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: JohnBoy
Date: 07-19-2006, 01:40 PM (1 of 26)
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HELLO ALL!!!! I just thought I would say a big hello to everyone on the site, I stumbled across it last week and have been amazed at the warmth and kindness of this forum, I had to join. My name is John and I am from Derby, England (little picture of me should be my avitar). I am 26 years old and my mother taught me to sew as i was growing up. I then diddnt even think about sewing for years, went to university etc.. When I left university I started to get a new look, away from the usual student look, and wanted good quality clothes that were also interesting, so many mens stores just have basic jeans and t shirts. I have thus begum to make my own clothes and I LOVE IT!!!!! I know its like really not a mans thing, but I LOVE going into the material stores and seeing these isles of fabric of every colour and style, everywhere i go now, if i see some fabric, im thinking "wow what could i make that into". I hvae lots of questions tho cos Im a beginner , the first is which machine should I buy, which ill post in the appropiate section. But yes im here to stand up and be counted, and to say, Im a man who likes to makes his own clothes, and SEW! I look forward to meeting you all on the board, Best wishes, john |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 07-19-2006, 01:53 PM (2 of 26)
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Welcome to the board, and kudos to you for sewing your own clothes! My family and I attend Renaissance faires frequently, and I'm trying to get my husband to make his own outfit (his best male friend sews) but he won't have any of it! I'd love to see pictures of some of your things. photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: JohnBoy
Date: 07-19-2006, 01:59 PM (3 of 26)
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Hi and thanks for the reply! Definatly make your husband have a go its good fun! This is the project I want to start next, over here in England last winter the military coat was all the rage - (do people still say that)?? LoL Anyway I found this pattern and bought a copy, so am curently sourching material forr it. I thought of using gold/copper metal buttons and maybe some other notions ie braded cord to add more of a military theme. |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: JohnBoy
Date: 07-19-2006, 02:01 PM (4 of 26)
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I FORGOT THE LINK!!!!!! LoL http://www.habithat.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/5351 |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 07-19-2006, 02:07 PM (5 of 26)
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That pattern is fab! Are you going to make it in wool? You could add some epaulets to make it more military too.
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 07-19-2006, 03:11 PM (6 of 26)
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Hi John, Welcome to the group. I know quite a few males who sew. It is a great way to have your clothes be you, instead of dept store stuff. You will have to keep us up to date on your projects, and if you run into trouble feel free to ask. Lots of talented people here who can help you out. Like the jacket, one thing I have done is copy the picture, then add different elements I think I may like to the picture to see if it will come out the way I want it too. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: esrun3
Date: 07-19-2006, 04:21 PM (7 of 26)
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Hi John, I welcomed you in your sewing machine thread but wanted to welcome you here too! You will be amazed when you find out how many men actually do sew. It's more than you would think. Both my boys know how to use a sewing a machine and as adults have made costumes, curtains, etc for their children (their wives don't know how to sew). I know they are both happy that they know how even if they don't do a lot of it. Can't wait to see some of the items you make. I mostly sew for my grandchildren these days and quilt but enjoy every minute of it!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 07-19-2006, 04:46 PM (8 of 26)
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Welcome, John. My Dad taught me how to sew. He sold machines and made all the clothing on display. I also worked with a Doctor who made all of his clothing. His favorite was a jumpsuit. His lab coats always had more pockets than the RTW. Ron Anderson has his own site that you might enjoy, givng tips and links for fabrics and how to's and all sorts of useful information for sewing mens clothing. I have lost the link but I'm sure you could find it. As far as machines, if you want a good basic machine without computer components and a workhorse you might want to check with some dealers that have used machines. I just pulled out my 30+ year old Viking and it is running better than it's newer cousin with the computer parts! Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Magot
Date: 07-19-2006, 05:08 PM (9 of 26)
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Yay John! Who cares if you're a bloke, you're British! (we have to be a little partisan here there aren't too many of us) My Dad taught me to knit - we are not too into sex roles here. Love the jacket - you could end up with a kind of Johnny Depp thing going there (well maybe a bit more Adam and the Ants). My advice would be pace yourself - it always takes longer than you think it will. Enjoy the learning curve. 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: cshortsew
Date: 07-19-2006, 05:24 PM (10 of 26)
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Welcome John!
