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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on February 3, 2005, at 10:52:26
Probably the last thing I need right now is a new hobby, but I just can't find the clothes I'm looking for, and my current clothes are ancient and starting to show that. (I still have the clothes I had when I was pregnant and before.)
Posted by Angielala on February 3, 2005, at 11:13:41
In reply to How hard is sewing, really?, posted by Dinah on February 3, 2005, at 10:52:26
I make a lot of my own clothes- and curtains and blankets and pillows and I re-upholster old furniture from Salvation Army... and I can say, it's not hard. Speciality things are hard, like embroidery and fancy quilts... and certain fabrics are hard to work with, like silk... but once you get the hang of things, it's all fairly easy.
Do you have a sewing machine?
> Probably the last thing I need right now is a new hobby, but I just can't find the clothes I'm looking for, and my current clothes are ancient and starting to show that. (I still have the clothes I had when I was pregnant and before.)
Posted by Dinah on February 3, 2005, at 11:33:50
In reply to Re: How hard is sewing, really?, posted by Angielala on February 3, 2005, at 11:13:41
Yes, I have a relatively nice sewing machine, actually. I suppose I'd better bring it in for service or the sewing maching guy will be angry with me. He seemed to take it very personally. :)
I've always sewn my own curtains. And doggie diapers. But I get frozen with nervousness when it comes to something that needs a perfectly straight seam. I'm not all that good with perfectly straight seams, even though I measure very carefully and usually even draw a line where the seam is supposed to go.
I'm not looking to do anything really complicated. Just some elastic waist skirts, or a few jumpers or dresses. Those "Simple" or "2 hour" patterns I guess.
It may be that I'm just self conscious enough about my clothing choices as it is, without having to worry that someone is noticing my crooked seams. But I'm too stubborn to adjust my clothing choices to semi-fashionable.
Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 3, 2005, at 12:09:36
In reply to Re: How hard is sewing, really? » Angielala, posted by Dinah on February 3, 2005, at 11:33:50
I'm looking for a sewing tutor. I have a machine and want to use it for more than pillow covers. I think it would be really cool to make some of my own clothes.
Posted by sunny10 on February 3, 2005, at 12:18:11
In reply to Re: How hard is sewing, really? » Dinah, posted by deirdrehbrt on February 3, 2005, at 12:09:36
a lot of the fabric stores have sewing classes; just look 'em up in the yellow pages and ask.
Another tough one to sew is Lycra...
Posted by Angielala on February 3, 2005, at 12:26:41
In reply to Re: How hard is sewing, really? » Angielala, posted by Dinah on February 3, 2005, at 11:33:50
Always use an iron to iron the seams. I hear my mother's voice saying that in my head.
Do you have old sheets or pillow cases laying around? I try to practice on those before I start a new pattern. I am not the straightest sewing- haha. But if I use a pillowcase to practice straights on for a little while, it turns out ok.
Elastic waist skirts are my favorite!
Here are a few places I go to:
http://www.sewingpatterns.com/
> Yes, I have a relatively nice sewing machine, actually. I suppose I'd better bring it in for service or the sewing maching guy will be angry with me. He seemed to take it very personally. :)
>
> I've always sewn my own curtains. And doggie diapers. But I get frozen with nervousness when it comes to something that needs a perfectly straight seam. I'm not all that good with perfectly straight seams, even though I measure very carefully and usually even draw a line where the seam is supposed to go.
>
> I'm not looking to do anything really complicated. Just some elastic waist skirts, or a few jumpers or dresses. Those "Simple" or "2 hour" patterns I guess.
>
> It may be that I'm just self conscious enough about my clothing choices as it is, without having to worry that someone is noticing my crooked seams. But I'm too stubborn to adjust my clothing choices to semi-fashionable.
Posted by Tabitha on February 3, 2005, at 12:50:41
In reply to How hard is sewing, really?, posted by Dinah on February 3, 2005, at 10:52:26
Here's my #1 sewing tip... Get a rotary cutter and mat for cutting out the pattern pieces. Hold the patterns down with weights (I use quarters) then zip arround them with the cutter. It's so much easier than pins and scissors.
Posted by Angielala on February 3, 2005, at 14:53:50
In reply to Re: How hard is sewing, really?, posted by Tabitha on February 3, 2005, at 12:50:41
What a good idea!
> Here's my #1 sewing tip... Get a rotary cutter and mat for cutting out the pattern pieces. Hold the patterns down with weights (I use quarters) then zip arround them with the cutter. It's so much easier than pins and scissors.
Posted by Racer on February 3, 2005, at 16:14:02
In reply to How hard is sewing, really?, posted by Dinah on February 3, 2005, at 10:52:26
> Probably the last thing I need right now is a new hobby, but I just can't find the clothes I'm looking for, and my current clothes are ancient and starting to show that. (I still have the clothes I had when I was pregnant and before.)
Well, not being able to find clothes I like and that fit me is why I sew -- well, that and to make my hubby's 'jammies -- and I have sewn since before I could thread a needle without help.
Is sewing hard? No. If you can make doggie diapers, you can sew.
Is sewing well hard? Yeah, but not so hard you can't do it.
What's the most important part? As someone already said, press every seam! I've got that voice, too: "Never sew over an unpressed seam!" It's absolutely true.
Sew slowly, and as accurately as you can. Don't get into a hurry.
