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Who has a sewing machine? Who knows how to use it?

My parents bought me one for my birthday, and now that they've left, I'm finding the patterns a bit daunting.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:05 (6 years ago) Permalink

woohoo!

I barely know how to do anything. threading the bitch was more difficult than imagined.

but to be truthful I haven't tried too much, still have to many grand knitting plans.

i want to make a skirt though, they seem fairly easy.

― Sam: Screwed and Chopped (Molly Jones), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:07 (6 years ago) Permalink

My base-model Baby Lock has a needle threader! The lady in the store did it with such ease! Of course, as soon as I got home, I couldn't figure it out, so I'm just doing it by hand.

Also, the brand name Baby Lock just sounds perverse. But it's a nice little machine!

I bought a skirt pattern, that my mother thought was fairly simple, and probably my speed (sidenote: my mom's a great sewer (that looks awful! Should I say seamstress? Or quilter?).

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:11 (6 years ago) Permalink

Oh FINALLY, a sewing thread! I got a passel of Vogue patterns in the mail today. Open betting pool on whether I devote this coming weekend to sewing or fuck around w/ other stuff. Weighted odds for the fact that I'm running out of work clothes now that weather is cooler.

("Sewer" or "home sewer" is correct! I think "seamstress" is a professional designation...? Quilting is a totally different art, unless your mom does in fact quilt.)

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:25 (6 years ago) Permalink

What skirt pattern, molly dolly?

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:25 (6 years ago) Permalink

I have been intending to use my sewing machine for some time, but I've been pretty unsuccessful at getting it to work for me. I've been thinking about taking lessons to get me started -- would that be worth the effort, or should I just learn by trial, error, & brute force?? Also, where to find sewing classes?

― elmo argonaut (allocryptic), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:35 (6 years ago) Permalink

The Vogue patterns are the BEST! While at Jo-Ann Fabrics with my mother, I sat down in the cushy chairs in the pattern department and admired the gorgeous Fall Vogue Pattern book. My goal is to make a party dress. With Crionolin. It's going to take me a while, as the shirt I'm working on now is looking pretty rough. My seams suck! I can read knitting patterns like nobody's bidness, but the sewing patterns are driving me bonkers!

The word "sewer" just doesn't seem right on a message board. Too close to the pronunciation of the the bits that carry sewage.

My skirt is pretty boring, actually, but it will suit my librarian ways. It's just a regular A-line type get-up, and probably good for someone who hasn't sewn anything substantial in several years.

Laurel! Tell me what you've sewn! I'm so excited to hear what others have created, as it will give my inspiration that I will get better and I won't look like a crazy hippy in my big goofy, oddly puckered shirts.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:37 (6 years ago) Permalink

I'm taking classes at the shop (Pfaff?) where I bought my sewing machine. I think the big name craft/fabric stores offer classes as well, as I saw a bunch of sewing machines lined up in the middle of Jo-Ann Fabrics. I need these classes. The freeform-no-rules sewing I'm doing now isn't working too well for me. My stuff looks like crap.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:41 (6 years ago) Permalink

my gf is a badass seamstress. she sells her stuff at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=52995

― Fetchboy (Felcher), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:53 (6 years ago) Permalink

I own a sewing machine, but junior high home ec plus the excellent skills of my best friend have still not helped me to enjoy sewing or become proficient. I did make a dress for my daughter, but my friend wound up putting the zipper in and hemming it (because if I had taken any longer, my daughter would have been too big for the dress).

Otherwise, I do like to make fabric pouches, fill them with feed corn (rice would work, too, I think), close them and give them to people as gifts. They are cheap and easy to do, and once you explain "heat this up in the microwave and stick it in your bed or tuck it into your coat when it's cold," they are very appreciated.

