Website Information

Website designed by Dragonfly Multimedia
Terms of Use
Copyright © 2009

Share |

About the Australian Sewing Guild Inc.

The Australian Sewing Guild Inc. is a national non-profit organisation for people who regard sewing as a creative and rewarding activity. Sharing the benefits and joys of sewing is almost as much fun as sewing itself. The ASG provides the latest sewing information and a friendly support network for all level of sewers, from beginners to advanced.

To share and further the art of sewing

To bring sewers together and encourage the establishment of sewing groups

To encourage and maintain a high standard of craftsmanship

To organise selective special events that promote sewing

To network with and support ASG members, liaising with other Guilds throughout Australia and overseas

To have inspirational displays and advice stands at sewing and craft related events

Our History

The forming of the Australian Sewing Guild Inc. (ASG) was the brainchild of our founder Michelle Pullen and stems from her experiences with the American Sewing Guild. Michelle realised that such an organisation would be of tremendous value to Australian sewers. The need arose for the establishment of the Guild when the Government downgraded textile courses in the schools and TAFE colleges.

The American Sewing Guild has assisted with the formation of our Guild by allowing us to utilise their Procedure Schedule and draw on their years of experience. Having this information made available to us has been fantastic and without it the establishment process would have been a lot slower. The Australian Sewing & Craft Industry Association (ASCIA) financially supported the formation of the Guild.

From October 1996 through to February 1997 a series of editorials were published in sewing related magazines to launch the Guild to potential members. This proved very successful in obtaining members, Neighbourhood Group Coordinators and Regional Organisers.

The National Board was appointed in March 1997. The appointment of the National Board was a very important stage of the Guild's development. Finding the right people for the job took a little time, but has certainly been worth the wait. The board members represent the sewer, the teacher and the industry.

The Guild changed its name from Australian Sewing & Creative Textiles Guild Inc. to Australian Sewing Guild Inc. in October 1999. Jessica Dunn, who is a junior member of the Nambucca Valley Neighbourhood Group, won the Australian Sewing Guild logo competition, at 13 years of age. Jessica's logo depicts Australia as a sewing machine and pin cushion.

Archived Newsletters

Issue Name

August 2011

May 2011

February 2011

November 2010

August 2010

May 2010

February 2010

November 2009

August 2009

May 2009

February 2009

November 2008

August 2008

May 2008

February 2008

November 2007

August 2007

May 2007

February 2007

November 2006

August 2006

MAY 2006

February 2006

November 2005

August 2005

Get Acrobat Reader

Organisational Structure

Neighbourhood Groups

A Neighbourhood Group consists of five or more members who are accessible to each other by distance and who meet regularly to sew and learn from each other. Sharing of knowledge is the key to Neighbourhood meetings, its main purpose being to encourage sewing in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Each Neighbourhood Group has an elected leader, the Neighbourhood Coordinator, who represents the group at the regional level.

Regions

The main purpose of a Region is to co-ordinate and support the Neighbourhood Groups of neighbouring areas. Therefore, ideally a Region would have two or more groups. Working as a larger body, the Region is able to hold special events and communicate through the Regional newsletter, thus bringing all the Regions and Neighbourhood Groups closer together.

The Regional Board consists of: the Regional Organiser, who is either appointed by the National Office or is elected by the regional members; Treasurer, who is elected by the members; and the Neighbourhood Co-ordinators. Further positions which may be appointed are outlined in the Guild's Handbook.

National Board

The National Board guides the direction of the Guild to the members' wishes. The positions held on the National Board are voluntary and are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The current Board members are listed in each quarterly newsletter.

Corporate Members

Bernina Australia Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Greg Alexander
1800 237 646
maryann@bernina.com.au
Sewing machines, overlockers and embroidery machines
www.bernina.com.au

Birch Haberdashery & Craft (Corporate Member)

John Birch
jbirch@birchhaby.com.au
www.birchhaby.com.au/

Blessington Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Candice Barcham
02 4337 3700
candice.barcham@blessingtongroup.com.au

Husqvarna Viking & Pfaff

http://www.pfaff.com
http://www.singerco.com.au
http://www.husqvarnaviking.com

Brother International (Aust) Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Brenda McCullough
02 9887 4344
brenda.mccullough@brother.com.au
Sewing Machines

Carmels Fabrics (Corporate Member)

Natalie Seymour
03 9583 5009
enquiries@carmelsfabrics.com.au
Carmels Fabrics sells a huge range of dressmaking, quilting, dance and special occasion fabrics, trims, embellishments and haberdashery. Carmels has been a Bayside institution for more than 25 years, with a retail store in Mentone and an online store at www.carmelsfabrics.com.au.
www.carmelsfabrics.com.au

Creative Image & Assoc. Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Irene Le Tissier
07 3822 5570
raptinstyle@optusnet.com.au
Stylist, Image Consultant, Training and Services

DVD Educator (Corporate Member)

Karyn Couper-Smith
07 4065 4686
info@dvdeducator.com.au
How to craft DVDS and Books. Miscellaneous Craft & Sewing Tools and Consumerables
www.dvdeducator.com.au

