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The Sewing Room

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  • Justamum
    Justamum Posts: 4,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Bobbykins wrote: »
    I've bought a pattern but am very nervous about the sizing on it and was thinking of making a sort of "mock up" thing first (I know there's a special name for that but can't remember what it is). I was thinking of just buying the cheapest possible fabric to make it in, maybe that shiny satin that is used for linings as it's very cheap in our local shop. My worry is that the pattern calls for lightweight linens, cotton or cotton blends. Should I stick to cotton to make the mock up or would it be safe to make it in the cheap stuff, will it fit/hang the same? Sorry if I'm being dumb, I honestly am scared to death of making a muck up of it!

    If it's just fit you want to check then I'm sure a cheap fabric would be fine.
  • Justamum
    Justamum Posts: 4,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    spicyprawn wrote: »
    Hi all just thought I would let you know that after a week of hand stitching I have finally finished a pouch bag!

    It's a lovely bag, very reminiscent of the Tudor slashed and puffed sleeves. Ages ago I made a doll but haven't got round to making clothes for it yet, but I had been planning on doing the slash/puff sleeves as I've always liked them. I might adapt this technique to do them.
  • Justamum
    Justamum Posts: 4,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    pennib - the toadstool pincushion is fantastic. It was definitely worth altering the roof.
  • Never thought of it that way, were their trousers the same? I was thinking later on of adapting it to a bag with handle maybe
  • spicyprawn wrote: »
    Hi all just thought I would let you know that after a week of hand stitching I have finally finished a pouch bag! I am actually really pleased with it which surprised me, as I was sewing it by hand and it was inside out I was really nervous. I do want to make another one using the flex frame this time. I do enjoy hand sewing but sometimes I think about how much quicker it could be on a machine hehe

    my pouch http://www.flickr.com/photos/71117320@N04/?hide_photostream_welcome=1

    tutorial from this fab blog http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-puffy-pouch.html

    Happy sewing :D

    I can't believe you made that by hand, that's fantastic. I'm always envious of those that can hand sew, as my RSI prevents me from sewing by hand.

    I'm still trying to find some courage to get started. My craft room is sorted (ish). Nearly got all my fabric in there. I didn't realise I had so much! Lots of old clothes to use up, some new stuff and CS bargains too.

    For those of you living near Tottenham, I found an eb*y auction for bags of jersey remnants http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270886147852?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649.

    It was 6 bags when I got them, and they nearly completely filled a Vauxhall Agila with the back seats down, so big bags. You do have to be careful which bags you choose as one of the 6 bags was full of real scraps that I had to throw away, some needed a very good wash too, as they were oily. Good value though as lots of pieces were quite large.

    I have found some fabric in Dun*lm Mill that I would really like to make curtains for our front lounge, but it is £21.99 per metre and they are very large windows, so I need to be very confident that I'm buying the right amount and then won't muck up the curtains. Very scary.

    Certainly need to get started, sewing (and card making). My life seems to be getting in the way at the moment. I don't know how those of you that work manage to get anything done, I'm struggling and I don't work (SAHM).

    Keep up the good work everyone, it's all very motivating.
  • Savvy_sewing
    Savvy_sewing Posts: 11,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    Bobbykins wrote: »
    Hi all, I have been following this thread since the beginning and have dragged out my old sewing machine and gradually am improving my very rusty skills.

    Thanks to you, I've plucked up my courage made a few small things like tissue holder and matching make-up bag sets for Christmas and then got very daring and recently made the Amelie bag that someone on here put up a link to. I made it as a "carry baby stuff" bag for my DD - she was really pleased with it and asked me to make one for her friend - blimey, I must be getting better!:D

    Anyway, enough drivel, the reason for posting is I would like to ask for some advice please. I haven't made a dress for about 25 years and have decided to give it a whirl.

    I've bought a pattern but am very nervous about the sizing on it and was thinking of making a sort of "mock up" thing first (I know there's a special name for that but can't remember what it is). I was thinking of just buying the cheapest possible fabric to make it in, maybe that shiny satin that is used for linings as it's very cheap in our local shop. My worry is that the pattern calls for lightweight linens, cotton or cotton blends. Should I stick to cotton to make the mock up or would it be safe to make it in the cheap stuff, will it fit/hang the same? Sorry if I'm being dumb, I honestly am scared to death of making a muck up of it!

