Sew-In 2022 Canceled

It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to cancel the 2022 Sew-In. This pandemic has definitely affected our ability to comfortably gather.

South Slope will no longer be open to the public so I have also made the decision to not do another event. It was the perfect set-up for our venue.

My sisters and I want to thank-you all, for your love and support, over the last 16 years.

I will be sending refunds out this week and making a donation to the food pantry for those of you who were generous enough to forfeit your deposit.

Keep sewing!

Peg

Sew-In 2022

I hope this letter finds you all happy and healthy! I am ready to see you all and enjoy some great days of sewing! I hope this letter finds you all happy and healthy! I am ready to see you all and enjoy some great days of sewing!It is hard to plan with a year like 2021. Even though this pandemic hit hard, you've all shown me just how resilient quilters are. You have been sewing like crazy! I have been quilting quilts that contain fabrics from 2004 when I first opened the shop. Where do you hide it all?! Mark your calendars! The Sew-In is rescheduled and on the books at South Slope for March 10-13, 2022. Most of you put your deposit down at the last Sew-In and some have paid the entire $130. If you are unable to attend and would like a refund, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 3915 West Overlook Road NE, Iowa City, IA 52240, by January 31st. If you plan to attend, your balance of $120 is due by January 31st to the same address. Checks and cash only.  2022 continues to disrupt normal activities with Covid 19. Your safety and health is my first concern. I am asking that anyone coming to the Sew-In be vaccinated and boosted or forfeit your place. No exceptions. I will not police this by asking for proof. Honesty is required. If you are not feeling well, please don’t attend.  Masks are required. In fact, there will be prizes for the top three most creative masks. Get busy!  We will be serving appetizers on Thursday, a large meal on Friday and Saturday at approximately 2 PM, and dessert to follow in the evenings. Brunch will be served on Sunday.  Doors are open... Thursday 1:00 PM-10:00 PM Friday and Saturday 8:00 AM-10 PM Sunday 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM OHHHH the snacks...Please feel free to bring some but only have them at your table. No community table this year. I cannot reserve seats but hope you find a group you feel comfortable with for the weekend. We would like to celebrate the Sew-In by bringing you back to old times. Mary will do will do some sewing demonstrations and I will have a quilt planned with kits for sale. We do not have a quilt shop attending this year. Show and Tell will be Saturday at 8 PM. If you have questions or concerns, I can be reached by text or by calling 319-626-3160. This is the best way to reach me. Please do not send messages through Facebook. This is going to be a blast! See you all soon. Please follow us on Facebook for more updates.

Sew-In 2020: Update

What a wild group we have signed up for the Sew-In 2020! We can’t wait to see you all again. We must maintain order so here are a few rules:

The theme this year is: 50-year Anniversary of Woodstock. You may dress appropriately or not. The key word is dress. No nudity.

When you arrive to the Sew-In, please sign in at the kitchen with Peg. You will receive a name tag, your freebie, as well and entry into door prizes. One lucky person will also get a free pass for next year. Congratulations to Gina Moore, who won for 2020!

As usual, we will have cutting stations and ironing boards set up. If you bring your own iron, please make it a small one. Too many large irons will trip circuits. It also helps if you bring extension cords with multiple outlets.

Please park in the lot. You can unload at the sidewalk, but the front parking spots are for Common Threads and Cotton Creek Mill staff who will be loading and unloading throughout the long weekend. If you are in these spots you will be asked to move. Please let Peg know if you need help unloading.

Menus and demonstration schedule will be posted at the event.

Thursday, January 16
2- 10 pm
Doors open at 2 pm. We cannot let you in early.
Appetizers served around 5:00

Friday, January 17 - Saturday, January 18
8 am - 10 pm
Lunch served at noon
Supper served at 6:00
Demonstrations held throughout the day by Cotton Creek Mill
Sewing machine maintenance by appointment
Massages by appointment
Sign up sheets will be available
Show & Tell and Best Woodstock Attire Saturday evening

Sunday, January 19
10 am - 3 pm
Brunch served at 11:00
Massages by appointment
We try to accommodate gluten-free and vegetarian options. If you need additional dietary
support, let us know. We will try.

