Teaching Myself to Sew, Sew RIGHT!

cryhny

2010-08-04T10:40:00.001-07:00

http://sites.google.com/site/dsfe45f/nhjc4g

fecal

2010-08-03T11:46:00.001-07:00

http://dressers.pillsdrugmarketguide.net

Feeling it again,...

2007-11-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

I'm now reading about flat pattern adjustment again and am thinking of starting off with baby steps to make something that fits. It seems the best way to go. I got very frustrated before with things that didn't fit because I never even tried doing flat pattern adjustments first. i just did it all on the muslin mockup and that ended up messing stuff up on the finished product. Bah. So, this time I think maybe I will finally make that shrug I've been dying to make, and maybe an apron :) Yay! I will also sew gifts this year for Christmas.

There may be a revival

2007-09-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

I may start sewing again soon. I may finally have a sewing buddy. To top that, I will be getting paid soon and that means I may be joining the American Sewing Guild. A harsh reality set in when I went to a local Rockabilly/Psychobilly store to try on some super cute dresses and only one fit. That was a bummer and made me really want to sew again. For a while now I have just been focused on Art, I need to figure out a way to mesh all my interests!

A Sewing Hiatus

2007-01-11T20:54:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! So, I figured it's been a while.... I probably should update this to let you all know what's going on.

I haven't been sewing much recently because of my obsessive nature and my tendencies to flip flop between many different crafts. I do have 3 craft passions - Art, Knitting and Sewing. And when I am into one, the others usually suffer. I don't know why, that's just how I am and maybe, hopefully one day I can remedy that so that it's not just one thing or the other. For some reason I feel like I have to give my life to one in order for it to be any good.

So you may be wondering, which is it? It's art. I've always flip flopped through periods of not drawing and periods where that's all I do, but it's my base action. Ever since I could pick up a pencil I drew. And having gone through a mental breakdown about my future, I decided that art is the best way for me to go. And as a child I always wanted to work for Disney or do the Sunday comics. Well, now I don't think it will be either of those, but I do want to animate. So right now, all my money and my life is being thrown into my art - all forms of art in order to improve. Cartoons aren't as easy as they look.

Back to the subject of sewing, hopefully, if I can do one thing one day and one thing another, I will be able to make my boyfriend some shirts. I feel so bad for not making them or finishing the mock up and he bugs me almost everyday about it. So if I sew anything, that will be my first order of business.

The Holidays

2006-12-18T00:45:00.000-08:00

marleycoat
Originally uploaded by mclittledrink.

I feel that I am depriving what few readers I have of sewing goodness, but have no fear - I come with good news! As you can see, I have (pretty much) finished the dog jacket and booties. I am supposed to add a strap, but I am still contemplating on that one. The booties even have vinyl on the bottom for extra snow protection! too bad this pattern is out of print now.

I don't have the little dog around to see how it will all work out, so I have to devise a plan and see if it works. >:-) I'm crossing my fingers hoping it fits.

Anyway...

The other day I got this great magazine - Classic Style - in the mail. It really is a great magazine, and seeing all the beautiful people and clothing in it, it really hit me. I really started questioning whether I will ever make clothes like that for myself and be successful. It kinda bummed me out. Okay, it really bummed me out. I get frustrated sometimes because I think I'm getting too old to dress a certain way or that once I get to be a certain age (like maybe by the time I really do start sewing clothes a lot for myself), that I wont be able to wear them.

I know that must sound ridiculous because these clothes are timeless -talking 1940s/1950s/early 60s clothes- to me. I think I got over that thought and am just getting into the swing of things again. I have had a long break from sewing due to all the other crafting I am doing for Christmas. Not to mention my computer addiction (it IS a problem).

So once the excitement of the Holidays is over, I will seriously start some muslin mockups of some stuff I want to make. And undoubtedly, I will get started on the real shirt I am making for Ben. I'm only on his mockup right now, and I feel so bad for being so behind.

Sorry for the lack of...

2006-12-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

Sewing goodness, and videos! I have been so busy knitting and reknitting my brother's Christmas gift. I messed up twice and had to redo it. I am done with the first half and should be back to sewing for his DOG tonight! So be on the lookout for in progress dog sweater pictures.

The videos are horrible, so they are not up yet. Sorry! Gimme time...please :D

Basic Stitches

2006-12-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Here is the monologue I wrote for the most basic stitches on the sewing machine. The zigzag and the straight stitch. I intend on making a video with this as the narrative, but thought I'd let you read it too. A video will follow shortly, in the coming days.

