threadWEAR 301

What to Give in 2016 We welcome the festive month of December with a curated list of some of our favorite gift-giving options! Your go-to gift this holiday season? Sew Confident!2016's program has been a year of  talented artists sharing their inspirations with us by creating unique and excellent garments. From Nancy Shriber to Karen Tornow to...

Introducing the New Pattern TREMONT JACKET only $18. Loose-fitting, a-line jacket with one-button closure, asymmetric, angled front hemline with side vents. Three-quarter sleeves with soft-fold cuff detail.

Introducing the New Pattern FLORENCE SHIRT only $18. Long sleeve, button front tunic has back yoke with mock button band, collar and stand. Pleated left breast pocket, deep center front tucks create lantern shape, soft hem.

The tulips and irises are blooming. The toes are painted and sandals are out. It's spring! Wearing dresses is a simple way to get dressed in the morning, year round. But it's essential in the spring and summer to stay cool. In an effort to make every pattern into a tunic or dress, I tackled the Now Shirt.

New fabrics! Spring is here and it's time to look at fresh new colors and lighter weight fabrics.

We love preparing for the Spring 2015 Tradeshows - starting with the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA. This year we had a big pattern debut the first day of the show - the Bristol Dress & Top. We love showing off our new designs in different fabric combinations so customers can really see how creative you can get with just one pattern!

Here's a little tutorial so you can create your own Ruffle Urban T-Shirt!

Scarves are definitely an accessory trend that isn't going away. A scarf can update and perk up any outfit! When wearing an ordinary tee and jeans, add a scarf and you instantly look polished.

After moving on from making pieced infintiy scarves, I decided to try a NO-SEW option. Perfect for a lazy night craft. Only one problem, once you start making them, you can't stop.

Icon Vest in Jacquard

Left: Bells Shirt in Mixed Cotton Prints

  Top: Pearl Jacket in Linen Gauze

Middle:Pearl Jacket in Cotton Plaid

Bottom: Pearl Jacket in Stripe Knit

Techniques + Tutorials + Style = Sew Confident!

Sew Confident! Class in a Flash is an electronic educational program produced by Linda Lee that not only offers how-to tutorials relating to garment-making and The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection, but gives you processes and ideas that enhance our collection with pattern variation suggestions, fitting solutions, wardrobe ideas, and signature sewing techniques.

The tutorials are presented in a step-by-step format rather than as a continuous video. By stopping the action at the point of interest, you will be able to work at your own pace and successfully recreate the technique that will give you the right results. Linda Lee shows you how to create more than you ever thought you could. Do even more when you buy the patterns, too.

Find out more quickly: Watch Preview, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Download Help

Take a class on your time, any time!

I love this time of year! December is in full swing with holiday parties, sparkling decorations, delicious winter treats and time with family & friends.  What do you think I look forward to most about these holiday festivities?

Sequins! Lace! Shimmer!

I'm not typically that fancy but there's something about sequins that brighten a cold winter day.

Something must have gotten into Linda and Kathy as well. Most of our Eureka Tops are perfect for special occasions!

Welcome to Sew Confident! Class in a Flash 2014

EASY ACCESS - ALL THE TIME!

• "How to Measure" PDF - Measurement Chart, Ease Charts and a How to Measure Guide

As the year goes on, a new tutorial will be added each month! Enjoy!

Click the links below to download your tutorials...

Welcome to Sew Confident! Class in a Flash 2013

EASY ACCESS - ALL THE TIME!

• "How to Measure" PDF - Measurement Chart, Ease Charts and a How to Measure Guide

As the year goes on, a new tutorial will be added each month! Enjoy!

Click the links below to download your tutorials...

If you're perusing the newstand this weekend, check out the latest Sew News magazine. All your ePattern questions are answered in Linda Lee's newest article All About e-Patterns.

We love the simplicity of our ePatterns! We can't get enough of the eShrug, eVest, eSkirt and eDress.

If you haven't noticed, we're a little obsessed with stripes around here. Knit stripes to be exact.  The evidence is all over our latest pattern download, the eDress (and don't forget the Skirt Variation).

