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From: weB2cats
Date: 08-19-2003, 11:14 AM (1 of 20)
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What is everyone making this Fall? I find that this time of year centers on children's school clothing and Christmas gifts. Otherwise the Winter sewing takes place the week after Christmas when all the activity of Christmas is done. I would love to try making a suede skirt for my daughter. It wouldn't involved much fabric but I don't know about needles to use and if a home sewing machine could handle the stress of the suede-it's rather thick. Other than that, I think I will finish a Hawaiian summer dress I started that actually fits me very well. Just have the armhold and neckline facings to make. I don't use the typical pattern semi-curved pieces but make bias facings out of strips that can be folded in half, sewn onto the armhole/neckline and then turned and top-stitched. This works pretty well and looks professional enough. I do need some drapes for my living room, too. And I have been having the hardest time finding something that I like, that isn't Polyester or some fakey blend. in a price range that's reasonable. But how to handle all that fabric...oy! Fun sewing projects usually involve a sight-seeing trip to the largest fabric store in the area, Fabric Depot. They have a monthly 40% off sale the first week of every month and that's when I go. Many great fabrics out there and it's hard sometimes choosing one! |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: Dede
Date: 08-19-2003, 01:55 PM (2 of 20)
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Wouldn't leather needle do the trick on Suede? I've started a quilted jacket 2 weeks ago; used flanel as batting. The pieces are already cut so the only thing left is the assembly line. I've covered buttons with suede and will also finish the sleeves and neck with the suede. Also need a few pieces for the fall; Since I'll be starting jacket class in a few weeks, I'll be OK to make a few of those with matching pants or dress or skirts and that should take care of that ... well maybe a few tops but then again I'm more a sweater girl so I'll play it by ear. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-19-2003, 11:52 PM (3 of 20)
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It seems I'm always still finishing up the summer stuff this time of year. I don't get much chance to wear it till next year. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Magot
Date: 08-20-2003, 03:11 AM (4 of 20)
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My DD ( age 19 1/2) has a cuddly friend she has taken to bed with her every night of her life - she cannot sleep without her seal. He has been loved so much he is in serious danger of survival. Patching the holes is a case of new stuff pulls away from the old. So I'm custom knitted him an arran sweater to go over the holes in his neck, chest and upper arms in the hopes that this might help. This means that the bits sticking out will be face, bum and flippers. I only hope he doesn't feel so different that she canot sleep! He has had several operations over the years but I think this could be the last - he really needs to sit on a shelf in the position of valued (but retired) friend. I work on the theory that her husband (Ha!) won't share her with a cuddly! I'm also making the same daughter a red/black quilt with home made tie dyed fabric in an attempt to reclaim the quilt I made for MY room which has been subsumed into the black hole, aka Her Room. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: weB2cats
Date: 08-20-2003, 11:15 AM (5 of 20)
| Maybe your DD's seal would prefer Polar Fleece. |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: Magot
Date: 08-20-2003, 01:10 PM (6 of 20)
ARRRRRRGH!  Why didn't I think of that! Seal's jumper is now finished and he looks so cute and Norwegian! His name is Club, the Baby harp Seal - but we all call him seal. We used to call him Club when he (and she) were young but felt is was perhaps a touch distastful after a while - like she was talking! is his home really. He is siting on the settee watching tele waiting for her to come back from Mouse Care. ( she works in day care for mice)
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: Ann Made
Date: 08-20-2003, 01:54 PM (7 of 20)
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My fall sewing is in a box - pillows. I will be making them as demos for the different classes I teach. Two will be John Deere tractors (winter), one will be pieced with 3 different fabrics with the center being horse heads and one will be a patchwork with a border (fabric unknown at this moment, I'm good at winging it). I want to make a lap quilt to match the 2 John Deere tractors, 4 John Deere tractor placemats and a lightweight denim vest. The vest will have red piping and zipper for contrast. After that, who knows. Ann Learning is a journey, not a race.
