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As we begin the New Year, we always like to look back at the previous year’s accomplishments. In the case of Grand Rapids ASG, we have much to celebrate as 2017 is our 20th anniversary of being a Chapter. It really is amazing and the credit goes to all of the volunteers who had a hand in creating fantastic meetings and events of all types. Aren’t you glad that sewing changed from an individual activity to a social one when ASG was created?
Over the years, we’ve had many out-standing speakers: Rae Cumbie, Marla Kazell, and Saundra Ros Altman to name a few. We’ve gone on several great field trips to see Downton Abbey and Up Cloche. And who can forget the amazing bus trips to go shopping, and the many buses that got us there, sort of .
Every great organization faces two major issues in running the business – money and volunteers. Fortunately, our Special Events and Education committees plan very successful programs. These pro-grams cost money. Our revenue comes from a few basic sources: membership dues, advertising, and events, plus a few other miscellaneous sources.
We know that not every meeting appeals to everyone, but every program inspires someone, at least one person, to sewing
something new. These programs take a lot of forethought, planning and discussion before anything even happens. Your Cabinet does a great job to present quality programs on a wide variety of subjects to a wide variety of sewers.
We are always in need of a few new volunteers. Maybe this is your year to help out. Maybe you would like to help with one event or one specific duty. We have several positions in mind, some can be done from your computer at home and some are done at the meetings, such as Librarian.
The Cabinet would like to increase our news-letter advertising income. We feel this could be done by re-creating the position of Retail Liai-son. This involves making contacts with the local retailers. How easy is that? If you shop for fabric – you’re qualified!
We have more exciting programs and events planned for our 20th Anniversary year. Even another trip to Chicago in a bus! Won’t you join us? Join the Cabinet or just join the meet-ing. Be a part of this amazing group we call Grand Rapids Chapter of the American Sew-ing Guild.
Happy Sewing!
Nancy Walenta
March, April, May
2017
Volume 21 Issue 1
President’s
Message 1
Upcoming
Programs 2
Annual
Challenge 3
Retail Stores 4
CAB and
Chairpersons 6
Neighborhood
Groups 7
Special Events 8
Featured
Articles 9
Calendar 13
News and
Information 14
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Grand Rapids, Michigan Chapter
http://www.grasg.org/
Like us on Facebook at
American Sewing Guild,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Chapter
Notes from the President
March 14
Gall Sewing
New Year,
New Sewing Tools
Gall Sewing will be bringing some of their new machines
to let you see how they make your sewing better
and easier. They will share new tips on how to get more
fun out of our shared passion.
Upcoming Programs Social Time: 6:30 pm
Program & Show and Tell: 7:00 pm
Plainfield Senior Center (D.W. Richardson Center)
5255 Grand River Drive, (one block west of East Beltline)
STITCHES ON THE GRAND
Page 2
April 11
Bill Voetberg Unconventional Tools,
Tips, and Techniques,
and Materials
Come to hear our own member, and Threads Magazine contributor,
Bill Voetberg. Bill will share his own
discoveries and unconventional solutions to
conventional problems (see pages 8 and 13 for more
information)
May 9
4H-Extension Did you learn to sew
through 4-H?
See what 4-H has done to encourage sewing in the age
of technology.
The 4-H Extension Service will share their new approach
to arts and crafts and their new sewing programs.
Images from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:4H_Emblem.svg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sewing_machine_foot_seam_measurements.jpg
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1
What’s a “Frankenpattern”? A Frankenpattern is cre-ated when you take two or more patterns and combine them to create a completely new design. So get your inner designer thinking about a new pattern you can cre-ate using a couple of patterns already in your stash. Here are a couple of examples of what you might do:
Include the bodice of one dress and the skirt of another to create a new dress
Use the sleeves and the neckline of one blouse pattern and the bodice and peplum of another blouse pattern.
