Lansing Clippers Sew

The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo November 11 to 13, 2021 Novi Michigan                                   The sewing expo was on again this year and I was excited.  Having missed it and a sewing adventure in Canada in 2020 because of Covid, I greatly anticipated a chance to be immersed in sewing.  The Expo was like a retreat with the opportunity to try new techniques and hopefully reenergize my sewing.  The classes and teachers did not disappoint me but the shopping was considerably less than in previous years.  The major sewing and quilting machine companies were represented but there was very little fabric, notions, and other tools.  The classes gave me a chance to use Juki (serger), Viking, Janome, and Bernina sewing machines.  I discovered that while I am a committed Babylock user, I still like the Viking and the Janome was very similar to my Babylock.  I took f...

  Quick Gifts to Sew      "Quick Gifts to Sew" was the topic for discussion at the Lansing Clippers November meeting.   The meeting was once again held via Zoom; however, plans are being made to hold in-person meetings next year.   All of us are looking forward to that!   Some of our members showed gifts they were making for Christmas.   They included finger puppets, small bags with zippers and a see-through vinyl side, potato bag, pattern weights, tree decoration made from strips of fleece, and balls made from fleece for indoor play.   There was a wide variety of ideas for gifts that you still have time to make before Christmas. If you missed the meeting, don’t despair.   Maybe you can get an idea from the above list.   If you don’t have a pattern for those items, try looking for a free pattern on the internet.   There are lots of freebies out there.   Start by searching for “free pattern for finger puppets” or what...

  Where Did My Desire to Sew Go? In the past 18 months, I have suffered several sewing slumps.   This is rare for me.   Usually, I have more ideas for projects than I have time to sew, but the desire to sew is always there.    I believe this desire is fading due to the isolation caused by the Covid-19 virus.   I expected the isolation from family, friends, church, shopping, and other business.   I did not expect the isolation to cause my desire to sew to evaporate.   In fact, I think I considered it a chance to have a lot more sewing time.   I do have the time, but I don’t feel like sewing.   Where did my desire go? Prior to the pandemic, I was a part of several sewing groups.   I believe this is referred to as social sewing.   I met with friends to sew every Wednesday, one Friday of each month, and one Saturday of each month.   In addition to those meetings, I also attended the Lansing Chapter of the American Sewing G...

  2021 Lansing Clippers Retreat – Shipshewana Summer is over, fall is moving in, and the annual retreat at Shipshewana seems a distant past but it was only a month ago.  After 18 months of lock-down, no meetings, not seeing friends, the chance to gather, sew, and talk was invigorating and good therapy.  Like much of the summer of 2021, the weather was hot and hot!  But the room was cool (sometimes a little too cool).  The sewing machines were whirling, scissors were snipping, and shopping happened! At the center of our group of 14, was Roselyn who with Zen like poise created wonderful pieced blocks from tiny pieces of scrap fabric.  Across the way, Bev was piecing the most precise birds with tiny beaks (both left and right facing).  Judy was creating tops from one pattern with knits with varying attributes.  I think there is a Chicken Little Blog in this experience with how fabric effects fit.  Jo finished a great “church lady” apron and star...

  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of a Fabric Stash I have lived with a fabric stash for many years now.   Most of my sewing friends also have fabric stashes, some larger than others.   I have known a few people who do not have one.   They buy just enough fabric for one project and do not buy anymore until they finish that project and begin a new one.   My mind does not operate in that slow, methodical way.   When I am purchasing fabric for one project, my mind jumps ahead and reminds me that another piece of fabric that is just within reach would look really nice for another project I could do later.    It also reminds me that the fabric probably won’t be available if I return in a few weeks after I finish the current project.   If I really like the fabric, I should purchase it now.   Besides, it is on sale now!   So it goes.   The stash gets larger and larger.   There are some really good reasons to have a stash. ...

  Welcome to the new blogsite for the Lansing Clippers Chapter of the American Sewing Guild.   We are a group of about 75 individuals who meet often in the Lansing, Michigan area to share our love of all things sewing related.   Our members are dedicated to exploring new skills and techniques in the creative field of fiber arts.   We are clothing fabricators, crafters, quilters, fabric dyers, wardrobe designers, home decorators, knitters, crocheters, pattern makers, machine embroiderers and any other sewing activity you can think of.   As a 503 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, we assist other local agencies in meeting the needs of others in our community.   Many of our members were instrumental in creating the thousands of cloth masks that were needed in our community in the early stages of the COVID pandemic.   Our current community service project is creating articles for the Infants and Children’s Closet at a local church. Through this blog we in...