ILX Sewing!

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.

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?).

("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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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.

Capish? :)

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

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!)

http://familyfun.go.com/Resources/craftimages/1103_stocking_fancy_boot.jpg

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?

It looks awful!

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

I need these little old ladies to help me.

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

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.

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.

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.

Haha, XP!

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.

http://www.1sewingpatterns.com/images0/4700bsim.jpg

They're about 3/4 length sleeves instead.

http://static.flickr.com/95/258172320_4f47355504.jpg?v=0

i will never wear it. it fits poorly and is a bit too hippy dippy. oh, and i did a really bad job too.

my sewing class was great! i even bought a new foot for my machine, so now i can do piping, sewing over pearls, and gathering very easily!

http://static.flickr.com/117/258172322_f0016e6a7d.jpg?v=0

can i have the handbag please? ;-)

I love that foot! I decided to make a fancy pillow Saturday afternoon with gathering AND piping, abut quickly realized this cannot be done when you've already sewn piping on to the piece. Oh well.

http://www.simplicity.com/assets/4236/4236.jpg

and some plain, solid fabric. I'm thinking skirt should be easy for first try? It calls for twill tape on the back. What is that?

Piping is fun, though! I'll have a pretty boring pillow when I'm finished!

My sewing class is pretty awesome. It's full of a bunch of old Southern ladies, who are all really sweet. It's out in Madison, TN, which is a suburb outside of Nashville. I sat across from a lady wearing a red "Camp Fallujah Iraq" baseball hat. She kept getting confused, poor thing.

Twill tape is a flat, ribbon-like tape in a kind of herringbone weave. I think it's mostly used for strengthening pressure points? I've never used it. What does the pattern say to do with it?

http://www.ribbonsgalore.com.au/shop/images/RIB.15.TWI.BLU.jpg

Oh god, last time I tried anything with silk it was QUEL DISASTER! Right now I need three yards of wine-red baby-wale corduroy but I'm too lazy/disorganized to get over to the fashion district and buy it.

Yeah, we bring our own sewing machines to class. Everybody had really fancy ones with computers and such. I felt like I had a Kia, and everyone else had Mercedes, but then when they were all getting confused on the programming, my inferiority complex was lifted.

Ooh! Laurel! What are you making with that corduroy? I am a total sucker for that color in cordoroy.

I"m still trying to knit up xmas stuff, why aren't there more hours in the day??

Sam, I still have to finish the plastic bag knit purse for my sister's birthday... which was last month. Way to go, pokey! I made one i-cord already, but I've been sewing too much to actually want to sit down and knit.

I have too many hobbies. Oh well.

The zipper is in the center back.

Here's the pattern:

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B4710=x&TI='B4710'&page=1

I don't intend on putting ribbon on it. I just want to make a sensible, easy skirt.

Oh! There's a seemingly simple vintage apron pattern in BUST, which involves using an old sheet.

I would just to make something that I don't fuck up, so I can feel accomplished.

I have a gift certificate to this nice fabric store near my house. Any suggestions as to what I should buy that's essential for sewing? I did get a cardboard cutting board, and I already have pins, magnetic pin holder, measuring tape, and a pair of okay cutting scissors.

Other sewing tools that I use all the time:

* seam ripper
* small thread snips (like scissors but without the finger holes so they're a little bit easier to pick up in a hurry; I use them for all my hand mending and for cutting free after sewing machine seams)
* small tailor's ham for pressing seams and anything curved
* a packet of good handsewing needles (called "sharps")
* tailor's chalk for removeable marking on the right sides of things (good for marking those pesky dart points and etc that have to be transferred from the patterns; maybe get one light colored chalk and one dark one; rub marks out with a damp rag when you're done)
* a basic thimble, nothing fancy (you'll want it when you're handsewing through lots of layers or anything denim or whatev)
* a good metal yardstick for marking and cutting bias strips or any straight lines.
* sewing gauge (like a a 6-inch ruler but with a little sliding marker, VERY useful for maintaining equidistant seam allowances, hems, buttonholes)

That might seem like a lot but each item should only be a dollar or two (tho the ham could be more). I have a bunch of other stuff, a bamboo point turner and little gadgets for folding bias tapes and chalk tracing paper, plus I think some of my stuff would turn out better if I learned to use a dressmaker's/French curve, but I think you could get by for a long time (forever?) with just what you have plus my list.