Combine a top and a pair of pants into a jumpsuit
It’s not as complicated as it sounds. At the August 15th picnic Barb Wright and Connie Korsky will help you work through the issues involved in developing your new pattern. If you just can’t wait until then to get started, check out the article in the September 2015 issue of Threads maga-zine (Issue #180). Here are the “rules” for this challenge:
You must use two or more commercial patterns. Self-drafted patterns are not allowed.
You must use the actual pattern pieces from the patterns you selected.
Elements of two or more patterns must be com-bined to make a totally new third pattern. Making a pair of pants from one pattern and a jacket from another doesn’t count. Just changing the shape of a collar or adding a pocket is not Frankenpatterning.
Page 3
At the ‘unveiling’ of your design at our October meeting please bring the pattern envelopes with you and be prepared to describe your design and construction process to the group. Tell us:
Which pattern you used as the base for your design
Which pattern pieces from each pattern were used in your new design
What difficulties you had in developing and/or sewing your new design?
What you like or dislike about the process and your design?
Would you do it again?
You may begin at any time. The challenge will end October 10th.
Whether you call it pattern grafting, hacking or Frank-enpatterning, we’re sure you’ll find it fun and relative-ly easy to use what’s already in your stash to create a brand new design. And just to give those of you who need a little incen-tive to involve yourself, prizes (and NICE ones) will be awarded.
Celebrate 20 Years of GRASG:
Join the Frankenpattern Challenge! by Nancy Prinzi
TIP: Go to http://www.threadsmagazine.com/ and type frankenpattern in the SEARCH box. Two different articles will
come up.
Here’s another link to try for more information: http://fabricfixation.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-ever-growing-
frankenpattern.html
STI TCH ES ON TH E GRAN D
When was the last time you checked out the Special Offers page on the ASG website. You must be a member and log in using the codes on the back of your membership card. If you can’t find yours, ask a board member to send the log in information in an email.
Once you get to the Members Only section, check out the discounts available . Many are a percent off or free shipping for your online orders.
TIP: Before you order your next Craftsy class, go to the instructor’s home page. Some instructors offer a discount if you sign up through their website.
How is your JoAnn’s VIP Discount card working for you?
When you check out at JoAnn’s always ask your checkout person to scan your discount card.
Your 10% discount applies to sale and full price items (some exceptions are noted on the card). If you use a % off coupon, that item may not be included in the 10% off the total. The computerized register cal-culates the discount and final price. Neither you, nor the store lose anything by scanning your card.
Local Retailer Discounts
Please be prepared to show your American Sewing Guild membership card at check out.
Attic Window Quilt Shop
5307 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park (616) 785-3357 10% off your purchase
Fabrications
8860 North 32nd Street, Richland (877) 629-0190 10% off everything regular
and sale priced items
Field’s Fabrics
169 44th Street SE, Grand Rapids (616) 455-9330
3701 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids (616) 364-6505
0-550 Chicago Dr, Jenison (616) 667-2800
212 W. Salvidge M104, Spring Lake (616) 846-6040
3975 Lake Michigan Dr., Walker (616) 453-8381
5401 Portage Rd, Portage (269) 383-4211
281 E. 8th Street, Holland (616) 392-4806
10% off regularly priced
merchandise
JoAnn’s Fabrics
3665 28th Street, Grand Rapids (616) 956-6030
3900 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park (616) 647-8648
3323 Century Center, Grandville (616) 531-4722
12635 Felch Street, Holland (616) 738-9784
5663 Harvey Street, Norton Shores (231) 798-1096
VIP card takes 10% off reg-ular and sale priced mer-
chandise.
(See note above)
Page 4
Other local retailers
offer generous deals
through their own
newsletters and oth-
er social media.
Check with your fa-
vorite store(s) to get
on their snail mail
and email lists to be
notified of upcom-
ing promotions at
each location.
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1 Page 5
Check out the new and improved web-site!
