Is anyone sewing?

Love sewing. Currently making clothes for my holibobs.
Have occasional lulls in mojo but I usually do other crafts then 😁

I actually made a ‘mojo’ some time ago - a therapy item for Knit for Nowt - a sewn figure with flaps showing different faces, happy, sad, worried, angry, etc.
Only my sewing machine packed up on me before I’d finished - I had to do the rest by hand. 😩

Only just got it fixed (an ancient little Elna) after well over a year.
I used to make curtains etc. but do prefer knitting - at least partly because I don’t have all that paraphernalia on the dining table - so I’m sticking to that - for now anyway!

I haven't sewn for a while, but I would be most likely to sew some beautiful velvet cushions or some small household item, such as a carrier bag holder.

I used to sew clothes, but found it frustrating as I'd change size while sewing or the patterns weren't that nice. It's extremely expensive and time consuming. I don't have the patience anymore and I'd rather spend the money on something already made!

I don't actually love sewing, but I enjoy the results, so these days I prefer small projects for instant gratification or I'll alter clothes.

Maybe, lixy!

In my loft I have a small box of things that I've kept from when my DDs were small. There is a little dress that my Mum made for eldest DD (who is now 41!), rainbow colours with a lace overlay on the bodice, all French seams, even on the set-in sleeves. I have a studio photo of DD wearing it when she was about 18 months old. It is in perfect condition and I might give it to DGD who is now that age...it would be lovely to see her in it.

askAlice I have made some simple Summer dresses for the littlest GD. The nursery liked them because they were easy to put on and take off - ‘quick release’! But a sudden growth spurt meant she outgrew them in a couple of months, so now they are shared around the friends as yours are. I wonder if we’ll ever see any of them for sale on ‘Vinted’ or the like?!

I am trying to make a toile for a summer dress but so far failing. I have a simple pattern but I don't like the neckline so I'm trying to combine it with another pattern. I have some lovely fabric from some deconstructed vintage curtains. It's in great condition and has washed nicely. The quality of cotton we rarely see these days. Sadly summer will be over before it is made. Maybe for next year. I am also working on a stash busting quilt with random pieced squares made from the rag bag and white sashing from a duvet cover. It is together but needs more quilting and the edges binding. It is colourful. Possibly for littlest DGS (4) as he hasn't yet had a quilt.

they knew they were hand-made because there were no labels in them. they'd be thoroughly confused by my clothing makes then, I love putting a label in There are some lovely labels to be had. I especially like Sew Anonymous and Little Rosy Cheeks.

I love it that my grandaughter's nursery workers comment on the clothes that I make her. Simple tops, leggings, dresses and dungarees etc. but they have told my daughter that they are unique and they knew they were hand-made because there were no labels in them.

I've been asked by DD's friends if I would make some for their children - but I'm very nervous of doing that in case I don't meet their expectations. What I've said is that if I make something for my DGD that doesn't fit properly because she's grown quickly then DD can pass them on! She's done this a couple of times and I've had lovely thank you messages from her friends

I gave up making clothes years ago. I do patchwork, embroidery and crafty things, mostly by hand.
I had 4 daughters and made all their clothes and my own but haven’t ever sewn for grandchildren. Children’s clothes are so cheap to buy now.

My mum was a seamstress and I could do with her here now - I am being thoroughly frustrated by my lack of ability to get my head around lining a tweed skirt I am making for my daughter. I just cannot get it right and am thinking of actually giving up and putting it in a charity shop to get it out of my sight (but I hate giving up)! When I was younger I made quite a few clothing bits and pieces, but never a lined item. Now the old noggin is not co-operating.....

coralinestone That sounds lovely.

My eyes are going quite quickly, so when I sew now I wear a head lamp and some magnifying glasses. I look more like I'm going abseiling than sewing but never mind .

It took a while to get used to it, especially when using the sewing machine, but it helps having that bright light on the bit I'm sewing.

For many years, I've been passionate about bead embroidery. I used to design patterns with beautiful birds and flowers, as vibrant as those in my garden. Unfortunately, my eyesight deteriorated, and following my family and doctor's advice, I had to stop. However, I recently found a box with my creations, beads, and notes. Now, I want to pick up my needle and thread again and create beautiful things. My skills are still there. I'm ready to dedicate countless hours to crafting masterpieces. It brings me so much joy.

