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

Annual Meeting and Luncheon

Last Saturday, November 4th, was the chapter's annual meeting and luncheon.  This year it was held at Christina's Restaurant in Kingston.  Guest speakers were Bob and Doreen Browning of The Kiltmaker's Apprentice, a business in Highland NY that makes, alters and repairs kilts as well as renting out full Highland regalia for weddings and other special occasions.



 Bob Browning told the  history of the business and presented lots of facts about tartans, such as how they are made, named and registered.  Doreen explained the steps involved in making a kilt and showed some in various stages of manufacture.  She showed how much fabric might be needed to make a kilt (almost 24 feet, the length of the room!), and how to figure out the pleating, both size and number of pleats.  On the finished kilt, it was possible to see the interior finishes as well as closures used - an amazing amount of detail work for a seemingly simple garment.







After the presentation, the business part of the meeting was conducted.  New officers for next year were announced;  since all offices were unopposed, there was no need to issue ballots.  Approved for next year were President Maura Kristofik, Treasurer Andrea Diamond, and Secretary Connie Pennisi.  Outgoing President Peggy Norton thanked all members of the Chapter Advisory Board for their help over the past year.

There were a number of hand-made items donated by members for raffle prizes, and the lucky winners took home beautifully-crafted wall-hangings, placemats, afghans, bags, baskets, etc.  One raffle-winner got a great collection of notions donated by Cindy Hopper from her Sewcology shop.

The meeting concluded with a Brown Bag Challenge:  attendees were given a sealed brown bag which contained some fabric and notions.  The challenge is to make an item or items using most of the materials in the bag, which may be combined with anything else the person wishes.  Next spring there will be a chapter event (still to be decided) that will include "The Big Reveal" when everyone can present their creations.  If you did not attend the meeting but would like to participate, contact anyone on the CAB to get a bag - there are several left.