Monday, September 10, 2012

Interview with Nancy Zieman + DIY Giveaway!


Interview with Nancy Zieman

We had the opportunity to have a Q & A with Nancy...

1.       In the Sewing industry, you have practically done it all – you’re a teacher, a TV personality, an author, a business woman who started her own notions company, a pattern designer, and a sewing tools and accessories designer. What has been most rewarding to you during your sewing-based career?

Hmm, that's like asking which of my children I like best! All of the tasks listed above have been woven together to complete my career. If I must choose one element over the others, I would say that producing and hosting Sewing With Nancy has been the most unexpected and rewarding part of my professional life. The changes in the production and broadcasting from 1982 to the present have been exponential. It's been challenging and rewarding keeping up with those changes. Plus, I have learned a great deal from my guests and like the challenge of presenting tips, techniques, and ideas in 26:45—26-minutes and 45-seconds! 

2.       As an expert in sewing construction, you’ve probably answered more how-to questions than you can count. What are the most common questions you field from viewers and students learning how to sew?

I recently did a blog survey, asking what techniques newbie and seasoned stitchers wanted to learn. To my surprise, inserting an Invisible Zipper was #1! Fitting patterns was a close second and quilting binding was #3.


3.       What are your three favorite sewing tools and why?
 These notions are basic—I use them every time I sew or quilt: 
  •  5-in-1 Hem Gauge—I am constantly measuring. It's always close at hand.  
  • Magnetic Pin Caddy or Cushion—I have, hmm, four in my home sewing studio. I would hate to count how many we have at our work studio. A gal can never have too many! 
  • A quality 8" shears or scissors. I like to cut with the best! A friend gave me a tip to store my best shears in a box marked "Chicken Livers!" Her family never opens that box when looking to cut paper, hair, or wire!
4.       What is your favorite sewing genre (quilting, clothing construction, home dec, design, etc.) and why? 
That's another difficult question. I'm a multi-tasker. I always have three—four projects going on at the same time. (Wish I could change my ways, but I think it's too late!) Probably the only genre that I do less of is in the home décor category. Clothing, quilting, embroidery, and designing–I couldn't choose!

5.       Being that sewing is your career, do you ever make time, or have time to sew for pleasure, and if so what do you make?
 
I make Landscape Quilts just for fun. There's no deadline, just enjoyment. 


6.       In your experience, how has social media affected the sewing industry?
 
Sewing media has opening the door of sewing, quilting, and embroidery to a new group of creative spirits, especially striking a cord with the 20- and 30-something stitchers. This group of stitchers is learning entirely online. Got to love it!


Thanks to Nancy for talking to us!  

Now, we have a special sneak peek for you!  Nancy Zieman will be releasing a new book January 2013.  It is tentatively called Sew Knits with Confidence and will feature tips & techniques from sewing expert Nancy Zieman, for sewing a popular but tricky fabric.  

Below is a pattern that may be used in the book.  For today's Design-It-Yourself Giveaway Challenge, using this pattern, go to Nancy's Notions and choose which knits you would use.  List those items in a comment below.  Remember, be creative and specific because one fan will win the fabric for herself!





*Total not to exceed $200*

34 comments:

  1. I would want to make this dress out of Orchid Bare Knits Cotton fabric and make the inset out of White Bare Knits Interlock fabric. I think they would look great together and this would be wonderful for next summer! Thanks, Nancy, for sharing your knowledge with us. Your books are wonderful reference tools for me.

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  2. I would choose the Royal blue Brazil knit for this dress. I might try highlighting it with black trims or accents. I think that would be beautiful. Thanks for all your tips and advice. I enjoy checking in with your blog too.

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  3. I'd love to have amethyst laguna knit with the orchid bare knit for the inset. This pattern would be perfect for nursing! I've been looking for more options to make nursing my little one easier without investing in expensive specialty garments.

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  4. I would choose the Chocolate Laguna Cotton Jersey Fabric for the bottom of the dress and the insert and the Fuchsia Brazil Knit for the top. I love this pattern! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
    Lori
    itsybitsystitches@gmail.com

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  5. I would use the Desert Bare Knits Cotton Fabric and the Natural Bare Knits Cotton Fabric for the insert (there appears to be an insert).

    Chris

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  6. I would go for a color-blocking look with natural bare knits for the V bit, desert bare knit for the bodice, and black for the skirt.

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  7. I really love the pink and taupe knit fabric, and a contrast for the inset would be beautiful - either darker for contrast, or a similar color for blend. Neat pattern !

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  8. I would use the pink bare knit simply because I love pink. Thanks for the giveaway. I love Nancy's Notions.

