Wednesday, 27 November 2024

November 2024 Meeting Recap

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.


Workshops

  • Workshops are now available on the website via the Store tab.

    • January 18th: recreate a ready-to-wear knit garment

    • Jan/Feb bodice block making workshop at Assela’s home in Barrhaven


Sew-Ins & Events

  • Tickets for in-person can be found on the Square store, via the “Store” tab on the website

  • Virtual - If members sign up, they will receive a link to Zoom by email.

  • FREE Movie Night @ NAC November 23


Announcing the Tool Library

  • We now have an industrial Snap Press, dies and hardware for jean rivets, jean button and 24L snaps 

  • It can be used before/after meetings or during in-person sew-ins. Members can also send an email to the President if they want to use it


Community Events

  • Days for Girls - make reusable pads for girls. Same day as OGG meeting, but email address provided for the organizer to be added to mailing list for future events. 

  • Cavadelo Flax Garden - previous speakers at an OGG meeting that grow flax to make fabric are renting Gardens in 2025 to those interested in giving it a try. 

  • Mayfair Theatre hosts Crafter’s Afternoon where they play a movie, keep the lights on so people can craft. The next one is Feb 8 at 12:30, showing Chicago

 


Meeting - Care and Feeding of Fancy Fabrics with Vicki


  • This month we heard from long-time member and talented sewist, Vicki all about fancy fabrics and how to care for them. We learned how to select the right fabric, how to preserve its beauty, and keep final garments looking fabulous for years to come while oogling the many stunning samples of fabrics and finished garments that Vicki brought to share with us.

Sewing SOS

  • Some members had questions about Discord. It was noted that Discord can be easier to read on a desktop.

  • “How-to” video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBCAvQNkK6M&t=5s


OGGPOM - Enchantment! 

  • Consider using the tips from Vicki to make something spectacular!

  • Make something for an enchanted evening, whether at a fancy party or lounging in style.


Next meeting - December 12, 2024


October 2024 Meeting Recap

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.


Workshops

  • Workshops are now available on the website via the Store tab.

    • January 18th: recreate a ready-to-wear knit garment

    • Jan/Feb bodice block making workshop at Assela’s home in Barrhaven

Sew-Ins

  • Tickets for in-person can be found on the Square store, via the “Store” tab on the website

  • Virtual - If members sign up, they will receive a link to Zoom by email.


Community Events

  • This is be a new addition to the regular meeting slides. Members are invited to submit fiber related events happening in the Ottawa area to let other members know. 


Meeting - Sew Smart - Apps!

  • The first presenter was Leah, showing My Body Model, which is an online service that creates custom digital croquis based on one’s measurements.

  • Bonnie followed, giving a presentation on Trello, an app which she uses to organize her sewing.

  • Lastly, Kallie gave a live demo of Threadloop, a new sewing organizing app that has recently taken off in the sewing world.


Sewing SOS

  • Kallie was looking for tips and tricks for pressing belts/ ties/ etc. to make sure seam allowance is fully turned out.

OGGPOM

  • My Favourite Make. Several options to participate:

    • Re-post and re-wear a favourite thing you’ve made. Log it into some new software or app you’ve learned about tonight.

    • Make a new version of a TNT (Tried n’ True pattern to show off and see if something you learned about tonight can help you track how you changed it.

    • Learn about a new way to store, organize, and sort your stash digitally and find a beloved pattern to match you freshly rediscovered stash to!

Wednesday, 18 September 2024

September 2024 Meeting Recap

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.

