The Sewing Room

Savvy_sewing

tiamai_d wrote: »

I've just discovered shirring. So DD is going to have a lot of plain shirred cotton summer dresses.

I'm thinking that since she is still a toddler, fat quarters would be perfect. Anyone know where to get some cheapy bundles? Looked on ebay but wondered if there was anywhere else? My local fabric shop is a bit stuck in 80's.

why don't you just buy fabric by the cm? Most shops will sell it in either minimums of 10cm or 20cm. So then you can get the full width of the fabric.?
I think that since the "invention" of selling fabric in fatquarters and in jelly rolls, they have done the sale of fabrics an injustice as they have put the price up considerably, and the end of rolls bargains have diminished! An old fashioned shop may still be able to get you the bright and bold fabrics you want. Ask them whats new etc.

Savvy_sewing

jcr16 wrote: »

mooloo , that sounds a really good idea. do you have any pictures you could share ? do you follow a pattern or make it up as you go?

i get so many idea, but i just don't seem to have enough hours in the day. when i do get a spare 5 mins i fall asleep,lol. i slept for 13 hours last night, and i'm still tired, but think how much sewing i could of done in that time,lol.

I do a bit of both really. I have books with patterns and gifts ideas, I have sewing magazines going back to the 1980's. I sort of get inspiration, and then also make my own things.
I see something in a piece of material, then I either look for a pattern I have seen somewhere? or I just go for it!

I will try and get pictures sorted out soon. The house is still a mess, and I have no idea where any of my previous makes are, except DGD's things in use!.


I had wanted to collect my machine today, but DS cancelled being collected, and cannot justify driving 24 miles without more than one thing to do in the trip. Maybe I will get it tomorrow.
i sat hand sewing some hearts last evening. But my hands are not what they used to be, and its not as neat as I would like really. Not saleable stuff anyway. But for my wardrobe, be fine with lavender in and hung over coat hangers. My Cath Kidston fabric will look quite good in the new bedroom, (I hope), and eeked out with other fabrics that will co-ordinate. I do love CK, but her material is the most expensive i have ever indulged in, even including my wedding dress fabric!!

danemi1

thanks for the kick up the bottom - most appreciate- cant stop though - lol as I am fiddling with fabric - not done much on my machine but hand stitching I have - sat in front of the machine so hey its a start and I may even push the pedal this evening - so gotta go and thanks and yes I like the I will if you will - you are one - lets go for it - will keep reporting in - thanks girls xxxx

Georgiabay

Polkadot, are you then going to stitching it together around the top?
You usually have to not stitch all the way round so that you've a gap to turn it through to the right side. Then you turn the raw edges in on the gap and either slip stitch it by hand or top stitch all the way round.


Loving all the makes by the way, I'm catching up everyday but don't get chance to comment at the moment.

danemi1

heres what I have been playing with

danemi1

have scanned her in - one of her feet has gone under her - she does ahve two red shoes with little blue beads on - wasd meant to look cute but think she just looks 92 and a bit demonic - ha ha
now what do I do with her now - have backed her with the stripey denim but she isnt attached yet - the denim is a dungaree set that no longer fits my daughter - it has pockets ont he other side that I could cut off and I want to do something with it but dont know what - all I can think of is make a handbag for daughter but dont know - maybe some kind of wall hanging - any ideas????? and dont look too close - the sewing isnt great

polkadot

Georgiabay Im going to leave it open between the side seam and handle (but not quite on either)...then Im going to fold it in and top stitch as I have absolutely no faith in my ability to hand stitch.In that tute she does a top stich really close to the top seam and then one down about .5" down to make sure she catches the straps in there too.

My mum was a whizz with a sewing machine-made all our clothes (including bra's and panties) and did wedding dresses and evening gowns after work for extra cash-I really wish Id paid more attention when she was still with us.

hmo

polkadot

the way i would do it is

make the bag and attach the handles to the right side of the bag sewn on so they hang down towards the bottom of the bag.

make the linning by sewing around the 2 sides and bottom but leave a gap of about 3-4 inch in the bottom for turning later, smaller gap if its a small bag.

leave this one so its wrong side out

put the main bag inside the lining and i tend to try and pull the handles so they peek out through the 3-4 inch opening you left. but still keeping them on either side of the bag

( you will have a sandwich something like this

lining, handle, bag, other side of bag, handle, lining)

line up the seems on both the main bag and lining

sew around the top through both using about 1/4inch or less.

once done pull the main bag and handles through the opening you left in the linning.

then sew up the hole in the linning and push it inside the bag.

finger press all around the top to straighten everything out

then top stitch again around the top of the bag on the rightside so you are going through the bag and the linning

hope that makes sense

hart44

danemi1 wrote: »

heres what I have been playing with

She is so cute So glad you are going to keep going :T we are here for support and keep telling yourself ''I can only get better with practice'' (well thats what kept me going lol)

nykied

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's scared to sew! Thanks for all the other posts!

I got a sewing machine for Christmas (after using my Mum's once since I was about 14) and all I've done is look on here, gather patterns and tutorials and buy fabric.

I'm scared in case I get it all wrong and I can't get my machine to work. What a wus, eh?