Scroll down to see details about these Special Events below:

• Landscape Quilt Postcard Workshop: May 13, 2025 at Gall Sewing & Vac, 3150 Plainfield Ave, NE Grand Rapids, MI
• Jen Stern Pants Workshop:  June 11-12, 2025 at Doubletree Hilton in Grand Rapids, MI
• Public Museum Archives Tour:  Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 255 Washington St SE, Grand Rapids, MI
• Sewing Retreat:   Nov 4-6, 2025 at Camp Geneva, Holland MI

Details available: below (scroll down) and on GRASG calendar   https://www.grasg.org/calendar/

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The Whole Scoop~Multi-Method Pants Fitting Workshop

with Jennifer Stern-Haseman

WHAT:    2 Day, Hands-on Class

WHEN:   Wednesday, June 11 & Thursday, June 12, 2025

     Class from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m,  Doors open @ 8:30.

WHERE:  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Rapids Airport

               4747 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512-1915

 COST:        Different for members & non-members, cash, check or card. Scroll down to see variable prices.

 ACCOMMODATIONS:   Rooms not included with workshop fee.  Pay individually through the hotel.

   Room Cost: $119 plus 15% tax.

   Single or Double - includes breakfast

   Make Reservations using this LINK. Adjust dates to meet your needs.

Jennifer Stern-Haseman, J. Stern Designs https://jsterndesigns.com/, will lead the two-day class where participants will create a tested pants garment, fine-tuned to their body and a refined pattern that’s ready to sew well-fitting pants.  This is basically a ‘muslin’ in regular pants fabric.

In The Whole Scoop~ Multi-Method Pants Fitting Class, we start with the basic framework of Top-Down Center Out (described by R. Collins in Threads magazine #218) by creating a fitted non-stretch waistband that is used to fit a single-leg muslin.

I’ll show you how to work with “sticky pins” to help manage the fabric around your waistline & make drape fitting a snap. After smoothing the wrinkles we’ll finish with some traditional pants fitting techniques to achieve the fit you’re looking for.

One of the things that may need to be adjusted is the position of the crotch curve, I’ll show you how to get it in the right spot using a fit adjustment that does not affect other vertical dimensions of the pattern like pulling it up at the waist or pleating out excess vertical length. Did you know that some of the “fitting” is hidden in the center front/center back seams? I’ll share how to take advantage of these edges to create pattern pieces that agree with your curves and allow the fabric to hang properly.

You can also play with the ease along the leg, by adjusting both the side and inseam. Then I’ll show you how to transfer these adjustments to your pattern pieces before cutting out the second leg and sewing a whole pair of pants.

The best part is, you’ll leave class with:

• a pattern that’s ready to sew pants with
• the skills to fit pants by yourself!

Things to Know

• This class is limited to 20 participants.
• Public advertising will begin April 15, so GRASG members have exclusive registration until then.
• Questions?? Please contact grasguild@gmail.com
• Size Chart  for your fitting waistband

Kit (Included in Registration Fee) Includes:

• Printed Pattern
• Fit Guide
• Threads Article “Practical Pants Fitting” by R. Collins. Kit is included in registration fee.

Supplies:

For Pattern Work:

• Pattern paper

• 18” clear grid ruler

• French curve

• Paper scissors

• Scotch tape in a weighted dispenser

• Pencil and colored pencils to keep track of pattern adjustments

For Muslin Construction:

• 1 ½ yards 60” fabric of your choice (should be similar to your favorite pants fabric.)
• Sewing machine in good working order
• Basic Sewing Supplies (Scissors, pins, seam ripper, tape measure, etc.)
• All Purpose Thread
• Non-Stretch Fitting Waistband

***(Instructions & pattern for waistband supplied with paid registration)***

COST (includes Lunch and Pants Workshop Kit):

ASG Members $370 cash/check; OR $384 credit card   

•  $384 credit card   Credit Card Payment Link

Non-Members $430 cash/check

• $430 credit card     Credit Card Payment Link
• To save the Non-Member price, join ASG at https://www.asg.org/join-asg

      Checks made out to: GRASG with 'Pants Workshop' in the memo

                  Mail to:

                      Rita Reimbold

                      13733 Sunset Shores

                      Cedar Springs, MI  

(Be sure to enter your info into the Registration form when you pay)   Registration Form Link 

Confirmation and Non-stretch waistband pattern and directions will be sent to you from grasguild@gmail.com with paid registration .

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This challenge was open to ALL GRASG members and started in October 2024.

1. Look through your fabric stash and find a NICE piece of fabric,  between 2 and 4 yards, that no longer fits your sewing needs or wants but is just waiting for someone else to love it and turn it into something AMAZING! Come on. You know you’ve got at least one of these sitting around. The piece should be large enough to give the new recipient enough to work with –
2. Put this lovely fabric in a brown paper bag.  Turn down the top and staple or tape it closed. Put your name, email & phone number on the bottom of the bag.
3. Bring your challenge fabric to the October meeting when we will play a fun game, and you will go home with someone else’s once-loved fabric.
4. Between October and April, you are challenged to make anything from your new fabric: a garment, a quilt, a tote, a pillow… The options are unlimited.  The ONLY RULE is that you must use at least 50% of your gifted orphan fabric in your project. You can add any accenting trims and coordinating fabric you choose.

Take your time.  Let your ideas marinate. You have until our reveal party in April to finish. If you can’t be at the October meeting and still want to participate in this fun event, contact Nancy Prinzi, Nancy Bender, or Mary Stehouwer to exchange your orphan for another.

If you really want to challenge yourself, bring 2 or 3 orphans to exchange.

Please note: THIS IS NOT AN UGLY FABRIC CHALLENGE!!! The fabric you exchange should be something you would use; a nice piece but one that doesn’t work for you now.

UPDATE:

What an event this was.  The stories and projects were priceless.  It was especially interesting to see all the beautiful things our sewists made.  To hear the challenges along the way with patterns, fabrics and other sewing stories was great!!!

RESULTS:

To see the results of the Orphan Challenge, check out the Photos tab on this website.