Monday, October 21, 2024

November Meeting: Sewing With Boning

 



We are excited to welcome local sewing star Linda Sparks of Farthingales Corset Making Supplies to our November meeting! Linda is an expert in the area of historical and corset sewing, with a business that has been supplying sewists since 1998.

What Linda doesn't know about boning isn't worth knowing! She'll be sharing lots of information with us on all aspects of boning - from which type is the best for your project, how to use various types, tools and techniques you might need and more - and this is not just about corsets. Boning can be helpful in many sewing situations, and Linda will share how boning can be incorporated in your contemporary sewing projects to make them the best they can be. 

Join us on Tuesday Nov. 12, 2024 at 7 pm for her presentation and our regular Sew & Tell time. We meet at the River Gardens Retirement Residence, Celebration Room at 10 Romeo St. N. (please remember to sign in and out at the entrance). 

Everyone is welcome - if you aren't yet a member, drop-ins are $5 at the door. 





Wednesday, October 2, 2024

October Meeting!


Our next meeting is next week!! Join us for an introduction to Projector Sewing, by our very own Laura Van Niejenhuis Have you ever been curious about how in the world projector sewing works? Come on out and find out more!

Topics covered will include:
  • Selecting a projector for your space, high ceiling not required!
  • Basic setup
  • Calibration - 2 methods with patternprojector.com or pdf viewer of your choice
  • Quick demo of pattern editing, making alterations and digitizing patterns

Don't forget your toonie for the 50-50 and your Sew & Tell items!

Tuesday, Oct 8, 7 pm
River Garden Retirement Residence, Celebration Room
10 Romeo St N.
ALL WELCOME, VISITORS $5 AT THE DOOR.

Thursday, August 22, 2024

September & our new season begins!


September is coming! And that means our new season for the Garment Guild is about to begin. We are starting off our new season with Cheryl Simpson, a local artist and founding member of the Feline Friends Network.

Cheryl will give us a trunk show of her painted wardrobe: from jeans to tees to sweatshirts and more, she decorates her outfits with beautiful paintings, many of them cats! She will also be sharing her tips and techniques for using paints on fabric when you're embellishing things that will be washed. There will be a demo table so that we can all try our hand at the techniques she'll be sharing as well. Looking forward to seeing you all back at the Garment Guild!


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Tuesday Sept 10, 7-9 pm

River Gardens Retirement Community, Celebration Room

(10 Romeo St N)

Parking at the corner of Romeo & Delamere.


If you haven't renewed your membership yet, you can do so online or in person

Thursday, August 8, 2024

New Season Coming Up!


And it's time to think about your membership for the next season!

Membership fees are $40/year, or a $5 drop-in fee for individual meetings. We will be continuing to meet at River Gardens Retirement Community, in the Celebration Room, every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7-9. Membership forms can be downloaded here on the website 

There are two options for membership applications:

1. Online -- Download the form, fill it out & save it, then send it to membershipsgg@gmail.com. Send an email to the same address with an e-transfer for the $40 membership fee. Please note your name in the messages field so we can be sure we get you matched up with your membership fees!

2. In Person -- Download the form, fill it out and print it, and bring it along with your application fee of $40 to your first meeting.


What do membership fees pay for?

Your membership fee allows us to pay for our meeting space, invite special guest speakers, and put on special events throughout the year. Funds collected through membership fees may also be used towards things that help us make meetings better for you; such as website costs, supplies or snacks.

We have lots of fun ideas lined up, and also look forward to all our members' input on speakers and activities.

Thursday, June 6, 2024

June Meeting: Pattern Grading with Talia Bogdan

 



We have a special guest this month! Join us on Tuesday June 11, 7 pm, for a deep dive on pattern grading as Talia Bogdan from KW walks us through industry techniques and how to grade your own pattern pieces!

