Proper pressing produces perfect results every sewing session.

Let me help you press properly with the tips in this post.

In my recent post about It's Sew Easy TV I asked viewers to share some of their favorite tips from watching the show. The topic of pressing popped up in several comments. I thought it would be a timely topic for another post and I'm eager to share some of my favorite tools for pressing.

It all starts with a good, reliable steam iron. No pun intended but I am loving my ​Reliable Velocity 200IR steam iron. Several months ago I received the iron in exchange for a product review. I like it so much I would gladly purchase one just like it.

Aside from the solid weight and smooth ironing surface, my favorite feature is the ability to press with steam even when the iron is on a lower heat setting. If I understand the design correctly, the water is actually heated inside the iron and turns into steam regardless of the temperature of the sole plate. Two steam options (low and high), and standard horizontal as well as vertical steam give me all the features I need to steam my fabric into submission. It does have auto shut off but you can de-activate it if you choose.

Since I can steam at a lower heat, I haven't had any issues with this iron scorching or causing a shine on delicate fabrics. However, if you have another kind of iron and you want to protect your fabric I highly recommend this drawstring style iron cover, aka iron shoe from Bonash. It fits virtually any iron, keeps fusible residue from sticking to your iron surface, protects the bottom of your iron,  and eliminates the need for a press cloth. This little item packs flat and goes with me on every road trip so I can use the hotel iron without fear of transferring anything ugly onto my garments.

The rest of the photos below show my favorite pressing accessories. I use each and every one of them on a regular basis. I've had some of these for so long they're practically antiques but I'll provide links for what you'll find currently available.

My Dritz sleeve roll or Seam Roll is essential for pressing seams on anything that's narrow.  With the rounded edge you are also less likely to see an indent form on the fabric from the edge of the seam. The two different fabric sides are designed to accommodate different pressing temperatures. I'm especially happy I have this tool when I need to press up hems on narrow sleeves, etc.

You'll want to use a pressing ham or Tailor's Ham for any garments with shape. Think darts, hip curves, etc. The last thing you want to do is press a dart flat. Pressing flat causes puckers and spoils the look of a custom crafted garment.

I use a pressing mitt for hard to reach areas and spots that won't lay flat on an ironing board. My Dritz model mitt really does seem to be an antique. I don't see one available any longer but there is a similar product on Amazon. You can click here if you want to research this item for yourself. Perhaps a little hunting will turn up more options.

Another must have is my high quality, ever useful "clapper" from my friend Angela Wolf. I've actually been using one of these for decades, but this USA made treasure is custom-crafted according to Angela's specifications and it truly is the best of the best. Known as a Tailor's Clapper, the magic behind this tool lies in the way the wood absorbs steam, holding it in your fabric instead of having it dissipate into the air. Simply pressing and holding the wood block over your recently steamed fabric area for several seconds (enough time to let the wood cool), flattens, creases, and pounds your fabric into submission like nothing else can. It's amazing the difference this tool can make on everything you sew and press! You can check out Angela's clapper on her website HERE.  Be sure to use discount code JOANNE for a 15% discount!

This combo point presser and clapper is handy, but I find that I only use the point part for pressing as I prefer the handling of a clapper separately. Points of collars and other narrow spots fit right over the narrow pointed tip. While I do have pads that fit over the wood I seldom find it necessary to use them. If I think I need a buffer between the wood and the fabric I simply place a fluffy washcloth over the wood and press away! A google search will lead you to a variety of vendors that offer this item. Check with your local sewing shop to see if they can order something similar for you.

Another pressing tool I use regularly is this sheet of metal marked with accurate measurements. The Dritz Ezy-Hem Gauge has curved markings on one side and straight ones on the opposite side. Simply fold fabric up to the desired line and press the specific depth you need to turn and fold. In addition to taking the place of measuring, pinning and pressing, the metal helps seal in the heat and makes a nice crease.

Dritz makes a larger size of this same tool and it comes in handy for larger garments and many types of home decor sewing, especially curtains and drapes. This one is called the Dritz Drapery Hem Gauge.

If you're looking to improve your sewing projects with better pressing habits, I encourage you to explore the options shown here. I'd love to know if any of these are already in your pressing repertoire as you seek to have Perfect Results Every Sewing Session! Be sure to share your comments below!

Here I am . . . smiling because I'm sewing! and smiling because I just finished taping five new shows at the KS Productions studio last week. I can't spill the beans and tell you what's coming just yet, but I can give you some hints. Later this year you'll see a wide variety of items in these five shows, embroidery splashed on a garment that's traditionally hard to hoop, knit separates with a special technique for tops, something cozy with a really unique embellishment, a soft and silky baby gift with tricks for four perfect corners, and several super quick trims for fun in the sun fashion. When the videos are finally released I'll have lots of photos for you to see, along with detailed instructions for you to follow for each of the five It's Sew Easy TV projects.

Spending time in the green room where we prep for the show, we had great conversations about the wonderful world of sewing, and I do mean world! Lindsey Marsh came all the way from Australia to show viewers how to sew and fit some great feminine fashions. Every other guest had something exciting to show as well! Series 1800 will be something to look forward to with garments, crafts, accessories, and costumes, plus a myriad of tips and techniques to make your sewing easier and more fun than ever before.

When we wrapped up on Friday the dress forms were wrapped till next season too!

Then the kitchen was cleaned . . . a sure sign that all the guests had gone home. The studio went quiet until the next time KS Productions invites instructors into the "make it yourself" world where these shows are made for your enjoyment, entertainment, and learning pleasure. 

Now, are you ready to enter a drawing to win a DVD set of series 1700, the current It's Sew Easy TV series? To be eligible to win all you need to do is leave a comment below, listing one or more tips, tricks, or techniques you've learned from watching the show on PBS, online at www.its seweasytv.com, or on YouTube. 

