Did you know that the world’s largest tapestry, entitled “The Great Tapestry of Scotland,” measures a staggering 143 meters in length? That’s longer than one and a half football fields! It took over 1,000 volunteers and four years to complete.
This is according to the website: https://www.whatnationaldayisit.com/day/Embroidery/
Reviewed by ASG member Cindy Baker
I’ve been quilting long enough to remember when stained glass quilts burst on the scene in the 1980’s. They were impressive…lots of black bias binding, curves, & hand stitching…oh my. Well, if you liked ’em then, this book will knock your socks off! The author started making them back then & has progressively refined her technique to make them easier, quicker, & without the hand sewing. Think ribbon of different widths, braid, ultrasuede, even metallics…all kinds of “strippy” things with no-fray edges make the stained-glass technique easier & faster than before. And the patterns–no church windows here–the patterns are fresh & contemporary. The author uses cotton, but she also uses silk, velvet, flannel, & wool. She teaches 3 main techniques: couched fiber, appliqued ribbon & trim, & iron-on leading. A removable pattern sheet to trace is included. A chapter on basic quilt-making instructions is included. I found the chapter on design very useful. She recommends you think of stained glass as out-lined art & any design can be transformed. You can always begin with a coloring book or clip art, but she encourages you to look beyond…applique patterns, redwork, & embroidery transfers are also rich sources of design.
“The Gown”, by Jennifer Robson. Reviewed by ASG Member Linda Abel
Our web master, Jude Hernly, suggested since I read quite a bit and also sew that I might want to review books that have are of particular interest to us as sewist. For my first review I picked “The Gown”. It is an historical fiction that revolves around the making of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress. (FYI, the dress is still on display.)
My book club, mostly non sewers were impressed with the detail concerning how the embroidery was completed. The creation, even financing of the dress is scaffolding for the interplay of generations, and friendship well-crafted into the story. The main characters of the book did not exist in real life; however, the dress does. The story line pulls you in and makes you care about them all. Some more than others depending on your own history.
It provides a view of life in London after WW II. It touches on the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter as well as the women involved with the embroidery and fashion at the time. The author gives a view to her writing process at the end of the book, don’t miss that part, very interesting.
As I said before you don’t need to be terribly interested in sewing, or fashion to enjoy this novel. I will look for other books from this author given her attention to technical facts and her character development. Put this one on your list to enjoy.
LindaD
Spring / Summer 2025
What’s the trending color report in New York and London for Spring/Summer 2025?
Well, read more about it here.
Book, magazine, & pattern reviews by members for members.
Wise Craft Quilts, A Guide to Turning Beloved Fabrics into Meaningful Patchwork, Blair Stocker, 2017, as reviewed by ASG member Cindy Baker
I wondered what is a “craft” quilt. And then I wondered what’s a “wise” craft quilt. This book is so much more than its title! It is a thoughtful compilation of ideas about what to do with a collection of “special” fabrics. If you have a group of precious fabrics—think baby clothes, daddy or grandpa’s shirts, handkerchiefs, a wedding dress, feedsacks—you can turn them into a memory quilt using the author’s suggested quilt patterns. A vintage tablecloth that dressed your family’s dining room table on special occasions can be transformed into a wholecloth quilt. What to do with a furniture store book of fabric samples? Or a stack of denim jeans scraps? Turn them into a quilt! If you’re a lover of Sashiko like I am, you’ll want to see the Boro quilt project.
The author gives us courage to cut into our most precious fabrics by offering her strategies how to transform odd-shaped fabric pieces into cohesive quilt blocks. Twenty-one projects are beautifully photographed. Templates and basic quilt-making instructions are included.
The topic “Where can I get my machine serviced?” has been a conversation topic at many Neighborhood Group meetings. There are several, which are listed below.
Can you add to the list, or are there errors? If so, please contact website@indyasg.org
* Select Sewing Service, 2415 E. 65th Street, Indianapolis, 317-255-6332
* Indianapolis Sewing Machine Company, 6830 Industry Place, Suite A, Indianapolis, 317-322-0875, industrial machines expert
* Quilt Quarters, 9504 Haver Way, Indianapolis 317-757-8340 (near 96th & Keystone)
* Husqvarna Viking store inside JoAnn Fabrics Castleton, 8714 Castle Creek Pkwy East Drive, Indianapolis, 317-594-9900
* French Seam, 9335 Castlegate Drive, Indianapolis, 317-841-1810, near 96th Street & I-69
* Mike White, Coatesville, IN, H: 765.386.2707, C: 317.730.5926 – Certified Sewing Machine Repairman. Drop your machine off at Locker Room Sporting Goods in Danville, next to the Mayberry Restaurant. Mike’s wife, Suzanne, works there.
* Always In Stitches, 1808 Conner Street, Noblesville 46060, 317-776-4227
* Nancy Reagan, Lebanon, 317-840-3678, recommended by Jack Watts (former Carmel Hancock Fabrics repairman), works from home
* Josh Moore, Moore Sewing Machine Repair, Lebanon 46052, 765-336-1047
* Sew Crazy, 3623 E. 25th Street, Columbus 47203, 812-418-8200
* Pohlar Fabrics, 941 W. Coe Road, Liberty 47353, 765-458-5466 https://www.pohlarfabrics.com
* Mann’s Sewing Machine & Sweeper Repair, 2640 W Kilgore Ave, Muncie 47304, 765-282-1880. They offer $5 off tune up when you show your ASG membership card.
Sew & Vac Authority, Janome & Brother machines, South of County Line on 135, Greenwood: 317.882.6672. They do send the machines to their location in Louisville, KY. Services and/or repairs are not performed at the Greenwood location.
*The Tailored Fit, 611 W. 11th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404 #812-323-2665. We service any brand of mechanical sewing machines and sergers, we also service all Bernettes and Bernina machines including sergers, and longarms. We offer in-home service of Longarms within 120 miles, for a fee. Website is www.universityofsewing.com
Dear Tammy,
I’m struggling to find time to sew. I want to sew, but it seems the days are filled with so many things already. How do I get more sewing time?
Signed,
Frustrated in Fortville
Dear Frustrated,
I understand! I’ve got 3 suggestions for you that helped me find more sewing time.
Tammy
You may not realize it, but you have several options for sewing classes. Both children and adults, female and male, enjoy sewing. Whether the initial motivation is a costume, special project, or something more basic, it’s important to give them a good start. The sewing skills they learn will carry with them the rest of their lives.
Contemporary quilts differ from antique quilts in several easy-to-spot ways. You don’t need to be a quilt historian to see the differences. When judging the age of a quilt, look at:
Finally, keep in mind, a quilt could have blocks from one century & sashing from another century. Quilters make quilt tops and quilt blocks, then store them away for finishing later. Sadly, some quilters never got around to finishing them. When another generation finds those stored treasures, these quilts-to-be get another chance to become display-worthy and useful.