And if you are good at maths, think of it as 3D geometry, which is what it is. You're trying to make a 3D shape out of a 2D fabric -- geometry in action. That will help you with fitting issues, if you keep it in mind.
So, make sure your iron lives up to your sewing machine, get out some old sheets, and practice. Threads magazine is great for good information about how to sew, and they have a large archive section on their website. Always make a test garment before cutting into expensive fabric, too. I buy up the 50 cent a yard sale junk, as long as it's plain woven cotton, for testing patterns. And I use the cheap fusible interfacing for protecting patterns I like, so that they don't get ripped apart.
Good luck, and remember -- it should be fun, too!
Posted by Dinah on February 4, 2005, at 11:42:11
In reply to Re: How hard is sewing, really?, posted by Racer on February 3, 2005, at 16:14:02
I wish I could take a class, but while I might be able to squeeze in time, fitting in the same time at prearranged intervals is nearly impossible.
Even when I brought my dog to obedience class, which really was *not* optional, it was difficult to manage to be available at the same time every week.
Thanks for the good advice everyone. I think I'll start with a simple dress. I found some terrific cotton pique in hot pink with yellow. And I've got some yellow (and hot pink) tights coming in. And a pair of hot pink, and a pair of bright yellow, tennies.
Ooooh, I'm going to be a sight!!! I mean a vision, of course. :P
What I really want to sew is a bright yellow jumper, with a store bought hot pink tee underneath, and the hot pink tights and tennies. But I haven't been able to find a good fabric for the jumper yet. :(
Yes, I am chronologically 42.
Posted by Racer on February 4, 2005, at 13:45:25
In reply to Thank you :), posted by Dinah on February 4, 2005, at 11:42:11
Lime green and chrome yellow are neutrals, so they go with everything!
Posted by Dinah on February 4, 2005, at 13:59:35
In reply to Just don't forget... » Dinah, posted by Racer on February 4, 2005, at 13:45:25
Oooh, you should see my bathroom. Well, my bathroom to be. I haven't started it yet. Just have all the supplies.
It's based on
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2216628
and
http://disney.go.com/disneyhome/lizzie/paint.html
in yellow and pink.
The wall clock says it all
http://www.dollardays.com/detailview.asp?itemid=187560
Yes, I really am, no wait, I'm 43.
Posted by Dinah on February 4, 2005, at 14:03:04
In reply to Good point!! :) » Racer, posted by Dinah on February 4, 2005, at 13:59:35
My therapist and husband are a bit concerned, though differently. My husband is concerned someone will see our bathroom. rofl.
Posted by anastasia56 on February 4, 2005, at 23:56:00
In reply to It's a mod, mod, mod, mod world!!!, posted by Dinah on February 4, 2005, at 14:03:04
it's so funny how we envision someone we only know on the internet. i pictured you as very conservative i.e., decorating in neutrals. there is something to be said for both sides...neutrals AND fun colors. Your bathroom is going to be so cheerful every morning to come into...maybe you can post pics so we can view the progress. i have rehabbed (sp?) almost every room in our house and the process is so fun.
ana
Posted by Dinah on February 5, 2005, at 5:31:06
In reply to Re: It's a mod, mod, mod, mod world!!! » Dinah, posted by anastasia56 on February 4, 2005, at 23:56:00
Well you're largely right. For the most part my house is soothing pinky-peaches and blues. Sunrise and seashore colors. Accented by toys of all descriptions, and surfaces cluttered with books. :) With the odd dog sleeping or playing here and there.
With my study a soothing mauve and grey. A serenity marred by my love of things so that every inch, floor to ceiling, is utilized. Not messy at all, at the moment. Since I just reorganized everything. But no space is allowed to just be.
My son's room is sky blue with bold hand painted designs on one side and a matching border. My husband's work. Ahhh, parents to be. The last time we really have enough time to do that. And some rooms were so well decorated by the prior owner years ago that they still remain the same, even the ones I swore I'd change.
So you know me better than it would appear from my bathroom. :)
Your house sounds like a really fun project. It's nearly finished? Are you happy with the outcome? What sort of things did you do?
Posted by anastasia56 on February 5, 2005, at 15:39:57
In reply to Re: It's a mod, mod, mod, mod world!!! » Dinah, posted by anastasia56 on February 4, 2005, at 23:56:00
your house sounds like there is something interesting to see in every room. a decorator once said that there should be surprises everywhere...i like that thought.
i installed crown molding in my living room which i don't recommend unless you want to lose your mind completely. i used pre-cut corners but in an old house no corner is straight so the everything had to be modified with plaster.
when i wanted higher baseboards i just added more baseboard to the existing baseboards. not a good idea. baseboards look deep enough now, but they don't look like any baseboard i've ever seen.
i have a gazillion things i've done here but the last one i'll bore you with actually looks good. i bought kitchen cabinet doors off of ebay that didn't match in color but did match in style. i painted them all white and now i have new matching cabinet doors.
these projects are great therapy. whenever i start to get obsessive about it tho i have to remember when i sell this house the next person will most likely tear everything out and remodel. our neighborhood is notorious for new owners doing that.
i'm thinking Dinah, that my next project needs to have some pink in it! although i have to admit i have had a bit of pink previously. i painted one wall in the bedroom pink and it took my husband a month before he noticed it.
good luck with yours!
ana
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