Drawing will take place on Friday August 9th, 2019. Winner will be notified by email and receive their package of DVDs in the mail. I'll look forward to reading your comments and drawing a winner! Available for USA residents only.

It was my first trip to that part of Michigan. What a picturesque place to meet with Brother staff and bond with fellow Brother bloggers from Stitching Sewcial, the official Brother blog. 

Perhaps you recognize some of the smiling faces. I'm happy to say that prior to the event several of them were already friends of mine. I'm even happier to say that after the event, sewing bound us all together as friends.

Seeking to share some of the "sewing glow" we all took home with us, I'd like to give you all the opportunity to meet these special people too, so I asked each of my "Brother Sisters" to share a bit about their own personal passion for sewing, talk about their specialties, and last but not least and share a tip or two with you! In short, I asked them what they do, how they can help you, and where you can find them for more information. Read on, I promise you'll gain insights and be inspired by each and every one of my talented friends!

​​You may have noticed I placed these in alphabetical order :-) So now I have a question for you, when's the last time you had the chance to spend quality time with like- minded stitchers? Keeping in touch with my Let's Go Sew friends online makes me feel like I always have sewing friends close by but it sure is fun to get together live an in person to swap stitch glitch stories, share our love of sewing, and experience the tie that binds us together!

I pleased to announce the debut of the newest It's Sew Easy TV series! ​ This season It’s Sew Easy is taking things step by step, helping you build skills in many areas of sewing.
Watch Angela Wolf make an on-trend tunic over the course of the season. In addition, you’ll see great gift items, like a pashmina wrap, or glasses case. There are also doll clothes, and fleece coats with strict attention to detail.
 
There’s even a special quilt feature, with starter blocks made into interesting projects outside of standard quilts.

I had the privilege of taping a total of seven segments this time around. CLICK HERE and you'll see that I put together an entire page with instructions and bonus offerings for each of these segments so they're easy for you to access. 

A mix of wearables, home decor, and great items for gift giving make up the seven shows. 

Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to see what's new for the entire series. Be sure to look at the tabs at top of the Home page. You'll find links to important information, including TV listings for your local area.

The entire collection is available in a boxed set of DVDs so you can watch whenever you wish.

Here is a summary of season 1700 and a list of all the instructors you'll see on these 13 shows.

​1701 Trends
Angela Wolf introduces a trendy top, perfect for every occasion, size and style – sew along with eight different lessons this season on a specific element of the top. Kay Whitt sews a cross body bag, and Ebony Love creates this season’s first quilt block
 
1702   Material Girls
Angela Wolf, Ellen March and Ebony Love have some great fabrics choices as they take you through three projects step by step.
 
1703 Dress Up
Joanne Banko makes an original pashmina wrap using trim and embroidery, Meg Healey turns a one-piece dress into two, and June Mellinger whips up version #1 of flying geese.
 
1704 Step Up
Angela Wolf continues the tunic sew along, Reen Wilcoxson provides a tutorial for in the hoop designs, and June Mellinger makes a tablet cover with her flying geese block.
 
1705 Top Details
Michelle Paganini creates unique patches, Caroline Critchfield has a clever sleeve technique, and Sarah Thomas makes flying geese via foundation piecing. 
 
1706 Shape Up
Angela carries tabs on the sleeves of the Sew Along top. Emily Thompson sews an easy circle skirt, and Sarah Thomas creates projects from the flying geese blocks.
 
1707 Size
Emily Thompson shows tricks for doll clothes, Michelle Paganini returns with a tutorial on how to turn an XL men’s t-shirt into a fashion shirt that fits you, and June Mellinger is back with a new block.
 
1708 The Eyes Have It!
Angela adds a cuff trim, Joanne Banko makes a glasses case for guys, and Kay Whitt adds a sunglass pocket to a tote.
 
1709 Decorative Details
Joanne Banko shares trim ideas and more for pillows, Jennifer Stern talks top-stitching, and June Mellinger makes a fabric tray.
 
1710 Step by Step Garments
Angela Wolf shows and alternate neckline and Joanne Banko tailors a trendy fleece jacket.
 
1711 Quilt Along
Angela Wolf adding the hem to the top, Joanne Banko has coasters form the sewing and embroidery side of the machine, and Ebony Love has her version of the flying geese.
 
1712 More Quilting
Joanne Banko uses the serger for a fast and easy quilt as you go technique, Emily Thompson shows paper piecing the easy way, and Caroline Critchfield has a binding technique for any size quilt.
 
1713 Lace Details
Angela Wolf adds lace to the top, Joanne Banko demonstrates stitch stacking, and Rebecca Kemp Brent shows a different way to add lace to a sleeve.

I hope you enjoy each and every segment! I'd love to know where you watch It's Sew Easy and what day and time you see the show. Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

I wanted to share my latest published piece, give you a little bit of background on the article, and share a few of my favorite pillow making tips.

It all started when Denise Holguin, managing Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine, asked me to contribute to their "For the Love of Embroidery issue." Basically, the idea was to showcase a project that would answer the "Why do you embroider" question. In other words, if you had to answer that question in a flash, what would you say or show as a shining example?

My initial verbal response is a short, sweet statement of why I sew, embroider, and craft at all. The fun and satisfaction of making something and exploring your creative side is exhilarating! In essence, "When you sew, you can have WHAT you want, exactly WHEN you want it, and have it HOW you want it too!" This statement applies not only to embroidery but to any category of sewing. 

