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10:13 pm
September 10, 2008
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Belladonna
Big Chicken
| | Bossier City, Louisiana | |
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| posts 125 |
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I picked out a sewing machine for High School graduation gift. I made some cute things for myself, mother and friends - tops, easy halter jumpsuits…I had a built in buttonholer. I sewed in my parents dining room. They made me put everything away each day, so it because UNFUN…having to get it all out and put it up. I also needed to take my time, as I rush. I am so task oriented and anxious to finish things. I have contemplated sewing again…but wonder if I would put as much into it…being finicky, I wonder if I would be satisfied with the finished product, ect.
I have a friend that was an expert seamstress and never had a lesson. She is in her late seventies now (I am guessing, being as she was in a work camp in WWII)…but when she lived in Austin, she made the ladies dresses for LBJ's Inaugural Ball and Balls, ect….sewed outfits for Officer's wives, ect. She has beautiful suits she wears to church, with all the fancy details and added jewelry accessories. Her husband gave her a machine when they married. She is one of those who can do ANYTHING - has a gorgeous garden, ect., flowers…
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7:03 pm
September 10, 2008
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Stephanie
Big Chicken
| | Stuck in Suburbia | |
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| posts 38 |
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Thanks lorelei for the vote of confidence… I purchased some fabric, and threads, and other stuff today. I even stopped by Sew Much Fun (a sewing store near my home) and inquired about classes. They have sewing 101 on Tuesday evenings from 6-830pm. It's a month long class and I really think I'm going to sign up for it. Great way to meet new people, and learn along the way..
And I totally agree - Georgia, you are wealth of wisdom, and always have a kind word.
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10:15 am
September 10, 2008
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lorelei
Big Chicken
| | Stuart, Virginia | |
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| posts 51 |
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Hi Stephanie,
There is a sewing for dummies and there are patterns for dummies. Last year we moved into a house with many more windows than our former house and I needed a lot of curtains. They are so expensive and I am picky so I started to make my own and found that I really got a lot of satisfaction from sewing. Now I am doing my first quilt/wall hanging!
I know there are sewing for dummies patterns because when I first started to sew my curtains, I used them as I didn't have much confidence in my abilities. After I got a couple of curtains under my belt, I began to make my own patterns. That is really fun.
Hang in there and be gentle with yourself if you make a mistake…..its how we learn.
Georgia, I find you so comforting to read. You have so much experience in theses arts and I can feel your competence and support through your posts. Thanks a lot for being here!
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5:39 pm
September 9, 2008
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GeorgiaZ
Big Chicken
| | Rockdale, TX | |
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| posts 79 |
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Oh Man…a new machine, what fun adventures lie in store for you! I have so many, yet I always drool over new ones in the stores. I love to go in just to sit and try new ones out. Its like men getting a new sports car. Congratulations!
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5:28 pm
September 9, 2008
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Stephanie
Big Chicken
| | Stuck in Suburbia | |
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| posts 38 |
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It's here - my machine, it arrived… I want to try it out, but I have no thread and no material. I'm not a very prepared sewer. It's on the errand list for tomorrow - got to pick up some “practice” materials.
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10:10 am
September 8, 2008
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Jeremy Welch
Banty
| | Jeremy Welch | |
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| posts 10 |
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It seems like Wallyworld(Wal-Mart) IS closing out the fabrics… Mostly because sewing is considered an obsolete art. Find one girl in the city who can sew and I will be surprised, let alone one guy. I can sew a little bit… The most sewing that I do is repair sewing. My mother never really had a chance to show me how to sew except for buttons and stuff. I was in Civil War re-enactments so sewing was an invaulable skill. I was able to buy alot of rock candy from the money I made just sewing buttons on… I was skilled. Lol. I would like to learn how to properly sew but my mother never really has the time. She still has patterns from when she was learing how to sew. The styles have sorta changed… Anyway… I gotta finish mowing the yard. Laters.
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8:23 pm
September 7, 2008
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smilingcow
Banty
| | central PA | |
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| posts 4 |
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OH thread, I LOVE wooden spools!
I just inherited 2 whole tins ful of wooden spools of thread that were my grandmothers! And a whole box of thimbles that were my aunts! There is something so special about those things!
Beth in PA
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8:21 pm
September 7, 2008
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smilingcow
Banty
| | central PA | |
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| posts 4 |
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Stephanie,
Actually there IS a Sewing for Dummies. But you are doing the right thing to relearn: starting with something simple and then building from there. Some things I've learned over the years (I learned from my grandma when I was 5 and that was 41 years ago) are: use GOOD thread. The cheap thread just frustrates you. Change your needle often and use the appropriate needle for the fabric you are using. And of course, measure twice, cut once - something I've yet to really put into practice!
