The sewing thread

silvasava

Babs - good idea! I've often used tops I really like as a pattern. That way you get exactly what you want.

PollyWollyDoodle

Babs, I made my first t-shirt last year - I was planning to cut a pattern from an old t-shirt but i used a pattern from my Sew U Home Stretch book, however cutting round an old one should work just as well. Like you I find store t-shirts are often too thin for my liking. Read back in this thread for a link to how to attach the neck and, it worked brilliantly - as soon as I can I'm planning to make some more because it was really easy and I loved what I made. I've got plans for heavier fabric in long sleeves for winter, lighter ones for summer etc. Give it a try and let us know how you get on.

babs_103

Thanks silvasava and PollyWolly I will do x

[Deleted User]

silvasava wrote: »

Babs - good idea! I've often used tops I really like as a pattern. That way you get exactly what you want.

works equally well when making knickers from old t shirts, having made some last year, I much prefer them to sloggi which are factory made to get too thin to wear and then they tear

joedenise

Babs the only thing I would say is that using an old t-shirt for a pattern is a good idea but don't forget to add a seam allowance when cutting!

I made a skirt once using an old one I liked and fitted well and then didn't leave enough seam allowance so too small once made (wouldn't have been as bad if I'd pinned and tried on first as then I could have just made the seam smaller!)

Denise

chika

Hello everyone. I!!!8217;ve just moved into a new home and need curtains. I!!!8217;m ok at sewing, but have no machine at the moment. Can anyone recommend a decent machine that can do curtains and hobby sewing? Has anyone used the one they sell in Aldi? They had one for £99 which I was tempted by, but I don!!!8217;t know if it!!!8217;s better to get a branded used one. Any help gratefully received. Thanks

purpleivy

Lots of people will tell you that they got an Aldi/Lidl/IKEA/Cheap machine and it's given them no problems at all. If you want to do curtains etc, sometimes those fabrics are a bit thicker, so would be easier done on a better machine.

I don't know where you live, but it would be worth getting in contact with a local sewing machine shop and finding out what they have that people have brought in for part ex when up grading. Sewers/quilters/crafters like to upgrade it seems. You will get a far better machine for your money if you choose wisely if you purchase second hand. It really isn't like buying a second hand car.

Well, in a way it is! It's helpful to try the machine you are intending to buy and any dealer worth their salt would let you do this. If you purchase in this way you would more than likely end up with a newly serviced machine with a few months warranty.

A lot of cheap modern machines are built into a plastic casing, older machines may have a plastic cover, maybe metal, but have a 'solid centre'. This stops the machine wandering around when in use. Don't think of being heavy as a negative thing! One of the other problems with cheap machines is that if you have a problem then parts won't be available for them, you probably won't find anyone to repair them either. Buy cheap, buy twice..... unless you get a nice vintage one!

If you keep your eyes open on Freecycle or gumtree you could get lucky. Or let it be known that you are looking. Someone of your acquaintance, or thier acquaintance might be clearing out their home or someone else's. A neighbour/customer came and offered me a machine a couple of weeks ago, It's fab little machine....but a similar model to a 'vintage' I already have. Trying to justify keeping it, but truly I can't! Another customer offered me an overlocker. It was a very very simple and under featured one, but I have friend who only uses it for neatening edges on her craft projects so she was pleased to take it from me.

I'm rambling! Ask away if you want to know any more. If you PM me where you live I might have a shop recommendation.

[Deleted User]

Aghh, I am trying to do another kondo sweep of my sewing room, starting with patterns. I have been through tops, trousers, underwear, nightwear, skirts and even aprons, hardly thrown any out for the cs. All good stuff and catalogued, I can never see me buying any pattern again. I have 4 apron patterns, 40s style, frilly half style, utility modern style. The frilly one would make lovely girly presents for christmas. I need to go and cross the cs ones off my list, all neat in a book

No doubt about it, I am going to have to have a dedicated sewing room in a new house. I have loads of haberdashery stuff, linings,cords, elastic, buttons, bias etc I am always delving into them when sewing, so they stay. Then again, I will sew as long as I am able

joedenise

kittie - I now got a sewing room and am so pleased I have as I used to have to use the dining room table so always had to pack everything away. Now I keep all my sewing stuff in a wardrobe with 4 drawers which are stuffed with fabric!

I've also got a couple of small "chests"; one with 8 small but deep drawers and one with 3 full width drawers.

Denise

-taff

If it's only for curtains, have a look in second hand or charity shops for older sewing machines, perhaps with only straight stitch. They weight a ton, but are almost indestructible, and will sew through anything. I have a BSA which actually came off a skip, and I took it to a sewing machine repair person and paid 25 to get it checked out.
Depends on whether you want to use different stitches or can cope with an older machine like that.