With this in mind, I set about to design a project worthy of the pages that fill my favorite magazine. My enthusiasm was huge but my time slot was short. You see, my sewing space was full of projects to be completed for the next series of It's Sew Easy TV. To say that I was swimming in a sea of unfinished projects was an understatement. I opted for the featured pillow project for two main reasons. First, it was do-able in the time allowed and second, it really did answer the What, When, and How in my previous exclamation. Something as basic as a pillow is in fact a shining example of an embroidered object that is unique and beautiful. Finding a perfectly sized pillow with the right design, for the right price, in the perfect color in the world of ready-mades would be virtually impossible. I could think of many other projects that represent why I love machine embroidery but a pillow it would be! 

Let me give you a few more details about the pillow itself, along with some Pillow Pointers you may enjoy. Well suited for use on a patio, to find this fabric you can click on the Fabric.com *affiliate link below and type Richloom Solarium Outdoor fabric.

The color is called Rave Coral. I found this fabric to be very impressive! It was easy to sew and almost had the look of heavy linen. Designed to withstand sunlight and resist water, it's perfect for decks, patios, pools, etc., but just as nice indoors too. The Koi fish is embroidered on plain white duck cloth which of course is not water resistant. That could be remedied by treating the completed embroidery with a waterproofing spray, or a spray like Fabric Guard 303® which is recommended by Sunbrella® for waterproof restoration.

Fabric aside, the idea for framing the fish is yet another way to use one of my favorite Brother features, the built-in frame pattern option. 

Over the years, I've used this feature in enough different ways to fill a book! ​Size will vary with the available hoop size and the decorative stitch patterns vary slightly too, but this is an option built-in to all Brother machines from entry level to the top of the line. You could consider tracing a shape of your own if you don't possess this feature. 

The article details each step you need to follow to make the pillow from start to finish. My embroidery was stitched on the Brother 6 needle PR670E using the 8" X 12" hoop and a design built into the machine.

In keeping with the outdoor theme the pillow features a simple closure at the back with bright colored KAM Snaps. I hope this project inspires you to make a pillow using your own design ideas. this easy framing technique can showcase any design you choose. Are you ready for a few pillow pointers? CLICK HERE for a free Pillow Pointers Tip Sheet.

​As always, I'd love to hear from you if you have any comments or questions :-) And please . . . let me hear your answer to the ​answer the "Why do you embroider" question. If you had to answer that question in a flash, what would you say or show as a shining example?

Here's a little bit of stitch entertainment to start this blog post!

Earlier this month I contributed a tea towel project posted on Stitching Sewcial, the official Brother blog. It featured the redwork design you see above. My version of farmhouse chic, it's stitched on a hemstitched blank towel from Dunroven House, combined with color matched decorative stitches and a strip of fabric. Be sure to check out the entire project HERE, and don't forget to download the Free design courtesy of Brother. You'll find additional redwork designs available for purchase on Brother's digital download site, iBroidery.com.

Chances are good that your local sewing machine dealer also has multiple design collections with a redwork theme. Dakota Collectables has produced some of my own personal favorites.

Machine made Redwork embroidery is a quick way to dress up plain lightweight fabrics such as linen, muslin, and Osnaburg cloth. Most often, designs are just one single color, stitched with a straight stitch traveling more than once in the same spot. Typically low in density and therefore lightweight, for most fabrics you'll still need stabilizer to support stitches during embroidery. Light weight tear-away works well for many projects. Just be careful to gently remove stabilizer at the end, and avoid distorting the stitches. 
 
Wash away mesh is another option, simply cut away excess when finished and then wash out the remainder. 

You can certainly use these designs on heavier fabrics but avoid any fabric with nap or the stitches will get lost in the fibers. No matter the fabric, the best hooping method is to layer the two stabilizers together. Secure between the inner and outer ring of the hoop with fabric and stabilizer taught in the hoop.

Liquid designed to stiffen fabric temporarily and then wash out is one more way to beef up the fabric for this light weight style of stitching. CLICK HERE for a Free Let's Go Sew tip sheet on using liquid stabilizers.

If your fabric needs a more permanent stabilizer consider cut-away, or if it's suitable for your project a medium weight fusible interfacing works well.

Days of the week kitties from the book titled Redwork from the Workbasket by Rebecca Kemp Brendt. 

My friend Rebecca Kemp Brendt authored a book on the topic of redwork. Titled Redwork from The Workbasket, her book includes 100 designs from The WORKBASKET®, a classic magazine with a 60-year crafting tradition. 

​In the book you’ll find lots of inspirational projects accented with redwork designs. 

​All 100 designs have been digitized for use with an embroidery machine! Each of the designs is available in multi formats for machines, plus .jpg and .pdf files, making this collection as appealing to hand stitchers as it is to machine embroidery enthusiasts! 

Note: I'm the proud owner of an autographed copy of this book. I just recently learned that it's in short supply. If you can't snag a copy online contact Rebecca directly through her Facebook page. I believe she has a few copies available.

​As you may well know, there’s a resurgence of hand stitchery out there.  Many of us came to machine embroidery by way of a hand sewing background. Personally, I’m more machine oriented these days, but I value the time-honored techniques and the portability hand stitchery affords.

Redwork designs are as American as apple pie. Becoming popular in the mid 1800’s, the “red” in the redwork is part of the history of this homespun look.  Research into production methods for creating the historic “Turkey red” thread could consume an afternoon but suffice it to say that in this bygone era American stitchers were happy to finally have embroidery floss that wouldn’t bleed into their fabric. Colorfast red thread allowed for embroidery motifs to be transferred onto fabric and stitched into pretty little pictures with simple outline stitching. These motifs proved to be popular for quilt blocks, tea towels, pillow covers and other common household linens.
 
In the 1870’s iron on transfers were developed. This eventually led to the availability of Penny Squares commercially produced and sold for a penny. Popular for quilt making, they were also perfect for teaching children how to handle a needle and thread. I can just imagine how much fun it was to stitch over those line drawings, seeing them come to life and turn into pretty little pictures.
 
