I noticed there seems to be quite a number of sewers on TWW. Let's have a thread where we can share patterns, fabrics, ideas, ask questions, post projects, etc

Right now I'm taking a beginner sewing course at Wake Tech. I wasn't sure how it would go but I've really enjoyed it so far! I've finished two projects and am moving on to my third next week

3/2/2011 1:06:35 PM

hurray! i dont sew but maybe i can ask of you guys to make me stuff

3/2/2011 1:21:50 PM

Only if you pay us hahaha

3/2/2011 1:33:00 PM

MAYBE


(lol i definitely will, i guess i should have not figured that was tacit )

3/2/2011 1:35:58 PM

I got a new embroidery machine in the mail today! My husband said i now need to sell the stuff i make instead of giving it away to get back some of the cost

3/2/2011 1:36:14 PM

i can sew, if patching and sewing things by hand count

what i really need/want to do is sew some silnylon for a camping shelter, but that stuff is slick and i have almost no experience on a machine

3/2/2011 1:37:10 PM

A machine would help you a lot with that. Pretty much every city has basic classes these days that are inexpensive.

My instructor said that men make better sewers because they're more precision-oriented

3/2/2011 1:38:58 PM

I have a sewing machine but the pedal to it has disappeared I need to look into ordering a new one.

3/2/2011 1:40:23 PM

What brand is it?

3/2/2011 1:42:47 PM

I can't get my sewing machine to work. I can't get the bobbin to work in the bobbin case. Who wants to help me? It's a Brother sewing machine.

3/2/2011 1:46:04 PM

What model is it? Is it not threading, not dropping in?

3/2/2011 1:50:39 PM

Yes - the top thread is sewing just fine but the bottom part is not working. I have no idea how to fix it. I will let you know the model # when I get home. I sewed all summer in 2003 but have not touched it since then so I am having issues. lol

3/2/2011 2:00:04 PM

It could be something as simple as the bobbin or the bobbin case is scratched. You could try bringing it to My Sewing Shoppe on Duraleigh Road and having them take a look at it. I had them do that for my sewing machine and all they charged me for was the $7 replacement part.

So my first project in my class was kind of a disaster and my teacher recommended something smaller and simpler for my next project. So I made a jacket for my dog

I finished it yesterday and I think it came out pretty well:




[Edited on March 2, 2011 at 2:12 PM. Reason : s]

3/2/2011 2:03:06 PM

I have a weekly sewing circle called the Sew-Op here in Durham. About 5-6 ladies regularly gather at each others' houses and work on projects together or separately. I am working on a blue robe for my bf- PM me if you are interested.

3/2/2011 3:06:21 PM

Add to my Topics!

3/2/2011 3:06:43 PM

^^ That sounds fun! What day of the week do y'all usually meet?

3/2/2011 3:17:56 PM

^ Monday nights from like 7:30-10 or so. Last week the other girls went over zippers while I cut a robe pattern.

And that's really funny what someone said about men being better sewers....in my experience girls make better welders because they have better hand-eye coordination. Men tend to do sloppy welds.

[Edited on March 2, 2011 at 7:50 PM. Reason : yabba yabba ]

3/2/2011 7:49:01 PM

I need an industrial machine to sew packs, harnesses, holsters, and stuff.
Do any of y'all have suggestions on what budget priced industrial models (if such a thing exists) to look at?

I should post a pic of the chest harness I hand stitched for my bigass revolver.

3/2/2011 9:58:53 PM

I've heard that Juki machines are supposed to be good.

3/2/2011 10:05:43 PM

yay! sewing thread

btw my friend im going to sew the dress with i posted in the ladies talk shop thread... she got it at joanns for .99 today so if you want it, snag it! its normally $17 (then 40% off but nothing beats a buck!)

as for industrial machine... are you positive thats what you need? you can switch out the needle on the machine to sew more intense material. i would suggest going to a sewing machine supply store/warehouse type place and ask them. they know the machines and can direct you on if you need an industrial machine or needle for what you're trying to do

im just thinking that if you hand stitched something you're wanting to do faster on a machine, that a stronger needle would do the trick on a standard machine, unless i'm reading your comment wrong

3/3/2011 9:24:22 PM

I love reading sewing blogs for ideas. This is my favorite:

http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/

3/3/2011 10:08:31 PM

I've sewed saddlebags and harnesses for my dogs with a commercial grade Singer, as well as awning material. If you sew it intelligently, you shouldn't need an industrial machine unless all you plan on sewing are horse blankets, rock climbing harnesses, and the like.

3/3/2011 10:42:24 PM

^^^ Oooh are they having their $1 pattern sale this week? I wish I had known that sooner! Actually I have two patterns I need to exchange too (wrong size). Now would be a good time to do that since they were cheaper patterns

3/4/2011 7:45:50 AM

I bought that pattern and the fabric for it, NCSUWolfy. The bias tape they had sucked though so I'll probably just make my own.

