As we move into spring, having a light weight sweater sewn by yourself to throw over your shoulders is a great way to express your style. Check out this tutorial on how to drape a sweater jacket. Check out my tutorial on It’s Sew Easy episode 1408:
Additional Tutorial
If you like this style of sweater you might enjoy the Rachel Twin Set sew-a-long! This Behind the Scenes series of tutorials walks you through how to sew my Rachel Twin-Set pattern, fabrics to use and techniques to complete a sweater set! Join me on Behind the Scenes live onFacebookandYouTube every Wednesday at 1:30pm Eastern.
cheers,
Any one of these fabrics would make a great square sweater jacket or Rachel Twin Set!
This softique rayon viscose knit fabric is sold by the yard and comes in four colors, coral, green, white, black, and yellow. The white is a great fabric to experiment fabric dying with!
The Rachel Twin-Set pattern
Pattern includes tank and sweater, avaiable in paper and pdf in misses XXL to XL and plus XXL-5X.
Envelope Pattern There are three download versions for the envelope pattern: Full Layout - Use this for projector printing or printing on a plotter. ENVELOPE PURSE Letter Size Printing - Use this when printing letter size paper (8.5" x 11"). Print pages 1-8, the...
Quilted Grocery Bag Sewalong I am so excited to share this new grocery bag sewalong with you! This is an easy project with opportunities to make is more advanced with embroidery and embellishing. Sewalong Schedule #372 - 9/7 - Sewalong Part 1 Supplies and Pattern...
Tweed Skirt Sewalong Part 1 In part 1 of this sewalong I will share options for choosing the best fabrics and pattern. Join me in choosing the best lining to coordiante with my fabric!Skirt Patterns to choose from: ~ The Kate Skirt ~ The Fringe Skirt Pattern ~...
Episode 305 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf I know you have heard me say many time ... I am never going on a cruise! Winn and I are on the water all the time, why would I want to go on a cruise?!? Kelli Presley and Phyllis Batz will be joining me live to talk...
Episode 305 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf Featuring CraftOptics I am not sure about your, but if I am working in a low lit area or sewing beads onto a garment, I tend to lean forward and squint, this ending up with a terrible back ache! CraftOptics has changed...
Episode 303 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf The last part of our Delila Slit Sleeve Sewalong! Have you checked out all the Delila tops posted in our private Angela Wolf Patterns Group? So cute!!! Angie Hotchkiss ~ Angela Wolf Facebook GroupDarlene Deck ~...
Episode 302 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf We are onto part 2 in the Delila sew along! We have cut our fabric and ready to sew. Did you have any questions about fitting? If so, be sure to take your photos with questions to the Angela Wolf Patterns Facebook...
Episode 301 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf Getting into summer and looking for stylish tops to wear with jeans, shorts, or skirts and one of my fist patterns always shows up ... The DelilaDelila Pattern has 9 Options I designed this pattern to be able to sew...
Episode 260 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf ~ Sew the Shirley Wrap with a Sweater Knit The Shirley Wrap pattern is so versatile and this time we will use a thicker, sweater knit fabric. You can find the Shirley pattern in PDF and paper patterns in size XXS -...
Episode 259 ~ At your side 🧵 Virtually! Organizing and Sewing Clear Vinyl Join Angela Wolf with the next steps in sewing the Shirley Wrap with a sweater knit. Pressing hems with a tailors clapper, prepping neckline, and marking gathering.Catch the Next Show ... Be...
JOIN US LIVE FOR THE #SEWCIALHOP2020 BIG GIVEAWAY DAY!
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Day 13 #SEWCIALHOP2020
We are celebrating 10 years and 20 seasons of It’s Sew Easy!
Let’s go back and start at the beginning of how things started with on It’s Sew Easy This is a story of how an opportunity change my life and business forever!
In December 1994 I graduated with a business degree from Illinois State University (ironically my freshman year I attended NC STATE AKA the WolfPack – now that is hilarious!). About 9 months after graduating I held my first fashion show and thus started my custom apparel business. My first label ABO APPAREL quickly grew, allowing me to dress women from all over the world. I eventually added a alterations and a ready-to-wear collection to the lineup.
Skipping ahead many years and fashion shows …
In 2008, I won a fashion design contest called Passion for Fashion hosted by the Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan. The contest was similar to an episode of Project Runway, except live in the middle of an expo show hall. Talk about nerve racking! I won some fabulous items including a trip to NY, but most importantly was an area to showcase my own collection at the expo the following year.
The next year I showcased 20 couture outfits and met so many in the sewing industry. Until then, I really never knew this industry existed as my life was on the fashion design side of the universe. Janet Pray introduced me to Kathie Stull, a producer of many successful PBS shows. Kathie was looking for a host for a new show that would feature fashion sewing. Intriguing and exciting, although I was not sure how this is going to fit into my business plan it would surely be a fun gig!
