I occasionally head out to shop on what I call “snoop day.” Armed with a small tablet and pencil to be able to copy down ideas. I shop in the better departments of boutique and major stores (i.e. Ellen Tracy, Escada, Dana Buchman, Chanel, and Armani) and I’m usually looking for pocket, collar, trim and […]
Exposed Zippers
Most frequently we as sewers take pains to try and dutifully hide our zippers under flaps, flies, or laps but fashion has recently said it’s OK to see the zipper. In fact, it’s become a prominent stand-out, in-your-face detail both front and back. But how do you put a zipper on the outside and make […]
Idea Board: Off-Grain Fringe Techniques
Fringe, whether you choose to love it or leave it, has undoubtedly stood the test of time. Dating back to 3000 B.C. in Mesopotamia, fringe became popular as a fashion embellishment in the 1920’s, then resurfaced again in the 50’s, and came full circle in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Popular again today, it can […]
Using Striped Fabric to Bind an Edge
It’s Stripe Hype! Whether you’re binding a jacket front, collar or a quilt, using a striped fabric for the binding is a great way to accent the edge. Stripes come in varying forms—from simple two-color versions to multi-color patterning, wide to narrow—but one thing’s for sure: they’re fun! Stripes can be used three different ways […]
Linda MacPhee named Keynote Speaker for 2020 Conference
ASG is excited to announce that international designer Linda MacPhee will be the keynote speaker at the 2020 conference in San Antonio. As our way of introducing her to you, we have selected her as our independent designer of the month for February. Linda hails from Alberta, Canada and will be once again making her […]
Meet Pamela Leggett of Pamela’s Patterns
Always a favorite at ASG conferences and other sewing events around the country is this month’s independent designer, Pamela Leggett, owner of Pamela’s Patterns. Pamela’s tag line is “Designed to fit and flatter women with REAL figures.” Her patterns are designed for women with curves and fluff and scallops, not the slender 14 year old […]
Hemming Jeans – the Denim Blues
Perhaps you searched long and hard for the perfect fitting jeans, but alas, they’re too long! Or maybe you painstakingly created a custom pair and it’s time to hem them. Either way, you’re in the thick of it—literally! The hem area of jeans can be up to eight layers thick, depending on how the side […]
An Interview with Kenneth D. King
ASG Conference 2019 is over but the memories live on. There are so many conference highlights, but the topic of this article is the pleasure I had of interviewing Kenneth D. King on Thursday evening. The room filled with anticipation as the interview began. I had been working with Kenneth for months to prepare and […]
Threads Magazine is Sewing for ASG Conference. Are you?
Closing in on the finish line… The American Sewing Guild’s annual conference starts next week! Conference is August 1 through 4, 2019 in the greater Boston area and the crew at Threads magazine has been diligently working on garments for Wear Your ASG Pattern Day on Friday, August 2. They wanted to share an update […]
Sewing a Collar Band/Stand and Cuff
Last week I told you I’d share my final blog of the year with another new sewing technique I’ll be sharing with members. I have been frustrated all my sewing life with the way cuffs are done. The intersection between the placket and cuff are not smooth and even. This, and the collar stand, had […]
The Plight of (sewing) Intersections
Do you read pattern sewing instructions and wonder why someone hasn’t come up with a better system of sewing some areas of garments? I often do that. Specifically right now I’m talking about the intersection of the collar stand and cuff on a sleeve. Example 1 Here the front of the shirt front is folded […]
Permission to Fit!
Garment Fitting Home sewers and most educators approach fitting so differently it is no wonder it is so confusing. I like a combo of flat pattern alteration with the tweaking done in draping on the body. There is so much that plays into fitting from body structure, weight distribution, physical attributions and limitations, fabric type, […]
Taste of ASG Video – Garment Sewing
Get a Taste of ASG with these snippets from our full-length video on Garment Sewing. Membership in The American Sewing Guild gives you access to over 150 educational videos and project files, as well as a subscription to our quarterly magazine. Become a member today to take advantage of special offers, member discounts, education, meetings […]
Taste of ASG Video – Fitting
Get a Taste of ASG with these snippets from our full-length video on Fitting. Membership in The American Sewing Guild gives you access to over 150 educational videos and project files, as well as a subscription to our quarterly magazine. Become a member today to take advantage of special offers, member discounts, education, meetings and […]
