anythingsews

In October, we had a sweatshirt workshop. There were quite a variety of ideas and finished products, - and fun for all!

In November, Kathy Hepburn brought in directions for an Easy Striped Table Runner. She led us through the steps and made it a fun and easy project. Some of us did variations of the pattern and ended up with our own unique creations. That’s why we sew! Come join us! Sew Worth It! has moved a few doors south of their previous store, and doubled their space. Our classroom is much larger, so there is room for more fun!

At our August meeting, some of us made the extremely comfortable wrap-around pants. They were simple and fast, and many of those who worked on their UFO’s said that they wanted to try to make the pants at home. Thanks Van Withey for your help.

In September, I was out of town but heard reports of several members who attended the embroidery workshop. They made blocks to be used for wall hangings or to be put together for a larger project, a quilt. Thanks to the group at Sew Worth It for leading this effort and to Jayne Namerow for her assistance. October, November & December Notes: Anyone who has not brought in their one yard of holiday fabric for the holiday exchange, please bring it in October in a plain brown bag with your name on a paper inside the bag. You will leave with a different bag; use the fabric in that bag to make whatever you are inspired to do with it,. Then bring it back to our December meeting to be returned to the person who originally brought in the fabric.

At our June meeting, Kathy Hepburn helped us with the construction of a cute, little handbag made out of a charm pack (or some used strips). I think we all finished and have a new item for our summer wardrobes.

In July, Van Withey talked us through making both a reversible table runner (one side winter, the other side Fall) and a Christmas Tree skirt for a table top tree. We also discussed our “Gift Exchange” idea from last year and agreed to do it again. Please call with any questions, and all are welcome to our meetings on the third Saturday of each month from 9:30 to 3:00 at “Sew Worth It!”, Clark and Honore, in Sarasota. - Judy Lehman -

At our February meeting, Judy Lehmann helped in showing how to make fabric coasters from cording or clothesline wrapped in fabric strips. Once the coasters were mastered, the next step was to make a dish/bowl to hold them. It was very interesting and what a unique gift!

In March, Jayne Namerow led the challenge to make quilts to be donated to the Pediatrics ward at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Jayne, Van and Judy spent Friday afternoon sorting through the boxes of fabric “leftovers and scraps” donated by Sue at Sew Worth It and putting them in bundles according to color combinations. On Saturday, each person came in, picked out a bundle and started to work (not really work, when you are having that much fun). People came and went throughout the day,. Some helped for a couple of hours. Some spent the day. At the end of the day, we had completed 7 quilts, with 7 more near completion. A follow-up was scheduled for Friday afternoon, April 18, for those who wanted to join them. Anyone who started and couldn’t finish in March were invited to come and complete their project. Anyone who wanted to get started could join the group, too. Thanks to several non-members who showed up to sort, press, cut and do whatever they could to help this worthwhile project, and thanks to Jayne for her organizing the project. Thanks also to Van and her husband Steve for making the ASG tags to go on the quilts. It is a good project, and one that will be both useful and memorable to the kids at SMH.

Our December meeting (like most everyone’s) was a Holiday Party. Each member had previously brought in 1 yard of fabric in a plain brown bag with her name on the inside, and then took home someone else’s bag. After making whatever the fabric inspired us to do, we returned the fabric to it’s owner as a Christmas gift for that person. It was truly amazing how creative and resourceful this group is. In addition, our own special Santa handed out gifts to each of us (a surprise to us all). What a great
day!

In January, we made a wreath (mostly) in Valentine fabric. Mary Basti led the group, and we did our usual chatting, laughing and sewing, It was lots of fun, and most people finished their project. Some of the wreaths will be used to hang; others will be placed on a table with a candle in the center. Very Attractive project! Thanks, Mary
Feb 16- Bring a pkg. of cotton clothesline & 1/2 yd./more fabric.

Our meeting in October was led by Van Withey, presenting a hodge-podge of great ideas for the gift-giving season: a set of crazy-patch place mats, Christmas gift name tags, and tree ornaments. These were each made with 1 yard or less of fabric, and were fast and easy ideas for the up-coming (at the time) season.

For November, we learned from Bunny Schermer how to make the Tall Trees wall hanging. There were people stopping by to see what we were working on (hearing all the commotion when they came in the front door), and asking about the pattern, technique, our group and ASG. They could tell that we were enjoying ourselves, and wanted to find out more. Good things are happening. Thanks to Bunny for allowing us to “volunteer” her for this project.

