Do Any of You Hand Sew?

[MaryLang]

Do you make clothes and stuff this way or is it not worth it?

[eepster]

I used to hand sew things before I got a sewing machine. Occasionally I will still hand sew small things that are hard to position on a machine.

Our ancestors sewwed by hand till around 120 years ago, and they wore more layers than we do.

If you want to try out sewing but don't want to invest in a machine small but intricate things work well.

[E.V. Lowi]

One of the most enjoyable parts of Waldorf doll making is the hand sewing. Using good thread such as Gutermann and running the thread through some natural beeswax before starting to sew really helps the process go more smoothly, eliminates knotting, tangles and a lot of frustrations. It can be so relaxing to sew by hand, once you get the hang of it.

[SleeplessMommy]

In India a few months ago, I decided DS needed a lighter weight (and larger) shirt. I could have paid a tailor 50 cents or so, but I sewed it by hand. And then another one! My BIL wanted to know who cut it out for me. I don't have an engineering degree for nothing!

(My kid does not normally look this goofy!)

http://legonutty.blogspot.com/

For the record, commercially made clothing I bought for myself in India had some serious manufacturing issues (such as no serging on inside seams, and very weak thread used) Like it was just basted together. So even the store-bought clothing I re-sewed by hand.:

[fallriverfox]

I almost always put zippers in by hand, but that's just because I'm incompentent.

I hand quilt both baby quilts and full sized quilts. I think it makes them more special because you can cram a lot more good wishes in that way.

[MaryLang]

Thanks for the replies.
Sleepless mommy- your son is a cutie! I love that shirt.
Well, I have been hand sewing a few simple piece of cloth baby wraps for shower gifts, and thought, hmmm, this doesn't take too, too long, granted I'm just sewing up the edges of straight pieces of fabric. I didn't know if people still do this much. I have a sewing machince but can't get it to thread right. And I kind of like the look I get, I'm just using a backstitch. Well thanks and I'd like to hear of any other things you've made this way.

[SuperMama]

[mad cow]

I don`t really like messing with machines and threading and needles.... I hand sew exclusively. All my patchwork and quilting..... and anything else I make I handsew 100 percent. It takes more time but I totally enjoy the process....

I`ve finished 5 or 6 full size quilts and several baby blankets.... and just work on them bit by bit.

I`ve got photos over on flickr...... if anyone is interested.....

[kandkrose]

I hand sew my super-small items like felt food. I really enjoy it!

[AutumnMelody]

Originally Posted by mad cow

I don`t really like messing with machines and threading and needles.... I hand sew exclusively. All my patchwork and quilting..... and anything else I make I handsew 100 percent. It takes more time but I totally enjoy the process....

I`ve finished 5 or 6 full size quilts and several baby blankets.... and just work on them bit by bit.

I`ve got photos over on flickr...... if anyone is interested.....

I would love to see pictures!

[MaryLang]

I want to see pics too : .

[siouxbee]

how to?

My mom knew how to sew, but somehow never taught me. Foolish me. Anyone have any advice for the best way to learn? I want to teach my kids, but have to learn myself with them.

thanks,

[cinnamama]

Autumn Melody - I looked at your blog and your dolls are so cute! You've explained before how you made your flannel dolls. What pattern did you use to make the doll called Rain?

[Corri]

Anyone have any advice for the best way to learn? I want to teach my kids, but have to learn myself with them.

Is there a sewing guild in your area? A lot of towns have a group that gets together with a teacher or rotating list of lecturers once or twice a month, and they love having novice sewers come in to learn. If not, night classes at a local community centre, or community college? There are some good books and websites, but nothing in the world beats hands-on in-person lessons.

Threads magazine is a fantastic resource as well, especially for the novice - there's articles on their website, and your library might have back issues that you can check out to see if you'd want to buy a subscription. (note: I'm not connected to Threads in any way; I don't even have a current subscription. )

[mad cow]

I need some technical advice for how to post a link with my signature to my flickr photos...... can anyone help me with that......

see, I am so not into machines... sewing machines... computers.... all that stuff... I"d just rather do it by hand!!!!!!

[kittywitty]

I sew by hand. I have a machine...I just get ADD when I use it and everything ends up very messed up. So I sew by hand. I am not very good at it. Still trying!

[Sarahfina]

I also sew by hand. I've been living overseas for the last year without my machine and was feeling creative. I made sweaters, pants and cute cute overalls for my DD by hand, with nice little designs stitched in too. It was fun, and I quickly learned methods for folding over seams a couple of times to protect the edges from fraying before I would stitch...does that make sence, I dont really know how to explain it better. Anyway it made for lovely work in the quiet glow of the fire, and much more soothing than say the whir of the machine, and also more social- hard to sit and chat with a friend over tea while using the machine, but with hand sewing its possible! I'm still learning, which means the end products dont last long after too many washings, but they've generally lasted as long as they've fit! so thats cool!! I'm looking forward to reuniting with the machine though, its been a long time and I have lots of projects in mind!

Sarahfina

[mamarhu]

I have a home business sewing baby clothes, and I use all the quickest industrial techniques, and I am pretty production oriented. But for relaxation, I hand piece and hand quilt. I am working on a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt right now made entirely of 1" hexagons, maybe 10,000? I get a sort of Zen attitude about it, that I enjoy the process as much as the product, and I really don't care if I ever finish it. It's good that I

When ElderSon was a babe, I sewed all his clothes by hand. We lived on a sailboat, with no electricity. When the Dumplings were little, I had a treadle machine, and I really loved it. It was quiet and rhythmic.

[SleeplessMommy]

To learn to sew bu hand, start with doll clothing and/or clothing repairs... and work up from there :-)