The Sewing Annexe

Memory_Girl

Sandollar wrote: »

I hope no one minds me posting here but as there seems to be a range of sewing abilities here I thought this might be the best place to ask.

First let me say I have no formal sewing qualifications but I was lucky enough to have a mum who was very good a dressmaking and I developed a love for most sewing/craftwork.

I have been asked to try and develop a series of 3 hour workshops and a 10 week basic sewing course through the auspices of our local regeneration project. The idea is to take people who have no sewing skills and teach them how to do simple things like taking up/letting down a hem, replacing a broken zip, sewing on a button etc.
If you were coming to such a class what would you
a. expect to learn
b. want to learn

Any thoughts and ideas welcomed.

I will be teaching some of our young Mums how to make these -


made from Men's trousers from the clearance rack in charity shops so cost about 50p per pair.

Here is the summer version:



So they learn paper patterns, pinning, cutting, seams, top-stitching, elastic casing. Its fun too.

MG

newleaf

Just a little heads up for anyone living near to a branch of Ikea. I popped in today for other things and found they have some lovely cotton print fabrics from just £2.99 a metre.
Happy sewing mrbrightside, I'll look forward to finding your posts on TSF!

fuddle

I have a little machine now. I've had it for a few months but aside from stitching pillow cases together to put pillows in for the dog's bed and then stitched round an old blanket for the cover and sewn a seam to thread my door curtain through I really lack the skill base to do a project.

I have some material that my daughter picked. It's been there for a good 6 weeks. I'm scared to even try something incase I ruin good fabric. I was thinking a little cushion for her bedroom with an envelope type enclosure but I do have a case of actually being afraid to try it for fear of failure I think.

I'm so keen but want to run before I can walk and unfortunately that is to my detriment. Ok, I'm going to try it out this evening. I'll let you know how I get on

newleaf

Be brave fuddle! Try using something like an old sheet or duvet cover from a charity shop to make a practice one first.
I recommend this book for easy projects to get you started.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sewing-Machine-Basics-Jane-Bolsover/dp/1907030735/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338623107&sr=1-1

prudent_princess

newleaf wrote: »

Be brave fuddle! Try using something like an old sheet or duvet cover from a charity shop to make a practice one first.
I recommend this book for easy projects to get you started.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sewing-Machine-Basics-Jane-Bolsover/dp/1907030735/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338623107&sr=1-1

Hi newleaf, Had a look at that book - looks really good!!

jpscloud

Hi fuddle, I agree with newleaf, just gird your loins, take a deep breath, and have a practise on some old fabric that you don't mind making a mess of!

It really is a case of have a go and the skill base builds itself as you try different things. I have a deep-seated fear of inserting zips, so that's my next big thing. I'll watch lots of tutorials on you tube first, I think.

Don't forget most fabrics are very forgiving and you can always unpick mistakes made with the sewing machine. Cutting fabric is the scariest part for me I think!

Taadaa

I agree, I really hate cutting. You need to invest in a really good pair of shears. I plan to get a cutting mat and rotary cutter at some point.

I have got a lace blind to make for the kitchen and some tea towels to hem and stitch but I just can't get motivated at the moment. Lazy moo moo.

mrbrightside842

I have a question about cutting out patterns... I've bought a pattern andit's in lots of different sizes. Do I cut out the size that I want and then cut around it - thus not being able to use the larger sizes, or do I do it some other way? I've got chalk, but not sure how to go about it all!

jpscloud

That's a good question mrbrightside, to which I don't know the answer! I've never made clothes, so will wait with bated breath for someone to answer then we'll both be wiser!

Justamum

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

I have a question about cutting out patterns... I've bought a pattern andit's in lots of different sizes. Do I cut out the size that I want and then cut around it - thus not being able to use the larger sizes, or do I do it some other way? I've got chalk, but not sure how to go about it all!

You can trace the size you want and leave the original pattern untouched. Place the tracing paper over the pattern and just draw round the size you want, not forgetting to copy over all the relevant markings for darts, and the notches too. You can buy dressmaker's tracing paper which is big sheets, or you could use a roll of greaseproof paper.