Here's where I have the gift certificate:

http://www.textilefabricstore.com/

Sadly, the "This I Believe" bit on NPR this morning was all about how failure is a good thing. I thought of my sewing endeavors.

I really do have to make sure to study the pattern before I do anything. I am like an excitable little kid who wants to bust right into it.

I'm really hard at work today. I just found this website:

http://www.fitzpatterns.com/index.html

Free skirt patterns! That wrap skirt is pretty cute. I could do that. I'm really tempted to just leave work early today, as I'm completely unproductive, and have a desire to go fabric and notions shopping instead. There's a top in there too that looks fairly easy.

Oh, and I'll give the excuse for leaving early that the new cat needs attention, as last night she decided to curl up on youknowwho, and then pee all over his shirt. Hah! (I shouldn't be laughing, but I can't help it).

Oh, and I went to the fabric store yesterday and became overwhelmed which led to my purchase-less departure. I overheard a woman discussing how she has sewn some of Dolly Parton's clothes (she was looking at the fake fur section), and I decided I need to come back when I'm feeling a bit more confident. How sad! Attack of low sewing-self esteem!

That wrap skirt though... I may be coming into a stash of old cordoroy, so perhaps I will attempt that.

I feel much better after having created something successfully. I was Suzie Downer for a while (also fueled by raging, emotional PMS, which made me sob at random TV shows, including, but not limited to: Extreme Makeover : Home Edition"),

I have a very, very good wrap pattern that's easy and I've made it twice and you could embellish or add pockets or change the closure to anything you wanted (it's supposed to be long skinny ties but I've also made it with a D-ring buckle).

the show is scientifically engineered to make you cry. it's evil really.

Oh! And you're totally right, Laurel: pressing seams makes a world of difference. I felt competent yesterday while making my sad little apron!

Sidenote: everyone of my family members is getting an apron for Xmas.

Regular ham:
http://www.bblackandsons.com/store/media/product-images/pressing_supplies/PS-04.jpg

I think, after I complete my apron, I will try something non-threatening like a tote-bag. I think I may try this:

http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/000216.html

I've also read that, if you want a skirt hem to float REALLY nicely for a special occasion, you can iron it out section by section on the ham rather than flat on the ironing board...it will give it just a little more rounding and body. Of course it's also more work.

http://static.flickr.com/101/271857434_a8edf1035b.jpg?v=0

CAT PICTURE ALERT:

http://static.flickr.com/98/272187119_94969efab5.jpg?v=0

Gertrude LOVES the sewing light.

Does yr machine have special settings/stitches for knits? Might be called a "stretch stitch" or similar.

It's my first time trying to follow a pattern . . . but it's a nice, simple one that I can improve upon when I try again.

thanks! the quilting was one of the easier parts . . . you use masking tape as a guide & it just happens so quickly. the border was really hard. it's cut on the bias & the corners are mitered. or supposed to be . . .
i'm going to try again anyway. we need potholders.

Yeah, Sam, I'd recommend Mason Dixon knitting! It's not clothes-heavy, but for some semi-practical stuff, (dishcloths upthread), it's really nice. Lots of fun afghan patterns too.

http://s133702574.onlinehome.us/pictures/blog/colonblow.jpg

My brain is feeble.

Sew Wrong: http://mena.typepad.com/dollarshort/sew_wrong/index.html
Not Martha: http://www.notmartha.org/index.html

This is an apron blog:

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/tieoneon/

Laurel, where do you go in the city/brooklyn, for fabric, tools etc. I want someplace that is well priced, non specialty, where i won't feel intimidated by tons of design students/designers.

(I had someone call me at home on my day off to ask what taffeta was so I think this could be useful.)

