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)

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.

Making a Difference

Last Saturday, October 22, members of the Hudson Valley Chapter of ASG did their part to make a difference for someone less fortunate.  Once again the Poughkeepsie Plaza graciously hosted us, letting us use an empty store space.  The staff at Sew 'n Vac lent us sewing tables and chairs, and later a vacuum to tidy up after ourselves.  Quite a few people spent part or all of the day pinning, pressing or sewing to make pillowcases, caps, neck gaiters and scarves to be donated to local shelters.  Here are a few pictures from the day, showing only a few of the many folk who helped out that day.

Hello HV - ASG members!  Do you remember Margaret Hubert?  She was our speaker as last year's Annual Chapter meeting and we enjoyed her so much that we've invited her back!  

In this class, Margaret is teaching us how to create your own Free Form Bag....she'll have lots of hints & tips.  There is a small amount of easy and fun prep work, and you decide whether to use crocheting, knitting, or both in your own creation.  See the flyer below for the details and sign up ASAP.  Don't miss out on this opportunity.  (Registration will be opened up to non-members after April 1.)  Happy Spring Everyone!

Scenes from the Tag Sale

The old saying is that "many hands make light work."   I think the people who set up and broke down the tag sale this past Saturday would hardly call it "light" work, but it would not have been possible without the many helping hands that took part.  A very nice profit was cleared, so it was a successful day.  We had hoped for more shoppers and had way more fabric left over than we wanted to see, but with everyone's help, it was not going to waste.  Here are some pictures from the day.

So much fabric.....so little time!

 We were inundated with fabric at the May meeting of Sewphisticuts this past week.  The group met at Judy's house and worked on measuring and pricing all the donated material for the chapter's Tag sale coming up at the end of the month.  Eight of us sorted, inspected, measured and priced donated yardage, notions, kits, etc.   This is going to be a huge sale with lots of good quality stuff on offer.  Be sure to stop by on May 30 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Fishkill during the town-wide tag sale, and please spread the word to friends and neighbors.  Bargains are to be had!

As far as group business went, we discussed Make-A-Difference Day projects.  Although it seems a long way off, we need to start planning it now.  Connie will be exploring needs with Hudson River Housing, a group that is always appreciative of receiving PJ pants and pillowcases for their shelters.

Our June meeting is the annual Sewing Room tour and potluck dinner.  Ronnie has graciously agreed to host this year.  The gathering will begin at 5:30 pm, a little earlier than our usual meeting time.  Watch for emails concerning the meeting a few weeks from now as menu planning begins.

 And we had some Show-and-Tell:

Vintage tablecloths turned into bags

"Paper Towel" cloth

Doll stroller seat

Knit shirt

Hiking/biking shorts in stretch cotton

Knit dress

Dance ensemble: brocade jacket and 2-piece dress

April Showers Don't Stop Us!

It may have been a rainy couple of days, but aren't rainy days good ones to get some sewing done?  April showers didn't stop some of the Sewphisticuts from getting together for an April meeting to learn a little about Stained Glass quilting techniques.

We learned about two different ways to accomplish the look of stained glass with fabric.  The first, presented by Peggy N., involved the use of fusible bias binding.  Sold in rolls and in various colors, it is bias binding with a fusible backing strip so that it can be pressed into place.  After cutting out the "glass" pieces from fabric, they are fused onto a backing fabric on which the pattern has been traced.  Then the bias tape is laid down, filling the space between the fabric pieces that make up the design and covering the raw edges.  It is fused in place, then stitched down to secure it.  A twin needle helps makes it easier to stitch the tape evenly.  The bias tape simulates the leading between glass pieces in stained glass works.

The second method, presented by Maura, uses paper-piecing, also called foundation-piecing.   Fabric is laid directly on the pattern paper (foundation) and sewn to it according to the numbered sequence indicated on the pattern.  The pattern lines serve as sewing lines, making it easy to piece accurately.  To achieve a stained glass look, the quilt block patterns have narrow strips designed between all the major color pieces of the design.  These strips serve as the leading that would be in real stained-glass works.

We concluded that the bias tape method would probably be best for designs with many curved lines and flowing design, while the paper-pieced method would work best for very geometric designs with more straight lines, or where the pieces for the design were very small.

Other business:  Everyone should have received flyers about upcoming events in the Chapter, but here are some reminders - May 2nd is the Sew-In at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fishkill.  The Yard Sale date has been changed to May 30th.   Please note this change on your calendars.  Lots of help is needed to make this a success, so besides helping out with set-up, on the day itself, with clean-up or donations, please spread the word!

Our next meeting will be held at Judy's house so that we can prepare donated fabric for the sale.  Please contact anyone in the group if you need more information.  An email reminder will go out before the meeting next month.

As always, we had some Show-and-Tell:  as a group we are quite productive in numerous ways!

Peggy's blouse

Maura's knit jacket

Peggy's T-shirt

Ronnie's quilts

More of Ronnie's quilts

One of Ronnie's quilts in lighter colors

Maura's retro kitchen towels

Photos from the Annual Meeting

Photos from the Annual Meeting on November 2nd at Arbor Ridge.