For the seamstresses out there...

[Lauren]

Because I'm silly and bored, here's a questionaire for you:

*How long have you been sewing?
*How did you learn to sew?
*What was the first project you made that you remember?
*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
*What is your least favorite thing?
*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
*What era do you like sewing best?
*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
*What are your favorite trims?
*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?

[Elaina]

*How long have you been sewing? 16 years.

*How did you learn to sew? Cross between my Aunt Glorene taking me to Hancock's sewing club in the summer of my 12th year, my mother making me rip out 100+ hours of bad sewing, self teaching through trial and error, then fashion college.

*What was the first project you made that you remember? A 1022 apron for a present for an old flapper I knew when I was...7. All hand sewn of course (and very badly done I may add). First thing on a machine was a pair of 1930 bermuda shorts in shockingly bright purple to match my shockingly ugly concert t-shirt.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew? No. I have things I HATE to sew, nothing I love.

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process? Don't have one.

*What is your least favorite thing? Handsewing hems.

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns? Laughing moon merchantile. I love JoAnn, she's awesome.

*What era do you like sewing best? Depends on my mood. If I have to pick an era 30-40's. Usually I pick and choose what I like from every era and wear accordingly.

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them? Yes. Copy to newprint, cut the heck out of it, and resize on yet more newsprint. Take envelope and instructions to the copy place and put the whole of it into a manilla envelope, vintage patterns go up.

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances? If I can, I machine hem everything. If not, I *grumble* handsew the hems. Seams are always french seamed. I hate unfisnished insides.

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Uh. Both. Why? I usually create the good stuff for me, but I am in the process of opening up a plus size boutique for tranvestites and women.

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew? Oh goodness. Brocades I would say.

*What are your favorite trims? I don't have one.

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand? I have one, and I don't use it. Uniquely you is the brand.

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others? Singer: 66 treadle, 99-13 e-machine and a 201. I also have a Universal 1950's bullet model. The 201 and the 66 I recommend.

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?[/QUOTE]
Take it slow, but keep at it. Choose little projects you can finish.

Elaina

[Lady Day]

*How long have you been sewing?
Ive had sewing in my life since I was a kid. My mother was a professional seamstress.

*How did you learn to sew?
Mama

*What was the first project you made that you remember?
I use to make a lot of cloth bags and purses. Hand stitched.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
Women's coats, I love fitting a coat to the bust (Strange I know).

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
When its finished!

*What is your least favorite thing?
Ironing!!!

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
Vogue and all those obscure pattern companies that came and went.

*What era do you like sewing best?
50's baby. The patterns were clean and simple. The 40's too, but they are more time consuming.

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
I do use vintage patterns, but like with all my patterns, I trace them out on paper first.

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
I had a serger (my moms) but I broke it. I got mad at it and bent a looper So right now I zig a stitch then turn it under. I HATE raw edges. HUGE pet peve.

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
I sew for myself. I could sew for other people but am never asked. I dont think Id like it. People dont understand how a fitting works. They get all stranged out if you ask them to come in and try the garment on. Dude, Im sculpting a garment to your body, the least you can do is see if it fits well.

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
I love 100% cottons! MMMMM!

*What are your favorite trims?
Dont really have a fave trim. But Im open to suggestions. I guess a clean edge is my fave.

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
My mothers vintage form is on its way to me Ill post pics when I get it.

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
I have my mothers Singer. Before that, she had a Brother. Those seem to be the only two machine brands shes had, so I guess my brand loyalty will be to those.

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Sewing is a craft, and art. It 3D construction on a living being. I guess Im looking at it in a romantic sense, but it is. You have to understand the dimentions of the body in order to know where to fix mistakes, and to know how something will hand. Dont be afraid of asking for help, doing a garment twice, and messing up. Dont use $50 a yard silk on a garment you have never done before! Sketches (cloth mock ups) work in all fields of art! Have fun and dont fret if it isnt perfect!

LD

[LizzieMaine]

*How long have you been sewing?

The earliest sewing memory I have was sewing the troop numbers on my Brownie uniform, which must've been when I was about seven.

*How did you learn to sew?

My grandmother.

*What was the first project you made that you remember?

I made a few doll dresses early on, but the first project I remember making for myself was a little apron when I was about eight or so.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?

Late '30s/early 40's day dresses -- practical clothes I can wear for everyday.

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?

Cutting -- I kind of zone out, and it's a nice escape from daily stress.

*What is your least favorite thing?

Basting. I really really hate basting.

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?

I'm a Simplicity kinda gal.

*What era do you like sewing best?

c. 1939-1944 -- styles that work best for my body shape.

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?

Most of my sewing is vintage patterns -- I can't remember the last time I used a modern one, in fact. If I only see myself making one garment off a pattern, I'll use it straight out of the envelope, but if it's something I'm going to make in multiples, I might make tracings of the pieces first.

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?

Don't have/can't afford a serger, so I either pink or zigzag depending on the fabric. I don't have the patience for French seaming...

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?

Just me, although my niece wants me to make her a prom dress (out of Sponge Bob Squarepants fabric, no less!)

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?

Cottons in vintage prints -- washable, practical, and easy to work with. Rayon crepe is nice for classier garments, but it's hard to find around here.

*What are your favorite trims?

I have been known to use piping -- and sometimes I really like eyelet lace.

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?