  • Welcome Back another season of the Ottawa Garment Guild
  • Housekeeping & Updates
    • Call for Volunteers
      • We are looking for volunteers to help with the snack committee. 
      • We are looking for a volunteer to help the executive committee run and manage our technology that makes our hybrid meetings possible.
      • We need more volunteers especially if as a Guild we want to put on special events like Frocktails. 
      • Please email us at ottawagarmentguild@gmail.com for more information on any of the volunteer opportunities. 
    • Name Tags 
      • We are bringing back the name tags from last year. We will keep hold of them in-between the meetings. This meeting we had some temporary ones and we asked members to let us know their pronouns and instagram handle but those are optional.
    • Tool Rental Program
      • We're beginning a tool rental program with a snap press. As soon as the press is acquired we'll share how members can use it.
    • Special Events
      • Upcoming: We're planning now so stay tuned for announcements
      • Past: review of the Billings High Tea on Sept 1. 
    • Workshops
      • Nov 16 - Photographing your makes with Stéphanie - tickets are on sale now
      • January 18 - Rubbing off knitware with Coco Yang - look for details in an upcoming email
      • Jan/Feb - Block Making with Assela - 4 week workshop held in Barrhaven, details to come in upcoming email
    • Sew-Ins
      • TBD October & December
      • Feb 15, April 19, June 21
      • each sew in is $15, meet at St Marks and sew from 10-4, we provide pizza
  • OGGPOM
    • Twinsies! - link up with a new or old friend and make the same pattern. Fraternal Twinsises with different fabrics or pattern views or hacks are encouraged to make sure you're making something you love. 
  • Activity 
    • Instead of a guest speaker this month we spent the main meeting segment getting to know each other better. 
  • Discord
    • Members have been enjoying connecting between meetings on our Discord channel. A link will be sent out in the September meeting recap email to join if you haven't already.
    • Kallie gave a brief tutorial about how to use Discord but if you missed it, Stéphanie has made this helpful video you can access here.
  • Sewing SOS
    • none this week but please email if you have any in the future

Monday, 8 July 2024

June 2024 Meeting Recap

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.

  • Welcome to the June AGM meeting of the Ottawa Garment Guild

  • 2024-2025 Executive Committee - Election results for the new season
  • Congratulations to the following members who will be on the Executive 

    • Leah Stolarski - President
    • Laura-Lee MacDonald - Vice President
    • Laura Gibson - MacGregor - Treasurer
    • Lianne Wallace - Secretary
    • Kimberly Low - Events Coordinator
    • Jean Montminy - Workshops and Sew-in Coordinator
    • Kallie Auld - Social Media Manager
    • Member only events

      • June 22 - Movie Night at the NAC 

      • September 1st - High Tea @ Billings Estate 10:30 am
      • $20.70 per person
      • Gluten free and Devon cream options are available for and additional $3.39
      • Museum admission is included
      • Parking on site and OC Transpo services nearby Pleasant Park
      • Limit is 24 total and final number of sign ups are required by August 16
      • Tickets for members can be purchased here

    • Presidents Report

      • Thank you for a fabulous year
      • Hybrid meetings - on the whole successful
      • More workshops held
      • Membership this year  was 81 
      • Celebrated our 6th anniversary 
                        Plans for the Fall
      • Continue with Hybrid meetings
      • Continue with an event on third Saturday of the month
      • Pre-season members High tea - September 1st
      • Make sure you are on the mailing list!

    • Treasurer Report 

      • Details available on request, summary slide
      • Major expenses this year included insurance fees, Zoom membership, event and workshop rentals and fees, PO Box

    • Cake and Clothing Swap

    • June #OGGPOM -  Garden Party 
      • See below for more info

    • Sew and Tell! and Pattern  Fabric of the Month (#oggpom): 
      • Thank you all for sharing your #Linen makes
    You can find June's slides (and all of our past meetingshere!

    Tuesday, 21 May 2024

    May 2024 Meeting Recap

     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.

    • Welcome to the May meeting of the Ottawa Garment Guild

    • Guest Speaker
      • This month we hosted Louise Delorme and Debra Bertrand of Cavadelo Flax Garden, their passion project that they began in 2021 with the goal of growing flax and processing it all the way through to a woven fabric. They’re now at 6700 square feet of growing space, capable of producing roughly 18m of material. Louise and Debra kindly brought in samples of all the stages of production and told us about linen production in other regions of Canada.

    • Spring Calendar 
      • Sew-in 
      • Virtual
        • once a month via Zoom link
        • 7:30pm to 9pm
        • Last one this season on June 2

    • Events

      Event Every Third Saturday!
      • June 15 - burn tests and fabric swap at Vincent Massey 
      • June 22 - Movie Night at the NAC (members only)

    • Elections
      • A big thank you goes out to our nominees who have volunteered for positions on the Executive!
        • Candidate for President: Leah Stolarski
        • Candidate for Vice-President: Laura-Lee MacDonald
        • Candidate for Secretary : Lianne Wallace
        • Candidate for Treasurer: Laura Gibson-MacGregor
        • Candidate for Events Coordinator: Kimberly Low
        • Candidate for Workshops and Sew-ins Coordinator: Jean Montminy
        • Candidate for Social Media Manager: Kallie Auld

        • Members make sure to vote (check your inbox!) before June 3rd!

