A Way We Sew

Welcome to my sewing family, Janome MC6700! I’m so happy to bring you to your new home and grateful to Greater Seattle ASG for the connection to its former owner. This lovely lady sews it all - it converts between a semi “pro” foot and throat plate, yet also has zig zag functionality - so it can make buttonholes and bar tacks and some fun decorative stitches too. It’s a good blend of old school manual k***s (tension and presser foot pressure), but has a digital display and memory chip so I can customize stitches to my liking. It can sew tough stuff and fine fabrics. So that 80’s getup with lace inserted leg panel jeans is totally possible.
Janome Memory Craft 6700 P

you know where I am!

Tried my hand at making porch cushions: used a soldering gun as a hot knife, a piping foot to install the zipper, an electric turkey carving knife to cut foam, and a metal ruler as a rotary cutting mat…in other words, the usual hacking to get the job done. I’m satisfied with the results. Thanks for the help and tutorials!

I learned some cushion lingo: boxing is the skinny part that wraps the edges, a zipper plaque is the fabric panels on either side of the zipper, which along with the boxing this makes up the sides. Plates are the top and bottom rectangles - the part you put your keister on.

I learned how to efficiently cut fabric for the piping (cut selvedges off, then use both sides of the yardage to make yards and yards and yards of piping. So. Much. Piping). Then cut the boxing, then the zipper plaque. Then with the leftover width cut the top and bottom cushion plates.
I leaned the zipper is the same upside down inside out and backwards, so I sewed the zipper to the plaque in one long strip then cut to fit.

I also leaned that sewing on sunbrella fabric rubbed my finger prints completely off.

But I mostly learned I really enjoyed making cushions. It’s a different kind of sewing and a different way to fit, but a satisfying finish.

Newest sewing tutorial up on Skillshare! Free while supplies last. Learn how to sew a bulk-free cuff with tidy topstitching, inside and out. Sew with A Way We Sew and improve your sewing. Our techniques are a little different - we cut carefully when it counts, and carefree when it doesn't. Understand how to get better at sewing, while making a sample pattern book. Class includes step-by-step illustrated instructions and free patterns for practice. Come a way and sew with us and come away with great techniques you'll use everyday. It's A Way We Sew!

Classic Shirt Cuff | Leah Boyan | Skillshare Skillshare is a learning community for creators. Anyone can take an online class, watch video lessons, create projects, and even teach a class themselves.

Do you struggle getting your shirt collar bands to fit at the neck? No more pickers, stretching, or otherwise trying to force them to fit. This short class reviews the relationship between the collar band (it’s a straight line) and the shirt neck opening ( it’s a circle) so you can get any shirt to fit any collar band. Time for a geometry lesson!

https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Fit-the-Shirt-to-the-Collar-Band/1779929371/lessons?teacherRef=270833329&via=teacher-referral&utm_campaign=teacher-referral-1779929371&utm_source=Skillshare&utm_medium=class-teacher-referral-email&utm_content=notification-celebrate-teacher-class-published&bsft_clkid=8f6410ac-e5d8-43de-855f-c2208820fbab&bsft_uid=8f457aaf-764b-4bc7-b19b-ac5899c3be3f&bsft_mid=8fa70bd6-3396-4b38-918d-07bd327237db&bsft_eid=7e894b2e-5fd5-63e1-5337-82e48e23db05&bsft_txnid=d69fda5d-523e-43fa-ba9b-68dba7fe0a6c&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2022-06-13T20%3A46%3A11Z&bsft_aaid=d5edc627-0f6f-46e0-b492-6ae0d9cbe64a&bsft_lx=5&bsft_tv=37

Fit the Shirt to the Collar Band | Leah Boyan | Skillshare Skillshare is a learning community for creators. Anyone can take an online class, watch video lessons, create projects, and even teach a class themselves.

Happy St Patty’s Day! Not my best work, but eked it out of a remnant. Somehow I messed up the buttonhole placement. It’s been a while since I’ve done a camp collar/facing and I forgot where to place the buttonholes.

Excited to share the latest lesson in our tailoring techniques series! We'll be showing this technique and many more in our Tailoring Techniques online course offered through BARN https://bainbridgebarn.wildapricot.org/event-4434700
We are adapting techniques learned from Leah's sewing mentor, Judy Barlup, who in turn learned from Stan Hosteck (www.stanleyhosteck.com). This is a simple tailoring technique, easy to add to any garment. And a great introduction to other 'welts' on tailored garments, such as double welt pockets.
Your feedback on this first release helps us improve our techniques.
The lesson is FREE through February!

