letsgosew.com
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up for Sewing News, Freebies, & Updates
  • Order Just Jackets Embroidery Collection
  • Just Jackets FAQ
  • Order Wrapped in Embroidery Book by Joanne Banko
  • Joanne Banko's Blog
  • Machine Embroidery Survey
  • FREE Tutorials and Tip Sheets
    • NEW! Serger Sample Sheet
    • NEW! 2-Thread Serger Techniques-Pt.1
    • NEW! Basic Serger Stitches
    • New! Sew with Your Feet_Resources
    • New Project! Chic Triangle Scarf
    • New! Embroidered Sachet Envelope Project
    • Denim Re-design Hanging Organizer
    • Sewing a Cargo Pocket
    • NEW! Interfacings for Embroidery Tip Sheet
    • Making Kitchen Towels & FREE Cornucopia Applique Design
    • NEW! Embroidery Placement Positioning Tips
    • Tip sheet - 5 Reasons Quilters Need A Serger
    • Free In-the-Hoop Patch Pocket Design
    • Serging versus Sewing
    • FREE Project-Embroidered Gift Tag with Gift Bag
    • Tip Sheet - Pillow Pointers
    • Tip sheet_Sew Straight Laser for Seams
    • Embelishment Tips from dime V.111
    • Tip sheet - Shannon Embrace Double Gauze
    • Tip sheet - Fun with Fonts
    • Fabric Tip Sheet- Sewing Faux Suede
    • Tip sheet for Sewing & Embroidering with Metallic Thread
    • Fleece Ruana Pattern: As seen on PBS It's Sew Easy TV
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Crepe Back Satin
    • Fabric Tip Sheet-Sewing Slinky Type Knit
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Fleece
    • Fancy Footwork Tipsheet - About the Walking Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet_Basic Appliqué
    • Fancy Footwork Tip sheet - Ruffler Attachment
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Narrow Hems with a Standard Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Non Stick Foot
    • Tip sheet - Machine Embroidery Pattern Connection Resources
    • Tutorial_Embroidered Greeting Card Project
    • Tip Sheet - Machine Set up for Shirring
    • Tip sheet - Snowman and Target Markers
    • Tip Sheet for Printing on Fabric
    • Tip sheet-Five Ways to Finish Fleece Blankets
    • T-Shirt Transformation Tutorial
    • Project- Serge a Little Girl's Sweet Summer Dress
    • Tip Sheet for Fleece Frame Shape Appliqué
    • Tip Sheet - Bobbin Work Sewing & Embroidery
    • Tip Sheet - Custom Covered Buttons
    • Tip Sheet - Liquid Stabilizers
    • Tip sheet - Appliqué with Brother XV8500D & ScanNCut
    • Project - Sheer Chiffon Wrap
    • Project - Pearl Trimmed Candle Ring
    • Tip Sheet -Mitered Satin Blanket Binding
    • Fabric Tip Sheet_Knit Know How
    • Tool School Tip Sheets
    • ITH Project Planner
  • As seen in DiME Magazine - Photo Gallery
  • Sewing and Embroidery Events
  • My Sewing Story
  • It's Sew Easy TV Online Blog
  • IT'S SEW EASY TV Videos & Bonus Files
    • NEW! It's Sew Easy TV Series 2100
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 2000
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1500
    • It's Sew Easy TV - Series 1600
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1700
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1800
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1900
    • NEW! Superstar Sewing Stitches
    • NEW! Classy Textured Cape
    • NEW! Baby Bath Wrap
    • NEW! Detachable Collar
    • Sew a Swimsuit
    • Machine Embroidered Garments
    • Kimono Blouses
    • Custom Covered Hangers
    • Sewing Beautiful Belts
    • Felted Flower Hat Trim
    • Sew a Waffle Weave Robe
    • Learn about Couching accessories!
    • Turn a Pashmina into a Trendy Topper
    • Machine Embroidered Reverse Applique
    • Machine Embroidered Knit Dress
    • Use Non-Stick Foot to sew a Custom Luggage Tag
    • Serge & Sew Broomstick Skirt
    • Machine Embroidered Western Jacket
    • Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina
    • Embroidered Pajamas
    • Sewing Pearls and Sequins
    • Learn how to use the Fringe Foot
    • Quilted Pinwheel Patchwork Tote
    • Machine Embroidered Lace for Lingerie
    • Sewing Circles with a Circular Attachment
    • Sew with the Edge Joining Foot
    • Re-style Tops for Little Girls
    • Short Style Tip- Blouse Embellishment
    • Learn how to make pretty piping using the Piping Foot
    • Embellish with the Three Slot Cording Foot
    • Facebook Live Interview 12-4-2018
    • Machine Embroidery - Starter Tips

IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 910 - 1970's FASHION FREE FOR ALL

11/27/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Changing times defined the seventies, with the usual good, bad, and ugly all combined.  Fashion was a “free for all” of standard conservative dress mixed with far out fashion.

One thing these garments had in common was a mix of synthetic fibers and many totally man made materials. Polyester ruled the day! Today we are definitely seeing some seventies fashions and fabrics re-invented for here and now. However, most of the synthetic fibers we wear today are vastly improved and many have even been modified to breathe. They are less bulky and a lot more attractive too!

​You'll find a touch of seventies style garments on the rack and in the pattern books today. I know, they say if you were old enough to wear it the first time around you are not young enough to wear it the second. I disagree! The way I see it, the second time around designers and pattern makers tone down the outlandish fashion features and carve out a more classic look. This gives you the chance to re-invent past fashions into modern day wearables that suit your own personal style.
Picture
Picture
So, this week the featured decade is the 70's and It’s Sew Easy showcases jumpsuits and T-shirts. Certainly T-shirts have been a mainstay for years but jumpsuits faded away and are now making a comeback. In the first segment Angela demonstrates pattern making techniques for designing a jumpsuit  from an ordinary top and pants pattern, along with tips for styling and stitching a jumpsuit made with a modern knit. 
Picture
Would you like to entertain the idea of adding a jumpsuit to your wardrobe? I found a couple interesting Vogue patterns if you'd like to explore the option. If you're still not sure, I encourage you to think about casual and comfortable fabric options and perhaps pick something you can lounge around the house in before committing to sewing one of these for street wear. Click on each image below to take a look at two current offerings I found from Vogue. I suspect we'll see more choices for Spring 2016.
Picture
Picture
Next up . . . we're talking T-shirts!!!
Picture
Who doesn’t love the comfort and versatility of a T-shirt?  In this episode you'll see me use an affordable embroidery software program to create a custom embroidery design. Adding lettering to embroidery means you can "say it with stitches" and personalize a simple T-shirt to make a statement where ever you go. Create combinations for clubs, special events, teams, group activities, and so much more!
Picture
Picture
Don't miss the Free PDF download created especially for this show. Login to the site and you'll find the tip sheet I wrote to help you successfully embroider on T-shirts and similar knit garments. I believe this is information every machine embroidery enthusiast will find useful.
Picture
This particular T-shirt  celebrates a cause that is near and dear to many of us. Visit the ​​​​Free Design Library (Special Designs Category) at www.brothersews.com  to download the pink ribbon design.

Picture
In fact, all of the T-shirts designs featured in this show were created using the Brother BES3 Lettering and Customization Software program. This versatile program happens to be my personal favorite for anything and everything that begs for lettering. I've used it countless times to create custom shirts,  monogrammed home decor, greeting cards, even inspirational framed designs and wall decorations.
Picture
This lettering software greatly expands the use of your embroidery machine. And, it's not just for Brother machines. This software allows you to create designs for most home machine formats. I could go on and on about this program. It is one of my favorite tools for creative machine embroidery. Why not take advantage of the Free trial version available from Brother right now? Just CLICK HERE to learn more about the program and try it out for yourself!
Picture
If you're ready to watch the show you can CLICK HERE. This episode is currently showing online from February 26 to March 4th at noon. Enjoy!
0 Comments

IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 909 - SIXTIES STYLES MADE MODERN

11/20/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture

​Angela starts the show by slicing and dicing a pattern, as she is prone to do.

