How many here sew?

Allena · Post by **Allena** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:51 am

I learned as a young boy to use my mom's sewing machine so I could make things for myself...boy things, that is, like Lone Ranger masks, etc.

As an adult, I've made several shirts, a pair of simple pants, a blanket coat, many pieces of hiking gear, and lately my own underwear.
Well, I'm still not finished with my first pair of cotton briefs.

I'm using a pair I purchased as a package of six in the women's area of COSTCO. The originals are nice colors (nothing like what men get to wear! :x ) like a light blue, white, and coral (sort of a pale pink?).

Anyway, these are the MOST comfortable underwear I have ever worn!
I don't even consider them part of my feminine wardrobe.

I have decided that instead of shopping the thriftstores for many of my items, I would sew what I could.
My wife is an excellent seamstress, but this is not the time to ask her to help me out with my wardrobe. Besides, I'm happy to make some of my own.

So, how many of you can operate a machine...a sewing machine that is?
Just to let you know how MANLY it really is

. the smokejumpers working for the Alaska Fire Service are some pretty good sewing machine operators themselves. They have a wall full of commercial Singer's with which they build almost every piece of sewn equipment they use.

There are some really great patterns out there.
Some pretty easy ones to start learning to sew with too.
The BEST part is you get to pick your fabrics and colors in person. You'll learn about how certain fabrics work, how they lay upon your body, etc.

I'll try to post a few links below:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... 08-1188050
http://www.funhouse.com/babs/UnderwireFAQ.txt
http://www.sewing.about.com/library/sew ... ashbra.htm
http://www.sewing.about.com/cs/brassuch/index.htm
http://www.getcrafty.com/read/craft/fea ... index.html
http://www.userpages.umbc.edu/~rabzug1
http://www.sewing.about.com/mlibrary.htm
http://www.sewsassy.com
http://www.sewingweb.com
http://www.max.hi-ho.ne.jp/hotaru/underwear
http://www.petitepluspatterns.com
http://www.simplicity.com
http://www.sewgrand.com
http://www.kwiksew.com
http://www.mccall.com

Gaven McLaren · Post by **Gaven McLaren** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 3:16 am

I have wanted to start sewing new things for my self though I have not had time. I do on the other hand mend items as needed. I have used a sewing machine though I prefer to sew by hand.

RikkiOfLA · Post by **RikkiOfLA** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:54 am

With a lot of help from my wonderful wife, I sewed myself a long skirt. It is basically a rectangle of cloth with a gathered waist. It was quite simple (she says

) but it took me several hours.

I have also sewn a banner. This was easier--simply hemming the ends of a piece of cloth. The top hem forms the tunnel in which the banner pole is inserted. Cutting, gluing, and sewing the decoration on the banner was the most fun part, of course.

One thing is certain--I gained a lot more respect for her sewing ability and the amount of time it takes to sew something!

Allena · Post by **Allena** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 9:50 pm

Handsewing ranks right there with knitting and crocheting...patience and time, and if you mess up - undo it and start over again.

Rikki, sounds like you had a nice couple of starter pieces.
Hope your future projects work out just as well or even better (easier).

I finally finished my first pair of underwear.
The sewing could have been straighter, and I forgot about sewing elastic.
I did the waist by stretching BOTH the elastic and the material together, instead of just stretching the elastic...HUGE WAISTBAND! ARRRGH!
Actually it turned out wearable and I am pleased.

Jadeanne · Post by **Jadeanne** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 10:33 pm

My wife is experienced with a sewing machine. As I put in a post long ago, she got a sophisticated machine about a year ago with an embroidery unit & computer interface.

I have a project in progress - a caftan. It's cut out, needs the sewing now. I also bought the embroidery software and am slowly going through the manual and playing with the software.

Now the weather is getting colder, I'll probably work more on it.

Jadeanne

Michelle · Post by **Michelle** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 2:05 am

Hi, Allen,

Ialso sew.

When I was first married, my wife made a beautiful dress from a "Style" pattern for herself. I loved it so much I used to wear it when she was not around ( she knew of my "hobby" but she was not really thrilled with it; she tolerated it, though.)
Finally, after some months of wearing it, Iasked her if she could make one for me.She agreed, and we bought some gorgeous polyester satin. She made me a copy, and I was happy.

