BLOG # 30 August 1, 2024
SAVVY SERGERS - OUR NEWEST NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP
#Savvy Sergers- Featuring our newest Neighborhood Group
Meets: 3rd Friday 10-12 Mira Mesa Library
8405 New Salem St SD 92126
Leaders: Pat Stilwell & Andrea Towle
Contact: savvyserger@sandiegoasg.org
August 16 Neckline Clinic
September 20 Neckline Clinic
The Oxford dictionary defines a serger as a sewing machine used for overcasting to prevent material from fraying at the edge. Oh, but it is so much more!! Did you know that you can not only finish seams but you can gather, create wired ribbon, used decorative thread to embellish a garment, completely construct a garment and many more functional and fun techniques. Want to try your hand at all these techniques?
The Savvy Serger Neighborhood Group
explores these techniques through demonstration and projects to acquaint ourselves with the versatility of our machines using our machines to the fullest. Our project for August and September is to practice different T-shirt necklines using the serger as the principal sewing machine. Kits are provided with prepared fabric
Come join our group for fun, friendship and Serger Savvy. We welcome all levels of expertise. We learn from each other – sewing friends helping sewing friends.
# Sewing Machine donations
continue. So far, 73
sewing machines have been serviced and donated to a class in El Cajon that teaches recent immigrants to sew. We are proud of our contribution! If you have an unused machine ready for donation, contact sandiegoasg.org. We also accept fabric and sewing supplies for redistribution to other charities.
# Visions Museum of Textile Art in Liberty Station
hosts its big Veranda Fabric sale on Saturday August 3rd.
Check out their website for more info:
# Fitting Class offered by ASG on October 29th in El Cajon
Nationally known fitting teacher Judy Kessinger will be teaching an all day fit class, helping participants fit a blouse pattern. For more information and registration :
INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG?
COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY!
We would love to invite you to one of our
Neighborhood Group Meetings.
Contact membership@sandiegoasg.org
#ASG San Diego Annual Meeting This year members of ASG San Diego enjoyed a presentation by Kandi Christian. Her talk included the similarities between couture sewing and heirloom sewing techniques with beautiful samples to illustrate the techniques. Kandi explained how to sew tucks, create Madeira applique and cutwork, and how to apply lace by machine that looks handsewn. A highlight of the annual meeting was the “San Diego ASG Project Runway.” Members took to the “runway” while our own Teri Ang announced the sewist/models and shared descriptions of their creations. As always, members had fun with the “What Was I Thinking?!” table of donated fabric and sewing items. A Community Service Projects table included beautiful dresses for the SD Dress A Girl service project. Each Neighborhood Group presented a display table showing what they have done for this year. Thank you to outgoing Board members Pat Stilwell and Lisa Moallemi. They have both served our chapter for the last four years: Lisa as president, and Pat as secretary. San Diego ASG appreciates their leadership and service to our chapter. Incoming board members include Melissa Miller as President and Teri Ang as Secretary. V.P. of Programs is an open position and we are looking for volunteers. Community Service Update In 2025 our chapter donated 167 items to Gently Hugged, including 85 burp cloths. Gently Hugged in Carlsbad was able to provide to fifty moms, clothing for Baby for one year. Our Sewing Machine Donation program has given 161 sewing machines to Bridge Builders. All machines are serviced and ready to use. INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings.
What’s New at the San Diego Chapter of the American Sewing Guild? #Master Pants Sewing Workshop On September 4, 2025 from 10:00-5:00 PM, members and guests will join Judy Kessinger for her Master Pants sewing workshop. Registered participants have purchased the pattern and fabric in advance in preparation for this class where they will: Make pants that fit! Go home with your perfect pattern. Learn to measure, draw, and fit. With the FitNice Master Pants Pattern and a 2-way stretch fabric, you can make the most comfortable pants you will ever wear! Learn more about Judy at www.fitnicesystem.com #San Diego Chapter of the American Sewing Guild Annual Meeting On Saturday October 11, 2025 SD ASG’s Annual Meeting will be held at North Oaks Community Center (Rancho Bernardo) 12578 Oaks North Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM and include a “fashion show” of what members have created this year. Displays will be set up by each Neighborhood Group highlighting their activities since October 2024. The election of the Chapter Advisory Board members will be finalized at the annual meeting. Participants will enjoy lunch together with sandwiches from Panera that will be available to order and purchase in advance. #Sewing Machine Donation Program Our outreach started in January 2022 with a goal of providing 15 sewing machines to the refugee community of Afghan women in East County. As of September 1, 2025, we have delivered 153 machines! All of them are serviced and ready to be used. INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings.
