​This online It’s Sew Easy TV show is full of nitty gritty sewing information. Have you ever struggled with setting in a sleeve, stitching zippers, or sewing elastic?  These are all basic sewing procedures that are certainly very important and practical to learn if you want to experience successful sewing. You’ll learn how to do it all this week on It’s Sew Easy TV!

In part one ​Kay Whitt demonstrates a step-by-step method for sewing set in sleeves and explains how to start and finish so the sleeve looks smooth and professional. 

You’ll see that it’s all about the tools and the techniques you need to succeed when sewing sleeves. Take particular notice of the shape of the sleeve as you watch this show. If you look closely you’ll see that the cap of the sleeve looks slightly skewed. This is truly the way a well fitting sleeve is supposed to look. If you look at a well-drafted sleeve pattern you will see that the curve is slightly deeper on the front side of the sleeve. There are some exceptions to this rule but this factor is particularly prevalent on sleeve patterns made for woven fabrics. I am careful to look for this when selecting a pattern. It indicates a sleeve that will look and fit properly when finished. 

Among the things we talked about was the importance of good instructions, especially for smaller pattern companies.  Dig into one of Kay's patterns and you won’t be disappointed, she is careful to guide you each step of the way with clear and sensible directions. By the way, her pattern line at Serendipity Studio is full of great looking garments for both beginners and intermediate sewing enthusiasts. 

​Next you will learn from Judy Kessigner as she sews a zipper in a jacket using a fast and easy method.  She will have you saying, “What did we do before there was glue???”

​Rebecca appears for a short segment, showing you yet another basic but essential sewing step, as she demonstrates her method for sewing elastic with the three step zigzag stitch. 

​I could write a book about the benefits of the three step zigzag stitch! Basic but highly versatile, you’ll find this stitch in the menu of most machines whether they are entry level or top of the line.

​Zippers are a main focus during this show with my friend Heather Valentine guides you through stitching up a color blocked, front zip fleece jacket in the final segment. Heather always makes fashion fun and gives you lots of learning opportunities as she demonstrates some of her favorite sewing tips and tricks.

CLICK HERE to go and watch episode 1106. You'll learn a lot of good basic tips and techniques as you learn from It's Sew Easy TV this week!

This show is indeed all about the Stylish girl with darling designs for little and not-so-little girls. You'll see adorable vests (there is a boy style too!), a pretty pleated dress and simple to sew circle skirts just perfect for twirling.

Carla Macklin is from Northeast Ohio and the story of how she started on the road to designing children's patterns is quite interesting. You will want to visit her website, www.clevercharlotte.com to read the rest of the story and browse through her beautiful pattern line. I met her at the studio as we both taped on the same day. I wasn't familiar with her pattern line but was impressed with the beautiful outfits she had. After giving me a little preview of what she was going to present and I knew her segment would be popular not only with those who sew children's wear but everyone else who sews garments! You'll learn some great techniques for lining and finishing garments, especially vests, when you watch her segment.

​Funny but true story, just last week I was admiring some new children's pattern in my local big box fabric store - would you believe they were Clever Charlotte patterns?!? Her Olivine pattern, the pretty pink dress seen above is now on my "must stitch" list!

Next up, you'll see a short style segment by Deb Barcello with a neat finish for circular hems. These hems are always a challenge to sew and oftentimes they need to be applied to thin and sometimes fussy fabrics.  Deb's technique is a good one for stitching on a standard sewing machine. If you have the Brother MuVit foot you'll benefit form the way this foot smooths out fine fabrics. Without this foot you can consider stitching through a layer of ​lightweight water-soluble stabilizer. 

In yet another short style tip segment you'll see Angela Wolf stitch a twin needle hem on a knit. For even more knit tips I invite you to CLICK HERE and download a Free letsgosew tip sheet for knits.

In the final segment of the show Deb Barcello returns for a full segment. Deb sews and teaches at Cattels Sew & Vac in New Jersey. She knows how to make a machine produce pretty things, that's for sure! Her circle skirts are something you can easily whip up in an afternoon. Her tip for making one-way prints work with this circular style is and easy answer to a perplexing problem when mixing prominent prints with a pattern that is normally cut in one piece.

​Interestingly, this summer I met Deb while teaching at the annual Brother convention. We started a casual conversation and it was quite by accident that I learned she had recently taped at the It's Sew Easy TV studio. Her enthusiasm was inspiring. If you are in her neck of the woods be sure to pay her a visit!

Don't forget to check out the instructions that go along with each of these segments. You'll find them all on the It's Sew Easy TV website. Be sure to visit the website for the fabric sponsor, Ink and Arrow. They have  some really cute fabrics that would make each of the garments from this show look spectacular.

Ready to go and watch the show? CLICK HERE and enjoy show #1105!

Yes! You can customize, personalize, and create your own individual style! Find out how this week on the It's Sew Easy online TV show.