"There are 2 basic stitches in machine sewing. They are all you really need to make anything. There's the straight stitch and the zigzag stitch. These stitches will be on any sewing machine since the 1870's. In the newer machines, there are fancier stitches, some have more some have less. The basic sewing machines being made today could have from 7 basic stitches to over 20 elaborate ones.

The machine I am working on has 26 stitches on it. I am only demonstrating the basic stitches today; the zigzag, and the straight stitch.

In order to start sewing the straight stitch, you need to make sure that your machine is set to sew the straight stitch, and we can do this by simply turning a wheel. Sometimes this wheel is on the front of the machine, mine just happens to be on the side.

There's usually an indication telling you which stitch the machine is set on, whether it be an arrow on the wheel, or on the machine pointing to a diagram, or like on my machine, there's a red dot which slides to tell me which stitch I am about to sew.

Once you've set your machine for the straight stitch, you need to set your tension based on the fabric, thread, and needle you are using. All of these things are important. I suggest using a constrasting color for your bobbin in the beginning.

Basically, here, if you see your bobbin thread peeking up on the top side of the fabric, the tension is too tight. If your spool thread is showing up on the underside, the tension is too loose. The lower the number, the less tension (pressure) there is, and the higher the number, the more tension there is. There are other reasons for poor tension, such as the wrong needle, the machine's timing is off, or the thread is poor quality or too thick/thin for the fabric or needle."

Upcoming Video plans

2006-11-30T21:04:00.000-08:00

Well, although I don't have the best equipment, I am going to be doing these videos with some converter software and my digital camera. It's not a video camera, but it can take videos. You may have seen the one sewing video I did in a previous post on threading a sewing machine. I have a plan to update that video to a newer and better version using both a vertical and a horizontal sewing machine, and I have plans for other video content.

There's a lot of information out there that isn't being shared freely. Just as I do, in this blog, I want to share more sewing information freely via visual learning. At first there will be basic videos, and if it helps a lot of people, I will go more in depth with other things. I will probably need a real cam for that though.

Future video plans:

Parts of a Sewing Machine
Using a Sewing Machine for the First Time
Basic Stitches
Machine Maintenance
Setting and Determining Tension

ADV: Presser Feet Functions
Special Stitches

Parts of a Serger
Threading the Serger
Using the Serger

If you haven't seen my YouTube channel yet, it's http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=humblestumble

I am already starting to write out the content for my first few videos. I've noticed that when I don't have anything prepared, I don't sound very smart, and the video is much longer than intended. I want this to be precise and easy to follow, and especially easy to watch. They haven't been so easy to watch, as I am finding out. (I actually have already made videos, but I don't want to reveal them yet because they are bad.)

I hope you are looking forward to them! I am excited to start. (As long as my cats don't get in the way like they have been!) I can't say when each video will be released, but I hope to have at least the first 2 or 3 out very soon.

Thoughts, and boredom

2006-11-29T13:24:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess it's just one of those days! I'm quite bored, and not sure what to do with my day. Especially since I've gotten this new blemish that I am not proud of, and I mean that in the literal sense of the word. I was supposed to go to the gym today, but I don't even want to leave the house!

But, Alas, I have to. At least, I have to, to get rid of some of this boredom. And in getting ready to go 'out,' I've drawn outside my lips with lipstick to hide THE BLEMISH. It's quite hilarious. Ooh, I feel like I'm speaking in an English dialect on this entry!

All the things I could be sewing right now! My purse, the shirt, the petticoat...Actually, I think i will fix that moebius strip now before I am picked up. So tata! :D

Tension Settings

2006-11-27T22:40:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to keep track of the tension settings for my machines...

Tulle (serger) : 0, 2.5, 8.5, 4.5; Differential feed: 1.5; Stitch length:3
(Sewing machine) : 5.5 Tension; Foot Pressure: 2

The Petticoat Saga continues...

2006-11-27T19:47:00.000-08:00

Well, today before being picked up, I have started actually SEWING my petticoat. Boy, it's a lot more work than I thought! The biggest obstacle for me was getting through the yards and yards of strips to find the end to sew to the next end. 32 yards for the second layer is a LOT of fabric! Whooaa. I ended up rolling the tulle around my chair so that I could find the end, but that didn't really work as planned, so I had to sit on my bed and sort through it all. And that STILL didn't work.

I finally sewed it together...and I discovered my gathering foot, which I LOVE to peices. Saves tons of time! It probably scrunched up a yard to be only 1.5 feet, which is all I needed. Although, I am still not done because I didn't sew the strips into a circle of tulle correctly...It's now a moebius strip (meaning one end is twisted), so now I have to take out some gathering stitches and flip one end to meet the other correctly to make a circle. Shouldn't take too long.

