Sew with Confidence | Sewing, Fabric, Sewing Patterns, Sewing with Knits

Lisa Hawkes - Pattern Designer & Sewing Teacher
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Do you want to sew clothes but are worried that the clothes will look homemade?  Are you afraid of wasting your time, money & fabric? Tired of sewing beautiful clothes that never actually get worn, but just hang in the back of the closet?  Do you want to expand your sewing skills but are nervous about trying new techniques?   Welcome to Sew with Confidence! This podcast will help expand your sewing skills, provide guidance in choosing the materials for your next project, and help you confidently sew clothes that you and others will love to wear!  Hi, I’m Lisa, the host of Sew with Confidence and the owner and designer behind Pink Hollybush Designs, a line of sewing patterns for children’s garments. I have been sewing since I was a little girl and my background is in smocking and heirloom sewing. I’ve had my share of sewing fails - garments that didn’t fit, choosing the wrong fabric, and sewing pieces that just weren’t my style or appropriate for my life. I hate the thought of the time and money that has been wasted.  Through trial and error, along with many sewing classes, I have figured out how to sew with confidence. I discovered that choosing the right fabric and sewing techniques can make all the difference between a garment looking homemade or being one that you're proud to wear.    If you are ready to expand your sewing skills, confidently sew clothes that you and others will love to wear, and be part of a supportive sewing community, then fire up that sewing machine, dive into your fabric stash, join me, and let’s Sew with Confidence!

  1. 4d ago

    EP 14: Favorite Sewing Machine Feet to Take Your Sewing From Homemade to Polished

    Did you know that Bernina and Husqvarna manufacture over 100 specialty feet for their sewing machines and that Pfaff, Babylock and Janome make at least 60. Did you know that there is such a thing as a twin welting foot for the sewing machine? Typically only a small number of feet come with your sewing machine so you can spend a small fortune on additional feet. But having the right foot can help you achieve accurate sewing and make your garments look more polished. Now if you are someone who regularly applies double cording to your home dec projects then a twin welting foot may be worth it, but for the rest of us who are primarily sewing garments, which are the feet that probably didn’t come with your machine that are worth investing in? In today’s episode I am discussing the feet that didn’t come with my machine but that I reach for almost every time I am sewing a garment. Resources Mentioned: The Free Sew With Confidence Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast EP 12: Achieve a Polished (Not Homemade) Sewn Garment With These 5 Tips: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sew-with-confidence-sewing-fabric-sewing-patterns/id6786780019?i=1000782630130 Other Resources: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here Ways to Connect: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

  2. Aug 18

    EP 13 Disappointed in a Sewn Garment? Try Saving It With These 5 Tips

    You have worked late into the night to finish that garment that you have been sewing. Maybe you are trying to get it finished for the upcoming trip or special event. You finish up the last details, eagerly go to slip it on and rather than admiring your beautiful self in this new garment - you look in the mirror and its disappointment. The fit is fine - if that were the problem you would dive in and start working to correct that, but that isn’t the problem. It just doesn’t look like you pictured it. It doesn’t move the way you had hoped. It doesn’t really go with that other garment the way you had imagined. It just doesn’t meet your expectations. Now what? Is all lost? In this week’s episode I have 5 tips with a bonus 6 on how to hopefully save that garment and turn it into one you love Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Free Sew With Confidence Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast The Donny Shirt: https://fridaypatterncompany.com/products/donny-shirt-pdf-pattern?srsltid=AfmBOooY5imulAHjoxJ_OzNPqsQZJ579Ff6O_kuHpBlMKRBJz2cWChKP Donny Shirt Review: https://youtube.com/shorts/onAVInf7XJU?feature=share The Nova Coat: https://papercutpatterns.com/products/nova-coat?srsltid=AfmBOoru0j_BSVWw9Y0iqCsmmOCK-rrYxAvCVT7No2Q8WNSKJEdbJvPj The Nova Coat Review: https://youtu.be/XdZX7qlHneE Own Your Magic Dress: https://patternemporium.com/products/own-your-magic-fitted-dress-with-side-splits-wide-binding-sewing-pattern?srsltid=AfmBOor__3K_FtpF-CCXX87YGa41RCGetj9zyzGAxNu3m1dPkRSOiQIA Own Your Magic Dress Review: https://youtube.com/shorts/oIgaHtA6Ijw?feature=share Other Resources: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here Ways to Connect: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

  3. Aug 11

    EP 12: Achieve a Polished (Not Homemade) Sewn Garment With These 5 Tips

    Do your sewn garments look polished? We all have different styles and preferences when it comes to how we dress and what garments we choose to sew, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to look polished, even if that is just a simple jeans and T-shirt. In today’s episode we are going to cover 5 easy tips that you can incorporate in your sewing that will help you achieve that polished look whatever garment you are sewing In this Episode I Mentioned: The Free Sew With Confidence Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Related Episodes: EP 7 Sewing a Woven Top? 4 Things to Check to Ensure a Great Fit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sew-with-confidence-sewing-fabric-sewing-patterns/id6786780019?i=1000777683003 Other Resources: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here Ways to Connect: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

