Archives
Check out our list of over 50 online classes that are available any time and all the time to our YEARLY Students (who also get special access to Sandra’s Sewing Articles!).
| Title | Description |
| Alterations for Men & Women | Sandra and Ron give you some wonderful tips on altering your coats, blouses and pants. Learn how to get a great custom fit regardless of your body type! Also, watch as Sandra and Ron show you how to redefine the grainline when altering pants. |
| Bias Binding | Want to give a professional look to a coat, collar or jacket? Here are some techniques that will give you a clean, elegant edge.Sandra and Ron will show you how to work with bias binding to get the best results! |
| Bound Buttonholes | Bound Button Holes are quite elegant, but they can be time consuming to make. Watch as Sandra teaches you a technique that will keep the elegance and cut down on the time! You will love this step by step method of creating bound button holes. |
| Boxer Shorts | Share some laughs with Sandra and Ron as they walk you through this easy-to-accomplish pattern that you can make for the man in your life. Don’t like boxers? This pattern also comes with instructions for pull-on pajama pants! |
| Boxy Vest | Vests can look boxy and not very flattering if they don’t have a good shape. Those made of quilted fabrics can pose a special challenge. Watch as Sandra shows you a technique that can whip your vest into shape and make it fit like a glove! |
| Choosing The Right Knit | So many sewers choose a great pattern and use the wrong knit fabric.You’ll never have this problem when Sandra and Ron show you a fail-safe way to test a knit for drape and movement! |
| Collars & Collar Stays | Ron Collins is a master at creating collars that have sharp crisp points. In today’s show he reveals all his tried-and-true secrets on how to get rid of the bulk and create a collar that holds its shape! |
| Continuous Bias | You know how expensive purchased binding can be! What if you need yards and yards of it for a duvet cover for instance?Sandra and Ron will show you how to get 142 inches of binding 1 3/4 inches wide from just a 16 1/2 inch square of fabric!Voila… you save and it seems like magic! Click here for written instructions. |
| Cool Pockets | Sandra and Ron show you an easy technique to create inseam pockets without the puckers. Learn step-by-step methods, plus great tips that will save you from that baggy pocket look! |
| Covering Shoulder Pads | Just because they’re not seen doesn’t mean your shoulder pads shouldn’t be covered!Sandra and Ron show you easy ways to cover those shoulder pads, where to place them in the shoulder area and how to tailor them so they do their best job – making you look like a million bucks! |
| Creating A Table Runner | Watch Sandra and Ron as they show you how to make a beautiful table runner. Arrange it in loose folds to create a sense of drama and opulence! Make one to dress up your table for the holidays or to make a unique gift for a friend! |
| Curved Seams | There is a right way and a wrong way to tackle curved seams.Sandra and Ron will show you a fool-proof method to create the perfect curved seam without the hassles or the puckers. Never run and hide from curved seams again! Do it right the first time! |
| Darts Of The Pros | Here’s a show that’s all about darts: the purpose of them and where to place them to adjust to your body.Sandra and Ron show you how to mark them correctly and how to sew them.Finally, Darts that look good and professional! |
| Deconstructing Trousers | Have you seen the price tags on designer pants? Whew!Sandra and Ron take a look at all the designer details that make trousers look like a million bucks. It’s all in the construction!Sandra and Ron show you the inside story of pants! |
| Elastic Waists | We all know how to put in an elastic waistband right? Right!But do you suffer from rolled waistbands and elastic that gives up and bunches the fabric in one. |
| European Pillow Shams | European Pillow Shams are elegant and expensive to buy. Ron and Sandra show you some easy to follow techniques that will help you make your own European pillow shams. They will look like upscale and store-bought without the price tag! |
| Fast & Easy Hems | Sandra and Ron share their tips on hemming skirts and pants quick and easy. Their techniques are so easy you don’t even have to thread a needle! Five minutes to hem a skirt and wear it immediately |
| Favorite Fabrics | If you think Sandra and Ron rarely run in to fashion disasters, think again!Sandra and Ron share with you their “Least Favorite” fabrics – the ones that created less-than-fabulous results. They will also show you the best fabrics to use for the most successful garments! Learn from the experts, and skip the failures! |