Amazingly, we still see these in online needlework catalogs, available from online sites such as Colonial Patterns Inc., craft stores, and even in your local Walmart fabric department. somewhere in my stash I have a package of Aunt Martha's transfer designs similar to the days of the week kitties seen above. Who knows! Perhaps this summer I'll spend a few leisurely hours returning to my hand embellishment roots, relax with some hand embroidery, and wind down by stem stitching a few embroidered redwork blocks. It’s likely that I’ll add some trim finishes by machine. After all, I can’t stay away from pushing that machine embroidery start button for very long! How about you? Have you converted totally to embroidery by machine or do you still dabble in had worked techniques from time to time? I’d love to see your answers in the comments below.

​This bi-monthly live show is sponsored by Brother International Sewing Machine Company. It originally aired on Tuesday February 26th.

​In this 47 minute show the three of us talk sewing and share ideas designed to help you master your craft and create beautiful things in your own sewing space. You can watch the replay on my Facebook page.

UPDATE! Watch the show on YouTube by clicking on the image below:

Prior to this show I spent a lot of time thinking about a recent blog post where many of you contributed to a lively conversation about the search for sewing resources. Your participation in the survey included with the post, along with interesting and sincere comments, made this an enlightening experience. It seems we all enjoy a regular dose of solid sewing motivation and education to fuel our passion and progress in this creative endeavor.

​Prior to the show I prepared some slides designed to help Brother owners and interested parties discover fun projects, click their way through inspiring photos and blogs, and dig for answers to questions about machines and accessories. I thought perhaps the information from these slides would be helpful, so I've included most of them here, along with a few extra tidbits of information for you to explore at your leisure.

​Clicking on many of the individual photos will take you directly to the websites referenced in the show. I hope you enjoy the show and the slides. Please reach out if any of this information prompts further questions. I'm happy to help in any way I can!

Searching for sewing inspiration, ideas, and information?

 blog.brothersews.com 

AND
brothersews.com are the perfect places to start your search!

Let's start by talking about what you'll find on the Brother blog. Each month I post a quick tip to help you make the most of your machines. Below is an example of my the February Quick Tip. It shows how to search through the information on the blog to find projects, videos, and more! You can search using the search box, tags, or even the name of one of the Sewing Specialists who contribute to the blog. Click on the image below to learn more.

More about the Brother blog!

Each and every month you'll find a Free embroidery design from Brother and a featured accessory or presser foot. Both the Free Design of the Month, and the Foot of the Month projects include step-by-step instructions that you can view or print for yourself.

New posts are added regularly from a variety of Brother brand ambassadors.

Now, what about the Brother website?

The main Brother website has an incredible amount of information on machines, accessories, and a wide range of products.

Did you know that there are also tons of projects and tutorials archived on the site? An easy way to sort through the menu of all that is available is to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the home page where you'll find the all important site map. Click on the image below and it will take you directly to the site map.

Once you're there, scroll to the bottom of the page and locate the Inspiration Category. this is a great place to look for projects from the past and the present. The image below shows an example of the many things you'll find in this category.

In each category you'll find valuable information, with pages and pages of pictures and projects to scroll through. Archived Foot of the Month projects, Free Embroidery designs, ScanNCut projects, and more! See some examples below:

I hope you'll set aside some time to explore the possibilities presented here. You'll find a wealth of information no further than your fingertips. Happy searching & happy sewing!

Hello Sewing Friends!
 
As a sewing educator I’m on a continual quest to help fellow sewing enthusiasts fill their world with pretty stitches! It’s my ultimate goal to help you make the most of your sewing machines each and every time you have the opportunity to sew!

It's amazing how many sewing sites, online magazines, and DIY YouTube channels are out there! They're all filled with colorful pictures and promises to fulfill your wildest sewing dreams and expectations. To be sure, we live in a time when sewing is not only considered a valuable skill, but an artistic endeavor we can enjoy while sewing solo or as part of a group. Thanks to the Internet, creativity is just a click away. Without a doubt, there has never been so much information available to us by simply tapping on a screen or typing on a keyboard. With all that’s out there, it can be easy to get lost in this maze of information.

So, where do you go when you need a little boost of creativity and inspiration? While I often fly solo when working and play in my sewing space, I find myself greatly inspired by the enthusiastic sewing people I meet, students who attend my classes and events, and folks like you that I have the privilege of interacting with on a regular basis online! I love hearing from you, whether it’s a comment at the end of a blog post, an email, Facebook post, an in-person event, etc., etc., etc.! Of course, some of you are local and we regularly get to have that precious face to face time together. Whether I get to see you often in person or connect via the internet airwaves, I want you to know that your comments and questions keep me energized, spur me on to new sewing explorations and keep me on the hunt for new discoveries to share with all of you, my near and far away sewing friends.
 
Thinking about where and how we gain sewing knowledge and inspiration these days, I have a few questions for you to ponder. Question one is this, what avenues do you explore when you’re searching for sewing inspiration? Second, where do you find yourself searching for sewing solutions when you are stumped on a particular project or sewing task? Last but not least, what kind of sewing instructions do you prefer to purchase and have on hand for future reference? Today I’m asking you to participate in a short survey and inviting you to share your answers to these pressing questions. Thanks for playing along! 

Are you ready for this short survey? I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Let’s get started!

Answering all three questions for this survey should only take a few minutes. When you're finished, click SUBMIT at the bottom of the page so I can view your answers. All results are anonymous :-) I'd love to read your comments in the comment section too!

It's a wrap! Take a look at all these happy faces on Friday inside the It's Sew Easy TV studio at KS Productions. Here I am with the majority of the wonderful crew as they finished a great week taping the new series.

Here you see the set all quiet and serene after the last guest instructor packed up her fabric pieces and headed for a well deserved lunch break. Believe it or not, we taped a full seven segments on Friday and ended at mid-day.

