The Sewing Annexe

Hardup_Hester

Yesterday I cut out a dozen lavender bags from a Per Una top I bought from a charity shop, the fabric is pale green & has a net & sequin egding. Today I will sew & fill them & photograph them.
Hester

ragz_2

I really need to buy the extra bits, like pins and chalk before I try anything. What do you all have in your sewing kit that's essential?

miffy257

Good quality large dressmakers scissors, small embroidery scissors for cutting thread, a stitch unpicker, good quality pins ones with coloured heads are good if you have dogs or cats as much easier to see on carpets. Tape measure, good quality cotton or all purpose thread, spare machine needles, household sewing needles different sizes, thimble although I don't use one my mum would never sew without hers. Machine oil for your sewing machine and a little brush to clean it (these usually come with machine.) can't think of anything else apart from dressmakers chalk or pencil to transfer pattern markings to fabric.:)
Can't wait to see those lavender bags HH I love your blog you have a great way of writing and seem to lead a very interesting life.

ampersand

Not sure why I'm adding something you doubtless all do.

I buy up raggy/carboot/jumble sale clothing for its shell/glass/silver/horn or bone/vintage buttons - can't believe the prices for new buttons in shops. I change the buttons on most clothes I acquire anyway - re-charges/de-clones them.

Ebay selling can be rewarding too - £s>new s/m fund.

ragz - do check out charity shops for useful haberdashery. Until I made a point of salvaging it, it was thrown out. Now, it sells v. quickly.

miffy257

ampersand wrote: »

Not sure why I'm adding something you doubtless all do.

I buy up raggy/carboot/jumble sale clothing for its shell/glass/silver/horn or bone/vintage buttons - can't believe the prices for new buttons in shops. I change the buttons on most clothes I acquire anyway - re-charges/de-clones them.
.

Didn't think of that. I used to have a lovely button box but we renovated our house a few years ago and stored a lot of stuff in the garage. A lot of bits seem to have gone missing, it's a mystery. Buttons are so expensive to buy new.:eek:

medsdemon

Been busy today. STILL cutting up the strips and squares for my patchwork quilt...gosh hope I have the patience to finish it!!!

Also came across a top I bought for 50p from a carboot in a cupboard. It's way too big and I didn't like the style so I'm starting to unpick it to make into a new evening top. I usually wear dresses so this will be a challenge to go out in trousers or a skirt with this top. Just need to find a simple pattern to use:o.

I'm also starting my spring challenge to plan a few new items of clothing that all tie in - plan to make a mood board on Polyvore then investigate patterns and fabric. I'm planning 2 dresses, a skirt and a top. I will try to repurpose some fabric from old clothes/ furnishings but will buy a couple of new pieces of cloth as a treat.

cte1111

I bought this sewing machine after a lot of research about the machines available for around £100:
http://www.johnlewis.com/231292043/Product.aspx

It's working well for me, I've had no problems making curtains with it (well apart from putting the heading tape on the wrong way round but can't blame that on the machine!).

Someone told me that Janome make the John Lewis branded machines.

NB I think the singermachines site is owned by the same people as sewingmachinediscount and I read lots of bad reviews of their service so decided to avoid them despite their bargains (look for Cooper Sewing Machines to read the horror stories).

Justamum

miffy257 wrote: »

Didn't think of that. I used to have a lovely button box but we renovated our house a few years ago and stored a lot of stuff in the garage. A lot of bits seem to have gone missing, it's a mystery. Buttons are so expensive to buy new.:eek:

I've got my mum's old button tin which brings back so many memories of when I was a child - we used to play with it for ages. Most of the children's clothes which they grow out of I send to the CS, but if the've got nice buttons on then I take the buttons off instead for my button tin I'm very possessive of my button tin though and am strangely reluctant to let anything leave it once it's in there :rotfl:

Burp_2

Justamum wrote: »

I've got my mum's old button tin which brings back so many memories of when I was a child - we used to play with it for ages. Most of the children's clothes which they grow out of I send to the CS, but if the've got nice buttons on then I take the buttons of instead for my button tin I'm very possessive of my button tin though and am strangely reluctant to let anything leave it once it's in there :rotfl:

I remember my Mums button box ... as a treat I was allowed to get it out of her sewing box and look at all the pretty buttons ... they looked like little pieces of treasure to me! I have only started my own button tin recently but buttons on todays garments never seem as pretty!

My 2012 New Years Resolution is to rekindle my love with my sewing machine ... well I never fell out of love with it ... I just felt guilty that I was using my time for a hobby rather than work or house work!

So today ... I dug it out the cupboard (Its a Janome and I adore it!) and made 3 cushions out of Sanderson Swallows cut offs I had... they match the wallpaper we have on one wall in the living room in grey

tigerfeet2006

Wow! I love that material burp. It's gorgeous.