We've decided to take the stripe trend a step further. 

First of all, we never shy away from horizontal stripes. Daring I know. This Skirt uses horizontal stripes in the skirt and bottom band.

When paired with a black Ann's Tank, the overall look is very slimming.

Using the same fabric, Kathy decided to change the look ever so slightly.  Notice the bottom band uses vertical stripes. Just that small change makes a huge difference. 

Nine Times Out Of Ten I love a quick project. The Ann's Tank is a simple, one night sew. Start to finish.

Then again, there are nights when I'm in the mood to add a little more detail.  One easy way to do that is to start with a simple pattern like the Ann's Tank, one I know all too well, then add embellishment.

After a week in recovery mode, I think the dust has settled from our exciting trip to Puyallup, WA for the 2012 Sewing & Stitchery Expo! 

In the past three days of the Sewing & Stitchery Expo we've talked to so many talented sewists.  We love seeing friendly faces & new - all happy to show off their creations.  Here's what we saw.

The 2012 Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA starts now......... The sew expo is always filled with talented people & creative garments, set in the beautiful Northwest. Here's a little peak into our first few days at the expo.......

Who says you have to stop wearing scarves as the temperature rises?  Scarves are a great way to transition into spring.  Create a wooly scarf to wear now or use spring colors & fabrics for the coming spring!

Nothing says winter like a rich, classic Infinity Scarf. 

Create your very own using our luxurious Organic Fleece-Natural. This beautiful fleece comes in a 28" tube, which makes creating your Infinity Scarf really easy!

Supplies:

Tube: 1/3 Yard Organic Fleece-Natural
Knit Strips: 1/4 Yard Lightweight Viscose Knit (comes in 18 colors)
Fusi-Web or Iron-on Tape
Thread (2 colors: Scarf Fabric & Stripe Fabric)

To create your own Striped Scarf download this quick tutorial.

We love our new pattern, the Ann's Cardigan & apparently so do you!  We just completed our first Winter Sweater Workshop using the Ann's Cardigan. Since this workshop was such a great success we've decided to offer another one in May to create a Spring Cardigan!

For a complete listing of our events, view our Events Calendar.

The Ann's Cardigan class was very inspirational!  We had a full house with 14 participants, each with a complete cardigan by the end of the day.  Sewing the Ann's Cardigan is quite relaxing with an ultra flattering end result.

What a good looking group! I love how each person (well, almost each person-the Caramel & Brown Floral Wool Knit was quite popular) created a different look using the same pattern.  Such versatility in one style!

Linda (left): Animal Print Wool Knit Ann's Cardigan

Kathy (right): Black & Grey Striped Knit Ann's Cardigan

Click through for more images.....Read More

Just when we thought activities would wind down around here for the holidays, we get an unexpected surprise!  Fabrics are just pouring in this week!  So we're starting off with the most unique first, textured jacquard weaves from France.  Here's a little more detail from Linda herself......

We just received some very unusual jacquard weave fabrics from France. The textured weaves are quite detailed and the colors are so rich. I can't wait to make a simple shirt like the Zen Shirt, the Liberty Shirt or a MixIt Shirt to wear as a jacket. Or the Tosca Dress always works well in purple jacquard. All of them are washable and won't wrinkle.  Very limited yardages available.

Here's a few similar styles just to give you an idea.....

Then let your imagination run wild!

The HOLIDAY SEASON is here! START the SEASON with a little GLITZ & GLAMOUR!

Create & give handmade this season!

Handmade gifts for the holidays! The eShrug is quick & easy with a versatile fit. Make in a shimmery knit, vivid red viscose or a black & white lace knit. The options are endless.

Left: Charcoal Glisten Knit Lengthened eShrug, Sequin Tank (pattern coming soon!), Black Hudson Pants

Right: Lace Knit eShrug, Lace Knit Trio T-Shirt, Black 8th Avenue Skirt

Left: Red Knit Lengthened eShrug, Gold Lame Trio T-Shirt, Gold Silk Ikina Pants

More Holiday Glamour-Don't forget to Read More

Is it possible to stay warm and stylish? We like to think so, especially when you add a touch of glamour with fur, wool & accessories.

