Sewing, the craft, fabrics, patterns, problems

Here is my 1,00000000000000th drawstring bag (hahaha)

I've had a go at making a loose-ish cover for a wingback chair, just recently @fairfraise and I've just about regained my sanity. It's not perfect but is better than the last effort so it'll have to do, I realised I'd bitten off more than I could chew but I never learn!

Serendipity, I love all your projects btw!

giulia

I hadn't realised that viscose is a natural fabric. Please, what is it made of?

wood pulp from renewable trees

Callistemon, are you sure you are securing the bobbin in properly?

Also buy a good magnet? they are good for getting bits of needle out etc

I hadn't realised that viscose is a natural fabric. Please, what is it made of?

When I was a small child my grandmother taught me to knit, crochet and embroider. We also made "rag rugs" from any odd bits of leftover fabric.

I have gone back to sewing sporadically over the years because I find it so relaxing. Also you can take bits of embroidery anywhere. Ive sat on a plane or at an airport doing patchwork and embroidery, to the fascination of my fellow passengers. I taught myself English patchwork and then Indian (as in Asian) crazy patchwork from books. I love it because you can use up the most tiny scraps along with beads, sequins and embellishments.

Its good to see a resurgence of crafts among younger people. Some of my grand nieces hardly know how to hold a needle, let alone use one.

Here are the 2 chef's hat's i made, going to my 2 granddaughters abroad.

I do miss sewing, but old age has made me lose manual dexterity - I can't even thread the needle on my basic modern Singer.
I prefer "real " fabrics - I'm still wearing pure wool tweed skirts that I made ?10+ years ago. One is shades of blue, one beige and one dark red.
When we came back from Singapore in 1968 I made coats for the children with Harris tweed - it costs a fortune now.
I made a mini coat for daughter's pet lamb (stuffed!) - still wearing it.
Real fabrics are easier to sew - they are more "obedient" and go the way you want under the needle. Pure cotton is the same.
Never sewed silk.

karmalady - thanks for your recommendations!

There are some very knowledgeable people on here and it is great to know what you are making. Perhaps more photographs?

My sewing machine is currently put away as I have been concentrating on writing a book but having re-read this thread, and with summer coming on, I think it will be coming out again soon. I'm thinking padded jacket........

My son asked me if i will make 2 chef's hats for my 2 little granddaughters. I have made them, very, very easy to make.

Beans on toast will never be the same haaaa.

Clothkits has started again - I made the padded jacket for DGD last Christmas. They only have a small range but it’s a start!
I use my Nan’s 1918 Singer treadle but have recently bought an electric machine for fine fabrics.

Oh, thank you Grandmagrim, I will try that.

Just got fed up with it and put it back in its case today! At least I managed to do the two small jobs which needed doing.

Callistemon21

I've got a new sewing machine and I really can't get on with it at all.
It had to go back within guarantee as the needles kept breaking; just used it again (it's out of warranty now) and Bang! another one has broken and I can't find the small broken piece. It's probably gone down into the works but the screwdriver provided with it is too long to be able to unscrew the plate.

Why don't they make them like they did years ago?
It's a Brother and I really dislike it; it's put me off sewing ever again.

Sorry to hear you are struggling. I use a 5 pence piece as a screw driver - other coin sizes may work as well-

I know, we all have our persuadable weaknesses. I bought a soupmaker that way. Fortunately it failed under guarrantee and i simply asked for my money back.

M0nica

Callistemon21 Janome is the way forward. Even this idiot (me) can make things successfully on Janome. DD and DGD both have them.

I bought the simplest model I could find and did a couple of classes on 'Get to know your sewing machine' not Youtube, but classes with a real teacher who could handle a class of 12, each with a different make and model of machine and give personal advice.

Monica I had previously researched and chosen a straightforward Janome and don't know why I got talked into this Brother machine with quilter (which has never been out of its box!).
I'm not normally easily swayed.

Of course, free lessons were offered but then came Covid.

Awww thank you BlueBalou.

I love sewing, its the productivity of it all.

I tried to post some photos of todays product from the sweatshop but it won't do as its meant to ..... grrrrrrrr.

Callistemon21 Janome is the way forward. Even this idiot (me) can make things successfully on Janome. DD and DGD both have them.

I bought the simplest model I could find and did a couple of classes on 'Get to know your sewing machine' not Youtube, but classes with a real teacher who could handle a class of 12, each with a different make and model of machine and give personal advice.

Sorry to be grumpy on a lovely thread (no pun intended!) but I am frustrated.

