Sewing

[tott]

I have a positively ancient Singer, and it's great! The user guide is for both manual and electric... Mine is electric though!

It weighs a ton or two, but it produces perfect stitches and doesn't have a million unnecessary embroidery options.

And more on topic, I just bought black wool gabardine to make 3 pairs of trousers and navy tropical wool to make clamdiggers for summer. I'll try to post pics when they're done!

 

[eleganza]

I have just customised two tops. They were covered in disgusting sequins when I bought them, but the tops themselves are really nice. I think they look much more styish now. And I always have my trousers adjusted by a seamstress so they fit perfectly in the leg length.

 

[.francesca]

i got a sewing machine this past weekend, so i've finally been able to start some long-awaited projects!

the first one, completed about a half-hour ago:

i found this amazing yellow sparrow pillowcase at a thrift store, and made a bubble/egg skirt out of it by sewing some elastic into the bottom, and making an elastic waistband.

there's also a detail of the sparrow pattern.

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

eeek! so cute .f!

 

[Tourni]

Something I made for myself, inspired by Dior Homme. Note: It is displayed on a woman's dress form.

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

oooh wow you too tourniquet...it looks great!

 

[rollagasper]

^ wow, agreed! Love how the waistcoat looks! (maybe because i have an obsession with those)

 

[Pastry]

Something I made for myself, inspired by Dior Homme. Note: It is displayed on a woman's dress form.

...wow, that's quite the waistcoat..my computer is too dark, so i can't see how well it's made...how do you know sewing so well?

 

[Tourni]

Thanks guys. I still need practice making the lapels and collar. It's not easy!

Actually, that is the 2nd thing I have ever sewn. I guess I am pretty good for a beginner? I made the pattern for it myself and based the collar and lapels off a blazer I already own.

 

[Pastry]

oh yeah..i remember my first lapels....> ..i had to remake the entire bodice..

otherwise..great job!

 

[titania]

There's so many talented tFSers!! .f, the skirt is so cute and so is the sparrow print and TMX, amazing job .

I feel really inspired browsing through this thread.... I've got an industrial sewing machine and over-locker. We've pretty much had it since I was born and it's still going good B). I should make some use out of it .

Anyways, the last thing I made was a dress out of vintage fabric I found for a buck. It was black with little yellow, pink and blue dots all over it but I can't seem to find it . But before that the last thing I made, back in HS for my textiles final major project, was a collection of three bags, here's one of them:



This one was done in lilac-coloured sheep skin. The other two were done in calf skin in aqua and a finer sheep skin in fuchsia. The lining was done in silk satin, which I hand-painted with a Pucci-inspired pattern. I even made care labels, swing tags and dust bags . Oh and I loved my portfolio that went with this, it was perfect .



The bags aren't perfect and I know perfect, I'm a perfectionist . I've still got rolls and rolls of leather from when I did this project. I wanna make something out of it because it did cost me a fiar bit of money but I need a zipper foot . And I was this close to getting the proper machine used for sewing leather goods (and for free at that) but yeh, I didn't .

 

[Tourni]

I think the bag looks great! I love the ligning.

By the way...
I have been trying to find leather at fabric stores but none carry it. Am I looking in the wrong place?

 

[titania]

^ Thanks, love . Regarding the leather, I got it from a leather warehouse. First I went online to see if there were any places that stocked and supplied leather. I found the warehouse's website, enquired about colours and even got some samples sent out to me before I went there to purchase it. I'm not sure if many fabric stores stock leather..... Hope that helps .

 

[Tourni]

^ Definitely helps! Thank you!

Karma for you

 

[titania]

^ You're welcome sweetie and thank you .

 

[educo]

Wow!! Amazing work!! aquarius your bag and portfolio is fantastic!! a lot of love went into those, I can tell. Tourniquet, your waistcoat is absolutely sexy!!

 

[titania]

^ Thanks educo .

 

[tott]

Actually, that is the 2nd thing I have ever sewn. I guess I am pretty good for a beginner?

I'd say so.

And practise makes perfect as we all know... A tip for any beginners: besides being able to sew a straight seam and do fittings, pressing is essential. You'll probably spend more time pressing than actually sewing when you make quality stuff. And all the background work, the interfacings and finishings and everything takes an awful lot of time. But the results really are worth it! Never take shortcuts, never cheat... Trust me, I've learnt that the hard way...!

Btw, today i went through my old patterns and realised I haven't actually made anything since july 1995.

The reason I can pin-point it is because I scribbled a date on a pattern I know was the last I made. I was planning to make a Nehru jacket, but I never actually made it... But I'm planning to! I started on the patterns for the trousers and refined the Nehru pattern earlier today!

I just don't know where all my new-found energy comes from...!

 

[Curious]

^ Ooh la la, Tott I hope you find the time! Would love to see your handywork

Great stuff here!

 

[Randompatterns]

I have to say this is my favorite thread. I just found it tonight and I'm already inspired. I have tons of patterns, a sewing machine and a serger and I seem to not find the time to sew now I will make time. I like all of the garments I have seen so far and I hope to be able to post some of mine one day.

This thread has given me hope that if I keep trying I'll get better at sewing. One thing I really want is a dressform and the one's at the fabric stores look cheap. I'm saving up for a good one any suggestions for a beginner?