cshortsew
Projects Completed in 2007: Sewing: biscuit quilt, 7 baby dress sets, piggy pillow, 7 baby pants, eyeglass holder, purse, 5 baby outfits, toddler dress set Crocheting: red purse, piggy slippers, sweater shawl, 5 pr. sock trims, 89 squares, baby sweater, 2 afghans, toddler harness, baby poncho, baby dress Other: 14 Autism pins Works in progress: Sewing: toddler overalls & shirt Crocheting: vertical stripes afghan |
User: cshortsew
Member since: 06-28-2006 Total posts: 380 |
From: JohnBoy
Date: 07-19-2006, 06:05 PM (11 of 26)
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Wow what a warm reply, thankyou all so much for making me feeel so welcome..... GreenDragon lady, I had a quick look at your pics and what fantastic clothes!!!! Do you make them all yourself? You also have a beautiful family. I love to try and incorperate costure / older clothes into my wardrobe of everyday wear, like the military jacket. The link I gave also has patterns for victorian frock coats and american amish trousers, I think I will also be getting those patterns as i think they could be adapted from costume ware into every day ware. I would love to make if out of wool, as i thought it would match the pattern so well, but to be honest im a little scared to try since i have only ever sewd cotten. It would be new ground for me! Summer - what a GREAT idea about copying the picture then adding bits, I guess I could even scan it into the computer! Seriously i would have NEVER thought about doing that, thanks for that great tip! Actually esrun, here in England, my age group (26) HAD to take sewing classes in school, boys too! We diddnt really make much, a duffell bag and a sweatshirt but even the most toughest , football playing lads were made to sit at a machine and sew there shirts!!! Actually i could not imagine a parent NOT teaching a child to sew - When i went to university i bought a cheap £99 Janome compact machine, its not really up to much but it was great for doing quick repairs of my clothes etc, the other lads in our dorm were ALWAYS asking for clothes to be FAST mended on a friday evening as we were all getting ready to go out! What a skilled man your father sounds sewingrandma! Actually I have always thought what a interesting job a sewing machine engineer must be! Its funny you should mention the doctor connetion, i am also hoping to go to medical school in a couple of years! Im currently saving and trying to pass my entrance exam! he he he - if would be funny to practice my stitching on a real person! Imaging me asking for the NEW BERNINA WOUND SEWING FOOT!!!! LoL Margot - ANOTHER BRIT!!! Ow ya doin me old cocker???? LoL Hey your dad sounds cool, my mum also taught me to knit and crochet, however its the slowness that gets me! I can start a jumper but soon give up after a week and only having a few inches to show for it. nice thing about sewing is its fast. I would have loved to have been a clothing designer with all these abilities, or maybe i just wached too much House of Elliott! I agree im going to have to take it slow tho and build on my knowledge. I find patterns so hard to follow at the most crucial stages, with no real instrustion - collars ALWAYS get me stuck!!!! You may all get me asking you what im supposed to do NEXT!!! Oh I see your from Cambridge, nice place to live, I almost ended up living therte myself last year, i went for a job at Wessex Water as a management graduate, but diddnt get passed the final stage - oh well!! |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-19-2006, 06:23 PM (12 of 26)
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John -- You might want to try a nice wool blend for the jacket. I don't think you would find wool any more difficult than cotton. Do you have a good source for buttons? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-19-2006, 06:41 PM (13 of 26)
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John, Why not make a test jacket first out of some inexpensive fabric ?? Welcome, btw, a lot of us here do testing so as not to ruin a good fabric. I am a firm believer in testing... Ask me how many of my 55 plus years of sewing did it take for me to learn that ??? LOL Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-19-2006, 06:43 PM (14 of 26)
Hi John, welcome to Sew Whats New. I'm so glad you are here. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: JohnBoy
Date: 07-19-2006, 06:50 PM (15 of 26)
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Hi Dorothy, thanks for the confidence on the wool, I may well try it, and if i folows Libbys tip for making a test jacket then im sure it will stop me being so scared of messing up the final piece - thanks Libby. I do literally get the shakes when Im pinned out and about to cut expensive fabric. I bought this really cool American Cotton print last year to make PJ's out of, it was a brick wall design, and cost a lot. Boy I checked it was pinned out correctly about 3 times!!!!!!!! To be honest in one of my books it teaches you about test garments but i always thought it sounded a waste of time, i guess not! Mary thankyou so much for the warm welcome, i am real glad to be here too. What an amazing site you have! |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 07-19-2006, 06:52 PM (16 of 26)
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Yes, I made all of the clothes except for my husband's. His black outfit he bought for our wedding, and he wouldn't let me see it until I was being escorted to the altar! His other outfit was an impulse purchase at a faire we attended. You could make a "test" jacket out of denim. That would be a good weight and would look smashing, I think! photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 07-19-2006, 07:05 PM (17 of 26)