I've got a new sewing machine and I really can't get on with it at all.
It had to go back within guarantee as the needles kept breaking; just used it again (it's out of warranty now) and Bang! another one has broken and I can't find the small broken piece. It's probably gone down into the works but the screwdriver provided with it is too long to be able to unscrew the plate.

Why don't they make them like they did years ago?
It's a Brother and I really dislike it; it's put me off sewing ever again.

So if anyone here wants to sew but feels they can't, relax and get sewing. It may not be perfct, but if you enjoyed the process and are happy that what you make isn't too obviously nont perfecr - then go for it

Monica I so agree - I have been making blinds and curtains for years and every time I make some I get butterflies in case they end up lopsided, but they never do. I'm very much a perfectionist and when I finish something every tiny stitch out of place jumps out at me, but no one else ever notices. I'm still battling to learn crochet, I sometimes think I'll be blind before I ever manage to make something. But I love the process of making things and the satisfaction when (just occasionally) they turn out exactly as I want them.

I love looking at all the beautiful things the posters show. It's inspiring for those like me who are trying to get better and to try different things.

I love those bags Seredipity22 ?
I haven’t sewn for years but I made all my baby clothes for the DCs and all my DD’s clothes and DS’s dungarees etc.
My mother was an incredible seamstress, she could turn her hand to anything. She made our wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, winter coats, dresses etc etc, I didn’t have a shop-bought piece of clothing, other than underwear, until I left home at 18. She also did upholstery, made curtains and cushions and recovered three piece suites and armchairs. Incredibly talented.
Mu learnt from an older friend who was a court seamstress and tailor, whose work was simply breathtaking.
Auntie C also did beading, embroidering court ballgowns and was employed by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court to repair priceless royal gowns etc.
Unfortunately little of mum’s talent was passed on to me ☹️

I love sewing however I have pretty much taught Myself by watching You tube videos ..Debbie Shore is great and often adds craft makes from Bags to bunting

I have another youtuber that I think I am going to like, she does sewing knitting and spinning. I am watching a video of hers for the first time and have subscribed so I don`t lose her. It is raining and I have a coffee, lovely, relaxing

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mucrG1FThY&t=975s

there are some very cheap patterns available too, from russia but written in English

I downloaded top788 from grasser. I have not yet tried it but heard good reports about grasser. Their patterns are available in any bust and height sizes, this suits me as I am only 4`10 with a mature figure. It cost roughly £3.

en-grasser.com/vykrojki/all-patterns/knit-sweater-pattern-788/

It needs to be downloaded and I will print on A4. The sheets need to be sellotaped together and cut out. The patterns are not multi sized like most. Another russian co is lekala, also very cheap

Tilly and the buttons have some books with patterns, they are extremely popular for all levels of sewists. Lots of her makers on youtube. I have all her books. 5 or 6 paper patterns in each book and shop around for around £18

shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/books

I have made 3 billie sweatshirts, 2 coco dresses a lotta dress. Once you find the size that fits, then you can apply that fitting to all her patterns, after checking finished measurements

minerva have a new look sale, £4.37 and I get another 10% off that as I am a craft club member. I tend to buy my expensive fabrics in their sales. No wonder I have a humungous stash

www.minerva.com/posts/1119183

I am hugely fond of merchant and mills patterns, they have a very faithful following. I once saw their factory dress made in a quilting cotton, in a shop window, for over £200. The patterns look nothing, clothes photos look tatty but are not in real life. I have two factory dresses as well as several other items, All made in earthy cottons like linen, quilting cotton, chambray, denim. I started with trapeze, perfect for keeping cool

Just a last add. As we age we often get stooped slightly, when necklines can ride up at the front and can feel a bit uncomfortable. I adjust every neckline these days. I do a forward shoulder, to move the shoulder forward a bit and I also add a bit of length in the top back to allow for the difference in back to waist length. Both these adjustments are drawn on every single one of my patterns and I use a slide method, so that the armcye takes the adjustment without being changed

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJomOnlYmZA

I’ve just read all of this thread. It’s lovely! Such talent and knowledge. I can’t sew for toffee. No matter, I have zero interest in crafts of any kinds. My teacher at secondary school was a bit of a dragon. Mrs. Taylor. I kid you not.

Anyway I just wanted to let you all know how much I’ve enjoyed your posts. Maybe that’s why I enjoy watching The Sewing Bee when it’s on. I didn’t even know (why would I?) that there were such things as digital sewing machines...
?

Happy stitching everyone. ?