My Sewing Week

Last week I was involved in three great sewing related activities through the Denver Sewing Collective.

Thursday was great to see new and familiar faces, we didn’t have anything planned this month for the Denver Sewing Collective but the weather was nice and spring was in the air. I actually can’t even remember what project I brought or what I did. Hmm.

First off I went with Marni to Colorado Fabrics for no better reason than it was a Saturday and on the way to the ASG Denver meeting. Bought these gems. The white is a crepe rayon. No idea yet what I’ll do but it’s going to be good.

fab fabric

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Why I joined American Sewing Guild

Two big reasons I joined American Sewing Guild  are Denise Woodson Ofria and Jan McMinn.

american sewing guild

I met Denise and Jan through DSC and consequently learned a lot about the current leadership’s efforts to bring the Denver chapter back to its roots of promoting the art of sewing. Not just quilting, not just garments but the “Art of Sewing”.

Why did it take me so long?

My past experience with the ASG local neighborhood groups has been not so enthusiastic.  I checked out my local neighborhood group and was told it was only a quilting group and there was no offer of help to point me in another direction, so I formed my own group. Continue reading “Why I joined American Sewing Guild”

Local News – Westminster Joann’s Closing and Elfriede’s Fabric Swap

Westminster Joann Closing 3

Some news for Denver folks – the Joann’s in Westminster is having a “closing” sale. (Don’t worry, they’re just moving to another building in Westminster and selling everything off rather than moving it.) I stopped in on Saturday because I heard they were selling off the fixtures and I wanted a pattern cabinet for cheap. (Yes, my pattern collection is embarrassingly large.) Unfortunately for me some guy had showed up before me that morning and bought the whole row of cabinets!

come-on

 

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The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski

Linda Przybyszewski was in Denver at the Tattered Cover bookstore doing a reading and book signing of her book The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish. Linda is a wonderful speaker, has a doctoral degree from Nortre Dame with an emphasis on law, history, culture and dress. She teaches a class called We Are A Nation of Slobs: The Art, Ethics … Continue reading The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski

Denver Mini Maker Faire – Recap

 Running my first Maker Faire was a  grand experiment. I went in with a ton of clothing and fabric and a thread bare plan. Fortunately, Jamie was there on Friday’s load-in to help plan something a little better than “Oh, just make stuff, I guess”. On her suggestion we went to the Last-stop-before-Africa-store, aka Goodwill Outlet where you buy stuff by the pound. We got 33 … Continue reading Denver Mini Maker Faire – Recap

2 Days to Denver Mini Maker Faire!

Just two short days to Denver Mini Maker Faire! For me this is not mini. AT ALL. I’m getting a little nervous with crowds expected at 20,000-30,000. Sure, they’re not all coming to see the Denver Sewing Collective but, still. When Karen asked if I could/would do this I didn’t hesitant and said yes straight away. I’m kind of jump-in-the deep end kind of person. … Continue reading 2 Days to Denver Mini Maker Faire!

Denver Mini Maker Faire

Have you ever been to a Maker Faire? Maker Faire’s are held through out the world and they’re all about creating, inventing, learning  and leaving inspired and full of ideas to take home.  These faires are multi-generational and encourage kids and adults to get outside (or inside) and build something, anything! From robots, to cat armor, better prosthesis’ to crazy cars there really is no limit to … Continue reading Denver Mini Maker Faire

Jim Howard Fashion Illustrator

Jim Howard’s Paper Doll Illustrations and Collections. It was a last minute invite from Tish Gance of HISS Studio, but I’m so glad I went. Fashion Illustrator Jim Howard spoke at the Brush Strokes Gallery on South Broadway and charmed and entertained a standing room crowd of his adventures in fashion and art. Getting his start doing grocery store adverts in his native Texas he quickly … Continue reading Jim Howard Fashion Illustrator

New York Designer Fabrics at Colorado Fabrics

Designer Fabrics - Silks

Thursday night Colorado Fabrics had an exclusive after-hours event to debut the fabrics they acquired from designer workrooms on a recent trip to New York. I couldn’t believe how much fabric they added to the store! There were new racks up front full of bolts, bolts piled up on tables, and half the cutting tables were sacrificed for more bolts of fabrics. SO MUCH FABRIC. And all of it from the workrooms of big name designers (whose names I don’t think I’m supposed to mention). My favorite were the two racks of silks, shown above. There were lots of gorgeous prints and weaves. Everywhere in the store I found rare fabrics that you just don’t see much of. To the right is a “silk gaberdine” – I’ve heard of wool gaberdine, but never silk! Some of the fabrics had lots of yardage on the bolt, and some only had a few yards. They said if it was fabulous they bought it, regardless of the yardage. Continue reading “New York Designer Fabrics at Colorado Fabrics”

Tish Gance of HISS Studio – A modern sewing studio

Tish Gance will be teaching members of Denver Sewing Collective how to obtain perfect fit with sewing patterns at the Fit Fest. Tish owns the sewing studio HISS Studios – in Denver, Colorado and we are so lucky to have her present this class.  Tish has been sewing for over 30 years and started sewing about the same time she started working on cars as a teen. … Continue reading Tish Gance of HISS Studio – A modern sewing studio