Add Your Input to the Sewing Group and Gathering List

Home-sewing enthusiasts have a definite community - and I've found it's a very welcoming one. When I was working on a story about how sewing has changed over the last 25 years (it's in our brand-new issue, Threads no. 151) I compiled a short list of organizations and events for those who sew.

I realized it was just the tip of the needle, however, and wanted to open this topic to the Threads audience. With your input, I know we can expand this list to include regional groups and many more workshops and get-togethers.

Later this month, Associate Editor Nicole Smith and I will be attending The American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan. It's Sept. 24-26, not long now! I am looking forward to meeting readers, attending workshops, seeing sewing experts in person, and feeling all that creative energy I've heard happens at a great event. Maybe I'll see some of you there!

Organizations
American Sewing Guild
Association of Sewing and Design Professionals (formerly the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers) (PACCProfessionals.org; SewingProfessionals.org)
Sewing & Craft Alliance (GotSewing.org or Sewing.org)
National Sewing Council

Sew-Green.org, a not-for-profit sustainable sewing group in Ithaca, N.Y.

Events
American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan (AmericanSewingExpo.com)
American Sewing Guild Conference in Atlanta, Georgia (ASG.org)
Association of Sewing and Design Professionals Conference, Secaucus, New Jersey
Craft & Hobby Association Craft SuperShows, U.S. sites (CraftSuperShow.com)
International Quilt Festivals, U.S. sites (Quilts.com)
Maker Faires, international locations (MakerFaire.com)
Original Sewing & Quilt Expos, various states (SewingExpo.com)
Sewing & Stitchery Expo, Puyallup, Washington (SewExpo.com)

This list was kept short for space on the printed page, and only listed national events for our readers. One of the beauties of blogging is that you can write as much as the information merits.

Do you know of a sewing organization or event not listed here? Tell us and your fellow Threads readers about it! Comment on this post to add your knowledge to the list.

Sarah McFarland, contributor
Posted on Aug 26th, 2010 in sewing, ASG, Novi, National Sewing Council, Puyallup, sewing expo, sewing event, sewing group, ASCP

Comments (13)

jeanabel writes: The Rhode Island Sewing Network (RISN) is a non-profit organization for sewing enthusiasts
in Southern New England. Our membership consists of
professional and non-professional individuals looking to share ideas and discuss sewing related issues.
This year we celebrate 25th year!
For information regarding membership, meetings,and guest speakers, please visit
http://members.cox.net/risn/

Posted: 4:04 pm on September 13th

writerinfact writes: How mortifying! Since I started sewing as a very young child, I've always seen it as a very solitary pursuit. Of course, in the beginning I didn't get very far without running to Mom for advice, but that was my sewing "circle' - the whole thing! I didn't even know most of these organizations existed.

When I joined a medieval re-creation group, I did a LOT of research on the Internet for embroidery and blackwork patterns (up to about 1550), but paid absolutely no attention to the organizations that posted them.

Now that Mom is losing her touch (and her mind?), sewing is even more solitary for me, especially since I have only three sons and no daughters (the boys could care less - it's easier to ask Mom [in this case, ME] to sew on missing buttons and sew forth) to whom to pass along the skills and the interest.

Maybe it's time to check out the organizations!
Posted: 3:10 pm on September 5th

Katriina writes: You missed the CreativFestival in Toronto, Canada on Oct. 22, 23, 24. It's HUGE. You have a lot of readers in Canada and I'm sure this event should be mentioned.
Posted: 6:59 pm on September 2nd

hazelcraft writes: The Peninsula Wearable Arts Guild certainly deserves mention in your listing. It is a group of imonthlyncredibly talente women (and a couple of talented men)located in Northern california.
The group currently meets in a community center in Campbell, California on the second Saturday of every month xcept October. In October we all go to the Pacific Internationalquilt Show in Santa Clara, CA.
There are distinguished speakers every month, contests, show and tell and a fashion show every other year.
Women gather from all over the 'san
francisco Bay area just to see what everyone is wearing this month. It is an inspiration!
Hazel Horti
Posted: 1:28 am on September 1st

Carolebarrel writes: The EGA, Embroiderers Guild of America and ANG, American Needlepoint and Quilting Guilds offer wonderful correspondence courses and annual conferences throughout the USA which allow enthusiasts to share as well as visit with other members and sponsors and chapters on their own turf where classes and tours of museums, sources and their cities are fabulous. Their publications are also a bargain for the price of membership. Google them for more info.
Posted: 11:37 pm on August 31st

Neosha writes: I really enjoy our Bernina Club. Because I work during the day I go to the evening session and always take away some new technique or idea. I enjoy attending sewing or quilting expos. Though I sew mainly clothing, I am doing more of other things so these help expand my interests and skills. Print wise, I love Threads and read it from cover to cover including the ads!
Posted: 11:12 pm on August 31st

BarbaraHewitt writes: I love this issue of Threads--so much info--I can't wait to read everything. Thank you
Posted: 7:47 pm on August 31st

ipodgrannie writes: I go to the sewing expo in Minneapolis, MN in November, its exciting with lots of ideas and stimulation
Posted: 6:40 pm on August 31st

Bridgit writes: I agree with Karakins, I use PatternReview.com as a resource frequently and enjoy it greatly. I like Puyallup, although I wish the attendees were less pushy. Everytime I go, I come home with bruises because people do not want to allow someone to look at an item if they haven't already. I understand everything is exciting and it is wonderful to get to meet with all of the experts, authors and stars, but pushing people out of the way to get to them is ridiculous. Does this occur at all shows?
Posted: 6:20 pm on August 31st

Karakins writes: Although it's neither an organization nor an event, PatterReview.com is a great sewing community, which features members' reviews of patterns, machines, websites, etc.; contests; interactive online classes; several in-person events every year; and a newly-published book of PR tipes and techniques that's definitely a community project, from its content to choosing where the royalties will go (the fight against breast cancer).
Posted: 1:37 pm on August 29th

pittgirl writes: I'd like to add the Smocking Arts Guild of America. www.smocking.org

I've learned more embroidery, finehand & machine sewing and construction from SAGA than any other group or teacher.

Posted: 11:07 pm on August 28th

kaitui_kiwi writes: I think the BurdaStyle Sewing Clubs are worth a mention, I co-run the Perth, Western Australia club with Sandra but here is the link to a full list of both US and International clubs: http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/join-a-local-burdastyle-sewing-club :)
There is a google map to help you find your nearest club and you can contact the club leaders from that list or join the BSC network on Ning.com here http://burdastyleclubs.ning.com/ and find your nearest club to join.
Posted: 12:16 am on August 27th

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