sewing | Recent Entries

So, my sewing course with my mum is going great. I've made two bags and a pencil case (I can do zips now! zips are cool! [/obscuredoctorwhoreference]), and I think I'm to a point where I'm ready to try making something to actually wear. With that in mind, Did You Make That (

did_you_make_that_feed) is hosting a pyjama bottoms sewalong thing which I thought I might take part in.

Any of you guys planning on joining in? Or hadn't heard about it but might join in now you have?

ETA: now with button to put in your sidebar/blog!

Current Mood: hopeful

miss_s_b

Amazingly, I have a refund to come from the utility company, and will actually have a little bit of money to play with soon. This means I also have some decisions to make. As I mentioned in the previous post, my current machine is bloody awful. Specifically, it is this one, which my mum bought new for twenty pounds. It doesn't like any thickness of fabric beyond a couple of layers of standard cotton, but the foot doesn't actually press down hard enough if the fabric is thin enough for it to sew; the tension adjustment is totally bizarre - it's either way too loose, or thread-snappingly tight with nothing in between... Yeah, I could go on, but you get the picture.

If I scrimp and scrape, and including the nice fat refund I have coming, I might be able to run to 350-400 pounds for a machine. That's going to give me quite a lot of choice. So, I have a couple of questions. I'm planning on doing a reasonable amount with clothes, simple stuff to begin with, but I'll probably want to at least be able to do denim, which apparently most cheaper machines can't deal with. I'd also like to be able to (for example) run up a pair of curtains without having to sit hand sewing them for a full day. I really am not interested in embroidery functions. With those points in mind:

Am I better off going for a semi-industrial machine with less stitches but more power, or will I really miss things like automatic buttonholes?

Would I be better using all the money for one machine, or splitting it and getting a reasonable machine and a cheap overlocker (serger)? Or even JUST getting a good overlocker?

What brands should I look at? And which ones should I really avoid? (for instance, I have heard good things about Husqvarna/Viking - which are the ones they have at my class - Janome, Bernina, and old Singers; and bad things about Brother, modern Singer, Toyota and I have experience of the crapness of Hyundai. But what about Pfaff? Or other brands?

What are the code words, for want of a better term, that I should look for that will tell me this machine can do denim or this machine can only handle light fabrics?

Given the issues that seem to surround tension, is it worth looking at a machine with automatic tension?

Thanks for all your patience with me as a novice :)

Current Mood: curious

via_ostiense

I took care of a number of sewing WIPs before I moved last month, and I posted about two quilts and one reupholstered chair (and some re-covered cushions, but I did those a year ago) on my journal.

sewing projects

miss_s_b

So on Thursday I had my first sewing class, and learned the basics of using a sewing machine. It all seemed to go pretty well, and I made a sampler testing all the various stiches the machine could do, and then I sewed my initials onto it. Then I got told to pick a project from the easy projects for beginners box, so I chose a drawstring bag pattern and got started, following the instructions etc.

At the end of class I hadn't finished my bag so I decided to take it home and finish it off at some point before the next class. I decided I would have a go on the little sewing machine my mum had given me. So I made a liner for the bag and sewed it in, and I just need to get the actual cord for the drawstring to finish it. This all seemed to go reasonably well; the machine was a bit slow, but I was kind of grateful for that in the beginning.

Emboldened by my successes, I decided to sew together a duvet cover which I have had the bits for for a while, but hadn't got around to doing yet. Not long into doing this, I made an important discovery: the little sewing machine that my mum gave me is the worst sewing machine in the world. I finished the duvet cover, but it didn't take me a much shorter time than it would have done doing it by hand because not only is the machine incredibly slow even with my foot right down (yeah, you can tell my confidence went up LOL), but there was all the stopping to rethread the machine when the tension went wonky and the top thread snapped or the bottom spool decided to stick or various other things went wrong.

However, I have chosen to view this as a learning experience. I have now had lots of practise in threading, and buggering about with spools and bobbins, and swearing at the damn thing. Also, when it gets to the point when I decide to but a GOOD sewing machine, I am going to appreciate it SO MUCH...

