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: Sewhappie
Date: 10-04-2006, 04:39 AM (1 of 22)
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Given that we have so many newbies here, and lots of VERY WISE ol' timers too!!!! I thought I would ask the following: Is there something, sewing related, that you have wanted to try your hand at BUT where just to unsure of yourself to try and do? Something that you feel would help you get to that next level of quality sewing that you are striving for!! For some it could be just learning how to put in a invisible zipper correctly, or how to place a button hole, or place a pattern correctly on plaids. Maybe some have a more challenging feat that they want to try but just haven't had the nerve to try. Like tailoring a mens suit, or tackling a wedding dress or a outer wear coat. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-04-2006, 02:06 PM (2 of 22)
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Draping. I'd love to leave the flat pattern method behind in my dust tracks!
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: lendube
Date: 10-04-2006, 02:37 PM (3 of 22)
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This is going to sound weird but I just want to be able to choose a pattern I really like and sew something that I'll actually wear a lot. I want to be proud and happy to have done a good job. I can sew "stuff" like crazy and I'm very proud of it. The jobs I do for people, alterations, hemming, repairs turn out fine and the folks seem happy but for myself~~~~ that's a whole other story for some reason...........  Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Shai
Date: 10-06-2006, 11:36 AM (4 of 22)
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Easing. Easing. Easing. Did I mention I really want to learn easing fabric? I've gotten some terrific advice from several experienced sewers and now it's a matter of practice. Getting a fabric of one shape to ease into the fabric of another shape without puckers or overlaps or creases seems beyond my abilities at the moment. But, I shall not be daunted.  After easing, it's on to learning patterns.  Shai |
User: Shai
Member since: 09-05-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-06-2006, 01:26 PM (5 of 22)
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The first rule of easing is don't let Pam catch you stretching the fabric. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 10-06-2006, 03:18 PM (6 of 22)
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So true!!! Pam would be shaking her finger at you!!!!! For me I would love to learn Tailoring of Suits. I sew lots for DS as he is sooooooooo skinny and would love to give him Jackets that are tailored to fit him. To be able to know what parts really need the stabilzers and how to tack them in correctly is a challenge in and of its self!!!! Also to make some outerwear projects. I haven't tackled this one really. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-06-2006, 04:40 PM (7 of 22)
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Part of the secret of easing is to carefully cut the fabric so that it properly matches. If you are doing sleeves, on a sleeve that aligns at the top of the shoulder, there is little "extra" fabric" at the seamline. It is more a matter of taking the larger part of the circle (beyond the seam) and controling it so that it conforms to the circle. Patience, patience, patience, Dorothy! I still think that Dorothy should move to Oklahoma. I'm within 25 miles of 8 Hancock stores, 1 Joanne's and several Hobby Lobby stores...not to mention a few privately owned shops! Besides, if you were here, I could occasionally wrap you on the knuckles with a seam gauge when you stretch the fabric instead of easing! 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: Patty22
Date: 10-06-2006, 05:42 PM (8 of 22)
Dorothy can not move.  I mean, you're not taking Dorothy away.... Dorothy, keep saying your special mantra..."there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like Onondaga Hill." Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: mozeyrn
Date: 10-06-2006, 06:07 PM (9 of 22)
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I want to learn how to read a pattern correctly.......... and to be able to sew something well enough that I'll wear it out of the house (besides a pull-on skirt).
