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From: Longblades
Date: 09-21-2005, 05:10 PM (1 of 32)
| What's the most unusual thing you've used your sewing skills on? I handed in a school essay once, with the pages bound together by straight stitching down the left side on my machine. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-21-2005, 05:31 PM (2 of 32)
Late 60's or early 70's when dressy boots first became popular, I couldn't afford a pair. Went into Shoe Town (sort of discount shoe store) and they had a pair of black Kidskin boots in my size with tops short enough for my short legs, and someone had tried them on and pulled the zipper loose halfway up one leg.. They marked them way, way down, and I bought them , took them home and Old Faithful fixed them right up in less than 10 minutes.. (Singer Featherweight 221). I had a leather needle I had made DH a suede vest with..I wore those boots for 12 years.. one of my better investments.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Magot
Date: 09-21-2005, 05:34 PM (3 of 32)
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I've used embroidery stitches on the machine to embellish gift note paper. Great for kids for Grandparent gifts. Use an old needle.
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: Chrysantha
Date: 09-21-2005, 07:37 PM (4 of 32)
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I taught my Dad how to sew and helped him make seat covers (fake leather) for my sisters car. (he'd taken the seats apart and started from scratch, but didn't know how to use the sewing machine.) They were great looking seats too....
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Sherri
Date: 09-21-2005, 07:49 PM (5 of 32)
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I made shooting backstops from ballistic cloth for my hubby and is sport shooting team. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: esrun3
Date: 09-21-2005, 10:10 PM (6 of 32)
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quilted hunting vest and I've done the note paper too.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 09-21-2005, 10:43 PM (7 of 32)
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I make my own paper and books, and use my sewing machine for adding interest to the paper and book covers and binding. I also did a detail on the top of a friends convertable. They restored a car and before they did the top I sewed a design they wanted on it. Have done lots with Harley covers, and head gear.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Sancin
Date: 09-22-2005, 04:32 AM (8 of 32)
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What's the most unusual thing you've used your sewing skills on? I handed in a school essay once, with the pages bound together by straight stitching down the left side on my machine. I had a college student hand one like that into me once and I wasn't impressed!! Hard to turn the pages to mark. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: Jo-Anne46
Date: 09-22-2005, 07:43 AM (9 of 32)
| Made my hubby a gun case and a cross bow case. |
User: Jo-Anne46
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 28 
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From: LauraM62
Date: 09-22-2005, 08:24 AM (10 of 32)
What was suppose to be a fishing vest for DH turned into an emergency response vest for him instead once he seen how it was going to look. A few changes, added straps, etc. Now he has a bag I am designing for oxygen tank, masks, regulators, and other first responders emergency response equipment. Seems most of the bags are kind of an open gym style where everything dumps in, he wants separate styled compartments for the tank, regulators, and other equipment. Not as interesting as what some might put together, but in all is a good cause for our community. 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: Longblades
Date: 09-22-2005, 01:56 PM (11 of 32)
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Sancin, guess I was lucky then, that my Prof. did a lot of sewing herself. Or maybe she wasn't allowed to penalize sewing in a MacDonald Institute (the old home ec. divsion of U. of G.) course. LOL. It wasn't hard to turn the pages though; it functioned just as any other binding system would have. I did lose marks on another essay because my old, old typewriter was out of alignment and I was using a two coloured ribbon with black on top and red on the bottom. The tails of every g, p and y came out red and that Prof. deducted marks. What a stinker. I forgot, I made DH a gun carrier too, out of an old bush shirt. I also made a custom cat bed with removable cover (for washing) for the top of my office bookcase and now not one of the darn cats ever uses it. Obviously they preferred the hard wooden top. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: Sailorliz
Date: 09-22-2005, 03:36 PM (12 of 32)
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A baby diaper for my hubby.
Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386 
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From: Lise
Date: 09-22-2005, 03:55 PM (13 of 32)
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Aw, shucks. No pic of your husband in his diaper ! Lise 
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User: Lise
Member since: 07-24-2000 Total posts: 231 
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From: Magot
Date: 09-22-2005, 04:00 PM (14 of 32)
Now I was thinking just that.... 