Did someone say lunch? A Mexican feast was ready to be devoured after expending lots of energy in the studio. 

This is the "green room" where guests prep for each segment. Normally a buzz of activity and full of fabric pieces and projects, this is a typical Friday scene where everything, and I mean everything, is packed up and put away, leaving the room ready for whatever comes next at KS Productions. Numerous creative shows are produced here all year long. One day I plan to write more about each one and give you and even bigger behind the scenes view.

This photo of part of the control room gives you a teeny glimpse into the heart of the studio. It's a small room compared to the grander parts of the studio. This all-important tech center is where Executive Producer Katherine Stull, and Director Mike Murphy can be found while the show is taped. Kara White would normally be "assistant directing" at Mike's side but she had slipped away before I got to snap this photo. I've been inside this room just once while the action took place on set. To say that the orchestration that occurs in this room is fast paced would be an understatement! It seemed more to me like they are working to corral lightning and thunder all at once while directing multiple cameras and guiding the presenter through the timing of their individual segments. It's an amazing feat that happens time and time again, bringing you the sewing information you are used to enjoying as you watch It's Sew Easy TV.

It took me two days to complete the seven segments I was scheduled for this time around. On Thursday I had great fun with my friend Reen Wilcoxson. Here we are in the make-up room after getting our show faces painted on. Reen was there for her debut taping and I got to watch from the green room as she glided through her segments like she had a million under her belt. Many of you are familiar with Reen's in-the-hoop creations at embroiderygarden.com. Just wait till you get the chance to see her stitch on TV!  

I was also thrilled to see my special friend Michelle on Thursday. Michelle's up-cycled inventions are always a joy to behold and the stories behind her fashions are quite mesmerizing. Coincidentally, we've been at the studio three times together.

Sarah Thomas and I met for the first time. Full of smiles, with a great teaching style, you'll see her quilt themed segments when the series comes out this summer.

Since I had some time before my own taping, I helped Michelle set up for some free motion stitching during one of hers. Take a look at the new Brother ​Dream Carousel Cabinet paired with the BQ2450. It's something new you'll see this season. This special cabinet has quite an appeal for quilting enthusiasts and those who love free motion stitchery of any kind. 

We did have an "unexpected guest" show up in the entryway, but he/she never made it past the front door since it was obvious this guest had no sewing experience and therefore no business being at the It's Sew Easy studio LOL!

On Friday I got acquainted with  Ebony Love from lovebugstudios.com. I got to watch her zip through several segments all in a row. I can't tell you what she made on set, but I can tell you that you are going to LOVE what she presented. 

Ebony packed up her gear faster than me but by early afternoon we were all heading home. I left energized from having the opportunity to share the love of sewing in anticipation of sharing it with It's Sew Easy viewers like you!

Early this summer I'll be able to reveal all, so stay tuned and get ready for more sewing fun when series 1700 debuts!

Ready for some sweet February projects? 

​As you can see, this list covers a lot! If you pop over to Brothersews.com you can check out their current offering for a Free Trial Download of SABESLET4. You'll need to scroll all the way to the bottom of their web page to see the offering.

Next, you'll find a post featuring the most famous mouse couple of all! This Disney Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse pillow is made from a sweatshirt and closed up in the back with a shoe lace! Click on the pillow picture to view and download instructions.

About the only thing I can think of to make this more cute would be to have their tails intertwined! This is just one design in an adorable collection called Disney Mickey and Minnie in Love. Check it out on the Brother design download site, iBroidery.com.

The final heart themed item for February is a framed piece stitched with decorative frames built-in to Brother machines, built-in lettering fonts, and a free antique key design. Click on the photo to view the project and you'll find a link to download the Free .pes embroidery design. I made this with two dear friends in mind. This special couple will know who they are when they land on this post :-)

I had so much fun creating each and every one of these! I must say that I never tire of stitching hearts, not just this month but all year long! I hope your February is filled with lots love and lots of pretty stitches!

Questions? Comments? I'd love to hear form you. 

Click on the video below to watch a replay of this one hour Sewing News Live show, recorded January 15th, 2019. This bi-monthly Facebook Live show is hosted by Angela Wolf and sponsored by Brother International Sewing machine Company. Angela and I are both Brother brand ambassadors. In this fun, fast paced show we shared tips for everything from twin needles to buttonholes, and more! You'll find additional resources for various items mentioned in the show below this video. Enjoy!

Resources for items we talked about on the show:

CLICK HERE​ for the Sew and Serge a Knit Dress project published on the Brother blog. This dress is made from stretch panne velvet purchased at my local Joann Fabrics store.

CLICK HERE for the Brother Foot of the Month project​, a pillow designed to celebrate story time! Along with special large size lettering from BES4, this project features the closed toe clear foot combined with the serpentine stitch and a 2mm twin needle. Note: The BES4 lettering and customization program is a great midline software that allows you to save designs in most home formats. There's a free trial currently available on the Brother site. Do your self a favor and check it out.

Instructions show how to make a pocket on the back to hold a book!

Looking for a pretty wrap when you're relaxing or reading? The wrap you see me wearing here has a pocket that's sized perfectly for a pair of glasses and this project includes a free design from Brother.

CLICK HERE to see instructions for this Cozy Wrap made from polar type fleece. If you'd like some additional tips for sewing and embroidering fleece, CLICK HERE for a free Let's Go Sew tip sheet.

Buttonholes were one of the topics on this week's show and and Angela talked about the new style of buttonholes currently available on the Brother Luminaire. You can check out Angela's Luminaire buttonhole tutorial HERE.

Last but not least we talked about prepping for the 1700 series of It's Sew Easy TV. In fact I'm heading back to the machine now to get more done for our taping early in February. Bye for now and Happy Sewing until I see you all again!

