May 2023 Meeting Summary

If you weren't able to join us, please read on for a short recap. Members are welcome to request the full minutes by e-mail.

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• Opening Remarks and Events
• June meetings will be hybrid (in-person and virtual)
• Will feature a handmade clothing swap and SNACKS
• Frocktails planning is starting, but we are looking for more volunteers! Email us if you are interested.
• Fabric Sale!!!
• Come pick up some new to you fabric this Saturday May 28th!!!
• 1:30 to 4:30 at the same hall as our meetings (St. Mark's at 1606 Fisher Ave)
• 15 member vendors!
• Admission is free, but we encourage donations!

• Elections
• Thank you to our nominees!
• Claire Kerry for President
• Leah Stolarski For Vice-President!
• Members make sure to vote (check your inbox!) before June 3rd!
• Alison from Orpheus Musical Theatre spoke to us about costuming in their theatre productions and everything that goes into planning!
• The theatre is also always looking for volunteers to help sew for the productions! You can find their contact details here or reply to this email and we can pass your information on! 
• Sewing SOS
• Emily asked if snips could be sharpened: Answer is unfortunately no as they are too short and can't be taken apart to put in the machine, but the suggestion was to sharpen at home with aluminum foil.
• Sew and Tell!! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom)
• Thank you all for sharing your SPRING inspired makes ! 
• Don't forget to use #oggpom for your OGGPOMs and #oggsewandtell on Instagram for other projects you would like to show off.

You can find May's slides (and all of our past meetings) here!

Pattern of the Month for May May's OGGPOM is to One and Done! Sew something that is just one piece! No coordinating! just one and done!  Sew a dress, jumpsuit, onesie, anything! Remember it doesn't have to be something you sewed this month, you are welcome to share any past makes! You are welcome to sew for yourself, a family member, a friend, or whoever you would like!  Remember to post your makes in our Facebook group, or on Instagram using #OGGPOM so we can see what you're up to!

2023-24 Elections - Meet your Candidates

Elections are coming up soon! Watch your email for a survey link. Voting will be open from Saturday, May 20, 2021, to Saturday, June 3, 2023. Meet the candidates for President and Vice President below!

Candidate for President: Claire Kerry

I’m Claire Kerry aka @Brit_Can_Sew on Instagram.

I’ve been a member of the Garment Guild since the inception of the Guild, and have been a member of the Executive for the last four seasons, Vice President the past two years and Workshop and Sew-in Coordinator the previous two. As VP my main responsibility were organizing the speakers and the monthly #OGGPOM.

I thoroughly have enjoyed being part of the Garment Guild board, over the past four years, contributing to ideas and working through the issues that the pandemic years have brought to the Guild. In running for the position of President I’d love to continue to build on the great work that the President and Executive have achieve this year in setting up Hybrid meetings, it’s been a steep learning curve, and I want to continue offering the hybrid meeting set up so we are as accessible to all Guild members needs. I’m excited for the management challenge of the role of President, I have been on several boards over the past 8 years I have learnt a lot and look forward to putting my experience into practice in this leadership role. I would like to gain feedback from Guild members to ensure we are meeting their needs in the way we structure meetings and the other activities we offer.

The Garment Guild has played a big part in enhancing my sewing hobby, I have expanded my social circles, and my sewing skills have vastly improved over the past six years.

Hopefully you feel my skills and passion match the requirements for the role of President for the 2023/24 season.

Candidate for Vice-President: Leah Stolarski

Greetings OGGers! I’m Leah and many of you probably know me. I have been an enthusiastic OGG member since the very first meeting and, prior to this year, an executive committee member since the 2019/20 season. 

In my tenure as social media manager, I established our Facebook group and designed our promotional card you may have seen in local sewing stores. As special events coordinator, I helped the guild pivot at the start of the pandemic including planning a zoom trivia night, starting the sewing support groups, and running two online charity fabric sales that raised a combined $1488 for the Ottawa Food Bank. 

Finally, as my big hurrah before heading to Southern California with my family for a year, I chaired our first post-pandemic Frocktails in April 2022. As I prepare for our return to Ottawa, I’m looking forward to serving on the executive as your Vice-President, fresh with new ideas to keep meeting the needs of this fantastic community of talented, creative, passionate sewists.

April 2023 Meeting Summary

April 2023 Meeting Summary

If you weren't able to join us, please read on for a short recap. Members are welcome to request the full minutes by e-mail.