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  9. I would choose the Royal blue for the bodice, winter white for the V inset and onyx black for the skirt for a color-blocking effect since that is a current trend. I also just purchased some royal blue wedges that would go perfectly with this combination! I have watched your show for many years and have learned a tremendous amount of knowledge and tips. Thank you so much!

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  10. I would use the Black Bare Knits Cotton Fabric for the entire dress. It could be worn year round. Thanks.

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  11. I would choose the Black Bare Knits with insert accents of the White Bare Knits cotton fabric by Siltex because the description of the fabric indicates to me that it is "sturdy" enough for this dress because the pattern doesn't appear to need a lot of drape. This dress can go from the beach to dinner, and would make a great travel outfit, think cruise. Very nice pattern.

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  12. This looks like a summer dress so I will have a tan. I would choose Aqua Brazil Knit Fabric for the dress. It will look great with my summer tan!

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  13. I would use red/royal bare knits with black bare knits for the insert with embellishments. thanks for the giveaway

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  14. wow-great dress pattern-would love to make up this dress in royal blue brazil knit-fonda olson p.o. box 554 lebanon oregon 97355 usa

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  15. Great tips, I like the guidelines you've laid out here...helpful!

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  16. I would do the bodice in the pink bare knit and skirt in the black bare knit. I might make the skirt a little longer.

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  17. I would do the dress in taupe ponte de roma and the inset in cream ponte de roma

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  18. I would use the Aqua Brazil Knit Fabri. Love the dress pattern.

    Suzanne

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  19. I would go with the Turquoise Laguna, with the accent in Chocolate Laguna, and top stitch with the same color as the chocolate. Or even better, applique a band of the chocolate at the hem and at the sleeve bands, with the turquoise top stitched.

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  20. I think I would make it the LBD we all need -- black rayon knit for most of the dress, and just a little of the black and white filigree for the inset. Though I do love Stacy's idea of an applique band at the bottom and her choice of turquoise and brown!

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  21. I would use the Chocolate Laguna Cotton Jersey with Desert Bare Knits for the insert,although there are many beautiful colors the brown would have a slimming effect, which would suit me.

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  22. i would choose the Turquoise Laquana Cotton Jersey knit for the dress with insert at top - V neck of the Chocolate Laquana Cotton Jersey with topstitching of matching chocolate thread around neck, arms and bottom of shirt. Also may add an delicate simple chocolate embroidered design angled down the front of the dress from left to right.

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  23. I am looking forward to the book. I would use Royal Bare BNINT13 for the dress and accessorize with one of your scarf patterns in a floral design! I would use the scraps to make a dress for Lilly, my granddaughter's 18 inch doll. She always gets something from my leftovers!

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  24. I would make mine out of Buttercup Bare Knits Interlock fabric. I love yellow. I am looking forward to the new book.

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    Replies
    1. CONGRATS!!! You are our winner!! Please email your contact information (including your physical address) to blog@sewbeautifulmag.com. Thanks and congratulations! -Jessica

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  25. without even looking at the website, I know what fabric I'd use for this top/dress (if it was available, anyway!): the bodice would be red, and the neckline insert would be gold. The "skirt" part would be royal blue with white stars. WONDERful!

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  26. realistically though, and choosing from the fabrics available, I'd have to use some combination of the Fuschia and Royal Blue Brazil knits and the Amethyst Laguna cotton, because they're really my colours. (Am I even eligible to enter this contest? So many are out of my reach because of where I live! :-( )

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  27. Orchid Bare Knits Cotton Fabric WITH Grey Laguna Cotton Jersey Fabric as the inner layer on the neckline

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  28. Based on the fabric descriptions, I would choose the turquoise laguna cotton jersey for the main part of the dress. Cotton is so comfortable in tropical weather. The little bit of spandex would be helpful around the bust gathers. For the insert, I would choose the lime Brazil knit fabric, as the description states it drapes beautifully. Thank you for the contest!

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  29. I would use the olive jersey for the dress and the taupe knit for the insert. I would even add a thin tieback in the taupe.

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  30. I would use the Blue with Black Flower Knit Fabric. I would use Black Double Knit Stretch Fabric for the insert in front. I would also use it for a fabric rose for trim.

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  31. I would use the Blue with the Black flower knit and the Black Ponte de Roma fabric for the inset. I would also like to add a band of this fabric around the bottom of the dress.

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  32. I would use Winter White Double Knit Stretch Fabric, love it!

    monicamezaa@yahoo.com

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  33. I would make my dress using the chocolate laguna and aqua Brazil knit for top inset. I would also use both knits for a reversible wrap. Very pretty!

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