Further uptown it gets pricier and also snottier but there's some cool stuff. Everyone loves Mood Fabrics (www.moodfabrics.com - where contentants shopped on that sewing show, damned if I can't dredge up the name) and they have mind-boggling selection but PRICEY! Special occasion only, I think. There are a few notions places on um 39th Street? Steinloff and Stoller is a good one (and I think they sharpen shears there), also Daytona Trimmings. Generally just poke around the street. All of these places seem to attract FIT students & wholesale buyers, but it's not a big deal.

There's a totally awesome place called the City Quilter (www.cityquilter.com) in Chesea, the only fabric they carry is printed cottons for quilting (and the prices aren't great) but the selection of colors and unusual prints is unmatched anywhere else and they have really good notions and tools in the back room (for instance, they sell glass-headed straight pins that won't melt under the iron!!, and cutting mats and technical stuff).

I thought ab out it much during the night and shall rip out stitches and attack from a different angle here shortly. coffee first.

Wish me luck. I have an entire apron to sew today when I get home from work (taking a half day for crafting purposes).

Totally going the Community Ed route this spring. They won't try to sell me shit.

I've totally been DIY and managed to make good looking xmas gifts (not without some initial struggle.) maybe get a good book and there's always the net.

this week i've been making my own little pattern, fun!

100 euros is about 120 dollars, but then VAT is very high here so i think it's sort of the same thing in the us (ie 100 dollars). maybe not the cheapest but for starters i'd like something *simple* but not too rickety. :-)

It's old (70s) but is perfect for me as there's no "let's make a Joey Ramone doll out of old bath towels"-type creativity to distract me. It's straight forward and answers any basic question I have. It's always opened up in my sewing room now and is like having my own old lady around to give me advice.

(pls note I don't hate fun but like to build up my skills solidly before I attempt to make Kathleen Hanna dolls out of Snoopy sheets.)

I asked a friend if it's easy to sew if you have the patterns and she was somewhat vague. She claimed, yes, unless you want to adapt the pattern. So is it easy if you have a pattern or still a big hurdle to climb over?

"I feel the need... the need to craft" Nath Cruise ;-)

So to answer your question I don't know that it's hard neccesairly (not anymore than learning any other skill set for the first time) but maybe not as fun for some. I think I'm going to try and build a cutting table this weekend so perhaps working with patterns will become more fun for me. So far I've been doing it all on the floor!

One way to make the satin easier to handle in the sewing process would be to interface it with a sturdier material on the backside -- something that doesn't stretch so much on the bias. If you want to go that route, holler, because I've only used interfacing a couple of times and I find it annoying but would be happy to discuss.

I've used regular sew-in interfacing but bought some fusible for this project. However I couldn't get it to fuse. I tried a lot of scrap fabric, marking the fuse side etc, but still couldn't get it to work. Don't know if I'm just doing it wrong or if it won't stick.

Last night I sewed interfacing to the lining (fleece) and then tried to sew that to the satin outer. big mess. Am going to cut a new piece and try again.

Basting/grid is a good idea, didn't think of that.

Heck, I could ask my friend and/or grandmother to teach me some tricks. :-) (God, that sounds lewd.)

I don't think I'll enroll in a sewing course (yet) as I'm very tempted to take that lacemaking class and who knows next year (and the year after that) might have some changes in the household?

Here's how green I was: Until I got my machine and started figuring out how to thread it, I had no idea that thread came from above and below. duh!

I finally made the second step: buying fabric and some needles and thread.

I had to before my fear turns into a fobia. ;-)

Yay!

I hope to have your giftie in the mail in the next week Nath. I'll stick some sewing goodies in too.

I almost finished my mother's purse this weekend. Except the material is this faux-suede and I kind of jacked up the stitching at the top which means I can't fix it. Because of the little holes. :( I love doing things of my own design but it means I'll usually making it up as I go along and end up having to redo parts.