It would've been copacetic if I had someone here to help me with all those yards of tulle. But it was fun, though tedious, and MUCH better than paying a TON of money for one that's premade. I may continue making it tonight, and maybe work on Benjamin's shirt.

Speaking of which, I really want to make a yoke for him one of these days, but I'll definitely need practice, especially since I don't have a pattern for one. A yoke is "fabric comprising a fitted part at the top of a garment"...It's a feature used a lot in rockabilly shirts (and many many other outfits, like smocks and such with a totally different look and appeal). Rockabilly shirts usually have a western feel to them, and I love the look of them when done the neo-rockabilly way. Here's a link to show what I mean. Makes my heart faint.

I've gone and done it...

2006-11-25T23:48:00.000-08:00

I've saved every page and image from vintagesewing.info's 1942 sewing book. You never know when they are going to go offline. After all, they haven't updated since 2004, and the website supposedly expires in 2007 February. So I figured, what the hey. It's going to be REALLY hard to get a copy of that book, and it is great. I might even save the other 1940s book there. I so wish they had published (online) the 1957 dressmaking book. I'd be in heaven.

T Shirt Surgery: Boatneck

2006-11-23T23:42:00.000-08:00

I made a boatneck "ringer" type Tshirt today! Last night I swapped the sleeves off of another t shirt and today I added the band and cut off the neckhole. Now I have a boatneck T shirt :) At first there was some gaping, but following the advice of an online t-shirt serger, I took it in about an inch and a half in the back - adding a seam where there wasn't one! So, tada!

Fitting a Man: Part 2

2006-11-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

Today I continued the fitting process for Ben. We had some trouble with the under arm and side arm bunchnig up from all the extra fabricI had to pin out some of the extra material I had added vertically to each shirt peice. I found out that he only needed godets inserted. These will not be shown on the final garmet, since this is only a mock up, but they are needed for his fitting. They are VERY slender and very tapered. So now, although hard to tell, his shirt is shaped like a bell. I am wondering how exactly I will make up the rest of the shirt, since I only had it partially put together for this fitting. I will need to just mock what I did to one side and do it to the other. We didn't end up using the round back modification after all. I think the next thing will be adjusting the hem and the neckline. Then we'll be ready to go :D

Tulle time...

2006-11-20T22:11:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't know what compelled me to do it today, but I actually started on my petticoat! I have gotten a few ideas online from people and various sources, and I've decided to go with one I found on Petticoat Pond. It's very simple and it's from the 1950s. I will do a narrow hem, not a satin binding. And my hem will have 32 yards, not 48 (A LOT, I know!)

The only thing I did today was cut out the strips of tulle. It may still be a while before I actually make more headway with this. I still have to go get some satin or something for the top circle layer. I don't want to sit on the scratchy tulle. Not only that, but I don't want chaffing, so I also need some more undergarments. (Too much info??) Perhaps bike shorts will work though.

Anyway, I know you may be curious as to how to make it, so I will host the instructions here along with a link to the original website I obtained it from. The only reason I am doing this is because, being a webmaster of a few websites, myself, and having gone through a class about web design, the Petticoat Pond website's layout is very poor to say the least, and it's VERY hard to navigate. Everytime I wanted this pattern I had to REALLY dig for it. Poor navigation is the number one reason people leave websites and don't go back.

Petticoad Pond: Alice Lon's Petticoat

"The chief difference between ordinary petticoats and those songstress Alice on is modeling on these pages is that Alice’s mother made these. And, judging from the mail (more tan 9000 TV GUIDE readers have requested directions since the petticoats were mentioned in the May 26th issue), lots of readers are interested in the difference. They wonder about the secret of the petticoats’ fullness (each 48 yards around the hem) and their light weight (12 ounces). Alice boasts 25 of them, all told, and has a hard time keeping up with letters from envious girls who write asking how she can wear one at a time while they need at least two to make skirts stand out the there. What’s more, Alice’s mother, Mrs. Lois Wyche, of Kilgore, Tex., uses only nine yards of material to achieve the bouffant effect, turning out a petticoat on her sewing machine in about three hours.

For those readers who are handy with a needle, TV GUIDE here with published Mrs. Wyche’s instructions for making these petticoats. These directions were originally sent out by the American Broadcasting Company (Alice works for ABC’s Lawrence Welk) in response to the requests which followed the mention here.

Materials: nine yards of Nylon net – 72 inches wide; 48 yards of satin ribbon – one-inch wide.

Cut top with net double thickness in complete circle. Length of top depends on person’s height.

