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thanks, laurel! it's a little much in person, but i figured i should start with something that i could get excited about. actually, i think i only regret the stripes. i should have gone with something more polka dotty or something.

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 17:22 (nineteen years ago)

I just bought the Sew U book so I can try to give myself a refresher course before starting to sew again. I would like to try to not buy any clothing in stores for awhile and see how that goes. But I do get to buy clothes on ebay and alter them to my liking. I have taken to buying vintage dresses and cutting them into long shirts.

― eatadick.com (Carey), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 17:22 (nineteen years ago)

Carey, let me know how you find the patterns in that book? We publish it and I have a set of patterns but no instructions to go with. Also I am going to try another shirt pattern by BBW soon (from Simplicity).

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 17:34 (nineteen years ago)

I want to hear how that book is! I almost bought it in a moment of over-ambition . . .

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 17:36 (nineteen years ago)

it seems the best reviewed for what i wanted on amazon, outside of those complete guide to sewing books. i seriously don't need a book on how to alter a t-shirt 100 different ways.

― eatadick.com (Carey), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 17:51 (nineteen years ago)

The Mason Dixon Knitting ladies highly recommend that book (In Stitches). I'll probably end up getting it too.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 17:53 (nineteen years ago)

hmm, more things for my wishlist.

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 19:53 (nineteen years ago)

Well I'm a total dork b/c it was because of the Mason Dixon ladies that I bought that book in the first place. I read their online thingy & fell in love with the potholder one of them made & it seemed to intersect nicely with my thinking about sewing a lot but not doing any of it.

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:38 (nineteen years ago)

i actually don't own any great knitting books except for the vogue reference. I was looking at stitch-n-bitch at patita's and wished I had bought it when I first started. maybe the mason-dixon is worth getting?

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:40 (nineteen years ago)

Yes! That's exactly where I saw it! I immediately went and checked it out on amazon.

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.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:45 (nineteen years ago)

Shit. Not upthread here. I forgot which thread I was on.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:46 (nineteen years ago)

too much needle crossover!

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:46 (nineteen years ago)

Fiber overload!

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:46 (nineteen years ago)

Get that knitting talk where it belongs.

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:49 (nineteen years ago)

xpost

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

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:49 (nineteen years ago)

Clearly, I cannot keep these threads straight. I talk about crochet on the knitting thread, and knitting on the sewing thread.

My brain is feeble.

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:52 (nineteen years ago)

not to exhaust the needle talk, but there are sites like knitty for knitting - do similar sites exist for sewing? all i have to sew with is the 'in stitches' book . . . i think i need to expand my resources.

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 21:06 (nineteen years ago)

Dude, yes! All kinds of crafty sites/blogs! First two that come to mind:

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

― Laurel (Laurel), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 21:10 (nineteen years ago)

Fantastic! Thanks Laurel!

This is an apron blog:

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

― molly d (mollyd), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 21:18 (nineteen years ago)

thanks laurel! thanks molly! this is great . . . too great!

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 21:20 (nineteen years ago)

I haven't done the patterns yet in Sew U since I am taking it slow and really need to get acquainted with everything again. It does have really good cheapo alternatives though that I would have never thought of, like using a rolled up towel instead of a ham, or stapling stuff, which I have done.

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.

― meandmahoney (Carey), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:08 (nineteen years ago)

I cut pattern pieces for the first time this weekend for some flannel pajama pants for my aunt. haven't started sewing yet as I need a fabric marker to mark seams. i am scared of sewing. cutting seems so final, you can't unravel like in knitting.

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:13 (nineteen years ago)

yeah i am kond of scared about sewing again too. but i might actually get a bolt of muslin and practice patterns on that first.

― meandmahoney (Carey), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:15 (nineteen years ago)

I screwed up royally on the first skirt I attempted (i.e. did NOT cut on folds). Happily, it was cheapo sale fabric, so I didn't feel to awful about ruining it. Laurel is totally right: read the pattern several times so you understand exactly what's going on.

― molly d (mollyd), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:17 (nineteen years ago)

Does anyone know good reference sites about fabrics? I am trying to compile something for work, and most of my knowledge of fibers is about yarn.

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

― tokyo nursery school: afternoon session (rosemary), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:23 (nineteen years ago)

Carey, for no pressure try P&S fabrics, on the west side of Broadway, about 5-6 blocks south of Canal. It's kind of a mess, narrow aisles, not fancy at all, but they have patterns at sale prices, lots of good cotton prints, nice woolens, and corduroy & really lux upholstery fabric in the basement. They also have the best general selection of tools and notions/thread that I've found in Manhattan. Not expensive.

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).

― Laurel (Laurel), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:37 (nineteen years ago)

Thanks! i think I may have gone to that place/or a place near Canal with Tokyo Rosemary once when we were buying yarn.

― meandmahoney (Carey), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:39 (nineteen years ago)

Also, I did emergency sewing over the weekend and I'm SO not happy with the results. Someone was making part of a costume for me, but it wasn't done in time and didn't fit AT ALL, so I took it home and VERY SLOPPILY altered it in time to wear on Saturday night. Did a shit job. I can't wait until I move apartments and get a real sewing alcove set up.