Also, I am now lying under my duvet in its new duvet cover, and it feels pretty good :)

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Location: bed
Current Music: Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest on the telly

ngakmafaery

...I thought this sounded like ti might contain helpful tips...

http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/archive/2012/03/16/how-does-karl-lagerfeld-and-the-chanel-team-make-their-famous-black-jackets-see-.htm

Current Mood: awake

miss_s_b

So I just spoke to a lady at the adult education centre, and there are places left on the sewing course that starts next week, and she's taken my details and I'm booked on it! Yay!

This is the website with the course details on it, in case any of you are interested. I should come out of it with the ability to use the sewing machine to a degree, and a pair of curtains LOL and once I've done this one I can move on to any of the other sewing courses they offer.

All excited now :)

Current Mood: excited

miss_s_b

Hello! My name is Jennie and I am trying to get back into sewing, mainly because I am poverty-stricken and need to make/mend clothes rather than buying new ones, and also to make things for cosplay purposes. I dream of a Sixth Doctor costume. I realise that this will involve upping my level of skill significantly.

I am fairly confident with hand-sewing, but I have never used a sewing machine. I am considering going on a course at my local adult education centre to learn sewing machine usage and various other things. I have designed my own patterns before, but only very basic ones, and my main experience is in altering existing clothes with darts etc to fit my shape better. My maternal grandma was a seamstress, and my mum can do various basic sewing machine things, but is at the level of confidence where she's thinking of joining me on the course at the adult education centre...

I am ignorant of technical sewing terms (for instance: what is interfacing? How does one grommit?) but am a quick learner, and am hoping that there are people in this comm who will be able to explain things to me when I am flailing with lack of understanding.

It's nice to meet you all :)

Current Mood: hopeful

via_ostiense

I made two more pairs of boxers (one is pictured under the cut).

( green ladybug boxers ahoy )

I also made a pair out of pink fabric with black cats wearing silver ribbons. With the scraps of the cat fabric and the ladybug fabric, I made a quilted sleeve/carrying bag for

sahiya's iPad 2. One side is ladybugs, the other side is cats, and the interior is lined with yellow leftover from a quilt for

troisroyaumes.

( iPad 2 sleeve pictures )

Instructions for the sleeve, for my own reference:

Exterior: 2 pieces of fabric, 9.5" x 12 1/4" (ipad 2 dimensions are 7.31" x 9.5")
batting, 9.5" x 11 1/4"

Interior: 1 piece of fabric, 9.5" x 22 1/2"

Sew the exterior fabric pieces, right sides together, on a short side w/a 1/2" seam allowance and flat fell it. Lay the batting over the wrong side and quilt it.

Fold in half along bottom seam, right sides together, and sew the long sides together w/1/4" seam allowance, up to 1" of the top. Backstitch. Sew the top 1/2" of the sides, leaving a 1/2" gap for the drawstring.

Fold the interior piece in half, right sides together, and sew the long sides together w/1/4" seam allowance, up to 1" of the top. Backstitch. Sew the top 1/2" of the sides, leaving a 1/2" gap for the drawstring.

Turn interior piece so the wrong side is in the inside, and stuff it in the exterior piece (exterior piece will be wrong side out, the exterior piece and interior piece will be right sides together). Align them along the top and sew with a 1/4" seam, leaving a 2-3" gap. Backstitch on either side of the gap.

Pull the right sides out through the gap, so that the exterior piece is right side out, and the interior piece is lining it with the right side visible. Stitch the gap in the top seam closed.

Sew a line the width of the case right below the 1/2" gap in the side seams. Sew a line the width of the case right above the 1/2" gap in the side seams. This will leave a 1/2" channel for a drawstring. Thread a drawstring through the channel (I made bias tape out of scraps of the ladybug fabric, sewed it flat, and used that as the thread). Voila! You have a sleeve that will not make your iPad bounce if you drop it, but it will prevent scratches and dings.

garden_hoe21

Hi everyone! There's currently a charity auction going on to support the sex ed website Scarleteen. They do a lot of really important work for young people and are a really worthy cause. There aren't any sewn crafts on offer yet, and we could really use some. Please consider taking part or spreading the word in your journal. There's more info under the cut:
( Community promo under the cut )

Thank you!

eldritch_panda

Hey everyone!

