Machine embroidery certainly is a star in the sewing world these days! In show 1506 you'll see the beauty of using both big hoops and small.

Seeing Sarah's embroidered neckline got me thinking about a whole series of neckline tips tricks, and ideas I'd like to share with all of you! Since my earliest days of stitching machine embroidery, necklines have been a favorite form of embellishing both ready-to-wear, and garments made from scratch. I've decided to schedule this as a spring thing. Please stay tuned for more to come on this topic.

In the second half of the show you'll see me create a gift set that includes elegant machine embroidered coasters with a gorgeous coordinating gift bag. This project proves that good things can often come in small packages. Perfect for most any occasion or just as a little thinking of you gift, a personalized coaster is one size fits all and something everyone can use. Stitch this little gift set in no time flat.

There is a little blooper in my segment, did you catch it? Well, I inadvertently sewed the trim on the bag with the French seam on outside instead of the inside of the bag. If you "gifted" this to a non-sewer they probably wouldn't even know the difference but alas it is better if the seam is on the inside of the organza bag. The braiding foot is featured for sewing the drawstring trim. I love this foot and feature it in many of my online projects. It makes quick work of sewing trims up to 1/4-inch wide.  

My downloadable instructions from the TV Show website tell you how to make the coasters on a Brother machine with a 4" X 4" hoop. From start to finish, these coasters were designed and stitched on the Brother NS1750D.

This compact sewing and embroidery machine is my "go to" traveling machine. Each time I use it I'm impressed by the powerful features wrapped up in what I like to call my "baby" Brother.

The beautiful octagon frame is a shape you'll find built in to every Brother machine. The stylish letter is found in a few different models, including the NS1750D. And how about that glittering metallic thread? It really makes the monogram shine, don't you think? I've got a free tip sheet on the subject of stitching with metallic thread. CLICK HERE if you're interested.

Last but not least, I created three free bonus coaster designs you can download HERE. Be sure to download the instructions that accompany the show along with the instructions included with these free downloads. Skip the stippling if you like or use it as a background to quilt behind your chosen design. You can add most anything on top of the stippling and opt for seasonal or other designs in place of a monogram. If you have any questions feel free to contact me here on this site.

You can find show 1506 at itsseweasytv.com. The show is currently online until noon EST on November 2, 2018 and available as part of the Series 1500 DVD set available for purchase.

I hope you enjoy the bonus designs. I'd love to know if you decide to make some of these and of course it would be great to get your feedback on this show in the comments below :-)

It's showtime again on itsseweasytv.com! This week the online show is full of sewing machine tips that work on most any machine, both basic and beyond. Every single stitcher out there can use a little sewing machine wizardry to polish up their machine stitching skills. Indeed, even the most basic machine includes super sewing stitches that can make your sewing more professional.

First up, teacher Ellen Miller demonstrates a little bobbin magic as she introduces Sashiko stitchery. In the true fashion of an educator, Ellen starts with a Sashiko history lesson and then shows multiple ways to create a design from a simple diamond shape. Be sure to Download her show notes from this segment to learn more of her special Sashiko tricks and tips.

I met Ellen in the studio and helped set up the Brother machine with a special bobbin work bobbin case for her to use. Here you see a whole kit that Brother has available for many Brother machines. This drop-in case is colored grey so you don't confuse it with your standard case. It also features a looser tension setting designed to accommodate thick threads that are unsuitable for the needle. Essentially, bobbin work is upside down stitchery. Stitches stand up and stand out due to the thickness of the thread and can often mimic hand embroidery. Several Brother models include the bobbin case and even have built-in bobbin work embroidery designs. Check with your local Brother Dealer to check availability for your machine. I've been a bobbin work aficionado for a long time. Honestly, I could go on and on about bobbin work but I'll cut it short for today. I do have a tip sheet with additional info you can download here.

After talking with Ellen in the TV studio and having the chance to browse through her book titled Creating Couture Embellishment you can see that she is a master of techniques that take your sewing projects to the level of high-end embellishment. I immediately bought her book as did others in the studio who were mesmerized by all the ideas and the precise photos detailing each one of her decorative methods. As Ellen tells the story it was a book that started out as a two-year project and then stretched out to almost triple that amount. You would completely understand that if you browsed the pages of the book. Ellen's publisher, Lawrence King Publishing has generously provided a copy for me to giveaway in a random drawing. Read more about this offer at the end of this blog post.

In part two you'll see me run through a whole host of machine stitches, showing some of my "go to" stitches used in everyday sewing, along with some tips for mastering your machine with basic sewing stitches for sewing knits, overcasting seams, blind hemming stretchy fabric, stitching accurate seams allowances, and more! I suggest you take a few notes while you watch, look for these same stitches on your own personal machine, and then make some samples to fully embed the learning process. CLICK HERE to download coordinating instructions for this segment.