Eileen Roche teaches you all about transforming a T-shirt from plain and basic to embroidered and beautiful, using your embroidery machine and a standard 5-inch X 7-inch hoop. ​

You'll learn to work with templates, see how to align designs, and line up motifs with a stand-alone laser called the PAL. You'll gather up some "happy hooping" techniques with some tips for using a kitchen assistant you may already have in your pantry. This mixture of tips and tricks will help you stitch fantastic new T-shirts with styles and color combinations that flatter YOU,  and work along with your wardrobe basics for great looking casual wear. See all the gorgeous samples in the photo below:

I admit I am a bit of a button collector. I ​also love to make covered buttons with added embellishment from embroidery or decorative stitches. CLICK HERE and you'll find a FREE tip sheet with more ideas for making covered buttons.

​In the last segment Rebecca Kemp Brent creates beautiful monograms with basic computer fonts and simple sewing machine stitches. 

​Monograms never go out of style.  Rebecca demonstrates a super simple method for generously sized satin stitched appliqué letters.  You can sew these with any standard zig zag machine. Use these ideas to stitch statement pillows or monogram and personalize anything else your heart desires.

​In fact, she is using a method I personally adopted a long time ago. I've satin stitched all sorts of shapes with this two-step technique. CLICK HERE and you'll find a FREE tip sheet showing various presser foot options, along with suggestions and photos for savvy satin stitching.

Being an embroidery aficionado Rebecca also shows some software options for machine embroidered appliquéd lettering. If you are looking for software programs that are rich with Monogram and applique lettering options you may want to check out what Brother has to offer. There are software programs to fit your level of expertise and your budget. CLICK HERE to explore a bit more. ​

Are you ready to go and watch the show? CLICK HERE. This show will run from October 14 to October 21. Enjoy!

This episode is all about creating and crafting custom items for your Home Sweet Home. In this so you'll learn how to make smocked pillows with a modern look, make an inspiring wall hanging, and add some whimsy to the sewing room too!

Next to a fresh coat of paint, pillows are probably the least expensive and easiest way to update a room. They can be detailed and intricate or fast and easy but one thing is for sure, they don't require much fabric! This show features several very different and interesting styles you can make yourself. At the end of this post I'll share one of my personal favorite quick pillow projects. But first let's take a look at what you'll see on this show.

Next there is a short style segment with tips for sewing tricky fabrics presented by Heather Valentine.

Heather and I met a couple years ago on the set of It's Sew Easy. A talented and energetic blogger, teacher, and "maker," her style reflects her bright and cheerful personality and her projects are always fun and stylish. In this show Heather combines unusual materials to create a handy caddy for her studio. Hint . . . after you watch her short tip segment you'll think differently next time you visit the hardware store! 

The last full segment of the show features Lisa Shepard Stewart. She shows how to create simple, yet inspiring wall art using earthy batiks and warm, plush wool fabric. Her tips and ideas can be applied to many different projects so you'll want to make sure and watch till the very end of the show. Are you read to go watch? CLICK HERE to watch show 1103 until noon on October 14th.

​If you're looking for a way to showcase techniques on a simple pillow panel CLICK HERE for project instructions that may help jump start your imagination. Enjoy!

This week's online episode will help you jazz up your closet with items that are easy to stitch from start to finish! Learn how to make your own shoes, add style to an ordinary blouse, and make a roomy, stylish shopping tote.

If you have been sewing for a long time you may think you have made just about everything under the sun . . . but how about shoes?!? Until now there really wasn't an easy way to make your own. Dritz Espadrille Shoe kits have changed all that. Not only are they easy to make, the possibilities for embellishment are endless. Tip: You may want to check the sizing against a similar style shoe. My friend Cindy Hogan made a pair and said these run a little on the small side.

Consider using a favorite embroidery design and making a matching purse from the same fabric. 

The next part of the show is a short style tip segment where I show and tell a little about embellishing blank blouses. I love to hunt for plain white and other light colored blouses while shopping and usually opt for those that are linen or a linen blend for this technique.   A bit of trim, machine embroidery or decorative stitches elevates an ordinary blouse to a work of art, don't you agree?

Be sure to CLICK HERE and download the tip sheet for this when you visit the project section of the It's Sew Easy TV website.

My friend Kim Montagnese closes out the show with her "cake and donut tote!" You'll hear the rest of the story when you watch but seriously this tote is pretty, practical and also ripe with opportunities for embellishment. You'll see Kim's free motion artistry performed on the Brother Dream Fabric Frame but there are many ways you can add interest to a tote like this. Even a pretty printed fabric combined with a coordinating solid would work. Let me know if you come up with your own version. I would love to see it and I know other readers would too!

Okay, are you ready to go watch the show? CLICK HERE to see episode 1102. Enjoy!