Does anyone else make their own clothes

Savvy_sewing

Jamtart, if the sewing machine only needs cleaning, and a bit of oil, could you not do that yourself? I used to overhaul my own machines when I was running my sewing business.? If you are having problems with it stitching etc, you may have to have it serviced. Cost depends on where you live though. There is someone that does them where I am, but not sure of his current prices etc, I would have to go into the town and look for the card again.
Sorry thats probably not much help.
I agree the older machines are more robust, especially with the varieties of fabrics that are heavier to sew.

homealone_2

i am lucky enough to be receiving a very basic sewing machine soon. they are ex stock of the type they use to teach kids in school so having no idea of how to do anything with the thing, am hoping it will be a basic enough model to find my way around. i have bought some scissors in preparation but not sure what else a "machinst lol" would need. i already have quite a large collection of many colours of thread but thats about it. i would love to know what kind of projects would be good to tackle as a first timer. i have lots of throws with holes in them that i intend to make envelope type cushion covers with but is there some other suggestions you may have?? being heavily over weight can never find a sarong long enough to tie into all the different styles only able to wrap around me so that may well be one of my first projects. can anyone offer any tips or suggestions of mse ways of turning this into a money saving machine???

Rikki

homealone wrote: »

i am lucky enough to be receiving a very basic sewing machine soon. they are ex stock of the type they use to teach kids in school so having no idea of how to do anything with the thing, am hoping it will be a basic enough model to find my way around. i have bought some scissors in preparation but not sure what else a "machinst lol" would need. i already have quite a large collection of many colours of thread but thats about it. i would love to know what kind of projects would be good to tackle as a first timer. i have lots of throws with holes in them that i intend to make envelope type cushion covers with but is there some other suggestions you may have?? being heavily over weight can never find a sarong long enough to tie into all the different styles only able to wrap around me so that may well be one of my first projects. can anyone offer any tips or suggestions of mse ways of turning this into a money saving machine???

The Sewing Room offers interactive sewing tips and advice. :T
You could make 'Morsbags' there is a free pattern on-line. Click Here :cool:

www.allfreecrafts.com Loads of ideas and free craft ideas here.

Sewing Patterns eg: peg bag, shopping bag, organiser, toys, pillows etc

A few ideas to keep you busy.

Rikki

Burda pattern question.

I'm making a pair of trousers and I'm between two sizes. :eek: There is pattern ease but it doesn't tell me how much. Any clues on the pattern or does anyone have any ideas?

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Rikki, if you cut half way between the two lines on your pattern you should get your size. Burda is pretty accurate in its sizing. One of the beauties of multi size patterns is that you can blend the pattern lines to come up with your own measurements (does that make sense?).

If it's your 'first time' with a Burda pattern or a different style from one you generally use, I would suggest cutting wider seam allowances anyway on the leg seams (inner and side). Try on the trousers before you stitch the seams permanently and pin out any excess. It's a good idea to do this with any pair of trousers actually as different fabrics behave so differently.

Let me know if I can be of any other help.


Mrs F x

Rikki

Thank you Mrs F.
I trace my patterns so I will trace both sizes and mix and match. This patten has pockets not something I normally do and something I haven't done for years. :eek:

cuca

My history of sewing goes back a way. After leaving school my mum bought me a machine as a present. Well, all I can say is that I just didnt have a patience with it, and every time I used it turned into a swearing match between me, the bobbin, you name it. My mum lent it one day to do something and whilst she was unloading the car - it was stolen. Well you would think everyone would have been upset about it, but no - especially dh (we werent married then) celebrated and said it was the best thing that had happened, as now there would be no more temper tantrums.....

Now, many many years later being in my 30 somethings and with two children, i thought that perhaps a machine would be a good idea again..... Dh went spare, but I went out and bought one anyway . It wasnt an expensive, just a cheapish Janome but it does everything I need. Well, to the point (finally there is one :T ) is that I have made and repaired a whole list of things since getting it at xmas. My brag today is that I went to the fabric shop as they were having a sale on kiddies sheeting at really silly prices, and I have made dd two duvet covers (and pillowcases), a single flat sheet, a sheet for ds - and a blanket for our bed for upcoming winter. Dh is out of the country at the moment, and will have a bloody fit when he sees that the blanket is out of the cellular blanketing that the hospitals use - with the name of the hospital stitched in all along the middle Oh well , noone but us will see that bit, and at least it was new off the roll as no-one has been ill using it.......... But the best bit of it was is that if I convert what I paid for it per metre, it worked out to 0.4p per metre :T :j :beer: I just LOVE a bargain................... :T

Savvy_sewing

When I move into our little cottage at the end of the month, I am hoping that I will be able to have my sewing machine set up permanantly in the dining room, as I will no longer have two sets of little hands to meddle. One of the reasons why I have not sew in the last couple of years. (Well not much anyway, just a few alterations to trousers.). Although I have a few mobility problems I thought that if the machine was set up, then I would be able to use it in small doses!. Maybe sew a seam and rest etc etc. I am determind that I will make the curtains and window seat pads etc for the cottage, and make it as homely as I can. I am fed up of not personalising the rented homes that I live in. This time I am going to replace all the curtains etc that the landlord has left in, and store his in the airing cupboard till I leave!.
I want to be able to make a few small clothes for my grandchildren and maybe manage to make a few more craft ideas.
Heres hoping I get the opportunity!.

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Mooloo, that's a great idea, and I hope it works out for you. There's a book by an American author, Nancy Zieman, called something like 5, 10, 25 Minutes to Sew which shows you how to break down clothes making into manageable pieces like that. Good luck with it, I'm very jealous of you moving into a little cottage, I would love to live somewhere like that

Mrs F x

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Rikki wrote: »

Thank you Mrs F.
I trace my patterns so I will trace both sizes and mix and match. This patten has pockets not something I normally do and something I haven't done for years. :eek:

Hope it works out OK! Strangely enough after years of believing that I couldn't wear trousers with side pockets I made a pair the other week and I love them! I'm hoping to cut out another pair this week if I get time. I can't believe what age is doing to my body though :eek: my measurements seem to change every time I cut out a new pattern and something very strange is happening to my hips and bum!! :eek: :eek:
Mrs F xx