All I can say is if the National Conference is better, I hope that everyone can attend. We had an opportunity to meet other sewing enthusiasts who are just as sweet as everyone in our local groups. I discovered there is a whole world of opportunities to learn and even teach others this wonderful craft.

Additionally, we were informed, as new members, how important each of our jobs are as contributions to the big picture. For example, in a presentation by our Regional Representative, Jan Squires, I learned: (1) Currently, our region seven has 4000 members and will soon be changed from region 7 to region 3 to include the entire eastern time zone. (2) It is of utmost importance for our chapters to be in compliance in areas like the treasurer's report; group exemption forms; quarterly treasurer's report; newsletters; and quarterly CAB meetings.

As Retail Liaison, I learned an important aspect of my position, which will help to get the ASG name out there to vendors and bring money into our chapter.

Now the real fun part. We held some of our meetings in a beautiful, amazing, must visit, sewing center called "Creative Sewing Machine Center". Not only are the owner and employees super friendly, but they carry Bernina, Viking, Baby Lock and Brother machines and accessories in the same store! Not to mention, fabulous fabric and trim. What's more, we got to use the newest Baby Lock sergers to make a checkbook cover!

We met the owner of Bit of Stitch and were given an opportunity to view some of her work and buy her CD's. Please visit www.abitofstitch.com for a pleasant surprise. To top it off, on the way home, we were honored to view Crafty Bev's sewing room and collections. This experience made my mouth water. It was almost like walking into JoAnn's. Wall to wall fabric and trim, beautiful machines, notions and furniture. You must visit http://www.craftybev.com

Overall, an unforgettable experience!
Gloria Wess, ASG/Retail Liaison South

The dogwoods in bloom along the highway.

Meeting New Sewing Sisters

Just what would I learn at the Region 7 meeting in Columbia S. C. From the time Gloria and I left Ocala, picked up Bev in Gainesville and repacked to Barbara’s car in Jacksonville, the time fairly flew the entire trip. It was filled with firsts for me. Since I am a very new ASG member I soaked up all the information about the other Region 7 chapters like a sponge, listening and asking questions, all the while finishing my pin weaving, another first for me.

How stimulating to be in the company of so many who speak the same language 24 hours a day! As the new special events chair on the Ocala CAB, I felt I had accepted a pretty safe degree of commitment for my first year. Even so there are tons of ideas others have tried and are anxious to share and did I ever fill up my idea bank! I am already planning the Annual Meeting.


A computer class ended and the speaker sought me out willing to share her online business with me along with her secret foolproof slipcovers. How unselfish and helpful!

Loving the idea of sewing with others in a group, I was just talking with Debbie on Skype about their sewing group. And who would guess I could get help setting up Skype at a sewing conference? Yet another wonderful experience for me. I had tried to set up this program before but got hung up in the process and never finished. Now, not just anyone would sit up half the night helping an almost perfect stranger. But enter two other new sewing sisters, Debbie and Joan, and several hours later I was not only functioning on Skype but got some free tips on downloading embroidery designs.

Oh, I learned a lot alright. But at the end of the day the most important stitch I have woven into the fiber of my new life event was the absolute selfless generosity with which everyone shared their experiences and knowledge. And that, my sewing sisters, is just one colorful experience that will continue to make this a priceless patchwork as I will stitch up my ASG experience for life.

Carla Chapman