Echidna Sewing Products (Corporate Member)

Gary Walker
07 3390 3600
gary@echidnaclub.com.au
Embroidery Machines, Software and Accessories
www.echidnaclub.com.au

Fabric Frenzy (Corporate Member)

Julie Brodie
07 5596 4133
fabricfrenzy1@bigpond.com
www.fabricfrenzy.com.au

Fabrics At Ferny (Corporate Member)

Carmel Mazzeo
carmaz@optusnet.com.au
fabricsatferny.com.au

Frou Frou Fabrics (Corporate Member)

Sandra Bartacek
03 9887 7330
jfer5035@bigpond.net.au

Genie Products (Corporate Member)

Judith Turner
07 5537 3913
judith@geniecentre.com
Author – Clothing Alteration Secrets Revealed
www.geniecentre.com

Glitter and Dance Fabric Specialists (Corporate Member)

Carly Vidal
07 3849 2269
info@glitteranddance.com.au
Specialists in Stretch fabrics (lycra/Spandex) and manufacturer of dance costumes
www.glitteranddance.com.au

Gosford High School (Corporate Member)

Christine Buxton
02 4325 2048

Hip 2 Bear Square (Corporate Member)

Cheri Womsley
02 9636 6017
mail@hip2bearsquare.com
Design Patchwork Teddy Bear Quilt Patterns
www.hip2bearsquare.com

Hollyhock House & Crafts (Corporate Member)

Maree Schwerin
0417 641 871
jvenn@optusnet.com.au

We stock a unique range of buttons, fabric, braids, motifs and a gorgeous sellection of belts, shoes, jewllery, bags & fashionable clothing

Janome Australia P/L (Corporate Member)

Darren Hockey
03 8586 3100
darren.hockey@janome.com.au
www.janome.com.au/

Japan Made (Corporate Member)

Christina Imada
0415 448 023
info@japanmade.com.au
Beautifully authentic Japanese fabrics, kimonos and obis
www.japanmade.com.au

Kwik Sew Patterns (Corporate Member)

Martyn Smith
07 38929800
martyn.smith@kwiksew.com
www.kwiksew.com

Lily Brown Designs (Corporate Member)

Deborah Dance
02 4474 3827
deb@aussieembroidery.com.au
Designing and making Women's Children's Clothesand Baby Manchester
www.aussieembroidery.com.au

Martin & Savage Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

David Tinworth
02 9698 5811
davidt@mands.com.au
www.mands.com.au

Metro Fabrics (Corporate Member)

Mark Powell
02 9558 6622
info@metrofabrics.com.au
Supplier of Fashion Fabrics and Accessories
www.metrofabrics.com.au

Perivale Gutermann Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Linda Hodder

Pitt Trading H & S McCann Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Sylvia McCann
02 9529 3038
sylvia@pitt-trading
Fabrics, Laces, Braids, Haberdashery, Vintage Accessories

Rathdowne Fabrics (Corporate Member)

Lesley Taylor
03 9388 5444
lesley@sunshinetrading.com
Various Fabrics and Haberdashery

Review Your Style (Corporate Member)

Janice McDonnell
03 5988 5020
janice.mcdonnel@bigpond.com
reviewyourstyle.com.au

Reynolds Bros (Corporate Member)

John Reynolds
02 9587 5020
john@reynoldsbros.com.au
Sewing Machines sales and repairs. Retailer and Importer
www.reynoldsbros.com.au

Sew Inspirational Events (Corporate Member)

Katie Neall
02 9477 3393
info@sewinspirationalevents.com.au
Australian and international tours, events, workshops and presentations are ‘tailored’ to like-minded adventurers with a love of textiles, fashion and FUN!
sewinspirationalevents.com.au

Simplicity Patterns Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

John Byrnes
jbyrnes@simplicity.com
www.simp.com.au/

Style Arc Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Chloe Parker
03 9428 9229
enquiries@stylearc.com.au

Sewing Patterns

www.stylearc.com.au

Sue's Sewing World (Corporate Member)

Sue Van Riet
08 8365 1005
suessewingworld@internode.on.net
Sell, repair/service many brands of sewing machines. Quilting and Dressmaking fabrics. Embroidery and sewing threads.Quilting and Dressmaking classes.
www.suessewingworld.com.au

The Needleworks (Corporate Member)

Helen Sadler
08 8276 5233
fabricheaven@chariot.net.au
Fabric Store, Sewing Lessons

Thorpe & Co (Corporate Member)

Maarten Plooy
02 4929 4456
thorpesew@idl.com.au

Sales and Servicing of Sewing Machines, Bernina, Husqvarna, and Babylock. Horn Cabinets and Quilt Fabrics

Zig Zag Sewing (Corporate Member)

Sally Somner
02 4960 2426
zigzagsewing@optusnet.com.au

We sell Pfaff, Janome, Babylock Elna Singer Sewing machines as well as having a range of both dress and quilting fabrics. We also have quilting, overlocking and dressmaking classes.