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.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

​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.

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!

​This week the online version of It’s Sew easy TV focuses on more fashion details that were popular in the fifties.
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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.

​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.

​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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Next, stay tuned for more fun with fashions for 18-inch dolls presented by Pearl Krush.

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.

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.

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.