Great that you are returning to sewing.
Beth in PA
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8:14 pm
September 7, 2008
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Gizmo
Big Chicken
| | Greenup, KY | |
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| posts 47 |
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I would say pillows are a good place to start. Nothing fancy - straight seams, and simple lines. While you're “re-learning”, stick with easy things. You don't want to get overwhelmed and frustrated.
I'm hard pressed to buy patterns any more. You can find so many for free online….they're just a search engine away.
If I can help at all, let me know. I don't sew very many clothing items, but have sewn most of my household stuff (curtains, bedlinens, potholders, towels, etc).
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6:23 pm
September 6, 2008
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jane
Big Chicken
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| posts 39 |
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I have been sewing since 7th grade too. I just bought a new machine and have it set up in my office room. i mainly do crafts now though. I use to make all my clothes, coats, ball gowns, wedding gowns, bridesmaid gowns, suits. I am making towels now. you take a pot holder, a long one if you can find them at walmart and a towel. you fold the towel in half and mark the center for your gathering line. you gather the towel onto the center fold of the pot holder and sew it. the loop for the potholder is for the button you sew on the potholder to hold the towel to a bar in the kitchen on the stove or cabinet.
i am making these fabric pockets for baked potatoes in the microwave too. you can put 4 in for 12 min.
fabric and patterns are so expensive now. i remember when patterns were no more than 2.75 and wow have they gone up too. I have made curtians in the past too, purses, bags.
in many places walmart is closing out their fabrics. i stocked up on 1.00 and 2.00 a yd craft fabric for that reason. a lot around me closed out the fabric part.
you need scissors, pins and cushion, seam ripper, marking pencil to mark fabric. I too love old buttons. never thought to buy stuff at thrift stores for buttons - great idea.
enjoy
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5:55 pm
September 6, 2008
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GeorgiaZ
Big Chicken
| | Rockdale, TX | |
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| posts 79 |
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Well ladies, I have been sewing since my mama would let me hold a needle. She sewed everything tha she and I wore until I was in high school and for both my sisters and all my dads and brothers shirts and jackets. Basically everything but jeans and undies. So I learned from the best. In home ec as a freshman, I finished my complete half year project which was a dress suit for interviews, in the first week of class. So I helped teach the class all year. Was the same with cooking. Which explains why I have this obsession with fabric (there isnt enough in the huge state of Texas to be “enough” for me) and all things sewing, expecially buttons! People stop on the street for money, I stop for every button I see. I buy from thrift shops just for the buttons on garments. So when I decided to make and sell vintage aprons, I just shopped from my own stashes. And can for a very long time, needing only the trims and more thread. OH thread, I LOVE wooden spools! I have a corner shelf in my living room that my grandfather made out of wooden spools. I have 4 sewing machines and a serger. And every cutting tool in every size known.
So where ever I can help you, I will do my very best, just ask. If I dont know, mama does!
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5:19 pm
September 6, 2008
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Stephanie
Big Chicken
| | Stuck in Suburbia | |
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| posts 38 |
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Great, we can re-learn together…. YEA!!! DH will travel a bunch this week, so I might go to the town over to the Hancock Fabrics and check it out, and talk to some folks…
PS: Milo wants to be Coco's Vice President.
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5:12 pm
September 6, 2008
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Suzanne
Admin
| | Stringtown Rising Farm/Walton, WV | |
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| posts 123 |
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Stephanie, I have an old sewing machine I got years ago and haven't used for years. It's a really simple machine (because it's old) and it worked really well the last time I used it. I'm dying to get it out and start sewing again! I'm looking to figure out a good place to set it up in my house so I can have a dedicated spot for it. I'm not even sure what I want to sew. I used to sew dolls and doll clothes, though I'm not sure I want to do that. I don't even know what I want to do, just that I want to sew again because it's so creative. I don't have any ideas for you because I haven't gotten that far, just know I'm right there with ya! I'm looking forward to hearing the ideas that come in here!
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4:45 pm
September 6, 2008
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Stephanie
Big Chicken
| | Stuck in Suburbia | |
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| posts 38 |
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So for the last few months - probably 6 or so, I've been wanting to learn to sew. Yesterday, I purchased a sewing machine from HSN. It's nothing complicated, but I think it'll be a good beginner machine. Here's my question - I haven't sewn since 7th grade, that's almost 20 years ago. What else do I need? I think I would like to start with toss pillows, maybe a tote bag simple things. Is there Sewing for Dummies?
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