Neighborhood Group Spotlight: Poway NG The members of this Neighborhood Group decide together what they want to do for the upcoming months. They enjoy sharing useful projects, tips and techniques. Members take turns giving demonstrations. Recently, Joan showed how to make a hoop embroidery purse. Next month, Kathy will lead members (and guests?) to make an ingenious dog bone pillow using a free AccuQuilt pattern. The Poway NG includes sewists who live for part of the year in Oregon, Texas and New Mexico. When they return each year to their homes in California, they join their “built-in community” at Poway NG. It is something they can count on year after year. The Poway Neighborhood Group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10:00 AM- to Noon at Paradise Sewing at 13242 Poway Road in Poway. This business has a long history of support for members of the American Sewing Guild by making their store available for ASG meetings. Peter Chang bought Paradise Sewing in December 2019 and provides a comfortable gathering place for ASG members who love to sew, share their inspiration, and who actively support service projects. The Poway NG holds Service Project Sew-Ins where they have provided, over the years, 40 pillow cases for Ronald McDonald House to give to patients, Ouch pillows for breast cancer recovering patients, Angel Gowns for babies that were stillborn at hospital, Flannel PJ’s for children in a hospital burn ward. Poway NG’s latest service project for the last two years has been to sew burp cloths, bibs, soft toys, and blankets donated to Gently Hugged for underserved infants from birth to one year of age. Kathy Hodges has been the Poway Neighborhood Group leader for more than 10 years. She has been sewing useful items since she took home economics in Jr. High and High School. She likes free motion embroidery and enjoys sewing pillows, bags, purses. Kathy recently shared a Denim purse made from repurposed jeans decorated with a colorful belt through the belt loops. The Poway NG is a fun group. Come to Paradise Sewing and give them a try.
What’s New at the San Diego Chapter of the American Sewing Guild? #San Diego ASG Annual Retreat 2025 At Vina de Lestonnac Retreat Center in Temecula Many different sewing projects, great inspiration and sense of community, plus three delicious meals each day prepared and served by the friendly retreat staff. This was another successful event for our San Diego ASG members. Below are photos and captions showing some of the projects our talented sewists completed over the four-day retreat. INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings.
#Savvy Sergers NG hosts Serger Clinic A Serger clinic was held May 29, 2025. Five participants spent 4 hours learning the basics of serging. Each participant had a mentor who assisted when there were questions or rough spots. Everybody learned something even the mentors!! Neighborhood Group Spotlight: North County Coastal NG Leader and Co-leader Melissa Miller and Yvonne Key have both been sewing for years. Melissa mainly sews garments and has made her own costumes while acting in Community Theater. Melissa has also worked with professional theaters as a costume consultant. A new interest for her is Shibori and Indigo dying, which she hopes to bring to the North County Coastal NG once she becomes more proficient. Yvonne has recently become the co-leader for the group. Yvonne enjoys sewing many different kinds of projects. She sews items that she needs--dog beds, BBQ covers, etc. She designs her own patterns for baby quilts that she shares as gifts. She recently created an 18x12” cushion in the shape of a big leaf for a 12” ceramic grasshopper that lives on her patio. Yvonne’s next project will be to re-upholster a cushion for a camel saddle. She will take apart the worn cushion to make a pattern. There are 25 members in the NCC NG and about 15-18 of them join each meeting. The North County Coastal NG is a very eclectic group with a variety of interests and skills so there is always someone there to help and give inspiration. It is fun to see the variety of things that people create and bring to share. They are active in sewing for our ASG San Diego chapter’s community service projects. Many burp cloths, receiving blankets and cloth toys have been donated to our community partner, Gently Hugged , by these talented people. The exciting “Fabric Challenge Reveal" will occur in July. Each year the members do a fabric exchange to see what people come up with using a “what was I thinking when I bought that” fabric . It’s fun to see the creativity, humor and skill that go into transforming unwanted fabric into useful items. The North County Coastal NG have been sewing together for many years. They are active sewists and would