Cut remaining eight yards of net lengthwise into eight strips, each nine inches wide. Each strip will be eight yards long. Gather and sew two strips of net to bottom of circular top. Gather and sew the remaining six strips of net to bottom of first ruffle. Bind bottom with ribbon. Finished petticoat is 48 yards at hem."

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I FINALLY figured it out. If I am bored later, I will draw out directions.

Out with the old, in with the new.

2006-11-19T22:08:00.000-08:00

Well, my birthday has come and gone, along with the weekend. (My birthday was this Friday.) It was a good birthday. I'm now really an adult. I'm 20 years old. Good-bye teen years. I won't miss ya.

I got a new TV, an antique biography of Charlie Chaplin, The Little Mermaid DVD, and a DVD/VCR combo. What more could a girl want? :D Well, there's plenty of other things, but I am satisfied and floored by what I received this year. I also dressed up for my birthday, expecting to go out to eat and see a movie, but I just went to Quizno's. I even did up my hair! (see photo) The first time I ever got that right!

Realizing I looked great from the neck up, I was more than a little perturbed that the rest of my look didn't live up to my head. So, you know what that means! You got it, out with the old, in with the new! These days, it seems like I'm doing more out with the old than in with the new. I've gone through my wardrobe now, oh, about 3 times in the past two years. Almost all of it is gone.

I used to have a TON of clothes. Mostly shirts. Well, I am now retiring a lot of my shirts, especially being that most people still think me to be a teenager (a middle-schooler to be exact). And praytell what am I to do with these shirts? Well, make a T-shirt quilt OF COURSE! It will be my first quilting adventure. I'm hoping it will be a simple one. I'll need to buy non-stretch iron-on interfacing (so the knit shirts don't curl), and maybe some sashing (I believe this is the border/grid around all the t-shirt squares). I really need something to relate to all of the colors of the shirts and make it less of a patchwork. Most of my shirts are grey and white, so black goes with everything.

I'm planning on making the backing out of flannel. I believe this is what my current comforter is made of, and I love it. I HATE how it looks, but it's so warm and cozy, I just can't help but love it. There's no tag, so I can't say for sure, so I'm gambling on that one. Flannel is nice and warm though, so either way, that shouldn't be a bad choice. I'm actually going to do my quilting in the ditch though. I really want to show off the shirts. This is going to be a quilt of memories - all mostly from my school years. I'm tired of wearing all my old school t-shirts around. I swear, people must think I'm still a child with them.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately) for me, that means I have to really get on the ball and learn to sew and adjust clothes and patterns for me. This is one reason why I bought Vogue Sewing. There's a section in this book just for advanced alterations. I'm looking forward to it, but I am scared! I am hoping to, by the end of the year, be in the American Sewing Guild so that I may have some assistance.

I am also thinking of sewing Mexican puebla dresses for my boyfriend's mother's business. People always call her around Cinco de Mayo for dresses, and this will be perfect for me to really get started sewing clothes (and as a major plus, I'd get an embroidery machine!)...It's up in the air, but it's an option for more money for my own wardrobe!

So, I am hoping that, maybe tomorrow, I will start on that purse finally (I know, it's been so long since I bought that fabric!) I hope this will jumpstart me onto the right track.

Wish me luck,
Jella

Review: Fabric Savvy

2006-11-11T23:44:00.000-08:00

This is a short but sweet review - Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina is a MUST HAVE for everybody! Period, nuff said. No, I'm kidding. But, if you intend to be a consistent, sewer with a multitude of fabrics and professional (or at least honorable) looking finished product, you must have this book! Unless, that is, you know yor fabrics, how to press them, preshrink them, stitch width and length, presser foot, and all that stuff. I always thought of making my own reference like this for myself, but it's nice to have it to myself with someone else's guidance and tips. I feel like I found a gold mine with this book. 8 bucks! A steal :)

Who knew there was so much to know about sewing?

Fitting a Man for a Custom Fit Shirt.

2006-11-07T21:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I've begun my fitting journey. The hardest part was letting go of the fear of cutting the fabric. Even though it was so cheap, it's hard to really muster up the guts to cut an already cut fabric peice. After getting over that, I am feeling a boost of motivation and confidence!

I started out a bit on the wrong foot, but that's okay. It's easily remedied. I hope to be done with the fitting soon! (Toga, my cat, loves the camera, and fabric)

Halloween and a pocketknife holder dilemma

2006-10-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

Well, Halloween is almost here! I was going to sew a hood for my boyfriend, but now we are broke, so we couldn't go get any material for a hood. We've decided to go buy shortening tomorrow and make some face paint for him instead. I made a mask - I didn't sew it.

