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From: MaryW
Date: 01-07-2005, 07:54 AM (1 of 25)
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How many of you like to embellish or dress up a plain garment? I took a plain long sleeve T shirt from Jalie, did a little embroidery on one shoulder and added some beading. Took the T shirt from everyday to just a bit dressy. It was fun to do, becuz I didn't know where I was headed when I started it. Dorothy, you have some really neat ideas for garments. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-07-2005, 08:01 AM (2 of 25)
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I was just getting ready to jump up and down and yell "ME, ME - I DO, I DO" Along those lines, has anyone here ever done any kind of embroidery with a regular machine? Any tips? I should probably stablize the fabric first with that wash away stuff, ya think? I just want to do a simple line drawing, no big fill -- yet. Any advice? I want to do this on a mid-weight poly crepe. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-07-2005, 01:15 PM (3 of 25)
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I did years ago when we went away on our very first vacation. I embroidered a flower on a peasant blouse. I stabilized with some interfacing on the back and straight stitched a traced design in white thread. I thought I was a genius at the time. LOL. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-07-2005, 05:30 PM (4 of 25)
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Dorothy, That Tall lady that wears glasses who is a wheel at the Sulky co. (I cannot remember her name)has put out several prrojects about making thread pictures on garments.. She uses the water soluble stabilizer, I think.. That is what I use on the baby bibs when I put a name on them.. I do not have an embroidery machine, but I do have a small Alphabet on my machine..Because the bibs are terrycloth, I have to put a piece of the stab. on the top as well as the bottom.. Works great..Practice first to see if you need to do that on crepe, but be sure to choose the right needle.. (I know you know that, already) 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-07-2005, 06:44 PM (5 of 25)
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When I wrote that I almost added "Yes, Libby, I know -- test it first." I knew you would be the first to say that. I'll let you know how it goes. It will be a few days. I have to make my doll a jacket first. The poor thing is sitting around in a teddy and it is so cold even the dog is wearing a sweater. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-07-2005, 09:52 PM (6 of 25)
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Dorothy, I tried that once and then quit and gave up. But I finally saw somewhere I was doing it all wrong, when you are going to do it, you have to go at the same pace, you can't stop and think about it, once you start you have to go at a med speed and steady. I used a wooden embroidery frame like you would use for hand emb, but I'm told I think by someone on here that they make a hoop just for manual emb. by machine. Let me know how yours comes out Dorothy, it's really pretty when you can master it. Mary, I'm not good at thinking designs up by myself but I sure can copy someone's genius ideas I think the next skirt I make for the girls I'm going to add sequins and beads to it, I went to a funeral today and one of the young girls had on a denim skirt with sequins that were falling off because they were glued on, I told her to stop by and I'd put her some real sequins and beads on in their place. She thought I was being nice but I really wanted to get a closer look at her skirt so I could copy her skirt.
