COLOR US HAPPY

Last Wednesday evening, the Sew-phist-i-cuts got a lesson in using a color wheel.  Most of us are familiar with rudimentary color wheels that show the three primary and the three secondary colors.  Group leader Peggy Norton demonstrated a color wheel tool (Dritz makes this particular one) that we could use to coordinate colors in all sorts of ways  Although the tool comes with some fairly extensive directions, Peggy walked us through the basics and then demonstrated with fabric samples from her own stash.  Many of us could see immediately how this would help us in choosing fabrics to go together, whether for quilts or clothing.  The color wheel tool is also useful when deciding on colors for home decorating.

A mock-up of the wheel for each of us to experiment with

Curtain Call

The Howland Cultural Center in Beacon NY is a non-profit group preserving and operating the historic 1872 Howland Circulating Library building as a center for arts and cultural activities.  Recently they approached our chapter with a request for curtains;  specifically, they needed to cover the artwork on the walls to provide a plain backdrop for performances and other events in the gallery space.  Judy Longacre and Maura Kristofik met with the staff to determine their needs, mocking up a sample to test their design.  The staff liked it, our chapter board gave the nod to proceed, and Judy began to round up volunteers.  The result was an almost all-day effort from Sandy, Isobel, Kathy, Peggy, Danielle, Mary P, Mary D, Judy, Maura and Sue (who put blood, sweat, but no tears, into her work!).  Jaye Vaughn also popped in and out during the day to help.  By 4 pm the Center had a stack of freshly pressed curtain panels all made up.  Judy did an awesome job of organizing everything - kudos to her for all her preparation to make the day go as smoothly as possible.  What was most impressive was how everyone worked as a well-oiled machine, picking up work wherever there was a backlog, and just pitching in to get the work done.  They all deserve numerous "curtain calls"!  Well done, eveyone!

Peggy at the serging station

Judy works the press.

Sandy marks the hems.

Sue carries on despite her collision with the rotary cutter.

Completed curtains in foreground;  Judy finishes up the last couple.

First completed panels are hung.

The work crew (minus Jaye who had to leave early)

SWEATSHIRT JACKET WORKSHOP 

Did you miss the sweatshirt jacket workshop last year?
Well here's your opportunity, but you must act fast as the date is August 13!

MaryAnn O'Connell is once again sharing her knowledge to show the class how to transform a basic sweatshirt into a fashionable jacket that sports a decorative cable pattern.  So come in from the summer's heat and humidity and join this fun class! 

Details are in the attached flyer:

And.....We're Back

After a brief hiatus (no meeting in December), the Sewphisticuts met in January at the Eveready Diner in Hyde Park to do a little socializing and planning.  Although not everyone could make it that night, some good ideas were generated. That discussion continued at the February meeting this past week with the group deciding on the following schedule:

March - crochet as a way to join fabric
April - Play time: bring your machine to practice or try a new technique
May - T-shirt quilt making
June - sachet/sinus masks
July - community service sewing:  Days For Girls items

The program at this month's meeting was about favorite sewing blogs and websites.  Members listed their favorite go-to sites for information, inspiration, and shopping.  The resulting collection  contained a nice mix of sites from commercial (i.e. shopping) to personal blogs.  Some contain free patterns, while others are more for inspiration (Pinterest, Instagram).  After the list is updated, Peggy will email it out to the group so that everyone will have the clickable links available to them.

And of course, there was Show-and-Tell:

Judy's jacket in progress

Pat's Valentine's Day wall hanging

Pat's Pencil scarf

Sandy's table runner

Connie's placemats

Maura's shoulder bag

Peggy's bike shirt using performance fabric

Peggy's muslin for a bike shirt