
  • the jeans comes in two rises, high rise and low rise - there are two different front and back pattern pieces for the two different rises ... may sure you trace out the correct ones
  • measure at your hips and just below the navel to determine your size
  • if your waist is wider than your hips, you may need to trace out the size that fits your hips and then taper out to the size that fits your waist
  • if your wait is smaller than your hips, then just go by the hip size
  • if in between sizes, go for the larger size ... better to err on the side of caution and make it too big rather than too small

Everyone is going to trace out their pattern pieces on tracing paper and for the next class we'll work on cutting out the fabric and start sewing the back part of the jeans.  Some people had fit concerns, so they are going to make a test muslin out of stretch fabric and either bring that to the next class for a fit check or make their test muslin in class.  Others are going to "go for it" and work on a wearable muslin.  I just want to emphasize that this is a first pair of jeans for almost everyone and it's meant to be a learning experience.  I'll again bring my first, and subsequent, pairs of jeans to the next meeting for everyone to look at and will review what we discussed at the first meeting.


Need More Info? Have a Question?  Email Danielle ASGHVCOMM@gmail.com

 Next Meeting February 22nd, Hobby Lobby in the Shoppes at South Hills, Route 9, Poughkeepsie, 1-4PM


Jalie 2908 - Jeans Pattern Cover

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Recycled Jean Bag workshop

One more time!  Terry Perry is coming back to teach her recycled jeans bag workshop!!
If you missed the first one, here's your chance......