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: pucktricks
Date: 01-10-2005, 12:03 PM (7 of 25)
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I've done some creative stuff on outfits, mainly adding bits of extra trim and things like that, but I'm just starting to venture into that new field. We'll see how it goes. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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From: MartySews
Date: 01-11-2005, 01:25 AM (8 of 25)
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Mary, I like to use decorative stitches for hems; sleeve trims and sometimes down a center front seam. Makes the garment more unique in my opinion. Just plan where you want the design in advance. I use a marking pencil to trace lightly the design before stitching out. Hope this helps. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: MaryW
Date: 01-12-2005, 09:50 AM (9 of 25)
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Marty, where have you been. Missed seeing you around. I have been playing around with some of the dec. stitches on my Pfaff 2044 and there are a few that really turn out nicely. I also like hems on my pants with a slit at the side seam. Then I sew a button at the top of the slit. Not much of an embellishment but keeps you from looking like everyone else. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-12-2005, 11:49 AM (10 of 25)
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I found this out in a magazine the other day so I thought I pass it on to you. Sometimes the girls grow out of their jeans in lenght but not in the other areas, when this happens you can cut the jeans mid calf and add in a peice of lace or funky trim and then sew the cut peice back on. This sometimes takes a little altering of the cut peice because the pant starts to taper in this area. I gave all my old clothes away to my friend and she was tickled to death to get several pair of jeans but she is taller than me, which don't take much, I'm only 5 foot. So this is what she is going to do with the pairs that are really too short for her. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: MartySews
Date: 01-12-2005, 12:04 PM (11 of 25)
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Mary, unfortunately, I have been in and out of the hospital a lot. I do more reading now than posting. Just finished embroidering bath towels as Christmas gifts; making placemats and napkin sets; plus started 5 outfits for myself. This is on top of sewing items for a craft fair and Christmas ornaments for the Festival of Trees. We raised another $1000.00 for LeBonheur Children's Hospital with the Christmas ornaments. I still homeschool and am active in several sewing guilds. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-12-2005, 04:56 PM (12 of 25)
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Mary -- I do that button thing on my pants too. On one pair I even made the button out of clay myself. I don't know why I do it -- it serves no purpose but I like it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-12-2005, 05:24 PM (13 of 25)
It's creative and you enjoy that, so do I. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: sable
Date: 01-12-2005, 08:32 PM (14 of 25)
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I have recently started using fabric paints (pabeo brand) to embellish some of the clothes I make for my two sons. I have also done some work on an existing pair of jeans that were starting to get lighter than I like on the knees. They now have a bouquet of roses which looks really good (or did b4 I got pregnant again, will look good again once I get back to size). I have also done some hand beading. I made a shoulder cape a while back to go with a particular dress which had flocking on it. I beaded the stand collar to echo the fabric. I am coming into some money in about 18 months and am seriously considering upgrading my machine to an embroidery one. I am currently thinking either Pfaff or Husqavarna. I am currently using an old Bernina Record 830 which is a great basic sewer, but a bit limited in the embroidery side of things. Rachelle |
User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-13-2005, 07:04 AM (15 of 25)
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I've used stencils and stamps and cut pictures out of printed cotton and appliqued them on other things. I made a heavy fleece coat with flamingos and palm trees on it. People loved it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-13-2005, 09:06 AM (16 of 25)
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yeah, that's the kinda stuff I love.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 01-13-2005, 02:50 PM (17 of 25)
I buy plain t-shirts in a solid colour and do ribbon embroidery by hand across the front of them and add some beads too. It makes inexpensive t-shirts into a one-of-a-kind and I got loads of compliments on them. I have to do embroidery by hand because I don't have an embroidery machine  ...yet! Some day! Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-13-2005, 04:24 PM (18 of 25)
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I like that idea Violet. Mary, How about making a place where we can show our finished projects for just a week or two. Then they can go away for new ones. I'd love to see other peoples ideas. The galleries are nice but they don't change that often. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-14-2005, 05:21 AM (19 of 25)
Susie, that is a good idea. Hopefully the site will be back to normal  soon. I will put up some galleries for you.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Londa
