Is it fine to do simple clothing alterations by hand?

[smallglassbottle]

Anybody else do minor clothing alterations, hems etc. by hand?

I have late Mil's sewing machine and it's fine, but I just can't set it up and I get muddled and tangled up. I can hand sew fine. I need some hems and whatnot doing. Is it okay to do by hand or should I really make an effort with the sewing machine? I'm not naturally gifted when it comes to fabrics 😬

At 5ft 1in,all my clothes require shortening. I always tack everything by hand first. I had a beautiful machine a cooper, German make,had it for my 15 birthday,60 years ago. It was metal,big,I used it a lot. Only ever had 2 new foot pedals and a new motor, which didn't match my lovely turquoise machine. It went wrong about 8 years ago, I couldn't access parts, ended up with a little plastic Toyota. A few months ago, found somewhere for parts but too late now..

Video him showing you how to use it.

Hemming by hand is usually better anyway. Press it after. Machine is better for weight bearing parts - shoulder straps for example. I also tend to use a machine for shortening jeans.

If the machine is being difficult it might be that a service could help. It would make sure tensions are right etc. But that is probably £80+ these days.

I love a bit of hand sewing, very relaxing. I've recently had to take up two pairs of trousers and 3 dresses as I find so many clothes too long on me. I've even altered a top to make it more boxy in shape. All Vinted bargains I hadn't tried on!

I was surprised to find out a lot of couture sewing is done by hand rather than machine.

You can do invisible hems by hand, whereas with a machine straight stitch you would have a visible row of stitching.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=pbiQt9RJg2Q&pp=0gcJCWQCo7VqN5tD&ra=m

My last machine service cost £150

Ouch! I paid £75 last year

Is it an expensive machine? You can buy some machines for less than that.
My machine (Bernina) needs a service but I think I might buy another one instead.

do you worry about everything in your life to this extent?

I am honestly not saying this to be critical or get at you, but it doesn't seem healthy to be so concerned about such a minor issue that you need reassurance from strangers on the internet, to the extent it seems like there must be more to it? Are you scared your DH will be angry with you if you don't use the machine?

And on the subject of hand vs machine hemming, I challenge anyone to watch the opening sequence of GBSB and not get enraged.

I'm very handy with a sewing machine, but often mend and hem by hand. If a seam will have stress put on it though, then the machine is better.

As long as the hem stays up, nobody cares! I've been known to use a stapler for hem emergencies at work! 😆

I do hemming and small alterations by hand, eg lifting shoulders, darts, repairs. I have got a machine and I do use it for big jobs, but can’t be bothered to heave it out and set it up for what would a 10 minute job handsewing.

No, I was just curious if others did things by hand. Dh always tries to get me to use the machine, but then things sit in the wardrobe unworn because they need fixing. I want to just do stuff by myself without his input.

I have chased him away and I'm doing it by hand. It needs taking in 10cm either side and I've doubled the hem over to prevent fraying. It's probably wrong, but I'm giving it a go anyway. It's just a charity shop top, so no harm done.

And it will probably look neater. When I learned to sew at school, a very long time ago, we had to do all hems and buttonholes by hand.

A general rule for threading a machine is to start with your reel of thread at the furthest right and pass through everything right to left until you reach the needle which is left to right. Machines usually have a pathway printed on them. Also for winding bobbins.

If it’s with a removable bobbin case you might be working blind but there is only one way to insert it properly (my favorite system).
If it’s a drop-in bobbin you can get snarled up more easily but they’re quick to insert.

I agree you can video the next time DH sets it up. At a pinch you could knot on your new thread and watch how it moves through the machine, but stop before the needle! Breaking a needle can be scary so get DH to change and check them.

Don’t bother about fancy stitches, just make a few easy projects like drawstring bags, pillow cases etc. that need only straight stitching.
I used to stitch up the DCs’ trousers with a folded line of machine stitching above the knee, keeping the original hem. They grew so fast it wasn’t worth doing it by hand.
IKEA tablecloths are too long for my table. Cut to the right length and make napkins from the excess. Or make your own in 20 minutes from a thrifted duvet cover.
I’ve made separates from dresses, sized clothes down, shortened jeans by reattaching the hem, and mashed together sweatshirts with blouse collars, all by machine.

And machine patchwork is a creative universe where you only use straight stitches!

I do a mix of each depending on what needs doing and convenience.

My late nan had a Bernina,it was so complicated it came with a woman demonstrator..DH who was a vehicle technician services my machine,he even did some sewing a couple of years ago. We have a summer house, but have to keep tools in the back,he made wall to wall floor to ceiling curtains,to conceal them. I am very good at hand sewing, absolutely invisible.

OP have you a photo of the sewing machine? Someone is bound to be familiar with it.
Invisible hemming by hand is great but a topstitch hem like on jeans or a blouse is x 100 quicker and easier by machine.

I haven't read any of the answers yet. Of course it's all right to use hand-sewing. There was a time when a machined hem was the pits. Haute couture would have used hand stitching I think.

I think it would be laudable to make something completely by hand. I would say that, wouldn't I, because I once made a simple top which was all hand-sewn.

It's okay, the instruction booklet is with the machine and dh is very technical, so he's showed me several times how to thread it etc. I just have a mental block about sewing machines.

I have finished taking in the top. It's adequate 😂 can't see any stitches and won't fall to bits hopefully. It does now fit. I'm going to take a dress up tomorrow 😬 it's not a cheap dress, so here's hoping it's okay. I'm going to hand stitch this one too.

I would love to make a top.

Nisan, of Closet Core patterns, is a big fan of hand sewn garments.
Making a Fully Hand Sewn Shirt — The Social Fabric https://share.google/U8Xb5amib4I2hJkdb

What ever is easiest and gives a neat result.. Surely that's what you'd go for

I sometimes hem things by hand as it’s easier than using the sewing machine.