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Member since 4/22/07
Posts: 119
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Posted on: 10/15/09 7:58 AM ET
Is anyone a member of ASG? Would you recommend joining? The closest chapter is about an hour's drive from my house, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get to many of the meetings... Thanks for your advice! :)
-Gwen
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May your needle stay sharp and your grainline run true!
  
Member since 5/22/06
Posts: 3084
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Posted on: 10/15/09 8:30 AM ET
In reply to GwenC
I joined ASG a few years ago because I really wanted to support the concept of ASG to promote sewing nationally. When I joined, I didn't plan to become involved in the meetings although I knew people enjoyed them. What I didn't really pay attention to when I joined was that many vendors offer discounts for ASG members. ASG members have access to a long list of online vendors offering discounts through the ASG website, as well as to a list of local vendors offering discounts through each chapter's newsletters. I more than make up for the annual fee through those discounts - both online and local. So, if you join, you can support ASG essentially for free.
  
Member since 8/14/05
Posts: 25292
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Posted on: 10/15/09 9:29 AM ET
Just my two cents. I also joined to support sewing. I never used the discounts because they never were for anything or a place I was ordering from. I don't use Joanns enough I guess. And the publication is, as might be expected, mostly about the clubby stuff, so there's not a lot in it that is useful, although it is a nice publication with lots of ads. Since I am not interested in clubs or shows, that does make it not something I renewed. If you live where there is a large contingent of people in the organization, it may make sense for you,especially if you are a people person and enjoy getting out to group events.
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama
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Member since 5/22/06
Posts: 3084
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Posted on: 10/15/09 10:39 AM ET
In reply to GwenC
Right after I posted, I realized that it might have been helpful to you to have some examples of vendors that offer discounts. And then Muffet brought up the fact that the discounts aren't offered at places she shops. That could be true for you as well and you'd have to check that out.

But there are nearly 70 places offering discounts listed in the members only section of the ASG website, including places like EmmaOneSock, Paron Fabrics, The Sewing Place, The Sewing Workshop, Vogue Fabrics, Nancy's Notions, LJ Designs, Kai Scissors, Hancock's, JoAnn's, Fabric.com, and Fine Fabrics. In addition, in my community, there are 15 local brick and mortar stores - both fabric and sewing machine stores - that offer ASG discounts. In fact, there aren't any stores in my community that I can think of at the moment that don't offer ASG discounts. You'd have to check out what the stores in your community offer, but the online offers are pretty extensive.

Anyway, discounts aren't the only reason to support ASG - though they do make it easy!
  
Member since 9/29/02
Posts: 3237
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Posted on: 10/15/09 11:10 AM ET
GwenC, even though the ASG chapter is located an hour away, it's possible that they have a Neighborhood Group closer to you. I'm in an NG that is more than an hour's drive from the chapter location. Another benefit to me is that they will have workshops or speakers come for an event and it's definitely worth driving an hour for the special events. Like most organizations, you can be as involved as you'd like. I like to support it because I want the data folk to know that there are sewists who don't quilt!
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Patti

R-r-r-ripping my way to fitting success
  
Member since 3/28/04
Posts: 1666
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Posted on: 10/15/09 11:17 AM ET
In reply to Patti B
Patti & all of the above, -- I couldn't have said it any better! The discount more than pays for my membership. I've belonged since 1992 and am not as active as I once was but between PR & ASG my sewing skills have taken a quantum leap! I do some quilting but mostly garment & home dec. I've taken classes with the best of them & their conventions are an incredible experience.
HTH, Pat
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PVA (Pat)  "A girl can't have too many scissors!"
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Member since 7/28/04
Posts: 3233
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Posted on: 10/15/09 11:50 AM ET
I have lived in six cities and have been a member in all those areas (for about 20 years?). I highly recommend. You will get as much satisfaction as you put into the group.

I now live in FL (Jacksonville area) and just love my new chapter. We have several excellent neighborhood groups within the area chapter. You will find the group that meets your common interests.

Also, regarding the discounts offered to ASG members...I have probably saved literally hundreds of dollars a year which more than pays for my annual dues.

Also, I attend the national conferences every year. This year it will be in Atlanta so there will be many FL residents attending.

Join...you can always decide a year or two later if it is worth it to you.
  
Member since 1/29/04
Posts: 618
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Posted on: 10/15/09 1:41 PM ET
I joined a few years ago and became involved and love it. We have had some great speakers, I've met some wonderful sew'rs and I've attended the past two conferences and had classes with the best of the best and met some really nice people. I agree that I cannot think of any store (and some sewing conferences) that don't offer discounts. Several of the sewing and craft shows in our area let in ASG members for free!
I joined because I want to support and promote sewing. And I want to promote sewing for younger sew'rs (not saying I'm one of the younger, but I've started a group of "teens"). And since I have also volunteered to be on the Board, I get a say in the speakers and events we have.
One of the best things about ASG is Neighorhood groups. You can have a group on any topic with people in your area. You will be surprised at how many sew'rs there are out there sewing away in their rooms that want to share. I say join, get involved if there is something you see is needed and promote sewing
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Sue V

  
Member since 5/28/06
Posts: 1449
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Posted on: 10/15/09 1:45 PM ET
In reply to GwenC
I'm a member. I seriously thought about discontinuing my membership, then lately decided against it.

I used to live in Seattle, so my neighborhood group was the Greater Seattle chapter. This chapter ROCKS. There are many fabulous and knowledgeable members in the Greater Seattle chapter that I am awed every time I attended a neighborhood group meeting or a 3-day sewing retreat or a banquet.

Then I moved. I now live about an hour and half's drive away from Seattle. Although there are two ASG chapters closer to me, I don't attend them.

The Great Seattle chapter's focus is mainly on dressmaking, tailoring, and pattern drafting (software and traditional). They are dedicated to helping their members in learning how to find the right fit from their patterns and learning the best sewing techniques. Members are generous with their time and knowledge. Group leaders in the Greater Seattle chapter do their best to invite sewing celebrities to co-host their banquets.

I love this chapter so much that I decided that I'll continue with my membership because of them. I won't be able to go to their neighborhood group meetings, but at least, I'll keep in touch. I will try to attend the awesome 3-day sewing retreats and banquets.

The sewing retreats are awesome. It's crazy fun.

So my point is, it will all depend on your neighborhood group's focus. If their focus is not the same as yours, then you'll be dissatisfied and quit. All the discounts won't change your mind, unless of course, you love shopping at JoAnn's. There are also independent shops and online stores that offer ASG discounts. Here in WA, Nancy's Sewing Basket in Queen Anne offers ASG discounts, and so do Pacific Fabrics.

I thought about starting my own neighborhood group where our focus will be on dressmaking, tailoring and pattern drafting. But right now is not a good time for me. I don't know if I'll find the time to lead a group--that's a lot of work!





-- Edited on 10/15/09 4:49 PM --
  
Member since 7/6/04
Posts: 782
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Posted on: 10/15/09 2:03 PM ET
I have to agree with Patti and others: ASG membership is worth it. I live 4.5 hours from my chapter and nearest neighborhood groups, so, needless to say, I don't make it to many events--and my chapter has many excellent events. However, the once-a-year sewing retreat is well worth my membership, as is the opportunity to meet other sewers and teachers. And, yes, the discounts. The discounts on my yearly notions purchases at JoAnn more than cover my membership fee.

Mostly, it is satisfying to support the local and national sewing community with my membership. We all want to see the sewing community thrive and grow - and attract younger sewers. ASG does that.
  
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