our sewing forum

my brother travels 00s of miles every week delivering home made masks and headbands for nhs mask wearers. Two reasons, he is doing a good deed and is getting the opportunity to get out on his motorbike. Two weeks ago he did a thousand miles

JackyB, you don`t have to be superwoman to be able to make a few nice sewn items. An apron is a good start, I supervised my 9 year old dgd making an apron. Use one you might have as a pattern and before you start, look at it in close detail. Dolls clothes are not the easiest, tiny and sleeves still need to be fitted into the armscye (armhole). Don`t forget to allow 5/8" extra when cutting out and use the straight grain on any new fabric

My ribbon came today, white crossgrain,1" from amazon and 20 yds on a roll. I will be using that to make the circumferences for around my body double and I will write on each one

vegansrock, I have an air threader serger and after a couple years of use, the fibres blocked the tiny tube inside. It was a very difficult job to clear but I did it. My recommendation is always to leave a tail when changing threads and then make a knot between the two threads. The tiny knot is not noticed by the machine but it ensures that the air threader does not get clogged

I haven't logged in for a while as I felt there would be too many gloomy posts on gransnet but this is a positive thread as I can't remember a time when I didn't sew. I'm patching rather than quilting and I'm using this time to sew up scraps and try to clear the sewing room . I finished a Kaffee Fassett quilt for a friend 'S daughter some years ago and the leftovers were reproaching me . They've turned out to be enough for a cushion and a bag using a Rowan pattern Ashanti African quilt.
Before Lockdown a friend had a clearout and gave me back some Peter Rabbit material I had given her for her grandson years ago. There was enough left to make two baby quilts and a cushion case and a bag to store the quilts. I send what I make to a hospital shop and can't wait to post them off when the shop reopens. I'm so happy to read about others sewing.

making things from scraps is such a good and useful idea, I can see nice cushions ahead for me, very good idea stansgran. It was like not seeing the wood for the trees. I might fancy making a table cover for the dining table, bright and cheerful with a back lining. Not right now but definitely on my list

I still haven`t made those body double circumferences yet, I think it was the psychology, I don`t particularly want to see me as rings but I will bite the bullet today. The bra I am using has slight wrinkles on the upper cup when on me, almost a D but bigger than a C. I had better tack the wrinkles down as there will be enough leeway in measurements, it won`t be 100 accurate. I am waiting for toy stuffing for the bra and bumps, chicken fillets were rubbish waste of money

Did you see the sewing bee last night? one of the dresses had the bust darts in the wrong place and Esme said to place them to the bust point

ooh yes I also love the bags idea. I have an inkle loom and could get weaving to make the straps. Reminds me of MIL, who was always making shopping bags in the days before plastic bags

Stansgran I too have been using tiny scraps up. I shove all the tiny pieces in a box and this last week have sewn them into 4 1/2 inch squares then used material to join into a 3x3 cushion for the outside bench. Next one half made but scrap box still seems full!
I have a baby quilt to make for a friend to give to her friend next.
These have made a change from NHS sewing.

I do go on a bit and my 1st post too! This is my 3rd attempt as I keep deleting my post when I’m checking it so decided to copy and paste it in.
Well what I want to ask if anyone can recommend a book for me please so I am able to use all the gadgets and embroidery on my machine. I will be doing clothing and would like to be able to embellish it for the GK’s using the embroidery, the notes with my machine are basic to say the least. Hoping someone can help? But below is my journey how I got here

I was an avid maker of clothes for myself and my boys but after years of just mending and making curtains I decided to make face coverings for the family during lockdown I do admin relief so no work at mo. I got out my trusty 35year old Brother and nothing not even a squeak….so I decided to take it to bits (you know how you turn into an overnight sewing machine engineer) well nothing array there or so I think. Well I then decided it owed me nothing sent it for scrap and set a budget and bought one for twice the allowance – a brand new Brother computerised sewing machine from our local supplier.
I decided to look at a YouTube vid of face coverings and realised sewing had moved on slightly now there are clips to use as well as pins, a rotary cutter and mat that actually work, thread snippers another wodge of spondoolly gone in a flash as I just needed all this stuff! I did source pattern holders/giant washers from Screwfix at knock down price.
Right I’m ready and I had to persevere for a week or so but now (6weeks on) I’m ok with it and finding my way around the shiny new machine. I think my hubby thought it was going to do everything sew baseball caps, do a complete refurb job of his worn out industrial work trouser to look like new, and of course it does it on its own…… I’m addicted now the ironing (arrgg) is piling up, dust is building to dangerous levels and I’m about to seize into sitting position through my new addiction.
I’ve made numerous face coverings, peg bags, and 2 new short and top sets for the GD’s. I threw out all the patterns from my boys so having to start afresh I need a good pattern for boys shorts if anyone knows of one with elastic in the back waist?
I have mended the outdoor furniture cover, what fun outside sewing try it under a brolly, brill, don’t think the neighbours enjoyed their peace and quiet disturbed by the equivalent of steam engine coming round the corner, you know how tempting it is to put your foot down on a long straight run….