| Hi John, From the Buckeye State of Ohio!!!!! When I was starting out doing Industrial Sewing my Supervisor was a man, the best teacher I ever had (next to my Mom, who will always be #1). I was able to improve my sewing skills with what he taught me. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: JohnBoy
Date: 07-19-2006, 07:26 PM (18 of 26)
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what you said sew happy reminds me of an article i read not long ago relating to the knitting fashion trend that hit the UK. A professional knititng teacher said that more men are knitting now, and that in fact men make the most beautiful things!!! LoL I wonder if its true that men actually make pretty competent sewers / knitters / crafters and its stigma holding them back! |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-19-2006, 09:30 PM (19 of 26)
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Hi John...I love the pattern you've selected for your jacket. I taught my brother to sew when he was in high school and I firmly believe that if you read a pattern and do what they tell you, being sure to press along the way....you can sew anything. I agree with LeapFrog on doing a mock garment before cutting and Dorothy's suggestion to make your final garment in wool. Wool is wonderful because it is like sewing with creme and is very forgiving. You will love it once you try it. I'm sure the jacket is lined, if not you may want to finish your seams with a bias binding finish (nice tailor finish in unlined jackets). Also, wool will be the perfect fabric for your damp days. One of my good friends was a draping instructor, male, and I always felt he had more talent in his pinky finger than I could ever have in my lifetime. His grandfather worked in the textile industry in the east and that is where he developed his love of fabric. It was not "appropriate" or let's just say it was frowned upon for males to persue this type of career so he got his degree in Art History. After college he took the plunge, followed his dreams and got a BFA at Parsons. He did freelance (some knitting also) for some major design companies, so it was always fun to listen to his experiences. Enjoy what your doing and the rest will fall into place. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-20-2006, 07:35 AM (20 of 26)
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John -- When you do the test garment you can just put together the parts you are not sure of so you don't have to make the whole thing. And use a long stitch and contrasting thread so it is easy to see what you did -- and what you are doing if you have to change something. When you do make changes use another color of thread every time so you remember -- "I did this, didn't like it so I tried this and it was better." Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 07-22-2006, 09:49 AM (21 of 26)
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Welcome John!! You'll love it here!!
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 07-22-2006, 04:12 PM (22 of 26)
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I'm a little slow, but welcome from Canada, eh!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Domestic Goddes
Date: 07-22-2006, 06:21 PM (23 of 26)
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Hello John, these ladies are absolute stars - I've picked up fantastic tips from this community, and not just about sewing, either. Now, knitting - just ask Magot about her intestines..........incredible! I sat on a train a while ago and watched in amazement as this suited and booted executive type opened up his briefcase and pulled out some of the most complicated fairisle knitting I've ever seen. Instead of writing up the notes from my meeting I spent most of the journey from London Euston to Wigan North West watching his fingers. Designer stuff in the UK is now so expensive, so it'll be great to have your own individual style - or do what I do sometimes, and buy off the peg and then adapt or customise. |
User: Domestic Goddes
Member since: 01-04-2005 Total posts: 108 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 07-23-2006, 08:18 AM (24 of 26)
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Welcome John! Just a bit away from me here in PA!
You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-24-2006, 07:59 AM (25 of 26)
I've said this before and I'll say it again. Men are the most incredible sewers and cooks. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: stephi
Date: 07-24-2006, 09:48 AM (26 of 26)
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Hey John, welcome to our site!! You will love it here everyone is soooo nice and very helpful. Just a few comments, Yes real men do sew and craft but it takes a real strong man to admitt it infront of others!!! With the sewing machine, I have a kenmore that I love. It is easy and very user friendly for us beginer type people. Dont let the wool intimidate you, infact take it one step at a time and you will be soo suprised at how well it turns out. I love vintage style clothes too so I cant wait to see some finished project, yes there are way too many jean and T shops flooding the market! Welcome!! 
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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