Something a lot like a blog
A (mostly) chronological record of the fun we have when we get together
Chapter and neighborhood group meetings, sewing retreats, and other events… all here, with pictures (when we remember to take them).
Sept 2026 – Pattern Grading – Peggy Dupras
At the September meeting, Peggy Dupras taught us the difference between pattern grading and alterations. Grading is making the entire pattern a new size, while alterations fix areas of the pattern that do not fit you the way you want. We are to start with one size and adjust one size up or down at…
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Cedar Rapids Library display windows
Elan R coordinated with the downtown Cedar Rapids Library to fill the 3 display windows on the 2nd floor walkway with our wonderful creations. Pre COVID, we used to do…
Pants Fitting Class with Jennifer Stern Hasemann
For 2 days, we gathered in the big room and learned how to make pants fit ourselves. We started by creating one leg and hooking it to our made-at-home waistbands…
Aug 2026 – Melissa Marie Collins – fabric designer
Melissa Marie Collins, a new chapter member, is an artist who creates amazing artwork which is turned into fabric collections. She shared her artistic journey and then showed her artwork…
July 2026 – Sewing Machine Upkeep
Sewing machines and sergers are our workhorses. The machines that make us happy. Today, we learned how to make our machines happy. Russ B., a sewing machine repairman, spent the…
June 2026 – Make and Take
This meeting was a fun gathering. We sat in a U with the tables facing each other so conversations flowed between members. Elan S and her many helpers prepared a…
May 2026 – “Hurray for Buttons Day!”
I love to go through containers of old buttons: jars, boxes, old cookie tins. It is fun to see the many designs and colors. I love mother of pearl buttons…
April 2026 Sewing Retreat
19 sewists lugged their gear to the church for a 3 day fun time of creating and socializing with each other. Much laughter and connections were made as we sat…
April 2026 – Alterations Help
I don’t know about you, but I have projects that just do not fit correctly. This meeting was spent fine tuning projects which needed fitting help. Loesje S and Deb…
March 2026 – Entering State and County Fairs
Have you ever been to the fair and looked at the many sewing entries and wondered to yourself about entering one of your creations? Many of us have been there…
Feb 2026 – Dress A Girl Around the World
One of ASG’s national objectives is to use our sewing skills to create items that help others – community service. At this Zoom meeting, scheduled to keep us home in…
Jan 2026 – Sewing Room Tours
Every January, we gather online in a Zoom call to share our love of sewing from the warmth of our homes. We started this year with a tour led by…
December 2025 – Holiday Brunch and Fabric Gift Swap
We woke up to light snow and cold temps. Text messages flew between board members…should we hold the meeting or cancel? Decisions were made…it was a go. 18 of us…
November 2025 – Holiday gift ideas and annual meeting
November is time to create gifts for our loved ones and this meeting gave us lots of ideas.
July 2025 – Sewing handbags with Deb Cannon
We learned how to make handbags from one of our own, Deb Cannon.