The sewing thread

Squidger21

I studied textiles at school, but haven't touched a sewing machine since and thus lost of lot of the skills I was taught. Having recently caught the bug again, I bought myself a sewing machine and have started to re-teach myself using online tutorials.


I've made a couple of items which have turned out ok, but I always feel like I'm muddling through. I would probably benefit from attending a proper course and I'll get round to it one day, but for now, I'll see how I go.


One of the main issues I have come across is not really knowing if I'm buying the correct fabric. Dress patterns always list the most suitable fabrics, but when I look online, I find that the types of fabrics are not categorised as simply. I don't have a decent fabric shop nearby to be able to visit in person. Does anyone have any tips for buying fabrics online?

maryb

had a lovely day yesterday 'doing' Goldhawk Road with my DD who was looking for some fabric for a dress for a ball. Although I find I can only do the shops on one side of the road before I get fabric fatigue.

But why is it the fabric you end up buying is ALWAYS in the first shop you go into and end up going back to?

Whoknowskt89

Hi guys,

I've only recently got into sewing.
Despite my mum having a machine, I was never allowed to use it and after when I earnt my own money it was we don't have the space.

Now I live alone, I've made myself a few tops and skirts without patterns!
I have some patterns now but not used yet so any advice?
Would an overlooked be worth the money?
I'm currently using a brother ls14.

loocyloo

DD wanted to make some cushions for her bed.


we bought some 'inners' and using spare, left over fabric ( from having to buy a double duvet cover, to cut down to a single! ), she has made 2 big cushions, and then a couple of little stuffed cushions. She has pretty much mastered straight lines on the sewing machine, and although she wanted to do button holes, I couldn't face teaching her those*, so we made 'pillowcase' style cushion covers.


she also made a couple of drawstring bags, and was wittering about making some bunting ....


* my machine does them 'all by itself' once you have it set up, but I was working, and didn't have time to set it up to do them, or to show her how, or enough fabric to make another cushion cover should there be an accident!

maryb

Anyone else sad to see there will be no more Great British Sewing Bee? I thought it was popular enough that the BBC would keep it going even after losing the Bake Off but apparently not

PollyWollyDoodle

Nooo! I hadn't seen that. I thought the Sewing Bee was really popular, I've certainly enjoyed it. Very disappointed.

Squidger21 I've been hoping someone would answer your question. If I'm in a shop and can feel something I know exactly what I can use it for, but descriptions like 'chambray', 'poplin', 'ponte' etc leave me none the wiser. I'm going to have to get out and do some actual shopping.

Whoknows I bought my overlocker (second hand) after seeing them on the Great British Sewing Bee. I still haven't really learned to use it and a zigzag stitch will do quite a lot of what you need. It's my own fault for not really tackling it, but I am not getting the benefits from it that I expected. I'm sure someone else will post on here to tell me how much they love theirs!

maryb

I have an overlocker and I love the professional finish it gives to seams. But it's not necessary, as you say, a zigzag would do the same. Where it is useful is if you are sewing with a very ravelly fabric. Then I overlock it first. I do think it is very useful if you want to sew knits, but I rarely do.

Having said that, I have a reasonably top make overlocker because my eyesight is poor and I can't thread a basic one. If it were not for that, I would just get a basic one as long as it has differential feed (I think they all do these days)

ERICS_MUM

maryb wrote: »

Anyone else sad to see there will be no more Great British Sewing Bee? I thought it was popular enough that the BBC would keep it going even after losing the Bake Off but apparently not

I saw this, very disappointing. I love shows like that and Bake Off. I'm watching the Pottery and Painting shows with similar formats at the mo and really enjoying them even though Neither are my hobbies. It's just so interesting to see ordinary people creating things.

Whoknowskt89

Thanks for the advice! After my loan is cleared I may look into getting one... Though before if I see one for cheap online second hand!
I have just invested in a set of machine feet and i think i have enough feet for whatever I want to do now!

PollyWollyDoodle

Well I broke into my Terramundi pot last week, on the basis that the pound coins are going to be obsolete later this year. I've just spent half the contents on an overlocker course which takes place next month. I'm hoping that once I've done that I'll have a better idea of what it can do, and make more use of it.