If you cannot attend the Sew-In, we are unable to refund your money at this late date. If the weather plays tricks on us, we will reschedule.

Please call or text Peg if you have questions or concerns. 319-626-3160

Where: 
South Slope Community Center
980 North Front Street
North Liberty, Iowa

Accommodations:
Sleep Inn
485 Madison Ave. North
North Liberty, Iowa
319-665-2700

Sew-In 2020

The 2020 Sew-In is just around the corner! The planning committee is getting prepared for the ultimate experience. We will be remembering, so "50 years since Woodstock" is our theme.

These that you should know are as follows:

When:
January 16-19, 2020
Thursday 2-10pm
Friday 8am-10pm
Saturday 8am-10pm
Sunday 10am-3pm

Where:
South Slope Community Center
980 South Front Street
North Liberty, Iowa 52317

Who:
Common Threads and family will be providing meals. Thursday we will have appetizers. On Friday & Saturday, we will serve lunch and supper. On Sunday, brunch will be served. Menus will be posted and announced at a later date.

Cotton Creek Mill in West Branch will be our vendor again. They will have projects and a mystery quilt.

Payment of $130 is due by November 1st. If you have paid your deposit, $120 is your balance due.

Peg is taking names on the waiting list only.

Call for Volunteers

I received an email from Dina Bishara, co-founder of the Iowa City Autism Community. She is looking for volunteers to thelp her create "Calm Kits" to distribute to students in area schools. Please read her letter below and contact her if you are able to help. Thank you!

Hello Peg,

My name is Dina Bishara and I am a co-founder of the Iowa City Autism Community (autismiowacity.org).  We are a local, grass-roots group that works for the inclusion and acceptance of autistic people and their families in our communities, businesses, and schools.

As a result of a bit of fundraising we have done (modest though it is - we are just two volunteer moms!), we will be creating what we call "Calm Kits" to distribute to area schools to be used for students (autistic or with other difficulties) who are experiencing anxiety, sensory overwhelm, or stress.  

In addition to these Calm Kits, we would like to include a weighted lap blanket (usually about 12"x20") for each school. [Here is a lot more information about weighted blankets and their benefits for children on the autism spectrum: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/weighted-blankets-autism/ ]

After excavating my linen closet, I discovered that I have a good deal of unused canvas and heavy duty cotton fabric - old curtains- in great shape.  The first thing that came to mind was that it would be perfect material to make weighted lap blankets/pads.  There is only one problem!  I have no ability to take on a project like this myself - no craft or sewing skills.

I am looking for volunteers who would be able and willing to take on a project like this (here is one example of a "DIY" weighted lap pad: https://christacodesign.com/2017/10/19/diy-lap-pad-sewing-tutorial/).  The Iowa City Autism Community is also able to pay for the poly pellets that are used to weight the blankets (we are thinking around 3lbs per).

I am wondering if anyone in your sewing and quilting community might be interested in a project such as this?  We would be looking at 12-15 lap-sized blankets to start - and would not expect any one group to take on the entire number.  I will be reaching out to other shops and quilters, as well.

Thank you so much for your consideration.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the Iowa City Autism Community or this project.

Happy New Year,

Dina Bishara

Iowa City Autism Community

autismiowacity.org

Newsletter: Winter 2018-2019

Yes ma'am, it is almost time for the big showdown! Lucky number 13, year of the Sew-In! January 17-20 with snow date of February 21-24 (potentially). This year we are hapy to announce a few changes! Change can be good, you know. Cotton Creek Mill in West Branch is going to be taking over the store part of the Sew-In. Mary and I have given them some great ideas and they have flown with them. There will still be a mystery quilt with kits available as well as fast and easy projects you can complete in little time. Demonstrations on sewing techniques and gadgets will also be on their venue. They will also offer a "quickie" sewing machine cleaning and oiling for $30. Any kind of machine can be cleaned. Sign-up sheets will be available at the event.

Registration balance of $120 is due ASAP and can be sent to me at: 3915 West Overlook Rd NE, Iowa City, IA 52240 . There is a waiting list for the event so if you are not able to attend, please let me know.

