This is the very make of machine that I own, and I love it. Thanks to Google for the image.
My Mum was right for all these years too; unless you’re making a totally posh outfit with pricey material you can make pretty clothes for far less than you can buy them. I’ve just ordered a pattern at half price which will give me six different dresses if I want it to, and the fabric was also under a tenner. I chose a very pretty lavender coloured floral fabric, as it was in keeping with what I want to make – a pretty maxi dress for next summer.
I have a reason for this. Remember that I was trying to make this outfit?
Jo!
Well, it was only a dummy run – and I made a complete hatchet job of it. It was fun though!
I made a lot of mistakes – having served two years as an upholstery sewing machinist made me think I knew it all. I didn’t cut anything to the size that fits me (because I remember a sewing teacher in school advising the class not to do that) and I didn’t cut the notches you need to match bits up. I didn’t read the instructions properly and therefore missed a few places where I needed to use interfacing. I’m not good at improvising on clothing yet and so I messed the back of the pinafore up.
I didn’t even mark where the button holes should be on the blouse. That was insanely ridiculous of me.
By making a few simple dresses I’ll learn a lot. I’m looking forward to receiving my new pattern and materials, and this time I know to wash the fabric first!
So, I’m still getting to grips with everything, but I’m very much enjoying my new hobby. Any productive hobby is good.
My new length of grey denim is currently being washed. Before I begin that pinafore again though… maxi dress that I can wear with a denim jacket! Assuming that I can make a denim jacket…
Oh, I also had a lovely dream last night. I was in a hotel on the Isle Of Wight with D and it was right on the beach. We spent a lot of time in the sea, swimming about and having a laugh. It made me feel happy, so it can’t mean anything negative.
Your post is so timely. I’m about to get my mum’s sewing machine out and pick up my sewing again. I’m just not sure whether to do clothing or stuff for the house. Anyway I look forward to seeing your results. Deb
I’ll keep you posted. Have fun!
A word of advice, if I may? If the sewing machine has been left unused for a long time, check it for dust and give it a good oiling and then run some tests on scraps and things. They don’t like sitting around doing nothing and it’s better to check it before you’re half-way through a garment! (I know of a lady who started using a machine that she’d not used for 10 years or so, and when she mentioned it to someone in a fabric shop, they literally shouted “stop!!!” at her because they thought the machine should have been serviced before use.)
Good luck with whatever you decide to make!
Don’t worry. My machine has been in use for a couple of years fixing garden chairs, and it’s had a good clean (Dom had to dust it off before I could get near it because of my Asthma). It’s in perfect working order
I’ve never washed fabric before making anything with it! I suppose it depends on the fabric; if it’s something with wool in it that’s likely to shrink when washed then it makes sense to do that first rather than making something that will fit perfectly until it has its first wash…
There are two major advantages to making your own clothes. The first is you can make the garments fit perfectly (if you have a skinny waist or a large bust, for example). The second is you can make garments you like which suit you, rather than having to put up with whatever horror fashion is in the shops!
Apparently it’s reccommended that you wash the fabric first these days, to make sure that you don’t sew it to your size only to have it shrink. I washed denim today – but that was mostly to wash some of the dye out.
My Mum says she never washed fabric before cutting and sewing too, but she can see why you might need to with certain fabrics x
Fortunately our habits are baggy enough that if they do shrink, no-one will notice!
Heheh, I suppose that’s a bonus
I remember you saying that you have to make your own from here on in, but is there a limit to the number of habits you can have? I’m finding all of this so fascinating to read about!
The idea is that we don’t have more than we need, so at present I have three habits. A summer weight one and two winter weight ones. One of the winter ones is my best habit; it’s the one that the Prioress made for me (with help) for my Clothing, so it is also a blessed habit. The other winter habit is a second-hand habit, which had to be altered for length. (My summer habit is also a second-hand one but it was owned by a Sister who’d been as tall as I am so it’s ok for length.) At present, that should actually do me, but when we get to next Spring I’ll be perfectly within my rights to respectfully ask for a second summer habit. I think the idea is that you have no more than four or five, and obviously you take care of them and mend them when they get worn so that they will last as long as possible.
Ah, now that makes sense! I knew that there was some kind of limit but I wasn’t sure what it was
Yeah, there’s nothing explicitly laid down, but basically it’s about genuine need.
