The Sewing Annexe

miffy257

Amazing descriptions gibson123 I was trying to think of a way to sort them but this is probably the best way. I think I would wash them all on a delicate wash but in batches of similar materials. Might be worth putting colour catcher sheets in just in case some of the dyes are not stable. Good luck I bet you have some treasures in that stash.
Happy Sewing.:)

jpscloud

miffy257 wrote: »

Hi there sewing folk. Sounds like you have been very busy JPScloud looking forward to seeing your quilt. You know that problem you had with your machine the other day mine was playing up a bit and some more experienced friends said you should change your needle after every quilt/about every 8-10 hours of sewing. I didn't realise that and have never seen that advice in the manuals. Just tend to change mine if it breaks.:eek: we live and learn. Off out to lunch with a friend today and we may go to look at a fabric shop.:)
Happy Sewing all.

That was it exactly miffy, I changed the needle and suddenly everything went smoothly!

Well, actually the first replacement needle I put in must have been duff because the thread was still breaking and suddenly I had missed stitches, which I was really surprised to find out is caused by a bad needle. So I put another one in and... all good!

I'm really enjoying hand quilting now, it's very soothing.

miffy257

Glad you are enjoying hand quilting Jpscloud I like hand sewing it is soothing. Have just got to sew the binding on my baby quilt now.
Happy Sewing.:)

jpscloud

ostaragirl wrote: »

Hi folks, wonder if anyone can help? I've just inherited about 40 cardboard boxes full of material and judging by some newspapers on the top of the boxes there is stuff from 1940's onward. Its all pretty musty smelling but there is an awful lot of lovely different types and patterns.
I'm going to make a start clearing it out and what I would like to do is wash and press the better stuff so I can store it in the house (currently in shed)
The trouble is, that some of it ,I have no idea what sort of material it is. I dont even know if I should machine wash on a cool setting or if the more delicate stuff should be done by hand. I have tried to find a guide on the net of how to identify material but can't find anything.
Just looking for any advice or tips really....:)

I must say I'm absolutely drooling! How fantastic to find such a treasure trove.

As well as washing, if you're using the fabrics for creating some things for the home or for gifts/to sell, you will want to know whether they're natural fibres, polyester or blended.

I don't know how reliable these tests are, but this site has a very clear chart to try the "burn test" for identifying fabrics:

http://lindrix.com/fabcontent.html

Please stay on the thread and let us know if you make things from it

Edit: in this era of health and safety, and bearing in mind the lady who burned herself pouring petrol in her kitchen.... apologies for the bleating but please have a bucket of cold water handy and use a non-flammable surface if you're going to try the burn test, don't breathe the fumes, yada yada yada... this site is a bit more health and safety conscious:

http://info.fabrics.net/fabric-facts/fabric-identification/

jpscloud

miffy257 wrote: »

Glad you are enjoying hand quilting Jpscloud I like hand sewing it is soothing. Have just got to sew the binding on my baby quilt now.
Happy Sewing.:)

I might get on to the binding tomorrow, if I have a good day at it. If not, it might be touch and go to finish the whole thing before term starts (and I am calling it my Easter Quilt!!)

BitterAndTwisted

Justamum wrote: »

Would you be able to take it to a sewing machine shop and ask someone there to help you? They will be familiar with lots of different models so I'm sure someone there would be able to suss it out and give you a quick lesson on it.

Thanks, Justamum. I have considered doing that and have scouted what I think might be a good place to take it. The thing comes in a carry-case but it weighs an absolute ton. I got out of breathe just heaving up the stairs yesterday. I don't have any transport and I'm not sure I could manage it on the bus on my own. I wonder if my trusty shopping trolley would stand up to the weight of it?

I'm getting a bit impatient and am champing at the bit to get started.



I'm also very, very envious of the poster with all those old fabrics. BEWARE OF REDS! Back then, so much more than now, reds were not fast and ran like the wind. I'd be tempted to give them a really good airing rather than launder them. Some fabrics were manufactured, maybe still are, with stiffener which made them easier to manipulate when sewing with them. I'd absolutely love to see some photos of them. *drool*

ostaragirl

Thanks for your replies gibson123, miffy257, jpscloud, bitterandtwisted. Some invaluanle advice there!

I started to tackle it this morning (got a bit side tracked reading the old newspapers) and am sorting it out into what feels like the same types of material.
A good third of it I can't honestly see me using as it seems to be some sort of stretch jersey in wild colours which I think may have been used for womens dress and suits? seem to mind my nana with that sort of thing.
Another third or so is usuable with some really funky patterns and materials and feels like variations of cotton and some of what I seem to remember from childhood as seersucker?. There is also a lot of satiny smooth type stuff in all sorts of colours.
Also have set aside a large amount of what I think is wool cloth so I'm going to try some felting with that to see if it is and will try and shrink some bits too.
There are 2 suitcases which I have just opened that are full of remnants still folded with old paper label and the prices in shillings/pence and luckily from a few I've looked at the material is named.
Had a few finds of silks and some gorgeous cream stuff which I think would be for wedding outfits.
I have also found 4 dresses from 60's(think flower power) a small cream shrug and a long hippy dress.
It's very dusty business and my nose feels a bit stingy from it all so having to have lots of tea breaks, reckon theirs hours of fun to be had.
I'm not going to tackle washing anything yet until I've sorted it all.
I'm not sure how to put pics up here but I'll try and see if a link to webshots will work at some point over the weekend.

gibson123

Lucky you, any you don't use you should sell on e-bay, retro is all in just now and 70's vintage patterns are very popular. Have fun, I would happily come along and help you sort through them all!

jpscloud

Sounds like a brilliant stash, a real crafter's dream! Have fun!

No quilting done here, had an unexpected trip out for family duties. Maybe tomorrow

gibson123

I have had an undecided day today, finished two projects this week, and love the idea of doing a piano messenger bag, but also have some silk to make a dress for my great niece, fleece for a baby blanket and a pair of white cotton shorts I have promised my daughter. So instead just tidied my materials, pottered around doing housework, spent ages on pinterest and ignored the large pile of ironing that has been scowling at me all day. Oh the fine art of procrastination!