| Front Yoke Pockets | Ron shows Sandra his best techniques for getting the bulk out of front yoke pockets when making a denim jacket. Plus, in honor of Father’s Day, a special show on Men’s Patterns where Ron shares his secrets on where to find the best Men’s Patterns and includes some tip on button attachments and books! |
| Hemming with Pleats | Sandra Betzina and Ron Collins are always finding new ways to make garments look even better. In this episode, they share their best techniques for hemming pleats and working with pre-pleated fabric. |
| Interfacing | There are all kinds of interfacing available, but which one will make your garment look professional and smooth? Sandra and Ron will guide you through the maze and show you what fabric works best for a great under-fabric construction that creates the look and finish of ready-to-wear! |
| Interfacing For Tailoring | Sometimes a garment needs to have the sharpness and weight of interfacing to make it look crisp and professional.Sandra and Ron show you how to choose the right interfacing for your garment, where to put it and how to apply the fabric.Never suffer puckered interfacing again! |
| Lined Patch Pockets | Sandra and Ron show you how you can dress up those patch pockets by lining them with jazzy colors and embellished prints. Plus, as an added bonus: Ron and Sandra introduce you to books that inspire design and innovative techniques! |
| Lining A Jacket | We all know that lining a jacket can sometimes be a “bit of a challenge”. In this show, Sandra and Ron make this seemingly-impossible technique an easy one to do as they show you step-by-step methods to create a lining that is a “ready-to-wear” beauty! |
| Lining A Sleeveless Dress | Check out Sandra’s easy technique for lining a sleeveless dress.Not only is this a great way to attach a lining so it moves independently, but Sandra and Ron give a step-by-step lesson on how to make shoulder attachments lie flat and match perfectly! |
| Lining A Vest | Seams are simple enough, right? Well, Sandra and Ron show you the best method to use when you have narrow straps and also how to get the lining to behave. |
| Making A Duvet Cover | Sandra and Ron show you how to make a great duvet cover for your bed.Enjoy this show and look out for some surprising results! |
| Men’s Patterns | Ron and Sandra target Men’s patterns.Ron shares his favorite patterns and how he embellishes a simple pattern to make an ordinary shirt great!Then Sandra and Ron share one of their favorite notions, Simflex – an easy tool to help you put in buttons! |
| Mitered Vents | In this episode, Sandra and Ron show you some great tips for creating mitered vents. Your sleeves and hems will now have a less bulky and more professional look! |
| Needle Know-How | How often do you change your needle? Most sewers change the needle only when it breaks!In this week’s show, Sandra and Ron unravel the mysteries of which needle for which fabric. |
| Needle Know-How Part 2 | Have you seen the price tags on designer pants? Whew!Sandra and Ron take a look at all the designer details that make trousers look like a million bucks. It’s all in the construction!Sandra and Ron show you the inside story of pants! |
| Needles For Leather | Let’s “get to the point”!The more you know which needles are best for leather, the better your projects will look.Sandra and Ron will discuss the needle know how you need to have so everything you make will look “sharp”! |
| One-Thread Sewing | Ron shows Sandra how to “trick” the sewing machine into using only one thread!Why would you want to do such a thing you ask? Well, this technique will get rid of those pesky hanging threads at the very point of the dart.Ron shows, in detail, how to thread the machine and complete a dart that is perfect! |
| Patch Pockets | Patch pockets are simple and easy, if you know how to sew them! Ron and Sandra will show you how to create patch pockets with perfect corners and a crisp look! |
| Perfect Pleats | Here’s a sure-fire way to get the perfect pleats no matter where you want to place them. On a dress, a blouse, a skirt or any other garment.Sandra and Ron show you a fool-proof technique that works every time! |
| Placemats and Napkins | Want to create a unique and personalized gift for any occassion? Sandra and Ron show you how to make really easy and elegant placemats and napkins. They will take you step-by-step through their tried-and-true methods and will give you advice on the best fabrics to use! |
| Pressing Know-How | What’s new about ironing? Just about everything!No more shiny suits, no more seams and hem lines showing through, and here’s how to make a collar look sharp! |
| Problems With Dolman Sleeves | Sandra has a quick-and-easy technique that gets rid of the bulky fabric at the underarm and makes Dolman sleeves fit better and look fantastic! |