The PBS TV show you now know is It’s Sew Easy. What started as a gig quickly made me re-think my business plan when my email box would fill with those wanting to sew my designs.
I quickly realized the fans of It’s Sew Easy didn’t want to buy my clothes, they wanted to make my clothes. I made the business decision to invest in CAD patternmaking software, a plotter, and more in order to offer patterns for the home sewer. Risky and expensive, but surely Angela Wolf Patterns was launched.
The Wolfpack
Skipping ahead to 2020, 10 season and 20 episode and the show is amazingly successful! Angela Wolf Patterns and Angela Wolf Academy is growing, but one thing I did not expect out of this show is The WolfPack! You all are AMAZING!!!
Many of you have asked
“Do you get paid for being on It’s Sew Easy?”
“Do you make royalties for past episodes?”
The simple answer is no.
I started on the show for sharing what I love about sewing and that grew into teaching you how to sew Angela Wolf Patterns. Teach sewing and fashion design on so many different levels which grew into the Fashion Sewing Club.
I can never thank you all enough for watching and following along.
Taping the Next Season 2001
In this time of covid and travel restriction, we will be recording this season in my studio. Different from the past, but it’s the same tutorials and designs tips to keep you on your sewing journey.
Thanks Wolfpack! I can never thank you enough for your photos in the Angela Wolf Patterns group and encouraging words! The wolfpack has become a group of creative women and men that truly love the art of the fashion design and the art of sewing and embroidery. I am so grateful to be part of the It’s Sew Easy series.
A question to you … where did you first find my tutorials?
Cheers,
Like and follow It’s Sew Easy! Leave a comment on thier Facebook and Instagram pages using #sewcialhop2020!
Want to learn more about fashion design, sewing techniques, and patterns?
Members of the Fashion Sewing Club have access to past episodes of It’s Sew Easy, Facebook live and YouTube videos, fitting instruction on specific topics, discounts on my website, and much more!
There are many ways to sew the sleeve placket and depending on your pattern you might have a one piece or two piece placket. If you have a two piece placket, you can change it to one piece and follow the steps I have shown in the tutorial. I learned this technique from altering men’s ready-to-wear and thought THIS WAS SO EASY (It’s Sew Easy LOL!)
The video from It’s Sew Easy tv is a brief tutorial on sewing the placket including pressing and topstitching. As far as interfacing, keep the interfacing out of the seam allowances or the placket will be too stiff.
I am going to work on another shirt dress out of chiffon and definitely going to add embroidery. Now is the time to embroider the sleeve, before we sew the side seams. Just an idea 🙂
Here is the blog schedule for the season long sew-along with links to the tutorials and live Q&A on my blog (each link will open on the date listed). Season 14 of It’s Sew Easy had begun airing on PBS and Create TV; you will be able to watch each episode there first (depending on when your specific station begins airing the show).
Part 1: Announcing the Shirt Dress Sewalong with Angela Wolf on It’s Sew Easy
Episode 303 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf The last part of our Delila Slit Sleeve Sewalong! Have you checked out all the Delila tops posted in our private Angela Wolf Patterns Group? So cute!!! Angie Hotchkiss ~ Angela Wolf Facebook GroupDarlene Deck ~...
Episode 302 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf We are onto part 2 in the Delila sew along! We have cut our fabric and ready to sew. Did you have any questions about fitting? If so, be sure to take your photos with questions to the Angela Wolf Patterns Facebook...
Episode 301 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf Getting into summer and looking for stylish tops to wear with jeans, shorts, or skirts and one of my fist patterns always shows up ... The DelilaDelila Pattern has 9 Options I designed this pattern to be able to sew...
Episode 260 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf ~ Sew the Shirley Wrap with a Sweater Knit The Shirley Wrap pattern is so versatile and this time we will use a thicker, sweater knit fabric. You can find the Shirley pattern in PDF and paper patterns in size XXS -...
VLOG 238 Behind the Scenes ✂️ with Angela Wolf ! Last week we cut out the Lacy top pattern, this week we will serge it together. And I will be drawing 3 lucky winners for the beautiful Shannon Fabric!!! Also, check out the new renovations coming to Angela Wolf's...
Behind the Scenes with Angela wolf VLOG 220 is the fourth in a series of sew-a-longs featuring the Rachel Twin Set. Today we start cutting out the tank top!
