[pepper]

a great book about sewing?
you know, any time i check out the library's collection of stitching and craft books i come away with some terrific selections. i'd try there first, that way you get a good variety and can try before you buy.
or are you interested in making something in particular?

[Porn Star]

Hi. I want to ask all of you to recommend me a great book. I have some days of and I want to read one but I don't know which one.

[lucizoe]

I keep forgetting this thread exists. So caught up in drama...

Anywho - after years and years spent stitching at my mom's dining room table, or huddled into a corner of my apartment on a small desk or on a plastic folding table in the hubby's office (which was responsible for an embarrassing accident and a permanent scar on my ass), I finally have a dedicated sewing space. Incidentally, I did costume several shows under those conditions, including having to build several pieces right from scratch, all while dodging dogs and the distraction of my family. Go me.

Anywho - I scavenged a piece of furniture from our neighbor - a hideous piece of white painted particle board built into a cupboard and secretary-desk drop-down table the neighbor was using for his computer. Mr.Luci secured it to the wall for me, because having a machine on the table part made the whole piece start to tilt towards me. But now it's all solid and the next step is building the larger pressing surface and mounting my iron. Totally excited about this. I've never had a sewing room, and while I will eventually share the space with Mr.Luci's desk and our officey stuff, it's all being arranged around me. I can leave my cutting table up and leave fabric scraps all over the floor and I can stop where I need to, instead of having to accomodate other people.

Okay, this sounds stupid, really, but dammit! It's exciting! I have a functional studio space! As long as we don't decide to move our bed from the loft into the bedroom. Which we won't. Because now the bedroom is my studio!

I have been drinking Vin Santo. By way of explanation.

[pollystyrene]

I'm thinking of making some pajamas; I don't know what style I'm going to do (no full length night gowns, but maybe a nightshirt or 2-piece top and bottom.) I found the fabric I want, but I'm not sure if it will be good for PJ's- it's quilting cotton. I assume that's pretty strong?

I'm buying it off eBay and most sellers list their items as 1 yard, but many have more than that available. Any estimation on how many yards it usually takes to make pajamas? I haven't bought a pattern yet, so I wasn't sure.

[guitarfiend]

I just bought Sew Easy: The Built By Wendy Guide To Making Your Own Clothes .... it's fun and contemporary and comes with some simple patterns in the back. Only thing is, I made things according to the size I *should* be on the sizing chart and they came out mahoooosive!! ...

The patterns that come with the book are very basic though, and a good place to start from if you want to learn how to customize / design your own patterns.

I have made three garments from it so far, and they all look very home-made, and not in a good way.

I hope that I will get better at making things soon.

[pepper]

lucky both of you!!
i want that book too. is it as good as it looks? i make stuff out of old t-shirts all the time, it's great!

[hiddenpoet]

i got a sewing machine as well! and two copies of Generation T since that was the only book i asked for this year. Gen t is a great book about altering tshirts but i don't know if it's what you're looking for. i love that book and soon all my tee's will be beyond ordinary.

[agent_wasabi]

hi ladies!
i just got a sewing machine for christmas and although i have no idea how to use it, i'm determined!
the last time i sewed was in grade 9 home ec class, so i need a little help... i'm wondering if any of you can recommend a good beginner's sewing book. something fun and contemporary with some easy first projects.
any ideas? thanks in advance!

[ellenevenstar]

I heard about this site on the radio yesterday and it sounded cool... and what do I find there but a link to BUST, thus confirming its coolness! This site has been made by a young Australian woman: Fitzpatterns. There are some free downloadable patterns and some that you can pay for. They are instant!

***
Although many charity shops can be fished out of good vintage clothing and fabrics, lots of them have boxes of vintage patterns. I regularly pick up patterns from the '60s, '70s and '80s for about a dollar and either make them as is or modify them slightly. Awesome!

[zora]

Hey guys, just jumping in here, but I need some tips.

I want to make curtains for my house. I'd like to get the fabric from Reprodepot. Some of the fabrics that I think would be suitable for curtain making are out of my price range. So I was looking at their cheaper fabrics, but they are 100% cotton and I'm afraid that the pattern would fade when it was sunny out or that they will look cheap, like I hung sheets in the window.
Anyone use their 100% cotton fabrics?

[raisingirl]

It would be a shame to see this thread die off.

[fiercetastic777]

Dirtybunny, that is perfect! I am going to Jo Ann's for fabric, as most of the second hand stores I used to shop at are still remodeling (Katrina, that bitch!). I am really excited about your advice, thanks again.

