The Sew Styling Neighborhood Group turns 15 in January 2026.

 The Sew Styling Neighborhood Group turns 15 in January 2026.

In 2011 Mary Adkins and Joyce Savage formed our chapter’s first Lansing area garment sewing group. We all had different levels of sewing skills.

It’s a pleasure to recognize Mary Adkins (helping 2011-2014) and Sandy Herman (helping 2015 to present) for your dedication, expertise, input, participation and guidance over the years!

That first year it was all the chapter had hoped it would be: making a knit top, blouse or shirt and some made a jacket. It began with knits, with everyone making the same type of knit top, various necklines, and we learned proper sleeve and neckline insertion. Folks were amazed at what difference it made in having the correct body measurements and what a surprising realization that pattern companies are not always on the same page as we are…we have to go by measurements, not with pattern company size reference. Sewing tips were so helpful and Mary Adkins was amazingly helpful with fitting issues.

Over the years sewing tips and techniques and serger construction have shown us not only how to make garments, but the importance of their construction. They learned various types of pockets, button holes, snaps, closures, zipper types, to the how-to of hemming and the use of fabric magic in making a jacket. We couldn’t forget the fabric types and their use in making jackets especially: knit, kimono fabric insertion, soft plaid weave, linen, double sided wool, cotton, batiks and tapestry.

We introduced a bi-monthly Serger segment which Carrie Kittle, past member, showed us everything from rolled hem to inserting a zipper.

Over the last 2 years the tips and techniques covered all types of closures, zippers, various seam finishes, sewing machine feet, bag strap making, neckline sewing, helpful knit sewing tips, burrito method for yokes & sleeves, and how to finish a serger seam with any serger. The videos and handouts have been helpful.

Community service projects were made for both the Bath Library and for our chapter’s projects which included quillows for children, beds for animals and duffle bags. Projects included: serger mat/trim catcher made with oil cloth using the optional serger decorative wave stitch, table runner using the optional decorative serger chain stitch, purses, bags and aprons.

ENJOY 2026 as we focus on serger/overlocker machines and what they have to offer us and what would be great to learn. Join us December 11, 2025 to decide what you’d like to learn.

We meet at the Bath Twp Public Library on the 2nd Thursday from 1:00-4:00pm, 14051 Webster Rd, Bath MI 48808. In 2026 we will meet every other month, beginning with January.

Joyce Savage

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