In this show you'll see me create a versatile garden apron featuring decorative stitching. In the second half Angela Wolf shows two different wrap style closures and shares a question from one of her fans.

This pretty pink apron is crafted from ripstop nylon.  Commonly used for outdoorsy items and camping related projects due to its ability to be strong, tear resistant and water-resistant, or even waterproof in some cases.

The ripstop nylon I use most often is light weight, water repellant, and is found in the utility fabric section of my local big box fabric store. It's generally available in big cheerful colors and some "camp style" colors.

So where did I get the idea to make a garden apron form this stuff?!? Let me start by saying that I consider myself somewhat of a mad scientist in the sewing room. I like to veer off the beaten path and try combining different elements for projects that would ordinarily be well, more ordinary! Such is the case of this apron.

I had a canvas garden apron laying around and thought it was nice basic style to use for gardening outdoors. However, it was totally lacking in style and had poorly made pockets. It was also prone to collecting dirt and did not wash well. Besides that, I'm famous for soaking myself whenever I switch the hose settings and it's no fun to be dirty and wet at the same time! Thus, the idea for a brightly colored apron made from water and dirt resistant fabric was born. 

In this close-up of the apron you can see the secure zippered pocket embellished with decorative stitches and grosgrain ribbon. Of course you can make this apron from other "ordinary" fabric if you like and I'm sure it will be just beautiful! CLICK HERE for complete instructions. Feel free to leave your comments and let me hear your thoughts on this project.

P.S. If you're looking for a mail order source for ripstop nylon check out FWD HERE.

Angela continues the series on her wrap dress. I am a big fan of the look of a wrap dress and wrap tops too. Some of my all time favorite garments are either a real wrap or a faux wrap style. I'm loving this series and enjoying all the different variations. Who knew there we so many ways to change up this style?  

In lesson two you'll learn about ways to cinch the waist and keep the wrap closed at the waistline. 

Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to watch this show. It currently airs until Noon EST on October 2nd.

It’s Sew Easy Series 1900
10 Years of Sewing with It’s Sew Easy

Theme for the series is When in Doubt Embellish and Accessorize!
 
Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Its Sew Easy with series 1900!

​1901 Wrap It Up
Angela Wolf begins this season’s sew-along with a wrap dress and all of its variations. Gretchen Hirsch updates a circle skirt by adding buttonholes and a wraparound sash. Reen Wilcoxson is in the spotlight talking about how she made sewing and in particular embroidery her career.  ​

1912 Novel Ideas
Emily Thompson creates a quilted tablet cover. Cheryl Sleboda makes winged feet for a fun additions to your shoes.  Angela Wolf shares an optional addition to the wrap dress and a built-in tank top. ​

1913 Keep Track
Keep track of your notes, appts and dates with a handy note holder from Reen Wilcoxson. Angela Wolf creates a wrap style dress featuring a gathered waistline in a stretch knit. Joanne Banko in the designer spotlight with a glimpse into her sewing life.   

Now, here's a preview of the first show in this series, show 1901.

Angela begins the wrap dress sew along. In this segment the dress starts with darts, bias trim is next, and then the belt is prepped.  

Sewing an accurate dart is essential for a garment that looks good. It's an important part of shaping the wrap dress and giving a good fit. Darts are best when pressed over a ham. However, if you don’t have a ham, the next best thing is a balled-up towel. Try to make it as smooth and rounded as possible. I’ve used this method in hotel rooms with satisfactory results.

I love the look of Angela's wrap dress. What’s nice about a real wrap dress as opposed to a faux wrap is the adjustability. The ties on this one wrap around the waist and alow for cinching or loosening as necessary. This is going to be a great sew along series and we've only just begun!

Next, Gretchen Hirsch updates a circle skirt by adding buttonholes and a wraparound sash. Be sure to check out her instructions HERE.

She uses buttonholes to hold the sash. Such a clever technique! These are basic buttonholes but they are indeed big ones! If you have a buttonholer that measures your button and makes the buttonhole accordingly, you'll need to make a manual style buttonhole to repeat this technique. ​​

Would you believe 10 years ago Gretchen was the first guest instructor on the very first episode of It's Sew Easy TV? That is quite an honor. Ten years later she is still sewing vintage fashions for sewing enthusiasts who follow her style. Way to go Gretchen!!!

CLICK HERE to see project instructions from that show and you'll find a link to watch show 101-1 on the KS Productions YouTube channel.

Throughout this series you'll have the chance to hear many of the instructors tell their own personal "sew biz" story. My friend Reen Wilcoxson from Embroidery Garden is the first one to delight you with her tale of how she went from sewing for leisure to running her own embroidery design business. These days she teaches online and travels the country teaching others how to enjoy the big wide world of machine embroidery!

Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to watch this show. It currently airs until Noon EST on September 25th.

To be eligible to win, just leave a comment below, telling us if watching It's Sew Easy TV has helped you learn how to use a specific machine feature or machine accessory.

Please name the accessory or feature your learned about, even if you want to call it the thingamajig that helps you sew in circles. I'll fill in the blanks in my reply with proper names and part numbers when I can.

On October 17th I'll draw a random winner who will win a combo collection of six It's Sew Easy TV DVDs.

NOTICE! Deadline extended until November 2nd, 2020.

​I can't wait to read your comments and pick a winner!

Show 1813 has a travel theme. This week you'll learn how to make a wallet from cork. Perfect for every time you travel with your cash and cards. Then, you'll see a great gift tag idea that could double as a luggage tag. At the end you'll see the Angela's completed trench coat, probably one of the best coats you could ever own for traveling near or far. Join me as I give you preview of each of the three segments in show 1813.

Cork, cork, and more cork! Have you stitched anything with this fabulous material? Here are some of the fine features of cork: 

• It's a renewable resource.
• A great alternative to leather.
• Comes in many colors and is just plain beautiful!

​Cork featured on this show is from Fabric Funhouse. 

​Watch as Nicole Neales creates a high-quality wallet. You’d swear it had to come from a chic accessory shop! Her bi-fold wallet only requires a fat quarter sized piece of cork to complete. You'll find Nicole’s’ instructions when you CLICK HERE.

Next up is Emily Thompson with hand crafted fabric tags. ​

She mentions several ways to add the lettering and then demonstrates an embroidery option on the machine. Emily provided a gift tag template that you can download when you CLICK HERE. 

Customizing projects with crisp, clear, and durable embroidered lettering is one of my all-time, favorite embroidery options. Be it labels, greeting cards, or simple gift tags, the ability to "say it with stitches" is fun, fast, and easy. If you’d like some additional tips for stitching tiny lettering fonts, I invite you CLICK HERE and take a look at this recent post I contributed to the Brother Stitching Sewcial blog.

Last but not least, if you want to try your hand at an in-the-hoop machine embroidered gift tag, CLICK HERE for to yet another post. While I designed this one as a holiday tag, you can certainly customize it for any occasion

​Angela finishes up the show with with buttons and buttonholes during the last segment for her Chloe trench coat.

Anyone here have a fear of buttonholes? I admit, I avoided them for quite a few years when I didn’t own a machine with stellar quality buttonhole stitches. It was a long time ago but I sewed mostly on industrial machines at that time and only had a low-end zigzag machine. When I was really young, I made buttonholes on an old straight stitch machine that had a gizmo for making many sizes of buttonholes. It did a good job, but took a ridiculous amount of time to set up and test before you could even think about making buttonholes. But ahhh, today's one-step buttonhole attachments make stitching buttonholes a breeze! And yes, I do have a link to a tip sheet for buttonholes as well. CLICK HERE for some tips for stitching beautiful buttonholes.

That wraps up series 1800! Next week series 1900 will unfold one week at a time. I promise you, there’s a lot to love in this next series! Stay tuned for a week by week preview with extra information and tips to keep you happily sewing in your own sewing space. 
 
Show 1813 is airing currently at www.itsseweasytv.com and will continue until noon Eastern Standard time on September 18, 2020. If you'd like to own the entire 1800 series titled Whatever the Weather, you can purchase the complete set HERE.

​This show is all about creating your own upcycled wardrobe. Angela Wolf begins by adding finishing details to the trench coat. Then, Londa Rohlfing takes ties that have deep memories and turns them into T-shirt embellishments.

​In the first half of the show Angela is winding down her trench tutorial. In this segment she talks about topstitching and finishing details on the hem. Pay attention to her tips for topstitching lapels. They are golden!

Topstitching can reallytake a garment from home-made to hand-crafted status.  I’m compiling a list to write a post full of topstitch tricks and techniques so stay tuned for that. I can almost guarantee that some of the items you’ll see on my list of ideas are not common and ordinary.

Hem techniques and more finishing details round out the segment and guide you through the steps to finish up the Chloe trench coat.

In part two, Londa combines neckties with T-shirts for unique tops. You'll find her detailed instructions HERE on the It's Sew Easy TV website. This is certainly one way to wear your memories close to your heart, with tie trim that represents someone close to you. Have you ever made something new with old ties? I admit I currenlty have a collection that stares back at me, seemingly asking when they will get their chance to become something new. If you have any ideas for me I'd love to hear them in the comments.

This show is airing currently at www.itsseweasytv.com and will continue until noon Eastern Standard time on September 11, 2020. If you'd like to own the entire 1800 series titled Whatever the Weather, you can purchase the complete set HERE.