Our December 15th meeting will be our Holiday Party. Remember to bring the “brown bag” gift you made from the fabric you picked up at our Sept, Oct, or Nov meeting. Also, be sure to put the person’s name on the gift. Since this will be our party and gift exchange, we will not have a “project”, however please feel free to bring in whatever UFO’s you are trying to get done before Christmas (or whenever). We will also have discussion about what you would like to have for some of our 2008 meetings; hands-on projects, topics for demo, guest speakers, new techniques, fabrics, or equipment, or anything else you think would be of interest to the group. We’ll also try to have information on the Community Service quilt project which was discussed previously.

The plan for January is to work on gifts for Valentine’s Day, a business card holder made from “recycled” men’s silk ties (or whatever else you can think of). This would be very useful for our monthly get-togethers. Of course, in February we will be making something “green”, still working on suggestions. In March we have scheduled an Accessory Bag for sewers (will have sample at December meeting). The bag can be made different sizes to accommodate your needs for rotary cutters, scissors, threads, mats, rulers, etc.

The usual group email will be sent to all Anything Sews attendees (and anyone else interested) the week before our meeting, listing materials needed and any pre-meeting instructions. If you’d like to receive the email, please send email to JudyLehmann@verizon.net with ASG in the subject line to let me know, and I’ll add your name to our list.

Hope everyone takes time to slow down and enjoy this great time of year; don’t let the small things like traffic, lines in stores and restaurants, and the not-enough-time-to-do-everything-rush interfere with appreciating each other. See you soon.

Anything Sews met in August 18th and made hugs, shrugs, and flirts. What a variety of fabrics and finishes (see photo). Van Withey led the group, some of us working with sewing machines, and some with sergers. All ended up great. We had 2 or 3 new “friends” joining us, and all agreed it was a good time.

In September, we got together to do a reversible table runner. Donna Clauser was our leader, and she got us through it just fine. Some of us were “confused” at first, but with Donna’s patience managed to get everything figured out and learn a different technique. We just made it more confusing than it needed to be. Sorry, no pic, but those who attended are asked to bring theirs back to our October meeting for Show and Tell.

Our October meeting has been moved to the 27^th so that those interested will be able to attend the Shop Hop. At this meeting, Van will demo “gift bags, gift tags, and gift items”, including suggestions for things you made with one yard of fabric.

Anyone who would still like to get in our Brown Bag Swap and hasn’t done so yet, please bring in one yard of holiday fabric with your name on it, put it in a plain brown bag, and bring it to the October Meeting. You then take home someone else’s bag, and in December return it as a gift to the person whose name was in it. That way we’re all surprised at what someone else can do with a yard of fabric.

On November 17^th we will do “More Of The Same”; continue to work on the things from October, bring in your UFO’s, bring in your questions, bring in anything you’d like to share with the group, or bring in anything you’re trying to get done before the holidays really hit us. We all know how precious time is once Halloween is over, and don’t want to waste any of it.

Remember that our meetings are the 3^rd Saturday of the month (4^th in October this time) at Sew Worth It in the plaza at Clark Rd and Honore Ave.

Anything Sews met in June and July at the usual time and place, and at both meetings worked on the Thread Catchers (see picture). They were a big hit, both with the Sew Worth It! owner and staff, and our own members. We each made one to leave at the shop, kind of a very useful thank-you to them for allowing us to meet there, and one to take home for our own use. After the June meeting, some wanted to make more in July (use as gifts, etc.), so we did that in addition to some UFO's and handbags. Donna Lundquist was so happy with the bag she made in June that she went home and made 6 more out of various fabrics. Wish I had a picture of them to show you. But wait, I do.

At the September 15th meeting, we will be making a reversible table runner. Donna at Sew Worth it! will be doing the demo. You can use two different holiday-themed fabrics, or kid fabrics, or whatever you want. The runner is on the wall by the cash register, it you'd like to preview it.

If you missed the August meeting, you can still join at the September meeting, our holiday gift exchange for December. Bring one yard (a little more if you like) of Holiday fabric. Write your name on a paper and place that with the fabric in a plain brown paper bag. Turn it in to Judy, Jayne, or Van.

In October, we meet on the 20th and will work on making Gift Bags for the holidays (any holiday). There are several different sizes and shapes, and more detail will be given at our August meeting regarding supplies.

