For the seamstresses out there...

[Nashoba]

"Fingers - moving needle. These two things do not go together without lots of pain. Just something to bear in mind."
I just had to comment on this Caledonia. You couldn't be more right!!!!! That's the kind of pain that stays with you for a long time. I missed the bone by milimeters. Went right through my nail, my finger and back up again. Needless to say I'm a little more attentive to where my fingers are now!

*How long have you been sewing?
just about 20 years now...(geez, that's scary!)

*How did you learn to sew?
My mom taught me on the Kenmore machine that she got from her grandmother when she graduated from Fashion School

*What was the first project you made that you remember?
My mom sat me on her lap when I was 6 and had me move the fabric through the sewing machine while she worked the pedal. We were making my girl scout uniform.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
Complicated things. I love challenges...except that sometimes I get frustrated and things get put in my unfinished box for a while

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
The finished project part

*What is your least favorite thing?
Cutting, laying out, and pinning the pattern. Oh and basting. I hate that too.

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
I like simplicity, vogue and butterick

*What era do you like sewing best?
30's - 50's. I hate the 80's. Too many scary styles.

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
I do. Depending on how delicate the pattern and how many times I plan on using it I will usually trace over the pattern with pattern tissue or the new gauze like pattern drafting material. I love that stuff.

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
Like most others here I prefer clean edges without frays so I will usually zig zag the pieces or french seam. I don't have a whole lot of patience for french seams though so it has to be something worth do them on.

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
I sew for myself and for others. I actually sew for a living. I make unit flags (called Guidons) for the Marine Corps, so I get to sew every single day. I like sewing the clothes better though, the flags get repetetive. Luckily I work for myself so I get to mix it up a little when I get bored.

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
I love, love, love vintage rayon. but I also like cottons and nice sturdy fabrics. I'm not a big fan of knits, they can be tempremental.

*What are your favorite trims?
Call it the american indian in me but I love ribbon. I was a fancy shawl dancer for a long time and I had ribbons everywhere.

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
I wish I had a dress form. I really want to do that duct tape one, but I'm a little nervous about asking my husband to wrap me in duct tape...

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
I have a Janome Memory Craft 3500. I love it. I used to have a brother and I loved that one two but I went through 2 machines in 4 years so I needed to upgrade.

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Patience, perserverance, and more patience. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We were all beginners once, if we can at all remember what that was like we will always be willing to help.

[Barbigirl]

*How long have you been sewing? I'm 36 so probably off and on for 30 years, not much sewing during my teen years.

*How did you learn to sew? Osmosis from Mom

*What was the first project you made that you remember? We did tons of craft things when I was a kid, oddly I can't remember a single specific thing until I started sewing again as an adult and that was maternity clothes.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew? I love making costumes for kids, they are so appreciative.

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

*What is your least favorite thing? mending things

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns? Vogue for grown up stuff, Simplicity for kids stuff

*What era do you like sewing best? Just starting my attempts at vintage styles. Currently I am working on a "pride and prejudice style" dress for my daughter's Halloween costume.

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them? not yet

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances? Blind hems with an inner folded edge so it's clean/ want to try french seams

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why? Mostly kids as I have a horrible time fitting things to myself. I tend to do home projects for friends or alterations sometimes. Ready to start sewing more for myself, I just spent a mint on work dress suits that I don't love all that much.

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew? need to branch out here, mostly cotten

*What are your favorite trims? none just now

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand? My Mom always made us do a million fittings for everything she sewed. I have never tried one but I am interesting in using one.

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others? Some cheap brother brand, no.....I like Viking Husquavarna - that is what my mom always used.

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?[/QUOTE] I don't sew when I am tired, I mess it up every single time.

[MoxieGrl]

*How long have you been sewing?
About 12 years.
*How did you learn to sew?
My Mom got me a doll kit one year for Christmas, and I sorta trial and errored it from there
*What was the first project you made that you remember?
That doll.
*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
Not really
*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
Finishing the garment
*What is your least favorite thing?
Pressing seams
*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
Simplicity, because you can get them cheap
*What era do you like sewing best?
Mid 19th ce.
*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
Yes, I copy the originals onto tracing paper and then use to copies.
*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
Depends on what. :-P
*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
Yes to all of the above. I sew for myself because I don't like the stuff I can find to buy, and I sew for others because either they pay me or I feel pity for them.
*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
Anything natural fibered.
*What are your favorite trims?
Silk ribbons and glass buttons.
*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
Yes, I got it for 5 dollars used, so I really don't know the brand. (really should upgrade to a better one though)
*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
I have two- an 1886 Vindex Special and an 1880 Wheeler and Wilson Model 8. I don't recommend a Model 8 for everyday sewing, as it liked to jam, but over all I would recommend an antique machine over a modern one. They don't break down as often and just have more personality.
*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Be patient, and invest in a seam ripper.

