Transform a T-shirt in 60-minutes or less!

Guest blog by Joanne Banko

Hello to all my Allbrands friends!

It was great to be back in Baton Rouge for the recent Allbrands Embroidery Garden Party event with Reen Wilcoxson and Angela Wolf! I got to see friends from previous trips to Louisiana and I had the opportunity to make many new friends too!!!

If you’ve had the chance to attend one of these amazing ALLBRANDS events you know that on day one each attendee receives a commemorative T-Shirt. On day two many of us don our shirts and have fun with photo ops and selfies posted to the ALLBRANDS Facebook page.

By now I’ve got quite a collection of these shirts. These shirts are colorful and fun to wear. Each one brings back special memories of time spent with fellow sewing and embroidery enthusiasts. However, I am fond of customizing my T-shirts so I took a tiny bit of time to transform the pretty pink Tee from our Sulphur LA party with a minor makeover before packing it for the trip. When I wore it on day two in Baton Rouge it created quite a buzz of curiosity! Many attendees wanted to repeat my embellishment techniques. Thus, the Transform Your T-shirt Tutorial was hatched! You can CLICK HERE to read my recent blog post about T-shirt re-styling. At the end of the post you’ll find a link with instructions for taking a standard crew neck T-shirt and turning it into a top with added flair and a few feminine details.

Enjoy!

P.S. The next ALLBRANDS Embroidery Garden event is scheduled for September in San Antonio Texas. CLICK HERE for more details!

Joanne Banko is a freelance sewing educator and a self-proclaimed sewing cheerleader. You can see Joanne’s online teaching segments broadcast on the popular PBS TV show, It’s Sew Easy, and online at www.itsseweasytv.com. She is a frequent contributor to Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine and author of the book Wrapped in Embroidery. The book is available at AllBrands.com. Visit Joanne at her Sewing and Embroidery website, www.letsgosew.com.

The first step to finishing quilts, is getting started!

Meet longarm quilter Donna Estes, a beginning quilter who has fallen for free-motion quilting after being encouraged by her daughter (Eugenie Decker/Allbrands Baton Rouge, La Store Manager). You may have seen her in your favorite quilting magazine, recently featured in an HQ advertisement. Donna also teaches FREE MOTION QUILTING CLASSES at Allbrands. (see class calendar)

Donna Estes Donna was on the hunt for a new creative challenge when she was asked to make a top for charity. Thanks to a background in sewing, she was prepared to take on the task. Although she was not initially drawn to the process of piecing, the creativity found in finishing quilts quickly became her primary focus. Donna completed her first quilt in January of 2014 – she never would have guessed that only a few years later, it would be “all about the quilting”.

Learn more about Donna and her quilting at decustomquilting.weebly.com

QUILT DETAILS

Fabric: Glisten Collection from Whistler Studios

Pattern: Seasonal Stars by Kristy Daum

Quilting: Free-motion quilting on my HQ Avanté^®

Learn more about Donna and her quilting at decustomquilting.weebly.com

Donna also teaches FREE MOTION QUILTING CLASSES at Allbrands. (see class calendar)

Article source: http://www.handiquilter.com/donna/

Renee Fleming at Baton Rouge Symphony’s Great Performers Concert

AllBrands owner John Douthat with LSU student Louis Ong and Renee Fleming after the concert. Louis, a baritone from Malaysia stays at the Douthat’s home while he completes his bachelors and masters degrees in vocal performance. John asked Renee if it is true that singing to a baby before it is born will imprint the song for later recognition. Renee said research in Germany shows that it does! John and Annette’s daughter Yvonne Hartinger teaches voice at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and just had our first grandchild, so we’ll see. Yvonne’s husband Virgil Hartinger is a classical tenor who travels throughout Europe.

Advocate staff photo by Pam Bordelon, Symphony Great Performers, At the pre-performance gala for the Baton Rouge Symphony’s Pennington Great Performers in Concert are sponsors, from left, John and Annette Douthat, AllBrands’ Scott and Leslie Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry; Julio and Debbie Dumas; Jack and Becky Harris, and Rena and Todd Ledet, Price LeBlanc Lexus.

See complete article http://theadvocate.com/features/people/15750593-70/music-headlines-the-previous-weeks-activities

Machine Embroidery – Western Style (Guest blog by . . . Joanne Banko)

Hello to all my Allbrands friends!