Date: 01-14-2005, 11:12 AM (20 of 25)
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Mary just helped me find this 'thread' - which is certainly my 'bent' these days. Sewing something just plain is just - boring! My favorite patterns for this kind of sewing include Kayla Kenningtons patterns, and also those from Lois Ericson (Design & SEw) and her daughter, Diane Ericson (Revisions). Both of them are chuck full of creative ideas. When I had my shop (1990 - 2003), I had them both in to teach, and they changed my sewing life - forever! Also - Marcy Tilton - and she has patterns in Vogue actually. I've been trying to sort through my stash of scraps (I throw very, very little away any longer!). Now I have current inspiration and projects all setting out where I can see them. My main thing right now is my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets - which I create to sell. This is like finding money in my basement - as I get a good price for them ($89 - $189) and its usually just my good stuff creatively used with a sweatshirt - that way I don't have the boring job of creating the 'garment' to begin with - it's already there in the sweatshirt! If you want to see some of them, just email me privately, and I'll give you links. I want to respect the rules of these discussion boards... Part of my stash too is my cupboards of jewelry toss-offs, old belts, etc. I'll go hunt my computer and see if I can find an image of the jacket I'm thinking of where I used an old leather belt as a closure. Oh- and that reminds me, regarding closures - Lois Ericson has a spectacular book I always go for - Openings and Closings. Anyway - hope this has given you some creative food for thought! Sewing hugs............ Londa
www.londas-sewing.com www.alondaoriginal.com |
User: Londa
Member since: 05-26-2004 Total posts: 39 
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From: Londa
Date: 01-14-2005, 11:17 AM (21 of 25)
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I'm going to go ahead and try to post this image link - The other thing is that the 'furry' parts on this jacket are squares easily made with the Monarch Butterfly Loom. That thing is addictive... The 'collar' is the lowerbands of sweatshirts covered with fabric scraps from my daughter's bridesmaids... http://www.londas-sewing.com/images/csjredhatlady.jpg Sewing hugs........ Londa
www.londas-sewing.com www.alondaoriginal.com |
User: Londa
Member since: 05-26-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-14-2005, 02:05 PM (22 of 25)
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Thanks Mary that would be great. I tried on several occasions to reduce an image so I could include it in my message and never did figure out how to make it a smaller file size. Do you know if you need a special program to do this? I did it one time for my avatar but don't remember how I did it. When I bring it in my photo program it make the pic smaller it gets blurry when I reduce it, so I quit and gave up. I'd love to get others ideas. They are starting to have classes on different techniques at my local sewing center so I'm hoping to learn new things this year and hopefully can pass them on to everyone here. IT's so much fun to share don't you think? |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: bunzino
Date: 01-18-2005, 01:50 PM (23 of 25)
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Free-motion embroidery is addictive for me. I usually don't hoop. You need to lower the feed dogs, sometimes change the tension if your thread seems to need it. You can also use thicker thread or even yarn in your bobin -- whole other subject. Now, I'm also a painter, so painting on fabric as I go is all fun for me, but I realize not everyone is into this. So, go w a picture torn from a magazine. I just tore one out -- the northern lights -- that is going onto a jacket. Would work for a sweatshirt, jacket. Wonder if I'll ever go back to plain ole garment sewing!!!! :-D nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: Londa
Date: 01-21-2005, 09:06 AM (24 of 25)
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My creative juices come from my 'stash' - of everything from old jewelry to old clothes (of which I like the fabric) to purses (for the hardware to use for closures), etc..... ad infinitum. I"ve just finished partially cleaning through and organizing, and have out in front of me now lots of baskets of 'inspiration' for new projects - mainly my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets that I make and sell. Working hard on my website where I (try) to sell my stuff - so as soon as I get lots more up there (hard at work right now) I'll direct you and point out some of my 're-cycle' sewing! Londa Londa
www.londas-sewing.com www.alondaoriginal.com |
User: Londa
Member since: 05-26-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: Londa
Date: 02-03-2005, 07:45 PM (25 of 25)
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When I made Loes Hinse's Zipper Jacket, the sleeves were too tight - I should have known, as they always are! So I slashed them up the outside to the elbow and added ruffles... I'll try to post a link to a picture...http://www.londas-sewing.com/images/LHzipsleeveruflg.jpg That ruffle and insert carried through the ruffle I'd added at the neck... http://www.londas-sewing.com/images/LHZiponform.jpg On my creative wearables site, 2 of my favorites with creative stuff are: under tops: the Bug Shirt. Under Vests - Peony Embroidered Vest. http://www.alondaoriginal.com then Products Londa
www.londas-sewing.com www.alondaoriginal.com |
User: Londa
Member since: 05-26-2004 Total posts: 39
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