For our December meeting, bring back the bag with whatever you chose to make out of the fabric. It is then returned to the original person as their "gift". More explanation at the meeting.

Remember, all of our meetings are at Sew Worth It! on the 3rd Saturday of each month. We can go in at 9:00 to set up our machines and chit-chat before we begin at 9:30, and usually stay until 3:00 or so. You can bring something for lunch, or order in.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me, Judy Lehmann at 924-1057 or email JudyLehmann@verizon.net.

Even though it’s summer, we’re not in the doldrums; it’s full speed ahead. In April, we met to finish our Striped Jackets (well, some of us are still finishing them), and what a great variety of jackets they are. Thanks to Sue Ruf for the great example and directions.

At our May meeting, we did “domestic” and made oven mitts and potholders, as many as 3 different styles. Amazing how different they all were. I know some of them will be given as gifts, and be much appreciated.

For our June meeting on June 16^th, we will make handbags. The pattern we have chosen is an Ellen Medlock, The Interchangeable Bag, and Jayne Namerow will be our leader.

In July, we will be working on our “Secret Surprise Gift”, again with Jayne doing the instructions and demo.

For August, it will a Hug, Shrug, and Flirt with the Bamboo Goddess pattern by Stephanie Kimura. This will be done by Anna Laubschauer with help from Van Withey. There is also a chance (depending on her travel schedule) of Sharon Camera doing the shrug she brought to our meeting at the end of last year. More definite details at our July meeting.

Remember that our meetings are always held on the third Saturday of each month, from 9:00 ‘til 3:00 at Sew Worth It! Also, on the third Thursday of each month is Guild Night at Sew Worth It, so those of you who don’t already have your patterns or supplies have a chance to save by taking advantage of our special ASG discount on that night. Plan ahead.

If you’d like to get a reminder email the week before the meeting, along with a list of supplies needed, just send your email address to JudyLehmann@verizon.net and you’ll be added to the list.

February meeting was enjoyed by all 13 in attendance; making a decorator pillow cover, with most of us putting in an invisible zipper. Van Withey made it very interesting: a challenge at first, but once we overcame the intimidation factor, it was simple. Wish we had taken pix so you could see the variety…

In March we began a project with the help of Sue Brown. We worked on a jacket (or vest for some), using strips of fabric to “build” our own fabric. Some really great ideas and designs, all unique, all Sue told us we could use any fabric, any size strips, because each one would be our own original.

We will complete the jackets at our April meeting on the 28^th; again to be held at SEW WORTH IT! from 9:30 ‘til 3:30. If you missed the March meeting, you can get help and get started on the project, or bring any UFO’s you want to work on or might have a question about. We have a lot of creative, experienced, and helpful sewers who are very willing to share their knowledge.

Beginning with our May meeting, our location will be changed for the rest of the year to Sew Worth It!, from 9:30 ‘til 3:30. If you want to mark you calendars, it is always going to be on the 3^rd Saturday of each month, and time is consistently 9:30 ‘til 3:30. We are very grateful to Sue and Penny for allowing us the use of their classroom on these dates; lots of parking, convenient, and if you forgot something you need for class, chances are they will have it in the store.

Please remember also that on the 3^rd Thursday of each month, Sew Worth It! will close at 5:30, then reopen at 6:00-8:00 for ASG members only. During that time, there will be a 15% discount on all purchases (of course, except machines, software, etc.). In addition, they will “specials” for us. Plus (as if they could be any nicer), they provide soft drinks and tea (hot or iced), plus cookies/snacks so that we can have the energy for our bargain shopping. You must be an ASG member in order to partake in these monthly events. It’s a great opportunity to wander, browse, shop, and socialize with other ASG’rs. Don’t miss it.

In May, we plan to make oven mitts and/or pot holders (for use on Memorial Day or as a gift for Father’s Day). We did some cool reversible aprons a few months ago, you may want to add one to the mitts for a great gift for the BBQ chef.

June will be handbags; several different styles from which to chose. More details and supply list at our May meeting.

In July, Sharon Camera will demo the shrug she brought to one of our meetings at the end of last year. She’s experimenting with different fabrics, and will have choices to show us at one of the upcoming meetings, so we can have time to think about where we would use it, and what fabric would be best for each of us.

Our group met on January 13^th with 13 people attending and each making a reversible apron, and as usual no two were alike. Jayne Namerow led the demo and did an outstanding job.

