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It's Sew Easy TV Show 1711: Quick Gifts, Chevron blocks, and Curved hems made Easy on Show 1711!

11/30/2019

2 Comments

 
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Photos used with permission from KS Productions
This show includes something for everyone. There are four segments with a garment project, a craft item, a short quilt block tutorial, and then a tiny quilted project. You'll be treated to helpful tips so you can quilt and sew along!
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First off, Angela hems her Linda tunic and shares tips for sewing shirttail hems. These can be a little tricky, especially on light weight fabrics. ​
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Be sure to watch her fingertips as she eases in the curved edge. You’ll see that the recipe for success in this area includes the following:
  • Easing in the curve with step one of the stitching.
  • Pressing the hem with steam to smooth the stitching.
  • Pressing and putting pressure on the fabric with the wood clapper.
  • Stitching the hem from the topside, and finishing with a final press to tame the finished hem.
I believe a quality iron is key in this process. I'm sure Angela would agree!
I actually have the same Reliable iron you see used in the TV studio. In fact, it was brought in by my recommendation. I have no affiliation with the company, but you can CLICK HERE to read a post I wrote about pressing and pressing tools which includes this iron. Reliable Corp. has since updated their line of irons with new models but the principle design difference they offer is described by the company in the statement below:​
"Velocity irons use a patented 2-heating element and micro-pump technology that pre-heats the water and turns it into steam before it reaches the soleplate."

This design difference means you can steam at lower than average temperatures. a real bonus when working with a wide variety of fabrics and fibers.

Indeed! Proper pressing is an important part of the whole sewing process. Perfecting your pressing techniques will result in a professional finish for all your projects.

In the second segment you'll see my coaster creations. If you are always on the hunt for great gift ideas, I think you will enjoy these two distinctly different styles. 
Watch the 14 second video you see here, and you'll get a quick look at the variety of coasters I made to demonstrate on show 1711.

Coasters make great impromptu gifts, are easily mailed in an envelope, and are surely a one size fits all answer to gift giving.
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Coaster creation #1 is stitched on the sewing side of the machine. 
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From pastel batik prints to a mix of holiday colors, these crazy quilt style coasters make use of small scraps, and they're quick and easy to complete.
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Switching to the embroidery side of the machine you’ll see how I made monogrammed coasters using fonts built into several Brother model machines. I combined the fonts with my favorite octagon frame shape that's built into all Brother embroidery models. Check your personal design collection or favorite software program to search for large letters that are similar to these.

You'll find instructions and a Free crazy quilt pattern to download when you CLICK HERE and scroll down to show 1711-2.

As I write this today, my mug rests on my own vinyl monogrammed coaster. So yes, I have gifted myself with one of these too! ​

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Ebony Love closes out the show with the last two segments. You'll see Ebony whip up some flying geese blocks. Her technique makes this pieced patchwork style easy and foolproof. If you are a wanna be quilter I think this is one of the best blocks you can learn to make.  Flying Geese add a really nice touch as a narrow border or edging on a quilt and look fabulous made into full size block too!
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Watch as she shows how the Edge Joining Foot makes stitching perfect lines a piece of cake.

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Last but not least you'll learn how to make two tiny, and practical sewing projects using Ebony's tutorial as a guide. Instructions for making the chevron are HERE. addtional project instructions are HERE.

I hope you enjoyed this week's preview. of Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to watch show 1711. It currently airs until noon EST December 6th, 2019.
2 Comments

It's Sew Easy TV Show 1710: Step by Step Garments

11/23/2019

2 Comments

 
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Photos used with permission from KS Productions
Tips for adding great details to your custom made clothing coming your way in show 1710!
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Pay attention to details, they make all the difference in a quality, hand crafted garment. Hand crafted seems like an odd set of words to describe something sewn entirely or almost entirely on a sewing machine. Yet indeed, each and every thing we make can be called hand crafted as it is our own hands that put the pieces together. And, as “smart” as our machines may be, they are nothing without us to tell them what to do!
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Show 1710 starts with another detail added to Angela's Linda tunic.​ In this segment you’ll see how to change up the neckline to make a traditional closed placket. 
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Her placket technique will make placket sewing easier anytime you need to add buttons and buttonholes.
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I wonder if anyone recognizes the SimFlex Sewing Gauge used as a spacing tool. I misplaced mine and just found it the other day in a forgotten drawer. It's such a handy tool anytime you need to mark off areas for precise and even spacing. ​
Speaking of buttonholes, Angela is using the Brother Luminaire XP1 in this show. It features a whole new design for the buttonhole mechanism with a stabilizing plate that prevents slippage of stretchy or thin fabrics and it includes the ability to sew larger buttonholes. See Angela's official tutorial for this foot HERE. By the way, Brother created a new foot with the stabilizing plate for many other models as well. Take a look at teh options with SA105 and SA111 and visit your Brother dealer for more details.