You can still use grasg.org to access our website. The URL will come up as https://grasg.jimdo.com/
Through this site viewers can
Find meeting information
Find a membership application
Find us on Facebook
Check our calendar of Events under Attend a Meeting
Learn about special events
See pictures from meetings and spe-cial events
Access the current Newsletter under Members Only. Passwords are given by email to registered members only
PRESIDENT
Nancy Walenta
Email: [email protected]
SECRETARY
Barb Marconi
Email: [email protected]
TREASURER
Pam Hart
Email: [email protected]
EDUCATION
Julietta Brothers
Email: [email protected]
NEWSLETTER
Rita Reimbold
Email: [email protected]
RETAIL LIAISON – OPEN
PUBLICITY – OPEN
MEMBERSHIP
Renee Fries
Email: [email protected]
SPECIAL EVENTS
Barb Wright
Email: [email protected]
Nancy Prinzi
Email: [email protected]
Sandy Cairo
Email: [email protected]
ASG Headquarters Contact
Barb Cortez
E-mail: [email protected]
Page 6
Our Officers
Standing
Committees
Committee
Chairpersons
NG COORDINATOR– OPEN
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Mary Ann Schramm
Email: [email protected]
Olga Stritzinger
Email: [email protected]
HISTORIAN Joanne Kozarek
Email: [email protected]
HOSPITALITY
Jo McGavin
Email: [email protected]
Mary Ann Pietras
Email: [email protected]
LIBRARIAN – OPEN
WEB SITE MGR
Ann Hiler
Email: [email protected]
MEMBER AT LARGE
Joanne Kozarek Email: [email protected]
First Tuesday
Plainfield Senior Center
5255 Grand River Dr., Grand Rapids
6:30pm
March 7, 2017
April 4 - at Nancy Walenta’s home
May 2
STITCHES ON THE GRAND
CAB
Meetings
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1
Neighborhood Groups
Page 7
Northeast Third Tuesday
Plainfield Senior Center
5255 Grand River Dr.
Grand Rapids
Pam Hart 616-866-3769
Renee Fries 616 361-1197
6:30pm-8:30pm
March 21
April 18
May16
Muskegon-
Lakeshore Third Thursday
St. John's Episcopal Church
524 Washington Ave
Grand Haven
Nancy Prinzi 616-842-2863
10am - 2pm
March– No meeting
April 20 - Refashion Challenge
May 19
Northeast First Monday
Faith Lutheran Church
2740 Fuller Avenue NE
Grand Rapids
Joan Mull 616-866-2544
10am - 2pm Please bring your lunch.
March 6
April 3
May 1
You are Invited to: Re-Fashion Challenge
Sponsored by Muskegon-Lakeshore Neighborhood Group Guidelines:
Take an item or items and create a new and different garment. Dig deep into your closet, stop at Good Will, shop at your favorite thrift shop – go wherever you can to find an “old” garment (or 2 or 3) that you can take apart and repurpose into a new garment or accessory. You must take a photo of the original garment(s) and bring your final creation to your neighborhood group meeting on April 20, 2017.
Your original item(s) can be anything you want but they may only be turned into garments or accesso-ries. Your pattern can be self-drafted or commercial and can be new or one you’ve used before. At least half of the new garments/accessory should be made from the recycled fabric. Zippers, interfac-ing, buttons, and other notions can be new.
We'll share our creations at the meeting on April 20th. Our other projects for Spring and early Summer will be rings made from buttons, a purse made from an old book, hand-made Dorsett buttons, and a home-dec project. As soon as I have contacted everyone who is presenting I will send you the schedule. Have fun with this challenge and I'll see you in April. You can always reach me via email at [email protected]. Nancy P.S. Look for the information on the field trip in the next newsletter. It'll be a good one!
We have a lot of fun things planned for this year, but a favorite is always the workshops. This year there will be two.
Judy Kessinger is coming in September to do an all day pant workshop with video and pattern at a cost of $140 and lim-ited to 15 particiPants.