Talia is a multidisciplinary artist who has been sharing her creative journey with the world for over 20 years. Her love of sewing began when she was gifted a sewing machine for her 16th birthday and she’s been sewing up a storm ever since. Known for her creative problem solving and attention to detail, Talia is an International Costumer’s Guild recognized Master and holds several awards for her sewing, patterning, design, and prop making skills. She actively participates in the wider Costumer and Maker communities and loves sharing her knowledge and projects on her YouTube channel. She is a full time artist and is the sole creator behind Sweet Kiwi & Co, her small business that specialises in cute handmade home decor items. You can also find her on IG as @miss_atheeni


Friday, April 19, 2024

May Meeting: Bagmaking with Blue Calla Patterns

 



May's meeting is all about the bags, no trouble! 

Celine from Blue Calla Patterns in Toronto will be coming to speak about all the ins and outs of bagmaking. She'll suggest best fabric choices, explain techniques, share her experiences as a business owner, and bring along a bunch of bag kits and patterns for a vendor table as well. If you've ever wanted to try a bag, this is a great opportunity! 

Check out her website in advance: if you place an order before the meeting, you can ask her to bring it along to the meeting to save shipping. 

That's Tuesday May 14, 7 pm at the River Gardens Community Room. All welcome, visitors $5 at the door. I encourage everyone to bring a guest, as this will be both an informative evening and a great shopping opportunity.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

April 2024 Meeting: Maria Theoharous, or Velosews, live from Australia!

 



We've had to reschedule our original speaker for April due to unforeseen circumstances. However, we are thrilled to announce that on April 9 we will be hosting Maria Theoharous live on Zoom all the way from Sydney, Australia!
Maria is the host of the podcast Sew Organised Style, a SewOver50 editor on IG and a brand ambassador for Minerva Fabrics, among many other things. We'll be having a conversation with her about all these things and more, via Zoom and the big screen, at an in-person meeting at River Gardens. Her visit will be followed by our regular Sew & Tell etc.
You might also know Maria from PatternReview, IG or her blog, where she goes by Velosews. Collect any questions you'd like to ask and join us:

Tuesday April 9, 7 pm.
River Gardens Residence, Community Room
10 Romeo St N, Stratford

All welcome -- drop ins $5 at the door

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

March meeting: Craft Swap!

March 12 is our next in-person meeting, and it is our Annual Fabric Swap, by popular demand!

Please bring any clean fabric, patterns or notions in good repair to swap with others. If you can indicate the type of fabric and size on your pieces, that would be helpful too! Visitors are welcome ($5 at the door as always) but they should be visitors who are also bringing swap items.


We will set out all the items, have our short meeting and then everyone will have access to the swap at the same time -- please no grazing beforehand! Start thinking about what you need to clear out from your craft stash, to make room for some new-to-you items. And as always, whatever isn't claimed goes home with the one who brought em!

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

February Meeting: Discovery Fabrics - ONLINE ONLY



Our February meeting is an ONLINE ONLY meeting -- it will be held on Tuesday Feb 13, at 7 pm. We will be so lucky to have Discovery Fabrics joining us all the way from BC to share their vast knowledge of technical and performance fabrics. Have you ever wondered what in the world to use for outdoor or activewear? Questions about how exactly to sew technical fabrics? Well, join us on the 13th for illumination!

Paid up members will receive the Zoom link prior to the meeting. Guests are welcome, at the $5 drop in rate, which can be e-transferred to membershipsgg[at]gmail.com with an additional note with your name so that a link can be sent.

Looking forward to learning something new in February 🙂

And don't forget about our January challenge to make something upcycled or with vintage materials - you can share during our Sew & Tell portion!

Saturday, January 6, 2024

January Meeting: Upcycling Fashion!

 


Our next meeting is Tuesday Jan 9, 7 pm, at the River Gardens Retirement Residence Community Room. As always, all welcome, non-members $5/door. Masks are appreciated. 

Our speaker this month is Joseph Hisey, who will be sharing his experiences with upcycled fashion (and the flaws of fast fashion). Joseph was one of the winners of the Upcycling Challenge put on by the Fashion Museum in Cambridge a while back, and will share his award winning piece with us. Be ready for lots of creative ideas and an engaging presenter!