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User: Ann Made
Member since: 04-07-2001 Total posts: 67 
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From: weddingdance
Date: 08-20-2003, 02:20 PM (8 of 20)
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Last night DH and I went to the fabric store and chose a crusader costume for him, and bought the fabric. I already have a medieval dress costume pattern for myself. Tonight I'll wash the white fabric, his is a kind of microsuede, and mine is stretch velvet that I've had for years. Then I'm going to try to dye my fabric deep green. His white fabric is for the tunic, and mine is for the sides and back of the dress. I'll cut out and iron the pattern pieces while the wash is going. I'm thinking of using some gorgeous and expensive non-stretch velvet for the front panel and inner sleeves of my dress. It will depend on how deep a shade of green the stretch velvet comes out. I have some sage georgette to use as backup in case the velvet doesn't take the color so well. Tomorrow I'll wash his dark colored fabric, to make the hood, shirt, pants, and boot covers. I'll cut out his tunic while that laundry is going. Friday night I'll cut out his pants, shirt and hood, and boot covers. Saturday night I'll assemble his tunic. I'll take Sunday off  Monday night assemble pants Tuesday night assemble shirt Wednesday night assemble hood Thursday night assemble boot covers Friday night cut out fleur de lis chest emblem That brings us to Labor Day weekend, and I've got a housewarming party Saturday. Saturday night I'll cut out my pattern pieces. Sunday I'll assemble my dress Monday put finishing touches on costumes. Hooray!! That means we can plan to go to the Faire on September 27th, our next available Saturday night off. That also means that I'll have some leeway on the ridiculous schedule above. I only have 3 hours a night between when I get home from work and when I go to bed. That schedule doesn't even give me time to eat dinner!  )
Weddingdance
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User: weddingdance
Member since: 05-21-2003 Total posts: 15 
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From: gm23237
Date: 11-04-2003, 07:36 PM (9 of 20)
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Christmas presents, drapes, table linen, shirts (flannel- Our local Wal mart has flannel on sale for $1.00 a yard), bed linen and other craft things. BTW nice to see other males in here, I was feeling way out numbered LOL... |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145 
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From: Magot
Date: 11-05-2003, 02:53 AM (10 of 20)
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Mad Knitting Woman here - 2pairs of socks, 1 pair of gloves and a hat, now going to attempt moebius strip scarf. Have adjusted and fit bridemaid and flower girls dresses, and I'm still quilting the black and red quilt!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: MaryW
Date: 11-06-2003, 11:01 AM (11 of 20)
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Exactly what is a moebius strip scarf?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Magot
Date: 11-06-2003, 12:14 PM (12 of 20)
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If you take a strip of paper and give it a half twist and then stick the ends together you have a moebius strip. If you put a pencil on one side of the paper and draw a line down the middle of the strip until you get back to where you started you will draw on what appears to be both sides of the paper - because of the twist the paper has only one side.... If you have a scarf like this it lays flat under your coat and if the weather is rough you can pull it up to a hood. You could knit the scarf by just knitting a strip and sewing it up or by following the more challenging route of actually knitting the whole thing, twist and all in one go. I like that idea! There is a picture here http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/scarfmb.shtml love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: MaryW
Date: 11-06-2003, 05:35 PM (13 of 20)
And you knit that? I would need a strong drink I think before I started. LOL.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: gm23237
Date: 11-06-2003, 05:58 PM (14 of 20)
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Well, I am about caught up on Christmas presents and have decided to make my own bed linen for Christmas and top quilts to cover the tops of the beds( and use as lap quits). Then a new mantle quilt ( the one i have I sewed like 17 years ago) and decorating some towels for gifts now. But, anyone have any other neat ideas what to sew please let me know. |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145
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From: gm23237
Date: 12-30-2003, 10:55 AM (15 of 20)
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I must thank all of you who answered my post. I did take an old tie and use it for a pattern. I was able to make 6 new ties for myself and several others for Christmas gifts. I was lucky also to find a person that made labels for me you know : Made woth Love by George labels. In all I made all but three gifts for Christmas this year and everyone seems ery pleased to get something made bu hand. Thanks ALL!!!!!!!! |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145
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From: Ann Made
Date: 12-31-2003, 10:01 AM (16 of 20)
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gm23237, I am glad to hear that everyone loved all your handmade gifts. It is so gratifying. I have been busy sewing over the holidays. I have probably sewn 10 meters of fabric all told. I made 2 table runners, 6 trivets, 2 pillow covers, and 3 wall hangings. I will get them quilted when I get back to school. I have wonderful old tables to tape and pin baste everything onto so I don't ruin my antique table at home. I am really pleased with my attempts and I still have a few days left to sew. I have 2 boys in my sewing class at school who are doing a great job. One boy made a western shirt that several staff members thought was bought. He did a terrific job and hasn't sewn for 3 years. The other boy is making camo coveralls and we are stuck at the moment. We need to design a piece at the back where the elastic goes and attach the top to the pants. We are getting there nicely. They will be done by the end of January. Keep on sewing and everyone will be happy campers with the gifts you give. Ann Learning is a journey, not a race.
