How to redo a neckline; make a red carpet-ready gown; and create a designer look by joining lace, ribbon and fabric with the edge joining foot.
Today’s show takes a look at quilting in a whole new way, as common quilt techniques find their way into fashion. Quilting is not just for on your bed – Angela Wolf introduces the practice of quilting the lining to your garment - just like the couture designers, without batting. Then it’s a turn to traditional quilting with an easy paper piecing technique from Rebecca Kemp Brent.
Bigger is not always better! Start out with a manageable project when you want to learn a new technique. Joanne Banko appears first with a simple quilted tote. Learn the basics of an easy quilt square, and then use the technique to create a basic tote. Next, Paula Reid shares tips for working on a large project such as a bed quilt – just how do you work with all of that fabric on your machine? Last is Angela Wolf with techniques for quilting leather and fleece for warmth and style.
Garments get a makeover on today’s show. You can make the same pattern over and over again but it will look totally different depending on your fabric and color choice and other surface embellishments. Angela Wolf begins with a beautiful and traditional sheath dress. An intricate appliqué trim completely changes this basic silhouette. Then, embroidery expert Eileen Roche demonstrates simple monogram techniques for all different garments – it’s a traditional look updated with a contemporary approach.
Just because a technique is traditional doesn’t mean that the item you create can’t be on trend for today’s fashion. Successful sewing is all about learning the basics and then using those ideas to create garments that fit your personal style. On this show we incorporate basic sewing and serger techniques for knits into a trendy bandage skirt with Rachel Howard. Then, Marie Zinno demonstrates trendy boot socks that will instantly personalize your outfit. Finally, Angela Wolf has a tip on using your serger for an elastic waist.
Show off your embroidery skills with great totes and jeans. One of the best parts about sewing is the chance to show off some of your latest creations. On this show guest experts give you lots of opportunities to be proud of your embroidery skills. First, Angela Wolf creates an embroidered tote with an amazing kaleidoscope design. Then, Eileen Roche has her own quilted clutch with embroidery. Last, Angela returns with a restyle of your favorite pattern or readymade jeans with embroidery embellishments.
On this show, piecework like you’ve never seen it before – as traditional quilting meets fashion. Think a little outside of the box as Angela Wolf makes a color block dress that’s really just a variation on a large patchwork design. Then, quilter Jeni Baker demonstrates piecework on a smaller scale with a half square quilt perfect for beginners.
We apply quilting concepts to all sorts of different finished projects from pillows to skirts on this show. If you’re a fashion sewer, quilting is a little break from fitting and if you’re a quilter we have garments that incorporate your techniques in garments. First, Paula Reid shares her creative method for doing trapunto. Then, Jeni Baker has an easy but modern feeling quilt project – this time it’s the log cabin as coasters. Finally, Angela Wolf takes a quilt technique for seaming and uses it on a patchwork style skirt.
Simple finished items are the base for today’s projects. Our experts give them some added pizzazz. Eileen Roche starts out with a simple tee shirt – add some embroidery and it begins an amazing infinity scarf. Then, Joanne Banko has the secrets for embellishing a plain sheer wrap and turning it into a fabulous accent.
Get started with the basics for traditional quilting. What could be more basic than quilting for home decor and apparel? Rebecca Kemp Brent has a demonstration on free motion and guided quilting to hold a kaleidoscope appliqué in place, plus a short discussion on fusibles and needles. Then, Angela Wolf demonstrates ruching with elastic thread.
In sewing it’s embellishments that are the extra step that takes us from ordinary to extraordinary. Angela Wolf is known for beautifully fitted jackets. On this show she adds trim to take them over the top with style. Then, Marie Zinno shares a way to make simple work out clothing into stylish day wear all with embroidery. Finally, the perfect accent is a couture detail. Janet Pray demonstrates mistake proof bound button holes.
Our recurring theme is “let the experts show you how”. What experts offer is that little something extra – maybe it’s a tip, or an extra step, or maybe even a shortcut – but they have that technique perfected over countless projects and want to share with you! Janet Pray is our first expert with a wonderful technique for single and double miters the professional way. Then look at patchwork just a little bit differently with a biscornu – a type of pillow design demonstrated by Rebecca Kemp Brent. Finally, Angela Wolf creates a sheer fabric scarf using free motion stitching and stabilizer.
There are many sources for inspiration when choosing a sewing project. Sometimes we find the perfect pattern or silhouette, and sometimes it’s a special occasion we want to sew for, other times we simply love a particular fabric and look for something to make out of a gorgeous cut. But each fabric has characteristics that require different techniques. We chose 3 fabrics today and projects that are unique to the fabric chosen. First, Angela shows her technique for needle felting on silk. Next, Tina Givens introduces us to one of her favorite fabrics – linen. She has some tips for quilt blocks that tell a unique story. Then, Angela returns for free motion techniques on cotton.