love to welcome new people who love to sew. Check out the Neighborhood Groups page of our website to see the variety of projects the NCCNG has planned for this year. #Indigo Dye and Shibori Class On May 17 three of our ASG San Diego members joined a class in San Diego to learn techniques of Shibori and indigo dyeing from Sarah Myriam Winston, who has been designing, dyeing and weaving apparel and accessories as well as preserving collectible textiles for over two decades. We each used common tools like clips and wooden disks and made stitched designs to create resist in the fabric which we then dipped into indigo dye in a warm, deep vat. It was a fascinating process and fun to go home with several new accessories that reflect an art form used in many different parts of the world. The photos below include a meeting of the Poway Neighborhood group as they created fabric flowers for our Annual Meeting in October, the Savvy Serger NG's recent Serger Clinic, and the Shibori and indigo dye class. INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings. Contact membership@sandiegoasg.org
What’s New at the San Diego Chapter of the American Sewing Guild? Neighborhood Group Spotlight: Fit and Sew NG Fit and Sew Neighborhood Group is just what it sounds like. A focus for this group is to sew clothing that has been custom fitted to each of the sewists. Each year the group members select a garment pattern and learn to make tissue pattern adjustments to ensure a good fit. After constructing the garment they do a final fitting to adjust for variations in the type of fabric used. In previous years, Kathleen and Anne, both certified in the Palmer Pletsch fitting method guided us in the tissue fittings. The Fit and Sew group has been growing each year. So this year, Kathleen is teaching the members to work with a partner to make the fitting adjustments. In 2025 the Fit and Sew members are making a collared button-down shirt/blouse. The project in 2024 was a T-shirt with a variety of neckline and sleeve options. 2023 found the Fit and Sew members creating jean jackets and Chanel-style jackets. In addition to fitting sessions, the meetings are devoted to learning garment construction skills, and different members sign up to share mini-presentations. The meetings always begin with San Diego ASG news and announcements and conclude with “show and share.” Fit and Sew will meet next on June 2 from 12:15-2:15 at the Vista Library. Topics for the May 5th meeting included Seams and Finishes and Pintucks and Topstitching. On June 2, Specialty Feet for sewing shirts and pockets will be presented. Other News Quilts of Valor is looking for some quilters to start a new Quilts of Valor group in the San Diego area. We have an excellent existing group, but have many veterans and active duty nominations to fulfill. If you are interested in wrapping our military community with healing and comforting quilts - please contact me. Thank you! Darlene Berwick, CA State Coordinator, QOVF Contact Info Name: Darlene Berwick Email: darlene.berwick@qovf.org Phone: 817-602-6902 INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings. Contact membership@sandiegoasg.org
Sewing and Quilting Retailers Several new sewing and quilting retailers have been added to our “County Retailers” page where you’ll find a link to each retailer’s website as well as addresses and phone numbers. The newest addition is a List of online fabric stores. Neighborhood Group Spotlight: El Cajon Crazies Do you want to learn new sewing skills but don’t have time to drive to a neighborhood group meeting? The El Cajon Crazies NG meets in person and virtually. This clever group has set up a double-camera mini studio at El Cajon Sew and Vac that allows Zoom participants to clearly see what is being demonstrated during that month’s program. Join them virtually or in person on April 2 at 10:00 AM to view Lora Morrow’s demo, “A New Way to Bind.” Go to this website’s Neighborhood Groups page for the Zoom link or to contact the leader, Ruth Gessler. Each meeting of the El Cajon Crazies also includes a time for sharing their newest projects and a novel approach to “What was I thinking?” After the meeting, participants can select from fabric, sewing tools, and all things related to sewing in the “trunk show” of the parking lot. If you have items that others might enjoy, bring them in your car’s trunk. Additionally, this group consistently participates in community service projects, submitting their service project hours to the group leader. Thank you, El Cajon Crazies, for your commitment to community service. Judy Kessinger Pants Pattern Workshop Make pants that fit! At this workshop with Judy Kessinger you will learn to measure, draw and fit. It will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Villa