New Lesson! Bound(less) Buttonholes Our latest lesson is almost ready! In celebration, we are offering the "first draft" version free until the end of February. Download your free instructions today and tell us how it's sewing! Bound buttonholes add a tailored touch to any garment, and are often found on bulkier garments such as wool....

Bound buttonholes made boundless! A simple folding jig and a stitching template take the guess work out of making multiple matching bound buttonholes. Come make with us! Tailoring classes start in March. Sign up

Have you already wanted to make a good looking collar band but don’t know where to start? Our class on Skillshare shows you step-by-step. After taking this cksss, you’ll want to make a whole shirt!

A Way We Sew - Collar Bands | Leah Boyan | Skillshare Sew a collar band with a straight, bulk-free join between the band and shirt front and consistent top-stitching, inside and out. In this Skillshare class, you'l...

Thrilled to teach Toddler Shirt Making at Expo this year! Tickets for this 4-hour virtual workshop #4201 available at www.sewexpo.com
Join us and sew a cute shirt for a cute kid out of cute fabric - in a couple of hours. We’ll show you step by step, and we’ll be sewing right by your side. You’ll learn how to quickly and accurately sew all those ‘tricky bits’ like the collar, collar band, cuffs, and sleeve plackets. You’ll also learn how to match prints across center front, how to sew sturdy flat fell seams, and pucker-free hems, and more!

Shop. Learn. Experience. – March 2-6, 2022 Home 2022 Expo is Going Virtual! March 2-6 | Live in your Sewing Space! The Sewing & Stitchery Expo is where your creative community connects. It is five full days of learning, connecting, and inspiration for sewing enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a lifetime quilter, me-made wardrobe exp...

Tickets on sale! Learn how to make a toddler sized shirt in our 4 needle class, March 2nd.

Shop. Learn. Experience. – March 2-6, 2022 Home 2022 Expo is Going Virtual! March 2-6 | Live in your Sewing Space! The Sewing & Stitchery Expo is where your creative community connects. It is five full days of learning, connecting, and inspiration for sewing enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a lifetime quilter, me-made wardrobe exp...

Many of you ask about the projector I use for sewing. It's been out of stock for over a year. It's BACK BABY! Get yours now (and I get a lil' affiliate kick back). Give yourself a gift that will change the way you sew.

Up Your Sewing Game Using a projector for sewing is game changing.

Just in time for the Holiday gift making rush - get your toddler shirt together! A step by step video tutorial on how to sew a button down collar shirt to fit your favorite little one. Sew a cute shirt, using cute fabric, for a cute kid! We cover ever step of sewing (size F, US 2T) Jalie Sewing Patterns / Patrons de couture from cutting a layout tips to how to sew the hem, Yes, you CAN make a shirt from a novelty prints, with a little over a yard of fabric, in a few hours. No kid you want to sew for? Do you have a few yards of 100% fabric with lying around your sewing room? Practice making a shirt and you'll be ready to make one in an adult size, with beautiful shirting material from Esther's Fabrics. This course is offered through SkillShare - a subscription site for those who love learning how to make stuff. Use this link to sign up: https://skl.sh/3DL3pcM


NOTE: pattern not included, but available for download here: https://jalie.com/products/mens-and-boys-shirt-sewing-pattern
Course includes:
- Templates for making the collar, band, cuff, and buttonhole placket
- Match prints across center front
- Sew collar, band, and cuffs with ease
- All-in-on yoke
- Flat-fell-seams
- Smooth rolled hems

Sew a Toddler Shirt for the Holidays | Leah Boyan | Skillshare Skillshare is a learning community for creators. Anyone can take an online class, watch video lessons, create projects, and even teach a class themselves.

Time to get the toddler shirts together! Dino fever has hit our street and I’m making shirts for the neighbor kids. Novelty prints are fun and satisfying to sew when you use our methods. Sign up for the Toddler Shirt Making class and make a button down shirt in a weekend!



https://bainbridgebarn.wildapricot.org/event-4434707

Fabric from Esther's Fabrics

50 kits out the door! Learn how to make a beautiful in seam pocket, with a lining and a French seam pocket bag! A Way We Sew is pleased to present this online lesson through the American Sewing Guild, Friday Oct 22. Become a member of the ASG and get all the benefits.

https://www.asg.org/login/

So honored to be presenting online this year at the American Sewing Guild virtual annual conference. See links and details below!

6 Classes — 6 New Skills!
We hated cancelling our in-person conference again this year, but we heard your concerns (and had our own as well!) and were not willing to risk anyone's health or safety. So we looked at the most popular classes that were on the schedule and are bringing you a virtual education event with even MORE time to learn! We have 3 morning classes that will be 2 hours of great education, followed by 3 in-depth 3-hour afternoon classes to learn even more detail, more tips, and more skills.
Attend class at the scheduled time, or view them on YOUR schedule. Classes will be available for an entire month afterwards and you can watch your classes as many times as you want for 30 days.
Offers to purchase kits for sample making are optional and not required for class participation.

