The sewing thread

silvasava

Had a new spray hood made for my boat a couple of years ago - very expensive! Decided the Dodgers ( canvas sheets at the side of the cockpit to shield the wind) needed replacing. I've found a website that sells the fabric, tool for the eyelets and the lettering - reckon I can do them for about £50! The boat comes out of the water in October so that will be one of my winter jobs on her. I've already recovered all her upholstery and made curtains and cushion covers so she'll be looking really smart for next season.

elf06

Sorry not been about much and not caught up on whats been happening but I just HAD to come one and say EWWWWW - I've just unpicked the sleeves on a t-shirt I've had for a while (it has those rolled up and sewn in place type cap sleeves). The amount of fluff and goodness only knows what else that I found in the folds was disgusting I'll not be buying any t-shirts like that again! I do have another which I love (one of my favourite t-shirts) and I don't know what to do about it now. Grrrrr!

PollyWollyDoodle

:rotfl: sometimes it's best not to know, elf!

Tray select, if you look around you'll find an overlocker course somewhere near you. It was a big confidence boost, I'm sure you can learn it all online but it really helped me. I think I posted this before, but after the first session I came home and got the handbook out and it was if it had suddenly been translated into English from another language, it all made more sense.

Silvasava, I hope you have a robust machine. My friend's partner asked me to make some sheet bags for his boat, a fairly simple construction (or so I thought). I found the canvas really hard to work with, and I ended up using my 100 year old hand crank machine because the electric one couldn't cope with two layers of fabric. He was really chuffed to get them matching the spray hood but it was a real challenge! I made an outboard motor cover but never again ...

RosyRed

Evening all.I've finally finished the shorts playsuits for DGD so she'll be able to take them with her when she comes tomorrow & pack them in her holiday luggage.One is black and white polka dots,the other a jazzy print with pink, turquoise and white.The fabric was a cheap viscose but I wanted a soft feel and it hangs well but was a pain to sew as it frays very easily. I did a fairly narrow seam too on the overlocker and it pulled away so I ended up reinforcing the seams with the sewing machine.I made the second suit seams wider which was a lot better.

Just need to decide on my next project now,probably the Stylearc dress as it is long sleeved and need to be thinking about autumn.

silvasava

Polly - I've got an old Singer heavy duty machine. I was going to get rid of it as I've got a nice little Husqvarna but the old Singer has done car seat covers and the sacrificial edging strip on my foresail so should be up to the job. The company do a PVC backed fabric but I'll get samples to check for colour and texture first. Luckily the Dodgers are flat sewing - I'll use the old ones as a pattern.
Well done you for persevering!

PollyWollyDoodle

I didn't feel it was an option! I refused to take anything for the fabric because I wasn't happy with the finish, I ended up doing some bits by hand with a thimble and heavy-duty needle. They looked good once the press studs were on and they were in place, I was probably worrying too much.

I like sewing things for other people, but on my terms. Anyone else find that once people hear that you sew, they assume that you'd love to turn up their trousers/fix their hem/run up some curtains?

MandM90

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

I didn't feel it was an option! I refused to take anything for the fabric because I wasn't happy with the finish, I ended up doing some bits by hand with a thimble and heavy-duty needle. They looked good once the press studs were on and they were in place, I was probably worrying too much.

I like sewing things for other people, but on my terms. Anyone else find that once people hear that you sew, they assume that you'd love to turn up their trousers/fix their hem/run up some curtains?

I spent 1hr40 last night hand sewing curtains for my mum. She asked me to do it on Monday, and when I agreed she said she needed them by Saturday. I have a full time job and a nine year old. Cheeky mare :eek:

That said, I did enjoy it. Can't wait for our house to be renovated so I can do some for myself!!

silvasava

Oh Polly - so with you on that - why is it too that whatever item it is always takes you twice as long than if it was your own? Did do a small bit of sewing for a friend's boat - just some cushion covers and restitched the boat name lettering on their dodgers, the hubby gave me a small solar panel for my boat as a thank you - so kind and unexpected.

Ninnel

Maybe smbody can help me? I have started sewn 2 year ago. I have sewn only bed linen before. Now I want to sew the pencil skirt like number 32 on this site "inkprofy com/pencil-skirt-outfits" I don't know what material to choose better? Maybe you know where I can find a pattern for this skirt?

PollyWollyDoodle

Ninnell, there are lots of patterns for pencil skirts. Your best bet might be to find a local store that sells patterns and fabrics and go and look through their patterns, then they should be able to advise you on suitable fabric. Alternatively if you buy a pattern online, the instructions will usually suggest what type of fabrics can be used, and will often say if something isn't appropriate (e.g. 'Unsuitable for stretch fabrics'.

There are so many variations it's hard to give advice, so if you're unsure, go somewhere where you can feel the fabric, and imagine sewing it and wearing it. Good luck.