Does anyone else make their own clothes

My sewing machine is an old Singer one made in 1956 (model 401G) and I wouldn't DREAM of updating it.

My first one was hand-operated table top with a 'boat shuttle' - 'Jones' one - black with beautiful daisies all over it.

Then my grandfather bought me a 'Jones' basic electric one for my 21st in 1972 - but that was stolen during a break-in in 1975. My mother then gave me her very basic machine that she hadn't used for about 10 years (she got it, made a dress each for my younger sisters then put it away again!).

I started doing sewing orders for people using that one (bridesmaids dresses, holy communion dresses, orange lodge outfits etc.). THEN I did a set of 6 bridesmaides dresses for my nephew's wedding. His mother wanted to pay me but I said it was my present to the happy couple. She then offered to do a 'swap' of HER 'all-performing, zig-zag, embroidery, double-needle machine for my basic one - as she didn't have a cloo what to do with hers and mine was all that she needed! Have to admit to nearly snatching her hand off!!! That's the one I'm using now and it's nearly as old as ME! Then again my original one was older than my great-grandmother!!



image borrowed from a 'sewing machine' website - not my own machine shown here but identical!

I have a fab bought top and just the piece of material I'd like to make one in.:think:

I have never made a pattern before any tips or ideas?

........and before you suggest it I am not unpicking it.

Jen_L wrote: »

hi,

I need some advice ...

I have always fancied learning to sew (or at least do alterations) as Im quite short and find trousers difficult to buy. Anyway, I have a pair of jeans in which the zip has bust, im not too overly bothered about them so thought they would be a good little project to work on... if they turn out excellent if not then its a start on learning sewing skills.

I have looked all over the internet for some instructions on replacing a zip, I must have been through every site in the uk and the usa and none of them have instructions on how to do this?

So does anyone know of a site which does offer this or a book which I could get from the library?

Thanks

Jen

To get the old one out:
Unpick the 'fly shield' (the bit of fabric that covers the zip on the inside of the jeans).
Unpick a bit of the waistband on either side of the zip so that you can see the top ends of the zip.
Unpick the overstitching, the bit that makes a sort of J shape on the front of the fly (it will make it easier to attach the new one if you are using a sewing machine. If you are doing by hand, you might be able to skip this step).
You should now have the whole zip exposed and be able to unpick it.

To put the new one in:
With the zip closed, pin it in place with the zip running along the edge of the left hand (imagine you are wearing them) edge of the trouser fly (note: you should have one layer under the other so that when it is finished you can't see the zipper on the outside).
Stitch in place and close up all the seams you opened around the old zip and re-attach the 'fly-shield'.

I hope this helps, its kind of tricky to explain without being able to show you the bits of the zip/fly I mean, but do make sure you tack it in place first and see if it looks right/lines up well.

If you want a book with pictures of how to do it, the readers digest complete book of sewing has diagrams which are sort of easy to follow. Look up "fly-front zip" in the index.

Thank you!!!

Thats excellent I will have a go at replacing the zip sometime this week, true money saving as I really love my jeans so would have had to buy another pair.

Jen