Warm regards

A complete list of all current members can be found

on our Members page.

This quarter I have delivered 115 Christmas Stockings, 6 blankets, and 12 pillow cases to DSS for the foster children. 13 tote bags were sent to Safe Harbor, and 31 cancer caps were delivered to the Bon Secours Cancer Center.  =The Gibbs cancer center received 45 tote bags and 30 cancer caps.

Our total contributions for this year are:
Safe Harbor  - 69 tote bags
DSS Foster Children - 61 blankets, 22 pillow cases, 115 Christmas Stockings
Bon Secours Cancer Center - 62 cancer caps
Gibbs Cancer Center  - 85 tote bags, 101 Cancer caps, and several anti ouch pouches and hand warmers.

A big thank you to all who helped with these projects. We will be continuing these projects in 2024. My contact at DSS has asked us for tote bags for the foster children this year. They also appreciate blankets any time. I hope we can have a larger participation in 2024. Many of these donations were made by just a small number of our members.  If every member made at least one donation a month, just think what we could do for those who need our help. How about a New Year’s resolution to work on community service projects?

You can find patterns and guidelines for making charity projects by clicking here:

Community Service

We only had 5 girls due to schedule conflicts for other girls but it was still fun and productive We had a fake fireplace and Christmas music on the tv on the wall to put us in the Christmas mood. The girls made their choice of microwave bowl, tissue holder, and varied Christmas ornaments. When asked what they wanted to see next time they voiced an interest in a stuffed animal and also liked the pattern I had making a tote out of an old t-shirt. Does anyone have an easy pattern for a stuffed animal Just let me know . Thanks to Marcia and Linda for their help.

Karla Milota

By Jean Van Valin

At the October neighborhood group meetings, I demonstrated one of Patty Dunn’s methods of turning a pashmina scarf into a shrug. One of the members asked what the history of pashmina was, but other than offering the information that pashmina was a type of fine wool, I couldn’t really answer her questions. So, thanks to Google, I have learned some facts about this beautiful wool and the scarves and shawls made from it.

Pashmina cashmere is spun from the downy undercoat of the Himalayan mountain goat called Chyangra or Changthangi, which lives at a very high altitude. The colder the conditions, the better the quality of the wool. The word pashmina comes from the word “pashm” which means “inner layer of hair” in Kashmir, and “wool” in Persian. The best quality pashmina cashmere is 6 times finer than a human hair! One goat produces enough wool for 1 scarf and three goats must be combed to make a shawl and can take up to three weeks to make. It is a complex process of combing, processing, dying and weaving. Nepalese craftsmen have been making pashmina shawls for over 400 years.

It was in the 16th century when Kashmir was under Mughal rule that Pashmina was discovered. The Mughal kings were enthralled with the beauty of this wool. Eventually the art spread and Napoleon gifted his wife Josephine with a Pashmina shawl. Rulers in Iran and India also wore and gifted Pashminas.

Today, the word pashmina is often used to refer to the scarf made to look like the hand made pashminas from Nepal. Many now are machine-made of synthetic materials, or combinations of viscose, pashmina, silk or rayon and can be purchased at affordable prices depending on the fabric used. On a recent trip to Morocco, I saw good quality pashminas woven with wool and silk from the agave plant.

This is just a short summary of what I learned. Google pashmina and you will find an abundance of information, facts, tips on how to care for your pashmina, where to buy your pashmina and how to wear it. It’s a must have for every woman!

For the Asheville Feisty Stitchers---
This past quarter focused upon dyeing techniques. And we would not be from the Carolina’s if we didn’t start off by discussing indigo dyes. Cindy Herrington led a wonderful and thorough discussion about the origin and history of indigo dyes. In too brief of a summary here — The influence of the Dutch, and the English in trade with the East India Companies, impacted the manufacturing of fabric design during 16 th and 17 th Century, to include the production and trade of indigo. It was in the late 1700’s that the production of indigo entered the new world, perhaps more specifically, South Carolina. (Hence the SC state flag holds the color of indigo within its design.) Large crops were needed to produce indigo, and unfortunately for these early SC farmers, other dyeing sources became available. As a result, the production of indigo became less profitable, and farmers gradually began producing other crops. Regardless, indigo dye is still available today, and Cindy shared several techniques along with demonstrating several examples, using indigo dye. [Sew here we are taking in the magic of Cindy’s program:]

Several months later, the Feisties had the opportunity to play with Tsukineko inks, and briefly attempt a fabric screen project.

Last, but not least, the Feisty Stitchers were offered the opportunity to visit Sew Co., a small fashion and fiber arts design company located in the River Arts District.  Our thanks to co-owner, Libby O’Bryan for showing us her wonderful line of fashion and giving us a first-hand tour.

Dianne Sneath

Simpsonvillle Neighborhood Group Meeting

About Us: History of ASG Upstate

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