    • Sewing SOS

      • Leah asked about lining a sheer pre-gathered dress. 
        • Options were to tack the lining just below the sheering, 
        • skin-toned bike shorts (a bit of the gamble if daughter would remember to wear them) 
        • a half-slip

    • May #OGGPOM -  Linen
      • See below for more info

    • Sew and Tell! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom): 
      • Thank you all for sharing your #Pattern Mixing makes
    You can find May's slides (and all of our past meetingshere!

    Monday, 20 May 2024

    2024-25 Elections - Meet your candidates

    Elections are coming up soon! Watch your email for a survey link. Voting will be open from Monday May 20, 2024, to Monday June 3, 2024. Meet the candidates below!

    Candidate for 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.

    Candidate for Vice-President: Laura-Lee MacDonald

    Hello all! I am Laura-Lee (@PippiAnnShirley on IG) and for the last year I have been your Sew In and Workshop Coordinator. I am hopeful that your enjoyment of my efforts in this role will encourage you to vote for me as your new Vice President. I am excited to engage with you all to determine topics and speakers that we can learn from over the next couple of years, as well as the other duties of the VP. Thank you for your support!

    Candidate for Secretary : Lianne Wallace

    Hi there! I’m Lianne and would love to be considered for the position of Secretary. I grew up watching my mom sew, and I finally took it up myself about six years ago. I love listening to a podcast and creating an outfit - especially any type of secret pyjamas. This was my first year as Guild member. I love the sense of community and the inspiration of seeing everyone’s makes and projects. Next year I’d love to be more involved and contribute to the work of the Guild. I’ve always appreciated the monthly meeting summaries as a memory jogger and especially when I wasn’t able to make the meeting. I enjoy writing and in my day job I regularly write a ton of meeting notes and summaries. I have lots of practice capturing the key takeaways and including some interesting tidbits - and it would be great to have the chance to apply these skills to something I love. 

    Candidate for Treasurer: Laura Gibson-MacGregor
    I have acted as OGG Treasurer since September 2020 and am seeking re-election for another term. I am organized and detail-oriented, and I believe these skills help me to be effective in this role and to support the exec in their roles as well. I have been a member of the Guild since 2018 and have really appreciated the sense of community it provides and the support that members give one another in improving their sewing skills. I look forward to continuing to support everything OGG has to offer to Ottawa sewists in my role as Treasurer.


    Candidate for Events Coordinator: Kimberly Low
    I've been sewing off and on since I was a kid with anyone willing to teach me, home etc., but I've been consistently garment sewing for the past 9 years. I've been the secretary for the past 4 years and I'm running for events co-ordinator because I would like a new challenge and would like to further contribute to the sense of community the guild offers. 


    Candidate for Workshops and Sew-ins Coordinator: Jean Montminy
    I am excited to express my interest in the Workshop Coordinator position on the Garment Guild board. As an active member of this wonderful community and a passionate sewer, I would be honored to contribute my skills and dedication to organizing workshops and sew-ins that engage and inspire our fellow members.
    Being part of the Garment Guild has been a very rewarding experience for me. I have greatly enjoyed connecting with individuals who share my love for sewing. It would be a privilege to take on a more active role in organizing the guild's programming and ensuring that our members have access to engaging workshops that cater to their interests and skill levels.
    If selected for this position, I would make it a priority to gather feedback from the membership and tailor our workshop offerings and sew-ins accordingly. I believe that by listening to our community and incorporating their ideas, we can create a diverse and exciting lineup of events that bring out the best in our members' creativity and skills.
    With my strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and relevant work experience, I am confident that I can excel in this role. My background as a Major Account Manager and Systems Engineer (IBM), Executive Assistant (CCSTA), and Vacation Consultant (Expedia) has equipped me with the necessary skills to coordinate events, manage budgets, and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
    In conclusion, I am eager to contribute my skills, experience, and passion for sewing to the Garment Guild board. I believe that together, we can create a vibrant and enriching workshop program that inspires our members and strengthens our community. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated individuals who make the Garment Guild such a special place.

