The Sewing Room

dizzytina

Loving the fantastic makes guys.

Irishgirl you could use Oilcloth (i think its called that) which is waterproof. i have used it for making the inside of beachbags and it is quite easy to sew with:D

Off to manchester for our anniversary this weekend and i am going to the stitch and creative craft show (i'm a tad excited:j!!!).

here are some bags i have made this week. More pics on my blog if anyone is interested:D

flea72

i think i use my overlocker just as much, if not more than my sewing machine.

as the overlocker finishes edges and stitches in one motion, i only use my sewing machine to reinforce seams and finish hems/necklines (although if i can get away with a lettuce hem on the O/L, i try and use that)

F

buggalugs

Cuddles I have the Toyota 50 with extension table. I have had it for coming up two years and I love it to pieces The walking foot is fantastic and the decorative stitches are great too I hope you have lots of fun with it

Bunny200

flossie217 wrote: »

I keep thinking about an overlocker. They look a bit complicated to me.
Have you thought about asking on Freecycle?
Another option may be to find a local sewing machine repairer through Yell. He may have a reconditioned overlocker available and also be prepared to give you a full demo.
Do you have a sewing group locally? They may be able to help.
Let us know how you get on, I'd be interested to know what you decide.

Dunno if it would be worth getting a reconditioned overlocker, as I understand it they take a bit of a bashing so "might" be false economy IYKWIM
Unfortunatly I don't know anyone in the flesh who sews! It makes me a bit isolated and dependant on the interweb to find information and how to etc! There are knitting groups round my way but I've never found a sewing circle. I was considering doing a dressmaking course at college this year to meet more sewers but all they seem to do is teach you how to use a commercial dress pattern and I can do that already!

flea72 wrote: »

whereabouts in the SE are you? as there is a fabric company with shops in Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Salisbury, that runs 'get to know your overlocker' classes

F

South Coast

flea72 wrote: »

i think i use my overlocker just as much, if not more than my sewing machine.

as the overlocker finishes edges and stitches in one motion, i only use my sewing machine to reinforce seams and finish hems/necklines (although if i can get away with a lettuce hem on the O/L, i try and use that)

F

This what I'm kinda hoping happens, had a chat with the guy at the local sewing shop a couple of weeks ago and came away thinking of all the ways I would use it. OH wants to buy me one for my birthday next weekend, I'm just a bit too MSE to buy something I'm not 100% convinced is the right thing for me! I'm about 80% but we're talking about something costing £250ish! Maybe I should just stop being tight and go for it........... It would have to do blind hemming as well!!!!

goingsideways

Hello all,

I wonder if anyone could help...I know nothing about sewing really or sewing machines but really want to learn so I can greater tailor shop-bought formal shirts/t shirts (i'm a guy) and wondered what would be a suitable cheap sewing machine for this and also point me to some good sites so I can learn.
Also can jeans be done or is that too thicker material?
My problem is because my shoulders are huge and my waist is narrow (v shape) and I also weight-train all the shirts I buy fit on the shoulders but have loads of excess around the waist (designed for round men!) I am also a student hence the DIY.

Many thanks

irishgirl62

Thank you to everyone who replied ... I had thought of pvc table cloth but worried in case it was too thick... off to google for oil cloth.

Overlocker.. I have had mine for 15 years and I be lost without it and it is quite simple to use.

Bunny200

goingsideways wrote: »

Hello all,

I wonder if anyone could help...I know nothing about sewing really or sewing machines but really want to learn so I can tailor my own formal shirts/t shirts (i'm a guy) and wondered what would be a suitable cheap sewing machine for this and also point me to some good sites so I can learn.
Also can jeans be done or is that too thicker material?
My problem is because my shoulders are huge and my waist is narrow (v shape) and I also weight-train all the shirts I buy fit on the shoulders but have loads of excess around the waist (designed for round men!) I am also a student hence the DIY.

Many thanks

Can't really advice on machine but just wanted to talk about your plans. To make a custom make shirt requires a fair bit of tailoring knowledge/pattern drafting assuming you don't already know how so you might have a bit of trial and error as you get the hang of what you are doing, not to put you off the idea, just to manage expectations! A good place to start would be to try adjusting the side seams of the shirts that fit you across the shoulders. Thats going to be a much easier starting point as the difficult part to draft would be the shoulder area, especially if you are well-built in that area.
hth

goingsideways

Bunny200 wrote: »

Can't really advice on machine but just wanted to talk about your plans. To make a custom make shirt requires a fair bit of tailoring knowledge/pattern drafting assuming you don't already know how so you might have a bit of trial and error as you get the hang of what you are doing, not to put you off the idea, just to manage expectations! A good place to start would be to try adjusting the side seams of the shirts that fit you across the shoulders. Thats going to be a much easier starting point as the difficult part to draft would be the shoulder area, especially if you are well-built in that area.
hth

Thank you for your reply. Apologies I should have been clearer. I only want to tailor shirts that I have bought, I don't intend to make any- that certainly is beyond my limits!
Have been to a tailor before and remember what he did so I am just going to do it by trial and error. Will take you advice on board

Anyone else who would like to give advice about machines is welcome

Georgiabay

tamster150 wrote: »

anyone got any good tutorials for using scraps other than in quilts??

Hope these links work.
What about a make up bag -
http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.com/2009/05/lined-zippered-pouch-make-up-bag.html
http://boltneighborhood.typepad.com/bolt-neighborhood/2009/07/zippered-coin-purse-tutorial-from-sally.html

or pin cushions -
http://tipnut.com/22-free-pincushion-patterns/

drawstring bags -
http://happythings.typepad.com/happythings/2006/04/dsb_301_better_.html

yo yos -
http://whipup.net/2009/06/01/an-upgraded-yoyo-tutorial/

necklace -
http://mycakies.blogspot.com/2009/03/recycled-scraps.html

Hippychick

I made this yesterday as a Christmas present for MIL. It's a scrap bag holder so a bin for threads and also has a pin cushion and magnet for needles. She sews a lot so hopefully it'll be useful.