We've really been happy with the ePattern trend.  With our free time becoming more limited, it's nice to whip out a quick garment in 1 evening or over the weekend. Download the pattern, paste together, cut-out, sew & wear!

We started with the eShrug which is a great beginning project. Leave the edges raw with a rolled knit hem-perfect 1 night project. If you prefer a more finished look, hem the front & bottom edges. You could even try it in a woven. The options are endless.

Left: Magenta Knit Trio T-Shirt, Stretch Lace Print eShrug, Hudson Pants

Right: Grey Knit eShrug (similar here), LetterKnit Alex Top

More eStyling after the jump......

A great new pattern to style-Stella & Luna Tops! Great pattern with two styles, two great silhouettes. A pattern for everyone!

LINDA

I love the Stella in a knit!  This elegant green lace knit simplifies the cowl shape and softens the fitted silhouette.

The Luna Top is normally my preference.  The boxy shape & short sleeve was great for summer.  But add a knit long sleeve tee underneath & I can transition easily into fall. And of course, the PLAID! I can't get enough of plaids.  This great Cotton Plaid - Pink & Grey also comes in Grey & Lime and Grey & Aqua.

 
Left: Green Lace Knit Stella Top, Chocolate Brown Corduroy eSkirt
Right: Pink & Grey Cotton Plaid Luna Top, Grey Textured Linen Trio Pants

More Stella & Luna styling after the jump.....

We were jam packed in our Kansas Avenue studio with 14 lovely garment sewing teachers to Kick-Off Teacher Training for Sew Confident! (see more info here)

Whenver we have a Sewing Retreat or Teacher Training Workshop, our patterns are on display. It's like a fashion show.

Favorite pattern of the day? Tosca Dress

More pictures-Read More.....

Trends will come and go whether you're in favor of them or not.  This fall, there's one trend that seems to be hanging on from spring fashion: COLORBLOCKING.  Why change what seems to be working, right?  The colorblocking trend is fun, bright & cheerful.  You can keep it safe by wearing colors that make you feel comfortable, then take it up a notch. It's a chance to be a little wild in color, but keep the silhouette that flatters your body most.

Try Colorblocking out this fall with our Labor Day Weekend Viscose Sale! All solid color viscose knits are on sale!

Sale ends Sunday! Happy Shopping!

SALE HAS NOW ENDED! Thank you all for your orders!

First sale of it's kind! Buy Fabric, receive up to 2 Free Patterns! You can't resist can you?

Fabric Incentive Details

Buy $50 worth of Fabric, receive the Tamari Apron Pattern Free

Buy $100 worth of Fabric, receive the Daily News Bag Pattern Free

The weather is toasty warm! This calls for light, airy fabrics in vivid pinks, greens and blues.  Or if light, pale hues are more your style, stick to soft pastels or "faded" vintage plaids. 

Here's how Linda stays cool in the Kansas humidity.

White Linen pants are a must! Top them off with a sheer button-down shirt or a short sleeve vest. I'm loving pink this summer! Can't get enough of it!

We received such positive feedback with the How Do You Wear the Tosca Dress, we decided to do it again with our latest love, Quincy Top & Pants.

Enjoy!

Linda, Kathy & Erin each have their own unique style. We decided put together a few looks to introduce our latest pattern, the Quincy Top & Pants. Three different people, wearing the same pattern in completely different ways. 

Read More for style tips from Linda, Kathy & Erin.......

Lightweight cotton & silk, quirky squirrel prints, funky florals and delicate embroidery details: sheer voile & gauze is perfect for summer!

For a limited time, get select Cotton Voiles for 20% off!

3 Days Only! Good through June 11, 2011.

Kansas summers are normally hot, muggy & humid.  So I live in simple, lightweight tanks all summer long!  Here's a fun update on the MixIt Tank using a sheer pink gauze layered over a soft cotton knit.  Nothing says summer like the perfect white tank.