[BettyValentine]

*How long have you been sewing?
This is hard. I made doll clothes by hand when I was small. I got my first sewing machine when I was 11. I'm going to judge from then, so 15 years.

*How did you learn to sew?
Trial and error. My mom taught me the basic running stitch when I was little, but that was all she knew. I practiced on the sewing machine but never got very good with it till I worked in theater. That's where I learned all the other hand stitches you need, and how things should be constructed. I never took a construction class because the professor at my school was a big jerk who said she wouldn't write me a recommendation because I didn't have "Passion" and wouldn't teach the construction class as an independent study because she'd given all the design work to students and was looking forward to not having to work at all that term. (4 years ago. Still bitter.)

*What was the first project you made that you remember?
A dress for a report on Colonial clothes. I made a big skirt with a gathered waist, copied the pattern for the bodice from a bridesmaid dress pattern, but I made it lace up the front and sewed an overskirt to that. I faked panniers by folding bed pillows in half and tying them to my waist.

*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
Straight seams.

*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
cutting the fabric.

*What is your least favorite thing?
Finishing: sewing in closures, hand-stitching hems, and realizing I did something wrong and have to undo something to re-fit it.

*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
I love what Vogue offers, but Simplicity are very easy and are easily altered.

*What era do you like sewing best?
Long floofy things.

*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
Please don't get mad. I just cut them up and use them like normal patterns.

*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
I hem with a cross-stitch or a slip stitch, depending on what Im doing. I serge all the edges, usually flat, and then press them open. I don't like to serge them together because I'm afraid I'll change size and need to alter it later.

*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
Just for me. I want to make what I want to make when I want to make it. When I sew for other people I have to do what they want.

*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
Duchesse satin for ease of sewing, but I *adore* anything with a bit of stretch to it. Lycra, vinyl, stretch velvet, whatever. It's *so* easy to fit and pattern that stuff, it just sucks right into the shape I want it. You don't even have to think about it.

*What are your favorite trims?
I have problems with trims. I am trim-blind and never know what to use. Also, trim is expensive! It's not fair how expensive trim is.

*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
I use a Wolf form. I've got two, one standard basket-bottom and one hanging one with legs.

*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
Bernina. It's not an industrial, but I love it. My serger is a Juki. I think I want a new serger, I don't like the way my perl edge looks. (Actually, I hate the look of machine roll hems in general, but I hate the way my machine does it in particular.)

*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
don't stress, and practice. Sewing isn't something you need talent for, it's just a plain, mechanical skill. There's no secret to it other than practice, and everyone can be a master with just a little attention and work. Also, don't forget to learn hand-sewing so you can finish everything nicely.

Oh yeah. Iron everything. Nothing looks good that hasn't been ironed. I iron the fabric every time I do anything. Pressed fabric is easier to sew.

Also: Step 1 is learning to sew a straight line. It's easy, you can use the guidelines by the presser foot and just keep the fabric lined up with that (if you've cut it straight.) To practice controlling the fabric, take a piece of muslin or scrap fabric, draw a bit swirly line that curves, points, and goes in weird directions, and then practice sewing on the line till you can stay on it perfectly.

BV - and it's expensive. You probably won't be able to make stuff cheaper than you can buy things for. But by that point you probably won't care that your fabric is $40/yd.

[Nashoba]

Hey Ladies,
I just got an email from Hancock fabrics. Simplicity Patterns are 99 cents each from Sept 28 - Oct 1. This is a nation distribution email so I can only assume that all Hancock stores are running this special in their stores. So if you've had your eye on some simplicity patterns now is the time to jump on them!!!!
Nash

[Elaina]

Thanks Nash, there's a repro pattern that was out on the last sale so I'm stepping out as soon as my son gets dressed *glares at kid*.

, he loves the fabric store, just today is a chore to get him to do anything.

Elaina

[Lauren]

Sorry guys! I wasn't around yesterday. Ok, this is really interesting, and I love reading everyone's!! Kinda fun!

