Folks who sew, I have £10 left of my birthday money

[lucysmam]

What shall I buy myself that's going to be useful? Or shall I buy something to make?

I'm using the other £15 for an iron and metre ruler 'cos a cereal box does not work very well

I'm open to any suggestions

How about a couple of extra feet for your machine? A walking foot and maybe a 1/4 inch or zipper foot?

Or some lovely printed bias tape!

Pinking shears (if on offer?).
Bias binding maker?
A long tape measure?
Sewing gauge?

If you haven't already, get the metal ruler from a DIY place - so much cheaper!

Extra feet are a dream, it's a very cheap machine & the foot it has doesn't come off

Oh, thanks for the tip about getting a ruler from a diy shop! I'd never have thought to look there.

Bias binding maker is not a bad idea! I seem to have used a lot of it since I started sewing again.

Or pretty bias tape...although too pretty & I'd just leave it to sit and look pretty iyswim

A quilters ruler is invaluable, see through, strong and measured in useful increments.

I shall have a google, thanks Macca.

It's one of my favourite bits of kit, along with a decent rotary cutter and cutting board. I am a quilter and these things are bloody amazing and vital!

I haven't tried quilting before. I do have plans for a Stampylongnose one for dd1 for Christmas though (gives me plenty of time for the other bits I'm doing if I plan for the end of the year ).

Would a rotary cutter be useful for dressmaking too?

I'm slooooowly trying to build my kit up again - a lot of it has vanished in various house moves since I last stitched anything

Which rotary cutter would you get for about 12? Was looking at the fiskars one at JL and now it's sold out

I have an Olfa, I like the safety slidey uppy thing (technical term)

Prym looks the same only more expensive

I've got a fiskars which is great and the replacement blades are quite reasonable :)

What type of sewing do you do?

For me a treat would be embroidery threads or some new fabric.

But right now I've been practising my drawing to improve the designs I do for my embroidery, so I'd buy some charcoal and paper.

Not necessarily a helpful suggestion for you, but more an encouragement to think laterally about what you might want to buy. It's not always the obvious stuff.

Hoog, you do have a point. I haven't bought anything yet.

I like sewing clothes - costumes really, always have been fascinated with historical fashion.

I debated a metre ruler, basic skirt and bodice blocks and set of dressmakers curves if I can squeeze them out of what I have.

It depends on what type of sewing you want to do and what you think you'd get the most use from. If you're wanting to make your own patterns a set of curves is useful. I use mine a lot but never use a quilters ruler as I rarely quilt. For the same reason I don't use a rotary cutter as shears work better for me for the type of sewing I do. Skirt and bodice blocks you can draft yourself. Have a look at your library for pattern drafting books. Winifred Aldrichs books are good. She does a children's one as well. My blocks are drafts from this. If you draft your own you will need curves as it's a lot easier than doing it freehand. At least for me - I seem to incapable of drawing anything remotely curvey freehand. Helen Joseph Armstrong is also good but a bit more advanced. It would be worth doing your own as it's pretty easy and it's customised to your measurements. And saves quite a bit to buy fabric with!

And definitely look in DIY shops for a metre ruler. Mine cost about 5 quid from B and Q

I had basic blocks years ago but no idea where they've gone.

I'm currently making a pattern from an existing dress to do book day costumes from which made me think the blocks would have been useful, and the curves for the armholes.

I'll have a look at the books you've recommended, thank-you. It would be handy to be able to re-adjust them as the girls grow more.