Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: stitchedup
Date: 04-15-2006, 12:26 AM (1 of 13)
|
hi all, I'm Gordon , I've always been facinated with the idea of sewing as a hobby , and since I'm now semi retired and have the time ,I've decided to give it a go .my wife has been very supportive and assures me she'll find plenty of stuff to keep me busy I suppose its a bit of a strange hobby for a guy , but what the heck , it looks like a really interesting and fun pastime , and I'll get the satisfaction of making something useful ,and the challenge of learning all the skills involved...not sure I'm quite liberated enough just yet to shop for the fabrics and notions etc. , may leave that to my wife to start with . these forums are just amazing , I'm staggered by the help and support given to beginners like me ,I will be watching ,learning and hopefully one day contributing cheers for now gordon |
User: stitchedup
Member since: 04-10-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-15-2006, 12:48 AM (2 of 13)
|
Hi Gordon, Welcome to the group. Glad you have decided to take up sewing, I believe you shall find it a wonderful pastime. I work at a fabric shop and we have men come in quite a lot shopping for material and such. They sew and are proud of it. So don't be shy about plunging right in and starting on something. Keep us posted on how you are doing. The other men on her do. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Magot
Date: 04-15-2006, 02:24 AM (3 of 13)
|
There are other chaps on these boards too, Gordon so don't be embarressed - jump right in and ask questions - the only way to learn. It was my Dad who taught me to knit and embroider. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
From: Sancin
Date: 04-15-2006, 02:48 AM (4 of 13)
|
Welcome, Gordon I don't know what you are semi retired from but you will not only find this a helpful group of people but lots of information and you will be able to use both thinking and movement/mechanical skills. I often wondered if sewing was like cabinet making (which I considered primarily male activity), until I tried a bit of necessary cabinet making. Both require measuring and fitting, but use different techniques and definitely different tools. Both require problem solving, working through steps or stages of something but I found cabinet making a lot of hard work and heavy things kept dropping on me! What a klutz I am. You may want to try quilting as it is even more exacting in terms of measurements but allows for more spontaneous creativity. Let us know how you are progressing and what you are making. I am always surprised at what people's first projects will be - especially if is something I wouldn't make!! 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
|
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
|
From: Ronda Sews
Date: 04-15-2006, 05:58 AM (5 of 13)
|
Welcome! I see men in the fabric stores all the time. If you do feel uncomfortable you could always order on line. I do a lot of online ordering and so far, I haven't had any bad experiences. I did have to get past the shipping fees but decided it was worth it. Dig in and have fun. It's very rewarding when a person finishes a project! Ronda Bernina Aurora 440QE
|
User: Ronda Sews
Member since: 04-07-2006 Total posts: 25 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 04-15-2006, 09:10 AM (6 of 13)
|
Hi Gordon--I think it's great you are pursuing a hobby like sewing!! You'll enjoy it so much!! It's great to have you as a part of this group!!! Julie
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 04-15-2006, 01:32 PM (7 of 13)
Welcome Gordon, We are glad to have you here.. I run into men in the fabric shops all the time.. Do not be shy about it.. You could always ask your wife to go with you, (sort of a disguise) if you really needed her advice or just her company.. Check out the lessons from the home page.. There is a lot of help there already, and of course there is always someone here with an answer to any questions you may have.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: bridesmom
Date: 04-16-2006, 01:01 AM (8 of 13)
|
Welcome Gordon, always good to have another face on board!!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: esrun3
Date: 04-16-2006, 01:06 AM (9 of 13)
Welcome Gordon! You'll find lots of helpful folks here. Glad to have you aboard-don't be shy about shopping for fabrics, etc. There are always men int he fabric stores I go to. Main thing is to enjoy yourself! 
Lyn
|
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: stitchedup
Date: 04-17-2006, 12:00 AM (10 of 13)
|
hi all , thanks for your warm welcome and advice...I'm checking out machines at present,and seem to be settling on a brother PS-55 ..it seems to have a good basic range of stitches and one step buttonhole,which the store lady tells me is a must . I think it should cover my needs as a starter machine,and see how I go... later I can upgrade if I need to..does anyone here know this machine or any inherent problems, cheers gordon |
User: stitchedup
Member since: 04-10-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: MartySews
Date: 04-17-2006, 12:40 AM (11 of 13)
|
Hi Gordon and welcome to the group. My DH took a beginner sewing course at the local university so that he could understand why sewing is so important to me. I took a woodworking class at the same time to understand his love of fine woods. It was a wonderful experience for both of us and helped to improve our marriage and communication. There are lots of different machines on the market. I would check with more than one dealer in the area and test drive the machines using your own fabrics. Buying a sewing machine (to me) is like buying an automobile. There are many different makes and models with different and similar features. Only you can decide what is exactly right for you and your needs. Happy Stitching! Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
|
User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
|
From: Sparky
Date: 04-17-2006, 11:37 AM (12 of 13)
|
I couldn't agree more with what Marty said. Test drive the machine and USE YOUR OWN FABRIC. Demonstrators tend to use a stiff fabric that's a breeze to sew on with any kind of junky machine, then you get the thing home and try to reproduce the same effects with your softer fabrics and you can't get the same results. There are a lot of things to consider besides what features the machine has. Yes, you want one that will do the things you want to do, and no, you don't want to pay for a lot of fancy features you won't use, but it's just as important to have a dependable machine that won't drive you crazy. Nothing against Brother -- I used to have a Brother and it was a good machine, but that doesn't mean anything. Try it for yourself. If the dealer doesn't want to let you, RUN to another dealer! Other things you might want to consider: Is the machine easy to thread? Most are. Is the bobbin easy to thread? Some machines will do this automatically. Is the bobbin easy to change? Some just drop in. Some are very awkward. Is more than one type of buttonhole setting available? That's not really necessary, but nice. Does the machine make a nice even stitch on thick, thin, heavy, light, and medium fabrics? (That's why you take your own.) Does the "gas pedal" (might as well stick with the car analogy) operate smoothly? (I used to have a machine that would do nothing when I pushed lightly on the pedal. I'd push a bit harder--still nothing. A bit harder--still nothing. A tiny bit harder--and it would jerk to life and the fabric would race through faster than I could control. Drove me crazy. Stupid thing.) Is there a light over the needle? Most modern machines have one. Is the needle easy to change? Are the presser feet easy to change? Does the machine need regular oiling? If so, be sure they show you how. Sparky
|
User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: sweetpea1
Date: 04-17-2006, 12:04 PM (13 of 13)
|
Gordon, How very exciting to take up a new hobby -- especially one you have been facinated with for some time. You will finally be able to realize your dreams! Anyway, as many of the other posts have noted, there are plenty of male sewers out there. Men have always played a big part in the sewing world. Come to a sewing expo sometime and see the wonderful classes taught by men or their designer booths. Also, I belong to the American Sewing Guild, and a very nice gentleman just joined our Detroit Chapter. He makes the most specular crazy quilts I have every seen. They are truly unbelievable! Everyone enjoys his masterpieces when he brings them in. Enjoy your new hobby and don't let any barriers hold you back! Besides chatting with the guys who sew and post on this site, check out the JoAnn.com boards. There are some great guys hanging out there too. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. SweetPea |
User: sweetpea1
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 56 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-18920.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft