How to set in a zipper by hand

How was the weather where you were today?

Here it was hot from early morning, unusual in Nova Scotia where, being on the ocean, even our summer days are framed by cool air.

The kids and I had fun but by the end of it they were getting a bit ragged with the 3 year old trying to assert his position as boss of the world (a position I have more or less wrapped up) and his sisters doing various renditions of not being impressed by that.

So after a long hot day it seemed the best thing for me to do was to post one of my highly professional Youtube videos on how to sew in a zipper by hand.

This really is the easiest and most relaxing way to put in a zipper, sort of the sewing equivalent of sending your husband out to pick up a roast chicken and sides in the getting supper on the table department, something I have just done.

So here's to doing it the easy way:

Leggings sew-along

Here we go. First leggings in July and then swimwear in August.

I figured it made sense to start with athletic type fabric first in a garment with fewer pieces and then work out.

For the first foray into something I have never done before, meaning a sew-along, not meaning the sewing, here is the schedule:

Monday July 9: thoughts on patterns
Friday July 13: fabrics
Monday July 16: thoughts on fitting
Friday July 20: stitching options
Monday July 23: gussets and seams
Friday July 27: waistband options
Monday July 30: customizing ideas and wrap -up

August - stay tuned for swimwear sew along!

I have tried to figure out a way to make this more visually interactive than only text comments so I have added some info onto Facebook page my husband set up a month a go for a project when he had an afternoon when he was excited the book came out. Like it an feel free to post your thoughts, ideas, questions and photos.

I will be posting text and pictures here, doing some of my slick high level production kitchen table Youtube videos in my Youtube channel, also posted to this page, and giving updates on Instagram @bemodi


The sewing part doesn't worry me, managing all this social media might get a bit bumpy. Bear will me, this should be fun.

Just when you thought you had seen everything: zipper pocket tutorial

I see C&T has just put up a little video I made in San Francisco on a zipper pocket.

For all those sewers/sewists out there who could use some entertainment tonight, live, sort of, and as will soon be evident, completely unscripted:

Any interest in some summer sew-alongs?

Hi folks.

I have an idea and I would like to know if anyone is interested in what is a new idea for me.

How about two sew-alongs for the month of July?

I am thinking of sort of an all ages and stages leggings series and a similar swimwear (swimsuits and rash guards/sun shirts)  series.

Nothing too complicated at all but based on what I would like to tell new and returning sewers about sewing these basic garments so many are frightened of attempting. As usual my authority on this would be my own lessons of experience and that always includes my mistakes.

And because some folks are visual learners I would supplement the blog posts with some Youtube videos.

I am also thinking that I will give my ideas in parallel format - one for those with sergers/coverhems
and one for those working on a conventional machine.

And as always since this blog is a collaborative project, and since the smartest things said here are so often in the comments, I am looking forward to those with experience sewing these garments to pitching in with advice.

So my question of the day is this?

Who's interested?

Both?

Once I have some feedback I am going to put together a timetable and off we sew!