Series 1600 began airing on PBS stations across the country on December 20th, 2018. The photo collage above shows my contributions for this particular series. You can watch all five of these segments for free HERE on letsgosew.com.

​Watch for more details about each of these projects in future posts. For now, I'd like to give you a glance at the whole 1600 series line-up. At the end of this post you'll find a fabulous & fun give-away!

 #1610 Table Top Glamour
Your table is the star!

• Rebecca Kemp Brent creates beautiful accents for a table setting and Joanne Hillestad shows off a beautiful table runner. Finally, Angela is back with a lacy tank variation.

 #1611 Poolside Glamour
Glamorous garments for the beach or pool!

• Joanne Banko sews a knit cover-up that's enhanced with specialty stitching and Meg Healy takes the fear out of bathing suit season.

On December 4th I had the honor of being interviewed on the Brother sponsored Sewing News Live show hosted by my friend Angela Wolf. It's a new monthly Facebook Live show with a focus on Brother products used by Brother brand ambassadors like myself, as well as sewing professionals who choose Brother as their preferred machine. The show lasted a full hour and I've posted the replay for you here so you don't need any connection to Facebook to watch. Click on the image below to watch the entire one hour show.
Note: Depending on your device, this video may take a few seconds to load. 

Thanks for watching! We covered a lot of topics on this show. Below you'll find a complete resource list with detailed information.

• We talked a bit about Wrapped in Embroidery, published by Designs in Machine Embroidery. In the show you saw some pictures of a few wraps. You can view all of the wraps HERE. Interested in learning more? CLICK HERE.

• The popular It's Sew Easy PBS TV show came up several times. Visit www.itsseweasytv.com to search for TV listings in your area, and be sure to watch the Free online show that airing each week on the home page.

• I touched on two of my favorite Brother accessory feet. The Braiding foot and the MuVit™ Digital Dual Feed foot.​ On the subject of the MuVit foot here is a list of recent and current machines compatible with this attachment:

The following machines include the MuvVit foot:

1. Luminaire Innov-ís XP1 DreamCreator VQ2400
2. THE Dream Machine 2 Innov-ís XV8550D THE Dream Machine Innov-ís XV8500D
3. Innov-ís BQ2450 with quilters bundle (Open toe, stitch in ditch) 
4. DreamWeaver VQ3000    
5. Innov-ís BQ3050 with quilters bundle (Open toe, stitch in ditch, ¼-inch guide foot, quilt guides, couching accessory)
6. DreamWeaver XE VM6200D

Note: The MuVit™ foot is available as an an optional accessory for DreamCreator XE VM5100.

Watch for a future tutorial on additional accessories for the MuVit™ Digital Dual Feed foot.

Faux Suede Coat made from Shannon Fabrics Cuddle™ Suede.

• This coat features couched yarn attached using the MuVit foot and couching attachment. CLICK HERE and you'll find downloadable instructions on the It's Sew Easy TV website .

• CLICK HERE to watch the entire couched collar video on my YouTube channel.

• On the subject of feet, we talked about the Brother Foot of the Month and Free Design of the month projects I currently design and produce on a monthly basis. These are on Stitching Sewcial, the official Brother blog.

• You saw pictures of the current Free Design project from Brother. You'll find the free designs and project instructions HERE.

• Gift ideas came up and I shared an information about a coaster and gift bag set from It's Sew Easy TV show 1506. HERE are the instructions.

• Angela asked me about embroidering on paper and I shared a bit about my favorite way to embroidery greeting cards. The complete tutorial is HERE.

• The subject of machine embroidery for beginners was discussed. Here's a video you may be interested in watching if you're new to embroidery, but I believe seasoned embroidery enthusiasts will enjoy this too. CLICK HERE to watch this on my new YouTube channel.

As you can see, we covered a lot of ground in this fast paced hour. If you have any other questions or comments I'd love to entertain them and answer anything I can. Feel free to Contact Me or leave a comment at the end of this post. It was a great talking sewing with so many sewing friends participating. Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoyed the show :-)

Update! CLICK HERE to watch this show and all archived
Sewing News Live shows on YouTube.

Have you seen the red denim jacket titled Western Flair in Volume 112 of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine? If you have, then you know that machine embroidery is the focal point of the pretty pointed yokes. 

The jacket pattern I selected, Folkwear Pattern #242, inspired me to create a design combination to compliment the shape of the yokes on the front and back. I had fun decorating these yokes by mixing motifs from the design collection included in Wrapped in Embroidery. This group of classic designs has proved to be quite versatile as they've found their way onto many garments hanging in my closet! 

This article includes ideas and tips I think you'll find useful for designing your own machine embroidered masterpieces. You'll see exactly how the yokes were made and get a glimpse of the decorative stitching added to compliment the embroidery motifs. I like to think of decorative stitches as itty-bitty embroidery patterns. They are plentiful on the sewing side of the machine and compliment embroidery motifs quite nicely. Keep reading and I'll tell you more about these decorative stitches and how you can successfully stitch similar designs.

The diamond shaped stitch you see on the shawl collar and cuffs is from the Satin Element stitch menu on the Brother Dream Machine. These stitches are known as elongation patterns because the shapes can be stitched in five elongated sizes. The shape itself remains the same, whether it is a diamond, scallop, or geometric shape. However, the pattern is stretched out or "elongated" while maintaining the same density of the original pattern. You'll find these stitches in the decorative menu of many different machine models. They're actually quite common and have been around for a long time. I encourage you not to overlook them just because they're common. They can make an extraordinary accent on many different projects!

In the photo above you see an example of all five different sizes. 