There are many different ways to manipulate fabric for a textural look and feel. Especially in a monochromatic color scheme texture really stands out. Rebecca Kemp Brent starts out with a tucked bolster pillow – it’s a traditional technique and look that complements many different décor styles. Then, it’s a traditional quilting technique in a nontraditional way as Angela Wolf uses a walking foot to quilt a jacket. We finish up with flat felled seams - common in quilting but incorporated into clothing with Janet Pray.
The Industrial Revolution was in full swing and women ventured beyond their homes into the workplace and politics. Angela Wolf creates a luxurious kimono duster inspired by those worn over long, full skirts and dresses. Kathy McMakin uses today’s machines to create a precious heirloom baby bonnet you’ll treasure.
As the first World War began, supplies became scarce. Women joined the workforce as men fought overseas. Fashions became less restrictive, bustles disappeared and the silhouette became sleeker. Designers used scraps for embellishment and manipulated fabric to create design details. Rebecca Kemp Brent shows how to create beautiful scrap fabric flowers. Angela Wolf uses couture draping techniques to add fashion flair to a straight skirt.
As the war ended, people dressed up more. Coleen Swettman uses computerized embroidery technology to create free-standing lace for accessories, collars, cuffs and trim. Women wore bloomers for sports like swimming, tennis, basketball and bowling. Tina Givens shows how to update the original bloomers to wear today. Lynn Lunoe shows how to create charming doll fashions faster than ever.
The 20’s were a time to celebrate with shorter skirts and lots of glitz. Fashionable women wore tubular styles with bare shoulders, glitter and fringe. Angela Wolf makes a fringy tank top with today’s look using knit and woven fabrics. Amber Eden shows how to sew with sequined fabric to create contemporary sparkly fashions.
Women were working outside the home, volunteering and voting! It was a time to see and be seen as designers found inspiration in sports heroes and movie stars. Sewing expert Lisa Shaw shows how to use computerized design techniques to create a stunning capelet and Angela Wolf designs and sews a form-fitting gored skirt with faux suede piping that flatters any figure.
The party of the 1920’s ended in a big stock market crash, plunging the nation into the Great Depression. Simple, sleek lines, body-hugging bias cut dresses and upcycled hand-me-downs were the fashion hallmarks. Angela Wolf creates glamourous evening wear on the bias and Rebecca Kemp Brent adds scallops to add a fresh look to any garment or to home décor.
Factories hummed and women took up men’s roles making military supplies as the second World War began. Fabric was rationed and women took fashion cues from military uniforms. Angela Wolf makes a contemporary jacket inspired by General Eisenhower’s shortened uniform jacket. Embroidery expert Lisa Shaw shows how to design a handy embroidered clutch bag for an evening out.
As the war ended, women wore more tailored garments and pants. Fabric was readily available and flounces and drape became important design details to soften the masculine look. Sewing expert Londa Rohlfing shows how to make flounces for a truly feminine touch and Angela Wolf makes trendy cropped pants with a hidden zipper and great waistband treatments.
In the 1950’s, every teenager had a transistor radio and went to the sock hop. Designer and sewing expert Gretchen Hirsch shows how to make an updated circle skirt for today. Lisa Shaw adds contemporary machine-embroidery to a cardigan sweater, inspired by the sweaters of the 1950’s. Gretchen returns to show how to add a gathered crinoline to make the skirt really full and flirty.
Nations raced to put satellites into space and the fashion scene took a futuristic step toward figure-hugging fashions. Gretchen Hirsch shows how to redesign a pattern to make a trendy blouse that buttons up the back and designer Peggy Sagers takes a cue from a man’s shirt to create a flattering shirtwaist dress with easy collar variations.
Technology exploded and new music, fashion and ideas flooded in from England and beyond. Fashion influence went beyond Fifth Avenue and Carnaby Street in London influenced the fashion scene. Sewing expert Angela Wolf shows how easy it is to cut and sew a sassy mini-skirt and Marie Zinno uses today’s embroidery technology to embroider a hip fringed faux suede belt.
We were headed to the moon! Back on earth, the hippie movement took hold with loose-fitting, fluid fashions, bell bottoms, sandals, t-shirts and headbands. Dressing up included a ruffled shirt, striped hip-hugger pants and zippered boots. Londa Rohlfing shares her sewing expertise to add ruffles to any garment and Coleen Swettman sews a hippie-inspired poncho that goes everywhere today.
The Energy Crisis, inflation and the gas shortage ushered in the 1970’s. There were no fashion “rules”. Styles and influences came from all over the world as each individual created a personal style. Sewing expert Angela Wolf shows how to make a fashionable, updated peasant blouse with today’s Boho look. Embroidery expert Marie Zinno adds colorful embroidery to jeans to give them unique fashion flair.