I am a total noob. In fact, I will soon touch a sewing machine for the first time in my life. So I apologize ahead of time for any blunders I make. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

I am planning on refitting some t-shirts this weekend using this YouTube video tutorial. However, I also need to bring in the shoulders. The seam hits about an inch or so below my shoulders, which makes the sleeves too long. I could just take up the sleeves, yet I worry that it'll cause the shirt to look awkward. Does anyone have any tutorials/advice on taking up the shoulders of a shirt?

Also, if anyone has any easy beginner tutorials they'd like to share I'd love to hear them.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Current Mood: tired

all_adream

"Help the Vintage Pattern Lending Library test La Mode Illustrée patterns from 1912 for the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the sinking of Titanic."

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/22260/sew-vintage-with-the-1912-project

Current Mood: awake

via_ostiense

Yesterday, I hemmed my first pair of pants! I followed this tutorial on keeping the original hem on jeans to hem a pair of C's jeans that were too long, and it went perfectly. They were straight leg and I took 2 1/8" off so now they fall in a smooth line down the back of his legs and break neatly on his shoes instead of puddling and rucking up around the calves. This fit of craftiness was precipitated by an afternoon of shopping in which neither of us found anything that fit, and I decided that well, if we couldn't find anything new, then at least I could make existing clothes fit better. I can't believe I once sent my jeans to the seamstress for hemming; now, I'll do it myself!

( 2 pictures )

untonuggan

Hi all, I'm new to the community! I learned to sew when I was in elementary school and my mom (wisely) channeled my Little House on the Prairie phase into quilting classes. I got a Brother sewing machine for Christmas back in the day, which I've used intermittently since then for projects such as altering jean length (I'm short); sewing curtains; making bags; etc.

I've decided I want to try to get more actively involved with sewing ever since I saw some Regency sewing patterns described in Jane Austen Knits magazine. I know, I am a dork.

Here is the question. The last time I used my Brother sewing machine it smelled kind of...weird. Metallic. I tried applying some sewing machine oil (after consulting the manual). That seemed to help for a little bit, but then the smell came back. Do I just need to oil it frequently, or should I take it in to a sewing machine shop for some maintenance? I have had this machine for almost 20 years and haven't done any maintenance, but it hasn't been getting very heavy use...then again, if a car doesn't get very much use it definitely needs extra maintenance.

Thoughts?

pearl

Hi all,

I have been lucky enough to get my hands on a treadle-powered Singer model 201K that (according to the serial number) dates to 1939. After taking over the garage, pulling most of it apart and putting it back together again, I have a new (to me) machine that sews in a straight line, is very quiet to run, and doesn't need to be near a powerpoint to work.

Photos are below the cut:
( Read more... )

delladea

Everyone seems to have their own views on when prewashing is appropriate. I was taught to always, always pre-wash my fabric lest I anger the sewing gods and end up with unpredictable shrinkage and bleeding on first wash. The majority of my sewing experience has been with quilter's cotton, shirting, and reclaimed t-shirt knits.

I have this bag pattern and I have a few yards of thick, dark denim from my stash that I want to use for this bag. I've never ever used brand new denim fabric before and am afraid if I wash it first I may end up with light streaks through the fabric. Not sure if its relevant, but I'm also planning to hand-embroider a design on the outside flap.

So, what would you do in this situation? TIA!

Edit: Thank you to everyone who commented. I confess to having a bad experience washing some dark, unfaded jeans once that left streaks all over the legs which left me leery. I decided to give pre-washing a go with some other dark denim items. :)

Current Mood: productive

staranise

Someone suggested I post here, since I'm starting up an infrequent series of sewing tutorials on my journal, aimed at people who are just gaining skills.

