My 11 year old hadn’t touched the sewing machine in over a year, I think. We saw these cute silverware pockets for sale, and I asked her if she thought she could make them. She figured she could, and she did a great job. They’re really pretty on our table, and were really easy to make.

Check out this short video for a great DIY table decor idea that even your kids can sew:

In this installment, you finish sewing the sides of the blouse together. Basic sewing skill such as how to sew a curved section of your pattern, plus good sewing habits like backstitching at the beginning and end of seams is emphasized. You’re almost done with your dress!

Here’s the next installment in our “How to sew a dress” project. Get the pattern for the project on my Sew a Dress page.

In this installment, we attach the skirt front and back to the blouse front and back. The skirt is also finished with a mock binding step. Next installment we’ll sew the blouse together front to back. Be sure to subscribe here or on my YouTube channel to get all the tutorials.

I’m making a dress pattern that takes less than an hour (if you don’t have a job, kids, and dinner to juggle while trying to video your sewing project). It uses seam binding to finish the sleeve edges and neck edge. This is an easy, quick way to finish an edge.

Note that I’m working on getting a project tutorial set up. It will be a series of video tutorials available here on my blog and on my YouTube Channel. Be sure to subscribe to one or the other for the series of free video tutorials.

Meanwhile, here’s a short introduction to sewing with seam binding tape:

Good habits pay off in more professional looking garments. Backstitching (or back tacking, for those with a different Anglo accent) keeps your seams from unravelling.

Here’s a quick video about backstitching. Make it a habit.

p.s. I’ve been away from the camera, because I got interviewed and helped work on an ebook about video marketing! You can check it out at Video Marketing Success Book.