― Sara R-C (Sara R-C), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:53 (6 years ago) Permalink

I've sewn a bunch of skirts, a blouse or two (but nothing with set-in sleeves, only puffed ones), two dresses (with varying levels of success in fitting). Have also received about 10 patterns for this fall, split between Vogue and Simplicity. Not started any yet.

http://www.simplicity.com/assets/4047/4047t.jpg
http://www.simplicity.com/assets/4112/4112t.jpg
http://www.simplicity.com/assets/4122/4122.jpg
http://www.simplicity.com/assets/4086/4086.jpg
http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/20000/itm_img/V8129.jpg
http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/20000/itm_img/V7937.jpg

Plus more I can't find right now.

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 19:57 (6 years ago) Permalink

Those tops (3rd one down) are really cute! My skirt pattern is Simplicity, I think, and really similar to the one you posted (w/o buttons).

I'm going to bring my machine (I have a blue carrying case!) and my disaster of a top to Ben's parents house tonight, where I'm hoping his mother can help me sort out the collar. It's not so great-looking. I need help.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:09 (6 years ago) Permalink

Collars look hard, I haven't made any proper shirt collars before. Plus shirts are harder to fit because you can't pin them on yourself and see all the way around. I found skirts much, much easier...plus it's hard (for me) to find off-the-rack skirts that FIT, so making them made a greater difference in my getting dressed in the morning.

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:15 (6 years ago) Permalink

Oh, it's not even a proper shirt collar. It's an attached piece around the neckline. I think they called it a collar in the mind-blowing pattern, but it's not a proper one with stays, or anything of the sort. It's a glorified hem, really. Somehow, I couldn't follow the "stretch to fit" instructions and it got bunched up and uneven. So it goes.

I completely feel your pain! I have a hell of time finding pants / skirts / tops that are long enough, as I seem to have freakishly long extremities. And, well, the thought of only spending about $5 for fabric plus the time it takes to make a crappily-made garment seems a lot better than spending at least $35 for a crappily-made garment with a label. I can make my own poorly constructed work clothes, thank you very much! Are you listening Banana Republic?

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:25 (6 years ago) Permalink

Oh, it's a collar facing? The little part that goes underneath that makes the visible edge clean? Those never ever look right until you trim the seam allowances and press with an iron. The dress I made for my sister's wedding seemed like a TOTAL LOSS at about 10pm the night before the ceremony (admittedly I had altered the bodice pieces beyond recognition from their original state so I was expecting some problems with the lining)...but my mother straightened it out by snipping and steaming.

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:28 (6 years ago) Permalink

Yes! That's exactly what it is! This makes me feel a lot better, even though my 5/8 stitch didn't stay 5/8 for very long, which is another cause for woe for the collar facing. My mom advised me just to take it out and start again due to the horrible and clumsy stitchy. Steaming! That's something I hadn't even thought of. This is making me feel a lot better.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:35 (6 years ago) Permalink

I took a costume designing class my last semester of college just to burn up credits (my course load that semester was tennis, costume design, music and computers, personal development and baroque art hist.) and it was really useful. I had to make a button down collared shirt as a final project. Thank god I didn't have to wear it, because those arm holes were not big enough for anyone.

Another mistake I will never make again, is when making a simple elastic waistband a-line skirt. I measured my waist for the elastic but totally didn't take into account my hips. So basically, it was hell trying to get it over my ass.

I would sew more if I had a nice big flat surface for cutting and ironing and if I had a dress form. And if I weren't so lazy. I tend to just get Franz to mend my clothes. He sews better than me anyway.

― eatadick.com (Carey), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:36 (6 years ago) Permalink

I so would kill for a serger if I wasn't scared of threading one.

― eatadick.com (Carey), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:39 (6 years ago) Permalink

Carey, you didn't have to WEAR the shirt you made?? That's kind of crazy.

I layout and cut on the floor. I actually kind of miss having wall-to-wall carpeting with padding underneath, because I could pin the whole thing to the floor for stability while cutting (probably the only good that carpet ever did). A dress form is never gonna happen in my life, I don't think, but it would improve my tailoring HUGELY if I had, and could use, an upper-body sloper. I feel like I don't do enough sewing to justify it these days...but I could start!