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User: Ann Made
Member since: 04-07-2001 Total posts: 67
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From: gm23237
Date: 12-31-2003, 07:20 PM (17 of 20)
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Yes, it was wonderful and fun sewing this year for the holidays. I started back in September but last tally I made 120 napkins,120 places mats,24 table cloths,2 Chrsitmas Quilts for my house,10 decorated towels sets 2 towels and two wash cloths each set and curtains (Christmas) for my kitchen. I really got into it when I got my serger though. Glad that there are more and more men getting into sewing (you mentioned the boys in your class). I stumbled on to sewing by accident really. I had a fresh charge card about 25 years ago and bought my first machine, told my son that if I paid $400.00 for something I would learn to use it. Thanks again for responding to my post, I have become a great fan of this board. Peace to all |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145
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From: Ann Made
Date: 01-01-2004, 11:56 AM (18 of 20)
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Wow! You have been busy. I haven't done that much and I teach sewing. Most days I move from student to student helping them with techniques. I get very little time to sew as I teach a student after school for 1 hour and am working on my masters' degree. My 2 boys are awesome sewers. One can figure out things with very little help especially in alterations. The other one needs more help but does well when he understands. His coveralls are harder than other items the kids make. Next semester, I have a group of girls who are going to learn how to quilt. We are going to learn how to use the serger to finish the edges of placemats. I will be a learner also. It should be fun as these girls are going to make a table runner, trivets, placemats, lap quilt and pillow. They will have something for their hope chests. (Most of these girls get married shortly after they finish school). It is going to be an exciting time as we do our projects. Have a great new year and keep on sewing. Ann Learning is a journey, not a race.
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User: Ann Made
Member since: 04-07-2001 Total posts: 67
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From: gm23237
Date: 01-01-2004, 05:38 PM (19 of 20)
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I am retired (retired early after having my 5th heart attack) so I have plenty of time to sew. It is the one hobby I found that I do not tire of. Th place mats were so easy as I used the serger and once I got a system for cutting (rottary cutter) the place mats and the right stitch to use with the serger to finish the edges it was fast work. I used a thin 3 thread stitch on the place mats and napkins. I found a way to lock the corners of the material as I sewed. I am not sure I can explain it but I just sewed enough "tail" to bring the material around and sew over it at all four corners, I liked the way that technic looked at each corner as well. I got so carried away I ended up making 6 place mats for each set and 6 napkins. I was done before Christmas so I made extra sets and took them to four neighbors homes and presented them to my close neighbors. Thanks to our local Wal-Mart I found most of my material for $1.00 a yard! I am lucky to live in a rather close drive to 3 WalMarts but the one I buy material from is 3 mins from my home. This WalMart (Chester, Va) fabric department is better than the others (way better) and a great lady. Freda, runs it. I am in there 5 times a week sometimes. Keep up the good work Ann, you have far more going on in your life than I do. I wish I could find someone that teaches sewing (especially cloths) IN MY AREA. PEACE TO ALL! |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145
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From: Ann Made
Date: 01-02-2004, 09:51 AM (20 of 20)
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You are so lucky to have 3 Walmarts close to you. We have one 6 1/2 miles from us (we live in the country) and the other two are one hour plus from us. One to the east is the best though the one to the west is okay. Our cheapest fabric is 1.99 per meter (40 inches). It is not the best fabric in the world. I usually try to find stuff on sale though that isn't always easy as I have to travel so far. You are very fortunate to be active after 5 heart attacks. My dad had an enlarged heart and lived for 13 years after his first heart attacked. He died shortly after our son carried the Olympic torch in 1988. His heart wore out due to its size. He was 72 years old but had lived longer than his brothers. I hope you can find someone to teach you how to sew clothes. Maybe there is a "Kids Can Sew" place in town. Usually found where they sell Huskavarana (spelling) sewing machines. Maybe one of the instructors will teach you. Or maybe a retired home ec. teacher. A couple of ideas. Start off with something easy on your own. One idea is to use the Sewing for Dummies Apron pattern that Simplicity sells. It is one I use when I teach grade 8's sewing for 45 days and it is a great pattern. We have changed it to be a butchering apron, carpenter's apron and just a plain apron. I made my daughter one for Christmas and I matched the pocket up so well that she missed seeing it until she put it on and put her hands into it automatically. She loves it. I used a Walmart fabric and it was a geometric design. You could use hot peppers fabric, light weight denim, etc. and make them a bit longer for great BBQ aprons. Just add the length onto the bottom with tissue paper you buy for wrapping presents. Tape it on and way you go. Or you could trace the pattern body and make it longer. Hope this helps you out. Ann Learning is a journey, not a race.
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User: Ann Made
Member since: 04-07-2001 Total posts: 67
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