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: MichK
Date: 04-11-2007, 09:07 AM (1 of 14)
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Good Morning! I'm excited to say, that I'm a VERY new girl on this site, as well as to my new sewing machine! My wonderful husband bought this for me for our Anniversary. I was telling him how I'm interested to relearn how to use one. It's only been since I was in Junior High! Boy how it all seems foreign to me now (it's been about 25 years!). Anyhoo, I've studied my handy dandy operation manual for a couple days and I thought I'd be ready to practice on something...it was fun! I just tore up an old pillowcase and played around with it. I realized I'm going to have to learn slowly and truly do baby steps. i made a couple of pocket looking things though! Here I'm thinking, well....that's better than nothing....and my 3 girls were so excited! That made me feel better about it. So.....off we went to JoAnns to find something super easy for me to start with. As we walked in.....I saw (sorry, I severely lack the sewing vocabulary as of now) what I thought the best idea! Material that has rows and rows of ummmmm...sewn lines that were stretchy? down to the waist...then just the plain material without the stretch below that. I thought, "how easy could that be? just sew it closed, and make a hem on the bottom...a couple straps and voila! right? I think so. I asked how to measure...the lady told me to measure around their chest (my girls) and add 2 inches....there was also a small piece of paper with few instructions, which I need to learn what a couple of the words mean....like "ress". I know I'm babbling on and on....but for my first entry, I just wanted to say hi and where I'm at with all of this. ALSO! I wanted to say that I'm also happy to be here! I read quite a few things about how this site is really good for "newbies" (I think that word is funny). Have a wonderful day and I look forward to sewing with you! |
User: MichK
Member since: 04-09-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: temom
Date: 04-11-2007, 09:52 AM (2 of 14)
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Good Morning and Welcome! This is a great site, and I think you will enjoy all the people who post here. They are very very helpful and kind. Congratulations on your new sewing machine. I'm sure you will have lots of fun with it. Regarding the fabric at Joann's - I know exactly what you are talking about. My daughter loves it but I won't get it because it is too pricy for my budget. But it is beautiful! A fun project you might like is to make pillowcases out of flannel. It takes about a yard, and they are very simple. There are tons of free patterns and directions on the internet, and here is one: http://andsewitis.net/sewing/classicpillowcase.html I hope to here more about your first projects. Theresa
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User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 410 
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-11-2007, 10:06 AM (3 of 14)
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Good morning and welcome. Here are our own pillowcase instructions. http://www.sew-whats-new.com/projects/satinpillow.shtml MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 04-11-2007, 10:14 AM (4 of 14)
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Welcome! we sure are getting a lot more Michiganders lately.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: MichK
Date: 04-11-2007, 11:40 AM (5 of 14)
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Thank you so much for the very warm welcome! You all are sooo nice already! I will definitely be making some pillowcases....my girls will LOVE that....me too....and so easy! (looks like anyway). Okay....so here's my questions......or maybe you can direct me to another place on the website to learn this.....First, here's the directions for the hem, it says: For hem, turn under 1/4"; press. Turn under 1/4" again: "ress" (that, I believe is a typo for press). I was practicing with that pillowcase that I tore up....and that was hard! It kept wanting to unravel as much as I tried (but I also know that it will get easier with time and practice). I was thinking...I think I remember using pins to hold things like that together....but then I thought...that was over 25 years ago and I'm sure pins are still used, but isn't there such thing as a very thin double sided tape that I could use and just sew using that in place? The last question.....I have to cut the fabric to desired length (plus 1/2")......how exactly do I do that? I know I will have to put it up to my daughter and "see" where it needs to go down to....but do I measure how far down? or how far up? or make a mark and lay it flat and just cut across? Oh I'm just getting so excited. |
User: MichK
Member since: 04-09-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-11-2007, 12:54 PM (6 of 14)