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:48 (6 years ago) Permalink

Cutting boards! My mother recommended I get one! Are they just used for cutting? Can you pin into those?

My kitchen table is now solely used for cutting and sewing purposes.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:51 (6 years ago) Permalink

Cutting boards are for rotary cutters...they're made of some kind of "self-healing" plastic that closes right up when you cut into it, and doesn't dull the rotary blades. You can't pin into 'em, so they're normally used with pattern weights, which are basically just heavy things you put on top of your fabric-pattern sandwich to keep things from shifting while you cut. It's upposed to be lots faster than pinning, which makes sense. Rotary cutting is better for big cuts than small ones, though -- good for pants, skirts, long things, not as good for little facings or tiny notches.

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 20:58 (6 years ago) Permalink

Ahh, I see! I'm not sure exactly what my mother was recommending, then. I think she just didn't want me to scratch up the old wooden table. Are there any "Sewing for Dummies" books out there that you'd recommend? I feel I need some reference material.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 21:02 (6 years ago) Permalink

okay, totally intimidated.

I have a nice cutting table in my knitting/sewing room. now just to actually sew something.

― Sam: Screwed and Chopped (Molly Jones), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 21:04 (6 years ago) Permalink

Oh gosh, I dunno what your mom meant! I seem to remember my mother having a big board printed with a 1" graph, which I think was just meant to provide a smooth surface and/or protect tables, yes. I'd forgotten about that. I haven't seen it since I was a kid.

Sewing for Dummies: no -- I have a couple of basic sewing books (like the Dorling Kindersley one from when I worked there) but I haven't found them ALL that useful -- the Internet is probably better when you have a specific question, like "HOW THE FUCK DOES AN INVISIBLE ZIPPER GO IN WITHOUT SHOWING, GODAMMIT?". I am totally in love with Threads magazine, though, for secret tips and technique hints. Lots of stuff I didn't really understand has turned out to be useful later.

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 21:13 (6 years ago) Permalink

I think she does have a brown graph cutting board! Yes! I think that's what she probably meant for me to get, as I've already nicked my table with my scissors.

I'm going to have to get a copy of Threads. My house is already filling up with knitting books and magazines. Why not fill it up more with sewing stuff as well?

I'll try to take a picture of the shirt I'm working on tonight. It's not awful... just very novice. My mom also bought me a purse pattern (fun black handles were purchased). She tried to explain interfacing to me, but I think I just ended up blankly staring at her from information overload.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 21:21 (6 years ago) Permalink

Answer: I'm pretty sure you can't put an invis zip in by machine unless you have the special foot for it. It's hard to explain why without examining a zipper and pointing things out. But you can put them in by hand relatively easily and I had WAY better results that way. Generally, though, I prefer regular zippers...just move them from center back to the side seams so they're under the arms and really not noticeable. Also helps keep fabric print continuity across the back of the dress/skirt, where it would otherwise be interrupted by the zip.

Capish? :)

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 21:22 (6 years ago) Permalink

Yes! Thank you! I think that makes sense. When I get to the zipper on my skirt, I'll sure I'll be howling for help. The idea of hand-sewing gives me a sense of calm, so I will keep that in mind.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 21:25 (6 years ago) Permalink

I'm signing up for lessons either late this year or early next. I can wrangle the machine into submission, but the results aren't pretty. 3 identical curtain pairs = 6 different sized panels. Not good.

― patita (patita), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 21:47 (6 years ago) Permalink

Sweet! Among the (many) reasons I want my wrist to heal is so that I can make myself new clothes for this fall.

― j.lu (j.lu), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 23:43 (6 years ago) Permalink

I want to learn to sew so I can make a skirt of out my ELVIS fabric.

