The Sewing Room

ceebeeby

I've just found the sewing room - I joined in the 'wanna make a quilt' site, however, still haven't worked out how to start. Am gonna read through this thread slow time for some early tips.

I can't really afford to buy any new materials, only use up scraps (old clothes) that are lying around - do you think this will be okay?

stitching_witch

carmim wrote: »

I used craft velour for my dolls, but it is kinda expensive at £5.50 for half a mtr.
Dalston mill fabrics do a moleskin at £4.99a mtr, but the colour might be too pink

I make good old-fashioned rag dolls and use calico for their bodies. Okay, it's not skin coloured, but quite traditional and hard wearing. I don't use the heaviest weight stuff as it makes it hard to embroider the faces, but a mid weight calico is good enough and cheap as chips!

carmim

stitching_witch wrote: »

I make good old-fashioned rag dolls and use calico for their bodies. Okay, it's not skin coloured, but quite traditional and hard wearing. I don't use the heaviest weight stuff as it makes it hard to embroider the faces, but a mid weight calico is good enough and cheap as chips!

I did try calico to begin with but, i make soft sculptured dolls, so the fabric has to be slightly stretchy, but thank you for the suggestion

WillowMuse

Thankyou so much for all your replies:D They give me something to work with now;)

I have a friend who absolutly loves angels, so I am hoping to do this for her birthday in March, that should give me enough time if I can get my butt in gear anyway:D

ceebeeby

stitching_witch wrote: »

The five quilts I made for this Christmas were all single sized and each one cost me around £80 to make - even though I used a lot of fabric I already had! I see them in shops in town for £60 for a double then wonder why I put in so much effort.

Then again, I always embroider a label for the back with the recipient's name, who made it and the date and that's something money can't buy.:D

:eek::eek::eek:

£80!!! I thought it would cost nothing if I had my own fabric already! Where does the cost come from?

minimacka

Hi ladies

I wonder if anyone can help me, i bought a sewing machine last year and apart from making a pair of curtains and a apron i really havent used it very much. We have all been invited to a 70's fancy dress party in 2 weeks time. I could go and buy a costume for me and my o/h but i would really like to make one. I have 2 sons, one is going as a bay city roller and the younger one is going as a 1970's punk. So thats them sorted out but i would like to make myself a costume something like this http://www.joke.co.uk/fancy_dress/vintage_70s_blouse_and_bell_bottoms~25219.html
but i have really no idea how to go about it. It doesnt look too complicated but i wondered if from experiance if it would be cheaper to buy it instead of trying to make it. There is a fantastic shop where the material would only cost about £2.50 - £2.99 a metre
I would also like to try to make my o/h a hippy style costume? Are there any good patterns out there that would help or are they all to expensive as i obviously want to make this as moneysaving as possible.

Anyway enough of me waffling on if anyone can give me any suggestions i would be very greatfull. :A
Sally
x

ceebeeby

Have just finished reading all 13 pages and am supremely inspired now!! Wow, I think I'm going to be megga busy for the rest of the year - thanks so much for sharing!

stitching_witch

ceebeeby wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek:

£80!!! I thought it would cost nothing if I had my own fabric already! Where does the cost come from?

I did have to buy some of the fabric for each quilt, and bought good wadding to go in the middle of the "sandwich".

I also cheated a bit at the end and used a spray baste to hold all the layers together for machine quilting. I really didn't have time to hand baste five quilts in time for Christmas and it only took about two minutes using the spray baste, but it isn't cheap.

As I sew for customers too I get used to adding every little thing up - including thread. Others may not be quite so pedantic!

positivelymummy

stitching_witch wrote: »

I did have to buy some of the fabric for each quilt, and bought good wadding to go in the middle of the "sandwich".

I also cheated a bit at the end and used a spray baste to hold all the layers together for machine quilting. I really didn't have time to hand baste five quilts in time for Christmas and it only took about two minutes using the spray baste, but it isn't cheap.

As I sew for customers too I get used to adding every little thing up - including thread. Others may not be quite so pedantic!

can i ask how you rate the spray baste? is it good, is it easy to use etc? does it stick ok etc...thanks

mollymunchkin

ceebeeby wrote: »

I can't really afford to buy any new materials, only use up scraps (old clothes) that are lying around - do you think this will be okay?

Old clothes will be fine.My mum made me a patchwork quilt from my old clothes from my childhood and it was lovely. Also you can use old pillowcases, duvet covers, sheets, etc from charity shops or jumble sales. There are some lovely patterns around. Good luck!