  4. Aug 4

    EP 11: Sew an Outfit Both Moms & Children Will Love With These 5 Tips

    Do you want to use your sewing talents to sew a garment as a tangible demonstration of your love for those special people in your life? Maybe it’s a dress or shirt for that special child in your life. But the last thing you want to sew up an outfit and then have it just hang in the closet never getting worn by that child. I know personally I would rather they wear it and ruin it than it never gets worn! Modern society has changed. Many of the garments that we used to sew for children don’t fit today’s modern lifestyle or aesthetic.  Moms are often working full time. They don’t have time to iron. They are trying to do all the things and just get through the day! At the same time society has become less formal. Children often do not dress in fancy clothes and often are dressing themselves. Functionality and Practicality are the key for garments that fit today’s modern lifestyle. So in today’s podcast I have 5 Tips to help you sew a child’s garment that both moms and children will love! In this Episode I Mentioned: The Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Pink Hollybush Patterns: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/pinkhollybush-sewing-patterns   Other Resources: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here   Ways to Connect with Lisa: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

  5. Jul 31

    EP 10: Broadcloth, Poplin, Lawn & Voile, Oh My! Common Cotton Labels & What They Mean

    Have you ever ordered cotton fabric online and been surprised when the fabric arrived and by surprised I don’t mean in a good way. Was the feel not what you anticipated? Was it too thick or thin? Maybe it didn’t have the drape you were expecting. If you have, you are not alone and it is no wonder! Cotton fabric labels are confusing! Different terms are used between the US and Europe and terminology has changed over time. Now this wasn’t that much of a problem when we could all go to our local fabric store and feel and see the fabric. But in this day and age when so many of us have to order online and rely on fabric labels, we need to understand them. So in today’s episode I am tackling some of the common fabric labels for cotton, explaining why they are confusing, and what you need to know the next time you are online fabric shopping In this Episode I Mentioned: Episode 9: 3 Tips to Help Pick Quality Cotton Fabric for Your Next Sewing Project: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sew-with-confidence-sewing-fabric-sewing-patterns/id6786780019?i=1000778667924 Other Resources: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here Ways to Connect: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

  6. Jul 28

    EP 9: 3 Tips to Help Pick Quality Cotton Fabric for Your Next Sewing Project

    Is cotton fabric the fabric that you sew with most often? Have you been disappointed with the quality of the cotton fabric that you purchased? Have you ever wondered why some cotton fabrics have that wonderfully soft luxurious hand and others are scratchy and stiff Chances are that cotton was the first fabric you ever sewed and it is probably the fabric you continue to sew with most often. But the quality of cotton fabric varies tremendously. So in today’s episode, which is the first of at least a two part episode, I am offering you 3 tips on how to purchase quality cotton fabric. In this Episode I Mentioned: Come join the Free Facebook Group & Let’s Continue the Conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab your copy of the Free Essential Sewing Tool Kit: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Other Resources: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here Ways to Connect with Lisa: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

  7. Jul 24

    EP 8: The 4 Elements Necessary to Sew a Garment You Love

    How many sewing fails have you had? I hope they have been few and far between! In today’s episode we are going to dive into the 4 basic elements that are necessary to creating a garment that you love, some strategies for how to achieve those necessary elements, and finally what I believe is the quickest and fastest way to create a garment you love   In this Episode I Mentioned: Sew with Confidence Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Episode 7: Sewing a Woven Top? 4 Things to Check to Ensure a Great Fit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sew-with-confidence-sewing-fabric-sewing-patterns/id6786780019?i=1000777683003 Essential Sewing Tool Kit: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Pattern Review: https://sewing.patternreview.com/   Other Resources: Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here   Ways to Connect with Lisa: Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ Facebook - > https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

  8. Jul 21

    EP 7: Sewing a Woven Top? 4 Things to Check to Ensure a Great Fit!

    Do you always make a muslin before you cut your fabric? Do you just live dangerously, cut the fabric and go for it How about if we adopt a third option that hopefully minimizes sewing fails but quickly gets you to the fun part of sewing? While I often skip the muslin, that doesn’t mean that I don’t spend a little time doing some checking.  That checking can often clue me in that I do indeed need to make a muslin. Here are 4 things I always check before sewing a woven top that help minimize the chance of a sewing fail and help me sew a garment that I love!   In this Episode I Mentioned:   Podcast Ep 5: Understand the 3 Types of Ease to Sew a Garment You Love: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sew-with-confidence-sewing-fabric-sewing-patterns/id6786780019?i=1000776727498 Raising & Lowering a Dart: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/2019/05/02/raising-lowering-a-dart-a-sewing-tutorial   Other Resources:   Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit Sign up for the weekly newsletter at  https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here   Ways to Connect with Lisa:   Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/ Facebook - > https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns Instagram -＞ https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

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Do you want to sew clothes but are worried that the clothes will look homemade?  Are you afraid of wasting your time, money & fabric? Tired of sewing beautiful clothes that never actually get worn, but just hang in the back of the closet?  Do you want to expand your sewing skills but are nervous about trying new techniques?   Welcome to Sew with Confidence! This podcast will help expand your sewing skills, provide guidance in choosing the materials for your next project, and help you confidently sew clothes that you and others will love to wear!  Hi, I’m Lisa, the host of Sew with Confidence and the owner and designer behind Pink Hollybush Designs, a line of sewing patterns for children’s garments. I have been sewing since I was a little girl and my background is in smocking and heirloom sewing. I’ve had my share of sewing fails - garments that didn’t fit, choosing the wrong fabric, and sewing pieces that just weren’t my style or appropriate for my life. I hate the thought of the time and money that has been wasted.  Through trial and error, along with many sewing classes, I have figured out how to sew with confidence. I discovered that choosing the right fabric and sewing techniques can make all the difference between a garment looking homemade or being one that you're proud to wear.    If you are ready to expand your sewing skills, confidently sew clothes that you and others will love to wear, and be part of a supportive sewing community, then fire up that sewing machine, dive into your fabric stash, join me, and let’s Sew with Confidence!

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