Certain garments just make you feel good! The Alex Top is one of those garments that's flattering on so many different people with it's shaped waistline & curved hemline. One problem, how to do wear it in the spring & summer?

Here's a great solution: sheer, stretch lace.  We're fallen in love with this type of fabric and we've acquired quite the selection.

I don't know about you, but collars can be tricky.  Everyone wants their garments to look crisp & clean, finished with a professional look.  My downfall, precise collars.

Linda Lee can make crisp collar points each and every time. Jealous? I know I'm green with envy.  Now you can follow these 5 easy steps to sew perfect collar points!

To download the full step-by-step tutorial, click here.

Now go, show off your amazing sewing skills!

One of the most interesting features of the Liberty Shirt is the beautiful hem finishing. Since the back is longer than the front, there are two corners that need attention in a special way. The bottom hem in the back is a 2 1/2” finished hem and the adjacent side vent hems are 1 3/8”. The instructions for mitering this corner condition is just one of the seven mitering techniques that Linda has written in her book, Mastering Miters.

I do believe that spring is going to grace us with it's presence this weekend.  Finally, I can wear floral without a wool cardigan, scarf & gloves.  What a concept! I'm ready to pull out the lightweight linen, colorful florals, and vivid accessories.

And when the garments in my closet don't excite me for the upcoming season, why not create something new? Using a pattern that never fails, Linda created a fresh new San Diego tunic.

Linda & Kathy are headed to the expo.

Handwoven Trio Top

Hand-dyed Trio Top.

I love this Animal Print L2 Bag! Why make a bag that doesn't stand out in the crowd?

I'm telling you, the look of the Origami Skirt is coming back! First the inspiration from Fashion Week (see A little dream, a little fashion post) and now this beautiful Blue Velvet number. Great look for winter!

Erin wore a Purple Polka Dot Tosca Dress, belted with tall black boots.  Too add a little bit more, she wore it as a “jumper” with a Urban T-Shirt underneath.

Linda kept it simple wearing a Black Tosca Dress, leggings and her beautiful quilted ankle boots. Sadly, in all the hustle & bustle Linda's picture wasn't taken in full.  But here's a great group shot taken after a hard days work!

The customers seemed to really like seeing our new pattern on all 3 of us.  We made a statement!

Truthfully, I wouldn't have put this outfit together myself. I tend to shy away from a-line tops.  But the way the Alex Top & the eShrug work together, it's really quite slimming.  The Hudson Pants really pull the entire look together. Guess it pays off listening to Linda & Kathy. They really know their fashion!

Linda looked great Friday in her signature color, citrus green.  She put together an unexpected combination of the Whistles Shirt, eShrug & Hudson Pants. The outfit looks fabulous using simple colors & drapey fabric.

So what's in store for tomorrow? Have we got a surprise for you. One hint, "How do you wear it?" Check back in tomorrow for more outfits.

The perfect coat for this Northeast rainy weather, the Soho. I love the vibrant red with the black toggles. Great detail!

Color blocking is so in fashion lately.  And Marilynn always knows how to pull it off!  I think someone found her new “signature” color. That teal blue is dynamite in the Liberty Shirt!

We finally have a new dress pattern! And with all the Tosca Dress garments we keep seeing at the expo, it seems our customers were excited too!  I love it in this Grey Wool Knit. So flattering!

I think Karen likes the San Diego Jacket pattern (she was wearing 3 yesterday) Shown here as a vest in the most glorious crinkle fabric.  I think we need to go fabric shopping together.

The first day of the Sewing & Stitchery Expo is complete-and we had a blast! It’s always so fun to meet & be reintroduced to all of our loyal & inspiring customers. We love when customers come up to the booth wearing our patterns. Whether the patterns (and fabric too) were purchased in our booth last year, or many years before, it’s always fun to see how each individual creates the pattern for them. The fabric choices, the design elements, the details that really make the garment all about them!

Here are just a few great pictures that I captured today.