    Candidate for Social Media Manager: Kallie Auld
    Hi all!  I’m Kallie (Kay-lee, aka @kalliesews) and I was the Founding President for the OGG.  After a few years working with the Executive team to build the OGG, I took a step back from my duties to start a family.  Now that my two boys are a little older I’m looking forward to once again attending meetings in person and volunteering on the Executive Committee.  I am running for the position of Social Media Manager.  In this position I hope keep up the amazing work Stephanie has been doing to regularly update the OGG’s social media platforms, advertise for all the various OGG events, moderate and run the Discord server, and to keep everything running smoothly.  I love the online sewing community and I look forward to the opportunity to further grow the OGG’s online following, and in turn, our membership!  

    Monday, 18 March 2024

    March 2024 Meeting Recap

    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.

    • Welcome to the March meeting of the 6th Season of the Ottawa Garment Guild

    • Guest Speaker
      • Guest presenter: This month, we're delighted to host Hailey Wyatt to speak about her clothing brand, Wyatt House, and the meticulously hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind garments that she makes. Hailey's background in science has been instrumental in shaping her approach to fashion. She sees fashion design as an opportunity to merge her scientific mindset with artistic expression and sustainable practices.

    • Spring Calendar - 
      • Sew-in 
      • Virtual
        • once a month via Zoom link
        • 7:30pm to 9pm
        • Apr 14, May 5 and June 2

      • In Person
        • Saturday March 16th and May 18th
        • Location: St. Mark's Anglican Church, 1606 Fisher Avenue, Ottawa ON K2C 1X8
        • Time: 10 to 4pm 
        • Members $15. Non-members $20 (includes Pizza lunch)
        • Please purchase your ticket here on the square store
        • Any dietary requirements please email ogg.workshops@gmail.com

    • Events

      Event Every Third Saturday!

      • March 16 - Sew-In
      • April 20 - Photographing your Makes w/ Stéphanie
      • May 18 - Sew-In
      • June 15 - End of Season Event - TBC

    • Sewing SOS


      • Jessica - Didn’t get the button placement correct, how to fix?
        • Snaps / hooks and eyes in between the buttons
        • Secret button on the other side of the placket
        • If there’s enough ease, just stitch it closed

      • Chloé - How do you make sure facings stay in place and don’t flip up
        • Stitch to any available seam or stitch in the ditch at all seams
        • Stitch it down as if it’s a design choice
        • Make sure it’s a big enough facing
        • That it has enough weight to stay down
        • Tasha - By Gum By Golly 
          • Most facings should be much bigger than they are drafted
        • Instead of cotton twill which would be pulled with increased friction or surface, make facings of a fabric with a smoother hand

      • Kimberley - got machine tuned up because the needle down function wasn’t working and not stitching - stitching perfectly in store - got it home and its happening again - due to travel?
        • Thump it
        • Are you travelling with the needle down and in fabric?
        • Much sympathy was given

      • Carmen - Happy Anniversary! - 6 years!

      • Claire promises cake in April

    • March #OGGPOM -  Spring Sewing
      • See below for more info

    • Sew and Tell! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom): 
      • Thank you all for sharing your #DIY makes
    You can find March's slides (and all of our past meetingshere!

    Wednesday, 14 February 2024

    February 2024 Meeting Recap

     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.

    • Welcome to the February meeting of the 6th Season of the Ottawa Garment Guild

    • Guest Speaker
      • This month we were pleased to welcome Peggy Mead, the designer and pattern maker behind Sew House Seven, a brand known for widely beloved patterns like the Burnside Bibs, Free Range Slacks and Toaster Sweater, among others. Peggy launched Sew House Seven with the intent of creating simple, easy-to-follow patterns that encourage and inspire beginners, yet appeal to sewists of all levels. She talked us through her pattern design background, and starting up Sew House Seven, and what it's been like to run a indie pattern business for the past 10 years.

    • Winter Calendar - 
      • Sew-in 
      • Virtual
        • once a month via Zoom link
        • 7:30pm to 9pm
        • Feb 11, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 5 and June 2

      • In Person
        • Saturday March 16th and May 18th
        • Location: St. Mark's Anglican Church, 1606 Fisher Avenue, Ottawa ON K2C 1X8
        • Time: 10 to 4pm 
        • Members $15. Non-members $20 (includes Pizza lunch)
        • Please purchase your ticket here on the square store
        • Any dietary requirements please email ogg.workshops@gmail.com

    • Events

      Event Every Third Saturday!

