Santie says:

When fabric truly counts….

Our chapter is on a journey to increase our knowledge base of fabrics, their content, characteristics and suitable applications. Although we have gained great insight on garment fabrics, we have barely scratched the surface as there is a whole new field to look into.That of athletic wear. Let’s take a closer look. 

I loved watching the Winter Olympic Games. The spectacular outfits worn during the Opening ceremony expressed national identity and showcased the craftsmanship of various major fashion houses. Team USA proudly wore Ralph Lauren designed wool outfits. As ambassadors, they impressed the fashion critiques, but staying warm and maintaining a balance between formal and functional was of essence. 

Of greater importance was the uniforms the athletes competed in. Textiles no longer limit performance, as textiles evolved and offer highly engineered garments. Unique performance characteristics renders each garment a performance instrument. Fabrics are chosen with intention as a Speed skater requires different features in the outfit, than a Figure Skater would. 

These high performance fabrics are developed with the help of sport scientists, textile engineers and even aerospace experts. Common high performance textiles include membrane laminates for wind and waterproofing, thermal brushed knits for heat retention without weight, cut resistant fibers (Kevlar), polyurethane coatings for aerodynamics and warp-knit compression textiles. In addition construction such as seam taping and ultrasonic bonding to reduce friction and bulk, add to the performance design. Even embellishments are now bonded rather than stitched and crystals may be flexible to stretch with the fabric. Body mapping is another tool, using different fabrics in different zones of the garment to maximize movement. 

Olympic athletic wear reminds us that fabric is never “just fabric”. It can shape movement, improve performance and even change history. The athletes rely on the garments to enhance their performance and any wardrobe malfunction can have disastrous consequences such as costing them the gold medal. Any garment we make/wear should provide optimal performance and comfort, but that is a tall order to say the least. 

As sewists we will have difficulty procuring any of high tech fabrics used in the Olympics, but we can apply some of the same principles in our sewing studios. This may entail:

• Choose fabric with intention. 
• Consider fit as engineering features.
• Understand maximum stretch and recovery of stretch fabrics and negative ease before cutting.
• Regard seam finishes as functional as well as a design element.
• Test garments in motion, not just in front of a mirror. 
• Explore technical textiles with curiosity. 
• Take embellishments to a new height. 

Make thoughtful fabric choices to maximize body movement and comfort of the garment. 

I trust you also feel inspired to sew one of those delicate and glamorous figure skating dresses.  I can only imagine the complexity of making one. Please let me know if you have ever made one. We would love to hear more. 

I am proud of our chapter member’s curiosity and eagerness to explore new ideas. Show and Tell never fails to impress me. It is a delight to see the evolution in your sewing. 

Keep your needles threaded and remain intrigued. 

Santie Coetser 

Chapter President 

A complete list of all current members can be found

on our Members page.

Community Service Report 1st Quarter 2026

In January I delivered 10 hats and scarves and 2 pairs of socks to DSS for the foster children. These were actually turned in to me after my December delivery so are counted in this year’s contribution. For the time being, DSS is well supplied with tote bags and only requested donations of socks, so no new sewing for now but if you want to donate socks, they will be appreciated.

There is still a great need for the chemo caps. Phyllis Fulmer has been supplying Gibbs Cancer Center and has contributed 44 chemo caps to them, as well as 15 port pillows and 2 quilts. She has also donated 6 quilts to the Piedmont Women’s Center. See photos below. 

Asheville has donated 22 kitty mats for the animal shelter and they have made 4 pillows and 7 pillow cases this quarter. See photo below.

I know that several of you contribute to other needs in your churches or neighborhoods.  This is a great community service as well, so if you let me know what you have done, I will include it in my quarterly reports to the newsletter. You can email your information to:  [email protected].  Photos are also welcome.

Thanks for all you do.

You can find patterns and guidelines for making charity projects by clicking here:

Community Service

On February  28th we had 8 students at Spartanburg Extension 4h office There were 2 projects a heart shaped potholder and a small zippered bag made with heart fabric and a small pieced heart on the front. The 4h leader has asked that we make patriotic projects for our summer help date on July 24th. Our projects will be simple flags and a flag shaped sleeve for a quart jar. Any donation of red white or blue fabric would be appreciated Thanks Karla Milota

Karla Milota [email protected]

What can we do to help? That was the first response of the Asheville’s Feisty Stitchers upon learning that their meeting site, New Hope Presbyterian Church in Asheville, had been selected as a site to house recovery workers, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.  

Hurricane Helene has been categorized as the deadliest hurricane in the contiguous U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The hurricane reached the mountains of Western North Carolina in late September of 2024 leaving behind a path of death and destruction brought on by flooding, landslides, and strong winds. 

Once basic infrastructure could be repaired, recovery efforts turned to long term restoration and repair. New Hope Presbyterian Church, along with Presbyterian Churches in Candler and Spruce Pine were selected as sites to house groups of recovery workers. At New Hope, kitchen, dining area, and restrooms were already available and classrooms were cleared to make way for sleep areas and a comfortable lounge. A washer and dryer were upgraded to be accessible to recovery teams and bunk beds were installed to sleep 12 people. The Givens Estates, a retirement community located near the church made their shower, pool, and towel service available to recovery teams.   

Nan Riley

Have you ever forgotten to renew your ASG membership before it expired? You received an email reminder well in advance and you thought you had plenty of time to renew and then, the first thing you knew, three months had passed and you were no longer eligible for the $5 discount on your renewal. You will now pay the full annual fee. How can you avoid that?  It’s easy!  Next time your renewal date approaches, sign up for auto-renewal.  Sign in to your Account Information online, click on Renew Membership, and choose the Auto Renewal Option. You will pay as you would for a regular one-year renewal, print a membership card, and be all set!   Thirty days prior to your next year’s renewal date, you will receive an email informing you that your membership will auto-renew on your renewal date in plenty of time to opt out if you choose to do so. You won’t have to worry about missing out on the $5 discount or about not being able to opt out if that's what you choose to do.  It’s really the smartest way to avoid missing out on the discount or risking a lost-in-the-mail check. Give it a try - it will be one less thing to worry about!

Sue Langley

ASG Board of Directors

ASG willl no longer be mailing out membership cards. You can easily download and print them from the website. If you have trouble finding this on the website, here is a tutorial telling you how to update your profile, renew your membership and download your membership card. Just scroll down. Members. 

Those of you who are interested in making a Quilted Hug, here's like to a website instructions and inspiration: https://cradiori.co/cozy-up-with-these-quilted-hug-patterns/

Greenville Neighborhood Group Meeting

We have not announced our program for April yet. Stay tuned. It's coming soon to your email.  

We want to support our local shops but with the closing of JoAnn's, there's just some things we can no longer buy locally. We have a list of websites that our members have recommended. They can be found on our Members Page which can only be accessed by our ASG members.

About Us: History of ASG Upstate

Blog: Latest Show and Shares. To see all the photos from a particular meeting, click on the photo or click on Read More. Also, if you can't make it to a meeting and have something to share, send a photo and description to [email protected].

Community Service: Download patterns and instructions for all our community service projects. 

And a whole lot more. Just go back to the top of the page and see the whole selections. For Members Only, you will need a password. If you are a member and don't have the password, please contact [email protected].

To receive your discount from the advertisers below,

be sure to have your membership card with you.

Marietta's and Bernina Discounts

10% the day of the meeting

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10% Discount at Asheville Cotton Company (Some restrictions may apply)

 1378 Hendersonville Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28803 • 828-277-4100