When I asked what part of sewing jackets you find the most intimidating to sew, many of you left a comment about the collar and lapel. I must have had a premonition, as this week’s episode of It’s Sew Easy gives you a few tips for success. You are right, the collar and lapel is what really makes your jacket stand out … and the good news … it’s easier to sew than you think. In fact, sewing is only a minute part involved in tailoring a collar. The most time-consuming part involves preparing the center front jacket, upper collar, and under collar pattern pieces with interfacing and twill tape, not to mention pad stitching if you are going the traditional tailoring route. The weight of the interfacing will determine the thickness and stability of your lapel and collar, so be sure to test a sample first. My two favorites for jackets are armo-weft fusible interfacing (shown here) and horse hair canvas (perfect if you plan on pad stitching – which I will show in a later blog post). Fusible interfacing can be added in layers if you need more structure at the end of the lapel, keep that in mind if you interfacing supply is limited.
Despite adding interfacing, extra measures need to be taken to prevent the neckline and center front of the jacket from stretching out. Twill tape is the perfect solution! Look closely and you can see hand stitching attaching the 1/4″ wide cotton twill tape to the front edge of the jacket. As I am hand stitching, I am holding the twill tape tight and allowing the jacket fabric to ease in. Not too much easing though! Make sure the jacket doesn’t change shape or become skewed.
What about that perfect roll on the lapel? Again, twill tape is hand stitched to the roll line (the roll line should be printed on your jacket pattern)
When hand stitching the twill tape to the roll line, keep the twill tape tight (tighter than when we added twill tape to the center front and neckline). Again, easing in the fashion fabric. I use a pin to hold one end of the twill tape and start stitching from the other end. You can see below how much I am easing!
Here I started hand stitching the twill tape in place, the main part of the stitch is on the twill tape and I am just picking a short fiber in the fashion fabric, then back through the twill tape. You can barely see the stitching from the right side of the fabric. When you are finished steam press the lapel roll using a seam roll. Again, for more details see this weeks episode of It’s Sew Easy, scroll to the bottom of their page and click on the video.
Another Giveaway, this one is for my online class: Sewing a Designer Unlined Jacket on PatternReveiw.com. Does your favorite jacket style close in the center front or asymmetrically? Just tell us your preference to enter the jacket class giveaway. (A random winner will be drawn next Monday) Congratulations to last weeks winner JRP53 who will be joining me in the Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Jackets on PatternReview! Good luck on your jackets!
When I asked what part of sewing jackets you find the most intimidating to sew, many of you left a comment about the collar and lapel. I must have had a premonition, as this week’s episode of It’s Sew Easy gives you a few tips for success. You are right, the collar and lapel is what really makes your jacket stand out … and the good news … it’s easier to sew than you think. In fact, sewing is only a minute part involved in tailoring a collar. The most time-consuming part involves preparing the center front jacket, upper collar, and under collar pattern pieces with interfacing and twill tape, not to mention pad stitching if you are going the traditional tailoring route. The weight of the interfacing will determine the thickness and stability of your lapel and collar, so be sure to test a sample first. My two favorites for jackets are armo-weft fusible interfacing (shown here) and horse hair canvas (perfect if you plan on pad stitching – which I will show in a later blog post). Fusible interfacing can be added in layers if you need more structure at the end of the lapel, keep that in mind if you interfacing supply is limited.
Despite adding interfacing, extra measures need to be taken to prevent the neckline and center front of the jacket from stretching out. Twill tape is the perfect solution! Look closely and you can see hand stitching attaching the 1/4″ wide cotton twill tape to the front edge of the jacket. As I am hand stitching, I am holding the twill tape tight and allowing the jacket fabric to ease in. Not too much easing though! Make sure the jacket doesn’t change shape or become skewed.
What about that perfect roll on the lapel? Again, twill tape is hand stitched to the roll line (the roll line should be printed on your jacket pattern)
When hand stitching the twill tape to the roll line, keep the twill tape tight (tighter than when we added twill tape to the center front and neckline). Again, easing in the fashion fabric. I use a pin to hold one end of the twill tape and start stitching from the other end. You can see below how much I am easing!
Here I started hand stitching the twill tape in place, the main part of the stitch is on the twill tape and I am just picking a short fiber in the fashion fabric, then back through the twill tape. You can barely see the stitching from the right side of the fabric. When you are finished steam press the lapel roll using a seam roll. Again, for more details see this weeks episode of It’s Sew Easy, scroll to the bottom of their page and click on the video.
Another Giveaway, this one is for my online class: Sewing a Designer Unlined Jacket on PatternReveiw.com. Does your favorite jacket style close in the center front or asymmetrically? Just tell us your preference to enter the jacket class giveaway. (A random winner will be drawn next Monday) Congratulations to last weeks winner JRP53 who will be joining me in the Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Jackets on PatternReview! Good luck on your jackets!