I’m beginning to feel like Louisiana is almost like home away from home for me! Soon, I’ll be in beautiful Baton Rouge and I hope to see many of you at the ALLBRANDS.COM sold out Embroidery Garden Party. I’ll be there along with Angela Wolf and Reen Wilcoxon as we join together for two days of unbelievable embroidery fun!!! I know I speak for all of us in saying that we’re excited to see you all! We’ll stitch six fabulous in-the-hoop embroidery projects, make new friends, eat great southern food, and have more fun than a cowpoke at a western rodeo!

So, what does a rodeo have to do with an Embroidery Garden party? Nothing really, but I’m also writing today to remind you to watch the online version of the popular It’s Sew Easy PBS TV show. Episode 1008, aptly titled Stepping Out will air on the It’s Sew Easy TV website from now until noon on Friday, May 20th, 2016. The show begins with my version of a Rodeo Cowgirl Jacket. Watch the show and you are sure to see that I love western style clothing!!! How about you?

This denim jacket features embroidery designs from my book Wrapped in Embroidery along with built in designs from the Brother Dream Machine. Although the theme is classy, classic western inspired clothing, this segment is all about how to accomplish perfect placement with templates and create continuous border style stitching using a combination of high tech Brother embroidery innovations.

Would perfect embroidery placement on garments be a dream come true for you? Have you ever wanted to embroider from here to the moon and create continuous embroidery designs that are perfectly matched from end to end? Both of these embroidery challenges are possible on any machine when you know the tricks for precise placement.

On the show you will see me use the Brother Dream Machine to accomplish perfect placement with templates and stitch continuous borders by using a basting box and the Droplight® laser. If you own this machine you will love the easy, accurate methods presented in this show. In fact this process will work on many different Brother models. Depending on your Brother machine model, you’ll find there are many more ways to create the same effect.

So, what if you have a machine without these high tech toots and whistles. There is a solution for that! In the second chapter of Wrapped in Embroidery I outline three methods for perfect placement and stitching continuous, endless embroidery on any machine! You are sure to find one or more methods that work for you, no matter what level of capability your current embroidery machine has.

Now, why not make yourself comfortable and CLICK HERE to watch It’s Sew Easy TV episode 1008? In this show you’ll also be treated to an accessory lesson presented by Angela Wolf.

Enjoy the show and I’ll talk to you again soon. Until then, I wish you Happy Sewing!

Joanne Banko is a freelance sewing educator and a self-proclaimed sewing cheerleader. You can see Joanne’s online teaching segments broadcast on the popular PBS TV show, It’s Sew Easy, and online at www.itsseweasytv.com. She is a frequent contributor to Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine and author of the book Wrapped in Embroidery, available at AllBrands.com.

Visit Joanne at her Sewing and Embroidery website, www.letsgosew.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/letsgosew

SewCuba!

Allbrands.com is thrilled to announce this new initiative partnership with The Sewing Machine Project. We will be sending sewing machines and supplies to support sewing classes in Cuba. Please consider making a donation through SewingMachineProject.org a 501(C)3 non profit, to sponsor a sewer!

SewCuba!

As Cuba opens to the world and authorizes self-employment and small businesses after decades of a state-controlled economy, YOU can make a difference in this transformation for Cubans who use sewing as a way to improve their lives.

In partnership with AllBrands.com of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Sewing Machine Project is offering sewing machines and sewing supplies to the people of Cuba. This effort will serve to support and revive sewing, allowing Cubans to fashion clothing out of their homes for personal use and commercial sale. Sewing is one of the occupations permitted by the Cuban government to stimulate self-employment.

AllBrands will generously donate 25 Brother sewing machines for the effort. The Sewing Machine Project will be offering sewing supplies and fabric to round out the donation.

Your financial donation is so important. For as little as $25 you can support an upstart sewer, giving him or her the supplies he/she needs to move forward, sewing for the home or as a cottage industry. Your kindness will manifest in sewing kits, fabrics, supplies for individual sewers and the sewing classroom.

Making a donation is easy! Simply click on this link and you’ll be zipped right over to our donation page! As you go through the steps you’ll be given the option to earmark your donation for Cuba. Thanks!

