Serendipity is putting a quarter in the gumball machine and having three pieces come rattling out instead of one—all red, it’s a quote from Peter H. Reynolds. So you’re thinking, what does that quote have to do with sewing? In today’s blog posting I have the good fortune of featuring how unique fabrics, friendly techniques, and sewing patterns combine into one wardrobe. I’m featuring the 2-part Sewing With Nancy series, Sew Serendipity with Kay Whitt!
You can watch the first show of this series at your convenience online at www.nancyzieman.com, on DVD, or on Public TV. (Check your local listings for dates, times, and a program lineup. Each PBS station determines their own schedule.)
During this first program, we showcase three unique skirts. I’m especially fond of Kay’s “Controlled Ruffles” technique. Usually ruffles ”spring” open. Kay’s ruffles stay in place, while adding a feminine touch.
Serendipitous sewing occurs when searching for a great combination of fabrics and techniques, but finding something else. To learn about Kay’s great fortune, check out her book, Sew Serendipity. It is filled with sewing patterns, beautiful photography, and clever sewing tips.
For a chance to win a copy of the Sew Serendipity DVD, let me know which technique from the show was your favorite? The random winner will be posted on Saturday, April 7th.
Remember, you can also watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Have you downloaded the app?
Bye for now,
Hi Nancy – been in the USA 1-year… and found your program in the first days, just luuuuv it. I also go to a knitting group, and was forwarded the attached link, which shows textured quilting. It may be worth a look and a person of interest for an interview on SWN… kind regards, Kristina R.
I like the skirt very much! It has a special design and its quality looks good!
For some reason that show will not play for me. I have tried several times, thinking the net might be busy. But still can’t get it. The pictures above look cute. They look young and kicky. More for my daughter than me.
I am new at sewing, so I loved the entire segment. If I were to choose one tip, it would be the two-thirds to one-third ratio rule of putting in a Pop of Color is ingenious but simple to apply for someone creatively challenged like me.
Thank you, Nancy, for such an inspiring show! I am now viewing a few on my iPad.
Shannon
I like the ruffling and the mix of prints.
I’ve bought Sew Serendipity book a couple of weeks ago and I really love it, espacially the skirts and the tunic dress.
I love my ruffler foot and I am using it very often so, the idea with the double ruffles and ruffled pockets is really great.
Everything in this book and series is wonderful! I especially like the ruffled skirt and love the use of different prints and fabrics.
I love any ideas that use ruffles. I have a ruffler foot and don’t use it enough.
Well another fantastic show. I loved the ruffles on the pocket the best, however the trick with joining the ends of the ruffle together on the bottom of the skirt was cool. The refresher on the invisible zipper was excellent also. You make me want to dust off that old ruffler “contraption” and get busy. Thanks again!
Definitely the invisible zipper! I use that technique all the time.
I liked the invisible zipper technique. I can’t tell you how many time I’ve turned the fabric this way and that to get the zipper in! Thank you for providing easy to remember techniques to all you do!
I loved the invisible zipper tutorial!
I’ve bought Sew Serendipity book a couple weeks ago and I really love it, espacially the skirts and the tunic dress.
I love my ruffler foot and I am using it very often so, the idea with the double ruffles and ruffled pockets is really great.
I liked the tips on the invisible zipper and loved the ruffled pockets!
I love the ruffle with two fabrics and I am going to have to get myself a ruffling foot. I also enjoyed the refresher on invisible zippers. I will be putting them in on three bridesmaid dresses this week. I enjoyed this program.
Just watched the second video and am once again in awe of this, or rather, these, techniques. I was thinking that we could use the flowers made with the Kanzashi flower makers Nancy sells instead of the rose. I love those flowers, also. Thank you Nancy and Kay! Sew exciting! The entire Serendipity technique is my favorite.
I watched this again, and I still don’t know what was best. I am absolutely in love with this and can’t see why the same idea can’t be applied to the blouses I make and future pants if I ever get a pattern to fit. I just love it all. I love the iPad app to watch the videos, also.
I love ruffles and I’m going to look for new places to insert them!
OMG! I love this! I don’t know what from this video I like the most. First I saw the rouching(sp?) and thought, that is the most. Then the invisible zipper, the fabric combinations, the ruffles (and I love my ruffler and can’t wait to find something to do with. Only used it in a class and had a ball), the silk rose. I don’t know what was best. Can’t wait for episode 2! So glad I signed up for these emails a week or so ago. Didn’t know there was a mailing list!
I found all the techniques great, but I think the one on the invisible zipper was my favorite.
I love the rouching. It’s wonderful, I would of never thought of it. Thanks.
I love all the different prints and fabrics she combines! And it always comes up looking so perfect. Think I need to work on my techniques! Thanks for such a wonderful show. Kim