This year's them is "Thank Your Lucky Stars!" Hopefully, we will be lucky to have acceptable weather.

SCHEDULE:
Thursday: doors open at 2 p.m. No earlier. You may sew until 10 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Show & Tell Saturday night

Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday is Show & Tell night. Show off any projects you have completed, or not, to the multitudes. We would also like to know what lucky thing has happened in your lifetime.

WHAT TO BRING:
- Sewing supplies & projects
- Rulers
- Rotary cutter
- Sewing machine & cord!!
- Small irons only
- Extension cord
- Treat to share at the grazing table (optional)
- Lip balm...my lips get pretty dry from all the yapping

WHAT WE SUPPLY:
- Irons & ironing boards
- Cutting tables & mats
- Extra cords
- Lots and lots of love

ACCOMMODATIONS:
The Sleep Inn located at 485 Madison Ave. in North Liberty has special rates for Common Threads customers. Lucky for us! Call them at 319-665-2700 to make your reservations. Ask for the special rate for the Common Threads Sew-In.

Bill McArtor, AKA Sven

SPECIAL SERVICES:
- Bill McArtor, AKA sven, will be available for massages throughout the weekend. Peg cannot reserve times on his schedule. Please sign up when you arrive.

FOOD:
Thursday: appetizers
Friday & Saturday: lunch & supper
Sunday: brunch

We try to have gluten-free and healthy options available. If you have suggestions for the menu, email Peg at pegriffin-wood@hotmail.com. The menu will be posted at the event.

The grazing table is open to your treats. Be prepared to share your recipe if you treat is too good to be true. Sharing a treat is optional. Please do not feel obligated, especially if you are traveling.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER: 

Yes, the sisters are coming!

- Please park in the lot only. Not in the spaces close to the building. This area is for staff that will be coming and going throughout the event and loading and unloading frequently.

- Please remember to check in with Peg upon arrival to receive your name tag, winning lottery ticket, and door prize entry.

- If you need help unloading, please ask. We are happy to help.

- There are wagons and carts just inside then entrance for your use to unload your vehicle. You may unload at the front sidewalk and then move your car into the lot.

- Coffee, water, decaf, and iced tea will be provided throughout the event.
- Reservations for seating are not available. Due to the amount of people attending, we will have seating set up. You are welcome to move things around once people are settled. Be nice!
- As much as we like to see all of you and your families, please refrain from having visitors come to the event. It is a retreat, after all.
- No perfumes please. Body lotion and hair products with fragrance should be used with caution. Caution means you could be asked to wash up or we might give you a sponge bath.

- Cash and checks are preferred but Visa and MasterCard are accepted if you shop at the event.

- Reservation for next year is $10, non-refundable. We will be giving away one free registration fee this year. Hope you are the lucky one!

Hopefully you have all had your flu and pneumonia shots. Please do not come if you are ill!

Due to a family issue, the schedule for classes will be posted after the first of the year. Happy holidays, everyone!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Our practice run for the 2019 Sew-In begins now! October 15th, 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. at South Slope
Community Center.

If you have signed up for this event you will enjoy: 
- A lovely soup and salad supper around 5 p.m. (of course there is dessert!)
- All you can drink, iced tea, coffee, and lemon water
- A table for snacks if you want to bring something to share
- Some fast, easy projects that Mary and Peg have to share with you

What to bring
- Your projects
- Sewing machine and sewing supplies (Don’t forget your cord and foot pedal)
- Extension cord
- Small irons only

Where to come
- South Slope Community Center, 980 North Front Street, North Liberty 

- Please park in the side lot. Leave the front space by the sidewalk for staff.
- There are carts inside the door to use to haul your things inside
- Check in with Peg and enter your name for door prizes

What we supply other than FUN
- Irons and ironing boards
- Cutting mats
- Some kits for the sewing projects and prefer payment in cash or check (we will accept Visa or MasterCard if necessary)


Thanks for coming and please have a great time!

Contact Peg for questions: pegriffin-wood@hotmail.com or 319-626-3160