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

[IDontMindMarmite]

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.

I love sewing. I've made kids clothes and pj's. I enjoy traditional techniques also - such as smocking. I'd love a group chat x

Oh and count me into the club too

I can pretty much make it alter anything. I just KNOW how. what an AMAZING skill - I’d love that!

I’ve done a couple of classes and can confidently do a cushion, put a zip in etc. I tried a large lined set of curtains over lockdown, but had trouble when hemming over a long length, it always puckered where the underneath and the top didn’t seem to move through the machine at the same speed. Tried altering the weight of the foot but no joy. Trying again with a smaller length today.

Very interested in overlocker foot as thought I’d need a whole different machine for that!

I aspire to pockets one day. For now I am keeping it simple. Patterns are so expensive, but I am reusing the trouser one. I also bought a magazine - I think it was £10 that came with a load of simple to make patterns. Even on ebay they are pricey so the magazine worked out as really good value.

I am also learning to choose fabrics more carefully. I love a nice cotton. So easy to sew. I stupidly chose one that was quite flimsy and slippery and that was a nightmare to cut accurately.

I sew! I'm trying to get a little bit done every day or two as find it really helps my mental health. Recent projects are a beautiful sky blue dungaree corduroy twirly dress with a tiny lace trim for DD (6) and a deep green Christmas wrap dress for me with pockets. I've held off sewing for me since last baby was born as my figure isn't what it used to be, but I've realised that being dressed in clothes I hate won't help my self esteem or weight loss attempts. Would love to join in!

1990’s.

It’s just experience and doing pattern cutting that did it.

I started off knowing not much! But l do think some people have a flair for it.

Interesting story: ( or maybe not!) l was adopted and grew up in a very academic family. I was making dolls clothes age 5 on my own. No one in my birth family could see.

When l met my birth mother the one time, who l actually didn’t like, she told me her mother was a tailoress/dressmaker of some reknown.

Nature v nurture

No one in my birth family could sew!

Just joining in. Lovely to have some sewing chat.
I 'found' sewing during the first lockdown and had a few simple successes including skirts with pockets which I love!
Mojo has gone a bit, I think because I struggle with some aspects. My accuracy isn't great and my finish isn't as neat as I'd like it to be.
However I've got some lovely fabric and probably just need to start a project and I'll find myself fully engrossed again and try to build my skills in the process.

Interning the concept of an overlocker foot so will do some research on that.

I'll try to post a few pictures later of a project that is awaiting completion. It's a pinafore dress but I'm nervous of doing the hem (and making a mess of it)

Argh! Previous post should say I'm interested in the concept of an overlocker foot

Toomuchlikemyusername, pressing is the answer to give a professional finish. Press everything all the time.

In industry garments are steam pressed all the time at every stage and then a huge steam press at the end ( well maybe not in Primark..)

remember once you have pressed the polycotton thread will fuse so it will be harder to unpick....

Plus Gutterman now do recycled thread - which I am massively excited about but I cant buy as I already have enough thread to last until the next millennium

@Halsall

Thanks for this, *@IDontMindMarmite* - very happy to accept the invitation. I don't know how usefully I can contribute but I'd be interested in a group chat and am keen to learn more. I've been making things off and on for years but it's been sporadic and despite possessing 5 sewing machines I definitely need motivation !

Great thread *@IDontMindMarmite*!

I am more of a small crafter rather than clothing. I made some hand warmers recently (filled with rice) and a larger one for warming the bed (cold feet) and warming my hands when doing cross stitch. I have been making sock animals by mostly hand sewing (much easier when using fluffy socks).

Delighted to hear that another Sewing Bee is in the offing. Is it usually during the misterable February that it starts?

I'm also ridiculously excited that I've learnt how to use bias binding. I hate hemming with a passion so I've just made childrens aprons, for Christmas presents, and edged them with bias binding. Next project is cushions with piping

I love bias binding. Could spend hours just looking at it

In theory I sew but DD is a PITA, she stops me doing it and then out grows or won't wear things I make her!

But she's just rediscovered a love for being in a carrier and I made most of mine but she loves the one that first the worst and I think I'm going to make a new one from scratch in a slightly bigger size

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

I’ve been sewing since 5. I’m 57.

Degree in fashion and 10 years a pattern cutter. I can pretty much make it alter anything. I just KNOW how. I was making my own clothes at 7 or 8. And again in my teens without patterns. I just used to cut into the fabric. This kind of scares me now.

Use safety pins when pinning for alterations. They don’t move round as much.

Looking forward to this thread.

Please apply to the Sewing Bee, I'd love a mnetter to root for and I have a feeling you'd wipe the floor with 'em

My machine has an overlocker stitch but it is painfully slow. When I was sewing scrubs in the spring I discovered that if you use the zigzag stitch you get a much neater result with the overlocker foot but it doesn’t take all day as the actual overlock stitch does.

I have done all sorts of sewing over the years. Currently I do a lot of historical costume for reenactment. My best project this year has been a heavyweight canvas awning for outdoor socializing - I wanted to make it suitable for reenactment as well. It turns out that where a modern electric sewing machine can’t cope with canvas, a 1940 handcranked Singer (my grandma’s) can do it without blinking.
I am considering making a tent...

My grandma's treadle sewing machine, bought for 11 guineas in the early 1900s - I have the receipt somewhere - could take anything she wanted to sew. My electric sewing machine sometimes has to be coaxed with different tensions and needles; not so grandma's machine - one needle for everything and cotton thread. I was so fed up of my overlock foot taking all afternoon to do one seam I bought an overlocker...

I'm here too thanks for the message invite

Old sewing machines are absolutely wonderful things. The fact that they have been around in some cases for literally a hundred years and are still sewing beautifully with minimal maintenance is incredible.

Old sewing machines have so much extra heft, I think. My old warhorse of a Toyota will put up with things (such as bulky seams and change of thickness) that my modern Singer baulks at, largely because the Toyota has far more metal parts and weighs a great deal more.

I can’t. I’m also a Textiles teacher and ‘professionals’ can’t apply.

I’d make mincemeat of the stuff on there😂

When I was sewing scrubs in the spring I discovered that if you use the zigzag stitch you get a much neater result with the overlocker foot but it doesn’t take all day as the actual overlock stitch does

That's interesting. I find that my overlocking (just with the overlocking foot, not with an overlocking machine) makes the edge wavy - I think it does too much - puts too much cotton onto the edge - and there is no way of adjusting it. On the other hand, mine doesn't take all day; it's quite fast. I've got a basic Janome machine, and I'm thinking that maybe I should have gone for something a bit more sophisticated.

God l hated seeing scrubs so much. My brain has been scarred for ever😖so has my family l think.

I'm in. I have so many projects on the go but haven't touched any for months - quilts, top, cushion covers, khaki play den for a child who is now at secondary...

Would love a sew-along for pjs