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Hobbies/Crafts and MoneySaving ...

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  • debbym
    debbym Posts: 460 Forumite
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    Hi Tanya,
    You don't say what style of skirt it is but wouldn't it look a bit odd having just a patch over your bum? If it is quite a simple straight style you could try putting something like velvet or satin ribbon down all the seams, you know make a bit of a feature rather than looking like a repair ;)
  • moggins
    moggins Posts: 5,190 Forumite
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    I can hand sew really well and mend all our clothes this way but sewing machines beat me constantly. I'd love to be able to use one, I need new curtains and cushion covers but I can never seem to get the tension right and the thread always pulls itself out of the needle before I get more than a few centimetres, I ended up selling a brand new machine once because I just couldn't use it :(
    Organised people are just too lazy to look for things

    F U Fund currently at £250
  • Tanya_3
    Tanya_3 Posts: 8 Forumite
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    debbym wrote:
    Hi Tanya,
    You don't say what style of skirt it is but wouldn't it look a bit odd having just a patch over your bum? If it is quite a simple straight style you could try putting something like velvet or satin ribbon down all the seams, you know make a bit of a feature rather than looking like a repair ;)

    That's true, hehe . . . I think I'll try superglue ;)
  • debbym
    debbym Posts: 460 Forumite
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    moggins wrote:
    I can hand sew really well and mend all our clothes this way but sewing machines beat me constantly. I'd love to be able to use one, I need new curtains and cushion covers but I can never seem to get the tension right and the thread always pulls itself out of the needle before I get more than a few centimetres, I ended up selling a brand new machine once because I just couldn't use it :(

    Used to happen to me too until someone pointed out I was threading the needle back to front! Never bought a ready-made curtain since.
  • moggins
    moggins Posts: 5,190 Forumite
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    Was it really that simple? Which way do you thread it then?

    There was a second hand machine in Cash Converters today, if I could only find someone to teach me how to use it!
    Organised people are just too lazy to look for things

    F U Fund currently at £250
  • elona
    elona Posts: 11,806 Forumite
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    Have you tried local colleges or schools to see if there are any basic tailoring or any classes that involve sewing?

    If you attended for even a month or so it should be enough to get you started.
    "This site is addictive!"
    Wooligan 2 squares for smoky - 3 squares for HTA
    Preemie hats - 2.
  • moggins
    moggins Posts: 5,190 Forumite
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    We do have but most of the 'crafty' type courses seem to be located in the satellite colleges which are all about 20 miles away from me. I will pop into the main college campus to see if they are running anything local to me this year, thanks for the advice :)
    Organised people are just too lazy to look for things

    F U Fund currently at £250
  • Queenie
    Queenie Posts: 8,793 Forumite
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    moggins

    Here is a site which has instructions on how to thread a variety of sewing machines: http://www.sewusa.com/ it might be useful if you get the machine you saw 2nd hand.

    Free (online) Beginner Sewing Lessons can be found here: http://www.sew-whats-new.com/sewinglessons/ plus they have a projects page which might tickle your creative juices :D

    Here is a website with some great projects (check out the Kids Projects area) which are suitable for beginners and intermediates: http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/enthusiast.html

    This site has some cute projects too: http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2jan2002.htm (look on the left margin for the link to all projects) Not all the projects are for sewing, other crafts are featured too; so grab a coffee and a sarnie before you start looking! ;)

    Tips: When I learned to use a machine, I began with simple projects (a laundry bag; a kaftan; an A-line skirt) Choose a project that you will enjoy trying; do not buy your fabric!! Go to a charity shop and buy a duvet cover/sheet and use that as your fabric ... you won't feel so scared of cutting it up "just in case" you fear making a mistake.

    For window treatments, tie backs, cushions, try looking here: http://www.alternative-windows.com/

    HTH :D
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    PMS Pot: £57.53 Pigsback Pot: £23.00
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  • arkonite_babe
    arkonite_babe Posts: 7,375 Forumite
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    Kath, I love the shopping bag, dragon cushion and the apron! If you ever set up a mail order company, can I be on the mailing list please? :D

    My only skill is cooking. I can't knit or sew very well at all. I'd love to be able to sew and would be terrified of a sewing machine. Haven't used one of those since I was in 3rd year at high school. :o
  • stellagypsy
    stellagypsy Posts: 416 Forumite
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    Thanks Queenie, the alternative window site is great, I want to make some roman blinds for my revamped kitchen (got to revamp it first of course, that is this summer's project!). They are so expensive to buy.

    Stella
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