The result is a color block dress reminiscent of the 1960's but something you could translate to the shape and lines of a modern day dress pattern. I love her idea of taking a photo before you chop it all apart so you have a map to follow when you put the pieces back together.
Picture

​Next you'll get a full lesson on fitting the quintessential 
wrap dress by modern day designer and pattern maker Peggy Sagers.

Picture
​In this episode she'll give you tips to perfect the fit so you can make your own classic wrap. In particular, you'll learn how to make sure your wrap won't gap!

In my opinion the 1960's had some of the worst and some of the best fashion in modern decades. Putting some of the more dreary decades behind them, fashion designers splashed fabric with big bold floral prints and colors that practically made you reach for the sunglasses. Dress styles were pretty simple to sew, think shifts, sundresses, and sleeveless styles without much shaping. It sure didn't take much fabric to make the minis so that was a bonus if you were short on skills and economizing on fabric.

But then in the same decade . . . one of the best, most figure flattering dresses EVER INVENTED, was designed and made popular by Diane von Furstenberg. While this dress never really went away it is enormously popular today. CLICK HERE to see the designer's current line. You may be inspired by the pictures and the prices to get busy making your own. I know I am! However, I plan to take just a bit of a short cut with the faux wrap pattern you see below. Click on the pattern image below and you can get more information about this current pattern from Simplicity.
Picture
Right now this pattern is calling me from the cutting table where it sits. Stay tuned for an update coming soon.
​
CLICK HERE to watch It's Sew Easy episode 909, currently airing online from February 19 to February 26th. Enjoy!
UPDATE!
This dress is finished! You can find instructions for a machine embroidered version in Volume 97, the April/May 2016 issue of Designs In Machine Embroidery magazine. CLICK HERE for more information.
0 Comments

IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 908          RETRO FUN FROM THE FIFTIES PLUS PRETTY PIPING

11/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
​This week the online version of It’s Sew easy TV focuses on more fashion details that were popular in the fifties.
​​
In the first segment you’ll see lots of samples with a “Peter Pan” collar. Personally, I haven’t seen that style in a long time. It is indeed popular once again, particularly on dresses and crop tops for the twenty something crowd.

Picture
Retro designer Courtney McCrone has show and tell for you, with several sweet dresses sporting this Peter Pan collar style. For her featured project she gives you guidelines for yet another retro item, the ever-popular apron.

Picture
​Up next, embroidery expert Marie Zinno decorates a cardigan sweater with freestanding flowers and hot fix pearls. Marie is famous for taking basic blanks and turning them into items with lots of added pizazz. Her cardigan would be a great addition to your fall wardrobe. This is a great way to dress up a plain sweater that's just a bit too boring in it’s plain and ordinary state.

Picture
​In the last segment I’ll provide ideas and examples showing that details make the difference with decorative piping! It’s fun and easy to add piping for contrast and durability on both straight and curved edges. The piping foot makes stitching piping foolproof and accurate, without any extra effort. Click on the photo below for more information about this foot.
Picture
Piping is probably one of the least expensive ways you can add creative contrast to garments, crafts, and home decor. I’ve even seen piping added to quilts as a way to tie a color scheme together and add and interesting detail on the border of a quilt. With this foot you can sew a variety of standard piping sizes.
Picture
Here are some specifics you’ll learn about in this segment:
  • Creating piping from scratch with your own choice of fabric.
  • Using the adjustable needle position to perfect the lines of stitching when creating, and then inserting your piping.
  • Plus, you'll see why it’s important to cut fabric for piping on the bias. 
I’ll leave you with links to some of the actual items shown on the show. Just click on each photo to go directly to the PDF file with project instructions.
Picture
Crescent shaped baby pillow with a matching bib: These practical pillows are so popular! It's easy to make one with a removable cover for easy laundering. ​Note: Piping was added as an afterthought to the bib by serge finishing the raw edge of the piped trim and then topstitching it to the wrong side of the bib.
Picture
Piped Potholders: Pre-quilted fabric, decorative stitches, and a monogram are special touches that make these potholders almost too pretty to use. In these instructions you’ll find a timesaving tutorial for making yards of bias with just a small amount of fabric.
Picture
Notebook Cover for Home or Office: Piping gives this crafty item a finished look and the color combination is well suited for a more masculine gift item.
This show is currently is now airing online from February 12 to February 19, 2016.
CLICK HERE to watch It's Sew Easy Episode 908. You'll be armed with the all information you need to make these great projects!
0 Comments

