It’s Sew Easy: It’s All in the Details

Class Preview

We’re taking things step by step and building our skills for apparel, gifts and even quilts.

Trends

The first episode is all about the trends. Angela Wolf introduces our trendy top, perfect for every occasion, size and style – sew along with eight different lessons this season on a specific element of the top. Then it’s a trending accessory and a cross body bag with Kay Whitt. Finally meet Ebony Love for our first quilt block – stay tuned over the season for five different blocks AND five unique projects utilizing your starter block.

Material Girls

Our material girls, Angela Wolf, Ellen March and Ebony Love have some great fabrics choices as they take three projects step by step. Angela moves to our first lesson on the trendy top and front placket, then it’s a fun new fabric – cork on a tote bag with Ellen. We finish with a quilt project featuring last week’s block with Ebony.

Dress Up

Learn how to dress up your wardrobe in this episode. Joanne Banko looks at the details in making an original pashmina wrap using trim and embroidery. Then Meg Healey has pattern alterations to take a dress from one to two pieces as a style or fit choice. Finally meet June Mellinger for block #2 and flying geese – this season we’ll have 3 variations of this favorite design.

Step Up

Step up to your machine and get ready to perfect some basic skills on It’s Sew Easy. Angle Wolf has our next lesson in our Sew Along – gathering the top and adding the collar- a simple technique with maximum impact for professional looking tops. Then meet Reen Wilcoxson for a tutorial on in the hoop designs – you can make an entire passport cover using embroidery. Finally, June Mellinger makes a tablet cover with her flying geese block.

Top Details

From top to bottom, it’s all in the details! This episode concentrates on tops with a splash of quilting. Michelle Paganini has a way to use up your fabric stash to create unique patches on tops featuring free motion quilting. Then Caroline Critchfield has a technique for adding cap sleeves to any top or dress, perfect for when you need a little extra cover. We close with Sarah Thomas and a totally different version of the geese pattern using foundation piecing.

Shape Up

Shape up your sewing with designs built around geometry! Even Angela Wolf is getting into our shape up, with rectangles that become tabs on the sleeves of our Sew Along top. Then Emily Thompson has an easy circle skirt for any size. Next quilter, Sarah Thomas creates projects from the flying geese blocks.

Size

This episode is all about size – not what size you wear but each project uses relative dimensions to create our project. We begin with Emily Thompson and the tricks to creating doll clothes – you can’t always just make things smaller! Then Michelle Paganini returns with a tutorial on how to turn an XL men’s t-shirt into a fashion shirt that fits you! Last June Mellinger is back with a new block – the 9 patch – one of the most versatile and easy blocks to begin your quilt adventure!

The Eyes Have It!

We continue with step by step instructions in detail. On our trendy top tutorial, Angela Wolf is ready to add a cuff trim to her shirt. 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 and adding a sunglass pocket to a tote.

Decorative Details

It’s those little decorative details that make or break your design especially if you want it to look professional. Joanne Banko shares trim ideas for pillows and she’ll throw in some tips for stuffing too. Then it’s a top stitch lesson from Jenn Stern. It’s that final detail you need on so many garments. We finish with June Mellinger and a fabric tray utilizing your 9-patch block.

Step by Step Garments

It’s all about taking your time and paying attention to the fine points as you create great garments start to finish. In our Sew Along Angela Wolf gives another idea for an alternate neckline on our trendy top. Once you master this pattern – there are endless variations! Then spend some time with Joanne Banko as she creates a trendy fleece jacket. Fleece is easy to work with but sometimes it’s difficult to achieve tailored details – Joanne has the specific techniques.

Quilt Along

This season we promised detailed step by steps for a new topic: quilting. Most of this episode is devoted to quilt techniques – at home in a quilt but also used in many sewing projects. First, it’s time for our Sew Along with Angela Wolf – adding the hem to your top. Then Joanne Banko has a patchwork coaster – 2 ways – it’s jam packed with techniques for a quick gift. Last Ebony Love has her version of the flying geese block featuring chevrons and she has project ideas using the block and poly beads.

More Quilting

There is a lot of cross over between sewing and quilting – techniques for one are often used in a different way in the alternate project. First Joanne Banko uses her serger for a quilt as you go technique that’s fast and easy. Next Emily Thompson shows paper piecing the easy way for beginners. We finish with Caroline Critchfield and a binding technique for any size quilt and great for other home dec projects too.

Lace Details

One of the prettiest details you can add to a project is lace or lacy looks. During this episode designers added a feminine touch to their projects. Angela Wolf has the final lesson of the Sew Along and changes the sleeve to lace. Then Joanne Banko demonstrates stitch stacks – blend, combine and stack decorative stitched for a brand-new look. Closing the show is Rebecca Kemp Brent and a different way to add lace to a sleeve for a detailed finish.