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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
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From: blackie
Date: 05-26-2006, 12:41 AM (1 of 6)
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When you commit your time to sewing, you learn something - every time. Sometimes the lessons are painful. Sometimes we curse our machines, or dream about fabric purchases or having more time to sew! Sometimes we are unwilling to admit how frustrating our internal barriers are. And sometimes we get a small kernel of wisdom and realize we are positively evolving in our craft and our self-concept. Lately I can't believe I am "allowed" to take apart storebought apparel and change it the way I want it. For instance, today I asked for advice on how to sew up the inseams on baby overalls. A few ladies suggested I take the seams out and resew. I still have this insecurity that RTW is "better" than I and anything I do will look worse (if you look close). But the few times I've replaced zippers or hemmed items, I've seen that my work is just as good or even better! When I think on this, I feel proud of myself. I have been treating garments with more respect, even when they have served their purpose. I've been having fun taking zippers out of old jeans. I work for a bit while watching a movie or talking with my husband, and them bam! I have a new, metal, vintage-looking sturdy zipper to play with! I iron it, then put it with the rest of my zippers in my cupboard (my sewing room is the best-organized one in the house). Then I either save the rest of the jeans (to make pants for my child, or sew a purse for a friend), or cut them into quilt squares. Then I take the leftover rags and strips and put them in a bag I keep for a friend who uses them to crochet rugs. A very small handful of fabric gets thrown out with the trash. I like knowing sewing can keep my hands from being idle. I enjoy treating my skills as if they were a useful, domestic craft - not a sloppy pasttime I give up the minute things get tough. I look forward to the day when I will devote more of our family income to fabrics and implements I yearn for. So - what are your latest sewing wisdoms? see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-26-2006, 06:51 AM (2 of 6)
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This week I learned if the book says canvas it might not be a good idea to substitute batting. Last week there was that hot iron on the wedding dress thing. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: stephi
Date: 05-26-2006, 09:10 AM (3 of 6)
not all singer attachments work on kenmore machines. I was given a huge box of attachments from my mother in law, she was told by the lady at sears that they would fit my machine...So she spent a morning digging them out of her basement for me and there where tons of them!!! I was soo excited, and I spent all of my free time last week trying to attach them the way the instruction book showed  Nope. Oh well I learned about hemers and rufflers and there where other things I had never seen before. I think there was a surge type attachment with a razor on it, very dissapointing. Cyber mom has got me thinking of trying stretch fabric again...this could get ugly!! Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
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From: blackie
Date: 05-26-2006, 11:21 AM (4 of 6)
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This week I learned if the book says canvas it might not be a good idea to substitute batting. Last week there was that hot iron on the wedding dress thing. Dorothy So Dorothy, what did you substitute batting on? I'm curious. stephi, cyber's gowns are beautiful, aren't they! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-26-2006, 11:56 AM (5 of 6)
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Kelly -- It's a fabric bowl. I'm making coasters and a bowl to put them in. I plan on finishing them today -- unless my plans for work go south and I have to sit on the phone all afternoon. I'll post a photo when I finish. They are coasters that are supposed to look like spilled coffee. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: stephi
Date: 05-26-2006, 12:55 PM (6 of 6)
I can honestly say I havent seen one of her outfits that I dont like! She does amazing work, and must have the patients of steel to work with stretch. The few times I have tried it  . I have a about 5 yds of this gorgiuos white lycra material I bought to make my daughter a pagent dress but I just havent had the courage to start on it yet. 
Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361
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