Wearable Art Group (WAG)

Carolyn Quinn, Leader (941)475-4248 quinnc44@yahoo.com

Dolly Haerr, Co-Leader (941)488-1350

 

 

NEW MEETING PLACE

NEW DAY 4th Monday, 1 - 3pm

 

Elsie Quirk Library

100 W. Dearborn, 2nd level, Englewood

 

May/June 2012

The Wearable Arts Group hasn't met in Englewood since I was wrapped in silver Duck tape in February, creating my very personal dress form. It worked out great. I was a bit apprehensive, but program leaders Barbara Mallek and Irene Ferguson were gentle and thorough, making a very useful form. Several members of the group want to make their own. We will have a special meeting/workshop devoted to that in the future. In April we toured the Venice Theatre, including the Costume area with Sew Much Fun, so we have two months between meetings in Englewood. Our next meeting is May 21, due to the library being closed on Memorial day, our regular meeting day. Henrietta Driggers will teach us how to do Spider Embroidery. You may remember the white embroidery decorating her blue dress in the fashion show for the regional meeting last year. You will be able to do it after the May 21 meeting. Henrietta will bring materials for us. Bring hand sewing equipment.

 

 

 

March/April 2012

We had a great time at the joint Holiday Party at Boca Royale Country Club. It is so much fun to spend the time together and talk with the other gals. We will be meeting with Sew Much Fun at the end of March, at the Jacaranda Library.

 

January/February 2012

At our November meeting, Carolyn Quinn demonstrated using spray fabric paint to create uniquely personal fabrics, accessories and garments. Then everyone had an opportunity to try it for themselves. We had several beautiful creations—and the library looked as pristine when we finished as when we began. We celebrated Christmas a bit early with our Holiday luncheon at Boca Royale on December 3. In addition to good food and fellowship, we had a giant Show 'n Tell, because Sew Much Fun and Sew What's New neighborhood groups joined us. Come and learn how to make a duck tape dress form on February 27. Barbara Mallek and Irene Ferguson will present the program.

 

 

November/December 2011

 

 

We hosted an Open House at Elsie Quirk Library on Monday, September 26, for National Sewing Month. We displayed a variety of garments and accessories made by Beth Black, Irene Ferguson, Becky Heim, Barb Mallek, Jan Noda, Pam Note and Carolyn Quinn. Beth also prepared a demonstration of easy zipper installation for a make-up bag or notions bag to take to class. In October, we began joint meetings with Sew Much Fun at the Jacaranda Library in Englewood. On November 28, both groups will meet together at Elsie Quirk Library in Englewood. That program is spray painting white or light-colored cotton to design a unique fabric. In December, we will be in the holiday spirit with a joint luncheon at Boca Royale Golf and Country Club on the 2nd. We will not have a meeting on the 4th Monday in December.

 

 

 

September/October 2011

The Wearable Arts gals had a presentation meeting in May. Everyone brought or wore a recent creative project, and then told the story of her inspiration for making the garment or items. Creative projects were based on magazine articles, pictures, shopping trips, and pure imagination, as well as pattern suggestions. The projects included dresses, shirts, painting on fabric, embellishments—so much embellishment!! - a patriotic tablecloth, placemats and napkins. Each presentation brought animated discussion. We were educated and thoroughly entertained.

 

July/August 2011

 

Kathleen Heinicke came to our April meeting and showed us how to make the “ribbon Scarf” she created. Several of us have completed scarves since. Each is unique and beautiful. Thanks Kathleen.

In May, Jan Noda led a workshop in “Puff Painting”. She showed us some things she had decorated with Puff Painting and suggested several uses of the medium. Then everyone experimented painting their own designs or using stencils on practice fabrics. Pam Note was the brave one to try it on a shirt. You may have seen the striking white flower she stenciled on the purple shirt she wore at the Spring Fling. Thanks Jan. This is a fast project to decorate anything.

We will be vacationing this summer, as I will be away much of July & August. We’ll kick off the Fall with an Open House at the Elsie Quirk Library, and then in October, we begin meeting alternate months with Sew Much Fun in Venice.

 

 

 

May/June 2011

 

In February, Kay Coffin, assisted by Annette Alberter, presented our program on “Neckline Variations”. Kay showed a variety of techniques she has used. Beading and embroidery highlighted many tops. Fabric additions and advanced sewing procedures made other necklines unique. Thanks, Kay, for a great program. Also in February, four of our members participated in the Sunshine Stroll at the Region 3 meeting. In March, we met with Sew Much Fun for Kathleen Heinicke’s “Leftovers to Gourmet” placemat workshop. On March 19, several Englewood and Venice members and friends cut and sewed a big herd of turtles for the Hole in the Wall Gang camp. In May, we will do “Puff Painting” with our new member Jan Noda.

 

 

March/April 2011

 

Our December meeting, now long past, was a great Holiday Party at the Boca Royale Country Club with Sew Much Fun and Sew What’s New NGs. We enjoyed a huge Show and Tell with a large group. In January we made “Twisty Wraps”. This design, by Emma Seabrooke, was brought back by Carolyn Quinn from a class at the 2010 ASG Annual Convention. It is amazing how different types of knits or fabrics can change the appearance of this wrap. Some of us modeled the Wraps at the Sunshine Stroll Fashion Show at the Region 3 Meeting. As always, there were many Show and Tell items. Remember to bring a recent creation to talk about at any of our meetings. In March and April W.A.G. and Sew Much Fun will meet jointly—March 7 at the Jacaranda Library in Venice, and April 25 at the Elsie Quirk Library. Both meetings are “hands-on”, so bring your machine and sewing supplies to both meetings. Also bring the special fabric requirements as noted. Kathleen Heinicke will give us the supply list for the Ribbon Scarf for March.