I think this will be another confrontation with my "two left hands." I felt so stupid in the shop. As they are not extremely friendly and an impatient O was with me, I could not ask for information (re needles and *stuff*). I did notice a pamphlet for sewing classes. I only want to do a few, to get me started. *sigh*

PRESENT? Did you just say PRESENT? WOOHOO! :-D

Urgh, I don't even know how to thread the mothah-frigging machine. I'll ask someone. She has the same machine as I do. Lordie Lord!

Do I need two threads (we call'em under and above thread)? Or can I just do a *main* (above) thread?

You need two. The machine works by interlocking the two threads between the layers of fabric. I forget if you said whether or not you had a manual. This should guide you through it.

I have a manual, just not a brane. :-( I tried with the manual but I cldn't understand what they were on about. Should have taken the advice of the shopkeeper and listened to her explanation. :-(

I attempted to do some stitches and was able to get the fabric stuck. hahahahaha Now I have to learn how to put the "underthread" in again. I have watched YouTube and my fear has developed into a fobia again. I think I'll just be patient and slowly but surely figure it all out. What I *really* would like is some sort of mini course but they don't have it here. :-( I'm not willing to shell out 130 euros (yet). I can't since I do want to do the knitting course and there's a second baby on the way.

GAH!

Be patient and keep trying. You'll get it.

I need some help deciding on an embellished pocket . . .

I'm using this pattern to make the short dress w/ tie sleeves:
http://www.builtbywendy.com/onlineshop/images/BBY-3835_MAIN.jpg
and I'm making it out of this great dark turquoise fabric. I haven't put the pockets on yet in case I wanted to embroider them or something. I can't decide! It definitely needs something to break it up though. Any ideas?

What about a contrasting trim on the hem?

like a different thread color or do you mean like ric-rac or something?

I had thought about doing something more elaborate . . . i saw this photo of a japanese embroidered garden that seems kinda cool. i'll try to find a photo . . .

so kinda like this, i guess:

http://huangfamily.com/craftlog/archives/tinygarden.gif

but i don't think that flowers really fit in with what i like about the look of this dress...

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/117/258172322_f0016e6a7d.jpg?v=0

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

I think it has potential!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

this might help:
http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/ROYALCOFFERS/serged.jpg

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.

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.).

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.

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.

That's such a bittersweet story.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

why?!

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. :-(

oh!

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.

also, i just ordered this book.

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

http://www.simplicity.com/assets/3751/3751.jpg

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

http://i.imgur.com/wF1wkKd.jpg

my mom did this too

wth??

mine too, & the memory of it is weirdly tactile & fresh (maybe just cause it's still there, & used, kept in a cupboard full of videotapes), but: this doesn't seem so strange to me?, a solid biscuit-tin presumably seeming like some kind of natural endowment or double-edged gift to the frugal & resourceful. I think I would need a fuller awareness & context of receptacles of the time period in general before feeling too alarmed

I grew up with tins full of notions-instead-of-cookies, too! Especially buttons. But as a wee one I really liked going through all of the buttons and sorting them into different piles and choosing my favorites.

Anyhow, I'm reviving this thread because next week I'm taking an intro sewing class! My short-term goal is to be able to make some wrap skirts. Any ilxsewing gurus out there with a pattern recommendation?

I loved sorting through the button box!

I'm not an sewing guru, just more of a self-taught competent home sewer of things that are not too complicated. Like I can do my own simple alterations and sew home textiles. I've made garments a'plenty but I am out of practice and doubt I would have the patience for it right now.

I would really like to take a sewing class. There's one that looks fantastic in Chicago that focuses on getting you to the point of being able to do more complex alternations but it's far away from me.

Normally, I'm pretty happy to live several states away from my parents. They are awesome, but we get along better when I have some distance. I am, however, bummed that my mom will not be readily available to help me through my early sewing projects. She is a super amazing sewer and has been all her life.

I'm definitely concerned that I have poor spacial awareness and a lot of trouble thinking in 3-D. I'm hoping that just plowing through pattern instructions and not questioning them will work out OK.

I have a similar issue. My best advice is to double check everything. Twice. (So quadruple check?)

