March 30—April 2

   

 

We hope to see you at our Boston Stitch Party at the Doubletree Hotel 

in Bedford Glen, MA. Our retreat opens with the Market on Thursday, 

March 30, and continues with a dessert reception. We will have a 

stitching contest and great classes, held all day Friday and Saturday 

and Sunday morning. Tricia Nguyen of Thistle Threads will speak about 

17th century embroiderers at lunch on Friday. What a fabulous 

opportunity to gather with your SAGA friends! We are looking forward 

to seeing you there!  Kate Westlake, President  

and the 2016‐2017 Board of Directors  

 Retreat Registration  

Retreat Registration includes 15 hours of classes, 

dessert reception Thursday, Lunch Friday and Saturday, 

and Banquet Saturday evening. Total Cost: $450.   Kit 

fees are not included. 

 

Registration opens Thursday, December 1, at 

10 AM Central Time.  Register online at 

www.smocking.org or 855‐350‐SAGA. 

  Registration is final when payment is received.  No change is schedule is allowed.  A $75. Cancellation fee will be assessed on all cancellations.  Cancellations must be in writing (via email) by February 15, 2017, in order to receive a refund of the registration amount less the cancellation fee.  No refunds on cancellations after February 15.  Email cancellation to convention@smocking.org.

Schedule Start

End

Thursday, March 30

Market 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.

Dessert Reception 8:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

Friday, March 31

Morning Class 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

Lunch (included) with speaker 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon Class 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.

Saturday , April 1 (nine hour class begins)

Morning Class 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

Lunch (included) 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon Class 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.

Banquet 6:30 p.m.

Sunday , April 2 (nine hour class concludes)

Morning Class 8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

HOTEL INFORMATION :

Doubletree by Hilton Boston – Bedford Glen

44 Middlesex Turnpike

Bedford, Massachusetts 01730

Phone: 781-276-7508

Be sure to mention SAGA when booking

$136 double occupancy, includes full breakfast

Class Number: 101 Technique: Hand Skill Level: Able to use a pleater, and can smock Cable Stitch and multi-step Waves Kit Fee: $40 Pre-Class Prep: If bringing own floral fabric: Choose 6 or more fabrics and cut a total of 18, 4” ( 10cm) squares. With 4 of the chosen fabrics cut one additional piece each 4” x 12” (10cm x 30cm). Using a ¼”(7mm) seam and a medium length stitch, join the 4 longer strips of fabric together in pairs, joining them along one LONG edge only. Bring one skein of Stranded Embroidery Thread that goes with all fabrics, and 2 other skeins.

Kit Includes: German interfacing, “Shikaku Bag” pattern by Patchwork Mariko Japan, Comprehensive notes, #8 crewel and #7 darner, 3 cards of Cascade Silk Thread (choose in class). Liberty Fabric: 18 4”( 10cm) squares with 4 larger pieces (each 4”x12”, 10cm x 30cm) seamed and ready to pleat; Liberty fabric for lining. Fabric packs available in pink mix or blue mix, please email judith@statusthimble.com 8 weeks prior to class to request your colour choice. Kits without Liberty Fabrics and silk threads $14 Leatherlook shoulder straps in black and blue/grey availa-ble in class ($10 for 40”,1m). Student Supplies: 24 Row pleater and 20 needles; dowel; one spool of bright orange or purple thread, and white thread for pleating (choose a colour that is visible when used with your florals) scissors; pins; padded board (if small and easy to bring). Required to complete bag but NOT needed in class: fusible fleece 18” x 28”(45cmx70cm) and 2 strips each 1”x 27”(2.5cmx70cm) if making fabric handles; fabric for handles, 2 strips each 3”x27” (7.5cm x 70cm); lin-ing fabric 18” x 28”(45cmx70cm) unless getting Liberty kit.