Vintage fashions still inspire today’s designers. Rebecca Kemp Brent shows how to make an elegant lantern purse perfect for an evening out then and now. Kathy McMakin sews a precious turn-of-the century child’s day gown quickly and easily using today’s serger techniques.
Supplies were scarce during the first World War. Fabric details replaced laces and trims. Londa Rohlfing shows how to create beautiful ruching for a contemporary blouse. Terry McFeely uses fabric and feathers to make a charming fascinator hat. Joanne Banko uses the cording foot to add extra flair to home decor.
As the 1920’s roared in, women bared their shoulders and danced to the latest jazz. Angela Wolf creates a cutwork tank top using today’s computer software and digital cutter. Amber Eden adds color and detail to a classic black sheath dress with silk flower embroidery.
Sleeves became important as women spent more time outdoors and synthetic fabrics became popular. Angela Wolf shows how to change a pattern to add batwing sleeves. Then she shows how to create bishop sleeves, inspired by eastern European folkwear.
Hollywood designers and glamorous starlets set the trends as people flocked to the movies in the 1930’s. Rebecca Kemp-Brent shows how to recreate any neckline for a whole new look. Angela Wolf embroiders fabric to create a gown for the red carpet. Joanne Banko shows how to join lace, ribbon and fabric with the edge joining foot to get a designer look.
During World War II, feminine fashion took on a more masculine look. But women added feminine touches. Joann Banko creates embroidered lingerie. Then Heather Valentine shows how to top off boots with a lacey cuff. Joanne Banko adds beads and trims with the pearls and sequin foot.
Figure-hugging, fitted bodices and full skirts defined 1950’s fashion. Peggy Sagers adds French darts to a top for a perfect fit. Pearl Krush creates the iconic poodle skirt for an 18” fashion doll and Joanne Banko uses the couching and braiding feet to add style and color to a tote bag.
The 1950’s look is all the rage today. Designer Courtney McCrone adds retro 50’s details to dresses, blouses and accessories. Embroider a sweater to capture that rock ‘n’ roll look – Marie Zinno shows how. Joanne Banko shows how easy it is to create custom piping for garments, accessories and home décor using the piping foot.
Technology moved fast during the 1960’s and everything from hemlines to rocket ships went up. Angela Wolf turns modern art into wearable art as she makes a color-block mini-dress. Peggy Sagers shows how to design and make the comfortable and flattering wrap dress, a staple in every working woman’s wardrobe.
Fashion rules went out the window in the 1970’s. The t-shirt made the statement for day wear. Joanne Banko creates a custom embroidered t-shirt for a special cause. Jumpsuits were all the rage and are in again. Angela Wolf shows how to create a jumpsuit by combining existing pant and top patterns.
In the 1980’s, designers took their cues from active wear, workout clothes and easy care fabrics. Angela Wolf adds a sassy peplum to a basic t-shirt to add swing and style. Cindy Hogan uses the latest digital cutting technology to create appliques for a go-everywhere denim jacket.
Fashion trends were being recycled. Casual chic and grunge were in, as long as the garments had the right designer label. Rebecca Kemp-Brent creates a designer quilted tote bag with free motion stitching on a quilting frame. Londa Rohlfing gathers fabric with elastic thread to make an easy-to-wear peasant blouse. Joanne Banko uses bobbin work to create a hand-embroidered look on garments and accessories.
As the new century dawned, fashion had gone from corsets to spandex pants in just 100 years. Even dogs were getting dressed up. Paulette Bell creates a customized dog coat using machine embroidery. Angela Wolf adds a hand warmer to work-out wear for today’s trendy touch.
The Season 10 premiere shows how to turn a T-shirt into a girl's dress; quickly make spaghetti straps; and create a waterproof backpack.
How to make a cute toddler costume; and whimsical fairy wings. Also: a neckline tip.
How to make a fleece jacket; flirty handbag; and colorful bag with a concealed zippered pocket.
Sewing with unusual fabrics; embroidering on leather; and creating faux tattoos.
A one-of-a-kind wedding gown; keepsake ring-bearer pillow; and custom-made bridal veils.
Making pillows with faux piping trim; and adding color and texture to a wall-hanging with thread painting on a frame. Also: a tip for cutting buttonholes.
Adding decorative hem bands; creating a perfect hem; and giving vintage ready-to-wear a modern look.
How to create a well-fitting boho skirt; sew flat-felled seams for a tailored look; and make custom-fitted pants and jeans that flatter any figure.
The Season 11 premiere shows how to finish seams for a couture look; use lace to create reverse appliqué motifs; and style designs with border prints and scalloped edges.