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: bridesmom
Date: 09-23-2005, 02:29 AM (15 of 32)
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A welding sleeve for my hubby so he doesn't get burnt as badly when welding.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-23-2005, 07:29 AM (16 of 32)
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I made a cover for a reporter's notebook -- they are long, skinny spiral notebooks that open at the top -- out of fake snake skin for an editor once. I attached an elastic band to hold the used pages so he could find his place fast. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 09-23-2005, 11:14 AM (17 of 32)
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The most unusual thing I ever made has to be the 6'stuffed gorilla for a store display. A friend & I made him to hilight the fake fur. We used the store manager for a pattern & stuffed him with the remnants that wouldn't sell. He was hung from the ceiling & was used from Halloween through valentines day with different signs for the holidays. After he was taken down he lived in my bedroom & my nephews used him for a reading chair. When I got married & had no room for him I removed the stuffing & adapted him for my husbands costume. We still have him today. If I could find it I would send a picture that was in the newspaper as human interest. It did boost the sale of fur.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
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From: MaryW
Date: 09-23-2005, 12:23 PM (18 of 32)
I haven't made anything unusual. Boat cover, flapper dresses, outdoor furniture covers. See, nothing unusual. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: happysewer
Date: 09-23-2005, 01:58 PM (19 of 32)
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Not sure which was the most but..made a complete, spread shams, sheets for a round bed or it may be a horse costume
Mary
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User: happysewer
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 4 |
From: Magot
Date: 09-23-2005, 02:03 PM (20 of 32)
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ah now I've done a horse
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: mommgsews
Date: 09-23-2005, 02:21 PM (21 of 32)
| Sewed a boat shade cover, Bags for DJ equipment, A Duffle bag large enough to fit a baby's car seat, plastic-lined diaper covers, costumes galore - including Fred and Wilma Flintstone. Probably the most unusual was spats for an elf, completed in green vinyl with curled up toes! |
User: mommgsews
Member since: 03-15-2004 Total posts: 73 
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From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 09-23-2005, 02:34 PM (22 of 32)
lol!  Great responses!!!I sewed a boot cover for my dh's shifter in his car, and I sew fabric maxipads--those really freak my dh and dd out! lol! But it is a wonderful conservation effort for our environment  Jen |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263 
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From: Shellymoon
Date: 09-25-2005, 04:23 PM (23 of 32)
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Hmm. I think you all have me beat. Most unusual things I've ever made were a Santa costume for a chihuahua and cash grab bags for the credit union where I work. When I did that a few months back we dubbed it "Take Your Serger to Work Day." Dorothy....I never thought about making fun covers for all those reporter notebooks. They would have come in handy when we were out covering the event du jour in the rain! Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: BeanQueen
Date: 09-26-2005, 10:52 AM (24 of 32)
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I've done many of the above, and have made a tent and sleeping bags (2), too. I've made a boat cover for my brother's boat, and goat coats & sheep coats to cover the animals before the fair . Molly |
User: BeanQueen
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 16 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 09-26-2005, 03:18 PM (25 of 32)
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A chihuahua in a Santa suit?
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 09-26-2005, 10:01 PM (26 of 32)
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Yes, a chihuahua in a Santa Suit and it was as hysterical as you're thinking. Her name was Vicious. We also did her up as Troy Aikman and Mohammed Ali on separate occassions using the magic of digital photography and stock sports photos from the news library. Shh. Don't ever tell our editors that's what we were really doing... Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 09-27-2005, 01:44 PM (27 of 32)
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You have to let us see the Chihuahua/Santa pics!!!!! Guess the most unusual thing I have made would be the Energizer Bunny costume for DS when he was in 5th grade. Will try and find a pic of it. Other than that nothing sounds out of the ordinary..... |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-28-2005, 07:48 AM (28 of 32)
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I once had a customer whose son was going to be an elephant in Jungle Book. We couldn't find a costume. I ended up making a costume with hood and ears which we pretty much made up as we went along. For his trunk we used a styrofoam cup to start the nose. I made a long tube with a pink round insert at the end. I stretched out a Slinky and sewed it into the top of the nose and at the bottom so that it would move back and forth as he walked. It was lot of fun!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sweetpea1
Date: 10-10-2005, 08:18 PM (29 of 32)
| Hi, I new to this board, but when I saw the topic of discussion, I just had to reply. The most unusual thing I've ever sewn is a motorcycle seat cover. My dad bought an old motorcycle to fix up but was too cheap to buy a new seat (the one on the bike had dry rot on the leather). He showed up at my house one day with black vinyl, the old seat and cover and his own, homemade pattern. Never having done anything like this before, I told him no guarantees, but that I would try. It actually turned out pretty good and fit the bike. He was so happy, and I surprised myself! |
User: sweetpea1
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 56 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-10-2005, 08:47 PM (30 of 32)
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Welcome Sweetpea! Doesn't it just make you feel really good when something you work so hard on comes out right!! Glad you joined the board and hope you find this as great a place as I have
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-11-2005, 11:41 AM (31 of 32)
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Sweetpea's unusual one triggered a memory for me. I had forgotten that right after I bought Old Faithful (singer 221) , my Dad asked me to help him one day with a sewing project.. So, I set up the machine, and he came out with tapestry material (surprise, he bought it himself) to recover his favorite chair. Mom was threatening to toss it.. So, Dad drew the pieces and I placed the paper on the fabric . He cut and I sewed, and then we used upholstery tacks and put the new cover on his old platform rocker.. (he removed the old cover , first) It looked like a new chair.. That is a fond memory for me.. My Dad was only 60 when he died.. Heart trouble from rheumatic fever when he was a child.. I have since covered chair seats for my dining room chairs, but never again have I upholstered anything.. Too much like work to do by myself..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: plrlegal
Date: 10-11-2005, 11:01 PM (32 of 32)
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I really can say the most unusual thing I've sewn was a pink tutu for a dancing purple hippopotamus. Now girls and guys you're probably saying okay wonder what she had had to drink, sniff, etc. It's simple. The church choir I sang with in West Palm Beach, Florida does a production every year called the Singing Christmas Tree and the story was year was Toyland. We had a bookcase filled with actual toys on one side of the stage and on the other side we had a bookcase filled with live exact replicas of the actual toys. We had Dancerina, Hannah the Hippo, Clarabell the Clown and several others. Oh, that same year, I helped to sew a donkey costume and a wooly sheep costume for the manger scene as told by the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem and the sheep that was present in the stable the night Baby Jesus was born. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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