This week you’ll see sewing and embroidery go from ordinary to extraordinary! Three expert instructors teach practical and decorative techniques on It’s Sew Easy TV Episode 710. Watch online from February 28th to March 6th. Read my preview and you'll find a direct link to the show posted below.

Part One: Angela will show you how to make what I call a WOW garment. It’s a simple jacket style revved up with shiny appliqués. Using a technique featured on a previous show, she adds fusible webbing to fabric and then uses the Brother ScanNCut machine to cut appliqué shapes for a border design. The resulting jacket is a real work of art.

Part Two: Marie Zinno demonstrates how easy it is to create a chic sporty garment with over the shoulder embroidery. When it comes to embroidery on garments proper placement is critical for a professional finished look. Marie will teach you the value of templates for precise placement of a motif. 

I've been a fan of templates since I touched the screen of my first embroidery machine many years ago. Only thing is, way back then embroidery software wasn't available for the home sewing market. I used a rather tedious method that involved stitching a sample design and then tracing it off onto clear plastic. While this method had merit, today’s technology makes it easy to print templates and stitch perfectly placed designs. There are many affordable software programs available for embroidery that include the ability to print paper templates. Looking for additional info? CLICK HERE and you'll find a template tutorial posted by the Brother education department.

Part Three: Janet Pray gives step-by-step instructions for sewing a bound buttonhole. Her method is simple and straight forward. Watch this segment and you'll have no need to fear adding this classic buttonhole to your
next tailored garment. This method is virtually fool proof.

Ready to relax and watch It's Sew Easy TV this week? CLICK HERE to view show 710. 

This week on It's Sew Easy you'll learn to Quilt a Kaleidoscope and Sew Shirring with a serger and elastic thread. It's Sew Easy TV Episode 709 is online from February 20th to February 27th. Read my preview below. You'll find a direct link for the show at the end of this week's preview.

Part One: In this segment Jeanie and Rebecca team up and show you all you need to know to create a quilted kaleidoscope appliqué shape. 

So, how do you go from simple doodles to this beautiful lacy design? It takes just few easy steps: Draw, color, scan, and cut. Here you'll see how you can accomplish intricate, accurate cutting, faster than you can find your favorite pair of scissors. Kaleidoscope Collections Software is the starting point for creating this design. Use the piece to make a pillow, quilt, wallhanging, or  decorate a one-of-a-kind garment. Wait until you see the possibilities presented by these two talented and knowledgeable sewing instructors!

Part Two: Angela shows how to serge rows of shirring with a cover Hem Serger and elastic thread. This is a very interesting technique and one you’ll often find on ready to wear garments. There are actually several ways to accomplish this technique and I have tried them all with great results. With a cover hem serger the elastic rows look exactly like you see in “store bought” garments. The featured cover hem serger here is Brother Model 2340CV. This is a dedicated cover stitch machine but it can perform many different tasks.

If you would like to see a project using a simple sewing machine method CLICK HERE  to see a shirred scarf project currently featured on the Brothersews website. This Fashion Scarf with Shirred Accents can be sewn on just about any machine. In this full color tutorial you find complete instructions to sew your own scarf with elastic shirring. 

There is a lot see and do when you watch It's Sew Easy TV online this week! CLICK HERE to watch episode 709.    

Learn to create and recreate while Embroidering and Sewing special scarves and wraps - This week on It's Sew Easy! Watch It's Sew Easy TV Episode 708 online from February 13th to February 20th. Read my preview below. You'll find a direct link for the show at the end of this week's preview.

PART ONE: Eileen Roche, Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery appears on this episode with an infinity scarf project. Wait until you see the interesting materials she uses to fashion two different scarves. Infinity scarves are fun to make and fun to wear. Add a dash of embroidery and you have an accessory that is trendy and unique!

PART TWO: This week I'll show you how to sew your own Sheer Chiffon Wrap! You'll see a variety of wraps from my book displayed on the set.

No need to shy away from sewing sheers and soft fabrics. With the proper know how it really is easy. From cutting to hemming to seam finishing I’ll show you how to handle slippery soft fabrics, such as the chiffon featured for this stylish wrap garment. This wrap garment is sewn with the most basic stitch of all, the standard straight stitch. Have you ever used a specialty foot and dedicated throat plate to sew a straight stitch? If you have this option available for your machine it can make all the difference in the world! Even a high tech machine like the Brother Dream Machine will stitch a little smoother with the addition of a straight stitch foot and plate.

I'll give you an alternative stitching method as well, plus info on machine needles and thread.  Watch this episode and you'll gain confidence to sew our own sheer chiffon wrap! CLICK HERE to watch episode 708, and then be sure to download my free pattern and tip sheet so you can make a wrap like this one. You will find a link for the instructions when you CLICK HERE.

Watch It's Sew Easy TV Episode 707 online from February 6th to February 13th. Read my preview below. You'll find a direct link for the show at the end of this week's preview.

PART ONE: Paula presents Trapunto Techniques without the tedious and time-consuming hassle of slicing the fabric, stuffing the shape, and stitching it closed. 

I love trapunto and have used the traditional form of this technique on many projects over the years. In particular, I love making pillow tops with trapunto style stuffing on the pillow front. But who would have imagined that you could find a super easy way to skip the stuffing??? Well now you can! Watch Paula cut puffy batting using the Brother ScanNCut machine and use it to create a quilted rose pattern that mimics the classic trapunto technique. 

She'll show you how to make a motif stand out on a quilt top with three styles of stipple stitches. Yes, Paula does make stippling look effortless. In reality it does take a bit of practice. You'll find it easy to relax and have fun when you follow Paula's tips for successful stipple stitching.

Jeni uses a 1/4-inch patchwork foot to maintain consistent seams. Although there are other ways to sew a 1/4-inch seam, I think using this foot takes all the stress out of stitching straight 1/4-inch seams. 

Before the episode is over you'll learn how to vary this basic block for different looks and add decorative stitches for an artistic accent. Warning! Once you start stitching these blocks you'll find it hard to stop. This type of sewing is addictive . . . but sooo much fun!

PART THREE: Angela sets up the serger for flat locking with decorative thread and stitches a serger style pieced skirt.


Flat locking is one of those serger stitches that adds a powerful punch to casual and dressy garments alike. I've used it on everything from T-shirts to lingerie. Sure, there are a few tricks to get the desired effect but this technique is not hard to learn. See how she tweaks the settings on the Brother Serger and easily adds a patchwork look to a basic skirt.

I find that serger enthusiasts often fall into what I call the three thread rut. That is, they use this incredible invention for finishing seams and forget that even ordinary sergers have great capabilities for decorative finishes. Angela's skirt sample will ease you out of that rut and into the world of decorative serging with a flat lock stitch.
 
CLICK HERE to watch It's Sew Easy show #707. Enjoy!