Carl whip out that sewing machine and make something for Ivy!!!

I have a wrap skirt pattern that I liked OK but I also made some alterations to it along the way. There's probably something better out there. (Also it calls for double row top-stitching which is really hard to do completely straight unless you have a double needle, which isn't beginner stuff imo).

Congrats, though, quincie!! Sewing is a great way to take back some control over fashun and to understand your body and how flat fabric ends up as 3-dimensional clothing items (if it's any good).

Sewing is a great way to take back some control over fashun and to understand your body

this is really true ime

i was almost done making this https://blog.spoonflower.com/2014/12/stitch-up-a-lined-and-reversible-tote-bag/
when i went to turn it inside out i realized i put the lining in backwards. womp womp.

I made a tote bag once and I totally put the lining in backwards as well!

Looking back at this thread... I did eventually get a dress form on cl that I never ever ended up using but I did make a large crafting table (one of those ikea hack things with cubbies and on wheels) that I like. Although it gets too heavy to be able to roll properly on rugs.

i ripped it out and put the lining in right. i need to add some stitches tacking the lining down in the bottom, perhaps by just laying it flat and stitching over the short side of the boxed corners. i still have trouble sewing straight. i stop and start again a lot and you can see jogs when i do that.

oh, here's how else i'm a dumb idiot: i flipped the dimensions so it's longer than it is wide. it's ok. it'll be a good library book bag.

I really hate pinning stuff which is why quilting is so much easier and pleasing to me (I very rarely pin). You can kind of get away with being a little sloppy. But it also taught me how to sew very straight and very fast.

pinning suuuuucks. and i stick myself all the time. and my cat is obsessed with pins and tries to steal them. i'd like to quilt, may try to make a lap quilt soon.

i'm making 100 bags and my sewing is actually improving. i made another one of those i linked above and put a nice pocket with multiple sub-pockets (one i-phone sized!) inside, and increased the depth of the corner-boxing. a great grocery bag. the next couple i make i will interface the lining. they will be indestructible. i am making this https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/11/27/favorite-totes-in-denim-with-colored-motes/ (the first one; i found the same fabric on fabric.com) and it's not perfect but not imperfect in a way anyone other than me will see it. yes i did rip one side of a handle out twice, but only because the second time i sewed it i twisted the handle. the first time it just looked a little wonky. also one of the small pieces of thread i produced when ripping the stitches out went in my wine glass and i accidentally drank it. amusing.

I love making bags as well. There's nothing like making the same kind of project over and over to increase your confidence and your general skills. You can tweak it each time, add something of your own, and all the time you're laying down experience. When I started sewing as an adult, I joined a group with a bunch of fairly experienced sewers, and I was amazed at how they could eyeball measurements, keep stuff together without pinning, guess at placement, all that stuff. Now I can do that stuff too, for certain projects. Next stop.... zips.

I've also taken up very simple embroidery, because I like to have something small to work on in my hand that doesn't interfere with a cat on my lap.

i'm about to be at home a lot more and can't gym due to MARSHALL LAW so i will sew. i cut fabric to make another denim tote bag. i also bought a pattern for another one with zippers and a magnetic snap.

I want a pattern for an easy short sleeve shift dress that I can make in a thousand fabrics.

since I can't go outside due to LobLaw.

I do not have such a pattern but if you come across a good one let me know, that sounds like a great project.

I am finally finishing up a quilt that I started making for my cousin's wedding ten years ago. Fortunately she's still married. I'll just have to wash it really well before I send it I guess.

i went to an ilxor's housewarming a couple of years ago and his spouse had such a cool shift dress that she made on. She just whipped up the pattern herself. I should just try to do that.

was looking at clothes patterns here before, they have a shift https://www.fancytigercrafts.com/collections/dresses-jumpsuits/products/wiksten-shift-dress-top-pattern

I want a pattern for an easy short sleeve shift dress that I can make in a thousand fabrics.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51qG6H5fLGL._AC_.jpg

McCall's 6102 (out of print but still available from resellers). I made this last year in a pink-and-green gingham.