*How long have you been sewing?
Since I was about 8- so nearly 18 years on and off.
*How did you learn to sew?
I taught myself when I was little but didn't know the "rules". My cousin helped me learn how to make doll clothes for my American Girl dolls, and she taught me about seam allowances and such. I sewed them by hand until my mom helped teach me how to sew on machine. I learned a lot by quilting with my mom, actually, then at fashion school tuned up my skills.
*What was the first project you made that you remember?
I made matching "victorian" outfits for my cousins when I was about 8. I had no idea about construction or openings and just looked at the fabric and cut it out. I wish I still had the fabric- it was teal and gold late 50's brocade!
*Do you have a favorite thing to sew?
Costumes! Sometimes I love to whip out a vintage repro, but I really love being up to my ears in silks and trims for Victorian dresses.
*What is your favorite step in the sewing process?
Figuring out trims and accents for victorians, picking out fabrics and patterns for vintage repros.
*What is your least favorite thing?
Hand finishing. I hate sewing hems and hooks and eyes and buttons and facings. Ack!
*Do you have a favorite brand of patterns?
For modern wear, Vogue. For vintage, Mccalls, for Victorian Truly Victorian.
*What era do you like sewing best?
1870's or 1930's.
*Do you use vintage patterns? How do you prepare/use them?
Yes. I generally use them out of the envelope if I know I'll only make it once, like LizzieMaine. If I need to resize it or I know I'm going to use it a lot I'll transfer it to manila paper then pattern paper and resize.
*How do you finish your hems/seam allowances?
If I'm lazy I cut them with pinking shears. If I'm feeling inclined to change thread I'll serge them. If it's a sheer I use french seams.
*Do you sew for other people or just yourself? Why?
Mostly for myself now, but I'll sew for friends on occassion or if someone wants to pay me enough . I don't really like sewing for other people that much because of the fittings and I'm always paranoid I'll mess it up- especially if I have to resize it significantly. If I'm sewing for myself and I mess up I can cover it cleverly. If it's for someone else I feel like it needs to be perfect inside and out, and that's scary.
*What's your favorite type of fabric to sew?
Silk Dupioni!!! It was seriously sent from heaven.
*What are your favorite trims?
EVERYTHING. Except beaded things because I have to handsew them on and I hate handsewing for the most part.
*Do you use a dress form? Which brand?
Yes. I have several for all different sizes (I LOVE doing bridal). The one I use the most and who is my true love is my Wolf form. For sewing for me I generally don't use a dress form unless I need to see how a skirt will hang.
*What brand is your sewing machine? Would you reccomend it to others?
A Phaff and I love it, but it's going to die within the next few years. I think I'll need something more heavy duty the next time around and I've heard great reviews about the new Husqvarna 122. I heard it would even sew through a yardstick. That's heavy duty enough even for me!
*And words of wisdom to share with those starting out?
Don't worry if it's not perfect! It takes time to perfect anything. Start with cottons because they're some of the easiest fabrics to sew. If you can, get in a class. It's more motivationall to see how others are doing and know you're not the only one struggling along. Sew with patterns that are marked Easy, because you'll just get frustrated if you try something harder at first. And have fun!

[BettyValentine]

Oh, now I really want to see the Viking sew through a yardstick! That would be better than the guy on TV who cuts pennies in half to show how tough the knives are! (And I want an embroidery machine very very badly).


BV

[Nashoba]

Thanks Nash, there's a repro pattern that was out on the last sale so I'm stepping out as soon as my son gets dressed *glares at kid*.

, he loves the fabric store, just today is a chore to get him to do anything.

Elaina

LOL I hope they have it! I've been having that problem alot lately. I have a list of patterns that I want from each of the major companies....then I have to patiently wait for them to go on sale.

I too would LOVE to see a sewing machine go through a yard stick! That's my kind of machine.
I'm dying for an embroidery machine..but I need one of the industrial ones that interfaces with my computer so I can expand my business....needless to say I still don't have one....but someday..maybe...

Nash

[Elaina]

LOL I hope they have it! I've been having that problem alot lately. I have a list of patterns that I want from each of the major companies....then I have to patiently wait for them to go on sale.

I too would LOVE to see a sewing machine go through a yard stick! That's my kind of machine.
I'm dying for an embroidery machine..but I need one of the industrial ones that interfaces with my computer so I can expand my business....needless to say I still don't have one....but someday..maybe...

Nash

They did. I got the 40's 4044 or this

which is the last one I'm missing, a purse pattern, my son's halloween costume and some underpinings.

I'm working on

right now, got mostly through the pants and had my cat eat chocolate all over them, so I had to clean them before I could finish. Camo colored hawaiian print, khaki colored top to match, vintage pattern purse of pants material.

Thanks again!

Elaina