The Sewing Room

Savvy_sewing

Errata wrote: »

Sounds like you need to make a toile. Brides can become quite banjaxed over their wedding dress and think they will look exactly like the model in the picture, despite the fact that they're 6 inches shorter and 5 stones fatter Or vice versa

Yes I will definitely make a toile first! Especially with the cost of fabrics, as well. I havent seen the girl in years and years so have no idea what size she is. She was very slim when she used to come to our house, but as I know her family are rather large, it wouldnt surprise me if she was a lot bigger, especially as she has had a child since. Must actually get around to meeting up with her, but we have till next July, so I will have plenty of time to get sorted out.
(I hope).
Too tired to sew, think I will go to bed early.

sunshine01

flea72 wrote: »

if the machine is loosing tension mid-sewing, then it could one of many things

it could be cheap thread, that isnt running smoothly. a bent or dull needle. the machine might just need a good clean. the bobbin isnt wound correctly, or is the wrong type for the machine. top tension is too high. bottom tension needs adjusting. a screw is loose somewhere and its throwing the tension out of whack

when things go wrong, my first port of call is always to rethread the machine. if that doesnt work, then i go for a full on clean and grease

F

Thank you. I worked my way through the list and it was the needle. It wouldn't have occured to me that it would cause those problems. Sewing beautifully now. Thank you so much.

Savvy_sewing

sunshine01 wrote: »

Thank you. I worked my way through the list and it was the needle. It wouldn't have occured to me that it would cause those problems. Sewing beautifully now. Thank you so much.

I tend to change the needle when ever there is a sign of a problem! They do tend to bend and blunt quite quickly, especially if your naughty like me and sew over pins all the time!.
The other thing that also happens is that the bobbin spool can loosen with continually changing the threads, so a quick check that thats tight enough every now and then, saves a lot of problems later on.
Bit like doing the checks before you start your car.
1. New Needle
2. Bobbin in, and running smoothly but not too loosely.
3. Threading routine correct.
4. Both threads running to the back, and hold them while I do the first stitches.
5. Do a test in similar fabrics first.
6. Check that the tension means the threads are meeting in the middle of the fabric.
7. SEW AWAY:D

hmo

i have two of these to make and ive hurt my back i started this one earlier in the week anyway i started quilting it this morning whilst i had a bit of time on my own.

details on blog but its a quick photo, i will post again when its bound and finished

Savvy_sewing

Love the quilt HMO.
I still need to be brave enough to start to make one. Think cutting out the squares/etc would be a good start! Just never seem to settle on what I want to do. Maybe I will have a mooch this afternoon and see if I can get a few fabrics together. On top of all the other jobs I should be doing, want to be doing and must do!!!

LolitaLove

Hi all,

Really sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm hoping one of you lovely people can give me a bit of advice on all things sewing related:P
I've got some uniform trousers (horrible healthcare, polyester sack like sort) that are about three sizes too big. To save money I'm planning on taking them to a taylor to be altered, but wanted to check first...is it possible to alter them so much? I don't want to look like an idiot in front of the taylor:P Thanks for any replies!

maman

LolitaLove wrote: »

Hi all,

Really sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm hoping one of you lovely people can give me a bit of advice on all things sewing related:P
I've got some uniform trousers (horrible healthcare, polyester sack like sort) that are about three sizes too big. To save money I'm planning on taking them to a taylor to be altered, but wanted to check first...is it possible to alter them so much? I don't want to look like an idiot in front of the taylor:P Thanks for any replies!

It is possible, and you might end up with something less sack-like, but I'm not sure you'll save anything. It rather depends how much a new pair would cost.

Savvy_sewing

LolitaLove wrote: »

Hi all,

Really sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm hoping one of you lovely people can give me a bit of advice on all things sewing related:P
I've got some uniform trousers (horrible healthcare, polyester sack like sort) that are about three sizes too big. To save money I'm planning on taking them to a taylor to be altered, but wanted to check first...is it possible to alter them so much? I don't want to look like an idiot in front of the taylor:P Thanks for any replies!

I would suggest that you get a quote before you go ahead. Its quite a major job if its done properly. The main problem is the seat of the pants/crouch. But if your happy to have it taken in on the legs and the waist line, then its probably quite possible.
But the cost may far outway the price of the trousers.
If there is a waistband and it has to be removed, reduced and replaced then I really doubt you would save money, only save the planet a bit.

hmo

Rikki wrote: »

Before you make up the bag trace the fabric pieces so you can make more bags. It's a lot easier than grading up from the book.

i go to edinburgh every year before christmas but cannot say i go craft shopping, there is a cath kidston shop though as i went in it last year

LolitaLove

Mooloo wrote: »

I would suggest that you get a quote before you go ahead. Its quite a major job if its done properly. The main problem is the seat of the pants/crouch. But if your happy to have it taken in on the legs and the waist line, then its probably quite possible.
But the cost may far outway the price of the trousers.
If there is a waistband and it has to be removed, reduced and replaced then I really doubt you would save money, only save the planet a bit.

Thanks, yeah the trousers aren't that much to replace so it probably will be cheaper just to buy new...I'll def take them for a quote though now I know it can be done....thanks to everyone that replied