In this episode Angela walks you through the steps for draping an elegant dress. This got me thinking about sewing for special occasions and sewing a dress just a little different from what you may wear every day. Perhaps you're attending a class reunion, dressing up for a holiday or celebration, or you just want something a little dressy for a day or evening out. Sewing really pays off when you can make your own dress for a special event. 

I suggest you shop ready to wear first, armed with a notebook, tape measure, and the determination to hunt down some ideas and guidelines to equip you at the sewing machine.  Observe colors, lengths, sleeve styles, and neckline features you like as you browse and try on ready-made dresses. These four elements are usually the most important factors for a garment you'll ultimately feel good in. 

Once you have made these discoveries and written a few basic notes to yourself, head for the fabric store with measurements and perhaps even a few sketches/photos of what you've seen in your shopping excursion. 

At the pattern counter, look for a pattern that catches your eye at first glance. It doesn't have to be something complicated.  Selecting a  dress pattern with few seams is fine but you may also want to look for a style with princess seams as these afford a bit more fit insurance. For a loose fitting dress pattern  pick a size that's close to your high bust measurement. High bust is a snug measurement just above your full bust. Unless you have a large cup size this size is usually more accurate for a garment that hangs from the neck. For additional fit insurance add 3/8-inch to the pattern tissue at the side seams, providing a generous 1-inch seam allowance. When sewing, baste the sides using the 1-inch seam allowance, fit the dress, and adjust as necessary. Remember  you can always trim away excess. This is by no means the be all and end all of fitting guidelines but unless you have a lot of specific fitting issues this should be a good start.

As usual, I suggest  making a trial garment from inexpensive fabric to work out the fitting issues. You just might end up with a winner in your trial garment but at the very least you can pin, stitch, and cut this test piece as needed to fine tune the garment. Don't feel obligated to finish it, it's okay to call it a test and be done with it. Now, transfer the changes to the pattern and proceed to shop for your final garment fabric. 

The dress you see here was a result of my desire for a summertime dress that I could wear when I wanted something just a little bit special. I turned it into somewhat of a color block dress with a semi-sheer asymmetrical overlay and added machine embroidery. This pretty in Paisley dress was featured in a past issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine.

Once you are satisfied with you trial garment you are ready to sew your second, (final) dress. Try to give yourself enough time for a relaxed sewing experience (I'm speaking to myself here too). Last but not least enjoy the process and think about how good it will feel when the compliments roll in and you can say the dress designer was YOU!

To read more about It's Sew Easy episode 806 CLICK HERE to read my previous post. CLICK HERE to go watch the show. Enjoy!

I hope you have been enjoying theses summer time online It's Sew Easy TV shows. There is still a lot more to come in the 800 series. In this show you'll see a one-of-a-kind caplet presented by Linda Shaw. As Lisa says, this fashion statement piece would look great with a little black dress. Can you imagine this special garment made in white or ivory for a beautiful bridal shawl?

In the second segment piping as an accent for a gored skirt. Piping is a versatile trim seen on everything form garments to crafts to home decor. If you are looking for an easy and economical way  to make lots of fabric strips for piping I suggest you CLICK HERE. The featured project from the Brothersews website shows how to make commonplace potholders but it includes my favorite method for making a maximum amount of piping with minimal seams.

There are more tips and ideas in my previous post from this show. CLICK HERE to read more. When you are finished you can CLICK HERE to watch show 805 NOW. Enjoy!

You can watch It's Sew Easy show 804 online from July 17 to July24.

This episode of It's Sew Easy highlights the Roaring 20's with fringe and sequins as the main attraction. I think it is safe to say that fringe and sequins have remained in style for many  decades. You can choose to add a little or a lot of flashy fringe or shimmering sequins to your own custom made items. This show will guide you through the steps with helpful tips for both machine and hand sewing techniques.

Details make all the difference whenever you sew a custom crafted "work of art." Sure, sometimes you want a garment that is plain so you can dress it up with your favorite jewelry or accessory items.  But sometimes the added embellishment of trim is what makes your piece really special and unique. Plus, it's just plain fun to play with different trims and see them transform garments, crafts, and home decor.

I admit I am a self confessed trim hoarder. Soutache, rick rack, ribbon, beads, braid, fringe, you name it . . . I have it! I Iove to collect buttons and lace too. Some of the lace in the photo above is "antique" from my Grandmother’s stash. Some of it is modern day machine embroidered. Can you guess which is which???

I guess I should admit this is only a sampling of my collection. There are also two larger boxes in the closet. I do hand select pieces to use now and then but sometimes after auditioning them on a project I find myself not wanting to use it because then I would lose it! So then I have to go buy new. Speaking of new, you know I am a huge fan of shopping local but if you have a hard time finding novelty trims at reasonable prices I suggest you take a look at the fringe and beaded trims offered by homesew.com. They carry chainette fringe in various widths and also sell the beautiful beaded trim seen on my favorite silver scarf below.

You are sure to get some good ideas while watching this episode. If you'd like to read my previous post on show #804 you can CLICK HERE. 

Or, just CLICK HERE to watch the show Now.

You can watch It's Sew Easy show #803
online from July 10 to July 17

Dressed up headbands, casual ruffles, and darling doll dresses fill this show with timely techniques and inspiring ideas you can apply to many different projects. 

One of the great things about sewing is the ability to be an individual, creating works of "original" art with your own two hands. Just think about it, even if you follow a pattern word for word your rendition will be slightly different from anyone else, making each creation one-of-a-kind! 

Each teacher on this show has their own style and enjoys sharing their expertise in a way that is natural and down to earth. 

You can watch It's Sew Easy show #802 
online from July 3 to July 10 

This week you'll see how to turn your fabric scraps into simple fabric flowers. The pictures from the past will inspire you and you'll learn from Rebecca how to make your own flower accents for today. Made by hand these little beauties are fun the perfect stitch-on-the-go project. You can easily tuck a few into your purse or tote and create as you relax or create while you wait at appointments, ball games, etc.

In the second part of this show you'll see Angela fashion a variety of skirts with draped designer elements. Of course this method for draping a skirt requires a dress form that is at least close to your own personal measurements. 

If you are an avid garment sewing enthusiast you are likely to know the benefit of having your own dress form. It's especially important if you are a solo stitcher who doesn't have a sewing buddy to help with fitting. There are many commercial dress forms to choose from. Some adjust with dials and some with special pads. Spend a little time searching YouTube and you are sure to find reviews on all sorts, including the popular Uniquely You Brand that starts out with a foam base and requires a little or a lot of customizing to mimic your own shape. 

I prefer a dress form that is a true clone. Perhaps you've seen instructions for wrapping yourself in duct tape or even plaster casting. Threads magazine, a trusted source in the sewing world has an online article about the duct tape method.  While I don't personally know anyone who has made the duct tape dress form, I have made my own clone using the plaster casting method. The photos above are from a cherished memory that took place quite a few years ago with two sewing buddies. We spent several days in one friend's garage crafting our body forms. It's a rather long (and rather funny) story.  We had a few glitches, a lot of laughs, and one minor fainting spell. That was due to lack of lunch and a too tight wrapping job, (my fault on that one), but we each came away with a perfect clone. An image of our true selves both in size and posture variations. Somewhere I have yet another photo where the mannequin and I stand side by side and you can see that it does indeed look like me. My "twin" has been a great help in sewing garments over the years. I would love to know if you have a dress form that has worked for you. CLICK HERE and send me a note if you do.

Now, if you are ready to watch this week's It's Sew Easy show just CLICK HERE. If you'd like to read my previous post on episode 802 you can CLICK HERE.