However, I began to get greedy, and wanted another one in another colour a few months later.So she made me another one. Later, I wanted yet another one! But she said that it was taking too much of her time, what with hand stitching the hems and the necklines, but she would show me how to use the sewing machine and we would make another one together.
I am very handy, and have made many things in metal, wood and plastic and I knew I would probably not have too much trouble making a simple dress if she showed me how.

And so we made it, my wife showing me little tricks of the seamstress, such as making an invisible hem, and cutting fabric on the bias to make a tape for the neckline of the scoop necked dress.

The dress turned out lovely, and that was it. After that, I made several more, with some variations - frilled hems, puffed instead of open sleeves, etc.I always asked her advice when I encountered a new problem and, bless her heart, she always helped me, albeit with comments like, " Don't you have ENOUGH dresses like this?, and, "This dress is out of fashion.Why don't you make something new?"

But one thing I do know - and that's what I like. So most of my dresses are based around the same theme. I have made some satin lingerie, and would dearly have loved to enrol in a night course in making lingerie at the local TAFE (Technical College), but chickened out.

The only dresses I have not made are my wedding dresses - far too difficult.

A couple of years ago I bought an old heavy- duty "Singer" industrial machine which would sew canvas, to make canvas tops and upholstery for my WW II jeeps, and what I'd learned came in handy there.

I think everyone who feels that they are reasonably handy should learn how to sew. You then don't always have to rely on buying expensive dresses. There are many simple patterns of lovely dresses available

.In my case, the styles I like ( Sissy Dresses, Square Dance Dresses in satin, etc) are unavailable in any shops, and on eBay,from specialist makers, cost a mint,and are sometimes very poorly made.

Anyhow, sorry for rattling on, but that's what I think.

Loretta Ann · Post by **Loretta Ann** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:17 am

I own a fairly good sewing machine that does a lot of things. And I use it a lot for repairs as I buy a lot of used clothing and alter it or repair it for myself.

Gelinda · Post by **Gelinda** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:46 am

This is a new idea for me. I have done furniture cloth sewing for myself to repair and redo some antique furniture. Never thought to sew me some dresses or something in the near future. have to get the sewing stuff moved here first. Thanks for the Idea. Gee

Phylis Anne · Post by **Phylis Anne** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:28 am

i have been sewing since i joined the navy,we had a sewing kit in our diddy bags and you had to sew your clothing when it needed repairs.now i sew up camys and even pantyhose when they get a small run..love phylisanne

Post by **Celia** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:35 pm

Sew what?

-Celia

Kristen · Post by **Kristen** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:52 pm

When my ex and I were married we bought a machine at a rummage sale. A very old all metal Kenmore. We made matching chistmas dresses, red lame( very hard to sew on this material). Then made bunk beds in the garage for the kids that year as we both had our dresses on.. When we divorced she gave me the machine and said I would use it more than her. I learned to sew on a machine when I was in high school I made covers for my drums and cymbals. ( on my moms machine) I have never taken on a dress, but have made countless a-line skirts. Lot's backgounds for my photot shop . That's about it for me. I will try and see if I can take on a project this winter. ...Kristen

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 5:56 am

Hi girls,

In 7th grade in a town of 15,000 in Wyoming, I demanded that I be allowed to take Home Economics. I challenged the school to show my parents in written policy anywhere that it said a boy could not take the course. As far as I know, I am the first boy to take Home Economics in Wyoming.

They found another boy to take it also. The next year they changed the course so that the first quarter the girls would take Home Economics and the boys would take Wood Shop, and the second quarter the girls would take Wood Shop and the boys would take Home Economics.

Because of this, I did not take Wood Shop until 9th grade. Anyway, I learned to sew, darn, crochet, knit, use a sewing maching, bake, fry, saute', broil, and make pizza. Even though I got razzed a lot for doing it, me and the other boy were the only boys to ever take Home Economics in a basically all girl class.

It has been much more useful than learning to plane a board.

Love always,
Elizabeth

Gelinda · Post by **Gelinda** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:05 am

Thin Lizzy: Why can't it be good to be able to do both. I did not take either course in school. Took Math cousrses instead. But Now I wish I had. I am a self taught cook and woodworker. Love to be able to start with raw materials and take it to beautiful finished product whether it be a cake or a dresser or actually both. Gee.