 

 

January/February 2011

 

At our October meeting, we learned how to make holiday or special occasion gift bags. These are similar to our Regional Meeting Welcome Bags, so we modified the pattern slightly and have a growing collection from our members to provide for the February Regional Meeting.

In November we viewed two examples of the 2011 National Service Project (the Painted Turtle Pillow), and discussed how to make it. Construction directions were handed out and everyone traced the pattern to take home. We also selected fabric to make one or two of the pillows for the “Hole-in-the-Wall Gang” Camp If you watched the ASG Embroidery Webinar on November 30, you saw a few examples of completed turtle pillows. Let’s take a picture of ours at a future meeting and send it in for a webinar in the Spring.

Carolyn Quinn

 

 

November/December 2010

 

Although we had no meetings this summer, a few of us attended the ASG Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. I am very pleased that the fabric painted jean jacket I was working on at the chapter retreat was in the ASG Conference Fashion Show on August 6th. 

At the September 27 meeting, the Wearable Arts Group members brought garments we own but can’t (or no longer want to) wear, with the objective of modernizing or totally making them over.  These ranged from vintage prints to beautiful knits and a blue velvet wedding party ensemble. Attendees offered ideas on updating each garment. We have a general challenge to integrate these suggestions with our own ideas to create a new garment. We’re looking forward to seeing these at future meetings. Also, at the September 27 meeting, during show-and-tell, participants liked the twisty shrug/shawl made at the ASG annual convention in August. This stretchy shoulder warmer is great for heavily air conditioned restaurants and offices. It’s a quick and easy project that we may make at a future meeting.

Oct. Supplies: 1 ½ yard Holiday fabric with medium or heavy ironon interfacing already ironed on, sewing machine, sewing supplies, and ribbon, etc. for trim.

Carolyn Quinn

 

September/October 2010

 

The Wearable Arts Group learned some great embellishment techniques at recent meetings. Annette Alberter presented a program on beading at our May meeting. She showed us examples of beading on garments and beaded jewelry she had made. Several other members brought in their own beaded jewelry. We enjoyed seeing the many amazing and beautiful items. Then, Annette helped us all try beading on fabric.

In June, Dolly Haerr showed us how to do ribbon embroidery. She also displayed many beautiful hand embroidered garments. Then she taught us some beginner designs that we tried. A big Thank You to both of these talented ladies: Annette and Dolly!

Also, I am very pleased that the fabric painted jean jacket I was working on at the chapter retreat was in the ASG Conference Fashion Show on August 6th.

 

 

July/August 2010

On April 12th 12th, Annette Alberter, Karin Bachmann, Kay Coffin and I set up a table at the Elsie Quirk Library, where we meet, for their showcase of non-profit groups that use their meeting room. We had posters in front of our table announcing who we are. We displayed items we made and had two sewing machines working and a beading demonstration to show visitors some things we do.  We also displayed lots of ASG information and sewing projects and handed out brochures to interested ladies who stopped to talk with us.

At our April 26 meeting, Kathy Schley from Charlotte Sewing Center presented helpful ideas on using sergers.  At our May meeting, Annette Alberter showed us many examples of beading on garments. Then she helped all of us try our hand at beading on fabric. Thanks for the great presentations!

Carolyn Quinn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wearable Arts Group Table at Elsie Quirk Library’s Demonstration Day

In back: Annette and Carolyn In front: Kay and Karin

 

 

 

 

May/June 2010

 

At our February meeting, the Wearable Arts Group discussed new ideas and information from EXPO. The members who went to EXPO gave everyone else some good ideas and suggestions from what they learned there.

In March, sewing machines were whirring and paper piecing projects were whirling as we created (and Completed) a block which may be used to embellish a vest, a jacket or maybe a napkin. It’s a great sample for future reference. Thank you, Karen!  On April 12th, a few of us will (wo)man a table for the Elsie Quirk Library’s Demonstration Day. All nonprofit organizations who meet at the library are invited to have a table showing what the group does. We will try to interest some new people to join ASG at this presentation.

Carolyn Quinn

 

March/April 2010

In January the Wearable Arts Group met to re-establish our neighborhood group. We brainstormed for program topics. The atmosphere was quite positive, and attendees suggested many good program ideas.

We plan to alternate hands-on programs and informative programs including demonstrations and trunk shows. Each meeting will include “show and tell” when we can admire the work of others and share some of our own. Bring or wear your latest creation to the next WAG meeting.  You can see that WAG is ready to start again. If you have participated in the past, please come back. If you never came before, come and look us over. See what’s here for you…...

Carolyn Quinn

 

January/February 2010

 

Hi ! We’re back! Dolly Haerr and Carolyn Quinn agreed to restart the Wearable Arts Group as co-chairs. We will continue to meet on the fourth Monday, from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 West Dearborn Street in Englewood.

We used to have a good time creating, showing and talking about our wearable arts and other types of sewing. Let’s continue! I hope to see everyone in January!

Carolyn Quinn