IT'S SEW EASY EPISODE 907 - FLASHBACK TO FUN FASHIONS FROM THE 1950'S

11/6/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
The 1950's certainly stands out as a memorable fashion era. In fact, this decade is probably re-visted more than any other decade in modern history! Just why that's the case is anyone's guess. Perhaps it's because fifties fashions generally make us think of fun times and Happy Days!
Picture
In the first part of the program you'll get a history lesson on darts from Peggy Sagers. Learn from Peggy how darts make a difference and flatter every figure with great fit. Would you believe there are three darts in this illustration? Two are easy to find. Watch the show to find out about the third and also see where, why, and how to use a French dart like the one shown below.

Picture
Next, stay tuned for more fun with fashions for 18-inch dolls presented by Pearl Krush.
Picture
Be sure to Log In and visit the project section of the web site where you'll find a full size Free pattern for this delightful doll sized poodle skirt from ​Pearl Lousie Designs.
Picture
Last but not least, if you are crazy for couching I think you’ll enjoy my short segment at the tail end of the show. This time we are featuring couched accents stitched with specialty accessory feet. Couching is a technique offering lots of style with very little effort. Watch as I demonstrate how to couch narrow ribbon using the Brother Braiding Foot.
Picture
There are many accessory options for attaching cords, yarn, and narrow braids on your sewing machine. This super easy technique is accomplished with straight or decorative stitches that skip from side to side and connect the trim to your fabric surface. Below, take a look at some examples of projects made with Brother accessory attachments designed specifically for couching.
Picture
This texturized tote bag, features yarn attached using the Free Motion Couching attachment. It's easy to add texture with yarn when you use the print on the fabric as your guide. ​CLICK HERE for more information, along with complete instructions for creating this tote.         

Picture
You'll find this special free motion accessory available for Brother Quattro machines too!

Picture
Picture
You can decorate ordinary fleece scarves with colorful couched trim! Click on each of the images above for project instructions currently posted on www.brothersews.com.
Picture
This dress went from plain to pretty with a bit of couched ribbon combined with an embroidered band of fabric. CLICK HERE for steps to create your own!

It's Sew Easy show #907 is currently airing online until noon on Friday February 12th. CLICK HERE to go watch the show. Enjoy! 

2 Comments
    Welcome!
    ​
    E
    ach week at noon a new show airs online at itsseweasytv.com.
    This blog features a preview of each weekly show.
    Picture

    Author:​

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador

    Inspiring Sewing Enthusiasts to make the most of their machines!

    ​
    Click Here to Sign up for Sewing News, & updates about FREE Tip Sheets and FREE Project downloads.

    Archives

    March 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    March 2014
    February 2014

    As a believer in full disclosure, I'd like you to know that Blog posts may contain affiliate links for products and services I know and trust. Purchasing items through a link marked * results in a small commission for me, with no extra charges for you.
    Shop popular online retailers via EBATES and you will receive cash back rebates on all your purchases. I have personally used Ebates for  for several years and receive a small referral fee if you click the button below.
    Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2025 by Joanne Banko. All rights Reserved