Seamstresses "R"-Us!!

[UmmSamiyah]

Hello!! I have a ton of sewing questions since I am new to this whole craft. I was hoping all of us seamstresses, novice and experienced, could band together and have a thread!
I will introduce myself first, (sort of!)

: I am actually working on my second project,a corduroy skirt, and have become stumped on several areas. But aside from that i love fabric and hope to make all of my family's clothes. Is that possible?? : After finishing this as far as sewing I would like to make matching skirt and then on to bigger better things! My goal fabrics to work on are silk and denim. Not so much because of the difficulty but because of the price! I don't want to spend goo-gobs of money for me to screw things up. So who else is out there

[underthebluerug]

Hey! My name is Kate, and I'm at the upper-intermediate level as a seamstress. I sew/design mainly urgently-needed clothes for my kids, dipes and mama-pads, and [the cobbler being shoeless] *sometimes* manage the odd garment for myself. And what a fine day it always is when that happens, if ya know what I mean. :2tandem

I have two huge cabinets full of fabrics-in-waiting and projects on the go, and I wait daily for late-night when everyone else is asleep and I'll be able to sew---then invariably get caught up doing laundry, power-snacking in front of MDC, or crashing. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

UmmSamiyah , it is entirely possible to make all of your family's clothing---as long as you don't need to sleep. It'll really come down to how much available time you have to devote. Enjoy, and try not to become a fabric hyena!
_______________
Kate Sewin' , slingin', co-sleeping , CD'ing : momma to dd (3) and ds (2 mon.)

[mamapup]

I have been sewing since high school. My boyfriend's mother taught me. I spent more time with her than I ever did with him, and still came over to hang out after we broke up. lol

Recently, I have been sewing shirts, and dipes for my son and my friends' kiddos. I made a nice dress for myself for my Aunt's wedding in March. I recently made a knitting needle case for a friend. The pattern is free online:
http://www.moonarts.com/blog/free_pa...edle-print.htm

Oh, yeah, and here is a picture of my son and I in our matching MM snowflake fleece jackets I made:
http://www.backward.net/baby/pics/amys_mug2.jpg

Recently, I have picked up knitting and crocheting, and have been slacking on the sewing. I have a bunch of diaper cuts of PUL that I had embroidered by Christy at Fussy Butts, just waiting to be sewn together. They are gorgeous, so I am motivated now!

[UmmSamiyah]

This is NOT right

Okay, I am in the middle of making and hopefully completing my first skirt but there is no way in h*ll this thing could even fit my daughter who is 3. I bought a size 8 from Simplicity. but this thing is unbelievable small! Did I cut out the pattern wrong? Also, I tried in earnest to attach the zipper but i have no clue what the directions what me to do. I tried to attach it but after sewing down one side It was impossible to sew down the other side since the opening of the skirt was so small. Tips anyone?

[underthebluerug]

Monique, is it possible you're using a pattern that's meant for a *stretchy* (knit) fabric? If so, and if the fabric you are using is a woven, with no stretch, then the skirt will be way too small. Check the back of the pattern envelope to see.

Patterns meant for wovens have what's called *ease* factored into their measurements---which is the amount of extra roominess needed in the garment for the body to move comfortably during wear. So, for example, a blouse meant for a knit fabric will stretch enough when pulled over the head to not require an opening in the front or back---but you would not even be able to get it on without tearing it if you were to sew that same blouse in a woven fabric.

HTH!

Kate

[UmmSamiyah]

ONe of the options I was given to sew with is Pinwale Corduroy. So i picked up some corduroy, I am not sure if it is the same type though. The other fabrics are like laundered cotton, batiks, lightweight denim ya see? They don't stretch right?
Also, I did my measurements (obviously I am somewhat of a block) but for waist size i am a 31 so the simplicity says to get a size 18 but when I did my hips I am a 33, simplicity says to get size 8. Where is the happy medium? :

[underthebluerug]

Okay, since there's such a wide swing between the two sizes that correspond to waist and hip measurement on the standardized chart, you'll have to "multi-size" (customize) patterns to fit you.

This means buying the size that corresponds to the narrowest body measurement (waist, in this case), and cutting the rest down to size. So you would have to buy the smallest version of the pattern that includes a size 18 (i.e., the envelope that says 14-16-18, *not* one that says 18-20-22). Then, when you lay out the pattern for cutting, you'll follow the size line for an 18 at the waist, then draw a new line between waist and hips that graduates to the smallest size line. Assemble the skirt with basting, try on, pin, and remove any additional roominess below the waist. Then do your final sewing.

Sizing is frustrating business for most of us!

Kate

[UmmSamiyah]

: There is so much I have to do!! I also tried a burda pattern a couple of weeks ago. It was a complete disaster. It is the same idea with that too right? Or rather, who has tried Burda patterns and noticed the same problems?