How to make colorful espadrilles; add texture and style to basic garments with decorative stitches; and create a go-everywhere tote bag.
How to make colorful, patterned pillows; combine unusual materials to create a caddy; and stitch a lush wall-hanging.
How to add glitz to men's fashions with metallic thread and crystals; and create Asian-inspired sleepwear with embroidered details and stylish closures.
How to turn a sweatshirt into a Renaissance-inspired suit of armor; and add lights to garments, costumes and accessories.
A kimono-style top; a jumpsuit with a star design.
Choosing different fabrics for the bodice trim of a wrap dress; altering the neckline of a tunic; a lace-trimmed tank.
Fashionable T-shirts for children; applique using a machine; embroidered jewelry; a free-standing lace design.
A cover-up featuring embroidered monograms and pompom trim; adding a collar to a trench coat; hoop embroidery.
Versatile wrap dress and all its variations; updating a circle skirt with buttonholes and a wrap-around sash; designer Reen Wilcoxson.
A versatile garden apron featuring decorative stitching; wrap dress; two different wrap style closures.
Four different seasonal scarves; an envelope purse made from waxed canvas that can be used for any occasion.
Changing accessories in the home to add colour, interest or reflect the season; couched pillow; tree pillow; adding a ruffle accent to a wrap dress.
Adding machine embroidery to a kimono style dress; visible mending provides a decorative accent.
Carryall drawstring bag; makeup bag; a faux wrap dress variation in knit, with techniques for the belt and neckline.
Adding a bow cuff to a blouse; transforming a simple top with snaps and zippers; Gretchen Hirsch makes vintage clothing her career.
Tool pouch; a beverage koozie for keeping drinks hot or cold with cork; hem techniques for a wrap dress.
Stitching up a sweater wrap three different ways; adding vintage collars accented with trim.
Creating a new wrap in ponte knit, and adding a waistline, belt closure and buttonhole closure; matching patterns of fabric; altering a pattern.
Adding embroidered cuffs to pajamas; adding ribbon to a skirt.
A quilted tablet cover; winged feet for cosplay; an optional addition to a wrap dress and a built-in tank top.
A note holder to keep track of notes, appointments and dates; a wrap-style dress featuring a gathered waistline in a stretch knit.
A yoga top with mesh color-blocked inserts; the perfect pattern for a workout skirt for kids with shorts underneath.
Channel stitching and pintucks perk up a blouse and add decoration to otherwise plain yokes, collars and cuffs; a technique for making the perfect V-neck knit top.
A sports bra tank; a lined lace tank stitched almost entirely on the serger.
A lace bolero; a jacket with vintage details; techniques for adding trims, lace and more; tips for cutting and sewing silky fabrics.
Combining a sports bra and tank with ribbed trim; the easy way to add a thumbhole trim to a long sleeve top or jacket; the perfect finishing touch to cold weather fashion.
Inside out, broken quilting featuring the double wedding ring; a custom sized sewing mat with pockets to keep tools handy while sewing.
A trendy half-zip; designer Joe Vecchiarelli offers a lesson on draping, beginning with a basic bodice with darts.
Altering a pattern for leggings by adding pockets; designer Joe Vecchiarelli creates a paper pattern from a bodice.
A new look for leggings with a figure flattering wide top and hidden pocket; designer Joe Vecchiarelli offers a final lesson on draping and how to alter an original pattern to change the fit or style.
Cropped pants with a designer hem treatment; trendy drawstring waist pants, a legging variation with a flattering, comfortable fit.
A mesh bag that can be used at the beach; adding enlarger panels to cosplay outfits; adding pockets to joggers.
Adding a wrap skirt to leggings; invisible zippers; an embroidery technique to reduce puckering.
Piping; a crisscross back yoga top; gathering fabric.
Variety of techniques using the sewing machine and serger; a sew along featuring the Bella Top -- adding sleeves and embroidery; altering patterns with various style changes.
An easy technique for creating baby bibs in the hoop; making a folding fabric basket for storing sewing supplies or other items.
Selecting the right seam for the job; Bella Top and neckline techniques including the V-neck and proper facing technique.
A free motion home dec project using the fabric pattern as a guide; mesh fabric adds style to a top; elastic casing.
A log cabin quilt sewn on a serger; a frayed flannel baby quilt.
Altering the side seams of pants to add pockets for comfort and style; dressing up the Bella top with chiffon sleeves.
Refashioning a top with inserts; remaking old capris into a stylish skirt.
Choosing the right zipper, foot and technique; the basics of zippers; basic jacket; making a two-part sleeve.
A front button skirt in a mommy and me style; buttons and buttonholes; adding facing to an unlined classic jacket design.
Adding embroidery; making a cute baby bear lovey; finishing a jacket with embroidery patterns.
Chair cushions with unique piping; a garden knee pad cover.