3/4/2011 5:10:43 PM

An independent pattern company that makes really flattering retroish dress patterns:

http://www.colettepatterns.com/

3/4/2011 5:27:05 PM

what kind of fabric did you choose? and how do you make your own bias tape? i know there is a way and buying it premade is supposed to be stupid expensive. if i make my own will it look like shit?

3/5/2011 12:20:23 PM

I chose linen. I looooooove linen sundresses, even if they are a bitch to keep wrinkle-free

I got a white and turquoise print for the main part and a solid yellow linen for the contrast.

This is a pretty good tutorial on how to make bias tape.

http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/05/how-to-make-bias-tape.html

3/5/2011 5:12:45 PM

Quote :

"as for industrial machine... are you positive thats what you need? you can switch out the needle on the machine to sew more intense material. i would suggest going to a sewing machine supply store/warehouse type place and ask them. they know the machines and can direct you on if you need an industrial machine or needle for what you're trying to do im just thinking that if you hand stitched something you're wanting to do faster on a machine, that a stronger needle would do the trick on a standard machine, unless i'm reading your comment wrong"

I'm not sure if I'd need an industrial one. I'll sew anything between two layers of 1000d cordura to 4 layers of 1" tubular mil-spec tubing using commercial size 207 nylon or polyester thread.
Would a normal machine handle that?

3/5/2011 5:25:39 PM

i can't say as im not very experienced in machine/needle/thread matching but im sure you could find out by calling or stopping by a sewing supply place

try googline "sewing supply" or "sew vac" in your area

3/6/2011 9:45:09 PM

This place is awesome: http://www.carolinasewnvac.com/html/home.html

I wonder why vacuum repair shops and sewing shops seem to go hand in hand

3/7/2011 9:21:19 AM

Electric motors

3/7/2011 12:37:16 PM

Quote :

"I can't get my sewing machine to work. I can't get the bobbin to work in the bobbin case. Who wants to help me? It's a Brother sewing machine. "

I had this same problem with a Brother sewing machine. Although the needle stopped moving as well...

3/7/2011 3:50:10 PM

I don't know about Raleigh, but there is a Singer repair store about a mile from my house in Durham. Part of the reason I bought a Singer sewing machine.

Once I finish the bf's bathrobe, I am going to start on a sundress with leftover cotton. I have a nice brown and white check. I am also looking forward to my friend bringing home 3-4 yards of deep blue or green silk from her trip to India in May. That is begging to be made into a tea-length formal skirt.

3/10/2011 4:43:31 PM

So I know this is likely a retarded question, but if a pattern calls for "cotton broadcloth" is that just the standard cotton prints you find for quilting and what not? Other than solids I have yet to find a print fabric in the store that calls itself broadcloth

3/10/2011 6:49:38 PM

^What are you trying to make? That would influence the weight and thread count of cotton.


http://www.nyfashioncenterfabrics.com/cotton-broadcloth-fabric-info.html

"The manufacturing of broadcloth originated in England in the 16th century and was traditionally made using wool. English woolen broadcloth was created in concert with skilled Flemish weavers, and was then exported to Belgium for dyeing and distribution. The tradition of excellence and superior manufacturing extends to modern broadcloth, which is also available in silk and polyester, and shares the dense and sturdy characteristics of its woolen forebear.


Broadcloth is made using an extra-wide loom, the fibers tightly woven before being immersed in water and stretched, followed by a final treatment using wooden hammers to pound the material. The resulting broadcloth has the same supple, soft and sturdy properties of the wool variety, in a much lighter weight material.


Broadcloth can be used for a variety of items, including shirts, coats, upholstery and traditional costumes. Lightweight cotton broadcloth adds a summery and airy touch to any garment that benefits from the extremely soft hand and rugged sturdiness of the fabric. Although broadcloth’s popularity has declined somewhat with the evolution of modern fashion, it is still a high-quality and proven option for many projects."

3/10/2011 9:41:01 PM

sooo i started the dress today!

i chose blue stripe seersucker material and white bias tape and buttons. lemmie tell ya, this project is a whole lotta fabric!!!

it really is only 3 pieces and goes together pretty quickly. the hem is a motherfucker because not only is there like a mile of fabric to hem, but you're hemming a circle so its difficult to get the edges right

word of caution, you have to hang your dress for 24 hours after the hemming step and before the bias tape. i guess its so the material can stretch out? anyway, it ended the dressmaking before my friend and i could finish

we're getting together either tues or wed to finish so i will post pictures when it's complete.

advice:

HIGHLY advise pinning the pattern to yourself after you cut it out to see where you need to make adjustments. i ended up skipping 2 of the side darts and took the shoulders way way WAY in (like where the front and back pieces meet, so the straps i guess)

also, i cut off 5" of fabric from the bottom before hemming. im only 5'3" so the dress was way too long for my height so thats why i cut so much off. it's nowhere near scandalous but when you go to do your hem, definitely cut off any extra length beforehand

and of course, keep trying on the dress so you can adjust your darts and all. i imagine the alterations are much more difficult once the bias tape is on so take advantage beforehand

and one more tip, when you're doing the hem, or any ironing, it helps to "put the dress on" through the neck and just lay the dress on the ironing board. if that sounds confusing, wait until you see the pieces put together and it'll make sense

3/13/2011 9:53:12 PM

^ awesome! I washed the fabric today and will cut the fabric and get started sewing on Tuesday. Good to know where to troubleshoot.