I've started work on a nightgown...if I feel confident enough in my work I may post pictures.

xpost I have now gone down the fancy tiger crafts rabbit hole. It's been so long since I have looked at clothing patterns.

The McCall's one might work too. I am looking at google images of the dress on people.

I am now just remembering I have an old craftsy account which looks like it became bluprint at some point?

yeah, they have a lot of shit on there now too. i did a craftsy knitting class several years ago that improved my knitting so much i still don't really believe it.

It looks like I have "The Couture Dress" and "Fashion Draping" that I never watched. I don't know who I thought I was fooling getting these. (I did at least get a lot of use out of the breadmaking and knife skills free videos).

Slowly cutting out pieces while my table's clear. Got 2 pairs of jeans and 2 cossack shirts mostly cut.
Found out that fabric piece I have is a bit small for cowboy shirt I was going to use it for.
Want to cut a couple of jackets too.
Maybe in the morning since I won't have other things on.

wow. that is impressive. I want to see pics of any finished product. I wouldn't even dare trying to sew jeans.

I need to decide on my sewing project. I will post when done. I did one quilt last year but put it on the quilting thread i think.

There's a column in the NYtimes today saying that masks do actually help protect against coronavirus, that all the messaging about how they don't work was to keep people from hoarding, and that even homemade masks are a lot better than nothing. So I'm thinking I'll start sewing a lot of fabric masks and see who wants them.

I'll give this pattern a try first, I think:
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/

The pattern seems pretty good. I don't have a lot of elastic and don't feel like buying new materials, so instead I think I'll just do fabric tapes that can tie behind the head.

hmmm, i almost was thinking of using batting in the middle but then realized...you have to breathe.

Do you really?

maybe I will just sew a bunch of condoms together for the extra protection and then quilt them.

I was thinking of trying interfacing in the middle, or just a third layer of cotton. It's tricky though because there's a seam going down the middle of it so that it curves over your face, so batting would be easier because you wouldn't have to sew it and make the seam bulkier. but yeah, breathing is a thing.

So the standard pattern with two layers of fabric is very quick to make but pretty thin. I just tried making it with three layers of fabric - just doubling up the lining, basically - and cutting one of them on the bias. That gives you a lot more of a barrier but does end up a bit bulky and lumpy-looking. Haven't tried wearing either of them out yet.

I need to find something to cut jeans pockets from cos its crucial for the sizing.
Got one pair's done but not the other.
Did do 2 jacket inside pockets but feeling a bit low energy.

stitched the jeans yokes to jeans backs on both pairs but may have damaged one side of one pair with too hot iron. May need to get a new iron. Cos that is a pain.
Well hope I get further along tomorrow.

sending this dispatch from jo-ann fabrics:

i decided to go around 3 thinking, it won't be crowded or anything. it's not close to my house but not a horrible drive and no one's on the road anyway. so, no signage other than a crude typed "HAND SANITIZER AVAILABLE AT CUTTING COUNTER" or something to that effect. as soon as i walked in i saw 4 staff talking to each other. one said "oh, i'm sorry, we're at capacity." i was confused. "we are following federal guidelines and only ten people are allowed in the store. we would ask that you come back another time." not like, wait in your car for someone to come out, just...leave. it was awkwardly handled. not that i blame them, no one knows how to handle this shit. after all those other corporate emails there was nothing from jo-ann about federal guidelines, just tons of DOORBUSTER coupons!

Were there 10 (6) people in the store?

i didn't make it far enough in to see how many people were in there. i'm guessing they meant 10 customers? but maybe that does seem somewhat crowded for jo-ann at that time of day! i'm taking my business to fabric.com.

yeah i have been using fabric.com for years. I just stocked up on a suitcase full of kona cotton last year in anticipation of making a lot of quilts.

