The Sewing Room

wendym

Just in case there is anyone new to sewing who is becoming disheartened by trying to make an 'easy' pattern.

I have just bought a Simplicity Easy to Sew shirt pattern, and it's a fib. I have been sewing for ages, so I'll manage it, but it has a collar on a collar band, an applied front band and a proper set-in sleeve.

I bought it online, but if you're having a first attempt at dressmaking I'd advise looking carefully at the pattern in the book, and asking the staff for advice if you're not sure.

Tamster150

wendym wrote: »

Just in case there is anyone new to sewing who is becoming disheartened by trying to make an 'easy' pattern.

I have just bought a Simplicity Easy to Sew shirt pattern, and it's a fib. I have been sewing for ages, so I'll manage it, but it has a collar on a collar band, an applied front band and a proper set-in sleeve.

I bought it online, but if you're having a first attempt at dressmaking I'd advise looking carefully at the pattern in the book, and asking the staff for advice if you're not sure.

There is also this website for pattern reviews. I looked at the patterns in my local shop, jotted down the numbers & then looked them up on pattern review.

I am still trying to gather the courage to start chopping into my fabric and make them up :rotfl:

I went to the craft fair at Olympia at the weekend. Not very exciting tbh. There were 3 floors - knitting/crochet, sewing/cross stitch mostly, and papercrafts. But nothing that I couldn't buy online or locally and no real bargains. (but had a lovely time with my old work-friend)

I managed to buy some copic markers that I have been wanting for a while for my card making. A stunning piece of oriental style print, cotton lawn. There was only 1.75 m left on the roll. It was £6M but they let me have the piece for £8. Not sure what to do with it as I needed 3m for both of the patterns that I have...possibly a bag???

And I also bought a cross stitch sampler despite HATING hand sewing & even wonder-webbing the hems in my work trousers lol! I went with a friend that makes beautiful cross-stitch pictures so was a bit persuaded:rotfl:well that is my excuse anyway!

The motto on the sampler says "cleaning while the children are growing, Is like shovelling snow while it's still snowing"

The DH said that should I ever finish it, the children would of left home anyway:rotfl:

He knows me so well!:rotfl:

Savvy_sewing

hmo wrote: »

do you put them on at a 'buy it now' price

or do you just start at 99p and see what happens

I started with the 99p threashold for the first few bags, and was lucky to sell most of them at around £9.90 or so, but this time I put them on at a £4.99 start, or a buy it now at £12.99. However once there is a bid on it, then the buy it now option goes.
I am using recycled fabrics mostly, so I am not so worried about low prices, as its just to keep me pottering really. But it wouldnt cover the time involved. The adverage bag takes me about 3 hours. They are all lined etc. So if I wanted to get my time covered I would need to be selling them at around £25 plus. Which I am not sure I would get. (Maybe one day if I am ever famous!! haha!!!!).

Savvy_sewing

hart44 wrote: »

Afternoon everyone
Thank you all for the good wishes
Well the craft fair didnt go well, all the mum's took the little ones to the park instead of coming into the play center so no-one sold anything I packed up early but had some nice comments from the girls who work there and the other sellers

My son's school has a spring fair in April so (as I spend a lot of time helping there) Im going to ask the Head if I can do a stall there

Hart, my first stalls only sold one cushion, but it got people in the village knowing that I was sewing, and did bring in the odd order away from there. However I know how disheartening it can feel. The time involved making and setting up the stall, and then the time sitting wth out a customer too. You sit thinking I could have been at home doing something more productive!!

hmo

Mooloo wrote: »

Hart, my first stalls only sold one cushion, but it got people in the village knowing that I was sewing, and did bring in the odd order away from there. However I know how disheartening it can feel. The time involved making and setting up the stall, and then the time sitting wth out a customer too. You sit thinking I could have been at home doing something more productive!!

what a shame, but give the april one a go and see what hapens, it will probaly be fine, a similar thing happened to em years ago when i was supposed to be selling handmade cards, but it got me know and not long after i was making cards to order and word got about and i had several regular customers that used to keep me going.

xxvickixx

Hart, sounds like the April fair will be much better. Glad you are not feeling down about it. I'm sorry you had a wasted day, hopefully you can enjoy the sun tomorrow. x

Kaz2904

Hello all . I tend to pop in and out of this thread as I don't have much time for reading it! I dropped in a while ago and was encouraged by everyone to get my sewing machine out and give it a go. So, as Aldi had sewing kits in their offers today, I bought 2 of them. 1 threads and 1 sewing machine bits. I know that they are not the best bits in the world but it's a way of starting.
I didn't even know if my machine had any thread with it (it had red cotton around the bottom bobbin reel).
So, tonight, I got my machine out of the box for the first time since I bought it 3 or 4 years ago. I set the whole thing up and sewed a few lines on the practice material. Do you know what? It wasn't as scary as I thought! So now I am going to try and make some easy cushions by cutting up an old pillow and using a pashmina around them.
I may need to keep popping in and out for some tips. Hope that's ok?

wendym

Now you've done the 'scary bit' nothing will stop you!

nykied

wendym wrote: »

Now you've done the 'scary bit' nothing will stop you!

Until she gets to a more scary bit of stitching Thinking about making a dress has stopped me :eek:

MissPixie

Well done! I was like that at first terrified to have a go but it isn't as scary as you think is it?

However....like you nykied I want to make a piece of clothing but I am terrified so I am putting it off!