    I would be very grateful for any help you guys can give. Thanks ever so much.

    Bobby

    Hi Bobby, I think that you could make a "toile" with light weight fabrics, but I would be inclined to use an old sheet or duvet cover, if you have any? Rather then buy a new fabric to do it in.
    Remember that a Dress Pattern, is different in its sizing then the Off the peg clothes that you buy.
    You can change the measurements, by going between the sizes, to make the pattern as close to your measurements as you want.
    A toile is also a good way of finding out if the darts are actually in the correct place for you. (Not all of us have busts up under our armpits!), or we may have fuller busts, that will need bust darts that need to go into the arm hole of a dress as well as the side of the dress. Sounds more complicated then it is.
    There are tutorials all over the place for alterations etc so dont worry too much about it.
    Measure twice, cut once! Good luck, and enjoy yourself.
    When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.
  • Florenceem
    Florenceem Posts: 8,585 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Homepage Hero
    Love the toadstool house and the pouch bag. I also loved the cushions from a day ago.

    I made some curtains for DD out of LA fabric - really heavy lined ones. Well - DD is moving to a place with larger windows. DD wants to know if I can do something to the curtains to be able to use them - fabric was not cheap!
    I thought that if they are too narrow - I could add a band of contrast/toning fabric - equally - if they are too short but - what if they are too narrow and too short?
    Decluttering Achieved - 2023 - 10,364 Decluttering - 2024 - 8,365 August - 0/45
    GC NSD 2023 - 242/365
    2023 Craft Makes - 245 Craft Spends 2023 - £676.03/£400
    Books read - 2023 - 37
    GC - 2024 4 Week Period £57.82/£100 NSD - 138
    2024 Craft Makes - 240 Craft Spends 2024 £426.80/£500
  • Savvy_sewing
    Savvy_sewing Posts: 11,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    Florenceem wrote: »
    Love the toadstool house and the pouch bag. I also loved the cushions from a day ago.

    I made some curtains for DD out of LA fabric - really heavy lined ones. Well - DD is moving to a place with larger windows. DD wants to know if I can do something to the curtains to be able to use them - fabric was not cheap!
    I thought that if they are too narrow - I could add a band of contrast/toning fabric - equally - if they are too short but - what if they are too narrow and too short?


    If the curtains are made from expensive material, then it would be worth while taking them back to the basics, unpicking the seams, and taking off the header tape, adding your new fabric, in panels, on the outside of each curtain, and possibly along the bottom, then you can also add to the lining, and remake the curtains with new header tape.
    It would not be a hard job to do, just time consuming unpicking them. I would suggest Ironing them with a steam iron, to remove the marks where the stitching and folds have been.

    Good Luck.
    When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.
  • Bobbykins
    Bobbykins Posts: 590 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the advice Mooloo (and the word "toile" - learning new stuff again!).

    Aaargh, the though of altering or putting in extra darts fills me with terror but will take your tip and try Youtube if needed.

    I don't have any old bedding unfortunately - stupidly had a real clearout when we moved here 2 years ago. So I guess I will have to buy something. Actually, just had a thought, will try the CS tomorrow in case they have anything really cheap that I can cut up!

    Thanks again
  • Florenceem
    Florenceem Posts: 8,585 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Homepage Hero
    Mooloo wrote: »
    If the curtains are made from expensive material, then it would be worth while taking them back to the basics, unpicking the seams, and taking off the header tape, adding your new fabric, in panels, on the outside of each curtain, and possibly along the bottom, then you can also add to the lining, and remake the curtains with new header tape.
    It would not be a hard job to do, just time consuming unpicking them. I would suggest Ironing them with a steam iron, to remove the marks where the stitching and folds have been.

    Good Luck.
    Thanks Mooloo - DD has no idea of how long altering these curtains will take me! She is in her 30s and brings buttons to me to be sewn on!
    Decluttering Achieved - 2023 - 10,364 Decluttering - 2024 - 8,365 August - 0/45
    GC NSD 2023 - 242/365
    2023 Craft Makes - 245 Craft Spends 2023 - £676.03/£400
    Books read - 2023 - 37
    GC - 2024 4 Week Period £57.82/£100 NSD - 138
    2024 Craft Makes - 240 Craft Spends 2024 £426.80/£500
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