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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

No
Issue Name
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

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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

Autumn Threads (Corporate Member)

Evelyn Cummings
02 4751 2004
evelyn@autumnthreads.com.au
www.autumnthreads.com.au/

Baby Lock Australia (Corporate Member)

George Messina
03 9336 4377
lucy@babylock.com.au
www.babylock.com.au/

Bamboo Fabric Store Australia (Corporate Member)

Sharon Down
07 5408 0725
sharon@bamboofabricstore.com.au
On line Fabric Store specialising in bamboo and sustainable fabrics
www.bamboofabricstore.com.au

Beach Bubble Swimwear (Corporate Member)

Carol Mullen
07 4615 5445
mullenmather@bigpond.com
www.beachbubbleswimwear.com

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/

Booby Traps (Corporate Member)

Jill Bradshaw
02 9979 6659
info@boobytraps.com.au
www.boobytraps.com.au

Brother International (Aust) Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

02 9887 4344

Carmels Fabrics (Corporate Member)

Natalie Seymour
03 9583 5009
enquiries@carmelsfabrics.com.au

Catherine's Place (Corporate Member)

Catherine Harris
0413 388 797
catherine@catherinesplace.com.au
Catherine's Place stocks many necessities for your sewing needs. Sewing machine needles, threads, fabrics for quilting & clothes, battings thermal fabrics, quilt back fabrics, bag making supplies, patterns - the list goes on! We believe in giving you the best everyday prices around, so why dont you come and see what we have for you?
www.catherinesplace.com.au

Chris Rewell Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Christine Rewell
02 9872 3508
chris@chrisrewell.com.au
Image and colour consultancy, Education & Training, Publications
www.chrisrewell.com.au/

Crafty Mamas (Corporate Member)

Lisa Zelenko
03 5152 1816
admin@craftymamas.net
www.craftymamas.net/

Creative Image& Assoc. Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

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

Cut, Sew N' Go (Corporate Member)

Julianne Whitehead
07 3822 4132
julianne@cutsewngo.com.au
Sewing Book

Fabric Frenzy (Corporate Member)

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

For Frock's Sake! (Corporate Member)

Felicity Bynge
07 4630 8223
forfrockssake@westnet.com.au
www.forfrockssake.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
www.geniecentre.com

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

Janome Australia P/L (Corporate Member)

Letitia Moore Katrina Brett
03 8586 3100
letitia.moore@janome.com.au
www.janome.com.au/

Kwik Sew Patterns (Corporate Member)

Martyn Smith
07 38929800
martyn.smith@kwiksew.com
KWIK•SEW Pattern Company has been creating home-sewing patterns since 1967 (and been available in Australia since 1979). Today there are more than 800 KWIK•SEW patterns to choose from, including the latest fashions and a variety of crafts. KWIK•SEW offers the largest selection of patterns for children, men, lingerie, swimwear, active wear, and fleece. With multiple designs and variations provided in every KWIK•SEW pattern, there are thousands of sewing projects to choose from. Since 1967 styles and designs have changed, but KWIK•SEW’s commitment to providing quality sewing patterns has remained the same. KWIK•SEW maintains its own in-house design studio so every pattern is generated with consistent fit and easy-to follow sewing instructions. Every garment design is tried on real people and extensively tested for comfort and fit. Furthermore, KWIK•SEW patterns are printed in-house to assure the highest quality control. These are just some of the ways KWIK•SEW Pattern Company endeavors to be better so we may provide our customers the best in home-sewing patterns.

Lincraft Australia Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

John Maguire
03 8558 9200
jmaguire@lincraft.com.au
www.lincraft.com.au/

Martin & Savage Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

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

McCalls Pattern Service Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Dennis Darcy
02 8713 1700
ddarcy@mccalls.com.au
McCalls: Butterick: Vogue Patterns: Palmer Pletsch Books, CD's, patterns and products: Weft Interfacings; Sunsilky Linings: Sewing Thread Specialist

Micro 2000 Australia Embroidery (Corporate Member)

Hugh Wingate
02 4225 9047
hwingate@ozemail.com.au
Retailer

MK's Sew-Able (Corporate Member)

Marilyn Kirstenfeldt
07 4638 8288
mkworking@bigpond.com
www.sewable.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

Sckafs Fabrics (Corporate Member)

Fran Morriss
sckafsfabrics@optusnet.com.au

Sew Inspirational Events (Corporate Member)

Susan Neall & Stephen Gray Neall & Gray
02 4384 5637
Info@sewinspirationalevents.com.au
35 years experience in every area of the home sewing industry, both in Australia and the USA, has led the way to the formation of this dynamic partnership. This innovative new company specialises in Textile Tours, Workshops, Presentations, Web & Print Publishing, Exhibitions and Conventions.
www.sewinspirationalevents.com.au

Sewing with Confidence Ltd (Corporate Member)

Marlene Kuba
+64 9 420 4079
mkuba@u2cansew.com
Sewing DVDs
www.u2cansew.com

Simplicity Patterns Pty Ltd (Corporate Member)

Lauren Solomon
www.simp.com.au/

The Quilters Rest (Corporate Member)

Marion Lees
07 4162 3987
info@quiltersrest.com.au
Quilting Retreat, Patchwork and Sewing Supplies
www.quiltersrest.com.au

VSM Australia (Corporate Member)

Mark Wilks
mark.wilks@vsmgroup.com
Husqvarna Viking & Pfaff
www.husqvarnaviking.com http://www.pfaff.com

Zig Zag Sewing (Corporate Member)

Sally Somner
02 4955 6312
zigzagsewing@optusnet.com.au