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IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 1010 - DECORATING AT HOME

5/28/2016

You are in for a real treat this week with the online version of the It's Sew Easy PBS TV show! Just take a look at the topics presented by these expert educators:

Part One: Lisa Shepard Stewart makes designer-quality pillows with faux piping trim.

I think you'll see some pillow ideas presented here that are totally new to you. I know I learned some new techniques I would never have thought of on my own!

There is no better way to dress up your decor than with custom crafted pillows. Since most pillows use only a small amount of fabric you can splurge on design quality materials and unique elections in the home dec department.

Pillows are also the perfect canvas for trying new techniques. Below you will find links to a wide variety of pillow projects (complete instructions available in PDF format), currently posted on the Brothersews website:

Monogrammed Pillow with Oval Frame

Thread Painted Pillows

Pillow Panel with Shadow Appliqué

Pillows with Ruffles and Ribbons

Trio of Techniques for Pillow Panache

Part Two: Angela Wolf has a tip for cutting buttonholes. Buttonholes can make or break your garment! If you are ever going to stitch a buttonhole this will be invaluable information.Since they are usually stitched last you want to make sure that are stitched and finished to perfection.

Part Three: Kim Montagnese adds color and texture to a contemporary wall-hanging with thread painting on a frame.

My friend Kim is an unbelievable fiber artist!!! She knows how to craft artistic pieces that are full of warmth and memories. You are going to really enjoy watching her make this great piece of fiber art.

I think you'll agree that each episode this week is packed full of ideas and inspiration for your next home dec or other designer style sewing project! Drop me a line and let me know if you decide try any of these techniques for yourself.

CLICK HERE to watch the current airing of It's Sew Easy episode 1010.

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IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 1009 - SEWING 101

5/20/2016

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This week you’ll be treated to a variety of sewing topics, from beginning to more advanced. The show starts with Janet Pray's tips for fast factory sewing methods and proper sewing ergonomics.

Watch this show and you are guaranteed to experience more comfort at the sewing machine. You can CLICK HERE to watch this show on KS Productions YouTube channel.

Lynn Lunoe is next, with a very informative and important primer for essential sewing accessories and machine attachments. Lynn probably has more sewing knowledge in her pinky finger than many have in their whole hand and she is always willing to share her expertise. After watch this segment you will want to explore your own accessories and then put them to good use.

In the next segment you'll be treated to a skirt that really is beginner style, presented by my Heather Valentine of the sewingloft.com. Heather is a skilled educator with a flair for upbeat styles.

She designs projects that are fashionable and fun to make.

You'll love her tutorial for this skirt, especially as she details the steps for perfect blind stitching on hems. Be sure to download her instructions so you can make you own. CLICK HERE to watch this show on KS Productions YouTube channel.

This episode is available online from May 20 to May 27.

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IT'S SEW EASY TV - STEPPING OUT IN STYLE EPISODE 1008

5/13/2016

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Creating your own look, isn't that a big reason many of us choose to sew items from scratch, and yet another reason why we enjoy embellishing with machine embroidery? My sewing motto is this . . . "When you sew you can have WHAT you want, WHEN you want it, HOW you want it!"

It's Sew Easy TV show #1008 titled Stepping Out, is all about releasing your inner creativity. Whether that means making machine embroidered garments sewn from scratch, creating accessories like custom fabric belts, or embroidering a simple patch to place just about any where you choose, options abound for expressing yourself with stitchery!

The show begins with my Folkwear Rodeo Cowgirl Jacket. I am both intrigued and inspired by western style clothing!!! This rodeo jacket easily fits into into the category of classic & classy western inspired clothing. A re-make of this jacket would fit in anywhere and any time, even if you're not "fixin" to head to a rodeo. Certainly, you could fashion this jacket with additional western accents and make it look even more authentic.

Folkwear pattern #242 was adapted from vintage cowgirl costumes yet it is perfect for this modern day interpretation and up to date styling. The pattern includes interesting historical information and ideas for added embellishment.

The idea of modern day details brings to mind modern day machines and advanced technological features. I can’t help but think about my precious grandmother and what she would think of the tools we have at our fingertips these days. I am sure she would be utterly amazed at what we can do with fabric, thread, and of course a great machine.

I saw this jacket as the perfect canvas for machine embroidery designs,, using designs included in Wrapped in Embroidery, combined with built-in border designs from the Brother Dream Machine™. If you already have the book you may recognize the motifs from my Chic Suede Wrap garment.

Making sure the yoke designs are perfectly placed and the continuous designs on the belt matchup is essential for top quality results. Would perfect embroidery placement on garments be a dream come true for you? Have you ever wanted to embroider from here to the moon and create continuous embroidery designs that are perfectly matched from end to end? Both of these embroidery challenges are possible on any machine when you know the tricks for precise placement.

The yoke designs on the jacket front and back are accurately positioned with templates printed from software. After marking the fabric with the outline of the yoke I scanned the fabric section using the fabric scanning feature on the machine and then fine tuned the specific location for the embroidery.

CLICK HERE for a PDF template tutorial currently posted on the brothersews website.

In this example for stitching the border design on the belt, I used a border hoop, a basting box, and the Brother Droplight® laser to match my designs from end to end.

Watch the show and you'll see me achieve precision placement using the Brother Dream Machine. But what if you have a machine without these high tech toots and whistles? There's a solution for that as well! In the second chapter of Wrapped in Embroidery I outline three methods for perfect placement and stitching continuous, endless embroidery on any machine! You are sure to find one or more methods that work for you, no matter what level of capability your current machine has.

To round out the show, Angela demonstrates how a quick, custom fabric belt tops off the look of a basic dress. Then Rebecca Kemp Brendt shares ideas for adding details with pretty patches, including alternative ideas depending on your mood and your machine.

Are you ready to go with the show? CLICK HERE to watch between now and noon on May 20th. Be sure to visit the website to download additional information and free project instructions for this show and many more! Enjoy!

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ITS SEW EASY 1007

5/7/2016

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This episode could easily be called Sewing From the Heart. It is full of touching stories about sewing for others.

Wherever and whenever I have the chance to speak to sewing groups and classrooms full of sewing and embroidery enthusiasts, I like to ask how many love to create hand crafted gifts and lovingly sewn times to give away. It is always fun to learn more about what other stitching friends are interested in, but making gifts or sewing something special to enhance someone else's life always brings a big show of hands.

In the beginning of this show you'll see fitting expert Peggy Sagers adapt clothing for people with special needs and abilities. She shows how these modified garments can be fashionable and functional all at the same.

In between segment one and two Designer Angela Wolf has a quick style tip for you. You'll get some ideas for quick changes on a pocket to update the look of a classic jacket.

The last episode in show #1007 is a favorite of mine! I would title this segment Sew Some Care and Comfort One Stitch at a Time. Watch as sewing expert June Mellinger presents easy, meaningful and useful sewing projects for charity sewing and to benefit special needs and community causes. June is a wealth of knowledge on just about any sewing subject you can imagine. In this show she'll inspire and encourage you to use your own skills to sew special items for others. Her wonderful samples show many different ways to sew for others and show you care.

CLICK HERE to watch episode 1007 until noon on May 13th. Enjoy!

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Welcome!
Each week at noon a new show airs online at itsseweasytv.com. This blog features a preview of each weekly show.

Author:

Joanne Banko
Brother Brand Ambassador

Inspiring Sewing Enthusiasts to make the most of their machines!

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IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 1010 - DECORATING AT HOME

IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 1009 - SEWING 101

IT'S SEW EASY TV - STEPPING OUT IN STYLE EPISODE 1008

ITS SEW EASY 1007

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