You've made me laugh. What an entertaining story of how you've come back to sewing.....Big Time ! Is this a very stupid/simple answer to your question : if you put in the make and model of your machine into, say, Google, don't you get a full set of instructions for using all the bells and whistles? Did your sewing shop not give this to you? I can agree it's important that you really get to learn your way around how everything on the machine is to be used.

I've just started sewing properly again, after years of mending and making curtains and blinds and dog beds etc., It soon gets addictive. I did make some very smart new seating for a folding Captain's chair, for the garden, and re-did a deckchair, but no neighbours were harmed or annoyed. Sewing took place indoors !!

Good luck with your new toy.

Y'know what? I'm going to quietly sit here, my legs tucked under me, in this comfy large armchair, and watch y'll and listen to your chat
My grandma was one of a team who sewed for the Queen Mother, and she taught me. From the age of 17 I'd design and make my own clothes. Those days I had a couple of Simplicity patterns I'd adapt (I'm 75) or take patterns from my clothes and use my mum's manual Singer to sew them. The day Dad adapted it to electric was BRILL!
My eyesight now is so bad those days are behind me, but it's lovely to read you 'chatting' away. Pleased I found the...errr...thread
Oh yes, and what planet was that person on the G.B.Sewing Bee on to dart where they did? Madness!

vegansrock I've been making lots of hairbands too, my GD asked for matching ones for her and her doll, I made some reversible ones with different fabric on each side and she loved them. Her fringe had been getting in her eyes!
I found chellywood.com good for printable patterns for dolls clothes and she has youtube clips showing you how to put the bits together. With dolls clothes, because the pieces are so small, the order of putting them together is different. For example, hems are neatened before seams are sewn.

craftyone I covered some new foam to make seat cushions for our caravan a few years ago. It wasn't covered with stockinette but I wasn't too bothered as it was quite dense foam and the covers went on and off OK. What I did find though was that the covers became rather loose after a season because the foam flattened with use. I wished then I'd made them tighter. I don't know whether having stockinette would've helped prevent this happening but bear that in mind and make sure your covers aren't too loose.

I'm really enjoying this thread but feeling slightly daunted as you sound such experts.

I have the newish sewing machine and I even have an old gondola basket which DD used to use to bring home her cookery from school but I need the dining room table back first ( it's covered in puzzles).

When I had my machine it did come with a basic book so I found some old scraps of fabric and tried out various stitches, so much easier than changing the cams on my old machine.

I'll join * Alishka* for the time being and absorb the chat and the tips.

Thanks HillyN, yes I will bear that in mind. The person at
www.cushionsupplier.co.uk/replacement-fibre-sofa-cushions/

He told me that the cushions will need to be stuffed into the covers as they are built to fit the covers ie puffier. I am getting the best overall inners for sofa seats, foam with fibre wrap.

The fabric will be here soon and I will set to straight away, a step at a time, cut out the top and bottom pieces x 4 and carefully work out the side pieces, bearing in mind that the zip lengths need to allow for a bit more width for the zip seams. I will actually make those lengths first, it will be easier to calculate the exact lengths and widths plus seam allowances once the zip lengths are made, no pattern matching in the fabric

I shall have to get my cutting mats down and open up the dining table, prep it ready. Fortunately my overlocker is already threaded with a pale beige thread. The sofa covers will have cost me about £45 a seat and there will be zipping and piping left over, was well as fabric, I always order too much

What sewing machine do you use?

As a married adult I have had new home then elna and now bernina. The elna kept going wrong, I was glad to see it go. I believe new home is also janome and was a good basic machine at the time. It went to a dd. My bernna is excellent, a good solid build with many different stitches. I think I have all the feet. I get paranoid about feet no longer being produced. They are all in shallow divided boxes with labels and I keep details in a notebook

Ooh yes, I think I have a piping foot. Must learn how it works

oh my giddy aunt, I am glad I watched this

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HppWRi_6s9k

I had no idea how to turn a corner. Dashing upstairs to see which piping foot I have, doh I have number 12 and want to do the zig zag seam overlock at the same time, it will be more useful to me to do a seam close to piping and then join all the layers away from the piping so I need to be able to alter seaming width while following the piping bump, hence 12c is the one I need

Ordered now from franknutt, who has it in stock. Feet are pricey

I wish I'd seen that YouTube before I made a recent cushion cover! I might unpick the corners and put a snip in them, then restitch.