Fall Virtual Education Event
Friday, October 22
10:30AM (CT) | Leah Boyan, Beautiful In-Seam Pockets (2 hrs)
1:30PM (CT) | Katrina Walker, Intro to Modern American Pojagi (3 hrs)

Saturday, October 23
10:30AM (CT) | Vaune Pierce, Refined Details (2 hrs)
1:30PM (CT) | Vaune Pierce, Frolicking with Feet (3 hrs)

Sunday, October 24
10:30AM (CT) | Kandi Christian, Sewing with Silk (2 hrs)
1:30PM (CT) | Susan Lazear, Pattern Alterations & Fit Challenges (3 hrs)
6 Classes | $20 each, or all 6 for $100

October 22-24, 2021

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS | REGISTRATION
Classes are $20 each, or take all six for $100 (you save $20). Class size is limited, so don’t delay — registration is now open in the Members Only area of ASG.org.
Morning classes are 2 hours | Afternoon classes are 3 hours
All times are Central time zone
Replays will be available for 30 days after the event; however, you must purchase the class before it occurs to be able to view the replay.
Replay information is emailed the day AFTER the live event to registered attendees. Please watch for your replay link the next day.
Discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

Preparing for the upcoming “Get your Toddler Shirt Together” course offered through fabric from . Matching is easy using our methods. Learn more at A Way We Sew.

Have you always wanted to sew a classic button down shirt but didn’t know where to start? Join us for a blended course, online and in person (or entirely online if you prefer). A Way We Sew is please to offer this Toddle Shirt class through BARN. Click here for more info and to register.

https://bainbridgebarn.wildapricot.org/event-4434707

BARN - Sew a Toddler Shirt with Leah Boyan (Online) re-cut interfacing for the collar, band, cuffs and front placket, and buttons (2 sizes, collar, gauntlet and front/cuffs)

What to sew when you need to shoot more how-to videos and you only have a yard of fabric? A size 2T button down. (That’s T for Toddler). Time to get your shirt together, no matter your size!

Such sad news. The first book on sewing i read, in 1997, was DPC’s book ‘Shirtmaking’. That started my shirt making journey. He inspired, instructed, and illustrated beautiful craftsmanship.

Thank you David for your life’s contribution to sewing as a craft.

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20979566/David-Page-Coffin/Brookings/Oregon/Redwood-Memorial-Chapel?fbclid=IwAR0f1zNWF1isoM5BtgLvrHnrNmr-Whgb2wzD_3gAZ8JnqDfYaEhy5G_qLuU

David Page Coffin Obituary - Brookings, Oregon , Redwood Memorial Chapel | Tribute Archive Share Memories & Support the Family.

Going through my sewing files I came across this, my first attempt to record my shirt making process. How far I have come from this hand written note! This was the start of the Ralf Lauren classic Oxford style shirt dissection project, where I developed the techniques I teach today. Now I have business, a website with downloadable pdf templates, professionally illustrated instructions, and detailed video tutorials, and have taught 100s of sewists online. Join me for the next Shirt Building course offered through BARN: https://bainbridgebarn.wildapricot.org/event-4215016

Day 5 shirt 5 finished, hidden button hole collar.

Shirt a day, this time in silk. A nice change from working with cotton.

Make one in flannel! Stay warm and channel your inner grunge, or just wear it for Flannel Friday (yes that’s a thing).

Just needs the buttons! Custom shirt in under 4 hours, start to finish including cutting out using a projector. If you can sew a straight line, you can sew a shirt like this. Learn more at awaywesew.com

Sewing Classes, Kits, and Community. And last minute gift ideas for that special sewing someone in your life.

Feeling a bit Bah Hum Pug? We have just what you need to add a little jingle to a jangled year. Take a sewing class! You asked, we responded, now you can book classes, events, or just some one-on-one sewing time with Leah. Book now and use AWWSHoliday for 15% off your first booking for 2021.

Almost done! Elvis hasn’t left the building yet!

Shirt making event sign up is now open! Can't wait to make a classic shirt in the classic print - Elvis and Christmas in Las Vegas. Join us and you'll make a button down collar shirt in time for the Holidays, no matter what fabric you choose. Hope you can join us!

Classic Shirt Make Along with Esther’s Fabrics | A Way We Sew Make a classic shirt, and make it well before the Holidays! Register for this FREE event and you’ll receive: - links to three live events and recordings. - discounts from Esther’s Fabrics - discounts on all the shirt making lessons and step-by-step videos brought to you by A Way We Sew.