Smocked Liberty Bag Add together wonderful Liberty fabrics, a dash of smocking, and mix them up in a patchwork of 4”(10cm) squares, for an easy to smock and construct shoulder bag ready to hold your keys and purse, or your sewing. Learn to “pleat without seams”, a very useful technique to know, before smocking the centre four squares on the front of the bag to create a smocked patchwork diamond. Stitch using Stair-Step Waves in one or two colours, maybe some Four Step Wave Diamonds, or try Triple Surface Honeycomb on the back for a subtle and totally textural look. Perhaps a combination of right side and back smocking is your preference. Whatever you decide, all of the smocking stitches and techniques will be taught in class. We will lay out the fabric squares and pin the seams for the correct stitching order, because the final construction at home should be just as easy and enjoyable as the smocking! For the keen patchworker with an abundance of floral fabrics the kit can be offered without fabric and silk thread so you can bring your own fabric squares and embroidery thread. Finished bag 10”x 10”x 6½”

Judith

Adams

Class Number: 102 Technique: Hand Skill Level: Competent stitching multistep waves and have used a pleater before Kit Fee: $60

Kit Includes: Pattern “Penelope” OAD-88, white Swiss pique, Liberty fabric, 2 buttons, Cascade stranded silk, trac-ing tissue paper, smocking needles, german interfacing, comprehensive notes. Choice of two Liberty fabrics, please email judith@statusthimble.com to indicate selection. If you already own the pattern, please email and kit price will be reduced $10. Student Supplies: Pleater and 10 needles, dowel, spool of pleating thread (orange works well), pins, fabric scissors, fading pen.

A Penny for your Thoughts Let’s think hard as “Penelope” needs a little help to look her best and that means smocking and Liberty fabric highlights! We will alter the “Penelope” pattern to include smocking at the waist between the front pockets, and also smock-ing the neckline ruffle. Team crisp white Swiss pique for the smocked dress with Liberty fabric for the neck ruffle, sashes and exposed pocket lining. What a winning combination! You will learn to pleat the curved waistline, pleating only the section you want to smock and thus avoiding any unsightly needleholes. The Liberty fabric neckline ruffle will use the “seamless pleating” technique. The smocking design is an easy combination of waves, smocked in a single colour to complement the floral Liberty fabric. Sufficient fabric is in the kit for sizes 2 to 7. The Liberty fabric will be partly precut and neck ruffle narrow hemmed. Sizes 2 to 6 have a wide sash and size7 has a narrow tie.

Judith

Adams

Class Number: 103 Technique: Hand Skill Level: Knowledge of basic embroidery stitches is helpful. Kit Fee: $55

Kit Includes: Light blue linen and matching sewing thread, white satin batiste for lining, blue & white silk embroidery threads, interfacing, silk satin ribbon, tapestry & sharps needles, illustrated handout. Student Supplies: Cardboard mailing tube 2" diameter x 18" long, with end caps; 8”–9” embroidery hoop.

Victorian Linen Press Generations ago needlework rolls were used for storing small linens, doilies and hankies while keeping them clean and wrinkle free. For today’s stitchers it is also useful for storing embroidery, cross-stitch, applique and oth-er needlework items in progress. The embroidery design decorating this Linen Press is done with scalloped blan-ket stitch and whipped Hungarian braided chain stitch with a lattice filling. Handkerchief linen is used for the out-side, the lining is satin batiste and French binding finishes the edges. Silk satin ribbon ties close the roll, and a pin cushion is added to the end cap, which may be removed to reveal storage space inside the tube. Machine con-struction will be demonstrated in class and completed at home.

Kathy

Awender

Class Number: 104 Technique: Hand Skill Level: Students must be proficient in basic smock-ing stitches, especially cable stitch. Kit Fee: $12 Pre-Class Prep: Pleat 14 rows on your fabric, and tie off pleats to the size required by your pattern.

Kit Includes: Needles, floss, practice graphs, tips, smocking design graph with instructions, troubleshooting topics and color photo. Student Supplies: Pleated doodle-cloth for practicing stack-ing (white or ivory broadcloth at least 4” by the width of fabric, pleated with 8-10 rows), pleated solid color broad-cloth for the project, embroidery floss in your choice of col-ors for flower, flower center and leaves, scissors and straight pins. You may also bring picture smocking design plates for discussion.

