Chicago Sews Newsletter: December 2024
Issue No. 18
2024 in Review
2024 has been a banner year for Chicago Sews and we couldn't have done it without all of you! Here's a look back at some of the high points from this year.
February 2024: Sew Sharp!
While we were all busy with our sewing projects, our scissors and tools were professionally sharpened.
March 2024: Chicago Sews Quilts
In honor of National Quilting Month, we headed to Sew on Central to work on a community quilt project.
April 2024: Make, Mend & Refashion
For Earth Day, we focused on reducing waste. We had a re-fashioning demo from Anastasia, of Sew Anastasia, and we learned how to make fabric scrap confetti pouches together.
May 2024: Open Sew
Many of our members were sewing garments for the first ever Chicago Frocktails. Sharing the sewing journey with each other was a joy!
June 2024: Chicago Frocktails
While Chicago Sews was not the host of Chicago Frocktails, we certainly couldn't miss it! The night before Chicago Frocktails, we invited our members to come downtown to enjoy the music of Blues Fest, and then we met up at Frocktails to enjoy the fun. Frocktails weekend was one to remember for sure!
August 2024: Cyanotype Prints
Our August event was an all-ages, outdoor event where we tried our hand at using the power of the sun to create our own cyanotype printed fabric.
September 2024: Open Sew
Our members brought their own machines and projects for a classic open sew event in September.
October 2024: We Sew Bombers Open Sew
We did a Bomber Jacket Sew-Along collaboration with WeSew Austin and brought together fabulous sewists from different corners of the country.
November 2024: Bomber Jacket Sew-lebration
Chicago Sews celebrated the completion of the Bomber Jacket Sew-Along by heading to Navy Pier.
December 2024: Merry Swap-mas
Our annual holiday fabric swap was a festive way to close out the year together at the WasteShed in Evanston.
Coming Up in January
Sip & Sew: Friday, January 3rd, 6pm
Get your sewing supplies ready and join our monthly virtual meet-up to chat about all things sewing! RSVP on Meetup.
Open Sew, Saturday, January 11, 1pm
Get a jump-start on your 2025 sewing projects! Come out to the Manning Library Branch (6 S Hoyne, Chicago, IL 60612) with your sewing machine, fabric, and notions for our first “Open Sew” of the year. RSVP on Meetup.
(If you have a sewing-related event that you would like featured in the Chicago Sews newsletter, please email chisews@gmail.com)
Become a Chicago Sews Insider
There are just a few days left to become a Chicago Sews Insider for less than $10 per month! Just fill out this quick form and make your $100 annual contribution to the Chicago Sews operating budget via Venmo, Zelle, or Paypal
Venmo: Use the following username (or email address): chicagosews (chisews@gmail.com)
Paypal: www.paypal.me/chicagosews
Zelle: Use the following email address: chisews@gmail.com
[The name associated with the above accounts is either Elizabeth Van or Beth Van.].
After January 1st, 2025, you can still become an insider for $10 per remaining month of the calendar year ($120 if you join in January, $110 if you wait until February, $100 in March, $90 in April, etc.). The first perk our Insiders will receive is access to our weekly “Frockroom", a way to hang out virtually while you work on your sewing projects. As the year goes on we'll be adding additional bonuses as a way to say “thank you” for your generosity and your help building our sewing community. If you still have questions about becoming a Chicago Sews Insider, you can learn more in this newsletter issue or send an email to chisews@gmail.com. Alisha, Mia and I are looking forward to doing “sew” much more together with your help in 2025!
