My Sew It All T.V. Episode

Last week I did a post about what went into creating the skirt and blouse that I did for the Sew Stylish article.

I have an extra magazine that I would like to give away. I had said that I would announce the winner today, but I will give you all one last chance to get you name in if you would like an opportunity to win. Just see this post, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sew-stylish-cover-inside-story.html and leave a message there. I'll announce the winner first thing tomorrow morning.

You may remember that I won the Sew It All contest last year and went out to Denver, Colorado last October to tape an episode. Be sure to check your local PBS program guide as the show will be airing soon. I will be in episode 709. You can read about it here on the Sew News blog.

If you would like to read the instructions before the show airs, you can find them here,  http://www.sewitalltv.com/episodes/series_700/episode_709.html
Since the number of the show is 709, it will not be one of the first to air, so you have plenty of time to find out where and when it will air in your area. I'm just so excited....and a little nervous as well, actually, a lot. The entire show was taped in one take. Whew!!! Once I have some info as to when it will air in the Chicago area, I'll be sure to let you know.
Thanks so much for all everyone did to help make this happen for me!
Rhonda

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday, The Perfect Travel Dress Hits The Road

Hi Everybody, just in case I didn't say hi a little earlier with the pillowcase post :)
On Monday I will be flying to Denver and then I'll be headed to the Sew News office for the Sew It All taping of the Perfect Travel Dress. It's been a while, but you may remember that, thanks to your help, I won the Sew It All Casting Call Contest. Here's a link to the video,  http://www.sewitalltv.com/contests/casting-call.html Just click on the video that is above my picture and you can see my audition.

I call this the perfect travel dress because it is so versatile and the trick to making it versatile are the drawstrings that are on the shoulders as well as both side seams of the skirt portion of the dress. Here is a link to the original post with instructions,  http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2012/10/fabulous-free-pattern-friday_13.html
The sleeves can be long or short.

 The side can be pulled up and worn with tights.

Or, you can pull up both sides and make the dress into a top. Match it with a top, a skirt, a couple of pairs of tights and you are prepared for a number of days on the road.

This is the dress I made for the audition. I wore it quite a bit over the summer. As you can see, the neckline is a little closer to the neck. 

 Here's a sneak peak at the fabric that I'm using for the taping.

I'm super excited. I think this is going to be so much fun.
So sorry that there isn't a new Fabulous Free Pattern Friday piece today. It's been far too long since I've posted one. I do plan to have one next week and finally be back on schedule.
Thanks so much to all of you who helped make this a reality for me. It's just a dream come true!!!

Sew It All T.V.

A big thank you to everyone for all the congratulatory messages. We have all heard the saying, "If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one good friend, you're more than lucky," Bryon Douglas. I must be the luckiest woman in the world as I feel that I am blessed to have friends all over the world. Thank you once again for your kindness and support.  
Now, to answer some questions that have been asked.
The lovely Ellen March is the host of the Sew It All television program. 

The program airs on PBS stations across the United States.  
For those of you who live where there is no PBS station or in other countries, you are not out of luck, there are two options. First, you can buy a yearly membership and have access to all of the programs from all of the previous seasons for $19.97. The second option would be to buy a subscription for one month which is only $2.99 and have access to all of the episodes. If you are up for some marathon watching, this is the choice for you!!!! If you would like to watch a small preview from one of the shows, here is a link,  
http://www.sew.tv/videos/0091_knit-knack-stephanie-ohnmacht/
Season 5 is now airing. Here is a link to the shows that will air this season, http://www.sewitalltv.com/episodes/series_500/index.html?r=040313&utm_source=SN_Apr3_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=040313_SIA_Series500. Two of their guests in the upcoming season will be Sandra Betzina and Brini Maxwell!
If by chance there is a season that you would like to add to your DVD library, here is a link to the Sew It All shop, http://www.shopsewitall.com/category/cds-dvds?r=040313&utm_source=SN_Apr3_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=040313_SIA_Series500 You'll find more than just the program DVDs here like a great DVD set from Claire Shaffer called Couture Tech as well as her Couture Tailoring Techniques book.
I am so very excited about this opportunity. Remember when you were a child and you would make a face and your mother would say, "be careful, your face may freeze in that position?" Well, somehow, I need to get this smile off my face as I'm afraid it's going to freeze in place!!:)
I have have more to share today, so I'll be back a little later.
Wishing you a smile filled day!
Rhonda

Q&A

In preparation for the Sew It All Casting Call contest, each contestant was sent questions to answer. If you missed the post on the Sew News blog, I thought that you might like to read the questions I was asked and my answers. By the way, you might want to sign up to receive the Sew News blog posts as each week they have a contest and you'll also find some great information as well. Hey! we all like having a chance to win something :)  

Rhonda Buss

We’re getting super excited for the Casting Call on March 3rd! We’re getting everything packed up and ready, and we’re getting to know our contestants. You may recognize Rhonda from her guest post on our blog, the 8-gore skirt tutorial, a few days ago. Read more about her below:

Sew it All: When did you learn to sew? Who taught you?
Rhonda: My grandmother taught me to embroider when I was five years old. I still have my first project! She hoped that this experience would make me thirst for more. It did and I couldn’t wait to sew and so we began with lessons on her treadle machine. She never owned an electric sewing machine. Her machine now belongs to me.

SIA: How long have you been blogging?R: I began blogging three years ago, but without direction. The blog has truly evolved over the past three years.

SIA: What are your favorite project types?R: My favorite projects are those that are time intensive. I love doing handwork, manipulating fabrics and creating something that is truly one of a kind.

SIA: Who do you sew for?R: After graduating from school, I worked as an assitant designer for a dress manufacturer. From there I worked as a costume designer and I taught at the school I attended. An opportunity arose to begin my own bridal business and I created and restored vintage gowns for over ten years. After so many years of creating for others, I now sew for myself, my husband, my dogs!!!!, and from time to time, a good friend.

SIA: What inspires you?
R: Beautiful fabric inspires me.

SIA: What is your sewing room like?
R: My sewing room is really my sanctuary. I allow myself to be free to create and not worry, too much, about the mess. It’s a large room with a large cutting table, vintage pictures on the walls and special mementos that have been given to me over the years.

SIA: What has been your greatest sewing success?
R: For years I have wanted to create clothing that would inspire and teach people how to create lovely garments with simple shapes. So many give up on sewing because their first experience was negative, the garment didn’t fit, it was too complicated…so many reasons. For over a year now, I have been creating simple shapes that are easy to execute and have hopefully inspired people to sew.

SIA: Do you have a sewing pet peeve?
R: My biggest sewing related pet peeve is jealousy. As a community we need to support each other and realize that there is room for everyone. The more people there are who are creating, the more this wonderful craft will flourish.

SIA: Do you have any bad sewing habits?
R: My worst habit is also the one that I give myself some freedom about and that is allowing myself to have a messy studio!

SIA: What’s the best piece of sewing advice you ever got?
R: An incredible seamstress once told me that in her entire career she only created one garment that she felt was perfect. She told me to aspire to do my best and always…always realize that I am human.

Great advice, Rhonda! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and we can’t wait to see your audition! Are any of our readers going to the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in March?

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