There is this (from a medical center) for facemasks too . I skimmed the video and there seems to be some pleating. https://www.deaconess.com/SpecialPages/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask

I was going to try to work on this this weekend. I have some commercial masks but Iike the idea of a fabric one maybe over it so that I can wash it. I just looked through my sewing stash and I have about 15 yards of elastic 1/4 -1 inch width.

another hospital prefers this pattern (but four layers) https://buttoncounter.com/2018/01/14/facemask-a-picture-tutorial/ .

https://i.imgur.com/m7mev5U.jpg

On a more frivolous note, I finished that nightgown.

hey! it looks like a nightgown!

nice!

(also joann's fabric is now giving away kits to make masks)

i'm going to try some masks, but with ties because no elastic

yeah i saw a video like that. do you have one you are using. i saw considering this one for one without ties. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YXQ0Y1NxdY

damn, i cannot type coherently these days.

this has three patterns, A and B can be made with ties https://www.stationnorthtoollibrary.org/masks?utm_term=0_3b8a77f9aa-c7eaf1bb51-154304013#sew

video using pipe cleaners for the nose piece
https://youtu.be/bCCtGq6maw8

i am almost done with this bag (in the denim because i had bought it for the bag i made above) https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/05/02/mollys-sketchbook-everyday-tote/
i'm...better at the bias tape binding than i was. but it's not really possible to do well around the boxed corners because you are working over two thick seams in the middle. even if they aren't stacked on top of each other that's a lot of layers of denim to get around and my sewing machine hates it too. i have one more corner to sew tape onto. have to pick out what i had done because i got too close to one of the edges when sewing. but i've put it down and my cat is sleeping on it. it's really cute though, and no one will see the messiness.

what color is your bias tape.

Yeah, I totally am not doing any metal nose piece. I have no ways to source that here.

i did the same color as the pattern--orangey pink

fabric is coming via ups today so i can make bags for my friend in germany and my mom. i'm a sewing maniac now. nothing else to do. this morning i was watching youtubes of more expensive sewing machines. which i will NOT buy now. maybe for my birthday in the fall.

For those making masks, it seems like there are facebook groups (Crafters against COVID) for most cities, and they'll take orders from hospitals, clinics, etc. and then tell you the specifications. You sign up to make masks and they arrange a pickup. That way you don't have to worry about making something that won't be used.

I tried to learn to sew but never got very far; two people on a local FB group came by today to pick up bags of fabric I had so that they can make some masks for our local hospital. Good luck mask makers of ILX!

https://scontent.fnyc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/91698130_10157980815494000_5242286220771328000_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=CvvvncvQbDUAX92pp6Z&_nc_ht=scontent.fnyc1-1.fna&_nc_tp=7&oh=5832cb85af5fdfaeb56fd79468a3ccdf&oe=5EAE7F33

My first face mask...and my first selfie. Much room for improvement evident.

looks good! I can't see. did you use elastic or make fabric ties?

Elastic. It's based on the buttoncounter.com pattern. I figure on wearing it to Trader Joe's later today, to see if I should add a metal nose piece.

i still didn't do it but i will tonight or tomorrow. i'm having extreme laziness problems. i am going to try to see if there's any wire in the basement, or will break off the ends of file prongs i have for work. i also have a seltzer can that i exploded by leaving it in the freezer, which i could make into strips and fold.

My mask was okay as-is for the hour or so it took me to get into Trader Joe and come home. I don't go out very much, so it should be acceptable for when I do go out.

On another forum someone suggested using a plastic-over-metal produce bag tie, or an unbent paper clip, to make a nose piece. Any thoughts on these ideas?

i was thinking paperclips might be too inflexible, produce bag tie might be ok

i am not doing any nose pieces.
I feel like things I have seen about fit for home made masks, the only thing that really makes a difference is double sided tape.

how do you use double-sided tape in it? is it in the pattern you linked above?

oh no, it's for masks that don't fit properly (and you work in a medical setting), people use double sided tape to ensure a seal.

the thing about the blue shop towels (being able to filter out a lot more than cotton) is very interesting but it looks like those have kind of sold out everywhere anyway.

i am obsessed with quilt patterns

is quilting the new knitting

it's the old and new knitting. I am trying to figure out how to make a certain pattern without needing to paper piece fuck that bs.