For more of my own personal buttonhole tips and tricks CLICK HERE for my Building Better Buttonholes tutorial.

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In the second half of the show you'll see me presenting one of my all-time favorite projects for It's Sew Easy TV. Being a fan of Mill Yardage "genuine" Polar fleece, I was thrilled to be able to give some in-depth tips for sewing a semi-tailored jacket with this wonderful Polartec Classic 200 fabric. 
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This show includes the following tips and more:
  • Determining right side from wrong side.
  • Options for closures on fleece.
  • Best practice for sewing seams on the serger and on the sewing machine.
  • A bulk free pocket with a decorative edge technique.
  • Seam finishes on the sewing machine. 

I encourage you to watch the video and learn many of my favorite tips and tricks for sewing Polar type fleece.

Be sure to CLICK HERE to see coordinating instructions for this segment.
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I included more about the pattern I used and slight adjustments I made for my version of this jacket.

I hope you enjoyed this week's preview of the show. Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to watch show 1710. It currently airs until noon EST November 29th, 2019.

P.S. If you have sewn with polar fleece yourself I'd love to hear more about your personal polar fleece projects. Be sure to share in the comments below!

2 Comments

It's Sew Easy TV Show 1709: Decorative Details

11/16/2019

2 Comments

 
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Photos used with permission from KS Productions
As avid sewing enthusiasts know, details can make the difference between "So So" and SEW Fabulous! 
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This show is loaded with ideas for details you can incorporate into garments, quilts, and home decor. You'll gather some great ideas for details in show 1709!

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The show starts with my Pillow Parade! Over the years I have made many pillows in all sizes, shapes and colors. Appliqué, machine embroidery, and trims have adorned these pillows and made each one unique.
 
I've been known to say that pillows are the quickest way to update a room. They're also a great decorator starter item. Just what do I mean by that? Well, if you're moving to a new space or starting off with new furnishings you may want to consider making, or planning accent pillows first, and then build the rest of the room around the colors or shapes found in your pillows. Of course, you can decorate in the opposite fashion, filling the room and then adding decorative pillows to tie the scheme together. Whether you're decorating from scratch or simply looking to freshen up a room I suggest you start with some pillows. I'm convinced you'll be pleasantly surprised how much they can make any room look new and fresh. You'll find a link to show notes for this segment plus a free Pillow Pointers tip sheet when you CLICK HERE.
 
Have any pillow stories of your own to share? I'd love to hear about them in the comments section.

Jennifer Stern of Stern Designs is well known for her jeans pattern, classes, and videos. In part two of this show Jennifer shares her techniques for topstitching.
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Demonstrating on denim, you'll see her share some interesting ways to sew outside the box and stitch accents that lend an eclectic look to ordinary garments.
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​She recommends a few specific items to fine tune the final outcome and achieve professional results with thicker threads and fabrics famous for topstitch details. CLICK HERE to download Jennifer’s instructions for this segment of the show.

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June Mellinger is the next guest on the show. She's someone I admire greatly and consider a mentor in the field of sewing education. At the start of the segment you'll hear her say that's she's been a sewing educator for a long time. Retired from her role as Director of Education at Brother International, it's great to see her continuing to share her knowledge and expertise.
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In this segment June shares valuable tips for stitching accurate seams on quilt blocks and turns her 9-patch block into a colorful fabric tray. You'll find June's instructions for this project when you CLICK HERE.
 
That wraps up this week's preview of the show. Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to watch show 1709. It currently airs until noon EST November 23rd, 2019.
Here's a peek at what's coming up on next week's free online show:
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2 Comments

It's Sew Easy TV Show 1708: Eye Catching Ideas

11/9/2019

5 Comments

 
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Photos used with permission from KS Productions
This show continues with both subtle and show stopping details you can add to your sewing projects. step by step instructions in detail.  Then the eyes have it as first, Joanne Banko makes a glasses case with a design aesthetic perfect for a gift for your favorite guy! We finish with Kay Whitt adding a sunglass pocket to a tote.
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Angela begins with by adding a flirty flounce to the sleeve of her Linda tunic. Machine embroidery on the sleeve is a standout detail that elevates this top into a style worthy of the runway. If you prefer a look that's more understated, you can simply add the flounce without the machine embroidered flourish.