Thank you, vegansrock, that makes sense! I'll give it a go with some left-over fabric. I usually try to put sleeves in "on the flat" when I can, even with adult sized clothing, much easier to do than trying to put them in on the round.

When I re-started my sewing several years ago, I started by making patchwork cushion covers for the conservatory. I usually have a set of Spring/Summer, Autumn /Winter and Christmas ones. I threw out the A/W ones as they'd faded over the years so now I am rooting through my stash to make a new set. I love being seasonal and also have crochet throws that get changed. Haven't sewn myself anything to wear for about 40 years - too round and dumpling like now.

I am reupholstering some old chairs, never upholstered before but enjoying it, slow and steady. Quite a bit of sewing on them.

I make small cross body bags out of old jackets. I made a lovely beach bag out of my mother’s quilted bedspread. Yesterday I bought a gold embroidered Chinese dress in a charity shop which is also destined to be a bag.

The Remnant Shop in Harrogate has some lovely material. I dare not buy any more material. I’ve just finished a Kaffe Fasset quilt with material I’ve had for about 20 years. I’ve some tweed samples that I’ve had for years and intend to make a tote next.

I have ordered 2 x 2.5m lengths, soft patterned cotton. With postage it will be £28 and I am waiting for a paypal link to pay. Fingers crossed as I have heard that the fabric is very good. It is not very wide hence the longer lengths, I have not bought coat lining yet as I I need to see what the quality is like and check how much I need

I have heard good reports about this fabric company in india

itokri.com/

I am browsing it now, could do with some fabric suitable for lining or for an atelier jupe blouse

There is a drop down at the top which shows the price in ££ a

Thankyou Marydoll. I don't always wear my woolly hat but I know what you mean 😉

askalice when making dolls clothes it’s easier to finish the sleeve / hem before you sew the seams up - so finish the hems when flat , also put the sleeves in before sewing up the side and sleeve seams Hope that makes sense.

granetanteJE65 I've always fancied having a go at dolls' clothes with the scraps of fabric I have left over. How do you manage to do the hems on tiny sleeves and trouser legs though? It's difficult enough on the clothes I make for my young GC, let alone a small doll!

Any tips much appreciated!!

I am cack handed so although I used to sew I stopped because my mother and sister were excellent needlewomen an were always trying to 'help ' me by telling me where I was going wrong.

But DD is sewing enthusiast and can set her hand to anything and she encouraged me on the basis, that if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly (think about it) and so encouraged I have made lots of soft furnishings, including soft covers for a Knole settee. None of them made perfectly, but all perfectly adequate, providing no one looks at them too carefully.

With autumn coming, I plan seat cushions for new dining table, pockets in a summer dress and, with the house for sale and another house beckoning a very feast of curtain making.

If we buy the house we hope there is a small room at the front upstairs, sandwiched between 2 other bedrooms, the size of a good sized cupboard and I have determined that that room will be my sewing room.

Twinnytwin, I am like you, obsessed by sewing, it is so relaxing and keeps me busy, keeping loneliness as a widow away. My aim was to make everything in my wardrobe, not buy anything and so far I am just about there. My next big project is a pilar jacket, I will be taking my time, I have cut it out btw I leave the pattern pieces on while I work my way through a garment. It is in a heavy cord

I am getting through stash now and have my eye on 3.5m of beautiful red boiled wool, bought from Germany in 2012. I packed it away in a moth-proof bag and kept moving it from place to place. I am now sourcing a coat pattern and have my eye on two, I have both in my sewing room, first is new look, which I sourced last week

thefoldline.com/products/new-look-coats-n6767?_pos=1&_fid=2c6f638a4&_ss=c

also the september coat by merchant and mills, which I also own

I love merchant and mills clothes which always fit me well and are lovely to wear, either way I am going to have to do a toile to check fit, I have calico and will not risk wasting the boiled wool

I like reading about everyone's sewing adventures too - maybe it will inspire me to get started again