The Sewing Room

thick_mike

Wonder if you could help out a novice? Unfortunately my wife died earlier this year, so I am having to turn my hand to many tasks I have not done before. Angie was great at sewing, but did it all by hand which is completely beyond me! I need some advice on purchasing a small (cheap of course!) sewing machine for general repairs/alterations on clothes for me and the boys.

Any recommendations?

Justamum

sandy2 wrote: »

Fabric ...have you seen duct tape clothing?

Sandy

I've just googled and found a few links for you

http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-make-a-fabric-luggage-tag/2012/04/14/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/11/09/fabric-luggage-tags/

http://morahquilts.blogspot.com/2008/05/luggage-tag-tutorial.html

http://www.sewamazin.com/2012/06/fabric-luggage-tags.html

http://www.ehow.com/video_4437844_cut-pattern-luggage-tags.html

http://www.ehow.com/video_4404915_making-pattern-sewing-luggage-tag.html

I think they're a lovely idea.

Mrs_Money

thick_mike wrote: »

Wonder if you could help out a novice? Unfortunately my wife died earlier this year, so I am having to turn my hand to many tasks I have not done before. Angie was great at sewing, but did it all by hand which is completely beyond me! I need some advice on purchasing a small (cheap of course!) sewing machine for general repairs/alterations on clothes for me and the boys.

Any recommendations?

If you want an electric one (and I think they're easier for a novice as you can use both hands to hold the fabric whilst using the foot pedal to operate) then I bought this one from John Lewis a few months ago.
At £139, not the cheapest, but I wouldn't go for really cheap. It also had a good booklet to clearly show how to thread it and the stitch pictures on the case are not complicated - just look it! Anyway you don't have to get involved in all that zig-zagging if you don't want to!
Good Luck with it!
Edit- don't forget you can get it delivered for free to your nearest Waitrose!

sandy2_2

Justamum wrote: »

I've just googled and found a few links for you...snip...I think they're a lovely idea.

Thanks for the links Justamum, I hadn´t seen some of them.

Sandy

pennib

thick_mike; Te*co do cheap basic sewing m/c I've had mine for a couple of years and it's taken some pounding and still going strong. HTH

thick_mike

Thanks for your replies pennib and Mrs Money...will investigate.

SugarSpun

Hello everyone, can I ask where would be a good source of canvas or heavy-type fabric for making hammocks might be? I am getting quite confused in my fabric shopping because normally I only buy stuff for simple DIY projects but I feel the need to do something that looks impressive (my nephews are apparently unimpressable and funds do not stretch to a full set of Apple products from Santa).

Thanks in advance

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Hi SugarSpun,

I've bought tent fabric from Point North (.co.uk) before... I'm not sure if they do canvas or whether it's within budget!

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Has anyone worked with flocked fabric before. I've started making roman blinds but the flocking is going everywhere.... does this stop after a while or is it going to shed all over my carpet for years to come?

Savvybunny2009

Hi, I'm not sure if I am asking in the right place but i'm looking to buy fabric to make kids clothes (not jersey cotton though, wasted my money on this already and my sewing machine wont work with it) but I'm looking for designs that are bit more vintage, pastel colours or have that retro vintage feel about them. I'm looking at making party dresses so it needs to be suitable fabric, not too difficult to work with and pretty. Any ideas of any shops that sell fabric that fits the bill? TIA x