^^ I can't find the exact pattern but it's very similar to this one: http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/39752

3/13/2011 10:06:04 PM

anyone on here want to make a pillowcase dress? Mine turned out pretty well, I should have taken a picture before I mailed it off. But here's some info on it
http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/


here's the pattern I used, there's also others on the website. The pillowcase dress is pretty basic, even a good practice "beginner" project.
http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/pillowcasedresspattern.htm

If anyone lives in the philly area and wants to do a "bitch n'stitch" making pillowcase dresses, PM me

3/15/2011 1:27:27 PM

^ I had simple instructions for one in a book called "Sew Subversive" that I got in Portland at the only feminist bookstore in town. I can highly recommend it because they do a great job explaining how to re-model and re-purpose old clothes. Their pillowcase dress used ribbons to hold it up, iirc. They also have good patterns for a tote bag from a pillowcase, how to turn old jeans into a frilly skirt, etc.

I wish I still had it, but my Weimaraner ate it .

3/15/2011 9:00:16 PM

Quote :

"An independent pattern company that makes really flattering retroish dress patterns: http://www.colettepatterns.com/ "

my sewing buddy has a colette pattern and said it was one of the easiest dresses she's made because the instructions are literally step by step

i will be on the lookout!

we are supposed to finish our dresses tomorrow, i can't wait to post pics!

3/15/2011 9:31:24 PM

Lol I'm feeling like a dummy with this dress pattern. Why is the front piece so freaking long???? Even my instructor was like lol. I'm going to cut a mock up with old bed sheets first and hopefully it makes sense then.

3/16/2011 8:15:37 AM

done! kind of

still have adjustments to make to have a better fit. im not feeling well so i didnt have the energy to finish FINISH it

the stripes make it look weird in the pic lol



^ the front piece is so long because it buttons in the back and thats the front of your dress. the upper back was sewn to the middle of the gigantic circle so that makes up the back of the dress that snaps together in the front

does that make sense?

i need to do more work on the front of mine. i skipped the snaps bc they're a pain in the ass so i am going to figure something else out

i'd love to make another one with fancier material. i feel like the casual material makes it look more like a hospital gown

3/16/2011 5:11:49 PM

I desperately need someone to sew my pajama pants back together

3/16/2011 6:26:06 PM

^^very nice! I didn't see the "hospital gown" until you mentioned it but I still like it

3/16/2011 6:35:26 PM

^^^ Cute!

And yeah that sorta makes sense. I'm going to try and do the mock-up this weekend so I can bring it to class and my instructor can help me pinpoint where the alterations need to happen. I figure since the focus of this class is learning how to do alterations this pattern would be a good one to use!

I'm making mine from this fabric:

but the background is white and the flower outlines are turquoise. Then the part where the bust is will be a solid yellow color.

Have you thought about adding a crinoline slip to it? It looks like in the picture on the pattern it's meant to be worn with crinoline so it gets that poofy effect if you know what I mean

3/16/2011 7:35:04 PM

your material looks nice! cant wait to see the finished product

and its too hot in houston to add another layer of clothing

maybe if i made a fancier one i would do it but i think i am ready to try a new dress pattern

the seersucker dress is like "picnic in the park" type dress or just run around on the weekend. it looks far too casual for anything else

i have a wedding on the beach to attend in may, plus another in july, august (maybe) and october so i'd like to try some new stuff for that

3/16/2011 10:01:06 PM

Oh I just meant buying a slip at Adam and Eve or something haha. I certainly wouldn't bother hand making one since they can be bought for pretty cheap!

Have you decided on a pattern for your formal dress yet?

3/16/2011 10:07:39 PM

no, but i am open to suggestions! the easier the better, my skills and patience are very limited

3/16/2011 10:11:40 PM

I loooooooooooove this pattern but it's rated as "average" which scared me away from buying it lol.


http://butterick.mccall.com/b5599-products-13741.php?page_id=155

I bought this one when Joann was having their pattern sale since it claims to be fast and easy. It would be really nice if done in satin or crepe I think.


http://butterick.mccall.com/b5485-products-11198.php?page_id=155

3/16/2011 10:17:18 PM

oh i really like that first one! i bet its considered average difficulty because of the pleating on the waist

i need to keep an eye out for the next pattern sale and stock up

3/17/2011 9:57:56 AM