The first post is about altering a baggy T-shirt to fit better using simple techniques.

A before-after comparison of a baggy shirt that becomes close-fitting

A before-after comparison of a baggy shirt that becomes close-fitting

rydra_wong

THIS IS NOT A POST ABOUT VAJAZZLING I SWEAR.

A "diamond crotch" (a.k.a. diamond-cut crotch, diamond gusset, etc.) is a way to add fabric to an existing pair of trousers.

It's an obvious fix for trousers that are too short in the crotch, but it also increases hip mobility and how far you can kick, squat or stretch your legs apart without ripping the seams.

So it's very useful for sports -- e.g. yoga, martial arts, or rock climbing (I have a pair of climbing jeans with a diamond crotch, which is why I wanted to learn how to sew one).

They're also the secret behind the legendary Chuck Norris Action Jeans, so how could I resist?

The basic principle is extremely simple. You undo the stitching along the inside-leg seam of the trousers, then you insert an extra piece of fabric in the shape of an elongated diamond.

Guides:

Make your own "Thrower's" Pants
Snakes in a Drain/A Look at The Crotch (scroll down)

I know these seem quite vague, but it all becomes clear once you start working on it.

( Diamond crotch photos -- entirely SFW despite the name )

In another climbing-related sewing project, I made another chalkbag out of a remnant scrap of brocade from an upholstery shop.

This time, I used a simple cylindrical design, but added a hidden zipped pocket at the back (and a tiny velcro pocket tucked between the outer bag and inner liner). I've finally learned how to sew a "blind hem", so there are almost no visible stitches at all.

( Chalkbag photos )

rydra_wong

I passed by an upholstery shop in the neighbourhood, and they had a pile of discontinued sample swatch books piled on the pavement outside, with the prices scrawled on them.

For a small sum, I came home with a whole book full of large squares of cotton damask in marvellous patterns and colourways (pale blue and chocolate! hot pink and crimson!), plus a couple of remnants of brocade.

Most of my sewing projects are pretty small (chalkbags, etc.), so it would be wasteful to buy vast swathes of fabric; I'm always on the lookout for remnants and ultra-cheap secondhand clothes which can be taken apart. But this was exceptionally pleasing.

crankyoldman

I was asked to crosspost this here. I actually wrote this on Monday, but posting it here now. I'll post Tuesday's tomorrow and so forth until I stop babbling about sewing. I started sewing mostly for cosplay, so I'll have that slant.

Today is all about the trials and tribulations of beginner sewing, as I know several of you are starting out with machines. Keep in mind, I am basically 99% self-taught and am constantly finding better more finished ways to do things as I go along, which people who have had some formal experience would laugh about.

But hey, at least I'm doing it, right?

I'm going to focus on women's clothing, mostly because I'm just now getting to my first men's clothing project. Not because I forget about you menfolk. I just can't say. If you want a good source of talk about men's sewing projects, I suggest Male Pattern Boldness. During his sew-alongs he goes through things step by step, and has lots of comments on both mens and womens patterns, particularly vintage.

( things I wish I'd known when I started sewing )

Now for some beginner projects.

( good beginner projects )

erika

Does anyone know of a fix for a bra after the underwire has poked out?

Current Music: Daft Punk - human after all

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Sewing!

Recent Entries

Pyjama Party?

Choosing a Sewing Machine

quilts and home decor

First Sewing Class and the Consequences Thereof

...video of a Chanel jacket being made...

YAY There are places on the sewing course!

Intro Post

iPad 2 sleeve and boxers

Fandom Supports Scarleteen

Fitting a T-shirt

sewing project of Titanic-era fashions by Threads Magazine

Hemming jeans

Sewing machine maintenance?

Vintage sewing machine.

To pre-wash, or not to pre-wash?

Sewing tutorial on T-shirts

My first diamond crotch

SCORE

Sewing and Cosplay Week: Beginner Sewing

underwires in bras

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November 2022

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