by Dave | Oct 6, 2015 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Experimentation, Inspiration, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
There are so many things I wish I knew when I Started Sewing without knowing as a beginner. I had sewn before, quite a lot. But the brain forgets in 30 years all the things you once knew, or at least some of them. So, essentially, I was once again a beginner. At least I remembered a few things like pressing while sewing. I actually did a blog on this. Here are some more articles you may find helpful: This and this one, too! The following things I really did not know or did not believe were a factor for me.
- RELAX- sewing while rushing or tired makes things take longer.
- READ- reading the manual is more important than anyone wants to admit. I didn’t read mine. Then I was totally excited to find my second machine had a thread cutter on the side! Guess what, so did my first one, I just didn’t know about it. The manual has more information than the internet or someone else’s experience. It’s about YOUR machine. Invaluable.
- TOOLS- I promise, it’s not necessary to break both arms at the same time to buy a cutting mat and rotary cutter. I never would have tried this method until the broken arm incident. I love the sound of the scissors and fabric together. But, honestly, the mat and cutter make cutting patterns more professional.
- SEW- If you do not actually get in there and fight that beast of a machine, you’ll never learn anything. So what if you mess up? That’s what the seam ripper is made for. The first dress I sewed after 30 years took me forever. I was terrified. Why? I hadn’t tried it before and I only had three days to finish. I was going to a funeral and owned not one single black dress! The compliments were worth the time.
- CONCENTRATE- this is the hardest part for me, I want to second guess the pattern instructions. Please follow their instructions, it’s a huge time saver. They are professional and know what to do to get the same results they did. I believe I spend more time thinking about the garment than I do sewing it. I roll over and over in my head how I’m going to make it look. It’s helpful, but not productive. Thinking doesn’t make it happen. You have to actually do something to make it happen.
- KEEP TRYING- It’s okay to mess up. That’s what the seam ripper is for. It’s okay if you sew something perfect and then it doesn’t fit. I’ve done this. It only makes the next one easier.
Most of all ENJOY!
by Dave | Oct 1, 2015 | Fashion, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
Cheap Thrills or Cheap Bills? Buying less expensive fabric can be a costly mistake if close attention is not paid to the fiber contents. Inexpensive fabric can be found everywhere if you are willing enough to spend the time. I’ve been known to spend hours at Hancock Fabrics sifting through the bolts on their tables of spot the dot sale fabrics. I have a rule for myself at those tables, it must be at least 50% off. I usually go for the under $3 fabrics.
I completely love a tonal outfit in linen. It was one of my first loves in textiles, 30 years ago. It’s an easy sewing fabric and looks fabulously expensive. I love the fact that this fabric is natural as well. The fabric comes from the flax plant fibers. This is quite possibly the coolest fabric around. The clothing created from this fabric doesn’t have the fake feel of synthetic fabric. Linen gets better with age, it softens up nicely with wear.
As a child I remember my first touch of this fabric and my grandmother’s quick response. Obviously she had high regard for this fabric’s price and quality. Once known as ultra suede, now known as vegan because it’s difficult to tell the difference between the faux and real. There is an incredibly informative post about sewing with faux suede here.
The benefits of cotton are quite similar to those of linen due to the natural fibers. Cotton breathes and feels better than synthetic counterparts. It’s low maintenance, doesn’t pill, and retains it’s shape. The best fabric for leggings or stretch knit is a cotton spandex blend.
Rayon looks more expensive but pills and shows wear and tear quickly. But, in a pinch, and if good diligent care is taken, this is a great inexpensive substitute.
I love working with this because the results look close to RTW (ready to wear) end products. Looks expensive, but looses shape easily, handle with care.
I hate the feeling of this fabric regardless of how expensive it looks. But, to each his/her own.
What do you think?
by Dave | Sep 25, 2015 | Blog, Fashion, Inspiration, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
Palazzo pants are like grown up, dressed up, sexy, yoga pants. They they look like skirts until you walk in them. I made three pair over the weekend, all of them look completely different but I used the same sloper. And by sloper I mean pants that I have and already like the fit 😉 You can find a diy Palazzo Pant Video here. They are super quick and easy to make. I used a yard of 58″ wide fabric for each pair. But, I’m short so 36″ is plenty for my size. If you need to add length a bottom contrast fabric, or waist will do the trick.
Short girls are leary of wearing that massive amount of fabric in wide legged pants. I feel they make me look taller and leaner, I’m a rectangle shape and 5’4″. Heels, horizontal stripes, and high waist fools the eye into making the shorter girl look tall. There are lots of other styling tricks that can help you out with looking taller, too.