I really like the 
inconspicuous casing she adds for gathering a sleeve cuff with elastic. On the show you'll see her use purchased binding. For a super neat finish you could consider cutting you own bias strips of fabric, using Dritz bias tape makers to form the bias strip. this would be especially nice if you want to maintain a soft feel and a clean look inside your top.

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Next up, you'll see me sewing something suitable for the men in your life. This easy to make eyeglass case would be just fine kept plain but I think you'll enjoy the unique cording technique. 

I used Razzle™ 6 ply rayon thread, generously provided by Wonderfil® Specialty Threads for my cording, feeding it through a five-hole cording foot. Then I selected a checkerboard stitch to anchor it in place.
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You can achieve a rich look with faux suede on the outside, then have some fun by using novelty fabric for the lining. 
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Fabric.com has a great selction of faux suede. You could also substitute firm fabric such asmedium weight home decor fabric. Check out current sale prices with the *link below.
Add a monogram before construction if you wish and you'll be proud to present a gift any guy would love to receive.
True confession, I forgot to slip a piece of tear away underneath the piece while I did my decorative stitching, but I want to make sure you get every step just right so make sure you CLICK HERE to download the show notes. In addition to complete instructions, you'll find a full-size pattern so you can quickly get started making your own custom cases.
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Kay Whitt is last but not least with her purse pocket for glasses.  Kay's pocket for glasses is something you may find yourself making over and over again. I suggest making a sample on scrap fabric just to get the hang of it before cutting into designer fabric. While this pocket is not hard to do it’s always good to warm up with a practice sample when possible. Known for her thorough instructions, you'll find a step-by-step pdf file you can print when you CLICK HERE.

Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to watch this show. It currently airs until noon EST November 15th, 2019.
5 Comments

It's Sew Easy TV Show 1707: Projects In Sizes From Teeny Tiny To Something Bigger

11/2/2019

0 Comments

 
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Photos used with permission from KS Productions
​This episode is all about size – not what size you wear but sewing projects both small and large. On the tiny side, Emily Thompson eaches tricks to creating doll clothes. Then Michelle Paganini turns a men's t-shirt into a fashion shirt that has a feminine flair! In the last short segment June Mellinger cuts and sews a 9 patch block, one of the most versatile and easy quilt blocks you'll find!
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Emily Thompson of Life Sew Savory is an expert at showing you who to create simple garments for kids and adults. In this show she goes down a few sizes with tiny clothes for dolls. Click on the above image for directions and a free pattern download for this show. She is known for having lots of downladable patterns on her website. 

If you have ever sewn doll clothing you know it can be challenging to manuever those small pieces. Any former Barbie doll fashionista out there? When I was young I had a collection of Barbie clothes made by an extended family member. I was appreciative of the great gifts to dress up my doll but at the time I surely didn't appreciate the effort it took to make them. Wish I had them now but alas, when I entered my teens I thought I was too old to hang on to "kid stuff."

Pardon me while I took a brief trip down memory lane. Back to the show, in this segment 
Emily will teach you some fast flat construction. Sewing flat as opposed to "in the round," is common technique with ready to wear and it really does speed up the sewing process for basic items like T-shirts. When done properly it can be neat looking from both the inside and the outside of the garment. 
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Check out this T-shirt post I wrote a while back for the Brother blog and you’ll see and adult sized version of this on a simple summer T.

For easy and fast construction on clothing that isn't too tiny, I like to follow the flat construction method all the way up to the neckline. There, I switch to sewing in the round, which means the shoulder seams are sewn, the neckband is a complete circle, and then they are put together matching circle to circle.

I know you'll enjoy this lesson from wife, Mom, and blogger Emily. To get a beteer picuture of her experience with sewing clothes for her family I suggest you CLICK HERE and read her bio.


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Michelle Paganini of Paganonoo fame is up next talking, talking T-shirts with a twist. 
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Watch as she adds side gussets to a unisex  T-shirt using sleeves from a men’s shirt, yes, really, sleeves from a mens shirt. Known for her eclectic styles, the artist result is a very wearable "blouse."

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June Mellinger rounds out the show with a nine patch quilt block. You'll see her sew the patchwork with the 1/4-inch foot included with the Brother PQ1500SL. This is Brother's high-speed straight stich sewing machine loved by many for its ability to tackle everything from sheers to upholstery weight fabrics. June closes by promising to share a project idea for the block in a future episode.


Show 1707 is currently airing online at itseweasytv.com until noon EST on November 8th. Watch the show and feel free to share your thoughts and comments here.
0 Comments
    Welcome!
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    E
    ach week at noon a new show airs online at itsseweasytv.com.
    This blog features a preview of each weekly show.
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    Author:​

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador

    Inspiring Sewing Enthusiasts to make the most of their machines!

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