Hop Into Spring with Our April Program: Smocked Carrot Drawstring Bag! 🥕

Spring has officially arrived, and we’re celebrating with a sweet, seasonal smocking project! Join us this April to make an adorable Smocked Carrot Drawstring Bag—a cheerful, fully constructed 10" tall bag that’s perfect for Easter goodies, spring décor, or simply adding a handmade touch to your season.

No smocking experience? No problem! This project is beginner-friendly, and the smocking can be completed in less than an hour.

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📅 Program Details

📍 Location:
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
W196N9525 Cross View Way
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

📆 Date: Sunday, April 13
⏰ Time: 1:30–3:30 PM
💰 Cost: Free!

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✂️ What to Bring

• Scissors
• An embroidery needle
• Magnification (if needed)

If you don’t have everything, no worries—guests can share scissors and needles! All other supplies will be provided.

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💡 Why You’ll Love This Project

✔️ The carrot bag is fully constructed and ready to smock—no machine sewing needed
✔️ Smocking is simple, meditative, and quick to learn
✔️ Great for beginners and experienced stitchers alike
✔️ Makes a perfect gift or seasonal accent
✔️ You’ll go home with a completed piece (and a new skill!)

Come enjoy an afternoon of stitching, socializing, and spring fun. We can’t wait to see you there! 🌷

You're Invited...

...to a Smocking Open House at the New Berlin Public Library on Sunday, March 9, from 1:30–3:30 PM!

Join the Milwaukee Area Chapter of SAGA (Smocking Arts Guild of America) for a fun and interactive afternoon where you can:

✔ Learn basic smocking stitches
✔ Learn how to use a pleater
✔ Enjoy refreshments and friendly conversation
✔ Watch a video presentation of the 2024 State Fair Fashion Show, featuring beautiful smocked and sewn items made by members of our group and the Milwaukee ASG (American Sewing Guild) chapter

📍 Location: New Berlin Public Library – Community Room (Turn left after entering the main doors)
📌 Address: 15105 W Library Ln, New Berlin, WI 53151
📅 Date: Sunday, March 9
⏰ Time: 1:30–3:30 PM

Whether you're new to smocking or looking to refine your skills, this is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and enjoy the craft in a welcoming environment. Bring a friend and drop in anytime—no RSVP required!

We hope to see you there!

February and March Events

Display at the New Berlin Public Library

February is National Smocking month!

Smocked items will be on display at the New Berlin Public Library throughout the month.

Winter Quilt Show

Washington County Fairgrounds

3000 County Hwy PV, West Bend, WI 53095

9am-4pm

Stop by and visit our booth to learn more about smocking!

Program meeting

Sunday, February 9 - New Berlin Public Library

1:30-3:30pm

We'll continue working on our smocked ornament that we started in January.

Open House

Sunday, March 9

New Berlin Public Library

Community Room

15105 W Library Ln, New Berlin, WI 53151

1:30-3:30pm

Stop by and learn more about smocking and benefits of SAGA membership

 Workshop with Judith Adams - May 17-19, 2024

We're excited to host Australian teacher, Judith Adams, for three smocking classes May 17-19, 2024!

Classes will be held at Mt. Mary University in Milwaukee, WI.

See links below for more details, including class pre-requisites.  

To register, click HERE.  Registration deadline:  April 22, 2024

English Netting Needle Roll

Store your sewing needles in a beautiful hand-smocked needle roll made of embroidered English netting and silk organza.

Skill level:  All welcome.

Class time:  Friday, May 17, 6-9pm

Class cost:  $28 (includes kit)

Floss color choice:  Wisteria blue or a Victorian rose pink

Rock Star Pleating

A totally hands-on class with easy and stress free tips and techniques for setting up the pleater, pleating a variety of fabrics and layers, and cleaning your pleater.

Skill level:  All welcome.  Pleater required.

Class time:  Saturday, May 18, 9am-4pm

Class cost:  $51 (includes kit and lunch)

Smocked Patchwork Liberty Shoulder Bag

Add together wonderful Liberty fabrics, a dash of smocking, and mix them up in a patchwork of 4” squares to construct a shoulder bag for your keys, purse, or sewing.

Skill level:  Able to use a pleater.  Can smock cable stitch and multi-step waves 

Class time:  Sunday, May 19, 9am-4pm

Class cost:  $71 (includes kit and lunch)

Fabric color choice:  blues/reds (left bag) OR pinks/aquas (right bag) - actual fabrics may vary

September Show 'n Share

Pearl brought her winning Wisconsin State Fair Smocking Award entry.

Here is a close-up of the smocking and ribbon. 

....and an better close-up of the Vertical Smocking....Well done!

...and of the handmade "Cockade", which was used for our ribbon. 

Celeste made this quilt, which has an illusion of motion. 

Marsha flipped it up to show us the back.

Here is a close-up of the blocks....

....and a better close-up. Very cool!

Katy shared a example of Biscornu that she made. 

Here is a different view of it.

....and here is the other side. Nice!

Deb shared a Biscournu that she made....

....and its bottom. Great job!

KEEP CREATING!!!

August 2022 Show 'n Share

Pearl shared this Wee Care gown that Kathleen smocked, and Pearl finished.

Here is the smocking detail...just lovely...

...and here is the back detail. 

Joy shared a tote bag that Deb made using her bead sampler from one of Jann Young's classes. 

Here is the smocking detail...

...and here is a closer up detail...

...and even a little closer look at the smocking. Very well done!

Katy  shared two ornaments that she made using what she learned from our Counterchange Program that Pearl presented. 

A close-up of the Blue one...

...and from a different view...

...and another view. 

Here is the green ornament. 

Here it is a different view. Very nice!

She has also been weaving.

Here is a good view of the front and back of the weaving.

Definitely a beautiful piece!

Bonnie made this cute Gnome bag for Joy. 

Here is the bottom...

....the side...

...and the top. Love it!

Marsha made another embroidered towel.

Definitely beautiful words of wisdom. 

She has also been knitting socks...a green pair.

Here is the toe detail...

...the heel detail...

...the cuff detail.

Here is the natural pair...

...with its toe detail...

...its heel detail...

and its cuff detail. Perfectly made as always!

Some pictures from our Biscornu Program, along with some lessons in Hardanger, presented by Celeste. 

KEEP CREATING!!!