― tokyo nursery school: afternoon session (rosemary), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 00:05 (6 years ago) Permalink

Roze: SPILL. Whence the Elvis fabric?? I always want to buy out the shelves at reprodepot but not at those prices... :(

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 12:36 (6 years ago) Permalink

I am very tempted to take some sewing classes NEXT year when I already know a bit of knitting so I can focus on something new. But I want to see if I can make a go at knitting for Ophelia first, then I can focus on sewing pretty things for her. :-)

I have already been looking for a sewing machine. Any tips?

― Nathalie (stevie nixed), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 12:45 (6 years ago) Permalink

The best tip I can give you is that you don't need anything fancy on your sewing machine. The cheapest and most basic model you can find will do for almost everything. I've inherited my grandmother's Singer, which is about 40 years old, but works fine. I've only used it once, though, to make a kingsize duvet cover into a double. One enormous straight line isn't particularly challenging :)

― Mädchen (Madchen), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 12:51 (6 years ago) Permalink

I bought some white and gold swirly patterned material today, some gold coloured satiny lining material, some white fake fur trim and some wadding. All cheap in a sale, less than £10 for the lot. This weekend I shall be turning all that lot into eight high-heeled-fashion-boot shaped Christmas stockings. I found a great template for it online - they're not huge, about 12" or so high.

My daughters talked me into it ... they will have one each plus give one to each of their three Best Friends, and then everyone will buy a small gift for everyone else to go in each of the stockings, rather than buying one bigger gift each for every friend. I thought that sounded a really cool idea of theirs (except I'm the one lumbered with having to make the stockings now!)

― C J (C J), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 13:01 (6 years ago) Permalink

I'm tossing all the fabric from my unrealized sewing projects into the Red Cross collection box. I will NEVER NEVER NEVER sew these dresses! This stuff, fabric and patterns, has been languishing in the drawer of my broken sewing machine for years and years. Like, pushing twenty years. The sewing machine's going too. It was broken when I scavenged it, a beautiful antique—I thought I'd get it fixed. Hah. LET GO!!!!!
I have a nice New Home portable that lives at a friend's house. She needs it more than I do. I go over there and use it once in a while. Hemming up cut-offs, etc.

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 13:04 (6 years ago) Permalink

I'm hoping they'll turn out a bit like this :

― C J (C J), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 13:15 (6 years ago) Permalink

It's useful to have stitches on yr machine that are intended for stretch fabrics, actually, if you're going to make any Tshirts or sweatshirts or use that jersey material (especially for kids!). If you put a straight stitch on a stretch fabric and then actually stretch it, the straight stitches snap under the pressure and your seam or hem falls out. (Funny, it sounds like I learned this the hard way!) Luckily even quite basic machines have a couple of stitches with some ease in them, it doesn't require anything very advanced.

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 13:22 (6 years ago) Permalink

From my incredibly limited experience, I do think the more basic a machine, the better, for novice sewers, anyway. I think if my machine had any more functions on it, I'd be overwhelmed. I'm mildly overwhelmed as it is, but my sewing classes and my bungling mistakes should be good learning experiences.

― molly d (mollyd), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 15:10 (6 years ago) Permalink

I'm plenty overwhelmed with my basic machine. I think it has 4 or 6 stitches on it.

I went to the site for Threads magazine and downloaded a 'teach yourself to sew' pdf that I might give a whirl this weekend.

expereinced ladies, how did you learn? did you just dive into a project or did you just practice sewing lines and curves and corners on scraps?

― Sam: Screwed and Chopped (Molly Jones), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 15:44 (6 years ago) Permalink

My mom sewed, and I watched and read books aloud while she worked. Now I have her old machine, and I find whenever I try a new procedure (buttonholes, etc) that some part of my mess of a brane remembers what buttonholes sound like. It's awesome. Otherwise I think I took one Home Ec class in Jr High that involved some basic sewing, and the rest has been on my own.

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 17:00 (6 years ago) Permalink

I am freakisly remembering things I learned from my Home Ec classes in 7th and 8th grade. My mom even asked, "Why do you put the needle in the fabric before putting the foot down?" and my only repsone was "My 8th grade teacher told me to." I made my fair share of scrunchies and fabric snowmen xmas ornaments back in the day. I think they totally looked like crap, but it was good experience and is slowly, but surely (well, more slowly than surely), coming back. My mom sews, and my grandmother sewed like nobody's bidness. She was the first person to teach me, actually, when I was a wee little Molly.

