Chicago Sews Newsletter: August 2024
Issue No. 14
Introduction
For many of us August is a month of getting back to school and back to routines. We were lucky to enjoy a beautiful day in the sun trying cyanotypes earlier this month before it was back to the grind. Hopefully your routine still includes plenty of time to enjoy sewing. Whatever you might be sewing right now or thinking about sewing next, we hope you'll join us in September for a chance to chat about and work on your projects with our wonderful Chicago Sews community. We can't wait to see you at our next virtual Sip & Sew and at our in-person Open Sew!
Who?
We're delighted to introduce you to Nicole, our featured sewist for the month of September!
How long have you been sewing?
4 years
How did you learn to sew?
I’m self-taught from online tutorials and following pattern instructions very closely. I’m not great with video learning so it’s been mostly reading.
What is your most recent sewing project?
I made a single sleeved harness with a Filipino terno sleeve, inspired by the Philippines Olympic team opening ceremony outfit.
What is one of your favorite sewing projects you've ever made?
My 2020 birthday dress is still a fave. I was still new to sewing, but determined to make myself a big dress. Something outlandish and Brighton fun. You can tell that I did not know what I was doing because I picked up a McCalls bridal gown pattern for satin and made the dress from a poly ITY. It all worked out to stunning effect anyway! 😂
Why do you like to sew?
I love that is a hard skill that can be both practical (mending and making basics) and outlandishly fun (frosting ALL DAY).
What is one of your favorite sewing-related things? (It could be a designer, pattern company, tool, type of fabric, store, or anything else!)
The Asian Sewist Collective podcast! Creating the podcast has given me so much insight into the community, and opened the doors to meeting an amazing amount of wonderful people. Even though we aren’t publishing as regularly, as when we first started, it’s still something that I’m incredibly proud of and love to be a part of.
Do you have a piece of advice for other sewists?
Get to know your measurements and take them frequently. And try to be neutral about them. Sizing numbers isn’t as important as making something that will fit you.
Where can we find you on the internet and/or social media?
@nicoleangelinesews on Ig
What?
Last month we were curious to know what season you most enjoyed sewing for. Half of our members voted for winter! Perhaps we simply have more time or motivation to sewing during Chicago winters because it's so cold outside? In second place was summer with 38% of the votes, so it looks like there are still plenty of us who want to sew shorts and sundresses.
This month we're curious about where and how you like to shop for fabric.
When and Where?
Check out what Chicago Sews has going on in September.
Our September virtual Sip & Sew will be on Friday, September 6th at 6pm. We're excited to hear what you're working on!
After you tell us about your sewing project, come join us to continue working on it at our in-person Open Sewing event on Saturday, September 14th from 1-4pm!
(If you have a sewing-related event that you would like featured in the Chicago Sews newsletter, please email chisews@gmail.com)
Why?
Here is a snippet of inspiration in honor of our theme this month.
How?
Here are some project ideas for getting back into your routine and keeping you organized.
A whole list of great back to school projects (I personally love the composition notebook cover!)
A free standing sewing tools organizer
Thank you!
We appreciate all the ways that our members choose to participate and engage with Chicago Sews. We can do “sew” much more together! RSVP to Chicago Sews events on Meetup, follow us on social media, and check out our website. You can purchase specially made Chicago Sews merchandise from our Redbubble store or help offset the cost of events by making a donation. Let's make sure that we are able to keep building this vibrant, inclusive, creative community!