― Laurel (Laurel), Monday, 13 November 2006 15:44 (nineteen years ago)

so i went to joann's this weekend & bought a rotary cutter & a mat. both are on sale, fyi.
anyway, i can't believe how much time I saved cutting out squares for my little potholders!! in the time it took me to pin the pattern to the cloth, i had cut every single piece i needed!!! AMAZING! i feel like someone just opened a window.

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Monday, 13 November 2006 18:01 (nineteen years ago)

yeah i was thinking about getting a rotary cutter and now I will definitely. maybe I should just order everything I need online, otherwie i will never get stuff together.

― i've admired many of these brands' handiwork and craftmanship when you guys (Car, Monday, 13 November 2006 18:06 (nineteen years ago)

That's great, Kelsey! I'm avoiding buying rotary stuff cos I almost exclusively make garments, and I'm not sure how it works to slide the board around under skirt pieces or trying to cut small contours and little seam marks. I think for any small work you still need shears (?) so maybe it's not worthwhile for me.

― Laurel (Laurel), Monday, 13 November 2006 18:11 (nineteen years ago)

It's worthwhile for straight cutting or quilting, I'd say. Anything curvy, you'll still need shears.

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Monday, 13 November 2006 18:30 (nineteen years ago)

Talked to the Moms last night and she's going to help me with a skirt this weekend while I'm back in the motherland. Hooray! She was very sad that I fucked up so badly on my skirt as soon as she left, so she's going to ensure that I can sew a skirt before I leave. Awwh, Mom!

― molly d (mollyd), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 13:55 (nineteen years ago)

Fantastic! I'll be sewing this weekend as well, but nothing so bold as a skirt!! Do you have your fabric picked out already?

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:24 (nineteen years ago)

I've been sewing the past couple of days but the elastic waistband on the pajama pants are vexing me!

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

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:29 (nineteen years ago)

My mom was going to pick out the fabric, but when I mentioned how a corduroy skirt might be nice, she said she'd just wait until I got there to go buy some, which gives me a deep sense of relief. Love the moms, but would rather pick out my own fabric.

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

― molly d (mollyd), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:38 (nineteen years ago)

I wish you better luck than me Molly. I've taken all of this week off (okay three days) and still don't have a pair of pajama pants!

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:40 (nineteen years ago)

Oh no, Sam! We can do it! (mind you, I've left enough time to run to the bookstore for a present in case the whole sewing project goes awry)

― molly d (mollyd), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:42 (nineteen years ago)

I'm beginning to think I should have made blankets/pillows. :( (or at least taken a class like with knitting)

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:43 (nineteen years ago)

Oh ye of little faith! What's the story with the elastic, Sam? Are you sewing it on, or running it through a channel?

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

If it makes you feel any better, I took two sewing classes. They weren't really helpful and just tried to sell us various feet that I'd never use.

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

― molly d (mollyd), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:46 (nineteen years ago)

running it through a channel. . .I'm supposed to make an 1" foldover and sew it in 1/4" on the rough edge. It's all jacked up. I think I'm going to do a 1/4" seam, steam-press the inch fold down again and then sew that down.

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:47 (nineteen years ago)

Whatever makes it work! The ultimate goal is to WEAR the pajamas, after all. Never lose sight of that (even after you've been ripping and basting and ripping and basting for three hours and the goddamn motherfucking invisible zipper still won't turn INVISIBLE).

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:50 (nineteen years ago)

I hear what you're saying about the classes Molly and shall be prudent. But I think I need to seek something out. I feel all thumbs at sewing and it all seems so complicated! I get frustrated easily when I don't pick things up quickly. I think it might be b/c I have no one to show me.

― Sam rides the beat like a bicycle (Molly Jones), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 14:53 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, my classes at the store where I bought my machine was a thinly-veiled scheme to buy more crap from them. Good for you, though, for doing pajama bottoms! An extremely simple apron is all I can handle right now.

― molly d (mollyd), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 15:03 (nineteen years ago)

Laurel, I went to P&S finally yesterday and they had tons of remnants 1/2 yard-3 yards that were half off outside on like 5 racks. I guess they are moving at the end of December? and will be getting rid of lots of stuff. i got some muslin, flannel, canvas (for screenprinting), some cotton pique, seerscuker, and lots of 100% wool with pinstripes (the type they use in men's suits).

― ian johnson's mom + jack bauer 2gether 4evah (Carey), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 15:50 (nineteen years ago)

Awesome! What's the plan for all that fabric? Must find out what is up with their move...??

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 22 November 2006 15:57 (nineteen years ago)

one month passes...

update: finally found the thread again. anyone learn it DIY? i don't think i'll take a sewing class but i'm still tempted to get a secondhand sewing machine. i saw some for 100 euros. is that too much? or maybe too little? :-)

― Nathalie (stevie nixed), Wednesday, 10 January 2007 08:41 (nineteen years ago)

I don't know how much 100 Euros is here. Mine was a gift but I'm pretty sure it cost less than $100. It is about as simple as you can get but is fine for my purposes now.

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!

― Ms Misery (MissMiseryTX), Wednesday, 10 January 2007 11:19 (nineteen years ago)

any good sites for beginners?

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. :-)

― Nathalie (stevie nixed), Wednesday, 10 January 2007 12:43 (nineteen years ago)

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