The Sewphisticates

Do you regard your sewing machine/serger as your favorite ‘power tool’?  Are you looking for others who ‘speak sewing’?   If so, then look no further ~ the members of the Sewphisticates are looking for you!

The Sewphisticates is a Neighborhood Group of the Ocala Chapter of the American Sewing Guild.  The American Sewing Guild is a national organization for sewing enthusiasts.   The Sewphisticates meet on the 4^th Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Pine Ridge Community Center.  All sewing devotees are welcome ~ from beginner to advanced.  Visitors may attend two meetings and then it is requested that one becomes a member of the national organization - The American Sewing Guild.  The national dues are $40 at joining and then $35 annually.  There are no dues at the chapter or neighborhood group level.  Generally neighborhood groups will collect a voluntary donation at each meeting. 

The Ocala Chapter sponsors many activities throughout the year and members of the Sewphisticates are privileged to take part.  2006 has seen a whole host of informative and fun activities - a sit and sew with Emma Seabrooke, a nationally known sewing educator and  a 3 day/2 night Sewing Retreat at Lake Yale near Leesburg.  In the planning stages, is a sewing themed garage sale in September, the chapter’s annual meeting in October with a member fashion show, and a repeat of the Sewing Retreat in the fall or winter.

Monthly meetings generally include a demonstration, either by a member or a guest, a trunk show by a guest speaker, a community service project or all of the above.   Community Service projects are a mainstay of the organization.  In 2005/06 the Sewphisticates have constructed booties for Hospice patients, pillowcases for homeless children in the Citrus County School System, sewed bears and rabbits for Hospice and for homeless children, and designed and constructed banners for Camp Good Hope, an activity sponsored by Hospice.

November’s program will be a trunk show by Diane McClure a gifted quilter who is a national prize winner.  In December, the group will be having an ‘ugly fabric’ challenge.  Members are to bring a piece of ‘ugly’ fabric, at least a fat quarter size, in a lunch bag.  Bags will be exchanged and participants are to make something with the fabric that they receive.  The finished products will be displayed at the February meeting.