This April, we will have a wonder-ful opportunity to work with Bill Voetberg. I am sure you have all seen Bill’s imaginative and precise work and this will be a day to tap his creative juices in a workshop of new embellishment techniques for garments or home dec. The class is titled Unconventional Tips, Tools, and Techniques.
He has been searching around the world for new ide-as, new ways to do things and using unconventional tools. I can’t wait to be amazed. It will be held at the new Roselle Park facility in Ada
and will be from 9 to 4, lunch and kit included. The cost is only $50 for this special opportunity. Bill will be bringing samples for us to see at the March general meeting. The March meeting is the deadline for this class and must be paid for at that time to reserve your seat. You can, of course, pay any time before that. There is a limit of 24 people, so
submit your check and don’t miss out.
Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dr._Wampen's_world_renowned_system_of_anthropometry_as_simplified_and_Americanized_by_J._Happle-
Hutcheson;_(1903)_(14597763908).jpg
More to Come for GRASG by Sandy Cairo
STITCHES ON THE GRAND Page 8
GRASG Picnic 2016
Belly Bands - G-Tube
Belts and Pads
Local Guild member, Susan Tyner, shared her pattern for making belts and pads for children who are tube fed. She and her family’s non-profit organization, Joseph’s Genetic Journey Pays It Forward, dis-tribute the bands and pads across the country to those who ask.
As of July, 2016, the organization had helped 545 kids with more orders for free protective belts and comfortable pads for tube-fed children.
Please contact Susan at [email protected] for information to help — then turn in your hours to Olga or Mary Ann.
Page 9
Grand Rapids, Michigan
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Just look at all the hours that have been spent for our community in the many dona-tions that we have made, literally made!
Mary Ann Schramm and I, Ol-ga Strizinger, have been work-ing on Community Services for the past 2 years. I send data to ASG Headquarters about the service work of our Grand Rapids Guild. I have been recording the time our members spend on community service projects and I find it staggering.
We have been busy sewing in the past year:
Each year 7 women have spent 5 hours each working at the Santa Claus Girls Workshop wrapping gifts for needy children at Christmas. 33 Hours of Service
Fleece Hats and Scarves for Santa Claus Girls 135 Hours of Service
Surgical Caps, Belly Bands, and Frogs for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital 265 Hours of Service
Spread, and Lap Robes for the Veteran’s Hospital 149 hours of Service
Pretty Pockets and Anti Ouch Pouches donated to Gilda’s Club 173 Hours of Service
Have you tallied up all these service hours for our group in the last year? There will be a quiz at the March meeting . . .
It’s possible there are even more hours our there. Some of our members may not know that they can turn in their hours to the Community Service Chairmen to get credit for the Guild.
Thanks for your service, Ladies, we are proud to be part of this group!
Olga Stritziner
and Mary Ann Schramm
Image from: https://pixabay.com/en/vintage-sewing-machine-sew-
needle-1047275/
The American Sewing Guild of Grand Rapids
Cares About Our Community by Olga Stritzinger
STITCHES ON THE GRAND
Page 10
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1 Page 11
We understand Michigan winters. Unfortunately, that means we have experience canceled meetings. January’s presenter, Karen Horrigan was ready to go, but she gets Michigan winters, too!
Although we are disappointed by the interruption of our plans, Karen is willing to present at our November meeting. In the meantime, check out her website http://www.kareismatic.com
She offers classes such as Pinterest 101 and Building Your Personal Brand Online and others at locations in Forest Hills and Rockford.
If you have a creative business, she will help you build it by helping you develop strategic use of social media.
November will be an interesting meeting!
Join us on July 11th for an exciting field trip to the Chicago History Museum to see “Making Mainbocher: The First American Couturier”. This exhibit highlights the life of Main Rousseau Bocher who was born and raised on the west side of Chicago and rose to the heights of the fashion world from the early to mid-twentieth century. Mainbocher was known for un-derstated elegance. This exhibit features 30 garments from the Museum’s permanent collection including a replica of his most famous design – the wedding dress of Wallace Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. We will have a docent-led tour of the exhibit and then have time to play with the gallery’s interactive experiences where you can step into the designer’s role and flip though sketchbooks featuring fashion illustrations of the garments on display and use Mainbocher’s preferred colors, fabrics, and motifs to design a garment that is projected on a 3-D dress form in the gallery.
