Sewing Lessons & FAQ

[Von Dee]

Now that I have more time then ever on weekends <<<<since one of my New Years resolutions was to stay home more often>>>> I been wanting to use my time wisely & learn new things, I been having this erge to sew'... my inspirations are retro vintage styles......my main focus is home decor, maybe starting off with some cute tiki curtains'....However I have no idea where to start, anything is helpful. If any of yu, have that magic touch, know any good books for beginers, or any helpful links, please keep me in mind!' Thanks Much....

[whistlebait]

Unfortunately, I don't sew, but a lot of the ladies on here do and if you wait a few days, you are sure to get more than a few replies to this thread. Good luck!

[Von Dee]

Unfortunately, I don't sew, but a lot of the ladies on here do and if you wait a few days, you are sure to get more than a few replies to this thread. Good luck!

How sweet of you, thanx much for stopin by!'

[whistlebait]

Your welcomed!

[decodoll]

A good reference book is the Complete Guide to Sewing by Reader's Digest. You can find answers to all your basic questions and many, many more. I'd start with http://www.equilter.com or http://www.reprodepot.com for fabric. You shouldn't really need a pattern for curtains if they are just a simple panel with a pocket at the top for a rod, just remember to double or triple the width depending on how much gathering you want. If you have more specific questions, just ask away. It sounds like an easy and fun project unlike the huge and very heavy velour drapes I just finished for the office....why did I ever volunteer to make those!??

[Von Dee]

OOOh, thanx much for the info, like I said, anything is helpful! I'm going to look into those links right now!'

Thanx again!

[Von Dee]

Wow, that was so helpful, luving the fabric, this was excatly what I was looking for... I guess, all I need now is a sewing machine.....hmmmm? Okay, that sounded' somewat funny, but I wasen't playing' when I said "I have no idea where to start "I really meant it.....

[katiemakeup]

Wow, that was so helpful, luving the fabric, this was excatly what I was looking for... I guess, all I need now is a sewing machine.....hmmmm? Okay, that sounded' somewat funny, but I wasen't playing' when I said "I have no idea where to start "I really meant it.....

Ha ha! Maybe you can find a vintage one on ebay? I know new ones can get really expensive. Maybe going to a fabric store for scraps to practice on, to. Now, I have a tendency to be lazy & impatient so I got a 'Knitting for Dummies' book a few years ago- I am sure there is a sewing one- and I was knitting @ the first paragraph! Patterns can be a little overwhelming to decypher so a class at your local craft store can be helpful. have fun!!

[Burma Shave]

...ladies, but I know where she's coming from. I enjoy making something from nothing, and sometimes it seems the only way to get what you want is to make it yourself. I saw a photo of a necktie recently that I loved -- but couldn't find one even similar to it anywhere. It was a large scale glen plaid in greys and browns, looking similar to one I'd seen in photos of my great-grandfather. Since I couldn't find one, I had to make it. Went to a fabric store, found some suit wool (100s wool), bought a yard, made the tie, and wore it to go out that night with my lady friend. Luckily, I've read enough to know I needed to cut it out diagonally (something having to do with bias cut, I think?) and it actually looks pretty good.

No pattern. I took apart one of my old 80s ties and used it as a pattern, just widening it up enough to make it the proper width.

I do need to get a sewing machine. There's enough material in a yard to make two ties and I'm going to make the same one again, with more care. The problem is, now I'm looking at all my ill-fitting vests and pants, wondering if I could make them fit better.

I have to ask: Is sewing addictive?

[Miss Neecerie]

A good reference book is the Complete Guide to Sewing by Reader's Digest. You can find answers to all your basic questions and many, many more.

I heartily second the Readers Digest book. Its wonderful. I have just started to learn to sew, and I went through my whole first pattern, by stopping and looking up in the Readers Digest guide 'what did they mean by that' from the pattern instructions.

In terms of sewing machines, I got a new Brother for less then 200 dollars...not cheap..but also not pricey. It does more then I currently need, so has a bit of 'growing and learning ' room..and works wonderfully.

I had tried to learn on my grandmothers vintage one, and decided that I was spending more time trying to adjust tension, get it threaded, keep things running...then I was sewing and learning to sew...

My 2 cents