A while back there was a topic about your least favourite part of sewing- I came across it today while looking for tips on hemming. :P
It got me to thinking- what's your FAVOURITE part? What's the one bit you find really calming, really satisfying, really... whatever?
For me, it's pleating. I love taking huge lengths of fabric and squishing them down to fit my stick figure frame. My current record is getting four yards of linen squished onto a 28" waistband. Seeing everything come out uniform and square makes me so proud of myself.
So what about you? What do you like to do?
Ha! This is so funny.
I like any bit done by hand, but while making my partlet last week, I decided that I love hemming. Not measuring for a skirt hem (hate that)--but the actual folding, pressing, folding under part. I love standing there at my ironing board with my hem gauge and pins and turning up a hem--particularly a narrow hem.
I enjoy pleating and love the results, but it's too fussy for me to really love doing it: too much trial and error and taking apart and re-doing (but I will take it over gathering any day!).
Eyelets... I love making eyelets. I use a jump ring for a guide and then go around it, I love it.
I never thought I would say it but I love hand sewing. And with lady k's cartridge pleating helpful hint on using gingham I have redone all my skirts using her method. I think that anything hand stiched really makes it your own.
Designing, shopping for fabric, sewing beads by hand.
I agree, fun topic!
My favourite parts are... Finding the right materials... And adding trims and decorations. :)
Also, if I've been working on a garb for some time and can finally add an important part, like a separate pleated hem, or a stomacher, it gives me such a satisfaction! Feels like taking a giant step forward.
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I adore making smocks and shirts, I get so caught up in them I don't want to make the outer clothing! I love to iron the fabrics too!
There!
LOL
Cilean :D
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I have to agree with operafantomet, my favorite part of building a new gown is the plotting and planning part.
Getting an idea and then searching for the PERFECT fabric for it. Then - when you find it... *BLISS*!!!!
Of actual sewing, I really do love to cartridge pleat.
Another vote for the designing and creating process.
Getting that sudden inspiration, madly sketching and thinking, "Yes, that's it. Oh and THIS would look great! No, that isn't quite right - but THAT is!". ;D
Then the real work starts with the mock-up and is still fun until I get frustrated with technicalities.
The actual process of sewing, for me, is a means to an end. I especially dislike hemming. *twitch*
I do smile brightly as each piece of the outfit comes to life. *madgiggle*
I do enjoy the entire process of the accessories or crafting. Making the jewelry, a new bracer or pretty-ing up a hat makes me happy from start to finish.
I LOVE the design process. Like the others the ah ha moment, but then placing the pieces together to come out just right. Sewing... I think would be beading and other hand work. I HATE hemming and straight seams. :P
I'm opposite. I don't much like the creating process because I get so bogged down with making the final decision; this fabric or that fabric... However, once I make the final choices I like the final touches. I like making sure all the threads are clipped, the trim is stitched, and of course making the hat. I'm having a lot of fun with hats this year. :D
I love designing and buying fabric the most. I also love gathering skirts into waistbands. And serging is pretty enjoyable, too.
The thing I hate most? Sleeves.
i love purchasing the fabrics
i also love adding the trims and details-it means i am almost done!
ok for me it is the wondering what it will look like when finished. Not using patterns and never being quite sure of the final finished look leaves me always in suspense until that final minute when I hang my work on someone I love. That and the embroidery. (please God don't let my eyesight get any worse!)
Quote from: LadySeasan on September 09, 2009, 10:22:03 AM
i also love adding the trims and details-it means i am almost done!
Agreed! ;D A wonderful moment, he-he.
Since I'm a fairly new sewer (only about 2 years now) I like the sense of accomplishment that I made it! I love the shopping and designing too and have always done that with my wife but then used to turn it over to her to be made. She still makes my doublets since I haven't quite graduated to that level but I have made my hats, pouches, breeches and I'm working on a cape for my FOP. I also help out by sewing on trim and the wife insists if I want it beaded I do it myself! It takes me a while but I enjoy it and get it done! So pretty much I like everything about sewing right now. Maybe when this is old hat I'll settle on one part of it but for now I just like sewing and all that goes with it.
Since I learned how to make my own bias tape, I discovered that I love making and installing it on my garb! I used to have a hatred of bias tape, but now it is my friend! ;) I have to admit that I still have trouble with corners once in a while. :(
I am glad to see that I am not the only one who likes to iron the fabric, too! (especially cotton, it has such a wonderful smell when hot)
And I really HATE the ironing part...
I love the buying and planning all the pieces, but my FAVORITE part is the day it is finished and I take pics and share them with everyone, and add another to my portfolio... or when I sell it and get rave reviews from the buyer! ;D (yep, it's all about the glory... and the sense of pride from creating something beautiful)!!
...Rushing to the mirror to try it on and then playing the fool in front of it in various poses :P
I never grew out of my dress-up bin.
Sewing on fasteners and binding eyelet holes because I can try the piece on without sticking myself with pins
My favorite part is getting it started. Once I get it started I know I will finish it. I am not the type to stop on a sewing project and let it sit for months without touching it. I know I will do something each weekend until it is finished.
Hand needle & thread = warm fuzzies. My grandmother would always have me thread her needles (how I laughed that she needed help to thread a needle; darn karma sucks) and she couldn't stand how I knotted the thread - she could get her knots all the way at the end of the threads. Although she passed decades ago I can still feel her when I'm hand sewing.
Snipping threads = sheer, unadulterated bliss. I just love the snick of the scissors and the clean look after all the little threads are sheared off.
The first cut into the fabric... Especially really expensive fabric! The thrill of it - there is no going back now! I've just beed to Germany to make a wedding dress with a friend who came over in March to buy her fabric. The brocade for her jacket was £64 per metre. SNIP! Her good scissors in my hand in her fabric! We both had a blast!
Five days from toile to almost complete gown. There is only some hand finishing for her to do, with her feet up.
Top 3 things I love about this hobby:
1) The design stage. Sketching, shopping for fabric, trims, accessories, and dreaming about the finished product when I don't have time to actually sew.
2) Cartridge pleating. Like Gem, I don't enjoy DOING it, but I love holding it up at the end and seeing all those beautiful, delicious, deep pleats.
3) Wearing it and beaming with pride when people ask where I bought it.
I'm bumping this up, because, gods help me, I think I love binding.
There. I said it.
I've been *terrified* of it, because I've only ever used packaged bias binding, with *horrible* results.
But I got a few tips from my sewing instructor last month, and I've just finally run out of other things to work on/procrastinate with... so this afternoon I just sat down and bound eight corset tabs.
...And I think I love it. It's still absolutely fraught with terror for me (?!), but there's something about turning that binding over the edge and stitching it down, and then seeing the finished bound edge... Wow. What is *wrong* with me?! LOL
(I bound a chemise/shift neckline completely by hand with linen tape, and I absolutely loved that, too.)
I'll check back after I've done the whole corset! LOL