Hems with Nancy + book giveaway!

Continuing with techniques taught by the talented Nancy Zieman, today we give you an excerpt from her book, 

Sewing A to Z.  

Hems

Nearly everything you sew has a hem—skirts, pants, sleeves; even home décor items such as curtains and table linens. By using a few simple hints, you can turn this time-consuming chore into a simple sewing task.

1. Prepress the hem on each flat piece before stitching it to another piece. This is a great timesaving tech­nique. Use an Ezy-Hem Gauge to provide an accurate measurement and to avoid leaving a hem impression on the right side of the fabric. Place the gauge on the wrong side of the fabric. Fold up the hem allowances over the gauge to the desired width and press. (HM1)

2. Grade the seam allowances within the hem area to reduce bulk. (HM2)

3. Finish the cut edge of the hem by zigzagging or serging. (HM3)

4. Hand stitch the hem in place using a blind hem stitch.

• Thread a needle with a single strand of thread. Cut the thread about 18" long. The thread will tangle and knot more easily if it is too long. Knot one end of the thread.

• Fold back the hem edge so ¼" of the edge shows. (HM4)

• Work from right to left.

• Take a tiny stitch in the hem; then take a tiny stitch in the project about ¼" ahead of that stitch. Pick up only one or two threads in the fabric.

• Take a stitch in the hem edge about ¼" ahead of the last stitch.

• Repeat, alternating stitches between the hem edge and the project. Don’t pull the stitches too tight or the hem will pucker. (HM5)

5. As an option, stitch the hem using a machine blind hem stitch.

• Fold back the project edge so about ¼" of the hem edge shows.

• Adjust your sewing machine for a blind hem stitch as detailed in your owner’s manual.

• Stitch so the straight stitch falls in the hem allow­ance and the zigzag just catches the project at the fold. (HM6) 

We want to give a copy of Nancy's book to one lucky follower!  
Click the link below then fill out the form to enter!  

Winners announced next Monday.

Click HERE

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*