franciscanheart Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I decided to sew a real article of clothing (almost on a whim) yesterday (for real use, not stage use) and it was quite the adventure. For materials I had fabric (semi-stretchy, tan material), a pattern, three pairs of defective scissors, a bright green highlighter, two straight pins, two sewing needles (used as pins), and one sewing machine with white thread. My extra fabric looks like it went through a shredder - twice. There was a lot of kneeling on corners and stretching fabric to match lengths. Everything considered, it's not THAT bad. (I'll post a picture, maybe, later.) And it was a lot cheaper than buying it at a department store. The only problem was the time. It was about a six to seven hour project with breaks for confession and babysitting. Here's my question: Are there any secrets to learning to sew quickly? How long does it take before your clothes DON'T look like you made them yourself? And how the heck do you figure out sizes? I got paranoid and went a size bigger than I had planned and it was still a good five inches too large in the waist. (I also assume that I used more fabric than was allowed for in the pattern since I'm new and needed a lot of room at the end to hang on to.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xTrishaxLynnx Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 [quote name='hugheyforlife' post='1118646' date='Nov 13 2006, 12:37 AM'] Here's my question: Are there any secrets to learning to sew quickly? [color="#3366FF"][b]Watch someone do it, have them explain to you what they're doing. There might be helpful books, also.[/b][/color] How long does it take before your clothes DON'T look like you made them yourself? [b][color="#3366FF"]As you get use to reading and following patterns, and more comfortable with the sewing machine you're using, your seams will improve drastically, and your clothes will look more professional.[/color][/b] And how the heck do you figure out sizes? I got paranoid and went a size bigger than I had planned and it was still a good five inches too large in the waist. (I also assume that I used more fabric than was allowed for in the pattern since I'm new and needed a lot of room at the end to hang on to.) [color="#3366FF"][b]The patterns should come with guides that will tell you where to measure, then you match up your measurements with the closest size on their chart. If the pattern doesn't come with a chart, call the number on the package or see if they have a website. Once you learn to do it following the pattern exactly, you'll be able to alter the pattern to make the clothes fit you better (like if two out of three measurements fit the chart numbers for a medium shirt, but the last one is bigger or smaller, you'll be able to take off or add to the pattern to allow for the adjustment.)[/b][/color] [/quote] I don't know if any of that will actually help... but there it is anyway. : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Other than junior high home ec., I have only sewn one item-- a cute jumper for HSdaughter when she was about two. I was under the direction of my mother in law. It was hard. I gave up sewing anything else having gotten it out of my system. btw, I though the subject was "Does anyone stew" and I was thinking, 'yes, but what do you care?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I have sewn about 549 heart-shaped pillows, some edged with lace, some not. I have also tried clothing. It ended up looking lumpy and ugly. I have since determined that my free time is better used in other pursuits, such as watching television. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Being it was your first time and if its wearable you should give yourself a thumbs up Rule of thumb for beginners though, is never use stretchy fabric. It is difficult because of...you guessed it....the stretchiness. Im not an expert sewer, more like a moderate one, and I avoid stretchy fabric still, mostly cause I've been moving away from clothing that is somewhat clingy. Keep practicing, use solid cottons for a while until you get the hang of it. Avoid stripes, corduroy, chiffonsuntil you are much more comfortable; and anything that you may think would be a tad difficult, trust me, will be 10 times moreso. My first project was a triple layer chiffon skirt and I had to go to my husbands grandmother for assistance cause the pattern was only for one layer and I was getting confused. I mean, it HAD to be triple layered for proper movement..ya know!?!? It came out great but I swore off chiffon for a long time cause your machine has to be able to sew through such delicate fabric that I ended up doing most of it by hand. Buy some straight pins and some proper pencils for markings, make sure you get a fabric measuring tape to take proper measurements of yourself and buy the correct size pattern. The patterns always allow room for movement, so after a while you will find a favorite pattern company for the best fit...like butterick or mcalls...and will know exactly how to adjust for your perfect fit. Also, some pattern companies have specific patterns for beginners...these are great. The even tell you how long it should take. I sewed 4 vests from that kind of pattern in 1 day and it only took a bit longer cause I wanted all the vests to be lined inside. They came out great and we all had matching vests for the event I was making it for. Im hoping to get a dress form soon, cause then making clothing to fit me properly will be even easier, and they will look more custom in the end. Woot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRSannie Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Ah, sewing is not for the feeble hearted. MRannie knows when the machine is out, stay away. I get more tense than a cat at the dog pound. Patterns are for people who aced Geometry. I have wung it on several things, bathrobes for my two daughters, Halloween costumes, but it was always such an effort. Really, if you get clothes on sale, you are saving money when you buy, if you add up all the materials etc. Unless of course your tastes are expensive ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 aww, dont scare her off. It really isnt that difficult...honest. Patience, ya know, one of those virtues we keep hearing about. Patience is an absolute for sewing. Oh, and all those little "v" cuts and such...dont avoid them, you need them. They allow for curves and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scardella Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 This reminds me of Three Amigos: [quote]Ned Nederlander: This is not a town of weaklings! You can use your strengths against El Guapo. Now, what is it that this town really does well? Townspeople: Hmmm. Hmmm? Ummm. [long pause] Mama Sanchez: We can sew! Dusty Bottoms: There you go, you can sew. Ned Nederlander: Ah. Dusty Bottoms: If only we had known this sooner. ... Ned Nederlander: Sew, very old one! Sew like the wind![/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quietfire Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I love that movie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 [quote]I have sewn about 549 heart-shaped pillows, some edged with lace, some not.[/quote] A hobby I presume? As for sewing I learned when I was younger, in the Boy Scouts. But, I since have forgotten most of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I love my sewing maching. I've made a couple pairs of pants (non-maternity) for myself (I even adapted the pattern to make a couple pairs that fit me now that I'm 29 weeks pregnant--its a very easy pattern). I've made nightgowns and bathrobes for my kids, curtains, pants for my kids to play in with excess fabric from other projects... I stick with the easier looking patterns. I have patterns I've bought for myself and never used... I usually only put the time and energy into it when its for my kids, right now I have several yards of flanel I got on sale to make new nightgowns for the girls, I just need to get the motivation to get them made, when I get it I'll be a sewing fiend for about 3 days. lol I haven't tried too many projects that are worn outside the house, but the few I have I was really happy with (my favorite is a pair of corduroy pants I made for myself). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 [quote name='Sojourner' post='1118782' date='Nov 13 2006, 09:10 AM'] I have sewn about 549 heart-shaped pillows, some edged with lace, some not. [/quote] I love how you say, "about" here... most people would say "about 550".... I'm thinking you made exactly 549... Can to tell us about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 [quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1118851' date='Nov 13 2006, 09:51 AM'] I love how you say, "about" here... most people would say "about 550".... I'm thinking you made exactly 549... Can to tell us about that? [/quote] Silly, I was just being funny. I have no idea how many pillows I actually made. All I know is that there were lots and lots of uneven, lumpy heart-shaped pillows around our house for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Why? Was it a home home-ec project to make lumpy pillows? Btw, I have the turtle and octopus pillows in our guest room were home ec projects for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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