do you sew?

duchess15

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I'm in the process of learning how to sew from my mom. She has a nice sewing machine that also does embroidery. I am not very tall so most of the pants I buy are way too long on me. I need to learn so I can cut them to fit and then sew them up.
 

momofmany

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I've been sewing my entire life. My mom coached me thru my first dress at age 6 and before that I was making Barbie clothes by hand. I went many years with nothing but handmade clothes (we didn't have a lot of money).

I have my DH's grandmother's treadle machine - still works. I also have my mother's 1952 Singer Featherweight - also still works. For everyday use I have a Necchi - jury is still out on whether I really like it or not. For serging I have a Husquavarna which is heavenly. Then for the really tough projects I have a commercial Rex, but I really haven't used it much since I bought it.

Wow - I guess that gives me 5 machines. I do have my sewing room which is a nice thing to have (my closet is packed with materials). If you want to see what I make now, click on my link.
 
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abigail

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Originally Posted by Momofmany

If you want to see what I make now, click on my link.
i really love your hidey holes. have you experimented with felting mice? I make white and grey mice for abi and she loves them. when they get too roughed up I toss them in the washer and they re-felt.
 

mandm1213

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Originally Posted by Abigail

last year I sold my brother pacesetter machine and very basic brother embroidery machine and moved up to a babylock sewing/embroidery combo. The ellageo did things that neither of the stand alone machines did but i found myself embroidering less because you had to add the computer module, change the needle , presser foot and throat plate.

so friday i saw in my fav sewing magazine that babylock had a promo on machines and hauled myself over to the dealer and got a decorators choice (sewing only) so I can leave my ellageo in embroidery mode all the time. Man do I ADORE new this machine. It feels like a fine car and has an amazing array of stitch combos and even cuts the thread and threads the needle automatically. WOW.

Who else sew? I know two machines is a luxury but it's my major hobbie after reading.
if you don't mind my asking. how much was this sewing machine? my sister loves sewing and i recently bought her a new sewing machine, since her old one was decades old... i had to get her one that wasn't really a name brand that i'd heard of... but maybe i can tell her to look out for something like the one you are talking about.. or get it for her when she graduates college or something.
 

momofmany

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Originally Posted by Abigail

i really love your hidey holes. have you experimented with felting mice? I make white and grey mice for abi and she loves them. when they get too roughed up I toss them in the washer and they re-felt.
I don't really like the way that felt holds up so have never tried using it. The felt that I find around here usually nubs up faster than fleece and I love the fleece sales at Hancock's.

My cats like my hidey holes also!!
 

pekoe & nigel

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Originally Posted by Hilda>^..^<

Pekoe & Nigel...to avoid your seams becoming undone, just make a double seam. What I do is rather than sewing the outsides of the fabric together, I sew the undersides of the fabric together (or what will be the 'inside' of your garment)...then, steam press your seam open...then steam press it closed (with outsides of your garment together)...then just sew your seam as you normally would....you'll end up with a 'sealed' seam. It takes just a little longer time to do but once you get the hang of it, it works out nicely. Of course, most seams are either 3/4 or 5/8 inches....which means that your first seam here (the one that will end up being enclosed) will be made at around 1/4 or a little less if you can manage it...then your second final seam will be the correct size!

Good luck!
Hilda >^..^<
This is what I normally do but find it frustrating to have to make every seam twice. I am more of an "instant results" kind of person so it poses problems for me. Guess I'll just have to suck it up and start dealing with it, hey?
 

hilda>^..^<

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Actually, there is a product that I've seen...not sure what its called...but you can apply it to raw seams and its supposed to keep it from fraying...might be called something like 'Fray No More'...but Wal*Mart probably carries something like it. I've never used it but it might be worth it to you to try it out.

Good luck once again!
Hilda>^..^<
 

salemwitchchild

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Originally Posted by Hilda>^..^<

Actually, there is a product that I've seen...not sure what its called...but you can apply it to raw seams and its supposed to keep it from fraying...might be called something like 'Fray No More'...but Wal*Mart probably carries something like it. I've never used it but it might be worth it to you to try it out.