For more information on this fabulous exhibit, please check it out online at http://bit.ly/mainbocher
Following our tour we will have a box lunch at the Museum’s café before we head out to shop for fabric.
You didn’t think I’d take you to Chicago and not stop at least one fabric store, did you? This year we’ll visit two different stores. Fishman’s Fabrics is a Chicago institution. Established in 1903, this family owned store states that their mission is to “identify the best fabrics in the world and build relation-ships with the mills that produce them”. As you might guess, Fishman’s offers up-scale fabrics but if you’re looking for something special you may just find it there.
Our other stop is around the corner at New Rainbow Fabrics. Reshma, one of the owners, as-sures me that they have all the fabrics you might need for any project at prices that can’t be beat online or elsewhere. You will have ample time to visit both stores and both stores will offer a 10% discount to ASG members. We will leave Chicago around 5:30 and stop en route to Grand Rapids for a fast-food dinner. The cost for this trip is $100.00 for members, $110.00 for non-members. This includes your transportation to and from Chicago, museum entrance, docent-led tour, and lunch. Dinner is your responsibility. And as much as I would love to pay for your shopping, that, too, is on your own. Registration for this trip will be available at meetings start-ing in February. Space will be limited to 40 participants so please sign up as soon as possible. Remember: Your space is not reserved until you pay your fee of $100.00 Make your check payable to GRAND RAPIDS AMERICAN SEW-ING GUILD. Since I will not be at the February or March meetings, please give your check to Pam Hart and mark ‘Paid’ by your name. If you have questions, you can email me at [email protected]. I’ll be happy to get back to you while I’m in Mexico. I hope we’ll have a full bus! A field trip with ASG is AL-
WAYS AN ADVENTURE!!!!
CHICAGO FIELD TRIP by Nancy Prinzi
Page 12
STITCHES ON THE GRAND
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1 Page 13
It is a challenge to come up with something new and different for an audience of serious sewists who have done so much. Our guild members have seen and done so many creative things. My favorite part of our meetings is always “show and tell.” This has made planning for our April meeting and workshop challenging.
Whether I am making a tailored garment or a home dec item, I usually apply the traditional methods I have learned for each project. I admire those who achieve great results using tried and true techniques, but if it does not work for me, I am willing to experiment with some-thing different. Sometimes an unconventional approach achieves my desired end.
April 12 –Bill Voetberg: Unconventional Tips, Tools, and Techniques; Special Event pg. 8
April 20 –Refashion Challenge, Muskegon-Lakeshore Neighborhood Group pg. 7
May 4 –It’s Sew Spring: Bishop Sewing Council Event pg. 11
July - No General Meeting
July 11 –Chicago Historical Museum, Fishman Fabrics, New Rainbow Fabrics, Bus Trip pg. 12
July 27 –30 ASG Conference, Orlando, FL
August 15 –Picnic;
September 13 - Judy Kessinger pg. 8
October 10 - 20th Anniversary Celebration / Frankenpattern Fashion Show pg. 3
October 20, 21, & 22 -Retreat. Blue Gate Inn, Shipshawanee, IN
November 14 –Election
December –No General Meeting
Events Calendar
More to be added throughout the year!
While I would never give up my point presser, ham, or other traditional notions, my sewing has been improved by using some non-traditional items as well. My toolbox now includes some of my drafting and carpentry implements.
Slippery silks and lining fabrics used to always shift no matter how careful I was or how many pins I used. This stymied me until I found a foolproof method for taming these fickle fabrics. I am not sure if Coco Channel would have approved, but I have found a way that now guarantees success for me every time.
