This is the sewing experience you’ve been waiting for!
Join Us for an Amazing Sewing Weekend in Chattanooga, TN. September 19-21, 2025!
What is Southeast Sewcial Escape?
Southeast Sewcial Escape was created in response to the halt of national ASG conferences due to rising costs in travel and hospitality. But ASG members still crave opportunities to gather with other members from around the country in a learning and social environment. So a group of ASG members from three chapters (Atlanta, Nashville, Upstate) banded together to develop a plan to meet this need.
We believe Southeast Sewcial Escape is the answer.
It is a regional conference that targets ASG chapters from 7 Southeastern states: Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky. To keep expenses low, attendees are required to bring their own sewing machines. This is feasible since the event is centrally located for easy driving access, eliminating airfare from the cost of attending. Anyone from anywhere can participate but all attendees must provide their own sewing machines. Our dream is to make Southeast Sewcial Escape an annual event and inspire other regions to host regional conferences in their own areas as well.
Here are the 4 weekend track choices:
- Embellishment and Jackets with Nick Coman
- Upcycling with Katherine Hay
- Bodice Fitting with Jen Stern-Hasemann
- Embellished Couture Skirt with Helen Haughey
Scroll down to learn more about our workshops.
What’s included in your registration?
- Two nights lodging at Embassy Suites Hamilton Place in Chattanooga, TN
- Shared and single room rates available
- Up to 3 extra nights before and/or after the weekend may be added to your registration at the same conference room rate for an additional fee.
- Breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Evening reception on Friday and Saturday
- Your choice of one weekend workshop
- Workshop specific kit fees ranging from $0 – $95 are additional and paid directly to the instructor.
General Conference Schedule
- Friday, Sept 19
- Afternoon Workshop 1:30 – 5:30 PM
- General Reception with drinks and light appetizers 5:30 – 7:00
- Sip and Shop in the Instructor Workshop Rooms
- Dinner on your own
- Saturday, Sept 20
- Morning Workshop 8 – 12
- Lunch Break 12:00 – 1:30
- Afternoon Workshop Time 1:30 – 5:30 PM
- General Reception with drinks and light appetizers 5:30 – 7:00
- Sip and Shop in the Instructor Workshop Rooms
- Dinner on your own
- Sunday, Sept 21
- Morning Workshop 8 – 12
- Lunch Break 12:00 – 1:30
- End of Conference
Get to know our instructors
The Akira Jacket: mixed media, Freeform pieced fun!
Description:
This class starts with a basic jacket pattern, based on a Japanese work jacket. From there we will do fun surface design to make your jacket a piece of wearable art! All project items are provided. All you have to do is show up and sew!
Skills Taught during the Workshop
Cyanotype, basic fabric painting, free form piecing, and some fitting tricks for different shaped bodies that make this jacket work for everyone!
Kit Fee and Contents
$95 kit includes EVERYTHING you need to complete your jacket. You will receive the pattern, 4 yards of linen/rayon fabric in your choice of black, cream, or rust, and contrasting fabric for embellishing.
Also included is the use of all materials needed for fabric painting, cyanotype, and other techniques.
Efficient Workflow for Bodice Fitting
Summary:
In this class, participants will focus on fitting clothing by customizing pattern pieces for the upper back, neck, and shoulders. They will learn to prep and create a half muslin, along with solo fitting techniques.
Then students will refine fit adjustments, concentrating on key areas such as armhole depth, bust dart position, waist positioning, and more. They will also address body-specific adjustments like a prominent tummy and shoulder.
Finally, attention turns to fitting sleeves, checking the sleeve cap height, and ensuring adequate ease at the bicep. Participants will learn to walk the sleeve into the armhole to assess fit and make necessary adjustments.
Skills Taught during the Workshop
Participants will learn to fully fit a shirt pattern and will leave with a shirt muslin and a pattern that’s ready to sew with
Skill Level
Confident Beginner to Advanced
Kit Fee and Contents
$40 kit includes The Efficient Workflow for Bodice Fitting Workbook and the Perfectly Fitted Shirt Pattern
Bouclé Pencil Skirt using Couture Techniques
Description:
A pencil skirt is an essential wardrobe item. In our class, you’ll learn couture techniques to create a well-fitted skirt. You’ll leave with your personalized pattern and the skills to make more variations. If time allows, we’ll also discuss couture embellishments.
Skills Taught during the Workshop
Fitting, couture construction, quilting bouclé, couture hand stitches, hand-picked zipper, and some embellishment techniques
Pre-Workshop Homework
A customized paper pattern and toile of their skirt
Kit Fee and Contents
$60 kit includes Silk Organza, 100% Bees Wax, Basting Thread, Basting Needles, Notes, Personalized Toile
Thrift Flip with Catherine Sews
Description:
Join me for a fun and inspiring thrifting, sewing, and upcycling experience over three days, where we’ll explore thrift stores, plan projects with our finds, collaborate creatively, and showcase our completed works together.
Skills Taught during the Workshop
Kit Fee and Contents
No kit fee
You will dive into the vibrant world of creative thinking, discovering the hidden potential in cast-off items and exploring exhilarating ways to breathe new life into old clothes! Get ready for an inspiring journey where I will unveil a treasure trove of innovative techniques that empower you to transform and reimagine your thrifted gems into stunning personal statements.
How much does the conference cost?
| Single Room | Shared Room | |
| ASG Members | $610 | $470 |
| Non-Members | $670 | $530 |
Note: Non-member fee is the equivalent of the member fee plus the cost of an annual membership in American Sewing Guild. Why not join your local chapter and get the conference PLUS all the benefits of membership?
Registration closes on August 20, 2025 and is limited to no more than 20 people in each workshop for a total conference attendance of 80.
What if the conference or a particular option I wanted is sold out?
If a rooming option or workshop your were hoping for is sold out, you may choose from the following options:
- Choose a different selection.
- Continue to check for openings due to cancellations through August 20 when registration closes.
- Join the waitlist.
If the conference is fully booked, you may choose from the following options:
- Continue to check for openings due to cancellations through August 20 when registration closes.
- Join the waitlist.
The waitlist will be processed in order of receipt of request and matching criteria beginning on August 21.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations through August 20 are eligible for a full refund. After August 20, no refund will be offered. Cancellations between August 21- Sept 5 can be transferred to another person if the person cancelling sells their ticket (with the same workshop) to another person. Any transfer of money/ticket in that period will not be handled by the conference team but will be the sole responsibility of the person cancelling and the person taking their place. The person cancelling must notify the conference team of the transfer prior to the Sept 5 deadline. After Sept 5, no transfers can be accomodated.