This Trio Top is fabulous! The blend of black & white cottons and linens is subtle, yet dramatic with the piecing in front, as well as on the back yoke.

Linda, Kathy & I have fun figuring out what we’re going to wear for each day of the expo.  It’s quite the process actually.  So each day I will post the “outfit of the day”.

Here’s what we came up with for Thursday.  I know I felt really comfortable yet stylish.  I think Linda & Kathy would agree, Thursday’s outfits were a success! What do you think?

Linda: eShrug in Black Pebble Knit (new pattern coming soon!)

Alex Top in Purple Print Knit

Zigzag Pants: Black Cotton Lycra Blend

Sign Up Today!

Fill out and submit the form below to receive the latest news and updates from The Sewing Workshop. It's that easy! We'll send you an email confirmation to verify your registration.

'

Long Verona Coat in leopard print would be divine. Pair with the Zigzag Pants.

Image via Refinery 29 Street Fashion

Since I would love to make every pattern a dress, I see a Now Shirt "Dress". This idea is in the works right now in a silk print. Can't wait to show off the results!

Image via Lucky Magazine "Lucky Right Now"

We've had so much fun the past couple of days doing a photoshoot! We're like kids in a candy store. Playing dress up: putting on garments, mixing & matching, layering and adding accessories. What better way to spend an afternoon.

Linda, Kathy & Erin each have their own unique style. We decided put together a few looks to introduce our latest pattern, the Tosca Dress. Three different people, wearing the same pattern in completely different ways.

Need a last minute gift idea? The holiday season is quickly approaching. I have so many family & friends that deserve amazing gifts this season. I love having the talent to create gifts for my loved ones. It makes the gift giving season feel so special.

Here's a few gift ideas brought to you by The Sewing Workshop!

Every girl needs a new handbag. Why not create the Village or Daily News Bag using our new "Shades" fabric from Echino. This fabric comes in green or black with this amazing laminate coating. You can create a stylish bag that's also very practical.

New luxurious fabrics are coming in everyday, just in time for fall. The temperatures are dropping which makes me excited for lush & sophisticated jackets like the Verona Jacket. Try out this flattering jacket using Wool Damask Knit or Damask Print Velvet.

October has been the month for sewing! We've been traveling here, there and everywhere teaching great sewing techniques. We've even hosted a few events here at our studio in Topeka, KS. It's so nice to meet and get reacquainted with all of our customers. The intimate setting is perfect for learning, creating and sewing.

If you haven't had a chance to visit us for one of our sewing retreats, we would love to see you soon! See where Linda will be next: Getaways and On the Road.

Sew Kansas, The Sewing Workshop Studio, Topeka, KS

Linda just returned from the American Sewing Guild Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. What a great show! It's always so fun to see all of our customers wearing their Sewing Workshop garments. See some of the garments here.

The Trio was quite popular!

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for fall. Just one problem, the temperature outside is still reaching the upper 80's.

So I need a few garments that will transition into fall. It needs to be light enough to wear in the August heat. Once the temperature drops, it should easily work with a cardigan or jacket.

Have you ever browsed through your closet and found a hidden gem? We recently found a beautiful, red silk Ikina Jacket in our collection.

This Ikina Jacket has always been beautiful. It's mixed with 4 different vintage kimono pieces that blend together wonderfully. For one reason or another, this garment was rarely worn.

Do you know what I love about sewing? The endless possibilities! You can create multiple garments from just 1 pattern.

The Liberty Shirt is a perfect example. You can make the pattern the way it was intended, using a shirt-weight cotton.

But what fun would that be? Mix it up a little; try using a knit. But don't stop there-use 2 different knits; a solid and a vivid stripe.

The heat is blazing outside. This afternoon, I believe it's going to top out at 98 degrees here in Kansas. Hooray for summer!

But when the sun is overwhelming outside, the AC is working in overdrive on the inside. This situation calls for a summer jacket. My go-to work appropriate jacket this summer? A sophisticated Verona Jacket. Make this new jacket in a classy, floral brocade and you will turn heads at the work place.