| Rounded Back | There are many women of a certain age who have a rounded back. This poses a problem for correct jacket fit and a hard fit for patterns. Sandra and Ron show you how to alter your patterns to create a smooth, tailored fit which will create a jacket that fits and looks fabulous! |
| Seam Finishes To Be Proud Of | So your seams look a little ragged?Sandra and Ron demonstrate techniques that will finish your garments with clean, neat seams and help you create a professional, polished look! |
| Sewing On Knits | If you have ever worked with knits, you may have despaired at the rippling, puckering and other little problems that show up on the fabric.Sandra and Ron will show you how to solve the problem of sewing on knits by determining when it is either the needle size or the technique you are using.They’ll also throw in some tricks of working the fabric while you sew! |
| Sewing Studio Transformation | Sandra is going on a field trip! In this show, she visits her friend, Fred Bloebaum (owner of La Fred Clothing Designs). Wait till you see what Fred has done with her sewing space! She has turned a once cluttered sewing room into a light and organized workspace that now enables inspiration to design and sew. Get some ideas for remodeling your own workspace! |
| Shopping In Your Closet | It’s spring! How about cleaning out that closet and creating a new wardrobe at the same time. Sandra and Ron have some great ideas on updating the clothes your already own. Save money and still get a new look! Plus, catch the special segment, ”Updating Your Clutch”, at the end of the show. |
| Shortening Jeans | So, you bought yourself a great pair of jeans and you want to shorten them!Sandra and Ron show you how to measure the length correctly and then demonstrate two methods to shorten jeans for a professional look! |
| Simple Set In Sleeves | Sandra and Ron show you a step-by-step technique to put in a sleeve. It’s simple and easy for 1-piece sleeve patterns.Sandra perfected this method and shares her technique with you! |
| Sleeve Alterations | Sandra and Ron show you how to alter those pesky sleeves that just don’t fit correctly.You will learn alteration techniques you can use to enjoy sleek well-fitting sleeves! |
| Specialty Presser Feet | Beading foot, Roller foot, Teflon foot – you won’t believe how many presser feet there are!Sandra and Ron show you exactly what they’re for and how to use. |
| Threading With Kim | Sandra and Ron take on a real challenge this week!Sandra’s daughter, Kim, is learning to sew and it’s a beginner’s step-by-step lesson.This is an introduction to our upcoming beginners series, “Sewing With Kim”. |
| Tummy Alterations | Sometimes your are one size in the shoulders and chest, but you could use some extra room around the tummy. Sandra shares an alteration technique to create garments that fit you in the tummy area without making them big and boxy all over. Wait till you see how she gets jeans, jackets and blouses to fit and look great! |
| Underlining With Silk Organza | Your garments will have a professional look if you choose a quality underlining. Sandra and Ron discuss the merits of lining with silk organza plus, some other choices for great linings! |
| Welt Pocket With Zipper | Ron shares a marvelous technique on how to create a welt look with a zipper in the middle. These pockets look great and with lessons from Ron and Sandra making them will be so easy all it takes is a zip! |
| Wild Ginger Software | Ron and Sandra bring you a special guest: Lisa Shanley, owner of Wild Ginger Software. Lisa demonstrates how her innovative pattern software, works so you can get a perfect, customized fit and use your creativity to design clothes for yourself! |
| Working With Boiled Wool | Boiled wool is one of Sandra’s favorite fabrics. It’s versatile and can be used as an embellishments with collars and seams.Watch as Sandra shows Ron cool seam finishes that make garments look fabulous! |
| Working With Burda Magazine | There are bargains to be had! Burda Magazine offers over 50 patterns and fashions you can make from ONE magazine! Sandra and Ron wade through the confusion of following the instructions from the magazine. They interpret the symbols and explain the best approaches for outlining the patterns, so you can use all 52 patterns if you wish! |
| Working With Shearling | Make a fashion statement with real or faux shearling! Sandra and Ron show you techniques that will allow you to make a beautiful shearling vest for under $200 (nearly $1,000 in ready-to-wear!). |
| Working With Velvet | Working with velvet can be a challenging experience that can be somewhat overwhelming. Sandra and Ron share their tips on how to tame this finicky fabric. You will also learn to create elegant, ruched collars and cuffs as Sandra shows Ron an easy technique that will make your garment unique and fabulous! |
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