Anyway, today my dad asked me about a pocketknife holder that he wanted me to sew - he had asked me a few days ago - I forgot and told him that I would make it tonight. Well, I went off of the one that he gave me which has fallen apart. I should've followed it to a T, but I didn't. It was quite hard the way I did it. I made it like a tube. I'll show you in another post. I am still not done with it, I'm trying to brainstorm so that this one doesn't mess up like his did. I got very frustrated today because my sewing machine is fudgin up with the jean thread in there. After two stitches (only 2!) I can't sew anymore. The needle gets stuck. I have no idea what's wrong. I took out the components of the bobbin holder and nothing... I'm wondering if the thread is just too heavy for my machine, but why it's messing up just now, I don't know..

More books.

2006-10-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I had to part with two books at the store, I just couldn't fathom spending 48 bucks all at once at Half Price, so I only spent 34 instead. I only got the Hand Applique book and the Encyclopedia of Quilting. I also got two other fabulous books unrelated to sewing. Face Foward, and an old Cosmetology Text Book.

I'll write up a review on the forum about them soon - the quilting books. The other book was cute, but it was quite common sense when it comes to fixing and taking care of clothes, and making minor alterations. It'd be a nice edition to the library, but not today :D

Books, books, and drapes!

2006-10-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

My books came in the mail! I got 2 knitting books and a quilting book. It's a very good book for beginners even though it's really all about Celtic Quilting. The pictures are phenomenal, and so are the quilts. I can't wait til the Holiday season is over and I get some more cash so I can make one.

I felt the bookstore 'calling to me' while I was reading the Celtic quilting book, and I just had a feeling that the book she references about hand appliquing would be there. Well, I browsed and I was like "They don't have it, but they must! I just KNOW they do!" And then, I looked again, more thoroughly and low and behold! They had it! Not only that, but I found a few other books that I have on my wishlist for cheap! Not just sewing books, but some makeup and cosmetology books as well. But I did find a book on fixing and caring for clothes as well as altering them to fit after they are made!

I also saw a book that I've seen there before on choosing fabrics for quilts, but I will get that another day - they have quite a few of them there. I put the books I liked on hold. I also looked at Donna Kohler's Quilt Encyclopedia and contemplated getting it, but I am unsure if I want to, so I didn't hold it. If it's still there when I get paid, I may get it.

I'm so excited with my book finds today :D

On to more exciting news... I learned to sew drapes! Unlined drapes, that is - with the help of The Encyclopedia of Sewing Techniques. There's a section in there for Curtains and Drapes, so I made sure to refer to it when hemming these up. I also learned how to use my blind hem stitch foot, and I learned how to utilize the blind hem stitch. I may write up a tutorial on this soon.

I made a slideshow of the first drape made - I did it for my mom so she can actually HANG them in the kitchen.(For years they've been shoved over a small valance as just cut material wanting to be drapes.)

Click to view slideshow

Maybe I'm too ambitious...

2006-10-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

But, after seeing The Notorious Bettie Page today, I couldn't help but squeal over all of the outfits (aside from the corsetry and laces). It really pumped me up to want to sew my own clothes again. Well...after some thinking (very little, I might add), I was thinking maybe, just maybe, if I get good enough at sewing rockabilly shirts and pants, maybe I could sew them for kids, or bears (whichever is easiest) to sell them. The thought came to me as I was thinking of how to conserve money with sewing, but still being productive and learning the technique. The rockabilly kids thing does have an audience, and I'm sure I could get into it. It would be something fun to do once I got the hang of it. Just a thought.

If anyone is out there reading this, tell me what you think.

Making my own patterns - a new adventure.

2006-10-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

I finally decided to get some big paper and draw out a sloper fit to my measurements via Rene Bergh's book, Make Your Own Patterns. I believe that making my own patterns will be less frustrating, although I do still wish to learn how to alter patterns. It just scares me.

I messed up last night by starting to draw the pattern peice too low on the sheet, so I need to redraw it higher up on the page. I'll post pictures later :) I'll probably continue on this tomorrow, as I have some more knitting to do tonight and I am tired.

My Rotary Cutting Mat Died.

2006-10-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

RIP, cutting mat.

I am so mad at myself for what I did last night. This mat cost me a good amount of money for the little that I get, and I screwed it up. I am an artist, and I use an opaque projector sometimes for art projects so that I don't go insane being a perfectionist, particularly for large things. I use it to roughly outline, and then I go to town drawing without it. I don't have any idea what I might use my mat for now. I am going to have to buy a new one. This is especially heartbreaking because I wanted to start quilting eventually. A warped mat is no good for that. With quilting, and anything really, you need to have precision.

You were good to me, mat.

Sewing Library

2006-10-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Sewing Library
Originally uploaded by mclittledrink.

