Gallery of In Progress Projects

Rosamundi · June 17, 2010, 06:18:24 PM

Great work, Tripletap! Have you caught the sewing bug now? ;-)

Tripletap · June 17, 2010, 06:24:41 PM

I have caught the bug!!!
Now if I can just figure out the one one step buttonhole function on my machine.

Kate XXXXXX · June 18, 2010, 02:08:12 AM

Read through the instructions very carefully. And practice like mad on bits of spare cloth! I use my one-step buttonhole a LOT, but every time I start a set, I do five or six on scrap bits of cloth just to see what combination of thread, tension, buttonhole style (I have ten), and support (in the way of extra fabric/interfacing) the buttonholes need for that garment.

On fine fabrics I like to use a fine silk or rayon embroidery thread in the needle, and a fine silk or poly bobbin thread. On shirt cottons I use something like Aurifil or YLI fine cotton thread in both. Sometimes you need a little extra support for the stitching while the buttonhole is being done, but you don't want that extra bulk in the finished garment. Then I use Izal toilet tissue as an extra backing: it tears away beautifully. It's the hard stuff, looks like this:

Unfortunately they no longer make it, so I'm looking for a substitute for when my roll runs out! I use it rather than tear away or wash away embroidery stabilizers as it has, up to now, been cheaper. They may become the support of choice if I can't find a more ecconomic solution.

DonaCatalina · June 18, 2010, 11:26:54 AM

Quote from: Tripletap on June 17, 2010, 06:24:41 PM
I have caught the bug!!!
Now if I can just figure out the one one step buttonhole function on my machine.

That is what I love about my Baby Lock Decorator's Choice.
Adjust button hole foot to desired length of hole.
Put foot down on fabric.
select button hole type (round, square, eye)
press start button
go get a drink refill
press cut thread button and you're done.

gem · June 18, 2010, 11:57:07 AM

Triple, although I think it would probably be useful to figure out the buttonhole function, I'm going to throw a crazy idea out there!

I made the shirt from the Simplicity doublet pattern, and discovered that the cuffs were large enough to slip over Milord's hands (which are fairly large; he wears a size 14 wedding ring). So instead of fussing with buttonholes, I merely sewed the button through all the layers, fixing them in place permanently. That wasn't the original plan--I was on a deadline to finish and didn't have time for the buttonholes--but it works so well we just left it.

Anyway, if you're *really* having buttonhole troubles, see if you can skip them entirely... or you could do them by hand... or you could do the old-fashioned machine method where you stitch each bit manually.

Tripletap · June 18, 2010, 09:02:07 PM

Thank yall for all the great advice!
I may take my machine to a local sewing machine Sales/Repair/Classes shop close to my house and have them take a look at my machine, if it is not broken, they would probably at least be able to show me how the button hole works.
If that fails, I will stitch the cuff closed.

Rosamundi · June 20, 2010, 09:30:09 AM

I haven't yet braved a buttonhole on my new Brother machine. Please let me know how it goes! On current projects I plan on using fabric loops to avoid the issue [cowardly me!]

gem · June 20, 2010, 09:56:42 AM

LOL @ Rosamundi! That's exactly where I am: too cowardly to attempt buttonholes. I was all ready to try last year on the shirt from my last post, but was relieved when I ended up not having to do them! I've done buttonholes on one (mundane) project, and I ended up doing them by hand instead of trying to figure out how to do them on my old machine. My new machine is supposed to do splendid one-step ones... but I've never tried them. All my garb either laces or (easier still!) clasps closed!

peacewing · June 20, 2010, 03:30:56 PM

When I first started learning how to use the one step buttonhole I thought it was so evil, but it turned out to be so easy:
-Attach the buttonhole foot, and put your button in the back of the foot. (The foot needs to be attached so that the long end sticks out away from from you.) Adjust the foot so that it's snug against the button.
-Make sure the foot is slid all the way away from you so that there is no gap in the front.
-Pull down the buttonhole lever. It's usually to the left of the needle.
-Put the buttonhole stitch on, and go. If you stop at all, and/or you finish your buttonhole and want to make another one, set your machine to another stitch and then return to the buttonhole stitch to "reset" the machine.

Kate XXXXXX · June 20, 2010, 04:44:13 PM

The Husqvarna one is even easier:

Fit buttonhole foot and turn wheel to start
Choose buttonhole style
Select correct size for buttonhole
Press go

The only thing you have to remember when you move to do the next buttonhole is to turn the little red wheel to the start section again.

Rosamundi · June 21, 2010, 11:51:22 AM

Good gentles! Thought you might enjoy the concept sketches and underdress (completed this morning) in progress for my first adult costume. This is for my sister, who requested "ridiculous sleeves please!"

We're rolling it out this weekend at CORF. So because of that deadline - and not without some relief - I've backed off from the more ambitous details. The final version won't be reversible. It will be the grey/black overdress but with the long sleeves & sleeve garters as pictured on the blue sketch.

Someday I'll sew something that's not based on a T-tunic, but that day has not yet come. :-)

Lady Caroline · June 22, 2010, 08:00:34 AM

Rosamundi, it looks very pretty so far! Can't wait to see it finished.

LadyShadow · June 22, 2010, 08:18:27 AM

Cant wait to see a finished dress.

Rosamundi · June 27, 2010, 10:05:50 AM

An update! The dress is actually finished now but my photos are not keeping pace with my life. I'll post the final in "Completed Projects."

Meanwhile, here's an in-progress shot of the bodice. The shoulder straps are unfinished pending final fitting. Also, I had to compensate for a pattern-cutting mistake - cutting on the fold, I divided by two instead of four on the measurements. Oops. So the final dress-line is changed from an open gown to more of a bog-dress bodice.

But ain't my grommets fine? :-)