The Sewing Machine Project is an IRS 501(c)3 organization and your donation will be gratefully received and tax deductible.

My Embroidery Mentor ‘CLUB ED’ Embroidery Party with Deborah Jones

SAVE $5 INSTANTLY on Club Ed registration! ENTER PROMO CODE ‘CLUBED5’
(ends March 31)

“Hi everyone! I wanted to personally invite you to our FIRST ever Club Ed Embroidery Sit & Sew Tour with Deborah Jones. It you’ve never attended one of Deborah Jones’ classes, here’s your chance! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leading embroidery expert. Discover Deborah’s secrets to getting great embroidery results while you have a blast embroidering on the most exciting projects at any event.

Three chances to attend this event:

• New Orleans, LA, (Apr. 29-30)
• Alexandria, LA, (Jul. 8-9)
• Houston, TX. , (Aug 26-27)
REGISTER ONLINE: http://www.allbrands.com/categories/4011

You can read all about it below at the link above. I hope you will join us for one of these exciting events. Deborah has put together some great projects for you to embroidery. You won’t want to miss this Sit-N-Sew Event.”

Sincerely,
Blaine Austin, CEO

Projects

Vinyl Pockets Pillow
3D Foam Cap
Thread Diva Applique Tote Bag
Cuddly Nap Buddy Bear
Mylar T-shirt
Shadow Work Keepsake Handkerchief

REGISTER ONLINE: http://www.allbrands.com/categories/4011

Express Yourself with Machine Embroidery and Say it with Stitches!

Hello to all my Allbrands friends!

Today we’re talking T-shirts! It seems almost everyone, everywhere loves to wear the quintessential Tee, from babies and children to teens, tweens, Grandmas, Grandpas, and just about everyone else on planet earth!!! Are you interested in embroidering on T-shirts? Watch It’s Sew Easy TV, Episode #910 this weekend on your local Louisiana Public Broadcasting station and you’ll see the show where I talk all about T-shirts.

You’ll find out how to create a custom design with easy to use multi format BES3 Lettering and Customization Software to make your T-shirt really special. You’ll also get tips for stabilizing knits and ideas for making sure every t-shirt embroidery design is just right before pressing the start button on your embroidery machine.

In show #910 It’s Sew Easy TV continues their trip through the decades of fashion. The theme for this episode was the disco dancing seventies. Kind of a crazy fashion era but certainly one where T-shirts became mainstream and found their way into everyone’s wardrobe. The history of t-shirts is an interesting subject. While T-Shirts were worn well before the 1970’s, in previous decades they were mostly white and still generally regarded as “undershirts.” That changed dramatically by the 1970’s. With the explosion of color and new ink products suitable for printing on garments, T-shirts became commonplace both as a fashion statement, and a form of self-expression.

Today’s T-shirts range from casual to elegant with styling options that make them one of the most popular outerwear items of all time. Modern embroidery machines along with Lettering and Customization software make it easy and fun to embellish ordinary T’s and personalize them to suit the style and taste of all ages and various interests. Embroidered lettering is attractive and durable. It’s easy to transform a T-Shirt with exciting designs, added expressions, names, and monograms. With embroidery capability you can indeed Say It with Stitches!

The featured pink Tee on the show has a very personal and special meaning. I embroidered it for my sister who is a survivor and wears the pink ribbon as reminder of the precious gift of life and the success of restored health. Perhaps you might want to embroider the pink ribbon for someone you care about. You’ll find it available as a Free download from the Brother sews website. CLICK HERE for the Brother version of this pink and powerful emblem.

As always, you can visit the itsseweasytv.com project section and find a link to instructions for this episode and many more. I hope you enjoy the show! It’s scheduled to air Saturday September 26^th at 9:30 am. Visit lpb.org for more details. CLICK HERE to search for PBS stations all over the country.

Talk to you again soon. Until then, Happy Sewing from your sewing friend,

P.S. Will I get the chance to see you in Baton Rouge? I hope so! I’ll be teaching along with Deborah Jones and Louis Carney for the big bash known as Bayou Embroidery University. CLICK HERE for more details. Looking forward to seeing you there so we can talk sewing and embroidery live and in person!