[pepper]

kensington market in toronto. wish it had been in montreal with your faboo teacher though. i didn't get any draping at all, and i also HATE pattern grading. a couple years after school i gave away all of my pattern blocks in three sizes and have no idea where to find them again short of making my own (gah, no!).
hmm, the girl i'm constructing for is all t'n'a and about 5'7". i'm doing a halter tank for her and boy cut bottoms as well with some rutching on the sides. thankfully she doesn't need a lot of support in the boobage area but i wouldn't mind some suggestions from you about that and shaping anyhow. maybe we could correspond and send each other pics? i love doing costumes especially and have a few house-y things i've done around my apartment. let me know if you're interested.

[dirtybunny]

Pepper do you mean Kensington Mrkt in Calgary?! I loved that area! I went to LaSalle College and then finished my last year at Int Academy of Desing both in Mtl. They were more of a buisness then a school but I learnt alot! I'm more of a drapper than a pattern drafter but will do it when I have to! I loved the fabric science and my teacher was the same for several classes. She was this smart pothead quebecquois (sp) who loved those that had passion and paid attention to what she taught, we got along so well!

I too use myself for sizing but am all t'n'a and at 5'9 and size 14 not many take my size! I basically make size sm, md and lrg and tailor whatever else needs to be done in between! I make the bathing suits as special order as they are so time consuming for such a little bit of material! I do alot of tankini's for special sizes. Halter tops and aprons tops both with support for us busty chickas! For the bottoms I do boy shorts or another version I worked out...I hate grading patterns though!

[pepper]

oh, me too db. where did you go to school? i went to george brown the year after they moved from the kensington market campus to casa loma (sad). it was a pretty good intensive two year program, but i already had granny school under my belt. i especially liked the pattern drafting and i would have loved the fabric science if the teacher hadn't been an absolute bore. so sad that, she was really a catastrophe of an instructor. oh well, the text book was awesome!

i've only made bikinis for myself but i'm starting on one for a friend out of this incredible sequined (kinda) camo spandex, omg is it ever spectac! but totally custom, i don't think i want to make more than one of those. a fussy process for such a teensy garment, no? pain in the ass really.

most of the garments i'll make for the market will be out of reclaimed fabric, espec t-shirts. it's so easy to work with, great colours and patterns, all kinds for not much money at thrift stores, and looks great with the seams and edges serged. i'm into functional, washable, wear anywhere, stretch to fit, fun and easy to make while being very well made. i do one size fits all because i am my only always accessible model. i am tall and slim though so unless it's out of super stretch it's only one size fits all other girls my size :o( gotta work on that.

[dirtybunny]

Pepper sorry I didn't reply sooner. The one size fits most is a good idea! Too bad I'm too contrary to do that...While I'm in Halifax for the summer I'll be selling at the Farmer's Market, seeing as I only have a small space to work with and the crowd is mixed I'm doing simple bags and some one of a kinds (tops, dresses and skirts). I use a mix of vintage fabrics from all over hell and creation (Sally Ann being being my fav)and my prices range from $35.00 -$200+ it depends on what I'm doing and the time I put into it; for the Market I'm keeping in the $35-60 range. I'm doing bathing suits too but am not sure weither or not I will make multiples of them...very time consuming but good if you are an odd size.

I've been making my own crafts and clothes since I was in elemantry school! I had a Barbie and Cabbage Patch kid momopoly; then went onto prints and jewelry at the craft markets. I studied fashion design and have been selling clothes and bags primarly for the past 8 years. I prefer to remain an independant designer and not work for "the man" for so many reasons but mostly for the creative independance. If anyone has questions or wants help I'm more than happy to help!

Fiercetastic777- When I want a simple pattern (that I'm later going to abuse) or fabric to practise on I go to Walmart, I hate them but they have patterns for $4. Also go to second hand stores and look at the old bedsheets, they are pretty and lightweight and hopefully not stained, eww! They also have old sewing books for $2 that can give beginners good pointers. An easy dress to start with: Cut a long rectangle, sew up the sides and add a drawstring or elastic at the top. Slip it on over your head and belt it under your bust for an empire shape (hot on anyone!) or low on your waist for a more chill look! Presto! New dress for hot weather!

Sorry for the supper long post ((from the the East coast))

[fiercetastic777]

Hey thanks pepper! It was that or sarongs, and I do love a challenge.

[pepper]

you know what? the fabric store is the best place to buy patterns. they have books and books of them and will generally order in whatever style you want if it's not one they carry in the store. AND the ladies will give you tips on fabric choice and sewing too. i love fabric store ladies, they know so much.

[fiercetastic777]

I can pretty much do my own mending, and that is about it. But I really want to make myself some hella cheap sundresses because New Orleans is going to be SO HOT this summer. Any ideas of where to go to find patterns and instructions? I am a total beginner, remember.

[pepper]

ok, thanks! i wasn't sure and it was taking SSOOO long to get this thread back in shape. a labour of love man, a labour of LOVE i say!!!