I made mine about two – four inches from the ground, I’m not a fan of pants dragging around me all day. I love this style, I created a Pinterest Board. These are my very favorite looks from that Pinterest board so far[envira-gallery id="2066"]
[envira-gallery slug="palazzo-pants-from-pinterest-board"]
I really like how versatile palazzo pants are, they can be casual, dressy, or anything in between. I’m currently working on a pair like this. [envira-gallery id="2072"]
[envira-gallery slug="palazzo-pants-with-contrast-and-bow"]I think ultimately they are year round pants. So roomy, wearing tights underneath in the winter for warmth or wearing lightweight ones in warmer times of the year. Plus no one has to worry about the things that happen when wearing maxi skirts. To me, these pants are the best solution for people like me who love looking girly, but realize sometimes a dress or a skirt just won’t work! I hope you try making some of these of your own and share your photos with me. ENJOY!
by Dave | Aug 9, 2015 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
Birdnesting, maybe you’ve never heard it called that but I bet it’s made you mad. You know, when you are sewing along and life is good, you cut the threads, turn it over and it’s a MESS. Horrific, mess, “I can’t wear this,” mess. That’s birdnesting! Why is my machine making me mad? For me, it’s mainly the result of laziness.
- I sometimes think it’s okay to use two different threads, one for the top and one for the bobbin. If you do this, get ready for birdnesting. Your machine is OCD and does not like to be messed with in this way.
- That metal plate, you know, the one under the presser foot and above the bobbin? If that thing is not tightened, your machine will make clunking noises and as a result, birdnesting! I guess, maybe I’ll check everything on my machine before sewing to prevent this.
- The “experts” say that the quality of thread really makes a difference. I’m listening to them. Because I hate having to use that seam ripper. They suggest using the thread designed for the machine.
- Bargains are wonderful, but thread shouldn’t be one of the bargains. Thread should also be polyester, because it results in less lint. No one likes cleaning lint out daily. It takes away from our sewing time! Mercerized Cotton thread is also a good choice for the same reasons.
- Suggested brands are the tried and true Coats & Clark. Lily, Star, and Gutermann are also good brands.
- Sometimes, I also get in a hurry and don’t make sure the feed dogs are down, which can cause all sorts of problems.
- Thread tails should be at least 2 inches long, I know we want to save money, but time is money and using too short thread tails will end up with a mess. Plus, it takes more time than it should.
- Make sure your machine and bobbin are threaded correctly.
- Tension causes birdnesting also, make sure yours is tight enough.
- The spool cap is actually more important than I thought. It keeps your thread from getting out of control, hence, threading the machine properly. 🙂
- One thing I always do is hold onto the thread, both bobbin and machine thread, for a few stitches when I first start sewing. This helps a great deal.
If none of the above help, you may need to take your baby to the local machine doctor. Good Luck and ENJOY!
by Dave | Aug 3, 2015 | Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
I have been sewing regularly, as in more than three times a week for a year now. You know what? I STILL don’t know that much about sewing needles. I did a little research and wanted to share with you all, “Sewing Needles Demystified”. It’s so confusing to me how to know when to change the needle, they seem to wear out fast around here. I think I really make my machine work hard. In the past week I have sewn a Kimino, four skirts, two tops, shorts, a little girl’s skirt, and a circle top. I’ve also made a handbag and a bag for my O2. I guess when I look at it that way, I really am not that hard on my needles, I just sew a lot. It always seems like they should last longer.
The consensus is not exactly in agreement. Some say after every project, while others feel the need to change them after eight hours. I don’t know, my machine makes this “noise” I know then, I better change the needle or there are going to be some problems. 🙂
After a little searching on a few sites I found enough information to create this downloadable, printable chart. I think it’s pretty useful for your sewing room. I really haven’t paid much attention to the number on the needle. I usually go by the name of the needle. If I am sewing denim, I buy denim needles.
I hope this chart helped someone other than me, just a little. 🙂 ENJOY!
by Dave | Jul 30, 2015 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
Press, press, press, then press some more. It seems like sewing involves more use of the iron than the sewing machine, doesn’t it? I don’t know, some people love using the iron while others skip the pressing steps and wear the finished garment anyway. I remember as a child, my grandmother would set up an ironing board for me. I don’t know if ironing boards still do this, but somehow it was short so I could iron easily. She would set the iron on the lowest setting and I ironed my grandpa’s handkerchiefs all day long. I loved it. Then as I learned to sew she pressed the issue further. “Skipping pressing makes clothes look homemade!” Heaven forbid someone find out she made my clothing. lol
I am a firm believer in pressing as you go. It makes such a difference in how the finished product looks and wears. Seriously, I press so hard you cannot tell there is a seam. My goal when pressing is to make it look like the dress just “happened” pressing is the trick. Megan Nielson is a fan of pressing too. She actually presses her fabric before cutting. I never thought of doing that. But, guess who’s going to start doing it now. Then there are the suggestions of never pressing over pins. Great point! They melt and then I cry! But, I have learned buying pins with glass heads prevents this problem.[envira-gallery id=”1237″]
I learned that pressing is not the same as ironing. Ironing is a method used when moving the iron back and forth over the cloth to remove wrinkles. Pressing is entirely different. to press you must, pick up the iron and then set it down on a different part of the cloth, applying heat to the cloth with pressure. If the fabric is delicate and may scorch, it’s best to use a pressing cloth. Really, any piece of light weight woven fabric will do for this. Most of all, no matter how much you dislike pressing, ENJOY!