it is my new knitting because i'm not getting a lot of knitting done. i am going to try a quilt soon and there are so many options for a first quilt that are not beginner-looking at all. i need to just pick one. oh yeah, that time i said i would wait until fall to buy a better sewing machine, i lied. i got myself a present and it's coming friday.

this was the first quilt pattern i did. it was simple enough while being interesting. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2007/12/29/mollys-sketchbook-a-quilt-for-a-baby-boy/

i started this today https://www.instagram.com/p/B7SCagbnj3T/
have to make 8 squares of strips and i already made 7. i did screw up a couple by putting them in upside down--you are supposed to go toward the printed selvage so you when you trim the squares down they disappear, but i had the colors in the wrong order to do that because i wasn't paying attention (i sewed them in pairs first). i just measured; think there will be enough room to trim it off still and if there is any left it may be within a seam allowance on the next step so it should be fine.

Harbl that is gorgeous!

Anyone still looking for mask nose piece ideas - the recloser strips from bags of coffee work great. Vinyl coated and wide enough plus hold up to bending.

God, I can't wait to get out of my parents house and back to the sewing machine.

That is such a cool quilt, harbl.

Gorgeous quilt! I love Moda fabric.

i finished the top, sort of. i have to rip out the seam between rows 2 and 3 and do it again. i was marathoning and i get lazy when i'm tired. the fabric migrated between the two sides as they were getting heavy. i will do it with walking foot next time.
https://i.imgur.com/LRZ0N7W.jpg

oh and i really underestimated how hard it is to get those angles to line up at the points. i'm glad you can't see it as well in the photo, most of them are a little off.

beautiful!

yeah points are hard to line up. I made a chevron face mask and it was crazy with the center seam and completely still off.

Ooh, lovely!

yes i did start quilting that but i really need to clean off my table so i didn't get very far

i hadn't been sewing much but now i remembered it's fun to finish things. i just finished a little storage box that will hopefully help me get the small things off my table. i started it a month ago but it would have only taken one day. except i try not to finish things in one day because i make mistakes if i work for too long. i am off today so i'm going to jo-ann to buy some interfacing to make some zipper pouches. i bought too much fabric over xmas lol.

nice! I too had a table clutter issue ... which I finally resolved by moving the clutter onto another surface. I have this cutting machine that I got with a groupon several years back, and I need to configure it with the laptop I bought last year ... the plan is to use it to cut out shapes which will become embroidery patterns for sweatshirts -- like a fire extinguisher and a traffic cone. That is the plan ... lol

yeah table clutter is the worst thing in this room. Table I do everything on is the main surface in this cluttered room so gathers more and more stuff accumulates unless I watch it.
So it takes me ages at times to get down to a point where i can get a garment started.
I woiuld probably hve doe a lot more last year if it wasn't for taht.
I did get some good stuff done but could have done more.

So far this year i have done one shirt minus the buttons and am about 1/3 of the way through another. & I'm trying to get one I all but did finished last year but it needs a new collar done and I can't find the pattern at the moment. Not feeling great so hope I'm not about to go down with something.

I want to start quilting again this spring. I moved my sewing machine out of my room when I started teaching remotely, because I needed the space to make a home office. So now it's on the third floor, which is an okay workspace but very cold. Once it warms up, I've got a bunch of quilts I'm somewhere in the middle of - one that just needs its border quilted and a binding, one that's just a quilt top with no border, and one that's halfway through the patchwork stage. My goal for this spring is to finish at least one of them, so I'm posting this here in hopes that I can hold myself to that.

maybe crosspost to knitting thread but i just got a year craftsy premium subscription for $2.49. just need to set a reminder to cancel it before they autobill me a year from now. ime the classes are pretty good. i did a knitting one several years ago and i became a way better knitter.

I got obsessed w knitting in college when I didn't actually know how to knit but thought I would learn, so I have a few books with socks and sweater patterns in them. I could send them to an interested party!

i would but i'm on an embargo from obtaining books and things in general so you will just have to learn to knit :)