Picture Smocking Step by Step Learn the tricks for stacking cables to create many kinds of picture smocking designs. You will practice basic shapes on a doodle cloth, then move on to a provided picture smocking design on a garment of your choice. Top-ics covered include what to look for in a picture smocking design, increasing and decreasing stitches, how to achieve full stitches for better coverage, maintaining smooth edges, changing colors, keeping rows level and adapting a smocking plate for larger or smaller garments. You will need to bring a pleated doodle cloth and a pleated inset or garment front, along with the pattern you will use to make the garment.

Kathy

Awender

Class Number: 105 Technique: Hand Skill Level: Although not difficult, all stitching in this class is by hand, therefore, some experience with a hand needle is needed for an enjoyable experience. Kit Fee: $22

Kit Includes: White Fabric, Lace, Embroidery Floss, needles, Pearl Buttons, Infant Slip Pattern and Handout. Student Supplies: Finger Shield, Light and Magnification, DMC #50 spool thread in white. Madeira #80 spool thread in white. Embroidery, Trimming and Cutting Out Scissors, 18" See Thru Ruler, Seam Gauge, Fabric Marking Pen or Pencil, Pencil for taking notes. Fine Straight Pins, Basic Sewing Supplies. Call Jeannie if you need supplies.

Hand Embellished Baby Gertrude In this class you will learn a bushel full of techniques that can be added to your growing stitching knowledge. While working on a sweet Gertrude style Baby Slip you will stitch Lace to Fabric using the hand Pinstitch and sew Whip Tucks (also known as Overhand Tucks) between the lace insertions. You will learn how to stitch a tiny Self Facing and a tiny decorative Shell Hem. You will see how to evenly gather and stitch Lace Edging to the front neck of the slip and learn several methods to finish the hem. Jeannie will include a handout to take home that has additional ideas about lovely ways to finish a Baby Slip. Basic Featherstitching and Bullion Rosebud included in class time. It's all about the details!!

Jeannie

Baumeister

Class Number: 106 Technique: Hand Skill Level: This is a beginning French Handsewing Class. Must be able to read a pattern to complete garment at home and be comfortable when using a hand needle. Kit Fee: $38

Kit Includes: Fine Fabric, Lace, Entredeux, Pearl Buttons, Embroidery Floss, Needles and instructions for French Handsewing. Student Supplies: Old Fashioned Baby pattern "Baby Lay-ette Revised", Basic Sewing Supplies, Paper, Cutting out and embroidery scissors, Pencil, Washout fabric pen or pencil, tape measure, see thru ruler 2"X18", extra light and magni-fication suggested, White #50 DMC thread, White #80 Ma-deira thread, pins and pincushion.

French Handsewing for Baby Spend the day learning and perfecting the fine stitching techniques needed to take you into the wonderful world of French Hand Sewing. Jeannie will take you step by step through many of the techniques needed to make won-derful handmade baby clothes as you begin a sweet Baby Dress. You will learn the Roll and Whip and Gather as you attach Entredeux to Fabric and how to stitch tiny and even Pin Tucks to embellish the front Yoke. An easy alternative stitch that can be used in place of the Roll and Whip will be taught as well as Handmade Buttonholes. Several techniques will be demonstrated including attaching the sleeve using a French Seam, stitching Gathered Lace to Entredeux and how to finish the hem of a Baby Dress. We will copy an antique Baby Dress from Jean-nie's vintage collection using her easy to follow pattern. Handsewing would not be complete without lovely em-broidery. The tiniest of Bullion Flowers, French Knots, Chain Stitch and the Antique Double Featherstitch will em-bellish this lovely Baby Dress.