• Opening Remarks and Events
• May and June meetings will be hybrid (in-person and virtual)
• June meeting will feature a handmade clothing swap
• Frocktails planning is starting - Planning for Late Sept/Early Oct - Looking for volunteers for the committee!
• Elections and Member Discussion Space
• President and Vice President spots for 2023-24 open up for nominations
• Looking for volunteers to test out Discord as a place for member discussion!
• Email ottawagarmentguild@gmail.com if you are interested.
• Katherine from WinnipegSews/Fabric Collective spoke to us about the circular textiles.
• Fills the space between retail fabric and thrifted fabric, helping fabric find a new home to be loved!
• Sewing SOS
• Kate asked how to steam wrinkles out of ultra suede:  Suggestions include: using a handheld steamer or hanging in the shower to steam.
• Stephanie asked how to safely dispose of sharps like needles or rotary blade:  Suggestions are to use a plastic container or something puncture proof.
• Sew and Tell!! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom)
• Thank you all for sharing your SPRING inspired makes ! 
• Don't forget to use #oggpom for your OGGPOMs and #oggsewandtell on Instagram for other projects you would like to show off.

You can find April's slides (and all of our past meetings) here!

Pattern of the Month for April April's OGGPOM is to New to You! Sew with something you didn't buy at a regular fabric store! Something you picked up at a thrift store, flea market, fabric swap or gifted from family.  Remember it doesn't have to be something you sewed this month, you are welcome to share any past makes! You are welcome to sew for yourself, a family member, a friend, or whoever you would like!  Remember to post your makes in our Facebook group, or on Instagram using #OGGPOM so we can see what you're up to!

March 2023 Meeting Summary

March 2023 Meeting Summary

If you weren't able to join us, please read on for a short recap. Members are welcome to request the full minutes by e-mail.

• Opening Remarks
• Happy 5th Anniversary to the Guild!!!!
• April's meeting with be virtual only
• Upcoming events and sew-ins
  • Spring Sew-ins sign-up will go out shortly to members!  back to Thursdays/Sundays for April/May/June
  • Stay tuned for details on an OGG Hosted Fabric Sale! - Sunday May 28
  • June AGM will feature a handmade clothing swap!
  • Frocktails planning is starting - Planning for Late Sept/Early Oct - Looking for volunteers for the committee!
• Erica of Sacred Tree Sewing spoke to us all about making the Indigenous regalia for everyday life and ceremonies!
• We loved hearing about how passionate she is to share her work and journey and how she was able to reclaim her culture through her work, building on her background in costume design.
• Sewing SOS
• Don't forget to send along your SOS for next month!
• Sew and Tell!! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom)
• Thank you all for sharing your JEANS! you made through our Jeans sewing support group and all your other awesome makes.
• Don't forget to use #oggpom for your OGGPOMs and #oggsewandtell on Instagram for other projects you would like to show off

You can find March's slides (and all of our past meetings) here!

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Pattern of the Month for March

March's OGGPOM is SPRING! Sewing something in bright colours, florals, stripes, whatever reminds you of SPRING! Help yourself get out of what has been the darkest winter in decades!

Remember to post your makes in our Facebook group, or on Instagram using #OGGPOM so we can see what you're up to!

February 2023 Meeting Summary

 

February 2023 Meeting Summary If you weren't able to join us, please read on for a short recap. Members are welcome to request the full minutes by e-mail. Opening Remarks This was our 50th meeting! March's meeting will mark the 5th anniversary of the Guild and will be back in-person with a hybrid option! Our membership fee for the rest of the season is now reduced! Visit our fellow guild, the Ottawa Modern Quilt Guild for info on a virtual bomber jacket making workshop they have now set for March/April! Upcoming events and sew-ins Sew-in and Jeans sewing support group continues, Members, check your e-mail for info, or email us! Mélyna Langevin of Gorgeously Vintage spoke to us all about her passion for vintage sewing!  Included talkong about her sewing heros (her grandma, Edith Head), fav sews, key vintage techniques, and tips and tricks! Sewing SOS Stephanie asked about tips for constructing with a serger. Jessica asked about serging seams before or after constructing the garments. Sew and Tell!! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom) Thank you all for sharing your winter skirts!  Don't forget to use #oggpom for your OGGPOMs and #oggsewandtell on Instagram for other projects you would like to show off You can find February's slides (and all of our past meetings) here!

Pattern of the Month for February February's OGGPOM is JEANS! Bring your jeans in progress or finished as a result of our Jeans sewing support group! Or show us your Top Down Centre Out pants fitting experiments! Remember it doesn't have to be something you sewed this month, you are welcome to share any past makes! You are welcome to sew for yourself, a family member, a friend, or whoever you would like!  Remember to post your makes in our Facebook group, or on Instagram using #OGGPOM so we can see what you're up to!