Since these are made up of satin stitches the needle moves from right to left to form the pattern. If there is a high contrast between the thread color and the fabric itself you may notice a bit of fabric showing through the space between the stitches. While it's possible to shorten the stitch length you'll find that this also alters the size of the elongated shape. Today you'll learn mare about these stitches and learn a few tricks to get the look you want, maintain the size, and get a nice dense look on contrasting fabric.

First let's talk about some presser foot possibilities for successful stitching. The foot on the right is the "N" foot and this is the one the machine will tell you to use. It works fine but I prefer an open toe foot for these. Here you see a clear foot in the center and a metal version on the left. It's important to know that all three of these feet have one thing in common, they have a groove or a channel on ​the underside which helps the thickness of the stitch easily flow under the foot. It's also important to know that you never want to use the standard "J" foot for satin stitching. This foot is too flat and will surely get stuck on the stitches. The big red X is here to remind you to put this foot away while satin stitching.

You'll also want to add stabilizer for successful stitching. Here I added a layer of tear-way underneath before stitching the samples. It's important to know that this type of stitching should be done on a single layer of fabric. The collar and cuffs for the jacket were decorated before construction.

It's important to note that when the stitch is first selected the default size is (3). Touch the size key to scroll through and make a different selection. In the above photo you see the smallest size, size (1).

For the trim on the red denim jacket I wanted the diamond shapes to be dense, with good coverage on the high contrast fabric.

I started by selecting size (5), but I wanted the pattern to look like a size (3).

To achieve this I simply decreased the stitch length to 0.2. This shortens the stitch length but also shortens the actual pattern shape. The resulting stitch looks like a (3) and is also more dense, so it covers the fabric better and looks richer. Below you see an example of this combination of size (5) with a stitch length of 0.2. 

There is yet another way to achieve this effect and that is to switch to thicker thread. The sample below was size (3) stitched with 30 weight embroidery thread and no change in the stitch length. Be sure to use a size 14 embroidery needle with this thicker thread. Side by side these samples look nearly identical yet the results were achieved with two different methods.

I encourage you to experiment with these ideas. I'm hoping you'll find a way to use satin element stitches for some of your own special masterpieces. You are welcome to share your thoughts, questions, and ideas in the comments box.

P.S. You can see a blue denim version of this jacket when you click here to watch a repeat of It's Sew Easy TV episode 1008-1. You'll see additional sewing and embroidery embellishment techniques!

September is National Sewing month! Are you celebrating??? I know, I know, we celebrate our passion for all things made with needle and thread 365 days a year but it's nice to know that the art and craft of sewing is nationally recognized during the month of September. As the story goes, Ronald Reagan made the declaration in 1982. Thanks to the Sewing and Craft Alliance and the American Sewing Guild, sewing has been put in the spotlight for the whole month of September. You can read the full history HERE.

Here you see the exhibit list for the museum which includes a Fashion Timeline, with a collection of clothing that spans 200 years of styles and inventions that not only changed history but had an earth-shattering impact as far as clothing is concerned. If you are interested in further exploration you can view the timeline ​HERE.

The next display that sparked thoughts of quality resulting from careful sewing was the collection of Katherine Hepburn stage & screen garments, which included clothing from her own closet. Seems that many of the star status garments made their way into her closet as clothing she wore in everyday life. Known for her penchant for pants, each pair in the exhibit were utterly classic and obviously well-crafted with details like multiple rows of top-stitching at the waistband. 
 
​So how does all of this tie into modern day machines and the everyday sewing many of us enjoy on a regular basis? Well, straight sewing makes up a large portion of the seams we construct for garments, crafts, quilting, and home decor. The rest of this post is dedicated to highlighting some simple solutions to keep you on the straight and narrow when it comes to guiding fabric through your machine.

Let's start with the tried and true role that ordinary painter's tape can take. It's inexpensive for sure, and likely that you have a roll or two handy for household projects. 

For perfect placement of the tape I like to use a 6-inch square quilt ruler. Simply line up the tip of the needle with the distance you need on the ruler and then make certain it is level with the front plate of your machine. You can then place the tape along the ruler's edge with assurance that the tape will be equidistant from the beginning to the end. Use a longer ruler if you need the tape to extend in a longer line.

For another option, a pack of post it style sticky paper notes can be used to the right or left of the presser foot as well. This method is one that my quilter friends adopted long ago. Yes, there are "gadgets" you can purchase that do a similar job and they do have merit, but this idea works very well.

Speaking of quilters, if you are an avid quilter, or if you happen to own a walking foot you may already have the Quilt Guide accessory for your walking foot. Designed to fit in the small hole behind the walking foot, it also fits in the foot holder used for attaching snap-on feet. The red arrow in the photo above shows the exact spot for inserting this handy gadget. 

This next idea came as a result of necessity being the mother of invention.

I needed to stitch something using the free arm and wanted to be certain I could maintain the distance from the needle to the folded edge of my fabric for multiple pieces. 

Sewing a piece of colorful elastic into a band and slipping it onto ​the free arm gave me a simple guide to follow and proved to be especially helpful for a wide distance. Once again, you can use the quilt ruler to help align the band on the machine. You'll find a full tutorial for this option on the Brother Stitching Sewcial blog.

Depending on your machine and the elastic you use you may even be able to get the extension bed back on the machine like I did here. That gives you a flat surface so you can also use this for items that don't need a free arm.

Last but not least, you may own a machine that boasts the Sew Straight™ Laser Vision Guide option as an onboard aid to sewing straight in a variety of situations. This feature opens up a world of possibilities! Available on a variety of models, you can see how it works on a Dream Machine by watching this YouTube video. I could easily write six more posts showing how I like to use the laser guide. However, related to the topic at hand I'd like to share just one of my personal favorite ways to use this feature to sew an accurate seam allowance. CLICK HERE to download a free tip sheet on this topic.

