The Colorado Chapter of the ASDP continues to meet monthly with a business meeting followed by a sewing presentation or activity.  In October we pieced together quilt blocks for the Quilts of Valor and the Flights for Veterans programs.  The Quilts of Valor program donates completed quilts to injured service men and women, and Flights for Veterans gives lap quilts (for wheelchair use) to World War II veterans when they travel to see sites important to their service.  Our quilt making was led by former ASDP member Sandy Harmon.  We had three groups working the tasks of sewing, ironing, and trimming.  This year’s quilt was quite dramatic, with solid blocks of navy blue and blocks that were half navy blue and half stripes of red and white.

We almost finished the quilt top during our four-hour session with just a few rows remaining to be sewn together.   After the November business meeting we were scheduled to hear a formal presentation about doing business plans.  Unfortunately the SBA (Small Business Association) representative had to cancel at the last minute.  The group then decided to have the more experienced members share their expertise. They encouraged the newer members to do a business plan because the process of doing a plan helps clarify thoughts about the development of the business.   At our annual potluck Holiday brunch in December the usual business meeting included a discussion of activities planned for 2017.  One of the new activities being considered is a series of Couture Building Blocks sessions to be taught by Clara Dittle.  (She taught the Couture Skirt classes in 2016.)  These classes will focus on learning techniques and making.  We expect these classes will be held on three Saturdays in the spring and three in the fall.   In January our featured presentation was on the Chanel Jacket.  Melanie Knoblauch started with info on available patterns, books, and websites for us to examine.   The presentation included samples of completed jackets and jackets in progress.  Among the ideas that differ from the average jacket included horizontal quilting in addition to or instead of vertical quilting in the body of the jacket and using hooks and eyes for a hidden front closure.