― molly d (mollyd), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 18:16 (6 years ago) Permalink

no home ec for me. and my mom sewed but she never showed me anything and doesn't do anything useful anymore. boo!

― Sam: Screwed and Chopped (Molly Jones), Wednesday, 27 September 2006 18:19 (6 years ago) Permalink

I finished my top last night.

It looks awful!

I'm going to wait to embark on something new until after my first sewing class on Saturday.

― molly d (mollyd), Thursday, 28 September 2006 13:48 (6 years ago) Permalink

I bought a book which explained how to make patters based on body type. Yikes, I thought knitting was hard. :-(

― Nathalie (stevie nixed), Thursday, 28 September 2006 13:50 (6 years ago) Permalink

There's more instant gratification with sewing, i.e. a top only takes a week or so, whereas a sweater takes ages.

I need these little old ladies to help me.

Maybe I should try a less ambitious project first, like a pouch or something. Frustrating!

― molly d (mollyd), Thursday, 28 September 2006 13:52 (6 years ago) Permalink

show us your top!

All I've made so far were dog toys. they're appreciation is only so-so.

a top only takes a week or so, whereas a sweater takes ages.

This is why I love making purses!

Plus, knitting's more portable. hard to sew on the bus.

― Sam: Screwed and Chopped (Molly Jones), Thursday, 28 September 2006 13:54 (6 years ago) Permalink

Aw, molly -- haha.

Sewing is really just lots of direction-following + a working ability to think in 3-D. Ie, remember which armhole is the left one even when yr shirt is inside-out, see in your head how things are going together before you sew them. That is sometimes hard, I have definitely sewn the wrong things together based on inside-out-ness or similar confusion. And my mother once made a set of lace curtains with one somehow six inches shorter than the other, and she's been sewing all her life! Concentration is key.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 28 September 2006 13:54 (6 years ago) Permalink

I can't seem to find where I put my digital camera! But as soon as I do, you can all be inspired and given confidence by crash and burn attempt at sewing a shirt that fits HORRIBLY.

I have a purse pattern! I may be asking for y'alls' help. Interfacing is involved. I am frightened.

Thanks, Laurel! I think I just need more practice. Reading patterns confusing, esp. when you have no clue what they're talking about. I did have to run to the computer several times last night to figure out certain mystifying phrases such "basting." Do you usually do that by hand or just use a big stitch? I used a long stitch on my machine which is the same one I used to gather fabric. Perhaps that's why my shirt looks like crap.

― molly d (mollyd), Thursday, 28 September 2006 14:02 (6 years ago) Permalink

Also key: READ THE DIRECTIONS ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEFORE CUTTING ANYTHING. Like, read them and look at the diagrams and imagine doing it, so you walk yrself through the whole process. Helps to see where particular details might be important later on, and what you can fudge. Measure twice, cut once -- all those woodworking proverbs apply.

Haha, XP!

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 28 September 2006 14:05 (6 years ago) Permalink

Basting I usually do by hand because I have more control over how things are positioned when I handsew; ie if things have to be on a curve you can lay them over the corner of the ironing board or a tailor's ham or whatever, and find the best way to match up seams without being limited to a flat surface. Especially useful if making anything with princess seaming, which is ALL CURVES. Grrr.

Exception: I use a long machine stitch if basting is to stabilize a curved edge, ie the edge of a neckline or the top of a skirt. That kind of basting is used wherever fabric has to hang on the bias, to keep the fibers from getting pulled out of square while you work on the pieces (too much handling can be hard on the grain).

