RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: gem on February 19, 2009, 04:09:00 PM

Title: Tired of planning; want to SEW!
Post by: gem on February 19, 2009, 04:09:00 PM
Sigh.  I got my glorious new Viking sewing machine almost two months ago, but for the last couple of weeks, I haven't gotten to *use* it!  I'm working on garb, but everything I'm doing is in the planning stages--pattern drafting, fittings, etc--which is useful and necessary, but I'm very *slow* at it.

I want to SEW, d*mmit!

Anyone have recommendations for quickie, do-it-now projects (does not have to be garb or even Ren).  I have enough skirts, bags, and chemises.  Maybe a partlet?  Whatever it is, it must be quick to start, involve some good machine time, and not require lots of fiddly planning and fittings.

Ideas?

My Viking (not to mention my twitchy stitchy fingers!) thanks you!
Title: Re: Tired of planning; want to SEW!
Post by: sealion on February 19, 2009, 05:06:22 PM
A partlet is easy and useful. Margo Anderson has a free pattern on her website.
Title: Re: Tired of planning; want to SEW!
Post by: operafantomet on February 20, 2009, 09:38:38 AM
I would suggest a saccocchia (loose pocket) or an apron! It's definitely period stuff, not too hard, and will give you time with your new sewing machine.

SACCOCCHIAS:
http://www.geocities.com/pisslei/saccocchia.html

APRONS:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze1/ghirlandaio1486d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze3/allori1596.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze3/allori1575-78gaddi.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/venezia2/sustrisvenet1570s.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/ferrara/robertiferarra1472.jpg
Title: Re: Tired of planning; want to SEW!
Post by: Marietta Graziella on February 24, 2009, 07:40:14 AM
Gem, I've got it...

A while back I found a pack of cotton/linen dish cloths at Wal-Mart.  They cost $5.00 for a pack of 4.  All the edges are finished.

My thought was to make a piratey kind of shirt out of them, with no cutting (well, except the neck bit).

Kind of fun.  Rather useful for garb.  No measuring of drafting.  Just you and your machine.  Well, for about an hour.   ;)
Title: Re: Tired of planning; want to SEW!
Post by: LadyStitch on February 24, 2009, 06:00:36 PM
When I get the sewing itches' I just turn to my trusty singer sewing guide.  There are allot of little projects in there you can make for around the house and as gifts.  I like to make bibs to have on hand for  "emergency" baby show gifts.  I also have made place mats (no better way to practice mitered corners, and bias binding)  and then table runners. 
Another thing that I have done is start making accessory holders/ ditty bags  for my local theater. 

This is something I really want to make but never seem to have the gumpsion to do.
http://www.tollefsondesigns.com/costumes/accessorybag.html

If you have that much of an itch, this might work for you.