Finally, after the Iris van Herpen exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, I have been on a search for unconventional materials that can be used for conventional sewing. I have found a couple of in-teresting things that are, well, unconventional.
I look forward to exploring these things with you in our April workshop. (See pg. 8 for more infor-mation)
Unconventional Tips, Tools, Techniques, and Materials by Bill Voetberg
STITCHES ON THE GRAND
Welcome New Members! Look for these new members at our next meeting!
Deborah Baker, Hudsonville
Claudia Lee, Paw Paw
Julie Weller, Wyoming
https://pixabay.com/en/binoculars-search-see-to-find-1026425/
It’s Time to Renew for: Linda Ainsworth, Middleville
Furlo Bengtsson, Hesperia
Connie Korsky, Rockford
Bernardine Lane, Spring Lake
Debbie Schaap, Grand Rapids
Marty Swank, Holland
National
Guild News
Local
Do you know a young sewist ready for a chal-
lenge? ASG is sponsoring Sew Young, Sew
Denim for ASG Junior Members 18 and under.
Contest Deadline is March 31!
Make plans now to attend the ASG Annual Con-
ference in Orlando, Florida. Reservations are avail-
able now at
Hilton Lake
Buena Vista
1751 Hotel Plaza
Blvd
Lake Buena Vista,
FL 32830
Room rate:
$149/night
Check the link at
asg.org
Severe Weather Policy
Adverse conditions occasionally requires the cancellation of a meeting. Whenever Northview Public Schools cancels school or evening programs on one of our meeting dates, our meeting will also be cancelled. Notification of school closings are posted on local radio and television stations. A Constant Connect email will also be sent to members on the contact list.
Page 14
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1
Photo Gallery
Page 15
Iris Van Herpen Exhibit -
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Student Designers - Ford Museum
Are you interested in more from Nancy Nix-Rice? Nancy has a new program offer for you: Nancy is writing an email newsletter on wardrobe
planning with a sewing focus. Sign up online at
http://nancynixrice.com/ and click on the 101
Shortcuts on the right. You will be transferred to a
registration page where you can select the sewing
focused newsletter.
ASG Grand Rapids, MI Chapter
2449 Rockhill Drive
Grand Rapids, MI 49525 –1291 The American Sewing
Guild Mission Statement:
“Advancing sewing as an art and life skill.”
Membership is open to any-one with an interest in sewing.
New Membership $50 per yr.
Renewals $45 per yr.
American Sewing Guild Na-tional Headquarters
9660 Hillcroft, Suite 510
Houston, TX 77096 Phone: 713-729-3000 FAX: 713-721-9230
Deadlines for Ads
March/April/ May Jan. 15th June/July/ August April 15th Sept/Oct/ Nov July 15th Dec/Jan / Feb. October 15th
Display Rates
Business Card $15.00 1/4 Page $25.00 1/2 Page $45.00 Full Page $85.00 Inserts—Please Contact Editor
Newsletter Submissions
Articles and comments submit-ted to the editor are welcome and will be printed after review, subject to space and time. We reserve the right to reject any submissions. Please send electronic submis-sions to our new email address: [email protected]; Subject: Newsletter or hard copies to Rita Reimbold at 13733 Sunset Shores, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.
Articles for the next Newsletter
are due by April 15th, 2017.
Taunton Magazine
and Book Orders
Chapter group orders for Threads magazine or any Taun-ton magazines are sent in as a group approximately every 18 months, so plan accordingly! Don’t let your subscription ex-pire! The latest Taunton Books are also available at a discount throughout the year with a mini-mum order. Order forms and catalogs are available at all m o n t h l y m e e t i n g s . Contact person: Pam Hart.
Want to know the latest?
Visit www.grasg.org
Many thanks to our advertisers for your continued support of the Grand Rapids Chapter of the American Sewing Guild. Individ-ual members may not always acknowledge their membership when shopping in your store, but please know we do make many purchases there. We are pas-sionate about our hobby so we want good sewing machines in working order and stashes of fabric for the next project!
