The Sewphisticuts became movie reviewers the other night! Based on an idea from Peggy, members of the group explored the videos and webinars available on the ASG site. At our February meeting we each "reviewed" our chosen video(s) and summarized the contents.
Ronnie could not attend but sent in her "homework" by email. She watched a video about Bindings, and thought it explained everything well, from various ways to make it to the best applications for each type. But she also thought it was a bit long and boring, and the lack of a close-captioning option to help the hearing-impaired was a negative for her.
Pat also watched a video on binding; specifically, how to bind a hexagon. She found its slow pace useful as she is a visual learner. She worked on a sample as she followed the video and found it helped her greatly as binding was something she did not know how to do. The only drawback was that it didn't cover how to finish off the binding process.
Connie chose a video about machine embroidery, which she found to be a very good introduction. It covered types of thread and needles, stabilizers, and basic how-to's. Since she is not a machine-embroiderer, she felt she learned a lot from it. But it is probably too basic to interest anyone already doing this kind of sewing.
Peggy chose a series of videos on clothing alterations which turned out to cover various alterations to jeans. Part 1 was very general sewing tips on thread, needles, and various tools that may be useful; part 2 showed how to replace a zipper; part 3 discussed taking in the center back seam and tightening the waistband; part 4 covered techniques for re-hemming jeans. She felt they were interesting with lots of information presented and fairly detailed instructions, but are intended more for the experienced sewist rather than a beginner.
Maura watched a series on altering patterns using the Minnott method. The videos themselves are summaries of the book since it is copyrighted material. They cover topics from how to measure yourself, what measurements you need, and how to mark the pattern pieces for reference. These videos could be useful to someone new to garment sewing who needs help with fitting a pattern, and even experienced sewists may want another method in their toolbox for making pattern adjustments.
Judy watched a video on Bound Buttonholes. It covered six different ways to do them, including a paper-pieced method that she found intriguing. Organza was used to make non-standard openings such as circles, triangles, or any non-rectangular buttonholes. There was also a way to make them using an embroidery machine, digitizing the shape of the buttonhole. Bottom line: this video is best for experienced sewists, as it isn't detailed enough for beginners. Judy also watched a video on using a French curve. She found it extremely informative even if not particularly applicable to her own sewing since it seems to be more useful to those designing / drafting their own patterns.
In March we will be starting a Brown-Bag Challenge. Each member will bring to the meeting a bag (doesn't have to be brown, just not see-through) containing one half-yard (or 2 fat-quarters) of cotton or cotton/poly woven fabric. Everyone picks one at random, and then has until September to make something creative out of at least 75% of the material. There is no limit on what to make and you can add other fabrics, trims - whatever you want - as long as you use most of what you got.
And then we had Show-and-Tell - pictured below.
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| Maura's fused applique quilt in the works |
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| Knitted neck warmer |
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| Peggy's wall hanging |
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| Peggy's sweatshirt jacket from the workshop last month |
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| Kathia's appliqued and embroidered quilt blocks |
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| Pat's scrappy bag - fabrics from a swap |
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| Judy's knit shirt with shirred sides |
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| Judy's skirt with self-ruffle and embroidered cord trim |
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| Pat made a garment!!!! |
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| Connie's stash of vintage patterns from 1949-50 |
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