People and Places we Love!

American Sewing Guild (www.asg.org) – Members enjoy the benefit of discounts for sewing-related materials and tools, the latest news from the sewing industry, and the special camaraderie that comes with sharing with other sewers. The American Sewing Guild welcomes members of all skill levels and from many different walks of life. Learning new skills, networking with others who share an interest in sewing, and having the opportunity to contribute to community service sewing projects is our common thread. Membership in the Guild gives you an opportunity to experience your love of any type of home sewing with others who share your interest.

Association of Sewing and Design Professionals (www.paccprofessionals.org) is a non-profit organization for professionals engaged in sewing and design related businesses. The website has a nation-wide register of sewing professionals.

Antiquity Press with the amazing Sandra Ericson (www.antiquitypress.com) Sandra is a very talented professor of all things garment related. She republishes wonderful sewing textbooks from the past and teaches college level courses in the beautiful Napa Valley. She also started up a wonderful resource for aspiring and young designers the Center for Pattern Design (www.centerforpatterndesign.org) to develop more books and classes for budding designers.

Debra Silks - (http://www.debrasilks.com/home) Debra is an amazing artist who paints delightful designs on silk.  She teaches classes on her process, including how to plan a design to flow elegantly on the body after it is sewn into a bias-cut garment.  Ingenious!  Check out her beautiful work!

Fashion Incubator - (fashion-incubator.com)  Wonderful sewing and design blog.  Full of useful and inspiring tutorials, challenges, and ideas.  The book "The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing" by blog owner Kathleen Fasanella, is an absolute must-have first purchase for anyone who wants to break into the fashion business.  You can do it, and with Kathleen's advice and guidance, you have a chance of being successful!

Kathleen Poole (www.poolefashiongroup.com) is a fellow member of the American Sewing Guild and a fashion professional. She assists designers with getting their product to market and also does custom sewing for discerning clients.

The Alameda Chapter of the American Sewing Guild serves Alameda and San Francisco counties providing programs and projects to assist each other with learning about sewing and giving back with community service projects.  The Chapter hosts chapter meetings every other month and field trips the opposite months.