Brand New Seamstress-In-Training

[Brenna]

Once you progress to the point of doing full bust adjustments you are going to be in heaven. 

Sounds like you are on your way to being a great seamstress.  Keep it up with the great positive attitude. 

*blush  Thank you. I know I have a loooong way to go but the journey will be fun.

[Brenna]

Can I just mention that sewing is NOT for the weak?  And it's a VERY dangerous hobby???  People take sewing so lightly.  Like something the older folk do to pass the time.   As IF!  You could cut off a finger or hand with a rotary cutter!  You could sew your very finger!  Those are the more risky factors, but what of the back strain of pinning and cutting a pattern off a table?  The exact science of measurements and calculations to make it fit properly/perfectly? 

I admire the heck out of the seamstresses on this thread!  You are WOMEN not to be messed with!

[Brenna]

Just got back from doing a bit of investigating on my mom's Kenmore sewing machine. It's years and years old and hasn't been used in quite a while. No bells and whistles on this one.  And the bobbin is sounding like it's dragging a bit?  It does a straight stitch well enough and will reverse stitch, but that zig-zag stitch needs some serious tension adjustment or something!  I don't know!

It's one tempermental machine!  But, I'm grateful to have it to "borrow" while I create my first little project.  And it's good to spend time with my mom in this way as well.  Happy sewing to you all!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Clean the machine carefully (especially between the tension disks and under the leaf spring on the bobbin case), oil it where the instruction book tells you to, and try adjusting the tension until you get a decent stitch.  It is not uncommon to need to slack off the tension for a good zigzag.

Lots of folk I know have rotary cutter injuries (most will admit because they lacked a moment of attention), scissor injuries, or sewing the finger injuries.  While I have managed to avoid these, I have almost chopped a chunk out of a finger with scissors while cutting boning (I now use tin snips VERY CAREFULLY!  ), and gave myself tinosinovitis in both shoulders making 16 bridesmaid outfits in not enough time...

[LadyStitch]

I know I nearly took my shoulder out the last show I did with all the heavy pulling an shifting of fabrics.  OY!

The only roatery cutter injury I have been privy to was by a co worker who said "I can do that it is only a pizza cutter!"  I'm cutting standing up, fingers out of the way, minding how I'm cutting.  She on the other hand sat, talked while she cut, and hand fingers near where she was cutting.  Needless to say, soon as she lost attention....  ::shakes head::
Thankfully I had sharpened the blades that morning, so it was a clean cut.  The doctor said it looked like it was done with a scalple so it was easy to sew up. 

Seamstresses/Tailors have to be good at math, dextrious, lighting reflexes as well as creative too boot. 

I have to say once you start learning how to do some of the fitting stuff, you would be amazed at how good you can make things look.  I've had one girl say she was ugly because no thing would look good on her.  One properly adjusted dress on her, and DANG!  Give it time and you will be wonderful.  We were all in your shoes one time or another. 

[Brenna]

I've been practicing on scraps the straight stitch and zigzag.

I decided today was the day I was going to start sewing on my chemise pieces. I've had them cut out now for a while and it was time to begin.  Ya gotta start somewhere and that nervous feeling won't go away unless I just dive right in.  So, I unfold the directions, and step 1:  create button-hole.  UGH! Seriously!??  Ooookay. So,

Today I tried 3 button-holes on scrap material. I did them all very well, EXCEPT the going backwards part (my machine is very old and it's a 4-step process).  It doesn't look as pretty as the left side of the button-hole.  It seems to catch on the foot or something? I'm not sure. You'd have to be there to see it.

But, since I wasn't real confident, I thought, let's just see what step 2 is.   Reinforce armholes through small circle. Hmm.. Well, that's just stitching, right? Just a bit of sewing to make sure the fabric doesn't tear further than it should, etc.?  Okay.

Step 3 is stitch back to front at shoulders. BINGO!  Something I can do!  Straight stitches!  And I know where the shoulders are!   YAY!

Step 4 - to make casing, turn under 3/4" (2cm) on neck edge. Press. Turn under 1/4" (6mm) on raw edges. Baste. Topstitch along basting. Edgestitch upper edge.

Huh?  Okay, I know how to turn under. I can measure with a small ruler. I can use an iron. but... neck edge.. raw edge... baste... like a turkey???  ... topstitch?  edgestitch!? 

/faints

[Brenna]

YouTube can sometimes be your friend. I watched videos. Got the idea of basting, and edge stitching. Still not quite sure why it wants a top stitch over the basted stitch but I'm sure it'll make sense eventually.  I came back home from mom's house for some dinner and to take a little break.    Man, this sewing stuff is tough but really neat, too.  Let's hope by the end of the weekend I'll have actually sewn something recognizable to photograph!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Pop over to this page on my web site.  A handy glossary of sewing terms: http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Learning/Useful-sewing-terms.htm

If you haven't chosen a seam type that neatens the raw cut edges as you make the seam, like a felled seam, you will need to neaten those edges before making any hems or turnings.  For seam types and seam neatening methods, see:

Basic seam types: http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Learning/Seams/seam_types.htm

How to neaten edges: http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Learning/Seams/seam_finishing.htm

And some hemming methods:  http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Learning/hemming/hems_at_the_end.htm

[Brenna]

You rock, Kate. Thanks!

[Kate XXXXXX]

You're welcome.  It's no use having it up there if no-one looks at it!   

[LadyShadow]

Wow, I must thank you Kate as well.  Where were those years ago when I started to sew?  You just helped me improve a bit more.  Thank you very much.  You're awesome.

[Brenna]

Okay ladies! My mom says I've finally found something I can really get into hobby-wise because I went over to sew and looked up and 4 and a half hours had passed without my even noticing!!   I got the button-hole done in the front (no you can't see it, it looks crappy, which is why I'm happy it'll be hidden by the ties), I sewed the neck casing for the cording, the shoulders together, and the two halves!!  YAY!!!  I am all the way down to the last two steps:  sleeves and bottom hemming!!  *dances around tossing glitter*

Well, the bad news is that my measurements are WAY smaller than the chemise.  I've heard of fitting loosely but this is way ridiculous.    You could fit two or three of me inside! LOL So, my mom says once I've gotten the sleeves on, she'll pin it for me to tailor it a bit better to my own form.

But YAY! I'm making progress!  I would do photos but I haven't had a camera around and I'm so engrossed in it I haven't remembered! LOL

[Sorcha]

Well yeah that it's too BIG!  I know you had concerns about it being too small...   And you can always make something smaller.
Can't wait to see pictures!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I just finished my first sewing project, which I posted under Gallery of Finished Projects.  I think I managed to get through it because my friend Jeanne, who is a professional seamstress, sat next to me the whole time (she's a very good friend!) and walked me through it.  It took me about 12 hours, and when I asked her how long it would have taken her, she said about 1 1/2 hours.  But she said I did a very good job.   

So now the joke is that in the future I will be making the same dress in 200 different fabrics because that's the only thing I know how to do!

[Brenna]

I just finished my first sewing project, which I posted under Gallery of Finished Projects.  I think I managed to get through it because my friend Jeanne, who is a professional seamstress, sat next to me the whole time (she's a very good friend!) and walked me through it.  It took me about 12 hours, and when I asked her how long it would have taken her, she said about 1 1/2 hours.  But she said I did a very good job.   

So now the joke is that in the future I will be making the same dress in 200 different fabrics because that's the only thing I know how to do!

Ya beat me to finish!  But CONGRATS!  I'm so proud of you for enduring it and finishing up your project!  Hooray!!!  So proud, Lady B!