[underthebluerug]

Wow, Amy those fleece jackets are gorgeous!

What a gift your old boyfriend's mom gave you! (And btw, I'm intrigued at the idea of embroidered PUL... Could you post a picture when you've sewn up those dipes?)

Kate

[underthebluerug]

Yeah, I know... But keep at it; it gets quick after awhile when you know what to do. Burda's fit is usually *way* more accurate than that of the Big Three, which I try to avoid buying (McCalls, Simplicity & Butterick). I have more success with my sizing alterations when I use Burda or Kwik-Sew patterns. (For me, the biggest issues are small bust vs. broad shoulders, plus long arms and legs.)

Also, btw, the instructions in the Big Three co's patterns can be atrociously vague. Make sure you buy a good book for beginning sewers that explains all the basics step by step with photos. It's absolutely indispensable to have when starting out.

[andi_3k]

Hi my name is Andi..and I am addicted to needlework.

I have been sewing since I was 6 or 7 and prefer hand sewing to machine sewing.
Right now I am making quilts, cross-stitching the squares and then constructing the quilts.

[rubidoux]

I am just starting to try to teach myself to sew, too, but I'm kind of in limbo now b/c my machine needs servicing. What I really need is many hours in a row all by myself to really jump in, but that is never going to happen. I can easilt knit with ds but definately can't sew that way.

Monique, I think this is the same problem you had with knitting (though I know nothing about sewing, so ignore me if I'm way off base) -- you are starting with something that's above your head. I think zippers aren't that easy even for people who know how to sew fairly well. If I was you, I'd look for an elastic waist skirt to make. And if you did something in elastic sizing might not be as difficult, yk? An elastic waist skirt normally wouldn't hug your hips, so if it fit in the waist the drapiness over your hips would probably work fine in the larger size.

Good luck!

J.

[UmmSamiyah]

I guess I am just too ambitious. everything was fine (even the zipper part..i think) until I realized the sizing was way off. I am supposed to take it to my friend tomorrow, we are going to figure out if I can add panels and stuff like that.

Also, I just ordered the Kristens cloth pad pattern but I can't remember where to buy material such as PUL. I can get the flannel and batting from Joann's but not the PUL. Any thoughts?

[rubidoux]

Could you use fleece for the pads instead of pul?

Maybe I am not ambitious enough. I am amazed that you did a zipper w/o any real experience. If you can make one in the wrong size, I have no doubt you'll be able to make one in the right size.

J.

[mattjule]

anyone have some suggestions for nylon aka flag type material? a mdc mama gifted it to me thinking it wouls work for dipes but it is too thin and only repels water for about 30 sec beforeit is penetrated. what do ppl use this stuff for?

[mattjule]

guess i should have intro'd myself. nak :LOL

i'm julie, i'd say a strong intermediate. most of the stuff i do is done w/o a pattern so i am not sure how good it is, i make bags and dipes and occasional skirts and stuff. i like to experiment.

[Mooney]

I'm Erin, a novice seamstress. In two years, my sewing machine has been used to make two sets of curtains and hem the odd pair of pants. But just today, I finished my first fitted diaper from a home-made pattern. I have ambitions to make slipcovers for a couch and a chaise lounge one of these days. I have never made clothing since the shirt I made in a sewing class at 10 that I hated. I chose the fabric poorly, and then I serged through the lower front panel of the shirt and had to add a funny little pocket to cover the spot!

mattjule-- add a few dowels and make a kite!

--e

[UmmSamiyah]

can you make like a swim diaper cover? or just swim shorts?

[Kim2002]

I'm Kim and I guess I'm an intermediate sewer. I prefer to make home decor items such as drapes and bed linens. But I've also made my children's clothing, a pouch sling, a ringed sling, and cloth wipes.

My most recent project has been working on my toddler's "big boy" room needs. I made denim tab-top drapes with overall buckles. I saw these at Pottery Barn Kids and thought their price was ridiculous, so I made them myself for a fraction of the cost. This photo was taken before I finished seaming the edges: http://www.growthspurts.com/drivee/i...7814840998.jpg

I'm getting ready to make a denim cover for David's bean bag chair. I'll be making two pockets on either side of the bean bag chair using back pockets from hubby's old jeans. I think David will really like being able to stuff things in the pockets.

My mom is busy making a denim coverlet out of old denim jeans that hubby and I don't fit into anymore. She's doing it like a quilt, but the seams will be exposed to show frayed denim. I can't wait to see it when it's done. I'm afraid of how heavy it will be though - LOL.

[UmmSamiyah]

Andi-
doesn't making anything ie quilts by hand take FOREVER? I want to learn how to quilt and hand quilting is how my friend started, but I am afraid I don't have the patience let alone the time.

J-
I am not sure with the fleece thing. I should get the pattern by the end of this week so I can see about substitution. I will probably try with PUL first then experiment. Why?