Dear Sulky Friends,

What a busy summer this has been. My husband, Fred, and I are adding onto our home and it has seemed to consume all of our free time for the last 4 months. He says we're doing it because we need more room to store my fabric, but I know it's really for his ping-pong table!

In June (boy that seems like a long time ago), we taped two "America Sews with Sue Hausmann" shows in Cleveland. When we taped earlier this year in January, I wore a denim overshirt that was a hit with everyone on the set, and we promised to show you how to make that on our next show. It is also shown on the cover of our newest book, Quick and Easy Weekend Quilting with Sulky (#900B-16).

It's a simple but very effective technique for turning a plain shirt into a designer wearable. I'll show you ways to cover the "dark shadow" that is often left when a pocket is removed from a ready-made garment, including using paint, inks, embroideries and even appliqués.

You can use some of your favorite theme fabrics only, or combine them with embroideries. Simple or elaborate - your choice!

Most of us seem to be very comfortable in denim, but this turns a "knock-around" shirt into a very upscale garment. The technique can be modified and used on any ready-made or custom-made shirt.

Fun for everyone.

Watch for Show #2501 - America Sews with Sue Hausmann.

America Sews with Sue Hausmann

Joyce Drexler and Sue Hausmann on the set of
"America Sews with Sue Hausmann", wearing their fun versions of the Designer Overshirt.
Don't you just love that Sulky Universal Slimline Storage Box that Joyce has her right hand on?

On the show Carol Ingram taped with Sue, Carol revived a classic favorite from her book Dimensional Concepts in Sulky (#900B-12), which she co-authored with Joyce. If you don't find this book in local stores, order it on-line from www.speedstitch.com. It is packed with fun, dimensional projects that will excite and motivate you, including a whole section on the Illusionary Bar Technique that is featured on this show.

Carol shows us how to create illusion on wearables and home-dec items using feature fabrics that are mysteriously separated, yet maintain the illusion of being behind bars. She uses the "hula skirt" method to keep all of the little strips intact until she is ready to place them, and she shows how to lightly adhere the strips until you're ready to finish and fuse them in place for good.

She also shows additional embellishment techniques such as adding embroideries or appliqué to hide design flaws while adding flair. This is one of those "magical" techniques that looks so complicated but is, in reality, so easy and so much fun to do. You will dazzle your friends! You can make simple tote bags, simple vests, elaborate garments, home dec items and more. You can also incorporate your beautiful embroideries, if desired.

Watch for the upcoming "American Sews with Sue Hausmann" PBS show #2513.

Sue and Carol wearing their Illusionary Bar vests
on the set of "America Sews with Sue Hausmann".

In Memoriam

Joyce thought you would all like to know that her 16-year-old beloved, toy poodle, Bright, died July 17th. It has been a huge loss for her and Fred. What a blessing this sweet, loving dog was for all those years. She was truly a little black, fluffy angel as many of you have seen in the various Sulky books where she made a guest appearance.

FREE Project of the Month

Sulky Hair "Scrunchies", Earrings & Things

GET THOSE GIRLS READY FOR SCHOOL!

As promised last month, this project is from our book, Updated Serger Concepts in Sulky (900B-5), which is no longer in print. Cute little hair ornaments and accessories made on the serger... a fun project for the young girls and teenagers as they get restless about returning to school!

We would love to see this project done with some of our newer Blendables and Metallic threads, so please share photos with us if you do this project. (Send to: Info@sulky.com)

For complete directions go to www.sulky.com for a printable version.

From the Updated Serger Concepts in Sulky book published by Sulky of America.