I just noticed, after a bit of cleaning and organizing, that I am gaining quite a bit of books on sewing, making patterns and fitting. Makes me happy :)

The next step FITTING...anxiety ensues!

2006-10-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well, the Holidays are coming up and that means presents for everyone on the list...

Well, one person in particular is going to get a sewn something from me! He already knows it, and that's all he wants. It SHOULD be simple, but I tell you, I am scared.

I tell myself it's that I don't have a substantial job which means I can't rebuy fabric everytime I mess up. However, I believe that even if I was a millionaire, I'd probably still be afraid of cutting up perfectly good fabric if I didn't know it would fit. It's a slightly irrational fear, because I could always turn the fabric into something else, especially since the peices would be big (it's a guys casual button down for a big guy!).

Eventually, I will have to take the plunge. This is why I am trying to build up my sewing arsenal so that I will have no more excuses. One of these days I will be determined enough to say no to the computer and yes to my sewing area!

I think what I REALLY need to do is to find something soothing to sew, that I KNOW I can make, that way if I get frustrated with the shirt, I can quickly turn out something else with ease. The whole point of my sewing is to sew clothes. Well, I better get crackin' soon! The peices for the shirt are already cut, now it's just a matter of fitting it to Ben. That's the part that really scares me.

But the best part about this is...as soon as I learn to fit, it will be easier everytime, and Ben may just have a few shirts he likes instead of one or two which don't even fit him right.

Quilter's News Network!

2006-10-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

I just found out about this! It's awesome! I haven't ever quilted before, and I don't know how I got this mysterious e-mail from Tammie Bowser. She sent a general email saying she would be on QNNtv.com. I knew nothing about it. Well it's an online streaming NETWORK of shows! I am just boggled and excited!

Shopping

2006-10-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

I did some MORE book shopping and heard some ladies talking about how you can't go to Half Price Books all the time to check their sewing collection because you'll spend too much money on all the books. I had a pile of them, myself. I am ALWAYS looking! Glad that I do too!

I just got paid for the week, so I am contemplating what to get with my hundred dollars (I know it isn't much, but I have no bills to pay other than magazines I subscribe to.) I was looking around for a tailor's board and found one at Nancy's Notions. I'm so excited, but I am probably going to hold off on buying that possibly until next payday. It's 40 dollars, and that's nearly half my pay.

I am seriously thinking of buying a seam roll, point press, and a tailor's ham to add to my collection of pressing items though. I've heard they do wonders!

Not to mention, I've been wanting to join the American Sewing Guild for some time now. That's 40 dollars as well.

Ah...decisions, decisions!

Quilting

2006-10-10T23:50:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about quilting for a while, just in the back of my mind, nothing big. But today I've REALLY been thinking about it and how cool it would be to know how to make them. Especially when I ran across this , and this - CELTIC Appliqued quilts! I had no idea they existed! Beautiful! They make me so inspired to make quilts, not to mention the carebears, mario and luigi quilts on craftster... Oh drool. Makes me think of a Link quilt.... One of these days! ... Someone beat me to it! But I will do it once I learn...

My boyfriend is already asking me to make him a quilt, and I haven't even sewn a stitch!

Retro Purse Fabric

2006-10-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

sewing 0502
Originally uploaded by mclittledrink.

Not-true-to-color fabric for said purse :)

Today is a good day

2006-10-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

I just tried out my pipin foot today and I LOVE it! It's so simple to use. It has two grooves on the bottom of it for the piping cord to be guided through so that you can sew really close to the cording as you sew. It came out perfect on my first try, I can't wait to start a project with piping!

Yesterday I got some nice retro fabric and some light blue cordoroy! I'm going to make a purse much like the one I made my best friend last year. I am in desparate need of one. I'm always telling my boyfriend to hold all my stuff and he gets very annoyed. But you see, all of the bags I have are either too small or too large for the things I want to carry.

I also spent a great deal of time with my best friend yesterday. I got to give her my gift to her for her birthday, which was about a month overdue! Yikes! But she loves it, so that makes me happy. I learned a better way of handsewing an invisible seam with the help of my mom's friend.

And the Forum is growing - 5 members :D Time to celebrate!

EXCITING NEWS! A Forum!

2006-10-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

I had this brainchild after realizing that it was needed. I read a post at knittinghelp.com, and decided to have a go at it. Join up and ask questions - let's make a community of crafty, heirloom, and home sewing love! I know there won't be a lot of people to start out with, but I believe it will bloom :)

DIY Sew Right Forum

Presser feet - again

2006-10-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Presser feet
Originally uploaded by mclittledrink.