I hope you found this information helpful. Feel free to leave your comments below :-)

In the 1500 series of It's Sew Easy TV I had the opportunity to showcase basic stitches that perform as superstars. Basic yes, but they deserve superstar status for the way they can make your projects look more professional. Watch the full video here to see learn more.

This new series of blog posts is designed to complement the video with additional information. This is the first in a series that celebrates basic utility stitches, beginning with the straight stitch and exploring ways to sew accurate seams.

Nothing in your sewing repertoire is more basic than a straight stitch!   Today we'll talk about seams and seam allowances.

The little "old fashioned" seam guide you see above has been around for eons. It's still one of my go to tools for sewing accurate seams. The one you see here is the Brother version but it's likely you'll find a similar one for most any brand of machine. What makes it so useful? Well, if you are anything like me, you've struggled to follow the engraved markings on the throat plate. Even when sewing a standard 5/8-inch seam it can be difficult to stay on the straight and narrow when following the groovy guides on the plate.  Sure, there are some new-fangled, laser guided ways to achieve accuracy for sewing seams, and I promise to cover some of those in the next post, but this guide is a generic quick fix that works great and is a one size fits all solution.
 
Simply screw it into the plate, set it for the distance of your seam, and then guide the fabric along the easy to follow raised edge as you sew from beginning to end. The fact that it attaches to the machine in front of a multitude of accessory feet provides visibility along with accuracy.

With or without the guide, coordinating the position of the needle in combination with the standard "J" foot is another way to sew accurate seams with the standard straight and zig zag foot. Again, you'll need to check your own machine, but many feet are identical to the "J" foot shown here.

A setting of 0.00 puts the needle at the far left.

This left needle setting  is the default position for most modern computerized machines. 

Changing the position of the needle for a straight stitch is a super easy way to sew an accurate seam. Simply adjust the needle using the width key and follow the edge of the foot as a guide. You can do this with any of the straight stitches shown boxed in red. Check your machine for your own personal options but in most cases this will include anything that sews straight, including a specialized basting stitch.

Here you see the setting for sewing a 1/2-inch seam by guiding the fabric along the edge of the foot.

I hope this has helped you find better ways to sew seams and use the ordinary but necessary straight stitch! Next time we'll explore a bit more, discover some high-tech ways to achieve perfect stitches, and delve into more utility stitches that make your sewing projects shine. Often taken for granted, mastering the basics and making full use of features built-in to modern machines can make basic tasks easier and more accurate. Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and techniques to help you make the most of your machine!

Feel free to leave comments and tell me if this post has answered some questions for you, or perhaps sparked new ones!

The embellished white blouse in Volume 111 of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine features delicate appliqués accented using tools found in My Design Center. Complete instructions for the project can be found in V.111.
 
Follow along here as I show you a few more details with options for creating projects that take advantage of this unique feature built-in to the Brother Dream Machine.

My Design Center is filled with creative tools for drawing and creating shapes, filling shapes with a variety of stitches, and includes drawing tools for adding fine details. The Premium PackII upgrade expanded these options even further, making it easier than ever to make unique embroidery designs right at the machine! Create completely new designs or add elements to existing designs using My Design Center. Your local Brother dealer will have more info on this exciting upgrade option.                   

For the blouse featured in V.111 I opted to add small accents to pieces of pre-printed fabric. I started by adding a fusible backing and then I stitched the flowers to the blouse as appliques, using a fine thread and a very narrow zigzag stitch. This technique produces a very soft, lightweight design that’s perfect for light weight garments.

Tip: If you want to make fusible appliques when you’re finished with the embroidered accents, I highly recommend Misty fuse.

​Place fabric in the hoop with a layer of stabilizer underneath. Touch the icon to scan the fabric in the hoop. Touch Scan>OK.

 The fabric image appears on the screen.

With the pencil tool highlighted, add lines by touching the line settings key. 

​Notice how the zoom feature helps you get close up for drawing on the screen. Increase the percentage, and then drag the box in the upper right hand corner of the screen directly over the section you want to work with.

I like to use the stylus to draw the accent lines. Remember that you can use the UNDO key at any time to delete your last step, or touch All Clear to begin again.  

Touch NEXT and then touch Preview when you’re ready to set the stitches. Note: the optional Premium Pack II for the XV8500D and XV8550D included new and updated features for this type of design work. Review the Brother Dream Machine II Operation Manual Addendum for the most updated and complete instructions.

Touch Set to go directly to the Embroidery mode to test your stitches. You’ll get the Uh -Oh, is this okay type message you see here. Basically, the machine wants you to know that you can’t go back once you go beyond this screen. When you’re working on an actual project you’ll want to save the stages of your work, so you can go back and edit without starting all over again.

The process for adding satin style zigzag stitches is the same as you see here. You’ll simply select the zigzag in place of straight stitches. You’ll see that there are other options as well. I suggest you start with simple applique shapes, simple stitches, and then move on to more detailed designs once you have played with this a little bit.

This season the designers are all heroes as they share techniques that will make your sewing nothing short of super!  

Save the day with quick sewing gifts; rescue vintage fashion with new updates or learn to master your machine.
 
Throughout the series Angela Wolf takes you on a sew-along with skirts, skirts, and more skirts!

I'm happy to be able to share a few of these with you now. You can click on the photos to watch three of these today!​

#1513 Growing Up a Star  

• Joanne Banko shows how to bundle up your baby with a hooded towel wrap with several variations. 
• Emily Thompson is back with leggings that are guaranteed to give your favorite little girl star power.
• Angela Wolf finishes up the skirt se-along with a  recap of and a final tip.

Visit www.itsseweasytv.com for TV station information and options for purchasing the entire series to view at your leisure and watch as many times as you like to edit.

Bag it! CLICK HERE for a great bag project.