For our Feb meeting, Van Withey will show how to make a home dec pillow cover. This was a quick and easy project; and if not, at least we’ll have fun.

Note: Location Change for March & April— Meet at “Sew Worth It”, 5567 Palmer Crossing Circle (SE corner of Clark & Honore by Gecko’s)

March meeting is 3/17 from 9-3, and will be led by Sue Brown. She will help us in making a jacket which she was working on a couple of months ago, finished with strips of fabric for added pizzazz. For more information on the jacket, you can go to http://www.indygojunctioninc.com/store/index.php?cPath=126 and look at the pattern for Strikingly Simple. You can order the pattern, or Sue will bring hers if you’d rather bring tracing paper. She suggested that you can also make a vest instead of a jacket, and here are the supplies needed:

2 1/2 yds each of base and inside lining ( which will show on roll up cuffs) fabrics

For jacket with squares: 250 2" squares of assorted fabrics ( what a great place to use one's stash and use many different fabrics....or go with a color or design theme.)

For jacket with strips... 1/4 yd each 15 different fabrics cut into 1" strips ( I used strips 1/2 to 2" wide and put them closer together than pattern required.)

For a vest.....choose a very simple vest pattern and refer to it's fabric requirements for the base and lining fabrics. Also bring a lot of strips or squares. You'll probably need 2/3 the number as for the jacket.

Sue will be able to help with questions at the 2/10 meeting to help us get ready for this project.

Our April meeting will be 4/28 from 9-3, and we will finish the jackets or any other UFO’s you care to bring.

Hope to see you at our meetings. We really have a good time, and don’t forget for any meetings that later after 1:00, bring a bag lunch and drink.

Our October meeting was a demo by Donna Lundquist on Seminole Piecing Table Runner. Something different, and very attractive. Donna is a very patient instructor, and we are really lucky to have her.

November was a set of Placemats by Van Withey from Hancock Fabrics. We had 13 people attending (4 were new guests), and it was great fun. Lots of different fabrics, colors, and “looks”; just in time to use for the holiday dinners, or as gifts. Lots of sewing, laughing, and learning.

2—1 yd. pieces of coordinating 45" fabric (or 4 fat quarters can substitute for 1 yard)

3 yards ribbon, coordinating, for apron ties (or 1/4 yard of fabric to make the ties)

If you would like to add decoration, you could use a coordinating embroidery design or an appliqué.

Matching thread, scissors for cutting out pattern & pieces, pins, etc. Bring a ruffler attachment for your machine if you want to add a fancy trim around the bottom!

Our September meeting was a great turnout; lots of energy and enthusiasm for more of our community service projects. We made pillowcases, preemie receiving blankets, ditty bags, cancer pillows, caps, and shirts, and whatever else came to mind. It was a fun day, accomplishing a lot for very good causes, and discussion of items to make for our yearly bazaar in November. Of course, you all are invited to join us for our meetings on the third Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the Fruitville Library. Bring a bag lunch (no microwave available) and drink for our “social time”. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Van Withey, Assistant Manager at Hancock’s Fabrics, will demo and help us to make a set of four placemats, for giving as a gift, or keep for yourself.

Stacking n’ Whacking continued, at the June meeting, as Marie Gartley showed us how to finish our table runner. She displayed many tricks of the trade including finishing off that quilt binding, some sewing tips and how to do it all with one arm. Marie broke her wrist in the parking lot of the Fruitville Library after dancing over a piece of wood. OUCH!

We cancelled our July meeting so we all could attend the Ft. Myers ASG meeting with national educator Stephanie Kimura. We put the trip together in a hurry and it was very successful. Stephanie has written several books on making bags/purses. She showed us how to use/attach handles and feet to our bags/purses.

Sept. 23 “Community Service”‘— Bring baby flannel; OR big piece polyester; OR baby yarn; OR fabric for breast cancer pillows: OR men’s shirts; OR 12x22 fabric for ditty bags + cord.

Oct 28 “Seminole Pieced Table Runner” - Bring 3 coordinating, contrasting fabrics – 5/8 yard dark (main), ¼ yard medium, and 1/8 yard light. 1 2/3 yd backing fabric; same as main or muslin; 1 1/3 yd binding; 1 2/3 yd Pellon for batting, it’s flat/smooth; light or med gray neutral colored thread; Rotary cutter/mat, 6 x 24 ruler, and usual sewing supplies.