Good luck once again!
Hilda>^..^<
I just bought some of that tonight to use on Sierra's pants. Seems to have done the trick.
But be sure to wash your hands after use. It doesn't taste good...lol
 
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abigail

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Originally Posted by Pekoe & Nigel

This is what I normally do but find it frustrating to have to make every seam twice. I am more of an "instant results" kind of person so it poses problems for me. Guess I'll just have to suck it up and start dealing with it, hey?
if your machine takes twin needles you can do that. two rows of stitching with only one run through.
 

swampwitch

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Originally Posted by Hilda>^..^<

... to keep it from fraying...might be called something like 'Fray No More'...
I use Fray Block and it's great, especially for fixing Barbie clothes that have ripped. I use it on the ends of ribbons, too; it's invisible.

Here are some of the costumes I've made for Daughter. The poor quality is because I took the pic with the iSight camera on my MacBook.

From L to R: Bat, Luminara Unduli (Jedi Master), Angel, Silver Fairy, and Mermaid. The Luminara headdress isn't displayed, and the cloak is behind the dress. Again, sorry about the poor quality!
 

hilda>^..^<

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Oooo Swampwitch! those are excellant! Great job with them!

Very interesting where you have them displayed. Looks like a big, pink box! Uh, I'll mention here that pink is my fav colour


Hilda>^..^<
 

swampwitch

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Originally Posted by Hilda>^..^<

Oooo Swampwitch! those are excellant! Great job with them!

Very interesting where you have them displayed. Looks like a big, pink box! Uh, I'll mention here that pink is my fav colour


Hilda>^..^<
They are in Daughter's playroom (there's a shelf on top). I had to move them around to show just the ones I made.

I REALLY want to make her a Kadaj costume, but whenever I bring it up she just rolls her eyes and says, "Oh, Mommy."
 

hilda>^..^<

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Here are some of my creations.

First off I re-covered the cushions & made new pillows for this wicker set we had years ago...



This is a close up of the pillows...



My sis in law had a fav comforter that was falling apart on her...she asked me if I could save it for her somehow! We shopped for fabric but nothing that struck her fancy. While we were at a garage sale, I spied a pair of kingsized waterbed sheets that had a lovely floral print on them. She liked them too so it was decided that I would use them. I made it a reversable comforter...this is one side...



...and this is the underside of it...(the blue stains on the photo are actually on the photo itself and not the comforter...its an old pic!)...Oh, the pillows on the bed are also made by me...



With the leftover fabric, I was able to make her two sets of curtains...



...she was really happy with the results!

Hmmm, just noticed that several of these pics have blue stains on them...they are pretty old y'all.

I've got some more pics to share...but I've got to search around for them.

More later...
Hilda>^..^<
 

swampwitch

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Wow, those are pretty! I love the fact that you used waterbed sheets to make something useful. But how do you sew those large items? I find that so difficult.

After making child costumes, I had a heck of a time making a Darth Vader cloak for Husband (he's 6' 2"). So much fabric - 5 metres! So difficult to maneuver it all!

I love the pleated ruffles on the pillows, too. Lots of detail. Very nice.
 

margecat

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I used to make all of my own clothes years ago. Then I took up Civil War reenacting, and started making my clothing and bonnets (and re-covering antique parasols) for reenacting. I've not done that for about 3 years now, but still sometimes whip up a quick pillow, some curtains, etc. My husband also sews (WWII reenactor), and has his own machine. We share a crafting room, which is nice. He has one side, I the other plus the closet. We just painted the wall, and laid new flooring, and fixed up wire-coated shelves in the closet. (It also doubles as the cat quarantine room, as it has vinyl flooring and lots of sunlight, plus they can see the street and all the action to keep them entertained Because of this, I make sure all unsafe sewing supplies are put away).

I once had a fancy computerized Singer, but went back to a plain Jane machine--it was nothing but (expensive!) trouble--it was in the shop more than I actually used it! I also have an older serger, but haven't used it in years, as that stitching is not authentic for CW clothing.


Have fun sewing!

MargeCat
 

miagi's_mommy

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I used to do quilting for kids at homeless shelters for 2 summers in a row and I had fun in home economics making blankets and stuff.
I was really fascinated with sewing then.
that's when I was younger, though. It was neat learning new things.
 

momofmany

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Originally Posted by Hilda>^..^<

Actually, there is a product that I've seen...not sure what its called...but you can apply it to raw seams and its supposed to keep it from fraying...might be called something like 'Fray No More'...
It's sold as things like Fray Check or Fray Block.
 

clairebear

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I "try" to sew. I have an old sewing machine from my grandmother. I've made hamocks and blankies for my ferrets. But I can't really do anything more advanced than that. I really would love to learn though.
 

rosey

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Thank you so much Abigail for the tips, I really need to get into it more. Too many interests, not enough time...
 
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