My Shortest Video Ever

Maybe I am getting the hang of this? How I do circle applique. Let me know if you have questions. So the perfection of this does come from making a perfect circle out of the interfacing to begin. If you have access to a die cutter, use it to cut your interfacing. The fabric does not have to be perfect. Peltex is the stiffest and will give you a bit of texture too. You can also use batting or any interfacing you like. No die cutter? No problem, just draw and cut the best circle you can.

One Minute Video Encasing Zipper Ends

How to make 5 yards of bias binding from 18" of fabric

Wingback Slipcovering Class on Video

There is nothing more elegant than a slipcovered wingback chair. Traditionally, you will see these in linen which is gorgeous. For this class, we chose to use Mattelasse, which is super thick and cozy, like you will want for your couch. We did it this way to give you all the skills you need to do all of the slipcovering projects you have. Here is how we make a Craftsy class:
1. (Usually a couple months before the actual shoot) At my studio, I prepare the lessons and talk on the phone with my producer a lot. Meanwhile in Denver, my producer envisions every camera angle and necessary detail, making copious notes.
2. (Usually the week before the shoot) I send all of the teaching materials to Denver, so they will be there for me when I arrive.
In the case of this class, I flew to Denver a couple of days early and made 2 and a half slip covers for the Craigslist chair shown in the class. One complete cover and one with lots of extra pieces for teaching.
3. We spend 3 days shooting the class with a professional producer, professional photographer, and professional switcher, not to mention the always helpful and professional production assistant. Needless to say, production values are very high and we take the time to capture every relevant detail.
4. After I have gone home, Craftsy does their post production magic to make the class work seamlessly in the amazing platform they have created. You can ask me questions as you go along and watch the class as many times as you like whenever you like. You can send me photos and we can talk through the particulars of your project.
This class is so good, you are guaranteed to love it! For my blog readers, here is the half price link:
Wingback Slipcover Class.
Big thanks and much love to my amazing professional crew: Lorie Hirose, Brandon Cox, Caleb Shives, and Katie (not pictured)

The Internet verses The Outernet

The most up-to-date info on what I am doing is now found on my Facebook page. For me, that is the most efficient way to post photos and tiny updates. I think it is the way I am reaching the most people too. So if you don't follow me yet on FB, please do.
If you are reading this, I am sure you struggle with how much time you spend on the internet verses how many things you need to accomplish in the outernet, aka the real world, the physical realm. Actually, the internet is a real world and we need to operate in it. The question is always how to do so without it sucking up the whole day. I do have a smart phone, but I am not glued to it - that helps. Everything is bigger and better on my PC, so when I am in the outerverse, I can talk or text as necessary, but I save any navigation or online interaction including Facebook for when I am on the PC. I am in a minority. I am blown away by the number of people using mobile devices to buy things. When they do this, they are not reading descriptions. Sometimes they don't even know what they bought. As an online retailer, I have to try to cram all of my pertinent info into a single photo to capture that audience - like, yeah.  About 1/2 of my Etsy business is done on mobile devices. If you have an Etsy shop, now is the time to optimize for mobile. I uploaded a video to Facebook that is optimized for mobile devices, so this is one to watch from your tablet or phone. I am talking about and showing my different travel bags.
Blogs are still bomdiggity for building an audience in the sewing world, but I wonder how Facebook is catching up to that for other seamsters out there. I may have to interview someone.
For those of you who don't Facebook, here is the lowdown on my recent releases and upcoming works:
New pattern -  Cathedral Style Table Runner (instructions also given for turning it into a quilt) This is an update and slight improvement on the technique I used to make the cathedral style tote back in 2010. It is a fun and quick project that I think will put you in a holiday decorating mood.
New in the Simplicity catalog - #1335 chairs pattern.

I have testers working on my first garment pattern release, so we are getting close on that. It's a fun and easy skirt that I think everyone will love.
The Simplicity Fall catalog will have 2 new patterns from me in it. Mother, daughter, doll aprons. And casserole carriers. I will show pattern covers for those when I get them.
The Spring Simplicity catalog will have a diaper pattern pack from me. I will put the bag out in PDF format too.
I have a wingback chair to cover so I can better help all of my Craftsy class people who are doing wingbacks. Photos will pop up over on my Facebook page as I get to that.
Of course my son's birthday is this month, so I better get his backpack made and write that pattern too. LOL, that is so 3 years ago so I better finally do it this year. He wore this one out, so I have heavy duty cordura for this years version.

I updated the duffle pattern again, so if you are on Craftsy, you will get a notice. If you have already made the bag, you obviously do not need the new pattern. The bag is the same. I just made the instructions a little better for those who have not yet sewn it. There are 2 parts explained differently, the strap is now done the way I did it for the trolley duffle pattern sewing it into a loop before you attach it to the bag. And the pleated pocket is explained a lot better. I hardly ever got questions about it, but I thought it needed improving so I did it. The bag will still come out the same.
Back to the outernet and bye for now.

Meet the Team

Inland NW Etsy Team Holiday Show from Brian Chace on Vimeo.
This video is my quick (30 seconds each) take on 20 of my teammates on the Inland Northwest Etsy team. It's about discovering new talent, which I think is one of Etsy's strong suits in the online marketplace. Developing talent. Belonging to a team. If you have an Etsy shop, but you are not on a team, I hope this video moves you toward finding one. If you would like to check out their shops, here they are in the order of appearance on the video:

Sharing video interviews with fabric designers

Quilthome has become one of my favorite places to go online for fabric. Their selection is incredible and I get my orders lightning quick. Heidi, the owner of quilt home, did a brilliant thing at Quilt Market. She interviewed the top designers and has the videos embedded on her site. I enjoyed the interview with Valori Wells this morning when it showed up in my inbox. I think you will too. If you sign up for the newsletter at Quilt Home, you will get great coupons in addition to the video interviews.

Chat about Style with Iris Apfel

I want to be there, sunken in those sumptuous fabrics, and feel naked in my minimalist accessories. Hope you enjoy. 2 weeks to launch my fashion line. Getting excited to show you.

Antique Dealer Video Portrait

Every once in a while there is a sweet video portrait posted on Etsy's blog that I turn around and share here. Watching a video like this, I am mindful of the day a filmmaker will show up and make my life look fascinating. This is for my friends who love to treasure hunt. You know who you are. Enjoy!

This is why I am on Facebook

You don't get this kind of personal content elsewhere. My dear, beautiful, and fabulous friend, Kathleen, posted this on facebook. A friend of hers got arrested while helping the homeless. I am passing it on here because I think a lot of you will love it like I do. This is why I am on Facebook.

Video Tutorial

My first how to video. Making your own reusable vinyl packaging for a set of A2 size greeting cards. This is a really simple project, and I hope that comes through in the video. I guess I am not a natural because it took 4 takes to get this. I would love to read your comments. I do plan on doing more of these, and I promise they will get better. I have 2 words for myself next time: tripod and hair stylist.

Exposure

Though Etsy's landing page may provide us all with our 15 minutes of fame eventually, it is not the Holy Grail of web exposure. To my mind, the ultimate web experience would be to be featured in a wildly popular, professionally produced made for web film. More than 500 entrepeneurs in Seattle are gearing up to bring such a vision to life. I am excited about the possibility of heading over the mountains to take part in it. Watch the preview and you will see what I am excited about.

A sweet profile video

As I was reading through the Storque this morning, I came across this video, and want to share it here because I know some of you don't even know what the Storque is. If you know me, you will see why I like this video so much. It's like we could be sisters or something. Enjoy!