I don't -- I've always wanted one, though, and given my odd proportions (small bust/thick waist) I might have best success doing the duct-tape thing.

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?

I started out on my grandmother's New Home treadle machine, which I wish wish wish I still had. That got replaced by an early '80s-era Brother, which I used until it finally died, and I replaced it with another Brother -- nothing fancy, just a good, serviceable machine that does what I want it to do. So far I'd recommend it!

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?

Put a little loop of tape on your stitch ripper and wear it on a string around your neck. No matter how good you get, you'll always need it.

[shindeco]

*How long have you been sewing?
25 years

*How did you learn to sew?
Trial and error at the start. Both my sister and my partner are trained in design and construction so I've got great resources now!

*What was the first project you made that you remember?
Folkwear pattern number 202 -- Victorian shirt

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
nope

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
finishing

*What is your least favorite thing?
laying out, pinning and cutting--yeuch!

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
nope

*What era do you like sewing best?
hmmm ... first half of the twentieth century

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
Only in reprints

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
Hems- by hand
seams-depends on the project; French seams, pinking, binding...

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
just me, 'cause I'm not that good!!

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
cotton shirtings

*What are your favorite trims?
tatting, and no, I DON'T put it on my shirts!

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
nope

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
Pfaff, great machine

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Never assume that you can't do it, just because you've never done it before.

[Rosie]

*How long have you been sewing?
About 9 years off and on.


*How did you learn to sew?
Trial and error (I still am learning my trial and error)

*What was the first project you made that you remember?
A denim pocket book. Second was a pencil skirt that I still wear.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
Pencil skirts, they are very easy. Though I do love a good circle skirt near it's end.

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
When its done and I get to wear it.

*What is your least favorite thing?
Fitting. Takes too long and I am a bit impatient.

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
I don't use patterns but, I LOVE Vogue and Butterick.

*What era do you like sewing best?
I guess the '50s, pencil skirts,circle skirts and wiggle dresses.

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
No vintage patterns

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
Before coming here, I didn't. I've been using a triple straight stitch or zig zig stitch lately.

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
Normally for myself though I have made a few dresses for my youngest niece.

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
I like the feel of silk.

*What are your favorite trims?
I don't use many trims (impatience) but, I love the look of eyelet which I may use in the future.

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
No dress form though I am supposed to be making a duct tape twin, I have the stand for her and everything.

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
I use a Brother. This is my first machine, I've had it for 7 years and it has served me well. My auntie used a Brother and that was the brand she suggested.

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Keep trying, it will get better, I promise.

[Lady Day]

What about you, Lauren. You gonna reply to your own questions?

LD

[anna_newman]

*How long have you been sewing? since I was 5

*How did you learn to sew? with my mom--she made almost all my clothes until I was in junior high

*What was the first project you made that you remember? one of those cookie cutter looking stuffed animals (simplicity?) that end up with narrow frustrating floppy necks. I think I made the camel.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew? I love to sew by hand actually, mending is a kind of therapy

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process? pressing open the seams after sewing--ta duh! one step closer

*What is your least favorite thing? cutting out--I hate pinning that darn tissue

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns? vogue

*What era do you like sewing best? no favorite

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them? I used to draft patterns for costumes from measurements, but lately Ive been using vintage patterns because I want more fitted day to day clothing.

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances? mostly by hand for hems and with pinking shears for other raw edges (even though I have a serger)

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why? I stopped sewing for other people after one too many fairytale wedding gigs. just say no!

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew? wool

*What are your favorite trims? soutache

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand? I have a couple squishy forms (uniquely you?) and several wolf forms

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others? I have a treadle singer, a 1950s singer, a 60s kenmore, a baby lock serger and a baby blindstitch (which I still havent mastered--anyone out there who can help???) I like the kenmore best--its a total work horse.

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out? its all about the ironing--if you iron a fold where you are going to sew before you pin it, the seams come out so much better. took me forever to realize this simple trick.

I love reading everyones responses--what a great thread, lauren. thanks!

[AllaboutEve]

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Never assume that you can't do it, just because you've never done it before.

That is so great I love it!

[Caledonia]

*How long have you been sewing?
Sewed when I was a teenager then stopped till about 6 months ago.
*How did you learn to sew?
Mum, and school, and now I'm bodging along with Vogue Sewing Book
*What was the first project you made that you remember?
I think it was a drindle skirt is some awful flowery cotton stuff when I was about 12
*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
Whatever turns out right!
*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
Choosing the material and envisaging a perfect outcome.
*What is your least favorite thing?
Having to undo a bit and start again
*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
Vogue, Butterick, and I'm quite partial to Marian Martin and Ann Adams
*What era do you like sewing best?
40s and 50s
*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
Vintage and Repro. Copy them first then adjust to fit which is always necessary with my shape.
*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
Used to zigzag and pink, but the machine I now have has an overlocker.
*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
Me, and husband eventually - why - 'cos I'm too bad at it still to inflict on anybody else.
*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
Don't really have one, but unfavourites are satin and velvet.
*What are your favorite trims?
Not a trim type of gal. Buttons are good
*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
Have a second hand one but haven't used it because it doesn't really suit my shape so it's pretty useless. I have a dress displayed on it at the moment.
*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
Elna. It does what it's supposed to do.
*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Fingers - moving needle. These two things do not go together without lots of pain. Just something to bear in mind.