      • Feb 17 - Bundle Dying Workshop w/ Leah purchase your ticket here
      • March 16 - Sew-In
      • April 20 - Photographing your Makes w/ Stéphanie
      • May 18 - Sew-In
      • June 15 - End of Season Event - TBC

    • Sewing SOS

      • Laura-Lee came to us with the question of how to refashion an a-line dress in scuba while keeping the pockets. 
      • Emily showed how her fleece vest now has perfectly installed snaps, she showed how she used quilting cotton as reinforcement instead of interfacing. 

    • February #OGGPOM - #DIY
      • See below for more info

    • Sew and Tell! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom): 
      • Thank you all for sharing your #Scraps makes
    You can find February's slides (and all of our past meetingshere!

    Wednesday, 17 January 2024

    January 2024 Meeting Recap

    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.

    • Welcome to the January meeting of the 6th Season of the Ottawa Garment Guild

    • Guest Speaker
      • This month we hosted some very special guest presenters, three of our own members for our first virtual meeting of the season, Carmen, Emily and Laura Lee took us on tours of their sewing spaces. We learnt how each sewing room is unique and inspirational. They shared their tips and tricks for storage and organisation of fabric, patterns, supplies and notions. now we are all ready to start the new year to update our own spaces. 

    • Winter Calendar - 
      • Sew-in 
      • Virtual
        • Every third Sunday in the month via Zoom link
        • 7:30pm to 9pm
        • Jan 21st, Feb18th, Mar 17th, Apr 20th
      • In Person
        • Saturday Jan 20th 
        • Location: St. Mark's Anglican Church, 1606 Fisher Avenue, Ottawa ON K2C 1X8
        • Time: 10 to 4pm 
        • Members $15. Non-members $20 (includes Pizza lunch)
        • Please purchase your ticket here 
        • Any dietary requirements please email ogg.workshops@gmail.com

    • Spring Planning

      Event Every Third Saturday!

      • Feb 17 - Bundle Dying Workshop w/ Leah purchase your ticket here
      • March 16 - Sew-In
      • April 20 - Photographing your Makes w/ Stéphanie
      • May 18 - Sew-In
      • June 15 - End of Season Event - TBC

    • Sewing SOS

      • Laura presented her pants that require a post hoc flat seat adjustment, lots of suggestions were presented by members to help Laura gain the fit she desires.
      • Emily showed how her shorts now have perfectly installed rivets, after she applied the suggestion of using an anvil instead of a wooden cutting board. 

    • January #OGGPOM - #scraps
      • See below for more info

    • Sew and Tell! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom): 
      • Thank you all for sharing your #Structure makes
    You can find Januarys's slides (and all of our past meetingshere!

    Wednesday, 3 January 2024

    December 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.

    • Welcome to the December meeting of the 6th Season of the Ottawa Garment Guild

    • Guest Speaker
      • This month, our very  own Stéphanie https://www.instagram.com/ecorcesdentelles/  talked to us about all things Interfacing: She discussed the different types, and their purpose. She shared tips and tricks for working with interfacing. 

    • Snacks
      • Thank you to Renee for bringing the popcorn and hot chocolate mix!
      • More volunteers needed for 2024! email ottawagarmentguild@gmail.com

    • Fall Calendar - 
      • Workshops
        • Vintage Sewing Machine Repair w/ Skipped Stitches
        • Tickets still available
        • Date: December 16th  2023
        • Location: Hintonburg Community Center
        • Members: $45 non-members $60
      • Sew-in 
        • Virtual
        • Every third Sunday in the month via Zoom link
        • 7:30pm to 9pm
        • Dec 17th, Jan 21st, Feb18th, Mar 17th, Apr 20th

    • Spring Planning

      Event Every Third Saturday!

      • Jan 20 - Sew-In Purchase tickets here on square
      • Feb 17 - Bundle Dying Workshop w/ Leah
      • March 16 - Sew-In
      • April 20 - Photographing your Makes w/ Stéphanie
      • May 18 - Sew-In
      • June 15 - End of Season Event - TBC

    • Sewing SOS

      • Emily bought in her SOS needing help to install rivets, despite our efforts during the break we weren't able to install them, we came to the conclusion an anvil really is needed when hammering in rivets as they prevent the springiness of wood.

    • December #OGGPOM - #structure
      • See below for more info

    • Sew and Tell! and Pattern of the Month (#oggpom): 
      • Thank you all for sharing your #FUNWITHFLEECE
    You can find December's slides (and all of our past meetingshere!