3 Questions-newbie-clothes

[transformed]

1. What do I need in my "sewing room" like right there by the table with the machine on it. I am setting one up so I can just go right back to my sewing without having to put everything away all the time.

2. I want to make clothes because I am so uncomfortable in mine. I am expanding-pregnant-and I am sick of store clothes. I want lightweight breathable fabric. (Live in Florida and I am melting!)

3. I HATE patterns they take SOOOOO much time to cut out! Can you make clothes without patterns? I am an "instant gratification" kind of girl. Patterns seem time consuming and not worth it.

4. Did I mention I have never sewed before? (Well, a tiny bit when I was a girl....but not latley.) My one issue is the sewing machine I use is my moms from the 70's and although its great, it takes me 20 min to get the bobbin thing back in, you have to have like doll hands to fit in there!

jenny

[majick1]

I would say that you need all of your supplies close like cutting mat, scissors, rotary cutter, pins, all of your threads and extra bobbins. Don't forget the seam ripper! I use mine quite a bit!!

Personally I HAVE to make any clothing with a pattern. I'm just not that good. The great thing about using a pattern is a nice uniform garment. If you haven't sewn in a long time it might be a good idea to use one. Seriously, if you buy one great pattern you only have to cut it once and you can use it over and over.

Good luck and happy sewing!!

[KariM]

Things I like to have nearby my machine:

1. seam ripper
2. small scissors
3. pin cushion or pin box
4. pins


If you use a rotary cutter and a mat, cutting out patterns will usually go much, much faster than using shears. You can use pattern weights instead of pinning the pattern down.

I find that sewing without patterns takes me *more* time because of all the measuring I have to do.

[transformed]

Pattern weights! That sounds fantastic! Its good to know someone had us "instant gratification" people in mind. LOL. Sometimes its hard because alot of crafts/skills require alot of time and patience, and I am not a time and patience type. I need hobbies for my personality. Sewing is on my heart alot latley and not sure why, but I just have to leaarn to sew. :-D I am excited b/c I hate buying my cothes.

[fallriverfox]

Originally Posted by transformed

1. What do I need in my "sewing room" like right there by the table with the machine on it. I am setting one up so I can just go right back to my sewing without having to put everything away all the time.

An ironing board! Seriously, that's the nicest thing about having a dedicated sewing space: I don't have to set up the ironing board every single time.

[eepster]

Altering ready-made clothes is also be a quick/easy sewing project.

[Angelorum]

I second the ironing board, seam ripper, and pin cushion. I also like to have a little bowl to throw small scraps and threads into. That way they don't end up all over me and my clothes after I've been sewing. Another one of my favorite tools is the magnetic pin holder. Rather than taking the time to push the pins back into the cushion as you are sewing, you just have to toss them in the direction of the magnet, and it snaps right to it. I can't sew with a regular cushion anymore, I just end up throwing pins all over the place! some small scissors to clip threads are also good to have by the machine if your machine doesn't have a little blade to slip the thread into. Sometimes I just use a seam ripper for this.

I always use a pattern when I'm sewing, but I like to more complicated things than I could without one. Cutting them out is always my least favorite part. But if you buy a basic blouse pattern or something and use a rotary cutter/ weights, you can double up the fabric and cut out two at once and that will save lots of time. Just be sure to mark the pattern markings on the pieces as you cut them out, otherwise you'll be constantly pulling the pattern piece back out to find out the placement of that small dot.

[iowaorganic]

Here is my sewing set up: Slightly taller than normal table (I have really long legs and don't like them cramped when sewing) with an ironing board on the left (I would rather it be on the right though). Under the table I have 2 rolling storage drawer things to put my tools in. Above my table I am in the process of getting a peg board put up to hang tools on. My ironing board is actually a cabinet thing so I can store projects in there too. Then I also have a 'stash' closet with rubbermaid bins for scraps and shelves for bigger pieces. I like to be able to see everything or else I forget. I also have a recliner in my sewing room so I can relax while reading or doing hand sewing.

I usually find that sewing clothing is NOT very cost effective and I always use a pattern- even if it just taking something apart and using that as my pattern. You would think it would be easy to just cut something out and make it- but it has never worked for me... Good Luck with that~!