Help with sewing machine needed and converting normal bras in to nursing bras

[AccidentalLentil]

I figured altering and maybe even making a few things could save me some pennies. I was given a sewing machine many moons ago, I want to get it down from the loft and up and running. But I haven't used one since middle school and I can't really remember much about setting it up (ie putting all the tread on/in etc.) I'm sure I'll be well away when I get the hang of it again.

Can you recommend a basic sewing book for beginners and one that covers sewing machines too? Maybe a good website?

Also does anyone know how to convert a normal bra in to a nursing bra? And where could I buy the little clips?

I'm not if this would work - there is quite a lot of structural engineering required! I have a load of barely worn nursing bras you could have if you want. What size are you?

I bought the clips from ebay I think. I couldn't find a decent supportive bra while breast feeding. I copied from a bra I already had, cut the straps and sewed the clips in.

As for setting up your sewing machine, its not something I could describe, only do. Try looking on .

What Beryl said. I've got heaps of hardly worn nursing bras I'd be happy to pass on if you let us know your size. Got to be easier than a DIY job :)

Those clips look a bit like the ones from suspender belts, and they sell those in my local haberdashery. Are you sure your regular bras will fit, though?

You can buy stocking clips in the haberdashery section of Dunelm cheaply, they are identical to nursing bra clips.

I've definitely seen an online tutorial for this, but can't remember where sorry. I'm sure google would find it.

Thank You.
Especially to those of you offering to send your bras on. I'm 34 D if, so if you have any that size I would be very grateful.
I have managed to find a local sewing machine shop that runs classes but as DD is only 9 weeks, it will have to wait. In the mean time I'll have a hunt for the manual but I think it's long gone or fallen it to another box in the loft. And as one of you said there's always you tube.

I did this for DS Christening. I have large boobs and the soft cup nursing bras were nowhere near flattering enough to wear with my "smart" clothes

I bought an underwired bra that I made sure fitted me really well - it was a Freya brand. I also made sure that the cups were not too full so that I could get each boob out easily.

I then dismantled an old nursing bra for the clips and string/elastic things that stop you losing the strap.

www.venusianglow.com/2009/06/diy-transform-your-regular-bra-into.html

This is a similar tutorial to what I did, but I unpicked the bra at the seam rather than cut the straps. I also machine stiched the seams because I didnt trust my crappy handstiching.

The best sewing book is "The readers digest book of sewing" I managed to find one after a 2yr hunt of local charity shops but it was worth it. It covers every single part of sewing and is suitable for all abilities. It can be very expensive on amazon, but I think it might now also be sold under a new title for a reasonable sum.

There are lots of great blogs out there. Sewmamasew is a great blog to start with. On the lefthand side, there is a catagories menu full of different tutorials from all over blogland.