Joanne Banko is a freelance sewing educator and a self-proclaimed sewing cheerleader. You can see Joanne’s online teaching segments broadcast on the popular PBS TV show, It’s Sew Easy, and online at www.itsseweasytv.com. She is a frequent contributor to Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine and author of the book Wrapped in Embroidery. The book is available at AllBrands.com. Visit Joanne at her Sewing and Embroidery website, www.letsgosew.com.

Pretty Piping Projects, plus 1950’s fashions for today!

Hello to all my Allbrands friends!

I’m here to encourage you to set aside time to enjoy the It’s Sew Easy TV show this weekend. It’s Sew Easy TV, Episode #908 airs on your local Louisiana Public Broadcasting station Saturday September 11^th at 9:30 am. Visit lpb.org for more details. CLICK HERE to search for PBS stations all over the country.

I suggest you make yourself comfortable and watch as It’s Sew Easy TV continues to trace fashion and sewing throughout the 20^th century. The focus of this series is transforming time-honored techniques into trends for today’s lifestyle.

The title of this show is Everything Comes Back and the featured projects are modern interpretations of 1950’s styles. Watch this show and I promise you’ll learn tips and techniques to make your sewing and embroidery easier and more rewarding!

First off, Courtney McCrone shows off sweet dresses and blouses from her feminine line of fashions. She presents a fun & fast fashion show of her original garment designs. She also demonstrates some little sewing details that make perfect accents for modern day fashions and crafts.

Next up, my friend Marie Zinno dresses up a sweater with freestanding floral appliques. You’ll love her simple and straightforward instructions for creating freestanding flowers and embellishing a cardigan sweater with embroidery and hot fix pearls. Marie is a professional embroidery expert and she loves to share her knowledge of the craft.

You’ll see my short segment last. The featured technique is Pretty Piping for garments, accessories, and home décor. I had to pack a lot of information into just three and a half minutes! See how easy it is to use a Piping Foot for both pre-purchased and custom crafted piping. Learn how to use this foot for sewing piping and take your personal sewing projects from so-so to stupendous!!! The experts at ALLBRANDS.COM can help you find the right piping foot for your machine model.

Visit the itsseweasytv.com project section and find a link to instructions for the crescent shaped baby “boppie” pillow seen on the show. You’ll see a few more sample items with piped accents. Check out my list below. I’ve included links to Brothersews.com where you’ll find complete instructions for these projects.

Crescent Shaped Pillow for Baby

Notebook Cover for Home or Office

Piped Potholders

I had a lot of fun making the piped potholder set. As a bonus, the instructions for this project show you how to cut lots of piping strips from just a little bit of fabric. Which project is your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments!

Talk to you again soon. Until then, I wish you Happy Sewing!

Joanne Banko is a freelance sewing educator and a self-proclaimed sewing cheerleader. You can see Joanne’s online teaching segments broadcast on the popular PBS TV show, It’s Sew Easy, and online at www.itsseweasytv.com. She is a frequent contributor to Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine and author of the book Wrapped in Embroidery. The book is available at AllBrands.com. Visit Joanne at her Sewing and Embroidery website, www.letsgosew.com.

It’s Sew Easy – Crazy for Couching

Hello to all my Allbrands friends!

Are you interested in watching another great sewing show this weekend on Louisiana Public Broadcasting station? It’s Sew Easy TV, Episode #907 airs on your local Louisiana Public Broadcasting station Saturday September 5th at 9:30 am. Visit lpb.org for more details. Of course many other PBS stations around the country carry this show as well. You can CLICK HERE to search for PBS stations all over the country.

The theme for this show is a Flashback to the 1950’s with tips and techniques for contemporary sewing enthusiasts. You’ll learn from Peggy Sagers how darts make a difference and flatter every figure with great fit. Next up you’ll be smitten with details found on darling little doll clothes when you see Pearl Krush make some eye catching small size poodle skirts.

Last but not least, if you’re crazy for couching I think you’ll enjoy my short segment featuring couched accents stitched with specialty accessory feet. You’ll find that couching is a technique offering lots of style with very little little effort. Chances are you have some assorted supplies for couching already in your stash. Just add an accessory foot suited for your machine to attach cords, yarn, and narrow braids with straight or decorative stitches that skip from side to side. You’ll see some examples of accessory attachments made specifically for couching below.