Molly, do you have the pattern number for yr shirt? Am curious.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 28 September 2006 14:10 (6 years ago) Permalink

Skipping 139 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

To me the dress looks almost mod/sixties style. So I was just thinking a contrasting color of blanket border or twill tape on the bottom. But that's just my taste.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:17 (5 years ago) Permalink

i'm new to all of this . . . is that like bias tape more or less?

I think you're right though. Less is more with that dress. would it be too much to have a border along the bottom and then maybe trim the top portion of the pocket in the same border?

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:21 (5 years ago) Permalink

You could do the ties in a contrasting color, or even polka dotted fabric!

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:26 (5 years ago) Permalink

the next dress i'm going to make with this pattern is going to be in houndstooth w/ contrasting ties but the current dress is almost finished already (thus the ties are already turquoise). I'm not that experienced of a sewer, so I wanted to do a practice dress first. but i love the idea of polka dots! i mostly avoid bows & buttons as decor & everything else is game.

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:28 (5 years ago) Permalink

is that like bias tape more or less

yes. I almost said contrasting ties too.

for me the embroidery seems too hippieish (and I love embroidering things) but again that's just my taste.

I mainly just sew bags/purses so am not the best reference on clothes styling.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:31 (5 years ago) Permalink

I am the same way. That pattern looks great! I'm still a total novice with the sewing. Was it terribly hard? I bought a pattern a while back from Vogue that looks great, but seems a bit too difficult for me.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:32 (5 years ago) Permalink

I agree that embroidery looks too hippie. I think that's why I was leaning toward the crazier one, but even that would probably clash with the dress.

The next dress I make (with the houndstooth) I'm going to do a contrasting tie but only on the inside so the contrast peeks out at you. That's the dress I'm actually more excited about which is why I'm using this one as a practice round.

As for difficulty, it's surprisingly not too bad! I started with the shirt, actually, and I'm glad I did b/c the dress would've been too much for a first time thing. I also modified the shirt to have longer sleeves (slightly) and no elastic in them. I kept the elastic in the neck though, and it's a great shirt to throw on whenever. I may end up hemming it slightly as I am probably shorter than the anticipated person they made this pattern for. you could totally do it, molly!!

If you get it & have trouble, I would be happy to help out. I don't know where you live but this weekend is a 99 cent sale on simplicity patterns at joanns & this is one of their patterns.

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:37 (5 years ago) Permalink

Seriously!? 99 cents! I'm so there! Thanks so much! There's a Joann a couple miles from my house. I've been needing a project to A) increase my skills and B) increase my sewing confidence. I really love the top and the dresses. I made a shirt a while back, and it turned out really terribly. I also used some ugly granny fabric from the clearance rack, so it wasn't too much of a wash.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:42 (5 years ago) Permalink

I love Jo-Ann's but it's kind of far from here. I've done about four purses recently from my own design. they were, eh. I've also done a couple of make-up bags that were passable. I'm about to do a tote for myself lined with some luscious taffeta. after that I'm going to try my hand at a messenger bag. I really need an industrial machine.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:45 (5 years ago) Permalink

I bought some great marimekko-esque fabric for curtains, which I really ought to do something with. The extra room in the new place is all set up with sewing table, so it's high time I get something done.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:48 (5 years ago) Permalink

Gah I lost out on some brilliant Unikko-like fabric on eBay by being lazy and not checking, just lost out and it went for a total steal. Chiz. You gotta picture?

― Sarah, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:50 (5 years ago) Permalink

Yes! the 99 cent sale starts on the 17th & only goes through the 19th, so stock up! molly, amy butler patterns are REALLY awesome b/c she talks you through step by step. The BBW pattern is easy enough, but it's not quite as clear as the step-by-step stuff. At least, that's been my take on things.
i just realized you've done a top before. this top will be so so easy for you then! and it's so customize-able!

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 15:55 (5 years ago) Permalink

No pictures yet, Sarah. Digital camera is in a box somewhere that has yet to be unpacked. But once I'm done with them, I'll get some photos. I may even take a hiatus from my frantic sock knitting (I'm totally obsessed), and sew tonight instead! Yay, thread revival!