Nova Country Estates Community Center, 1440 S. Orange Ave., El Cajon 92020. Don’t miss out. Click on the blue button to register for this exciting workshop. Sewing Machine donations update: Our outreach and partnership with Bridge Builders Network started in January, 2022 with a goal of providing 15 sewing machines to the Afghan women in East County. To date, we have delivered 128 machines! All of them are serviced and ready to be used. Our thanks to the many people of our community who contact us with sewing machines to donate. We often hear, “This machine was very special to my (mom, aunt, friend). I don’t need it but I want to be sure it goes to someone who will love it.” These donated machines are well loved and used by our local San Diego neighbors. The San Diego ASG Annual Summer Retreat The San Diego ASG Annual Summer Retreat will be held June 16-19 at the Vina de Lestonnac Retreat Center in Temecula Wine Country. Join us for uninterrupted sewing in a large, open studio space, great food and accommodations, and best of all, the camaraderie of other creative people who love to sew. There are just a few more spots left. Click on the blue button to register. INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings. Contact membership@sandiegoasg.org
#Savvy Sergers All members and interested (“not yet” members) are invited to join an exciting and informative meeting of the Savvy Sergers--a group of sewists dedicated to using their serger machines for far more than seam finishing. They work on a variety of different projects. Sometimes they work on craft designs--see the photos below for a variety of zipper pouches. Or they may create home decorating items like flatlock placemats and rolled edge napkins. Garment construction can also make use of the serger by using decorative stitches in addition to construction stitches. This creative and savvy group uses the serger for at least one part of every project. Savvy Serger Co-Leaders, Andrea Towle and Pat Stilwell, recently purchased a variety of decorative threads using the modest annual stipend that is provided to each Neighborhood Group (NG). Work with these decorative threads will be the topic for their March 19th meeting. At each meeting, following a brief discussion of ASG topics, a member will demonstrate a technique. Members actively volunteer to provide demonstrations with everyone learning from each other. Following the program there is a time for members to show and share projects they’ve recently created. Some meetings involve a “Sew-in” during which everyone works on a serger related technique sample project. At a recent show and share - Patti showed a dress with a gathered waist that she made on the serger, Jeanie showed some MahJong cards she made for her MahJong group using vinyl on the front and rolled hem on the edges and Phyllis showed a simple block quilt top she tried using the serger. The Savvy Serger group started in October 2023 and the number of participants at a meeting currently ranges from 4-10. Existing members are always eager to share their knowledge with new members. They welcome all levels of expertise and “beginners” need not feel intimidated. Whether an experienced serger or one who is new to serging, participants learn something new every month. They meet at the Mira Mesa Library, 8505 New Salem Street, San Diego 91026 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Please check the Neighborhood Groups page for specific dates which vary depending upon availability of the library space. Currently, this active group is planning their next Serger Clinic. This will involve a review of serger basics followed by a demonstration and practice of additional stitches (rolled hem, flatlock, etc.) and projects that are possible using these clever machines. This will be a two-part clinic and dates will be scheduled based on the availability of the Mira Mesa Library space. Check the Neighborhood Groups page for the announcement of the dates for this event. #Sewing and Quilting Retailers Several new sewing and quilting retailers have been added to our “County Retailers” page. For your convenience there is a link to each retailer’s website as well as addresses and phone numbers. #The San Diego ASG Annual Summer Retreat The San Diego ASG Annual Summer Retreat will be held June 16-19 at the Vina de Lestonnac Retreat Center in Temecula Wine Country. Click on the blue button at the bottom of this page for the registration. INTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings. Contact membership@sandiegoasg.org
