It’s January and that means it time to organize for a new year! Today I show how to sew clear vinyl for bags to store patterns and ideas for organizing button and beads; two of my my favorite things. Actually, I have more than two favorite things, but its a good place to start.
1. FABRIC: Use a quality 4-way stretch fabric, such as a Nylon Spandex Tricot Knit, so the fabric retains its shape (no baggy knee’s 
). Add a touch of Power Mesh Nylon Tricot Knit
2. WICK AWAY: If you plan on working out, look for moisture wicking fabric. Wickaway moves sweat to the outside of the fabric and quickly dries, so your sweat doesn’t soak the fabric.
3. FITTING: Athletic wear is usually fitted, especially leggings. Check the exact measurements on the pattern and compare to your exact measurements. You will want to have the outfit at least 1″ smaller than your size (more than 1″ depending on your size too). This is what we call negative ease.
4. NEEDLES: Use a stretch in the sewing machine, serger, and coverstitch.
5. THREAD: I use Wooly Poly or Wooly Nylon in the upper and lower loopers on the serger.
6. SERGER STITCH: A 4-thread overlock stitch is stronger than a 3-thread overlock stitch. I use the 4-thread for leggings, fitted workout tops, and sport bras. I use the 3-thread overlock stitch for loose fitting knits and items that won’t have a lot of stress.
7. SEWING: If you don’t have a serger, you an use stretch thread in the sewing machine. Wind the bobbin slowly and use the stretch thread for both the upper thread and bobbin with a straight stitch. Another option is using universal thread and a narrow zigzag stitch.
8. ELASTIC: I use sport and braided elastic in the waistband of my leggings. 1/2″ wide when I am sewing yoga style leggings with a wide waistband. 1″ or 1-1/4″ when sewing more of a leggings style.
9. HEMMING: performance fabric can be slippery and tricky to sew. I steam press the hem and use a tailors clapper to create a creased fold. Then when I run the fabric through the coverstitch machine or sewing machine using a twin needle, the fabric lays nice and flat.
10. ADD A TOUCH OF MESH: Use a coordinating mesh fabric to leggings as an accent to hold your cell phone or inserted into a tank for a trendy style.
Apron Sew Along
An apron is such a fun accessory to wear in the kitchen, at work, while dyeing fabrics, gardening, you name it! I thought it would be so fun to sew an apron and each day have guests on the live show showing how to embellish with embroidery, quilting, applique, and more.
I will be using Molly Madison’s Apron Pattern, but feel free to use any apron pattern you might have on hand. Molly is a friend of mine and I just love the variations on her pattern as you see above.
Here is the schedule of live shows and I will include links to the live shows each morning:
Custom 4″ Zipper Case
Reen Wilcoxson from Embroidery Garden will be showing us how to make a 4″ zipper case. Here is the link to download the files.
You can find Reen at Embroidery Garden:
Some of the most common questions I get revolve around the serger. A serger, also called an overlock machine, is typically used to trim and finish the raw edges on fabric, yet the serger can do SO much more! While the Brother Brand Ambassadors are taking over the Brother Facebook and YouTube channels I am going to add a series of tutorials on the serger and coverstitch machine. To get started, I will explain the dials, tension settiings, and show how to thread the serger.
I hope this live video helped you get the serger dusted off! I have additional serging videos on my YouTube channel.
Until next time, Happy Sewing!
It has been so fun taking over the Brother Sews Facebook and YouTube channel during this stay at home mandate! I always like to find the positive and this has been the best, being able to hang out with you all virtually. Many have asked where to find the replay’s, so I will be sure to post them here on my blog at the end of each day.
So going back, we had an entire week of making pillow cases, embroiderying ideas, BES 4 Lettering tutorial, and more! Here are all the replays:
Now that was fun! I hope you are inspired to dig into your stash and make a few pillow cases 🙂 Next week the theme is spa and pampering, which we all need a little of right now.
Let me know if there is a specific lesson you might like in the upcoming live shows.
Cheers,
Pajama Pants are so easy to sew for adults and kids. I have a full video tutorial below walking you through designing the pants and sewing. I choose pants that have cuffs and a seperate waistband, a little sportier than the fold over waistband.
Supplies:
Check out the new fabric that just came in by clicking here. (I am using my scuba knit)
Thanks so much for sewing along with me! Be sure to share your pajama pants on social media #angelawolf
Cheers,