EXCELLENT! I will head to Joann's this weekend, with money from old security deposit in hand and STOCK UP!

Ok, the shirt I made was an UGLY NIGHTMARE. My parents were down visiting, and my mom claimed this was a good pattern. Uhhh, not so much. There was all sorts of weird ruching that didn't agree with the granny fabric too well. It was a dollar a yard, so I justified.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:01 (5 years ago) Permalink

Totally ugly! I don't even know why I thought I would wear it!

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:01 (5 years ago) Permalink

I think it has potential!

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:02 (5 years ago) Permalink

No Jo-Ann's for me this weekend. Spent $60 there last weekend. :(

I'm trying to get back to knitting as all I've been doing lately is sewing.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:06 (5 years ago) Permalink

I think I'm going to buy pinking shears instead of a serger. I have been really thinking about a serger lately.

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:06 (5 years ago) Permalink

Awwh! Thanks! I had big ideas, but it didn't turned out how I'd hoped. The BBY top is exactly what I've been looking for!

Ben's mom has a serger, so I have access to one, whenever I may need one. Wahoo! But pinking shears are just classic.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:10 (5 years ago) Permalink

explain to me the benefits of a serger. I know them not.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:11 (5 years ago) Permalink

would you recommend a serger? i keep eyeballing the brother model (maybe 1030D or something like that?)that has so many positive reviews on amazon.

I really do like your top! I think the style of it is really cute. You should check out some of the other BBW patterns though - there's a cute one with a diamond shaped do-dad in the middle that's really cute and a shirt intended for jersey fabric that's classic looking.

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:12 (5 years ago) Permalink

Ok, look at a hem on your clothes. I just looked at my cheapo Target dress for an example, but it's not the best. It makes professional looking hems with the intense stitching.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:13 (5 years ago) Permalink

this might help:

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:14 (5 years ago) Permalink

Is it worth getting a whole machine for that (I mean cost wise?) I guess since I don't do much clothes maybe not. I really need to be able to sew through leather and very thick layers of fabric.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:14 (5 years ago) Permalink

I've actually never had the opportunity to use one! I don't even think Ben's mom uses hers all that much. When I was taking sewing classes (they were uber-basic), the ladies at the shop wouldn't stop talking about how great they were for garment-making (the ease, the professional look, etc.).

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:15 (5 years ago) Permalink

I think I am romanticizing it since becoming terribly addicted to making clothes. Right now I just do a zig zag stitch up the sides but it doesn't look as nice & I've heard sergers are much faster at this.

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:31 (5 years ago) Permalink

My grandmother used to make A LOT of my clothes when I was a little kid, and the zig zag stitch reminds me of this. It also reminds of the time I wore a dress my grandma made for me for school picture day (mind you, it was 3rd grade, and I looked ridiculously awkward - gap tooth, frizzy hair, big glasses, etc.). The notorious mean girl came up to me and said, "What are you wearing? You look Protestant." I think I remember defending my clothes, blah blah blah. But, it was the first time I ever had the "Wow, you're an idiot" moment which one becomes far too familiar with as time goes on. 3rd grade Molly was too nice to say this to her face.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:37 (5 years ago) Permalink

That's such a bittersweet story.

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:42 (5 years ago) Permalink

Now, I think this idiot girl probably meant to say I looked like a Pilgrim (dress had HUGE white bib-thingy on it).

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:43 (5 years ago) Permalink

I remember thinking, "I'm not going to feel bad about being made fun of because this person is clearly a moron." Yay, character building from wearing handmade grandma clothes!

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:45 (5 years ago) Permalink

haha, yeah you should've said 'you look like a catholic!'

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:45 (5 years ago) Permalink

I just sent my parents an email asking them to scan that picture.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 16:49 (5 years ago) Permalink

I think sergers are on the expensive side AND you have to take lessons.

― tokyo rosemary, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:21 (5 years ago) Permalink

The Brother model I'm looking at is $232, which is spendy but not awful.

