Your daily dose of happiness

Nurture your love of sewing

Looking for a supportive and inspiring community of sewing enthusiasts in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area?

We can’t wait to ooh and aah over your latest make, help you with a fitting issue, or show you a neat trick to deal with that mind-boggling detail.

Sewists of all skill levels are welcome.

Four women using sewing machines in a sewing class.

Coming up…

Info about upcoming events, including special events and activities open to public.

Women measuring one another for easier pattern fitting
October 2024

Personal measurements for pattern fitting – with Kay Birnbaum

A fun hands-on experience where we’ll measure one another under Kay’s guidance so everyone walks away with a set of accurate, updated measurements.

No weird twisting in the mirror, no need to enlist the well-meaning but clueless husband 😄

Bring a new tape measure and a pen. 

Two dresses made with the Subtraction Cutting method, and Carolyn demonstrating how to drape on a mini dress form.
January 2024

Subtraction cutting with Carolyn Chen

Subtraction Cutting is a method of cutting and removing fabric to create unusual shapes that lead to creative and wearable art from flat fabric. 

By draping and folding the fabric, unique pieces of wearable art are formed. 

Learn the basics of forming and cutting your own garment.

June 2024

Schmetz needles with Rhonda Pierce

Confused about what needle to use or the numbers on the needle package? Is changing the needle really important before it breaks?

Get the low-down on how this little piece of steel can solve some very BIG problems including broken threads, skipped stitches and puckered fabrics.

Your sewing machine is an investment, and protection begins by using the very best needle. 

Closeup of a sewing machine needle in action.

Our stats

Best guesses, without exaggeration

yards of fabric

Stashed, sewn, petted and admired… all fabric counts.

spools of thread

Neutrals, colors, matte or shiny… thread is essential.

cups of coffee

Black, latte, fancy or plain, caffeine keeps us going.

Let’s get together

Join us for our next meeting. It’s easy. Here’s how:

When

Second Saturday of each month at 9:30am. Doors open at 9am. Be there or be square 😄

Where

At the Community of Christ Church, 1500 Blairs Ferry Rd, Hiawatha, IA 52233

More info

Got questions? Please email our Membership Coordinator Vicki at cramericansewingguild@gmail.com

Upcoming meetings
October 12, 2024 – Personal measurements for pattern fitting with Kay Birnbaum
November 9, 2024 – Pattern adjustments with Alex Pemberton; annual elections
December 14, 2024 – Holiday gift ideas
January 11, 2025 – Make a pattern from an existing garment with Elan Schneider – Zoom
February 8, 2025 – TBD – Zoom
March 8, 2025 – Pressing with Carmela Lovelace

Upcoming sewing retreats
Fall October 3 – 5, 2024
Spring March 20 – 22, 2025
Summer June 26 – 28, 2025

Our chapter in action

This section contains links to articles about all the fun stuff we’ve done, and gets updated as we go.

All About Needles - with Rhonda Pearce

June 2024 – All about needles

Rhonda Pierce from Schmetz Needles came to share her vast knowledge of sewing machine needles – the different needle tips and shapes and sizes, and when to use which.
Chapter members shopping for fabrics and posing in front of fabric stores.

May 2024 – Shop hop

We celebrated our chapter’s birthday by – what else? – shopping for fabulous fabrics and finding new inspiration in fabric stores in our area.
Our first attempts at polymer buttons, ready to go in the oven on a curing tray.

April 2024 – Polymer buttons

Diane McCauley came to teach us how to make buttons out of polymer clay. Because what’s better than a hand-made garment? One with hand-made buttons to match.

Sewing friends make a difference

With ASG at your side, you’re never alone. We’ll help you get inspired, nurture your sewing mojo, teach you a new thing or two, and ask you to share your favorite tips and tricks too.

A few super important bits

With all that life brings us, sewing may not be all day, every day. But some things are simply essential. In no particular order, these are ours.

Can you relate? Come join us!

Feeding the fabric stash

Sewing up a storm

Sew & tell

Not yet a member?

This section is just for you. Seriously, if you sew and you live in Eastern Iowa, come talk sewing with us. And, not that your stash needs enhancement, but did you know we have a freebie table?

ASG membership benefits

Beyond regular local meetings, you’ll have access to a large library of online sewing classes, discounts on sewing products, presentations by well-known sewing instructors, and much more.