"This year, I resolve....."

Once again, the Sewphisticuts took on the new year by making their version of New Year resolutions in the form of sewing goals.  We revisited our goals from last January to see how we did.  The best any of us did was meeting about half of our goals.  Some of us realized we had been a tad too ambitious!  And quite a few of us, although not fulfilling the particular goals we had set, nevertheless had a successful year of sewing new things, learning new techniques and enjoying the creative process.

A common theme for many of us was organization and reduction of our fabric stash / collection.  I guess to be a sewist is akin to being a hoarder, as far as fabric and sewing supplies are concerned.  Another goal mentioned by many of us was to finish certain projects.  This led Pat to observe that lots of us apparently have several projects going at once, whereas she sews serially, finishing one project before starting another.

In other news, we learned that the Fishkill Town Hall will no longer be available for ASG group meetings, so for Garment Gals, Quilt Rulers and Charity Chics, check with the group leader about where the next meeting will be held.

The topic for the next Sewphisticuts' meeting is a Stitch Challenge:  do you know what all the stitches on your machine can do?  Try learning a new one that you haven't tried yet, or use one in a new way.  Bring along your samples to show, or if you feel like doing a demo, bring your machine.  Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get to those projects I vowed to finish this year!

Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity at the Met

Peggy N. and I had the opportunity today to take in the show "Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.  What a very enjoyable show, both for the art and the fashions displayed!  Photographs of the exhibit were not allowed, a huge disappointment to me.  But I did find some links that allow you to explore the show.  

The Met's own pages:  http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/impressionism-fashion-modernity/introduction

A review of the show:  http://hyperallergic.com/65431/the-age-of-constricting-glamor-a-preview-of-impressionism-fashion-and-modernity-at-the-met/

Go to the second link and notice the purple and white striped dress.  The cuffs and skirt are a solid purple color.  They appear to be made from the striped fabric which has been accordian-pleated so that only the purple stripes show.

Many of the garments have tiny, tiny hems to finish ruffles, cuffs, and trims.  The stitches are amazingly even and so small;  I think there may have been 20 stitches to the inch in one piece.  We both marveled at the workmanship shown in the sewing as well as the creative use of trims, seam placements and fabric choice.  The only thing that could have made this show even better would have been if we could have touched some of the fabrics or gently handled the clothing to get a better idea of construction techniques used.

T-shirt Challenge at October Meeting

The October meeting of the Garment Gals will feature the results of our t-shirt challenge.  In the June meeting we discussed and showed techniques for constructing a t-shirt.  In September's meeting Bonny showed the construction of a t-shirt, using an X-large size t-shirt as material.  She deconstructed the t-shirt and remade it to fit her.  Both sessions were intended to give members information necessary to construct our own t-shirt.  At the October meeting we will see the results and hopefully many varied and attractive garments.  We will also be looking to help make adjustments for those not happy with the fit of their t-shirt.  Since many will be doing this for the first time, we will go over any techniques about which members have questions.  At the end of the day, we hope all will be comfortable in the process of making a t-shirt.
Also we plan on hearing the topic for the month, making underpants.  Pat will give us tips and techniques to aquaint us with sewing lingerie.

Annual Meeting

Garment Gals Schedule

The Garment Gals Neighborhood Group plans to continue meeting thru the summer, but a  poll will be taken at the June and July meetings to determine attendance for the next meeting.  Please know that the projects identified below are tentative and could change according the membership discussions/wishes.  Please contact Judy Longacre for questions regarding topic or meeting changes.

June 19 - T-shirt challenge.  We will have a session on making a t-shirt.  We will discuss stabalizing shoulder seams, making a no-ripple hem, neckline finishes, and any other techniques used to make a good looking t-shirt.  The challenge will be decided upon that day, but most likely will be to have each of us make some form of t-shirt and present it at some specific Garment Gals meeting (to be decided upon by the group).

July 17 - "My biggest mistake and what I learned from it".  Hopefully you still own it and can show us how you overcame the problem, or didn't, but learned from it.

August 21 - Linings.  We will need to pin this down a bit.  Skirt, pants, jacket - all have a lot we can talk about, but we may want to focus on a limited amount.

September 18  - Placement of plaids.  Bonny once volunteered to talk on this subject and we hope she is still willing.

October 16 - Underpants.  Several people were interested in this topic, but we will have to have someone willing to show us some lingerie sewing techniques.

November 13 (2nd. Tuesday) - Belts and perhaps other accessories.

December 18 - Pot luck lunch.  Topic, if any, TBD, but fun and non-stressful.

What's been happening at the Garment Gals?!

Garment Sewists,  lots has been going on at the Garment Gal meetings this year!
In February we had an interesting and informative program about Peggy Sagers' Patterns. The presenter was Bonny Carmicino who had recently attended a workshop/program with Peggy Sagers herself.
Did you know that if you are interested in sewing the most current styles, Peggy Sagers Patterns are the way to go? Peggy purchases the latest designer garments and dismantles them, figuring out how to present them as patterns we can use. Hard to find patterns that fit? These patterns have great lines, include separate bust sizes and are designed to fit "Misses" and "Women" sizes.
Peggy Sagers Patterns are all designed to be used with the newest fabrics that are available. For examples, her patterns for knits now incorporate the different characteristics of various knits.
There are a few things to be aware of with her patterns. Her pattern cover photos show the "hipness" of the design but not necessarily the details. Her "flats" are sometimes not very good, and there may be little errors, like her notches do not match.
But as Bonny said, If you think before cutting, "the potential for amazing pieces is there".