I took a picture of my pressure feet so that you can see what they look like. The majority of you may not know what each foot does or is, so I'll share that with you. First of all, nevermind the sharpie. I used it as a prop up for one of the shank feet.

The thing in the package is a cloth guide, not a presser foot. It is just an easier way to guide the fabric, I'ts a metal peice and you just line
your fabric up to it to get a straight hem or seam.

From left to right, starting with the very left and then going to the top row.

Walking Foot, Ruffler

Top Row: Applique Foot, Beading Foot 1 & 2, Binding Foot, Concealed Zipper Foot, Cording Foot, Gathering Foot, Hemmer Foot 1, 2 & 3

Bottom Row: Overcast Foot, Pintuck foot 1 & 2, Piping Foot, Ribbon/Sequin Foot, Roller Foot, and Gliding (teflon) foot.

Here will be a slideshow of individual pictures of all the presser feet, but for now there's a bigger version of the photo at the top of this blog entry. http://www.flickr.com/photos/diysewright/sets/72157594315469384/show/

Maintain your machine!

2006-10-05T22:08:00.001-07:00

sewing 007
Originally uploaded by mclittledrink.

Whether you have a sewing machine, or a serger, you should regularly maintain them. This is especially important for sergers as they go through a lot of thread, causing a load of lint to build up. However, for today, I will be focusing on the sewing machine. This issue was brought to my attention out of curiousity. I had skimmed through my sewing machine manual the other day, saw the maintenance section, so I got curious as to how linty my machine was after a year (it's come up on it's birthday). Well, I looked and it was a pigpen of lint, foam, and grease!

I strongly urge you to maintain your machine regularly. If you can't spare the time right after you work on a project, then if you sew regularly, do it once a week or once a month. Make time to do it or it could end up back firing a few years down the line and your machine will need major maintenance. If you keep up with it now, your machine will thank you. ESPECIALLY if you sew crafts, quilts, or anything with batting, tissue paper, and/or foam.

So, because I am here to educate you all while I learn, I have started a photo album on flikr.com because that's just the easiest way to share photos with the public. I usually use photobucket.com, but I'm not into their new slideshow feature.

Enough with the banter, here's the link to my tutorial slideshow of de-linting my horizontal drop-in machine! (And you get to see how dirty mine was!) Slideshow of cleaning my machine.

Presser Feet!

2006-10-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

I am overjoyed at the moment because I just got a package from UPS of a set of 20 presser feet, a supply bag, and an instructional booklet! I just need to learn how to use them all now :) More on the details later...

Learn something everyday!

2006-09-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

It's true what they say - you learn something everyday, at least I do!

Today I read about 50 pages of Fantastic Fit For Every Body by Gale G. Hazen. I had considered not getting this book due to reviews on Amazon.com, but I am now finding it a very nice reference to have and I am dying to try some of the fitting techniques in here. I am by no means obese, but I am slightly overweight and slightly curvy. Anyway....

I found out that the term "petite" does not mean small-boned, it means under 5 feet 1 inch. Or according to some pattern company standards - under 5 feet 4 inches. Well, I am indeed petite! I didn't think I was because of the retail standards for petite which are usually short and very slim. But I am learning more and more that retail stores and pattern companies rely on a "perfect" mannequin. It's really not perfect or even near what Americans or anyone really look like. Flat tummy and very skinny. Not very curvy either.

Only 5 % of people are like that of the mannequin they use because we are all so different in our body shapes. We cannot all aspire to be one body type. There are so many different body types, and I have seen this through experience - I am a massage therapist and see many walks of life and different shapes walk into work.

Anyway, now that I've been reading this wonderful book which I was hesitant to read, I am looking around for some sturdy, semi-cheap tracing paper to practice on. I also want to try out the Lutterloh System I have in my posession. I would just hate having to ruin fabric with pattern alteration. I don't quilt (yet) so I have nothing to do with the scraps I have left over.

I am also trying to get motivated to get off my butt and away from the light of this monitor to sew something up, but I don't want to get discouraged when I am in front of my sewing machine. I actually want a miniature doll to create clothes for, and I just might use my little art buddy mannequin dude, let's call him Woody. He's my posable art model. About 1/15 of the actual size of a person. Hell, maybe less. I need something small to practice on if I can't get tracing paper. I'll even make Woody some fake boobies, haha.

Oh yeah, and here's what my halter currently looks like (sorta)

Threading a Horizontal Sewing Machine

2006-09-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

My first video post! I am still considering uploading my sewing journey, but for now, here's how to thread a horizontal sewing machine. The video below is still being processed, so it won't be viewable for a small while.

