Sewing

[criticsdarling]

JR1~ I would say browse through a pattern book and pick one of the ones they reccomend as being easy, there are useally lots to choose from. Also check out craftster.org for sewing tips. good luck!

 

[Angie C]

Been feeling crafty lately and finally had some time to realize this old idea. I saw a similar description in Jalouse some year ago, but this is a more conceptual take on it.

I wanted to copy one of those adorable plastic bags you get from small shops in N.Y, and make it in fabric.

First I cut a slightly smaller bag open and draw the outline on a folded piece of basic cotton weave. Then sewed, turned inside out and sew the side, bottom and handles (just like the seams on the plastic bag).

Then adjusted the print from the original bag a little (scanned and scaled down), printed it and painstakingly cut it out from self-adhesive plastic film. Applied it on the bag and colored with red textile color.

it would have been even nicer with a real screenprint of course (then I would have kept the "to avoid suffocation warning" ...) but this is good enough for me right now. It turned out ok enough that I will use it. It's very practical too!

 

[Elegance.Is.Refusal.]

wow thats such a great idea than that little bag looks so cute

 

[sea of stitches]

supercute and creative angie! a screenprint would surely have made it easier, but you did a great job cutting out the image.

 

[Rightguard]

Hi I thought this would be the perfect place to ask this question. Well my question is does anyone have any good recomindations for pattern making. ie books, websites magazine etc.

 

[gracey]

I'm reading this entire thread; it's taking a while. I am becoming obsessed w/learning to sew. I do already have a dressform, oddly enough but no sewing machine, lol! I bought the dressform from ebay about 3 yrs ago and it was about $100 and it is nice quality. I wanted it for a display thing I was doing.

Anyway I'm going to make a bag for my first project. I have kelly green cotton material, some teal paisley sheer material and some fuschia material for the lining. I'm going to hand sew it since I don't have a machine yet. I am in the thinking about design/gathering ideas phase.
I will post a pic when it's completed.

Thanks everyone for this thread, it's really inspiring me!

 

[Pastry]

how adorable angie c.!
i wanted to karmarize you, but apparently i already gave you some down the roads..
i don't even remember when..

 

[Angie C]

Thanks, y'all!

gracey, be sure to post pic on how the bag turned out!

Rightguard - I think you'll find some tips on that going through this thread from start to end.

(Pastry - that was in the w-a-y-w-t thread, merci!)

 

[gracey]

I was looking at my material this morning and changed my mind. I decided to use the pink material that was going to be the lining, for an A-line skirt. After reading a post by someone (as you like it, I think?) I'm inspired to try it. It will be hand-sewn, we'll see how it goes. I will post a pic but it's gonna take a while I think.

 

[anastars]

JR1 - i found this website useful, the patterns are a little out of date but they can be adapted

mypatterndesigner.com

a costume site that you may find useful:

http://www.milieux.com/costume/websource1.html

another

http://www.patternsthatfityou.com/default.htm

-most of the things on the internet seem to be really oldfashioned, they are quite easy to adapt to what you need though.

 

[MUXU]

haha..cute idea angie c

 

[Tinetush]

Okay, so I have been going through the entire thread, again. And wow. this is amazing all around.! All the great work makes me go.. Gah
Special mention to Pastry, Urd, Utopia, soft, .f and bohoChick though.
It want to sew something as well. It's been ages since my last project, or so it seems.

 

[LoveMyBoots]

BohoChick - that's a lovely white dress, nice ribbon- very chloé-esque

Pastry - I didn't know you sew! Those are just gorgeous designs that I could definitely see in a great boutique

Elegence.Is.Refusal - that houndstooth pencil skirt fits you perfectly

I wish I could sew... even if it's just for making adjustments on certain pieces...

 

[Ceptuouse]

thanks anastars and criticsdarling...karma for both of you

 

[SwanDiamondRose]

here is a dress i made this summer from vintage fabric~

more pictures here
http://swandiamondrose.com/nude-birdcage-swan-dress

 

[gius]

it's cute SDR I really like the fabric

JR1, Rightguard, everyone else...
Here are some more pattern-making websites
http://leenas.com/English/site_map.html
http://vintagesewing.info/
http://www.scenography.co.uk/technical-theatre/costume-construction.php
http://design.seamlyne.com/
http://www.fashion-era.com/Pattern_drafting/index.htm (skirt pattern)

Rightguard there is some info on shoemaking at http://design.seamlyne.com/
Everybody seems to use the same glue to put the sole and upper part of the shoe together.

JR1 You can even try looking at your own clothes... The first thing I made was a t-shirt. I just copied the design of another t-shirt and changed the widths and so on, so that it fit me. It fits great!
If you want, I can also post what body measurements you need to get...

 

[Rightguard]

Guis you are so helpful, thanks.

 

[SwanDiamondRose]

thank you gius! and is that a picture of kirsten owen in your avatar?

and Angie C that bag is really great.

 

[gius]

yes it's she^ you're welcome

 

[xxjean]

I just found this thread!
After looking through every page, I think I've got some projects I want to embark on for fall. What an inspiring thread!