Jeannie

Baumeister

Class Number: 107 Technique: Hand Skill Level: A working knowledge of basic smocking and construction skills. Kit Fee: $18

Kit Includes: The kit fee includes a diagrammed instruction-al booklet and all prepared materials needed to complete class activities. Student Supplies: Each student should bring a #2 pencil with eraser, a favorite boy's pattern for evaluation and no-tation (optional), paper-cutting scissors, a ruler, and trans-parent tape.

Good Fit Made Easy: Sewing for Boys An overview of sewing for that young man in your life. Following a lecture/demonstration and question/answer format, the class includes types of garments typically considered “classic” for boys; measuring and pattern size selection; pattern adjustments; preparation for smocking; cutting out the pattern and construction techniques unique to button-on suits and short-alls. A complete instruction booklet with detailed diagrams is provided for reference and note taking. A selection of garments is used to demonstrate the ideas and techniques discussed in the class.

Cindy

Foose

Class Number: 108 Technique: Machine Skill Level: Advanced beginner and up– basic construc-tion skills are needed to complete the class activities. Kit Fee: $60

Kit Includes: $55 for Group 1(sizes 2-6); $60 for Group 2 (sizes 6-8); The included pattern provides all sizes from 2 thru 8; fabric for the dress with a choice of color; lining fab-ric; buttons; rick rack trim for sleeves and pockets; hem binding; interfacing; hand sewing needles; machine thread and needles; embroidery thread; all materials needed to complete in-class activities; and a supplemental handout. Color choice is made at registration. Student Supplies: A zig-zag sewing machine in good work-ing order with these feet: all purpose, buttonhole, edge stitch, blind hem, 1/4"/quilting, and small rolled hem (optional). A walking foot (optional). Paper and Fabric scis-sors, and a sharp-pointed small blade pair; a clear ruler with 1/8" markings 12" or longer; pins; washable marker; tape measure; removable transparent tape; seam ripper; and red-lead teacher's grading pencil. A spool of #60 or #50 weight sewing thread in a color appropriate for the fabric.

One for the Money, Two for the Show This childhood ditty perfectly describes the class format – a notebook class chocked full of technique with a com-pleted garment to show off at the end. Though the class project is a child’s dress, the technique skills will spill over into a variety of sewing situations. Good construction is paramount to the success of any project. With its flared and gored skirt, sweetheart neckline, and sleeve/sleeveless option the sassy little dress is the perfect con-duit for implementing a variety of stitching and finishing requirements unique to this style garment including stitching curved/bias seams; several seam finishes beyond the expected French or serged seams; a lined sleeve-less bodice; hemming options; multiple finishes for a lined sleeve; stitching corners and curves (inward and/or outward leaning); mock bias bindings, and a host of other tidbits. All in all, this class is indeed a “two for one” ticket!

Cindy

Foose

Class Number: 109 Technique: Hand Skill Level: Learn or refresh your skills with basic em-broidery stitches and heirloom machine techniques. Suitable for beginners with some embroidery experi-ence. Kit Fee: $75

Kit Includes: Swiss Cotton Batiste; lace insertion and edg-ings; white cotton floche; DMC machine embroidery thread; Mother of Pearl buttons; fabric stabilizer; three needles; pattern and complete, illustrated instructions. Student Supplies: Sewing machine in good working order with narrow edge stitch foot and machine with a pinstitch (one of the hemstitching selections); lace scissors; 100 or 110 Universal needle; 70–80 Universal needle; cake of beeswax; thimble or plastic finger guard; blue fineline washout pen; 18” clear ruler; extra lighting and magnifica-tion.