I was hoping that my pretty fabric and new dress pattern might arrive today, but they haven’t and I’m getting really antsy because I want to sew something!
How frustrating! I’ve spent some time today crocheting, which has been good – I’m trying to make a choir of angels that we can sell at a craft fayre that’s coming up at the start of November. Thus far, I have one complete angel, two that need sewing together and a fourth that just needs the bits of its halo doing.
The fabric and pattern arrived this morning. The fabric is SO pretty!
I got bored last night so started to recut the “Jo Grant” pinafore. No wonder I messed up so bad on the dummy run – there were all these bits that I should have cut but didn’t even notice on the pattern! Oh well; live and learn
Onwards and upwards and all that! Learning from mistakes is definitely the way to go.
You’re making me envious. We don’t have room right now to set up my machine and I have projects I’d been meaning to do this fall.
You’ll get there hon. Your future is right around the corner, I promise x
I hope so. I keep thinking maybe I could deal with trying to operate it on the floor to get a couple projects done but I don’t think I could contort for it. Maybe for short fixes but that’d be it.
Oh no, don’t do that! Nothing is worth injuring yourself over!
You’re right. I just miss having my machine readily available. I don’t even have my crocheting stuff here right now.
I’d suggest cross-stitch, but I know your situation isn’t the greatest right now
Yeah. I also don’t really understand cross stitch. My grandma tried to teach me once and we both ended up really frustrated. I should be able to get my crochet stuff from storage on Tuesday (it’s currently locked from us because of a stupid computer error) but I wanna craft noooow!
Oh, but cross-stitch is really simple – I learned in about five minutes! If you start with a very simple pattern and aida of 14/16 count (bigger holes) you really can’t go wrong.
You also need a wooden hoop of the correct size for the pattern. If you don’t use a hoop your design will just fall apart.
Maybe I should look into it sometime. What do you do with finished pieces? I know they can be framed, but anything other than that? I like my crafting to be practical (B says I’m the most pragmatic person he knows).
Finished pieces can be framed, or even put onto cushions or bags. One of our wedding cards was cross-stitched, you can make bookmarks, keyrings and fridge magnets… the list is pretty much endless!
When I finish a piece I always wash it in warm, soapy water, iron it dry on a low heat and back it with interfacing. That way your finished piece is wrinkle free and not floppy, so it’s easier to mount
Oooh! I didn’t know they could be used for so much! I need another craft like I need a hole in the head but it sounds pretty fun.
It’s completely addictive! Very often you can get free card/bookmark/magnet kits with cross-stitching magazines. You’d still need to buy the needles and the hoops though.
One tip: Gold plated needles don’t snag on the aida in the way that silver needles do. I won’t use any other kind
I have a hoop somewhere. Not sure what size it is but it’s pretty big. Got it to use with my sewing machine’s free foot (it can do machine embroidery). Thank you for the tip! It’s something to think about, for sure. I like doing a lot of different crafts because I get bored with one for a while and want to do something else.
Hoop sets can be bought for a steal on eBay, along with discontinued patterns, gold-plated needles and DMC threads – the only thread I’ll use if I have a choice.
I’ve taken up dress making because it’s cheaper than buying from my catalogue and I have a quirky kind of style – and it gives a hermit crip like myself something fun to do! My Mum has advised me to forget everything I ever learned as an upholstery sewing machinist and pretend that I’m a complete beginner, so this is going to be a whole new adventure for me
It’s definitely something I should look into once things settle down and get better.
I’d love to make more of my own clothes. I have some projects waiting to be done (reconstruction of a shirt, simple skirt, shrug-thing).
You know, even though I made a bad job of my practice run, I still enjoyed it!
All of your planned projects sound very easy
It takes practice
Yeah, they’ll be easy projects. I just need the space to make them.
It’s a pity you’re not in England. You’d be welcome to use my sewing machine any time!
Really is a pity. It’d be fun to have a sewing day.
It really would be, wouldn’t it?
It would be.
Great tips re Ebay; can anyone recommend an online fabric store in the UK. Can’t get out the house much to shop around the markets for fabric. Deb
One of the online shops I use is Minerva Crafts. I got to them through eBay and don’t have an invoice to hand, but their service is prompt and friendly. There are lots out there, but eBay is a perfect place to start
Ah! Just found an invoice!
http://www.minervacrafts.com