The series continues with tips for short trips, long trips, or trips close to home. Traveling any distance often means temperature changes both indoors and out. Having stylish garments you can easily slip on and off make travel more comfortable and more pleasant. In the first segment you'll see a fashion-forward sweater designed by Angela Wolf so you can be comfortable at home or away.

Next, learn how to embellish all of your gear with colorful embroidered patches. Embroidery expert Eileen Roche shows you how.

Now that you have your casual wear covered it's time to add something fancy for a special night out. In this episode I'll show you how to stitch a concealed zipper so you can create an elegant evening bag. It packs flat and coordinates with a special embroidered dress made from matching silk dupioni fabric. Read more about all these projects below.

First, Angela designs a coverup with a partial circle collar, peep sleeves, and lettuce edging on the hem, all from a basic T-shirt pattern.

To finish the edges she takes advantage of the super stretch of the fabric and stitches a ruffled, lettuce edge hem. This is a unique and decorative way to make narrow hems on stretchy knits.

I have a slightly different recipe for accomplishing this popular edge finish. Here's what you'll need:

• Size 11 Stretch Needle
• Matching or contrasting good quality poly sewing thread
• Standard zigzag presser foot

Here are the  steps:
Begin by selecting a zig zag stitch set for 2.0 width and 2.0 length. Line up the raw edge of the fabric with the center making on the foot. Zigzag over the raw edge, having the right hand swing of the zig zag catch the raw edge and stretching as you go. Next, set zig zag stitch for width 2.5 and length 1.0. Stitch over previous zig zag stitching. 

This results in a more satin style stitch. Make sure to test first for suitability on your particular knit.

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You'll love all the special items Eileen decorated with patches! These snappy little patches work as an accent for everything from bags to hats to boat shoes! Watch as Eileen presents great tips for fusing these appliqués onto awkward surfaces.  These are  easy to attach to so many different things.  They're sure to put a smile on someone's face if you make them for gifts too!

If you're looking for more fun patches you may want to explore the Blue Hair Girl collection. CLICK HERE to read my past post about the designer, Denise Holguin. You'll learn more about her creative style and see examples of the patches she invented.

In last short segment of the show you'll see me insert a concealed zipper with a special foot designed for the task.

The featured sample is a clutch purse previously published as a Brother blog post. CLICK HERE to view and download the original instructions. You'll find specific steps outlined and illustrated with photos so you can effortlessly stitch this style of  zipper again and again.

This silk dupioni clutch purse is an elegant accessory for a special occasion or anytime you want something a bit fancier than your everyday handbag.

The inside zippered pocket is sleek and secure. Imagine making this purse in many different fabrics for dressy or casual days!

Need a gorgeous dress to pair with your purse? There are instructions for that too! They're also available on the official Brother Stitching Sewcial blog. You'll only catch a glimpse of this dress on the show but if you CLICK HERE you can see how I made this dress, from designing the layout to embroidering the front panel of this figure flattering dress.

Ready to go and watch the show? Show 1306 will air until noon EST on February 2nd. CLICK HERE to go watch the show. Enjoy!

I'd love to know if you would like to make your own version of any of the items you saw this week. Please let me know in the comments below.

Show 1305 will help you create go-to wearables for tropical destinations. Angela Wolf sews a perfect t-shirt to wear alone or under a jacket.  Pattern designer and fabric expert Linda Lee shares tips for sewing on sheer fabrics and Michelle Paganini has more up-cycling tips.

T-shirts, can you ever have too many? Short sleeves, long sleeves, or no sleeves at all, many of us have quite a few in our closet but there's always room for more!

Angela's T tops always have an upscale look to them. T-shirts are an Angela Wolf specialty and in this episode you'll see how to shape a cap sleeve and hem it with a twin needle. The idea she presents is for a shirt that goes nicely under a jacket, with a bit of coverage but not too much bulk.

If you're looking to re-style an existing ready-made T-shirt you may want to take a look at a Free tip sheet I wrote for transforming a T-shirt. CLICK HERE and you'll find specific instructions for changing the neckline and adding some pizzazz to otherwise plain sleeves.

​Next, Linda Lee from the Sewing Workshop sews samples of seams and hems for super light fabrics. Her sample jacket is sewn from silk. A jacket like this would be perfect to dress up plain, solid separates for a cruise or even dinner out close to home. In this segment she teaches the basics for both a French seam and a very narrow hem.

For yet another option you may want to take a look at the sheer wrap I presented on a previous show. CLICK HERE to see more.

In the last short segment Michelle returns with lots of ideas for adding a quick fix to existing garments. You'll love her slip tips for re-styling slips into practical camisoles, along with some additional ideas for making clothes more comfortable.

CLICK HERE if you're ready to go and watch the show. It will be online until noon EST on October 27.

​Show #1304 will make you think about sewing some special items to make everyday life more beautiful! I can’t wait to get right into previewing this show so here goes!

