The sewing thread

[Deleted User]

Bag making looks interesting tbh. My mil was always making shopping bags from remnants but real bags look complicated

I finished the foot pedal raiser last night and to say I am happy with it is an understatement. I used half a tube of glue to stick and hold padding in place, rolls of padding to create a nest for the actual control, then one layer of flat padding everywhere else on the surface as I like to use bare feet when using the pedal. I left a groove at the r hand side for the cable. I covered the whole lot in a stretchy fabric remnant and stuck the part over the nest down into the well, held with pattern weights until it dried. Fabric was very stretchy and was not springing back. Later, some non slip matting in the well and it is completely finished. Previously my serger pedal was turning over too often, that won`t happen again

I have found a sewing and craft show within driving distance in september, I am going, I want to see what other people are doing and its a hobby that I am going to continue as long as I can. It isn`t a flash in the pan

Artytarty

I'm intrigued Kittie! It sounds like it's not just the pedal,sitting on a mini bench, more like it is is raised but recessed? How inventive of you!
I'm long legged so no need for this but I do find that the overlocker pedal is very light and flips over easily.
I have a walk in hot press with shelves on three sides.
I have taken out the lowest shelf on one side and replaced it with an old piece of kitchen worktop. Then I put a narrower shelf above that for bobbins boxes and threads..
So I am sitting facing a wood panelled wall of the hot press.
I've put in fluorescent tubes and have all my bits and bobs stacked around me, frequently lost in the pile of nighties etc!
It's very small but I keep the door open and it's cosy when the hot tank is full!
For a really big job like curtains I bring hyphen machine down to the dining table but for day to day, this does me just fine.

[Deleted User]

you are very inventive arty, you see from outside the box

not doing much yet, just processing a green bean dish for the freezer, a ratatouille as I have a glut. Can`t wait to get away from the humdrum

elf06

I love making bags but wouldnt have a clue where to start making clothing!! I was donated a load of patterns which I hope to have a look at soon.
Most if my ideas and patterns are created in my head

flissh

I made a top today.Its New Look 6179. We went to a sort of indoor market yesterday and I got some very lightweight cotton with a leaf pattern embroidered on it.
Im quite pleased with it. Ive made it before and think I did a better job this time. I widened the bottom a bit as when I made it last time it wasn't as loose as I wanted it. This is the first time Ive ever 'tinkered' with a pattern and Im really glad I did. Its mid 40's every day here and loose and lightweight is needed!!!!
Arty, that sounds like a very inventive use of space. Its amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it isn't it.

PollyWollyDoodle

Kitty, yet again you've given me the answer to something. I don't need to raise the foot pedal but I sew at the kitchen table on a ceramic tiled floor, I am forever fishing around for the pedal. A bit of that non-slip stuff - which I have in the cupboard, who knows why - problem solved!

Flissh, I too have just done my first ever patterm amendment and it's given me a lot of confidence to try changing things in future.

I'm very envious of people with dedicated sewing space, I'd love to have a sewing room. My spare room is really too small, with the bed in it, to get a table in as well.

[Deleted User]

Polly, I manage to get an aerobed in there if needed but I must say that I would rather just keep it as a sewing room now

I have just finished for the day, so many jobs sometimes and I didn`t have to sort and catalogue my feet but quite honestly I was only using a couple and I have feet that do all sorts of tricks. I went through every number on the bernina website and listed what they did, and for most, I had kept the original instructions, which I pasted on A4s, they are all in a poly pockets in a folder now, wish I had done that years ago. I am awaiting a flat compartmented plastic box. which should fit most of my feet and I am going to put labels on the see through lid. Its all because I don`t feel that I am using my machine to its max potential

I love hearing about the alterations, wd flissh

[Deleted User]

bernina has an overlock foot, foot mumber 2 that I have always had but never used. Last night I made the effort to watch videos on every foot that I own and this foot has a slightly looser r side so that stitching overlock-type sewing does not pucker the side edge. This fits in with something I learnt from a craftsy class ie to overlock the raw edges with a sewing machine or serger and then sew a normal seam, if the seam allowance is 5/8", then there will be enough room to alter fit if needed and the pressed open seam is also less bulky. I will be using these methods today

I have already cut out a mock wrap straight skirt, just below knee length and took up 7 inches. I will start sewing that one this afternoon. It has an easy elastic top and the full length pattern has an inner slit to the knee, for ease of movement. I think that will fit well and if it does, then I will make another from a length of thicker corduroy that I have and I also have enough thick cotton canvas type, both will be warm long skirts for house use in winter

I have learnt lots of tips lately. Another one is to loosen the top tension when basting and then the whole basting row is easy to pull out in one go, from the underside. Its a quick way to deal with a muslin

PollyWollyDoodle

Ooh that got me Googling for ideas for presser foot storage. I found a picture where someone had sewn a zippy case with plastic pockets for each foot, it looked like a lot of work! Then I found this embroidery floss box - the poster had made a chart for the lid with the name of each foot.

I've got mine jumbled up in a little box and I have to study them to remember which each one does, I keep meaning to print out the pictures of each. I'll add it to my wish list!

[Deleted User]

That was me, jumbled up feet. I am waiting for a single tier bead box from ebay, it has moveable dividers. Then I am going to make tiny labels for the lid