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: MartySews
Date: 10-06-2006, 07:01 PM (10 of 22)
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I always seem to get stuck when it comes to topstitching and sewing in a waistband by machine. Also, I would like to regain my tailoring skills. It seems as if my brain doesn't follow the commands that I send. Guess that I haven't practiced enough lately. 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: MotherInLaw
Date: 10-07-2006, 05:09 AM (11 of 22)
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Wow this is a good subject. Good one SewHappie. I would love to learn how to ease also. I hate putting in sleeves. I've tried to ease using the machine (putting the part that needs to be eased on bottom next to the feed dogs.) I've tried serging the sleeve first with the differental feed set to gather slightly. I give up. I have puckers and it's just going to have to stay that way when it happens. I've ripped out a sleeve on a duster I've been making that is still on my dress form since before Katrina, yes it's been over a year and it's staying there until I get enough nerve to tackle it again. I watch those programs on tv sometimes and they show you how to do it so easy. Then you try and AHHHHHHH makes you want to throw out the whole thing and go sleeveless.  My closet is full of those.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-07-2006, 10:19 AM (12 of 22)
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Susie -- To ease a sleeve just stretch the fabric real real hard..... NO, NO, NO, Pam I'm just kidding. Even I run a line of large stitches between the notches and pull them so the dots meet on the sleeve and the garment. Pin it. Then it sometimes helps to steam it with your iron around a ham to shape them. A walking foot might help if it is not to big and bulky. I have the little built in one. And then you have to go slow and kinda ease the sleeve in. Some people do the top part where the ease is before they sew the side seams of the garment and the seam of the sleeve. Then after the sleeve is eased on at the top they finish the seams and sew the rest of the sleeve in. That way they are doing the easing on a flat piece of fabric. I never tried that because I don't have much trouble if the it is in the round. Maybe someone who does it that way can explain it better. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-07-2006, 01:42 PM (13 of 22)
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There are advantages of doing the sleeve flat. One of the major advantages is that you can alter under the arm easier. One of my partners in crime who does a lot of bridesmaid dresses sew the lining and everything with that seam so that she can take them up easier. There have been times when I've altered a bridesmaid dress that I've thought twice about that method. However, it seems to me that there is more bulk under the arm that way and if you are someone who wears your garments tighter I think they are less comfortable.
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: Sherri
Date: 10-07-2006, 03:31 PM (14 of 22)
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OK well to go in a totally different direction. I really want to learn how to do Ribbon Embroidery. Like all those fancy flowers and stuff. I can do a little normal embroidery. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-07-2006, 08:10 PM (15 of 22)
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I've been thinking about that too, Sher. I just found this article, and it includes a few stitches and some pictures of projects. http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00017.asp?
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 10-09-2006, 10:42 AM (16 of 22)
I would love to be able to alter a pattern correctly the first time, or even the second wouldn't be bad either.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: toadusew
Date: 10-10-2006, 08:50 AM (17 of 22)
I would like to advance my skills by learning how to put in an invisible zipper correctly--heck, I'd just like the regular zippers to look good! Also, I would like to learn --and master--bound buttonholes, as well as a tailored sleeve placket. I would really love to learn tailoring as well.Come to think of it, there are a lot of advanced sewing techniques that I'd like to learn.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-14-2006, 12:43 AM (18 of 22)
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I want to learn how to put an invisible zipper in correctly and how to choose the correct interfacing so it doesn't end up bubbling or looking crappy afterwards. There is a bit of an article in Nov's Sew News but I sure wish they had gone into more detail, it's pretty basic.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: megasew
Date: 10-14-2006, 08:03 AM (19 of 22)
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I need to get over my fear of cutting into expensive fabric like real velvet as I have been dying to make myself a Kinisale Cloak (pattern from Folkwear Patterns:www.folkwear.com) and I would like to make it from real velvet with a heavy satin lining for special occasions.
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User: megasew
Member since: 09-02-2004 Total posts: 8 |
From: Magot
Date: 10-14-2006, 11:56 AM (20 of 22)
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Now THAT would be a cloak and a half! Go for it - who is going to tell you off if you get it a bit wrong - not us! and anyway - it may turn out great! 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: 10-15-2006, 11:09 AM (21 of 22)
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megasew, I second that go for it!! When I started my daughters wedding dress it took me a good hour to get up the courage to cut into the fabric, so I called a friend to pray for me and I took a big breath and went for it. Your cloak sounds gorgeous, just remember to cut all the pieces with the nap. Take your time, and I'm sure it will be beautiful. I find when I sew for others I take my time and really work at it, when it's for myself I have to really work at taking the time to do it properly, but I'm getting there.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Bsalet
Date: 10-19-2006, 04:59 AM (22 of 22)
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I would love to be able to make all of my ideas! I will come up with the perfect design, but be intiminated by their structure. Slowley but surely I will get there
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User: Bsalet
Member since: 08-09-2006 Total posts: 43 
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