If you are a seasoned fan of It's Sew Easy you’ve seen Kay Whitt of Serendipity Studio multiple times. She always smiles when talking about sewing. Her love of the craft is evident in everything she designs and creates! In this show you’ll see her use the Brother super speedy model PQ1500SL.

This machine is made only for straight stitching, but it is oh so powerful! Sewing on the PQ machine is a lot like sewing on an industrial machine. I've had the opportunity to stitch many hours on both types so I speak from real life experience. This model has quite a few ingenious features built into it and they are all designed to make your sewing more powerful, precise, and efficient. Click on the machine image if you would like more information.

If you’re anything like me you will be itching to stitch after seeing the handbag samples Kay displayed on the show. While the focus is on creating quality handles, you are sure to pick up many other helpful tips. After watching you may even be tempted to put on a dress (Kay is known for her beautiful dresses), and then don a pair of dangling earrings and a sparkling necklace. Among her many talents, Kay is a jewelry designer as well!

Next it’s time to up-cycle some shirts with Michelle Paganini. This one was tough for me to watch. Not because I didn’t love it - I did! Therein lies the problem. You see I struggle with the “if you haven’t worn it in a year toss it theory.” You've heard it before, use it or lose it when cleaning out closets and drawers! I always experience a moment of someday I'll use this, and my clean up and pitch it mood goes right out the window!

Thank goodness people like Michelle are out there to motivate us to up-cycle and give new life to old things. Her eclectic ideas for reusing men’s shirts are very stylish. They will either inspire you to re-style shirts hanging in the back of the closet, or shop for some thrift store finds to work into your own wearable art. Add a feminine touch with a pin, appliqué, scarf, etc., and you’ll forget that the garment you're wearing once hung in a men’s department somewhere.

​In the last short segment I had the opportunity to show one of my favorite pocket styles. It's a welt pocket stitched with simplified steps for construction. To see each and every step in detail you’ll want to CLICK HERE and download the instructions I wrote to coordinate with the short demonstration.

​Permit me to hop on a soapbox for a minute. I think learning how to sew quality pockets is a key that unlocks the door to sewing garments that shine with a look of quality construction. The recipe is simple - pick a simple garment style and add a perfect pocket or two. Your friends will think you’ve had professional training with a master tailor, sharing insider secrets with each and every stitch.

With that in mind, before I go I have an easy question for you. Would you be interested in some online classes for learning how to make a variety of perfect pockets? Please leave your yes or no answer in the comments and tell me if you would like to add this skill to your sewing repertoire. Feel free to contact me if you have specific requests.

Ready to go and watch the show? It currently airs online until January 19th at 12PM EST. CLICK HERE and enjoy!

Show #1303 has some exciting projects for both embroidering aficionados and sewing fans. Embroidery expert Eileen Roche embroiders colorful and cool watchbands, quilter and crafter Carolina Moore creates a travel tote with special closures, and up-cycle artist and designer Michelle Paganini has some great tips for scouting out notions and trims from thrift store garments.

The show starts with Eileen Roche, Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine. I'm pretty confident that Eileen has embroidered nearly everything there is to embroider! She has filled many books with recipes for successful embroidery on everything from soft fabric to stiff plastic and just about everything else in between! 

Just take a look at all those fabulous watches! I was so excited when I saw Eileen's segment because I'm kind of a watch fanatic. I have several inexpensive watches that I like to change up and wear regularly and prefer a good old-fashioned watch to any contemporary tech device for timekeeping. I've been tempted to purchase super inexpensive but cute watches from my local craft store but they all had extremely blah plastic bands. This segment gave me a vision for giving these an upscale look Imagine embroidering your own in the color, size, and style you like best!

Each one is embroidered in the hoop in a super short period of time. What an wonderful gift time these would make for friends and family. The watch band designs are available from Dime Inspirations Dealers. CLICK HERE to search for availability in your area.

Carolina Moore is on air next, with a multi-pocketed tote can take on vacation or to your next sewing retreat. Whatever you decide to fill the bag with, you'll appreciate the practical pockets and the classy hardware that keeps the pockets closed. Carolina shows step-by-step how to attach the pieces and parts from the Dritz collection of bag hardware and fasteners. These accents are the same quality you find on store bought bags and easy to apply. Click on the image above and you'll find all the instructions you need to make your own bag.

Michelle Paganini is on last with a short show and tell segment. See some of her thrift store finds as she shares a multitude of ideas for "mining" these garments, putting new-found buttons and trims to good use. Michelle has a series of up-cycling instruction guides and a blog promoting her passion for re-inventing and re-purposing clothes that may have otherwise ended up in a heap somewhere. Her company is called Paganoonoo. This eclectic name is apropos for the clever styles she puts together!

I had the chance to meet Michelle at the studio and I can tell you that her garments looked twice as nice in person! We had a fun day together and she kindly gifted me with a couple of her products. CLICK HERE to check out Michelle's blog and see more for yourself!

Ready to see the show? Show 1303 currently airs online until October 13 at 12 noon EST. CLICK HERE to watch and enjoy!