Sewing

[wannabemk]

that would explain why i couldnt find them! lol thank you!!

 

[Inna-Lentochka]

very cool, thanks also from me!!! Curious if they send to Ukraine... anyway do anybody know where to find same but with svarovsky or with simply glass???

 

[papergown]

Some skirts I made during break:

Pink pockets!

This one I finished yesterday. Excuse the face, I just got back from seeing Feist.

They were both made from the pattern I drafted. The black is 4cm shorter, with a 1cm thicker waistband. The piping was hell. I initially used an invisible black zipper but as I was trying it on, the zipper BROKE and I had to rip it out to be able to get out of the skirt. The metal zipper was the only other zipper I had lying around. I think it was fate.

 

[4TLOFashion]

I love the piping on your black skirt! And the accidental metal zipper is... fabulous!!

 

[daniellat]

the black skirt is awesome, love it! what kind of fabric did you use for the gold piping? it loks like lame or some sort of plastic.

 

[papergown]

the black skirt is awesome, love it! what kind of fabric did you use for the gold piping? it loks like lame or some sort of plastic.

the piping came pre-made... i just stumbled upon it at a fabric store and went, "IT'S PERFECT!" it's gold faux leather/vinyl stuff. i went back a couple of weeks later and the roll was gone.

 

[haute femme]

papergown, you're very talented!! I love those skirts.

 

[haute femme]

does anyone know the best place online to find soft cotton, or viscose fabric? I can't find this type at any fabric stores..strange because it's just basic T-shirt material I'm looking for. Thanks

 

[tomato8]

omg, that black skirt witht he gold is amazing!

 

[educo]

you did a wonderful job on your skirts!

 

[*Jibrielle*]

I LOVE that last black skirt papergown!

 

[sanita13]

I need help or advice. I usually sew cotton fabrics but I would like to sew items that are knits. I only have a sewing machine and not a serger. I have heard of using the zig zag stitch to use when sewing knits but I would like for my garments to remain flexible and not restricted. Is there anything I can do with my regular sewing machine to keep my knit flexible?

 

[educo]

zigzag. Also, you won't have to worry so much about restrictive clothing because you are sewing knits which, stretch.

 

[Inna-Lentochka]

papergown, the idea with golden-teeth zipper and golden stripes on black skirt is great ! Very accurate job, my compliments !

 

[daniellat]

zigzag. Also, you won't have to worry so much about restrictive clothing because you are sewing knits which, stretch.

this is actually true, but the tricky part is when it comes to the collar, hemline..for that you need a serger, a regular sewing machine wont do it for you

 

[gius]

^ i thought sergers just stitch a straight line with a zig zag (overcast stitch).. and cut the excess fabric

so a regular machine could do it too no?
you'd just have to cut the excess yourself
two steps

 

[baRose]

papergown
Your skirts are beautiful, especially the black/gold one. Everything looks so neat and tidy - unlike my creations. Keep up the good work (and posting them) - I need to break out my machines again!

 

[educo]

this is actually true, but the tricky part is when it comes to the collar, hemline..for that you need a serger, a regular sewing machine wont do it for you

Not necessarily. You need control at the neckline and hemline, otherwise it would stretch out. If you notice on knits, all of it it done on the serger. It's a quicker way to sew and finish a seam without having to do extra steps. The seams on woven don't stretch if they get sewn on a serger.

A serger doen't really do much, but match the characteristic of the material.

Check the hem of your mas produced tshirt. The hem is not done with a serger, but with another machine called a coverstitch machine that produces 2 parallel lines with a zigzag on the reverse side. You can sort of replicate that with a double needle on you regular sewing machine.

To handle the neckline, it would be smart to use a serger simply because it would be easier to finish, there wouldn't be any folding over and stitching business or facings.

Alot of success is just based on trial and error and finding the best technique for your particular fabric. I have 2 sewing machines one straight stitch and another with zillions of stitches, and I normally reserve the zillion stitch one for silks and really lightweight fabrics because it handles it better and I have better control over it.

My straight stitch machine is a pure workhorse so I can take like 6 layers of denim and it will do the job. That machine can take a beating so it I use crazy fabrics for that one or if I really want beautiful topstitching.

My serger I use on knits, or if I don't feel the need to use nice finishing techniques such as french seam, binding, etc. or if I'm pressed for time and need to make something quick. It barely gets used, but when I use it I'm very happy that I have it.

 

[gius]

brands of sewing thread

Are you all using different brands of thread ?
At a sewing machine shop, someone told me I should always use thread by Güttermann as it's high quality... and perhaps Schmetz (but maybe she was referring to machine needles)

And then I guess are different weights, like upholstery thread for heavier fabrics...
And I was told 100% polyester would be stronger than 100% cotton thread

 

[Crying Diamonds]

Hey hey hey!

Hmm, I've been wondering:
I have several jackets that I have gathered over several years and that adore, and when I say jackets I mean suit blazers, the thing is, over the past few years i've lost a lot of weight and they don't fit anymore and I'm oh-so desperate to wear them!
Is there are humane way of simply editing these jackets to make them slightly tighter?