The Sewing Room

rufusdog52

Thats a lovely top Avstar xx

I have uploaded some photos of my bunting I made yesterday to my blog and also some photos of the latest bags I have added to my shop. I was making them for ages this time due to having to wait around for bits to come for them.

I dont know what project to start next lol. I dont have anything planned. I have some fabrics but not sure what to make. I want something to add to my shop.

Keiss_21

Hya folks, taking a break from the sewing mahne to catch up on-line.

Wonderful makes again, what a talented bunch you all are!

A question for those of you who sell at fairs...how much stock to you make and take with you?

I am in the middle of making things for 2 craft fairs in six weeks time, they are only 2 days apart, so I am worried about having enough things made for both of them. I am making small purses, bags and wallets, with a few larger bags. I am also knitting scarves using the loopy/frilly yarns, as well as some xmas decs. There will also be flannel reindeer, sock cupcakes and some sweets bagged up too. I am thinking of making some crayon/pencil rolls too for kids.

With the fairs being at the end of November, at least if I ave things left over, then I can use some of them as Xmas presents!!! :rotfl:

Right, back to the [STRIKE]grindstone[/STRIKE] sewing machine!

Swampmonster

avstar wrote: »

Tamster your dino is gorgeous :T esp as you had to amend the pattern to give him extra legs, poor thing! :rotfl:

Love the bunting HMO and Mooloo, thats on my to-do list.

Hart you lucky devil with a week off - have fun and hope you get lots of sewing done.

Haven't made anything from scratch this week but I did revamp a top. Refashion seems all the rage online but I'm not sure about it, I don't find it as enjoyable as sewing from scratch.

Here's the 'after' photo, a (very creased ) 'before' pic is on my blog

Hello,

Only just found this thread.

Had to say what a good job you've done on revamping your top.

Please can you explain to a total novice how to go about it, as I have got many similar style tops that could do with with this type of alteration.

Many Thanks :T

plumfin

Hello all. New member of this forum here, got an old Brother machine, so looking to get to grips with it. I have a couple of questions: Can anyone advise where I can get a nice but cheap sewing box, and secondly, are zips always so hard to do?? I had a one day course on Saturday to learn the basics and it completely took me aback! thanks

pennib

I think a lot of people get their sewing boxes from car boots/charity shops. I expect the more zips you sew the easier it will get! Not easy when you want it perfect first time!

Savvy_sewing

plumfin wrote: »

Hello all. New member of this forum here, got an old Brother machine, so looking to get to grips with it. I have a couple of questions: Can anyone advise where I can get a nice but cheap sewing box, and secondly, are zips always so hard to do?? I had a one day course on Saturday to learn the basics and it completely took me aback! thanks

Well I have been sewing for over 40 years and had a number of sewing boxes, but I actually now have a childrens crayola carrybox for my transportable bits, and my serious sewing box is a huge mens toolbox on wheels! It has a top section that comes off at a hinge, pressumably so the DIYer could take the basics with them, and then lots of drawers and compartments below, and then its on a handle/wheel. Nothing very glamourous, at all.
But it does the job.
I have before now, made a sewing box for myself out of picnic baskets too. I suppose its all down to wht you are planning to keep it in, and where you are when you are usuing it.

There are lots of Tutorials on youtube etc.
When I started to sew in zips, I would sew the seam in large stitches, iron flat.
Place the zip teeth down on to the seam. Stitch all around it, and then unpick the seam.! Guaranteed to have the edges meeting for a start.
Its the invisible ones that I still struggle with! They were not that common except in very expensive clothes when I started, and were not available to buy on the open market.! How times change.:D

rufusdog52

I still have problems with zips now and I have been sewing for 40 odd years too lol.

I made a start on a new bag yesterday, its a new pattern for a bigger bag that I made up. I am hoping it all fits together all right. I want to make it for YD to carry her books to and fro college. I have used some plain dusky blue chenille fabric I got as a remnant in Dunelm Mill for the main body. I have then cut out another piece in a medium thick wadding and yet another piece in a medium weight sew in interfacing. Then I machine quilted the pieces together to see if it would give the pieces some body so the bag doesn't come out too floppy. So far they are looking ok. I haven't tried sewing them together yet as I want to get some piping cord and run some piping round the edges.

Savvy_sewing

rufusd!!!2 wrote: »

I still have problems with zips now and I have been sewing for 40 odd years too lol.

I made a start on a new bag yesterday, its a new pattern for a bigger bag that I made up. I am hoping it all fits together all right. I want to make it for YD to carry her books to and fro college. I have used some plain dusky blue chenille fabric I got as a remnant in Dunelm Mill for the main body. I have then cut out another piece in a medium thick wadding and yet another piece in a medium weight sew in interfacing. Then I machine quilted the pieces together to see if it would give the pieces some body so the bag doesn't come out too floppy. So far they are looking ok. I haven't tried sewing them together yet as I want to get some piping cord and run some piping round the edges.

Sounds good to me! Still have a saddle bag of your design to make for someone, its been cut out for 2 plus months now, and I still havent got as far as making it. The bunting has been all that I have done in quite some time.
Feeling a bit rough today, so I may not manage to sew today.

hart44

Hi everyone

I have a week off work so I can catch up with everyone again :j

I have been doing some sewing in-between a very hectic work life (I hate how work gets in the way of my sewing)

I got some fantastic Alexandra Henry fabric off ebay so I decided I need a new bag
This is what I made


I have 2 craft fairs coming up so I am in the middle of making xmas decs and lots of smaller gifts. One of the stalls my mum is doing for me in Dec so I have to get the stuff to her soon or she will be selling the few little bits she has, she makes some beautiful cards

I am getting better at putting zips in now but still have to tackle a recessed bag zip

Hope everyone is keeping well and don't push yourself too hard Mooloo and hope you are feeling better soon

avstar

Swampmonster wrote: »

Hello,

Only just found this thread.

Had to say what a good job you've done on revamping your top.

Please can you explain to a total novice how to go about it, as I have got many similar style tops that could do with with this type of alteration.

Many Thanks :T

Aw thanks

I just kind of made it up as I went along

Basically I measured how long I wanted the top to be, and cut straight across, I used the discarded fabric to make the waistband and ties.
I cut 2 long strips from the left over fabric and joined to make one long strip, folded it over and sewed along the long edge then turned it through to make the waistband ( so all the raw edges were enclosed inside).
I slightly gather the raw edge of the top to fit me, and zigzagged the edge. I also split up the side seam so I could get the top on. I top stitched the side seam split.
I attached the waistband n that's it.

I made a couple of sock monkeys this weekend, to give as pressies, but I used buttons for eyes and now I'm afraid to give them. The recipients are teenagers but I'm scared they might get passed to younger children at some point, might have to go back and do felt eyes or something. Any advice on making them safer?