Video Blogging... hmm

2006-09-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

I'm considering also doing video blogs of sewing rants, finds, experiences, and revalations. I just started with my intro today - had to cut down 20 minutes into ten. I still have about 20-30 more seconds to go, but it's getting late so I will cut it down later. I'll post the blog up tomorrow here for you all to see :)

Motivation ensues...

2006-09-16T23:12:00.000-07:00

Well, after talking to Ben and my mother today about sewing ...not to mention the wonderful support I have on the Fedora Lounge, I am thinking more often about sewing. And now that I somewhat have a job, I'm seriously thinking of ordering presser feet. 200 dollars worth of 'em. And then after all my mag subscriptions are paid off, I want 12 serger feet and a membership to the American Sewing Guild for more social interaction and more knowledge on sewing, especially hands on.

I also got a look at U Sew at the bookstore today. I'm thinking about getting it from Amazon.com if I decide to get it. They have a sale going on for that book right now. But I don't know if the book is quite for me. The "recipe" idea is cool and all, but I'm not too hip on the "add in" recipe cards - the variations supplied. Not only that, but in my honest opinion, I think her pattern designs are aesthetically atrocious. I liked what she wrote in the book though, I give her that, but the rest of the sections were very basic. I'll have to ponder this one some more in order for me to consider buying it for myself, or convince someone close to me that I'd die without it. It's a pretty hefty bill for a generalized, 'inspirational,' motivational book on sewing.

Yesterday we (Ben and I) went to Target for window clothes shopping (for me)and it helped me realize why I started sewing in the first place. The style of the clothing wasn't bad, I did like it. However, the cut and fit of the garments, at least for me, were not flattering. I had to suck it in and be still. Not only that, but my shoulders are broad, my arms are short, and so are my legs. So I have a medium build on a short body. It motivated me, and discouraged me. I was motivated to sew more, and discouraged to buy retail. Because either way, there'd be sewing involved. Why not make something I like even more in the first place?

Today, we went to Joann's to buy fabric for a friend's birthday present. It's about a week past due, but I haven't talked to her yet, and when I do, I will hope to be done or at least started on her project. Should be fun. I hope she loves her gifts. I love sewing things I know I will be able to sew, it's the difficult things that are frustrating (doesn't that go for all things in life?)

I'm back, full of knowledge, and hesitant to attack.

2006-09-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

Helloooo cyberland!

It's been a long while since I've updated this blog, but it's about time for a change. I've been out of home ec (and high school) for almost 2 years now. I don't have much to show for it, except that I'm now interning to be a massage therapist, and I have a library of sewing books.

I might also add that I have accumulated a new Kenmore Serger and Sewing Machine. I love them both, had them both a year and am still teaching myself how to use them. I'll tell you, I've had quite a time with that!

I've made neck pillows, a cat bed, some garments of which several or most don't fit, I have some WIPs that haven't even been in progress for months now, I've made a bath mitt, and well that's about all I can remember for now.

OH! The most IMPORTANT thing to note (as any pattern sewer can probably appreciate) - I now have over 100 patterns, most of which are vintage/retro inspired garment patterns! I do admit to having about 10 or so patterns that I sortof regret ever getting my hands on - things I don't actually need patterns for. ALSO! I've only really sewn a handful of the patterns I do have due to time and money constraints - AND sewing knowledge.

Which brings me to my next point - I have read a lot of books on the subject of home sewing, garment sewing, tailoring, and pattern adjustment. I have yet to really apply any of my knowledge. I have also read books on T-shirt reconstruction (which is getting quite popular if you haven't noticed).

And if ANYONE has been following my blog (Highly doubt it), I have changed my url and my title. I was previously "2much2sew" and I forgot the name my blog was. Well, now I actually do have too much to sew, and too little resources for it. So I am trying to teach myself. It's a hard and trying process, but I have faith in myself.

Signing off - for now,
Humble Stumble aka: cro-knit_monkey

Current WIPs

2005-02-26T18:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I will start doing t-shirt surgeries eventually because I recently discovered them and oh my gosh they can be so awesome!

As for right now, I just bought like 13 patterns for 99 cents. So now I have 20 patterns.

I'm currently working on PJs for my boyfriend, an evening purse for Home Ec, and some capris for me! I am hoping to be ALMOST done with those by tonight.

I know how to sew! Sort of..

2005-01-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

Well a while back Ben's mom showed me how to sew. Since then, I have made a stocking and I'm almost done with a bag I made for a friend. And I've done lots of practice :D I will post pictures when I don't look like crap and when I can find the objects.

New to sew

2004-11-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

Well I created this blog because I deemed it appropriate for my newest hobby which I haven't REALLY begun yet. I'm excited though! Post more later.