Sigh.
So the only topics I read more than my home fair's board, is the sewing and garbing sections. I've always had an interest, but never dove in. I make hats. I do very well making hats. I do well hand sewing little things if they need to be done and.. well... hats. haha. But because of YOU and your discussion of Simplicity's new patterns.... I decided that I needed to buy said patterns. I mean, 5 patters for 5 dollars isn't anything to laugh at, and my mom sews... she has a good sewing machine, got a new one for christmas and everything....
Then, I decided... that I needed a sewing machine of my own.
Well, at Hancock's, they had the Janome Sew Mini for 39.99. I'm a college kid and so this was really all I could afford, and, really, all I need. It does straight stitches, and zig zags... can handle lightweight materials.... but really, all I need it for is to SEW lightweight materials. If I need to do anything bigger, my mom lives very close to me, no biggie.
So now, I start my journey into sewing... And I'm kind of freaking out, haha. I'm staring with reading the instruction manual like a good girl, and then maybe cutting out the fabrics. I am in NO way starting on the actual gown or the corset (lord, no). I'm starting with the Chemise and the farthingale.
So! Wish me luck, please, and if you have any tips (which I'm sure you all, in your infinite wisdom, do) don't hesitate to "school" me, as it were, in this whole sewing.... thing. (: I'm excited.
yay! As a fellow college student may I recommend http://www.threadbanger.com/ it's not ren related but it is a lot of sewing and they walk you through stuff or tell you where they walked you through it before, with video! they did an awesome fairy episode for halloween and it was awesome.
(this is totally un-ren related but
haven't I seen you at the fedora lounge?)
btw, happy stitching!
Good for you, volans! May your sewing journey be exciting and successful! ;D
Nothing but a group of willing enablers, we are ;) ;)
Happy sewing!!! :) :)
:D Congrats on your new sewing journey. Be patient with yourself, yes you will make mistakes but they can be corrected and if not you start over. Never buy the minimum amount of fabric. I always by an extra yard, trust me you may need it. ;)
Good luck.
Congratulations on your new sewing machine. You do realize that this is a highly addictive hobby?
Anytime you get stuck, someone here will be happy to help you.
Good Luck!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Gotcha! Not letting you go again, neither...
Right: you start a stash like this:
1: Go to the fabric store to get one small item.
2: Look round the fabrics after you have picked up that little thing... Stroke the ones you like the look of...
3: Take several to the desk and get about 3m of each.
4: Take home. Pet them a bit... Gloat over them. Feel slightly guilty at having bought them.
5: Live on toast, baked beans, and cabbage until the end of term...
You think I'm joking? I started my stash 30 years ago as a student. ;)
Bwahahaha! I started a couple of years ago with a Simplicity pattern (the Ever After dress) and the Janome Sew Petite!
This is the first machine I bought:
(http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Resources/machinegallery/jennyfront.jpg)
I still use it occasionally. It was built in 1923, and I bought it in 1976.
This is the pair that I usually have on the bench these days:
(http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Resources/machinegallery/readytosew.JPG)(http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Resources/machinegallery/Bernina1150MDA1.JPG)
Lily was bought in 1999, Bernie in 2007.
Quote from: Kate XXXXXX on April 17, 2009, 10:17:14 AM
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Gotcha! Not letting you go again, neither...
Right: you start a stash like this:
1: Go to the fabric store to get one small item.
2: Look round the fabrics after you have picked up that little thing... Stroke the ones you like the look of...
3: Take several to the desk and get about 3m of each.
4: Take home. Pet them a bit... Gloat over them. Feel slightly guilty at having bought them.
5: Live on toast, baked beans, and cabbage until the end of term...
You think I'm joking? I started my stash 30 years ago as a student. ;)
You forgot:
3.5: Scan the remnant stacks/bins for anything that might ever possibly be usefull, telling yourself its pretty much on sale, and will all be gone soon if you don't buy it all immediately. Grab anything that isn't Spongebob fleece.
You will get anxiety attacks over cutting your first piece of expensive material. Really. And it's OK - we all have gone through it. :)
Other than that - this is sewing. It is not rocket science. Stitches can be ripped out and re done.
Probably one of the best things you can do is learn the terms - both boring old sewing terms and historical terms you may run into when reading about garb. Learn the types of stitches too and what they are used for.
Enjoy yourself!!! :D
Quote from: Margaret on April 17, 2009, 07:47:16 PM
You will get anxiety attacks over cutting your first piece of expensive material. Really. And it's OK - we all have gone through it. :)
I'm weird. I didn't. Couldn't wait to chop into it!
QuoteOther than that - this is sewing. It is not rocket science. Stitches can be ripped out and re done.
A few weeks back a friend who sews was watching me work with a student from LSF. We were working on a jacket for the student's collection... My friend is an ex maths teacher. I remarked about one bit that we could fudge it to fit once the major sections were done, as it wasn't rocket science and didn't need to be accurate in microns. friend says No - I can DO rocket science! THIS is complicated! Did make us giggle...
QuoteProbably one of the best things you can do is learn the terms - both boring old sewing terms and historical terms you may run into when reading about garb. Learn the types of stitches too and what they are used for.
Enjoy yourself!!! :D
The terms are easy to learn as most of them make sense when you know what they mean. But yes, they are VERY useful. And do have fun!
I'm excited to start. I've been sewing lines for a few days XD, haha, but I'm finishing cutting the pattern tonight, so hopefully I get to start soon! Thanks for all the tips and encouragements, It is all very much appreciated. <3