OS home sewing

meadowcat

charlotte664 wrote:

My biggest problem is being able to sew in a straight line. Regardless of how fast/slow, I can't keep it in a line! Or does practise make perfect?

It probably will get better as you get more experience. It could have something to do with how you are holding the fabric as it goes through the machine. You do need to hold the fabric in front of and behind the needle. Or you could check that you are using the right amount of pressure on the foot and the right foot for the fabric. You actually shouldn't have to change the pressure too much - just when you are doing certain jobs like stretch material which needs less pressure.

Also, you should support the weight of the fabric on your table or working surface so that it doesn't pull away from the needle.

My mum made all our clothes when we were small and I can remember her having an old Singer treadle machine. She used to let us use it unthreaded and run paper through it and we thought we were making postage stamps! We were having great fun, but I realise now that she was in fact teaching us the very basics of how to hold the material (paper) as it went through the machine and how to sew a straight line.

I remember well the first dress I made all on my own when I was 12. It was blue, a small check fabric and had a dropped waist. Boy was I proud of that dress. :snow_laug

skylight

Thanks for all that!

I know about the weight - learnt that the hard way when making some curtains!

I will have to go throught the attachments that I have to see what looks like an edger!

ivyleaf

My Mum had one of those too! Sometimes she used to let me do the treadling while she guided the material through. I remember her making me a blue corduroy pinafore dress, and a winceyette nightie with mermaids on it (pause for reminiscent sighs!)

Rikki, for your Vogue patterns, have you tried https://www.sewdirect.com? They are the main site for Vogue, Mccalls and Butterick. I haven't looked at the site for ages and I must admit that when I did, it was terribly slow - might have improved since then though as it was about a year ago! :xmassmile

ivyleaf xx

kylah16

Hi, I recently came across this site www.craftster.org and I had to share it.

'What is Craftster?

Craftster is a forum for people who love to make things but who are not inspired by scrapbooking with die-cut teddy bears, cross-stitched home sweet home plaques, wooden boxes with ducks in bonnets painted on...

If you've been known to run with scissors, cavort with your fellow rebel DIY'ers here!'

Its so addictive and if you like to see what other people sew there's a section in the forum for completed projects (clothing, home decor, anything).

I'm not advertising or anything, I have no affiliation with this site, I just think its great if your not into the more old fashioned stuff

meadowcat

Oh, cool site. And guess what? My DS1 lives in Somerville where the shop is. Now, I just might take a good look at what they are selling.

frugalfairy_3

charlotte664 wrote:

Okay.


My biggest problem is being able to sew in a straight line. Regardless of how fast/slow, I can't keep it in a line! Or does practise make perfect?

Yes, practice does make perfect! :xmassmile Meadowcat's tip is great, try using lined paper to keep your sewing straight as well.

Also, don't watch the needle as you sew - I know this sounds strange but it's so much easier to sew straight if you watch the right hand edge of the foot instead of what the needle's up to.

Hope this helps. Have fun! FF :rudolf:

Addiscomber

To go back to books, I forgot to mention that it is worthwhile keeping an eye on your local charity shops, and at least you can see what they are like, which you cannot do with Ebay. I managed to spot a good one a couple of years ago which I gave to my cousin's daughter as she was expressing interest in learning to sew because she wanted to be a designer.

I picked up The Sewing Book by Ann Ladbury a couple of days ago for a couple of pounds. I nearly didn't buy it because I already have loads of sewing books, but I was really glad that I did because I have always struggled with turning narrow tubes (rouleau). I already have one of those long, really flimsy looking thingies with a latchet hook but have never got on with it. In this book she shows a rouleau needle, which is more robust, and the thickness of a medium knitting needle but with a small ball at one end and a large eye at the other. I have searched for on line for these and found them for sale for a mere £1.35, but described as a long bodkin. It seems that we never stop learning - I have been sewing for over 40 years!!

Addiscomber
sewing with a Husqvarna Lily 550 - also an Elna Lotus for travelling and because it is such a clever design

Rebob

Netto are getting some well priced machines on Monday. Under £50!!!!

ivyleaf

I've decided it's going to be my mission this year to really get to know my Pfaff electronic machine so that hopefully I'll grow to love it as much as I did my old one. It's not an actual embroidery machine, but does everything else.

My DD is expecting a baby in the summer :j , and I'd love to have a go at making a few things for it, even though it's probably much cheaper to buy them than make them these days!

Does anyone know of a source of fabrics suitable for baby clothes? I'm thinking of stuff with tiny printed designs, perhaps cotton jersey. Plain would do if I couldn't get printed.

Thanks very much

ivyleaf xx

flea72

https://www.wazoodle.com

lovely, reasonable priced fabrics, but they are a bit slow at processing orders. Dont expect next day despatch, but if choosing airmail, it should be with you within 2wks, if using surface mail, more like 8 weeks.

Flea