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Original poster

Sewing help please

31 replies

janeite · 21/02/2009 22:05

Some of you might remember that I bought my dds a sewing machine for Christmas, even though I have no idea how to use one.

Well today I helped dd1 to make a skirt! We just bought some really wide black elastic and then gathered up some material, which we stitched to the elastic and then up the side in a side-seam. It looks absolutely gorgeous on her and we both feel very proud! Even better - it cost only £1 for the elastic and 50p for the fabric from the market - so it is a real credit-crunch achievement!

SO - does anybody know any websites that might help two complete novices carry on with sewing?

Thanks ever so....

OP posts:
Original poster
janeite · 21/02/2009 22:45

Hopeful Bump before I go to bed?

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SueW · 21/02/2009 22:56

Well done!

No suggestions for sites but DD is making a school bag for her art homework. We;ve been out and bought the bits today but it has not been remotely credit-crunchy!

TinkerBellesMumandFiFi2 · 21/02/2009 23:13

There is a mailing list I used to get, I can't remember who from. Will have a look and see if I can find it.

There used to be a monthly magazine, don't know if it's still going, that prints loads of patterns and has other sewing projects in it.

Well done on the skirt and what a bargain!

Nontoxic · 21/02/2009 23:16

fantastic! Try looking at www.stitchclub.co.uk - don't think they do free patterns but they have classes in various areas.

Original poster
janeite · 22/02/2009 13:17

Thanks so much, all.

Sue - dd is also going to be making a school bag this half term. We got a metre of fabric for a pound and some cheap ribbon but I was surprised at how much felt squares cost nowadays.

Tinks - I think you and I live in the same city, so if you happen to know of anything/where local I should try that would be great.

Nontoxic - off to have a look at that site now.

Any more ideas please anyone?

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SueW · 22/02/2009 13:40

janeite - we bought half a metre each of cotton drill and contrasting patterned light cotton to make a pocket, a piece of interfacing and a felt square - cost about £7. Ouch. Then a piece of felt and some trim from another shop - about £4!!!

She's a fair way into doing it and it'll be great I'm sure when it's done, and completely unique but considering she bought a lovely bag for £3.99 from H&M this week.....!!

Have a look at Wild Ginger for some freebies. We picked up one of their sample CDs at a sewing show a couple ofyears ago (the current bag is DD's own design though)

TinkerBellesMumandFiFi2 · 22/02/2009 16:02

Unfortunately we don't live in the best area for it. I think Blossomfield do a Saturday morning children's class, but it's been a long time since I looked.

chegirl · 22/02/2009 16:16

There is a new mag out called 'sew hip' or similar. I havent got it yet cos I am trying not to spend on mags (bit of a bad habit of mine). Looks quite funky though.

I live in an area great for fabric but rubbish for patterns. Has online got any better for that? Last time I looked it was hopeless.

I learnt to sew when my big kids were little. It was great cos I was proper poor then. Then kids clothes got cheaper than the fabric and I gave up. I bought a new machine last year and I am going to start again with my new little ones. (they wont mind elasticated waists and no pockets!)

Original poster
janeite · 22/02/2009 16:25

Thanks everybody.

I don't really want patterns, as I haven't a clue how to follow them. A class sounds a very good idea though and the adult ed courses here are quite good, if I can find one that will also accept a teenager.

I just seem to remember seeing a few things online where young girls had made their own skirts etc and then posted how to do it. Now that I want them, I don't know what to put in the search engine to find them!

Tinks - what is Blossomfields please?

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Original poster
janeite · 22/02/2009 16:26

Will have a look for the mag.

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MrsMuddles · 22/02/2009 16:39

Libraries are good for sewing and craft books, if you find a good one then you can buy it from Amazon second-hand.

TinkerBellesMumandFiFi2 · 22/02/2009 16:47

The college in Solihull.

How old is your daughter? Some colleges will allow a teen to join an adults Saturday or evening class.

Nontoxic · 22/02/2009 17:47

Amazon have a book called 'Yeah, I made it Myself' - I don 't have it, but it has good reviews. Also one called 'I want to make my own clothes'.

Original poster
janeite · 22/02/2009 19:40

DD1 is 14, so I'm hoping I'll be able to get her into an adult ed class if I go too.

Will have a look at books in the bookshop and then probably order on Amazon as likely to be cheaper.

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EachPeachPearMum · 22/02/2009 20:49

the website you want is craftster go to community, and you can see people's own projects there. partic 'recrafting' and 'sewing'

there are some saturday am classes in sparkhill, but need to strt at beginning of term, so would be after easter.

they have 'yeah, i made it myself' at k h library... so you could easily reserve it (i have borrowed, was quite good)

sorry- 1 handed typing

TinkerBellesMumandFiFi2 · 22/02/2009 22:08

Maybe we should start our own crafters circle, looks like four already.

Original poster
janeite · 23/02/2009 17:16

Thanks EachPeach - how's it going?

I spent aaaaages on Craftster last night: tis fab! I have also fallen totally in love with this gorgeous blog.

Tinkerbellesmum - a crafters' circle sounds great but I think I would be much worse than anybody else and have to sit in the corner with a silly hat on!

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EachPeachPearMum · 23/02/2009 20:19

Hi Janeite! Things are fine, though in a crazy random newborn way!

Miaou has a good blog -here she makes awesome bags, gewgaws, and beautiful vestments for vicars...

There are loads and You could spend a lifetime looking at them, drooling.
Some favourites:
Wee Wonderfuls
Allsorts
my little mochi
Molly Chicken
Moonstitches

They go all the way from simple, straightforward to highly advanced but gorgeous stuff.

You might also find flickr useful- there are lots of crafting 'pools' with links to peoples' blogs too- loads of inspiration on there. Again... can waste a whole lifetime on there

SueW · 23/02/2009 21:00

I've just added two pics of DD's now finished art project/school bag.

Original poster
janeite · 23/02/2009 22:11

Sue - wow! The bag is fantastic. Clever dd!

Off topic - but is that you in the pic of the hair? Fab colour!

EachPeach - glad to hear all is well. Thanks for the blog links: I have whiled away a very happy hour but I have to stop now before I start getting totally irrational desires - I could stamp my feet with how much I want one of those Coraline boxes on the "Little Mochi" site!

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TinkerBellesMumandFiFi2 · 23/02/2009 23:42

I'm a fashion designer but my back wouldn't put up with me doing much more than designing for long! I don't mind helping people out though

TinkerBellesMumandFiFi2 · 23/02/2009 23:44

Sue, I love the bag!

SueW · 24/02/2009 05:52

janeite yes the hair is me. Thanks - I love my hair colour too!!

Thanks for compliments to DD -I'll show her later. I'm v impressed with what she managed. I hope her teacher likes it.

EachPeachPearMum · 24/02/2009 11:29

Those Coraline boxes are amazing! I haven't read Coraline actually

TBM- I had no idea you were a designer! Wow

SueW- bag is really great (and hair is v nice too!)

Dior · 24/02/2009 11:31

There is also a craft site called Crafter...oo where everyone is really friendly.