So pleased with the cushion covers i have made from an odd curtain i had. I have never made covers before as was worried about putting in the zip. I found a Utube site which showed how to do it really easily. They are going to add a 'pop' of colour to my lounge. Have made two and will make another today.

thank goodness for youtube rubysong

I am still in my `negligee` hope no-one calls, fat chance of that

What a palaver, I have unearthed my very carefully wrapped cutting boards, I have 3 large ie about 23 x 35 so it can make 46 x 35 or 70 x 23, they are olfa and can do rotary and not folding. I remember buying a set of 2 with screw on metal joining clips, no idea where from, in inches, they are thinner. The one on its own is thicker. I also have a smaller similar olfa mat

These mats MUST be kept flat so I have just separated them from a hardboard baseboard and all the wrapping holding them together, so they could stand up. I used to keep the 3 big mats stashed on my folded dining table and made 3 cork faced thick infillers so I could cover with a table protector and then a cloth. I hope to goodness that I kept the cloth. (Goes to look). Oh yes I have it, perfect and pale woven cream. Thank goodness for belt and braces packing!!

So, the 3 large mats will store back on the table and the half size mat on the hardboard under the sofa

yay, travalsafar, lovely, well done and uplifting satisfaction to your day (smile)

I love piping as a finish to cushions. I find it looks just as good to slightly round the corner rather than make it very square. A friend pointed out that John Lewis and Laura Ashley cushions are slightly rounder If you prefer a very pointy corner sew with the needle down option to make swiveling round the corner easier.
I'm really bad at invisible zips and piping together on cushions.

My current machine is a Toyota. It is a fairly basic machine but with enough different stitches for my needs. I don't have an overlocker. It only came with 2 feet, I have just bought another that rolls a narrow hem, to finish the lower edge of the chiffon layer of my granddaughters dress. When I went online to look for it I was amazed how many different feet there are and what they can do!
I keep wondering whether to get an overlocker. I am a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to thread it up and I don't know whether the cost would justify the amount of use it would get. My machine has several stretch stitches that I can use. Anyone want to share their opinions?

Hello craftyone and everyone else who has seized the chance to contribute to this great thread.

Thanks so much craftyone for creating this thread. I've just managed to get back on-line after a couple of weeks 'lost' in the tech wilderness!

I will enjoy reading through the pages of this thread this afternoon in the hope that when I post I won't be repeating info and wasting anyone's time! It's so lovely to know there's a dedicated thread like this, so again, thanks craftyone ???

Another thanks to Craftyone for this lovely thread.

A couple of years ago, I made 'booster cushions' for our sofas, as I was having trouble getting up.
I bought covered foam, cut to size, fabric and a huge length of zip, with lots of pullers.
They turned out very well, and I watched a video, probably YouTube, on how to get your cushions into new covers. I think the cushions were covered with thin polythene bags, a bit like dry cleaners covers, then attach a vacuum cleaner and suck out lots of air. This compresses the foam and is easier to insert.
There was also a video showing how to attach the puller to your length of zip, which is actually quite easy, when you know how.
Mind you, it's a while ago, so there may be an easier option . now.
I haven't tackled anything more brain straining than making face masks, and most recently, a little bean bag support for my Ipad. So easy and so useful.

Note to self don't cross stitch when tired. Supposed to have done half cross stitch and did full cross stitches. At least it was only 2 legs I had to unpick .

Loving reading all your sewing projects.

you are all very welcome and thank you for joining in. I can`t come here every day, I don`t do sewing stuff every day, today I am knitting. Lovely to have a thread of common interest (and learning) with no sniping, crafters are kind people and it shows. to all of you

oo thanks for that info auntie Flo, I`ll turn to youtube if the covers stick.

I was thinking back to my sewing machines, the very first one, the big singer treadle machine. It only did straight frward stitch and you had to turn the fabric to secure the stitch. The next machine had a reverse stitch and a zig zag and that was it but it really did open up the possiblities for finishing seams and so on. You don`t actually need many different stitches HillyN. I suppose a stepped zig zag is the most useful these days because so many fabrics are stretch.

My best foot is a walking foot because so many fabrics don`t go under the needle evenly and the walking foot stops one fabric stretching more than the other

I feel so dopey now, I have to go walk around to avoid a nap at this silly time of 7.15. It is the crafting, so good at soothing the brain. Whiff I am with you on that, I had to put my knitting away

the millsop online delivered my fabric two days ago I need to say that I will use this supplier over and over. Very speedy, carefully and very well packaged in a stiff cardboard box and the quality of everything is excellent

Many years ago I had a friend, 20 years old then, who was a very stylish dressmaker in her free time. She really did make eye turning beautiful things and she only ever used curtain fabric, so I am keeping millshop in my favourites and the site is going into my notebook

It is all on the cutting out table for now but my new exciting road bike came yesterday and I have so much to learn about setting up for me. I had to buy tools like torque wrenches. Up to 2015 my husband did all that stuff but hey I am quick at learning. I am being very very careful, it is like handling a lightweight racehorse compared to a sturdy small cob. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would find a road bike with a low enough step through and straight handlebars but this one is very special and will fit 4`11 me. 9kg, that is all it weighs. Now where aremy padded bum seat trousers, the seat is thin