Okay! Are you ready for the chance to win Ellen Miller's beautiful book? This book is big, measuring 11 1/4-inches high, 9 1/2-inches wide, and over an inch thick. It retails for $85 and aside from being what I call a classic, it is a joy to read just to look at all the gorgeous garment photos. To be eligible to win, you can leave a comment below, telling me what embellishment techniques you would like to see covered in more detail on letsgosew.com Or, you can contact me and leave your comment via email. I'll announce the winner on Saturday November 10th, 2018 through my weekly email to letsgosew.com subscribers. If you're not already on the list, you are welcome to join HERE. Winner will be notified by email and then I'll need your address to ship the book via USPS media mail. Available for USA residents only. I'll look forward to reading your comments and drawing a winner!
 
Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to watch Show 1505 until noon EST October 26. enjoy!

In the first part of this show I'll guide you through cutting and sewing your own version of a luxurious super hero style cape. This cape features textured fabric with a luxurious high pile for warmth and softness.

In part two Angela Wolf shows the next step in the A line sew-along, sewing a skirt with a center seam and lined pockets.

Just take a look at this gorgeous cape! It's made from a special fabric called Luxe Cuddle® Rose, provided by Shannon Fabrics. If you can't find it locally I suggest you visit fabric.com to see what colors they currently have available.

At first glance this fabric may look a little tricky to handle. Trust me, cutting and sewing is a breeze when you follow the tips I've outlined in the instructions that coordinate with the show. You'll find a list of recommended supplies and a whole bunch of tips with all my instructions HERE.

One of my top tips is to seek help from a special attachment known as the MuVit™ Digital Dual Feed System, included with the Brother Dream machine shown on the set. There are in fact several other machine models that use this attachment so check with your local dealer for details and availability. A walking foot is another option for sewing the seams in this project. Both of these special accessories will help keep the fabric layers from shifting while you sew the fluffy seams, and the seams on the suede cloth.  

You'll see how to sew suede tabs for the closure, maneuvering around the points so the ends come out nice and neat.

Working with textured Luxe Cuddle® Rose is similar to working with polar fleece. Like fleece, this fabric should never come in direct contact with an iron. That makes iron-on interfacing a no go so I opted to stabilize the neckline with Dritz stay tape. As for pressing the seams, I found that hovering over the seam with a little steam and then patting the fabric with my fingers did a good job of tamping the seams down and keeping them flat. 

This entire cape segment is archived on YouTube so you can re-watch it any time you like by clicking HERE.

You'll see another A-line skirt style in the second half of the show as Angela hacks the pattern, adding center seams and scoop pockets on the front. This familiar pocket style is popular on ready-made jeans. It really dresses down the skirt and makes it into something suitable for casual wear, especially when made from denim like you see on the show. Angela uses bartacks to re-enforce the ends but double cap rivets from Dritz would serve as decorative re-enforcement where the pocket joins the waist and side seam.

​We all know that one of the greatest joys of sewing is being able to make interesting items that are hard to find in stores. Whether you're looking to create something fun for a costume, craft custom items for your favorite pooch, or put together a baby set to please new parents,  show 1503 is full of clever little projects you can finish in a short period of time.

Each one of the pieces you see in this show will help you exercise your sewing super powers.

First you'll see Cheryl Sleboda make a pair of  fully little ears. She calls them wolf ears and provides a free pattern for you to download from the TV website.​ Her furry ears are made from Shannon Fabrics Faux Fur. It's amazing how many different furs you'll find when you explore the options. Cutting and sewing this synthetic material requires some special knowledge and handling for fool proof results.
Cheryl uses faux suede to add to the realistic look and has some great tips for fluffing the fur after sewing the seams. Visit the Shannon Fabrics site for a Free tip sheet and you'll learn even more.

Next up, Caroline Critchfield stitches something for our furry friends, with a scrappy dog leash and a comfy pet pad. Watch as she provides top-stitching tips and shows you the kind of hardware you need for a quality leash.

In the last, short segment I'm happy to bring you something to celebrate Baby Days, with a pretty little bottle cover featuring machine embroidery and a few cute sayings.

I've made quite a few of these bottle covers! It's easy to embroider on pre-quilted fabric or you can choose to just embellish yours with colorful trim. Either way, this is one item that is really unique and turns a baby gift into a real conversation piece. 

In an effort to help you get started on a bottle cover and burp cloth set, you'll find an offer for a burp cloth pattern I've made available for you to download for free HERE. I hope you have fun with this! I'd love to know if you decide to make your own special baby set. Let us know in the comments if you have plans for making a baby gift in the near future or let us all know about something special you've made for baby in the past.

You'll find show 1503 airing online from 10-5 to 10-12, 2018 when you visit www.itsseweasytv.com. Don't forget to download the free instructions for all of these shows when you visit the Projects Section on the webpage. Enjoy!