Your friends at www.allbrands.com can show you all the options available for your own personal sewing machine. There are many to choose from.

The proper accessory foot lets you swirl and twirl across your fabric. Sure, you can stick with straight lines too! Whatever you choose to do, these attachments allow for free form stitchery or precisely placed perpendicular lines. Take a look at how Brother Innoveye® technology assists in aligning trim as you prepare to stitch.

This is truly one of my all time favorite embellishment techniques. I used the braiding foot to add a little punch of purple to my Folkloric Fringed Wrap. Here’s a little tip for you, dental floss threaders work great for feeding trim into a braiding foot. Start with a bit of trim in and under the foot before you attach it to the machine. Smooth the tail at the back end and then make certain the trim flows freely through the guide.

I’ll warn you . . . once you get started with this type of surface embellishment it’s hard to stop. Before you know it you may have covered most of your entire fabric surface. But hey, that’s okay! Now you have an original work of art designed by YOU!

I hope you enjoy the show. If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me. I’d love to hear your sewing success stories and help you with your sewing challenges as well.

Till we talk again I wish you Happy Sewing!

Joanne Banko is a freelance sewing educator and a self-proclaimed sewing cheerleader. You can see Joanne’s online teaching segments broadcast on the popular PBS TV show, It’s Sew Easy, and online at www.itsseweasytv.com. She is a frequent contributor to Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine and author of the book Wrapped in Embroidery. The book is available at AllBrands.com.

Watch It’s Sew Easy TV and Sew Your Own Lingerie and Loungewear

Hello to all my Allbrands friends!

This is a reminder for you to watch the popular PBS TV show, It’s Sew Easy this Saturday morning on your local Louisiana Public Broadcasting station. If you are reading this and wondering where in the world your local station is located you can CLICK HERE to search for PBS stations all over the country. I’ve been informed that LPB has episode #906 scheduled to air at 9:30 a.m. on August 29th. Did you know when you visit lpb.org you can click on the schedule, find your show, and ask them to send you a reminder to watch? Very helpful indeed!

I had the opportunity to tape two segments for It’s Sew Easy episode #906, one short and one long. You’ll see all the details when it airs but I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at the lingerie projects and accessory items presented on the show. The theme for this show is 1940’s fashions and lingerie and loungewear was the focus of my main segment.

In my personal stash I admit to having quite a collection of patterns for this type of garment. Over the past decades I’ve made many PJ’s, robes, and assorted versions of luxurious lingerie and loungewear. Maybe you’re like me and this has become a much loved and highly anticipated gift item in your family circle. For several years my Mom knew she could expect a new robe as an annual gift. She ended up with many different ones in her closet and of course she never discarded a single one even if they were worn out and had seen better days. My husband still wears the now old custom robe I made bearing his monogram even though I’ve been forced to add elbow patches to the sleeves! For the featured garment on the show I used a current pattern from a company who specializes in reproducing vintage clothing and ethnic costume patterns. No worries about tricky instructions or outdated sizing, this Folkwear brand pattern is sized and styled for wearing in the 21st century.

On the show you’ll see a crepe back satin bias slip (this one hangs in my closet), that doubles as an elegant nightie. Complete directions and supplies for this project are available as a free download from itsseweasytv.com. You’ll see all the basic embroidery steps performed on the show. The friendly folks at www.allbrands.com can help you purchase these supplies so you can make your own beautiful version of this classic style. Of course you can just copy a few of the techniques you see and apply them to a variety of items using your own design ideas!

Check out the details on the garments below. The mannequins show a variety of ladies lingerie and loungewear, all embellished with machine embroidery. Pay attention to the close up details of the Brother Brand embroidery designs. Brother has contributed Free design downloads for the lace on the lingerie. That should give you a jump start for creating the lace appliques you see here.

In the second, short segment you’ll see embellishment ideas accomplished with one of my favorite accessory feet, the Pearl and Sequin Foot. It’s a foot that’s fun and easy to use for stitching craft pearls, shiny sequins and assorted round cording on garments, crafts, and home décor.

Soon it will be show time so mark your calendars or put your reminder into action so you’re sure not to miss it. I’ll be back in the near future with more updates for you. In the meantime I invite you to come and visit me at my sewing and embroidery website www.letsgosew.com.

Happy Sewing from your sewing friend,