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Arts and crafts

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...

967 replies

IDontMindMarmite · 15/11/2020 09:05

Now I know when the Sewing Bee is on, there are loads of super talented ladies who would be a gold mine of information! It'd be great if we could gather. Maybe even have a section to ourselves in "In the club". If this thread doesn't die a death anyway. Please say I if you are in favour!

So over lockdown the sequel, I thought i'd actually get my sewing machine out. I sound like someone who has a clue - I don't. I was gifted a sewing machine years ago. I've made two pairs of curtain tie backs since. I've been to a class or two (made a cushion under supervision! And a canvas bag) but can't say i've truly got the hang. It's getting my head round the machine more than anything. It scares me!

Now though, i've decided to tackle mal fitting clothing. I've put darts in DH's shirts using youtube tutorials. I'd like to adjust some of my tops but would love someone to ask - do you only dart shirts? Youtube tutorials for tops like I have do a different method where you pin and sew a new side seam. Also, can I just use pinking shears to trim the excess fabric instead of doing a final zigzag stitch or is that too lazy?

Any general chat welcomed.

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Iggly · 22/11/2020 21:46

@MoonlightInVermont

On the subject of feet, I’ve been dithering for a long time about whether to buy a walking foot - I get on ok without one, but suspect life might be a bit easier with. I’ve just bought one from the Singer Outlet site in a Black Friday deal which includes several other feet for little more than the cost of the walking foot. I do like buying kit ...
I bought one of those kits from the singer outlet - I got it for the walking foot - but the foot broke! The quality didn’t feel great (I was making my first quilt). Not sure what I did wrong 😭

Inspire upthread, I’ve bought the paper cut Sapporo coat pattern and trying it out on some cheap wool mix fabric I bought a while ago. I’ve never made a coat before 😬

IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 21:48

Welcome allgirls

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IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 21:51

Ooh best of luck iggly, I'd be interested to hear how you get on. It's a beautiful style. I wonder is it supposed to be lined? If not, it would have to be a fairly heavy fabric? The fabric up thread looks beautiful.

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PickAChew · 22/11/2020 22:02

Boiled wool is lightweight and can stand not being lined. I do think a lining generally looks nicer, though and helps it keep its shape better. I'm often Shock when I'm having a feel of the stuff in Fenwick's French Salon (no idea if they still call it that) and I look at a £400 unlined coat.

Iggly · 22/11/2020 22:03

The pattern says it’s lined - so I’ve also got some cheap material for that.
I’m going to have to make a tailors ham as well for pressing the seams.

First step, I’ve cut the pieces and fused them... haven’t started sewing - with work tomorrow, it’ll be little bits here and there as I never have much time in the week! I’ve also got to sew some dolls clothes for DD (her birthday in less than 2 weeks and must not get distracted 😂)

MoonlightInVermont · 22/11/2020 22:10

Hello, Allgirls. It’s funny, isn’t it, how we each have our Achilles heels? I’m not bothered by buttonholes (although seldom need to do them when quilting) but am scared of knits.

Oh dear, Iggly. I was hoping that by buying the walking foot from Singer it would be of decent quality as well as fitting the machine. Hey ho.

Iggly · 22/11/2020 22:23

I may have been unlucky- the other feet seem fine!

BitOfFun · 22/11/2020 22:58

I've got the Singer walking foot, and mine has been absolutely fine!

MoonlightInVermont · 22/11/2020 23:00

Time will shortly tell ...!

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 23:32

I've fallen down a machine browsing rabbit hole.

Mine is the brother FS60. Got it heavily reduced when it was discontinued and it's a fully featured but light weight machine - and the light weight aspect has made itself apparent, this week! I can't see it lasting if I keep on using it as heavily as I am, now.

If anyone here has an above entry level machine and loves it, what do you recommend? I'm not interested in machine embroidery and don't really quilt but wouldn't rule out the capability to do fairly basic quilting.

This appeals, though not sure if I'd use the knee lever. www.johnlewis.com/janome-dc7100-sewing-machine/p2419091

MoonlightInVermont · 22/11/2020 23:40

I've been spending some time down the same rabbithole, PickAChew. I get pretty decent results from my Singer but I'd like something with more heft and a few more bells and whistles. Friends who sew for a living tell me to buy a Bernina, but those I've been looking at cost the same as a small car. I do wish I'd traded up at the start of lockdown because I have done so much sewing over the last few months.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 23:46

Yes, heft is what I'm after - and maybe adjustable foot pressure. I'm hypermobile and appreciate the light weight for that but won't if it breaks by Christmas. Bernina appears to be posh Singer, from my searches. You seem to have to go quite expensive with some of the volvo brands to get things like the speed limiter, which I can no longer imagine not having.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 23:48

And lockdown availability is what is stopping me from making an impulse purchase. This machine was a black friday deal but I don't tink we'll get those deals, this year.

MoonlightInVermont · 23/11/2020 00:07

It's hard to know, isn't it? Because I've always used quite basic machines, I've never felt the need for fancier features until I've got them, when suddenly they seem indispensible. I fear my search for more heft may be doomed, in that much of what gave the older machines their heft (I think) is the amount of metal used in their construction, and newer machines - even the Berninas - seem to be almost entirely plastic.

PickAChew · 23/11/2020 00:08

I did find a machine that I thought should be gold plated, at the price.

Turns out it was.

www.tullyssewingmachines.co.uk/product/bernina-790-plus-ae/

MoonlightInVermont · 23/11/2020 00:13

Don't know whether to laugh or cry, but if Bernina would like to lend me one I'll report back. My aunt used to say (40 years ago) that the best machines were Frister and Rossmann. Are they still around, I wonder?

PickAChew · 23/11/2020 00:24

They have a modernish machine but I cn't see it for sale. Looks as plasic as the rest.

This person clearly wants a quick sale :o
www.gumtree.com/p/arts-crafts/walking-foot-leather-portable-sewing-machine-%C2%A3450/1360380771

PickAChew · 23/11/2020 00:33

First listed a year ago :o

MoonlightInVermont · 23/11/2020 00:49

Ha! And now the bar at the top of my screen is full of sewing machines and overlockers.

TheClitterati · 23/11/2020 01:19

@Iggly I've made the saporro coat - it's super easy. I made mine in leopard print with a bright lining and get loads of comments on it. I wear it lots. I have some gold brocade vintage curtains lined up for my next one.

Only change I'd make is perhaps increase the pocket size.

TheClitterati · 23/11/2020 01:38

theassemblylineshop.com/

The link to the free pj pattern released today if anyone would like it. I will made some for Dds for Xmas.

drspouse · 23/11/2020 04:59

Lovely patterns but ££££!

ElGuardiandenoche · 23/11/2020 06:55

I have a second hand Bernina1230 and I absolutely adore it. It’s built like a tank and tackles just about anything I can throw at it.

PickAChew · 23/11/2020 08:56

@TheClitterati

https://theassemblylineshop.com/

The link to the free pj pattern released today if anyone would like it. I will made some for Dds for Xmas.

Brrr! She does well to be wearing thick socks!

That does meet the heft credentials, @elguardiandenoche

IDontMindMarmite · 23/11/2020 09:16

In a nice leaf print, they'd be great for summer pjs.

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