The Infinity Christening Gown and Bonnet The Infinity Christening Gown is the height of restrained elegance that can be used for a baby boy or girl. The ser-pentine Infinity symbol circles the hem 2 times and appears on the bodices and each set-in sleeve, worked in sin-gle feather stitch and trailing looped bullions. Groups of 3 hand stitched pintucks circle the skirt and appear on the bodice. Beautiful cotton lace insertion is center front on the bodice and circles the skirt with matching lace edging around the hem and sleeves. The pattern comes in sizes 0-3, 6-9 and 12 months. This unique 29” gown is made out of the finest Swiss cotton batiste, French cotton laces, is embroidered in white floche and buttons down the back for an easy on-and-off for baby. The neckline is finished with a bias band. Hand stitches covered in class are the Single Feather stitch, Trailing Looped Bullions and hand Pintucks. Machine techniques covered in class are lace insertion to fabric, lace edging to fabric, machine pinstitch (a machine hemstitch) and narrow French seams. The gown will be started in class and students will finish at home.

Susie

Gay

Class Number: 110 Technique: Machine Skill Level: Intermediate or above Kit Fee: $70

Kit Includes: Fabric, Spanish Cluny Lace, buttons, elastic, snaps, ribbon for top neck edge, and pattern in all sizes 3 - 12. Kit fee is for the largest size which is a size 12. All kits will contain enough supplies for the largest size garment. Student Supplies: Basic sewing supplies including scissors, glass head pins, and blue fabric marking pen, machine in good working order, machine manual, and all feet for the machine, 6" x 24" ruler and a rotary cutter, paper and pen-cil for tracing the pattern pieces to prevent losing additional sizes for later use, and white 60 weight thread.

Francine’s Heirloom Blouse It seems as though every where you look these days you see little girls and ladies wearing heirloom blouses, which is very refreshing to see. So keeping with the trends, Trisha has just the perfect item to add to your special child’s wardrobe. Whether she wears a size 3 or a size 12, this blouse will be perfect for her. This white heirloom blouse is very soft and feminine. Lovely Cluny lace makes up the round yoke neckline and adds beauty to the hemline and waist. Learn how to miter lace while making the V shape that accents the center front. Soft gathers fall below the waistline. Light and airy flutter sleeves add to the graceful look on sizes 8 – 12 and a sweet peasant style sleeve on sizes 3 - 7. A tiny ribbon at the neckline ensures a perfect fit. Not only will you sew a beautiful blouse but you will also learn new sewing skills as you create your masterpiece. class are the Single Feather stitch, Trailing Looped Bullions and hand Pintucks. Machine techniques covered in class are lace insertion to fabric, lace edging to fabric, machine pinstitch (a machine hemstitch) and narrow French seams. The blouse will be started in class and students will finish at home.

Trisha

Smith

Class Number: 111 Technique: Machine Skill Level: Good Basic Sewing Knowledge and complete understanding of how to use their machine. Kit Fee: $68

Kit Includes: Fabric for outer dress, lining, collars, and corded piping, cord to cover, soutache braid, in-terfacing, buttons to cover kit for dress front and plastic buttons for dress back. Kit fee is for the larg-est size which is a size 12. All kits will contain enough supplies for the largest size garment and the pattern in all sizes with complete written instruc-tions. Student Supplies: Basic sewing supplies including scissors, glass head pins, and blue fabric marking pen, machine in good working order, machine manu-al, and all feet for the machine, 6" x 24" ruler and a rotary cutter, ruler for trimming corded piping (if you have one), paper and pencil for tracing pattern piec-es to prevent loosing additional sizes for later use and white all purpose thread.

Lily’s Sailor Dress Sailor dresses never go out of style. This dress has the traditional white collar that is accented with soutache braid trim. You will learn how to easily make your own covered buttons (once you know some tips) that will em-bellish the front as does the tradition tie close to the collar. The gathered skirt section is attached to the longer length bodice. This class covers a lot of fine sewing skills even though the dress might look quite simple. It is an easy dress to make after you learn the ends and outs of working with a dotted fabric. Trisha will teach you how to use fusible interfacing without making a mess and without any ripples. And most importantly she will teach you how to make corded piping using dotted fabric. There are diffidently tricks to make the piping come out cor-rectly. The pattern is sized from 2 – 12. Even though I am calling it a sailor dress, it would also be great as a top for the older girls when paired with Capri pants.

Trisha

Smith