The San Diego chapter of the American Sewing Guild (ASG) has been busy planning our projects for 2025. San Diego ASG Annual Sewing Retreat: Monday-Thursday June 16-19, 2025 at Vina de Lestonnac Retreat Center in Temecula. Sewing classes: September 4, 2025 from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Judy Kessinger, a nationally known instructor, will conduct a pants construction class. Planning for additional classes (in person and via Zoom) is underway. San Diego ASG Annual meeting : October 11, 2025. Each year we feature a guest speaker to provide inspiration, new skills and ideas to our members. We are in the process of selecting from several potential speakers who are widely known for their expertise and excellent teaching. Our neighborhood groups exhibit displays of the projects undertaken throughout the year. Members’ contributions for community service sewing projects are collected. We exchange fabric and notions from our personal collections. Neighborhood Groups (NG’s) In addition to plans for our chapter, our neighborhood groups are setting up programs and projects to keep our members busy and connected throughout the coming year. Below are highlights from two of our NG’s . Please go to the Neighborhood Groups page on our website to learn what each of our groups will work on this year and when/where they will meet. The Fit & Sew Neighborhood Group plans to spend 2025 working to perfect a blouse pattern. At their January 6th meeting, each member brought their pattern and fabric to show to the group. They will use the tissue fitting method to make adjustments so that each member creates their own well-fitting pattern. For the additional meetings of 2025, members will present methods for different aspects of blouse construction: cuffs, tower placket, collar and collar stand, darts, etc. Come join the Fit & Sew NG and create your own custom blouse pattern. The North County Coastal Neighborhood Group ’s January meeting was titled “Sew Your Valentine”. Members brought Valentine themed items they had sewn, in an effort to inspire each other on items they can sew for Valentine’s Day. The group also had a show and share with members showing their current creations. Member Pat Stilwell displayed the capsule wardrobe she sewed after attending the “Sew…. A Fashion Retreat” offered by Judy Kessinger last fall. Pat created two pairs of slacks, several tops, a vest and a jacket. Member Julie Pinell showed off several bags she recently completed. Julie is the go-to person for all things bags. All the bags were adorable, but one in particular, a cross body sling, the Mini Traveller bag by Kandou Patterns, caught everyone’s eye. Julie has agreed to lead a class on sewing the Mini Traveller bag later this year at a North County Coastal meeting. Link to Mini Traveller bag: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1719208463/sling-pouch-sewing-pattern-mini-traveler Community Service Like many sewing guilds, our chapter has actively participated in community service projects. For detailed information visit our Community Service Projects and Opportunities page. Highlights include: Act of Sewing Kindness: “Gently Hugged” is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) organization entering its 13th year of operation. They acknowledged and thanked the San Diego Chapter of The American Sewing Guild for their support this past year in helping to clothe local newborns who would otherwise go without. Donations from the Guild were processed, packaged and delivered to hospitals and social service agencies throughout San Diego County and ultimately made their way to newborn babies in need. In 2024 contributions from the Guild totaled 403 beautiful hand crafted items. Making a Difference one Sewing Machine at a time: We began partnering with Bridge Builder’s Network in January 2022 to provide sewing classes and sewing machines to women our refugee communities. To date, we have provided 118 working sewing machines which were donated to the SDASG. Through fundraising efforts and occasional cash donations we pay to have the donated machines repaired and serviced, ready for use by the recipients. For 2025 our chapter is seeking additional Community Service Projects through non-profit organizations that are local to the San Diego area. Please visit the Contact Us page with ideas you may have for community service projects. County Retailers and Organizations Our Neighborhood Groups are grateful to the following retailers and organizations for providing meeting space: Sewing Machines Plus, San Marcos Paradise Sewing, Poway El Cajon Sew and Vac, El Cajon Mira Mesa Library Vista Library New Song Church, Carlsbad Please visit our County Retailers page to see a list of new and existing businesses who offer fabric and sewing equipment/notions. I NTERESTED IN JOINING SAN DIEGO ASG? COME JOIN OUR SEWING COMMUNITY! We would love to invite you to one of our Neighborhood Group meetings. Contact membership@sandiegoasg.org