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:55 (5 years ago) Permalink

i havent touched my sewing machine. i'm in ph34r of it. honest to god. :-(

― stevienixed, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 20:03 (5 years ago) Permalink

why?!

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 20:13 (5 years ago) Permalink

i'm afraid of it. it's just so complex and... frightening. silly, i know. :-( i tried it, i nearly sewed my finger to the fabric and then i just... left it. :-(

― stevienixed, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 20:16 (5 years ago) Permalink

oh!

― sweet tater, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 20:27 (5 years ago) Permalink

5 months pass...

hello ladies.

i want to make lots of clothes this spring (it's so gross here today, i need to be optimistic).

let's talk patterns.

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 31 January 2008 21:42 (5 years ago) Permalink

also, i just ordered this book.

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 31 January 2008 21:43 (5 years ago) Permalink

NB, I lack skills. Do you think I could make this:

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 31 January 2008 21:49 (5 years ago) Permalink

Yes, almost certainly. There are some tricks to gathering which I can share if you want (altho the pattern probably tells you, just sometimes I know the dirrex are confusing). My mom laid out the rules for me at some point when I was having a break-down in mid-project. Also gathered sleeves are A LOT easier to set in than straight sleeves so kudos to that.

― Laurel, Thursday, 31 January 2008 21:51 (5 years ago) Permalink

I'm just so tired of being poor and buying shitty cheapo clothes that fall apart or fade. Well, I'm sure some of my first attempts will fall apart, but that's all part of the learning experience.

Anyway, yay! Would a cotton be good for a shirt like that?

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 31 January 2008 21:58 (5 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, nothing too heavy cos of the amount of fabric going into that gathered yoke. Something crisp and light is prob recommended.

― Laurel, Thursday, 31 January 2008 22:00 (5 years ago) Permalink

This might be a silly question, but are there special washing instructions for hand sewn garments? Delicate?

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 31 January 2008 22:05 (5 years ago) Permalink

3 years pass...

I was going to name the new thread "I'd like to know where you got the notions: ilx running (stitch) sewing thread" but it's just as well this one already existed.

― it's not that print journalists don't have a sense of humour, it's just (Laurel), Monday, 22 August 2011 14:23 (1 year ago) Permalink

8 months pass...

Request for advice: is the Readers' Digest book still a good recommendation for a beginner? And what about a new sewing machine? (Please don't suggest buying used, there are no repair shops that I can get to without a car). I am planning on an excursion to JoAnn Fabric this week, but will have to order one online.
My experience is minimal, but I don't plan on making anything fancy.

Thanks for any info, sewing folks of ILX!

― on the road to the twilight zone (doo dah), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 13:56 (1 year ago) Permalink

Well, I got this one, was delivered yesterday evening. So I have only just taken it out of the box.
Also, went on an excursion to Jo-Ann Fabric and bought some flannel and a pattern to make pajamas.
Stuff is expensive since I was a little girl going to fabric shops with my mother!

― on the road to the twilight zone (doo dah), Tuesday, 15 May 2012 16:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

Honestly I can't remember what books are good and/or bad, sorry not to have responded! I haven't done any sewing in years because life got in the way, but maybe this summer it will happen? I don't love my chances but I can make it happen.

― how did I get here? why am I in the whiskey aisle? this is all so (Laurel), Tuesday, 15 May 2012 16:10 (1 year ago) Permalink

Oh, I picked up that Readers Digest book from the library, too, looks like it might be useful. I'll wait to see if I want to buy it.
Nice that there is so much info online!

― on the road to the twilight zone (doo dah), Tuesday, 15 May 2012 16:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

I've been jonesing for a sewing machine for months now. it's just simmering away, making me put 1940s dress patterns into my Etsy favorites (I don't wear dresses as a rule wtf). I know when I get one I will start buying fabric and notions like the mad hoarder I am (hello all my yarn i love u my pretty pretty skeins). The only question is when.

― Jaq, Tuesday, 15 May 2012 16:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

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