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First sew up that seam. Pin it with the wrong sides together then sew with a 5/8 inch seam allowance. Start at the bottom and line the fabric up to the 5/8 inch line on the machine. If you start at the bottom you will be more used to it when you get to the elastic part. You might want to do a couple practice runs on scrap fabric to be sure you have the knack for a straight seam. Press the seam open. You could zig zag the edges if the fabric unravels. Eventually you will learn all kinds of seam finishes and spend a fortune on machines to finish seams. For now, press it open. I'd put my straps on now. With the dress on your daughter make a chalk mark where the hem goes -- be sure you add a hem allowance. Unless there is a really big difference in the front and back, I'd just make one chalk mark and measure from the bottom (if it is straight) and make marks every few inches and cut that length, again, be sure you have added a hem allowance. The directions give you a 1/4 inch hem. If it was me I'd do a 1 inch hem. That means add 1 and 1/4 inches for hem allowance. Now press under 1/4 inch along the bottom edge. Press with an iron, you know. If the fabric doesn't hold a nice sharp pressed edge you could baste it with long stitches -- they won't show. Then fold it up another inch (or what ever you figured your hem would be) along the same edge, pin it every couple inches and be sure to take the pins out before you sew over them with the machine. Sew it down. You can do it by hand if you like. Or, likely, you have a blind hem foot if you are feeling adventurous. You can also just top stitch it -- sew with a matching thread, be sure you sew close enough to the top edge of the hem to catch in the 1/4 inch sandwiched between the outside of the dress and the hem. Maybe your machine has a pretty decorative stitch for this. If you are going to top stitch the 1/4 inch hem might look better after all. That's how I would do it. Someone else is sure to come along with another way. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MichK
Date: 04-11-2007, 01:23 PM (7 of 14)
| Thank you Dorothy! I'm glad you all have ideas that we "newbies" don't think of. I ended up just sewing that first hem down...how easy! Now, I'll fold that in and finish with a decorative stitch. I think I understand all that! It's coming along and I'm about done! I will send a picture of my first one soon......I think. Thank you again! |
User: MichK
Member since: 04-09-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-11-2007, 03:10 PM (8 of 14)
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Welcome MichK. Dorothy is a really experienced sewists and gives really good instrutions. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MichK
Date: 04-11-2007, 08:27 PM (9 of 14)
Thank you Patsy.....I realized I was so grateful to have an answer with such easy explaining that even I could understand.  Thank you again Dorothy....I finished it! I even had time to make a scrunchy out of the dress material. I eyeballed and guessed at that....it seemed pretty easy. I don't think I made it exactly correct, but my kids don't notice the imperfections. I was lucky to have practically all day to sew until my husband came home just before dinner. My girls wanted me to get busy with the dresses so they didn't want any help with the household chores. How lucky am I today?! How did that happen? So I started with my middle daughter's first.....my oldest got smart and asked if hers could be made last. She knows that I'll have a better hand by the time I get to hers....smart girl. Anyway, I did it! Oh yeah.....each of the girls had their own idea of straps. Here it is: http://www.cantonvoice.com/pics/NewSundress7.jpg
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User: MichK
Member since: 04-09-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: esrun3
Date: 04-11-2007, 09:31 PM (10 of 14)
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Welcome MichK! You did a wonderful job with the dress. I love sunflowers!!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: MichK
Date: 04-11-2007, 09:38 PM (11 of 14)
Thank you Lyn  It was fun....I know very basic...but that's what I was looking for. Eventually I'd like to make some cool looking pillows for my livingroom sofa. Anyone have any place to look for some ideas? I'm not in any hurry.....I'll get to it after I feel more confident with much simpler things. Have a great evening.....Michelle
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User: MichK
Member since: 04-09-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: Brenisback
Date: 04-11-2007, 09:43 PM (12 of 14)
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Welcome MichK...glad your liking it here.
Brenda
People come into your life ...for a Reason a Season or a Lifetime. |
User: Brenisback
Member since: 09-20-2004 Total posts: 228 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-12-2007, 08:12 AM (13 of 14)
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What a great job. But don't let that housework thing fool you -- they will catch on soon enough. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-12-2007, 01:11 PM (14 of 14)
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Great job on the dress. Sunflowers are among my favorites. Here's link for sewing envelope back throw pillows http://sewing.about.com/od/homedecprojects/ig/Free-Pillow-Patterns-/Envelope-Back-Pillow-Cover.htm Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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