Hi, my name is Sydney Otis and I am a new member of the Anything Sews group on Saturday in Sarasota. My Nana, Shirley (Mendolera), invited me to join the group. She spends a lot of time helping me and I am getting better and better.

At our April meeting, we made tote bags. Some of the group made purses. I made a tote bag and it’s GREAT! It is very big. It is green and has a lot of “Girl Words” on one side. It shows pictures of girls on a tie-dyed green background and words like: LOL, laugh out loud, cool, cute, flirt and “ How cute is that?” to name a few. The liner of my bag is a green fruit liner. It has pockets and beads. Everyone used beads and had pockets. I have used my bag a lot already. One lady named Maritza made a purse with cartoon fish all over it. The fish were blowing bubbles out of their mouths. Our teacher, Patty, made a rainforest fabric purse with bamboo handles. All the ladies did a good job. I had a lot of fun making the tote. I cannot wait until our next meeting on May 27^th. Girls, like me, are welcome with an adult member.

The May program for Anything Sews was given by our own Barb Callahan. We had lots of fun exploring techniques using the wing needle and the twin needle. Barb has some wonderful ideas about using a wing needle to finish a neckline. It looks great! We also discovered that sometimes, when you are using the twin needle, you can turn it over and find a completely different design on the back. This is caused by the bobbin thread pulling the two threads together from the back. The program was very interesting and informative.

Barb also gave us a preview of her new purse pattern that should be on the market in a few months. ---- Very cute purse, Barb!

This neighborhood group is growing in leaps and bounds. Everyone is having a great time learning new and exciting techniques.

A big thanks to Shirley Mendolera and Judy Lehmann, the two leaders who are making this neighborhood group a success!!

Yes, this is yet another of our neighborhood groups that is continuing the ASG mission of “Advancing Sewing as an Art and Life Skill”.

We are having so much fun at our Saturday neighborhood group meetings. We have 6 new members in 3 meetings and growing. We were stacking and whacking with Marie Gartley on February 25, thread painting and reverse bobbin with Sherry Ebey on March 25…Sherry is such a delight…she kept us all in “stitches” and purse making with Patty DiMicele on April 22. See the March/April Newsletter for supplies for the April project.

May 27 will bring us Barbara Callahan with her “Wing Needle” and “Double Needle” Show…she will have needles and fabric for sale so just bring your machine…

June 24 will mark the return of Marie Gartley who showed us the “stack and whack” table runner…she is going to show us how to FINISH it with batting, backing, quilting and binding…if you didn’t attend the first class then just bring an unfinished project and work on it.

July 22 our focus will be Community Service projects at the meeting with guest Annette Alberter, Community Service Chair. Supplies will be available for us to work on a project or two.

So we are looking forward to seeing you on the 4^th Saturday, at the Fruitville Library at 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and bring your sewing machine and supplies. You can bring your UnFinished Object (UFO) and finish them at the sew-in if you don’t want to do the guest project. Meetings are very informal and so much fun because Anything Sews!!. Bring a friend who signs up and get a prize. Bring a bag lunch and a drink.

Well we had our first meeting in January and we had a lot of fun...two new people YEAH! Jayne Namerow, Kathy Hepburn ...Welcome gals,(really three, Sue Brown...but she only dropped in to introduce herself)...Thank you guys for your support today!!! Judy and myself really appreciate you...

Decorative serger thread that either matches or highlights your ½ yard of cotton fabric (any color that will show your thread work). Clear thread for top work. Water stabilizer and Regular stabilizer, a wooden/plastic embroidery hoop, free motion foot, marking pen, of course your sewing machine.

Sewing machine, ½ yd decorator fabric for outside & straps, ½ yd fabric for lining and inside pockets, trim like beads, ribbon, piping, ½ yd fusible fleece, 1 yd shirt tailor fusible interfacing, 11x12 plastic canvas or cardboard for stability.

Well we had our first meeting and we had a lot of fun...two new people YEAH! Jayne Namerow, Kathy Hepburn ...Welcome gals,(really three, Sue Brown...but she only dropped in to introduce herself)...I forgot to take the pictures until after our new people left...so here are the regulars...enjoy...Thank you guys for your support today!!! Judy and Shirley really appreciate you... Elaine, our president took this picture...she was there too... Shirley Mendolera