This week's focus is on my favorite fashion decade, the 1940's. Styles were lean and trim but dressmakers used details to add classy accents to suits, dresses, blouses, and skirts. Then there were the luxurious star quality gowns for "after five." Last but not least, lingerie, sleepwear, and loungewear was the perfect place to add special accents such as lace for beauty and style underneath it all. 

In the first segment of this episode I'll show you how easy it is to make your own machine embroidered lace appliqués and attach them to beautiful loungewear, sleep wear or lingerie. You only need a few simple and inexpensive supplies to make luxurious lace appliqués. 

Next up is Heather Valentine. She'll walk you through the steps to make a super cute pair of boot socks. No pun intended :-)

Wouldn't these make great gifts? Raid your stash for some lace scraps and then search your button collection for ​added embellishment. In this project Heather highlights the wonders of the ruffler attachment.

In the last short segment I return to stitch pearls and sequins with the foot by the same name. There are lots of possibilities for decorating garments and crafts with this well designed foot. You'll see that the clear view and deep groove make it easy to skip over pearls and sequins using a simple zig zag stitch.

Take a look at some of the special PEARL projects below. These would make great gifts too! Simply click on each photo for a link to complete project instructions you can read and download.

Just a reminder - Be sure to download the all project instructions from this informative episode directly from the It's Sew Easy TV website. This episode is currently running from January 29 to February 5, 2016. CLICK HERE to watch It's Sew Easy Episode 906.

Are you ready for a show with inspiring ideas for sewing neat necklines, embellishing fabric with machine embroidery, and decorating most anything with edge-joined laces, ribbon, fabric, and more? This week's show has it all!

Rebecca is back with some great tips and precise instructions for finishing necklines that look better than the best of ready to wear. Watch this show for multiple ideas you can use for designer style necklines. I bet you will seldom use pattern directions with oh-so- ordinary facings ever again. Her steps are crystal clear and are sure to transform your next neckline.

Angela embroiders fabric for an all over effect that you can use to create your own special yardage. Use the fabric to sew dressy gowns like those that were popular in the 1930's.

At the end of the show you'll see a short segment where I present projects suited for the Edge Joining Foot. This popular foot is essential for heirloom sewing where laces and trims are attached in neat rows to create fancy bands for both baby and adult heirloom items. I borrowed the gorgeous collar and dress form my friend Lynn Lunoe. These delicate pieces are simply beautiful aren't they?!?

I used the "lightning" stitch to join lace to lace.

My different decorative stitches will work for this technique but you need the stitch to skip over the center blade of the foot without coming into contact with it. Oftentimes I find it necessary to increase the width and length of the stitch so it is not too heavy or bulky when applied to the fabric and trim.

Stitches can be rather simple in shape. Some of my favorites from the Brother Dream Machine are pictured here.

This week it's Angela and sleeves, and then Angela and sleeves. Stay tuned for the whole online show and you'll be treated to a long list of ideas you can use to spice up your sleeves and vary the look of a super simple basic top.

First, watch how easy it is to turn a standard T-Shirt top into a stylish option with dolman sleeves. Angela uses her tried and true Ruched T-Top Pattern, available from her website in a digital download and traditional printed paper format.

In the second half it's all about embellishing and embroidering sleeves. This is truly a way to make a stand out garment and the best method is to start from scratch with a custom crafted article of clothing. If you're embroidering on a knit you will want to choose a design that doesn't destroy the drape of the fabric, add bulk or stiffness, and remains pucker free. The easiest motif to use is one that is light and airy like the design featured here. Scrolling designs made from straight stitches or satin stitches are something to look for as well.

With a few matching motifs, this design is one of the hidden jewels found in the built-in menu of         THE Dream Machine XV8500D from Brother.

​This machine model is frequently featured on the show and full of built-in designs ideal for 
accenting garments with embroidery and turning them into elegant works of art!

If you're curious about this machine you can Click Here to search for your local Brother dealer and give it a test drive.

Are you ready to watch episode 904?
This show currently airs from Noon on January 15th to noon on January 22. 
CLICK HERE to go watch the show!

This week you'll see Angela cutting holes in perfectly good fabric . . . on purpose of course! 

It's amazing what you can do with some simple shapes like the ones she uses from the ‪Kaliedoscpoe Kreator computer software. The trick for cutting this detailed design on stretchy knit is something I have raved about before, namely the Terial Magic liquid stabilizer spray. CLICK HERE to Read more in my Free downloadable tip sheet.

Angela also turns an outline from this program into embroidery for another back yoke. For each of these trendy tops she embellished the back yoke on a simple sleeveless top (Simplicity 1463) for this featured "work of art." This pattern has the potential for many different looks. Take a look at the line drawings below from the downloadable Simplicity pdf file.

Be sure to log in and visit the project section of the It's Sew Easy website where you'll find much more information and "how to" steps.

In the second part of the show you'll be treated to a demonstration of some beautiful silk ribbon hand embroidery techniques taught by Amber Eden, current editor of Stitch magazine. You'll find a full size pattern download for her design on the It's Sew Easy website.

​Even though many of us find our hands busy at the machine with machine embroidery and decorative stitch embellishments there is something quite soothing about embroidering by hand. I admit I don't do much of it these days but I greatly admire those who do.

To get a similar look and to take advantage of sewing with silk ribbon in the sewing machine, I am a huge fan of Bobbin Work decorative stitching. I have stitched many different items both on the sewing and embroidery side of the machine, including the embroidered pashmina scarf from It's Sew Easy ​episode 602-3. You see me demonstrate bobbin work on the sewing side of the machine in episode 912 but I'll give you a sneak peek at a few of the samples you'll see on the show. 

I can't wait to share all the details on one of my all time favorite decorative sewing techniques, and one that you can do on virtually any sewing machine! Stay tuned!

CLICK HERE to watch the current showing of It's Sew Easy episode 903 form January 9 to January 15th at noon.

Enjoy!

Ruched inserts are one of the featured techniques on show 902. Ruching or puffing, otherwise known as gathered strips have been used on everything from delicate baby gowns to rugged home decor items. Pleated strips are yet another version of this basic idea. In this segment you'll see pleats made without measuring. I bet you'll get a kick out of the everyday ordinary tools used to accomplish this.

​In the last segment of 902 I'll show you the wonders of embellishment with the three-slot cording foot. 

There is so much to show and tell about this easy embellishment idea. I wrote a whole separate post for this. CLICK HERE to read the post and find out more about the three-slot cording foot.
 
Did you know you can post a comment directly to the studio that produces It’s Sew Easy? You'll find a comment box just below the video screen. Feel free to let them know your thoughts. I know they would love hearing from you!

​Of course I would love to hear from you too! CLICK HERE if you would like to send me your personal thoughts and comments.