The sewing thread

purpleivy

Noone been posting? I suddenly remembered that I hadn't posted here for a while. Life has been somewhat manic since lockdown!

Laura_Elsewhere

@purpleivy ooh, I'd forgotten all about this!  

I've been sewing quite a bit with much more attention to detail. I'm most of the way through a button-front 4-gore 3/4-circle cotton skirt - just the buttonholes to make, buttons to sew on, and single-welt pockets to make and insert; then only the hem to bind, turn and catch down by hand. It's been much more precisely-sewn than I usually bother with, as I've matched stripes to the millimetre... 

On Monday I've a few very tense days as My Intended has to go into hospital, so I am intending to dismantle a skirt and jacket I half-made from the late 1990s onwards (!), never finished. It's a 1940s pattern of my Gran's, which I sized up at the time but no idea what size I sized it to, so i may not even fit me - but I shall label each piece and then dismantle it all, press every piece, and cut new lining, and then start assembling it - and doing it properly this time! 

PipneyJane

No recent sewing here but I am so glad I got my sewing machine serviced just prior to Lockdown.  Admittedly, I've sewn absolutely nothing since then, but at least it's in working order, complete with a brand new carry case.  (Yay!  No more lurking dust bunnies.)  Since the place that serviced it make most of their money servicing industrial machines, they're probably quite badly hit from Lockdown.  Hope they will survive.

- Pip

silvasava

Just seen this thread has started up again - lovely.
I got my machine out to hit the mending pile. Repaired a couple of DH's jeans and then the machine went bang and lots of smoke I rang the repair shop but they can't take it for a few weeks, apparently it's a capacitor not the motor. Phew. I have another machine but don't use it often so I've got that out & discovered it's a flat bed machine so can't finish the jeans off....what a shame, not!!! There's still plenty of other sewing I can get on with  

PollyWollyDoodle

Oh how annoying. I was able to get mine serviced when shops reopened, but I expect there are quite a few people wanting to get theirs done. I am mostly making masks, I keep saying it’s the last batch, I think I’ve made about 40 now. These are for the friends I’m going on holiday with as we’ll need to use them on the ferry. I have got a pile of stuff that needs repairing/taking in/fixing in some way or another, and that will be the next thing I’m moving onto.

Living_proof

I am thankful this thread has been resurrected as now I have lots more time on my hands I hope to start a sewing class in the New Year. Prior to that I may be away quite a lot and the classes are expensive so I don't want to pay for something I miss On the whole I want to be able to alter clothes as I lose weight. Also I would like to make some creative masks as I fear we will need them for many months to come. It would also be useful to make a few soft furnishings which is something I have never done before. I look forward to hearing about your projects in the weeks ahead.

purpleivy

silvasava said:

Just seen this thread has started up again - lovely.
I got my machine out to hit the mending pile. Repaired a couple of DH's jeans and then the machine went bang and lots of smoke I rang the repair shop but they can't take it for a few weeks, apparently it's a capacitor not the motor. Phew. I have another machine but don't use it often so I've got that out & discovered it's a flat bed machine so can't finish the jeans off....what a shame, not!!! There's still plenty of other sewing I can get on with  

What's the problem with having a flat bed machine?  I do alterations for a living and I only have a flat bed machine. Can I help?  
I've been doing a few jobs this month, first fitting was mid July, but a one off for someone who wanted a bridesmaid dress altering urgently. Lockdown started early for me 13th March when I got back from Mallorca.  After about 10 days I started helping organise and sewing with the local scrubs programme. As that got sorted out I started to make masks for the family and for friends who requested them. I've now made 426!  I think with the fabric costs and time taken I won't have made minimum wage, but it's raised awareness of my business as I made sure a business card or two went in with them.  
My big project last week was sorting out suits, shortening jacket sleeves and trousers and also shirt sleeves for son and hub for son's wedding which is on Saturday, all being well, just parents and the best man. No reception. That's next year. So this weekend I've been making my silk jacket, that I started just before lockdown. It went into a box when the scrubs sewing started and got left!  It creases like nobody's business and the flipping interfacing I have backed it with won't stay stuck on! I couldn't find my sleeve board, so have ordered another, to come tomorrow. 

purpleivy

Is Kittie still around, there's a 'deleted user'. Hope she's OK. 

PipneyJane

purpleivy said:

silvasava said:

Just seen this thread has started up again - lovely.
I got my machine out to hit the mending pile. Repaired a couple of DH's jeans and then the machine went bang and lots of smoke I rang the repair shop but they can't take it for a few weeks, apparently it's a capacitor not the motor. Phew. I have another machine but don't use it often so I've got that out & discovered it's a flat bed machine so can't finish the jeans off....what a shame, not!!! There's still plenty of other sewing I can get on with  
=============================
What's the problem with having a flat bed machine?  I do alterations for a living and I only have a flat bed machine. Can I help?  
I've been doing a few jobs this month, first fitting was mid July, but a one off for someone who wanted a bridesmaid dress altering urgently. Lockdown started early for me 13th March when I got back from Mallorca.  After about 10 days I started helping organise and sewing with the local scrubs programme. As that got sorted out I started to make masks for the family and for friends who requested them. I've now made 426!  I think with the fabric costs and time taken I won't have made minimum wage, but it's raised awareness of my business as I made sure a business card or two went in with them.  
My big project last week was sorting out suits, shortening jacket sleeves and trousers and also shirt sleeves for son and hub for son's wedding which is on Saturday, all being well, just parents and the best man. No reception. That's next year. So this weekend I've been making my silk jacket, that I started just before lockdown. It went into a box when the scrubs sewing started and got left!  It creases like nobody's business and the flipping interfacing I have backed it with won't stay stuck on! I couldn't find my sleeve board, so have ordered another, to come tomorrow. 

Hope the wedding is lovely, @purpleivy.   Congratulations to your son and his Intended.

Good luck with the jacket.  You've bought back memories of when I first attempted to make a "proper" blazer, complete with hand-stitched-on interfacing. (IIRC, it was from a really detailed Vogue pattern.)  My mum was a trained dressmaker.  She said nothing for a very long time and then, one day, said "Now you know why I love this stuff" and handed me some fusible interfacing.

- Pip

PollyWollyDoodle

I hope the wedding is wonderful despite the restrictions. I am in awe of anyone who can do alterations to things like suits, my sewing skills are not at that level although I do want to have a go at tailoring one day.   Re Kittie, she sadly left the forum some time ago after a contretemps with admin, I don’t know the details but she did post at the time to say she was leaving. Such a shame, she is very much missed.