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From: Zabelle
Date: 02-26-2004, 11:29 AM (1 of 15)
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Hello all! I just subscribed to SWN and it seems so be the perfect place for me! I'm a beginner at sewing (well, I've sewn several dolls and cushions but I've never sewn clothes). I'd love to sew a summer dress but I don't have a sewing machine at present and my mother told me it that the seams in a hand-sewn dress wouldn't be strong enough... What do you think? Does any of you handsew her clothes? What's your advice?  None of my friends sew (I'm 22 and I've never, ever met someone of my age interested in sewing!) and I'm so much in want of advice... and I'm dying to make that dress (and more, if it turns out fine!) Thanks so much! Zabelle English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98 
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-26-2004, 01:05 PM (2 of 15)
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Hi Zabelle, and welcome to Sew Whats New. I think your mother is right, the seams may not be strong enough to hold up. There are lots of inexpensive machines around, a used one can be quite serviceable. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Zabelle
Date: 02-26-2004, 02:27 PM (3 of 15)
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Thank you Mary! The trouble is, I'm spending only one year in the US and I will be back in France in May, so I won't have the chance to buy a sewing machine before that time. But my birthday falls in May too, and a sewing machine is sure to be the item on my wishlist!  Well, I guess that pending that time, I'll be back to making dolls... Thanks again for the quick advice! English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-26-2004, 02:39 PM (4 of 15)
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Can't you borrow one from somebody?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 02-26-2004, 02:59 PM (5 of 15)
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I would think if you used a backstitch & good strong thread, small stitches it would work. That's how they made them before sewing machines. I would try some stitches on scraps. Then try pulling them apart & washing them.See what happens. If they don't rip out easily I would say go for it. Barb Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-26-2004, 04:44 PM (6 of 15)
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I made a dress that way once -- just as Barb suggested -- small back stitches. It's a LOT of work but the stitches out lasted the fabric!! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-26-2004, 06:31 PM (7 of 15)
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There you go, different points of view. If you are so inclined, get some fabric and start that dress! MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Zabelle
Date: 02-26-2004, 06:40 PM (8 of 15)
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Wow, Thanks so much all for your replies! I think I'll give it a go with some cheap fabric - I guess it'll be good practice anyway. I may need to post other questions as the project goes on...  At least I knew what backstitch was (I've done quite some cross-stitch and embroidery in the past)! Thanks again! If you think of any other advice, I'll be very grateful. English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-26-2004, 06:49 PM (9 of 15)
Um, you're gonna need a LOT of thread. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: MarysRose
Date: 02-27-2004, 04:10 AM (10 of 15)
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Yes, sewing by hand is a good idea if you do not have a machine. I repair most of my clothes by hand anyway while watching t.v. and the threads last much much longer! I use a double thread. A tiny backstitch and indeed you will need lots of thread! Good luck to you! Laura
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User: MarysRose
Member since: 06-19-2003 Total posts: 37 
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From: Zabelle
Date: 02-28-2004, 06:23 PM (11 of 15)
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Thank you all, you've really got me motivated! Have a great Sunday, Zabelle English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98
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From: caribjewel
Date: 02-29-2004, 06:12 PM (12 of 15)
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I'm asking the same question too [sewing a dress/garment by hand] , Zabelle, and I'm also 22! There are probably many others like us out there, so take heart!  Where there is a will, there is way, no? caribjewel 
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User: caribjewel
Member since: 02-29-2004 Total posts: 1 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-29-2004, 06:23 PM (13 of 15)
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Caribjewel, welcome to Sew Whats New. You are not alone, see Zabelle, she too is sewing by hand. You are both so ambitious. Zabelle, nice to "see" you.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Yannick
Date: 02-29-2004, 08:00 PM (14 of 15)
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Bienvenue Zabelle! Maybe you could take a sewing class,to get acces to a sewing machine! I did that once because I was fighting with mine! They were hand sewing dress before so I guess a strong small stich will do the trick. Yannick en provenance du Québec
Yannick
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User: Yannick
Member since: 10-30-2002 Total posts: 49 |
From: Zabelle
Date: 03-01-2004, 10:15 AM (15 of 15)
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This community is so friendly, I feel as if I had met many new friends. Caribjewel, we may be unexperienced and have no sewing machine, but we'll do it!  Thanks all for the encouragement. I'm afraid I won't have the opportunit of taking sewing lessons before I get back to France in May (I a teacher here and I can sew only late in the evening), but when I'm back in France, I'll go to my dear grandma who was a very talented professional seamstress and she'll be happy to teach me a whole bunch of tricks. ... Who knows, maybe some day, I'll be able to help others in this forum! ... Some day... English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98
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