The Sewing Annexe

dumpy

stitching_witch wrote: »

I bought a 'Lady Valet' as I wanted something that also looks good from a customer's point of view and will be getting a second one in the other size when funds allow. I think any of the modern ones are suitable as long as they are fully adjustable and fairly sturdy.

Mine is known as headless Heidi in our house

Just googled that and it looks fabulous, I like things that look good as well as being functional.

I :rotfl: at headless Heidi.

Thanks :T

Firemunchkin

Hi - I'm new to this thread but I'm keen to get some tips on how to do more with my sewing machine. I have had my singer for about 9 years, it's a great machine but I only know how to do the normal straight stitch. I'm hoping that I can learn how to do more with it eventually.

First up, I have managed to get hold of a lot of lavender from a neighbour. I have a few stalks looking pretty in the kitchen but I'd like to make some lavender bags. Ideally they'd be good enough to give away but seeing as I have several old pairs of thick tights - one pair purple in fact! - I was thinking I'd make my first attempt for myself and my own drawers, see how I go.

However, I cannot find anywhere online how to do this. Does anybody know how I convert the tights into lavender sachets/bags? Thanks.

RosyRed

Hi Firemunchkin-try this link,they look easy enough,hope it helps.


http://www.makeitandmendit.com/2010/10/02/quick-and-easy-lavender-bags/

Firemunchkin

Thanks - I'll give it a go - does nobody make them using old tights anymore?

sunflower76

Hi Firemunchkin - there's an instructional on making these bags in the Tesco magazine in stores at the moment.

I have an M&S quilt cover which has a panel across the top which is ribbon sewn down the middle, in swirls, to create sticky up roses. I appreciate I'm not describing this well and I can't find a picture on google. The problem I'm having is that the undersde is coming loose and aking the ribbon fall off. Handsewng it back on is possible but takes hours. I can see patches of the understitching coming loose, as if the thread is washing away, and I don't know how to fix it.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do? I can hand sew it bit by bit but I suspect that eventually it will all need doing and I'd rather find a solution now to prevent the rest from fraying. The other option is to take off the ribbon and replace the panel with something else - but what?

I don;t want to return the cover by the way.

morganlefay

Stitching witch, I love the idea of Headless Heidi too but do you have any experience of the 'Fuller Figure' models ? I have wanted one of these for years and never thought to seek advice on here, any info gratefully received as they are too expensive to get wrong !

medsdemon

OOh I'm jealous of all of you who have a sewing room and a huge stash. I have no stash as I'm just getting back into sewing, but gosh, fabric is soooo expensive. I have my eyes on some Alexander Henry fabric "Viva Frida" to make my first dress for over 20 years:eek: and it's going to cost me about £30. I'm working on the theory it will be like getting a couture dress fitted specifically for me so it's cheap compared to that. I am definitely making a muslim up first to make sure the fits right as I hope to use the pattern several times with a variety of fabrics if I like it on. I'm using an old bed sheet to test it out and will be trying out inserting a zip on scraps too so I get it perfect.

I have just bought 3 new patterns ready to sew for the summer. One is a vintage style dress, the second a simple one hour top and the third is a trouser and skirt. I'm planning the Viva Frida for the dress, the top I will make up in some repurposed fabric from some clothes I picked up for 50p each at a carboot ages ago and unpicked (hopefully, a cream lacy fabric and a chinese style floral print silky fabric) and the trousers I am going to try and find a sandwashed silk type fabric that drapes well as they are cropped with a cuff. Wish me luck in that as I'm struggling to find anywhere that sells a good selection of fabrics that aren't cotton prints or furnishing. I have a bid on a bolt of 3m of chambray so if I win the auction I will either make another dress with it or use it for a skirt. These are going to be my basic items for my holiday wardrobe so I have till April to get on and sew them. If all goes well I will probably make another top in a Liberty lawn to wear with my denims.

Today I had a lovely quiet day off work at home on my own and I spent the afternoon sewing a really quick skirt that I can wear for work ( as well as making myself do a bit more of my patchwork quilt:o). I used some of a huge piece of vintage brushed cotton I got at a carboot for £1 and it turned out very comfy and wearable. I used the basic pattern from this book for an elasticated waist skirt cut on the bias..so woohoo new clothes from some old fabric I've had for ages.

PipneyJane

sunflower76 wrote: »

Hi Firemunchkin - there's an instructional on making these bags in the Tesco magazine in stores at the moment.

I have an M&S quilt cover which has a panel across the top which is ribbon sewn down the middle, in swirls, to create sticky up roses. I appreciate I'm not describing this well and I can't find a picture on google. The problem I'm having is that the undersde is coming loose and aking the ribbon fall off. Handsewng it back on is possible but takes hours. I can see patches of the understitching coming loose, as if the thread is washing away, and I don't know how to fix it.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do? I can hand sew it bit by bit but I suspect that eventually it will all need doing and I'd rather find a solution now to prevent the rest from fraying. The other option is to take off the ribbon and replace the panel with something else - but what?

I don;t want to return the cover by the way.

In the first instance, you could try Fraycheck, which is a type of fabric glue specifically designed to stop things fraying/unravelling. (It's described as a liquid seam sealant.) It's available on Amazon.

Ultimately, though, I think you're going to have to bite the bullet and sew the ribbon back down. Sorry.

stitching_witch

morganlefay wrote: »

Stitching witch, I love the idea of Headless Heidi too but do you have any experience of the 'Fuller Figure' models ? I have wanted one of these for years and never thought to seek advice on here, any info gratefully received as they are too expensive to get wrong !

Heidi is the smaller size but I do need to get her a 'sister' as many of my customers are larger ladies. At present, Heidi has quite a lot of wadding round her middle and added to her 'breasts' to increase her size for two corsets I'm making for a fuller figured customer.

I have used a larger model in the past and find they really help in getting the fit right. I don't remember ther being any difference in quality between smaller and larger model so I'm happy to buy another when funds allow. I would recommend it if you have the money.

stitchy x

Squidge123

I want to get back into sewing. I did textiles at college and bought a little mini sewing machine to carry back and forth. It only does one stitch though but it's a start. I have lots of little bits of material that I want to use up but have no idea where to start.

Does anyone have any links to any sites? I'd love to be able to make a patchwork quilt which is what this material would probably be good for but don't know where to start...