Anyone here sew?

[adlove]

I'm thinking of buying a sewing machine, just to start a new hobby.

If you have one, what do you use it for? Wardrobe related items? Alterations? Just things around the house, like pillows/curtains?

I'm obviously a beginner but I did take lessons years ago and my mom/grandmother always had sewing machines that I'd play with. Just trying to gauge if it'll be a worthwhile investment for me.

[joanis018]

For a while I was really obsessed. I did all of our pillows in the bedroom, the living room and curtains. But then I kept breaking the sewing machine so I gave it a little break.

[hz80408]

I have a handme down machine from my grandmother that I dabble on sometimes. I've made basic patch quilts, curtains, added ribbon to towels, pillows, etc. I've hemmed a few things too.

I've made two dresses from patterns, but with help from my mom and gma.

I find it relaxing!

[house]

Well, I do have a sewing machine and the only thing I have sewn using it so far was bed skirt for the nursery. And I also have an industrial sewing machine that I used to sew vinyl for reupholstering chair backs and cushion covers for reupholstering another chair. I need to use my regular sewing machine more often for alterations but we might be moving soon so haven't used either machine recently. I have been thinking about buying patterns to make my own dresses too but haven't gotten far enough to actually buy patterns yet.

If you have the time, you can sew just about anything really.

[adlove]

I stay at home, so I've got loads of free time haha! The thing is I'd want to use it for clothing alterations, and to add on to my wardrobe. So if I'll only be using it for pillows and stuff I'm not sure it'll be worth it.

I guess what I'm getting at is, how feasible is it to sew your own clothing?? Is that just way too advanced or will I eventually get there? Will I need a dress form? Am I getting in over my head..?

[house]

Oh neither of my machines are new. The one for regular sewing is free from freecycle and its metal and its portable in its hard plastic case. I think its from the 50s or 60s. The other one is a monster. Runs on motor and scares the crap out of me cuz it goes soo fast! I think it does 5000 stitches per minute!

[goldengirl]

Jul 2, 2012 10:29:31 GMT -5 adlove said:

I stay at home, so I've got loads of free time haha! The thing is I'd want to use it for clothing alterations, and to add on to my wardrobe. So if I'll only be using it for pillows and stuff I'm not sure it'll be worth it.

I guess what I'm getting at is, how feasible is it to sew your own clothing?? Is that just way too advanced or will I eventually get there? Will I need a dress form? Am I getting in over my head..?

I sew and make some of my clothes. It's not terribly hard, but it makes sense to start on easy stuff like curtains and pillows. Alterations like hems or sewing existing seams in smaller are pretty easy as well. Once you are comfortable with the machine, there are tons of easy skirts you can make. I just made a maxi with just a tube of material and some 2 inch wide elastic.

You can find lots of tutorials online and on youtube. I learned how to sew zippers from youtube.

I've made things from patterns, but they take a lot of time and patience, two things I don't have an ample supply of.

I have made a few things copying items I already own. I had two tops that I LOVED that were too small after BA surgery, so I copied them to fit me now. I have another top that I love that is pretty unique and I plan to copy it in top and dress version.

It's a great hobby if you have time and some patience, since you will make a lot of mistakes. Most are easy to correct though. Get a stitch ripper

[adlove]

Ok goldengirl convinced me! I think I'll start hunting for a good machine. Thanks guys!

[glw]

Jul 2, 2012 10:19:10 GMT -5 adlove said:

If you have one, what do you use it for? Wardrobe related items? Alterations? Just things around the house, like pillows/curtains?

All of the above! I would suggest going through the manual with your machine to learn all the basics (how to thread it, wind a bobbin, etc.) and then take a beginner's class. New machines do so much on their own, it's really easy to learn.

[glw]

Jul 2, 2012 10:29:31 GMT -5 adlove said:

I guess what I'm getting at is, how feasible is it to sew your own clothing?? Is that just way too advanced or will I eventually get there? Will I need a dress form? Am I getting in over my head..?

You'll definitely get there! Start with simple patterns and you'll be fine. I do have a dress form and it really helps, but you can get by without one. Check Craigslist, that's where I got mine for half price.

Also, keep in mind that you won't really save any money by sewing your own clothes. Fabric and notions are expensive, so if you are making something as a fun hobby, it's worth it, but you can definitely pick something up at a store for less money. Making your own curtains and pillows is cost-effective, usually.

[adlove]

Well, we don't exactly have Craigslist here (at least, nothing is posted on it). But I think it'll be cheaper to buy one locally than to have it shipped from overstock. I should probably check out local fabric selection too before I buy the machine.

[bimbi284]

Ditto golden! I use mine for hemming pants and taking stuff in here and there when I can. I've also made pillows and stuff like that. It also comes in handy for Halloween and making costumes, lol.

I don't have the time right now to make clothes like I wish I could, but in the meantime I've been stocking up on tutorials on Pinterest, haha. I've also bought a few vintage sewing books and vintage pattern books that are fun too look through for inspiration. They were super cheap, so if you have any antique stores near you, you should see if they have any old patterns or books too.

[sb]

I use my great grandmother's machine (my grandma and my mom used it too!). For basic stuff an old or basic machine is fine.

I originally wanted to learn because I couldn't find curtains I liked for our office. My mom helped me make them. I've since made most of the curtains in our house, roman shades, pillows (seriously the easiest thing), aprons, a laptop cover, etc. And one dress. I used a t-shirt for the top and made this skirt, and it was pretty easy.

It's a great hobby to have. It's not that you save a ton of money, because quality fabric and notions are still expensive, but you get exactly what you want. And you made it!

[fashionx]

I sew a lot, mostly for part of my job though. I also do my own alterations for myself and DH, and sometimes friends will ask me to do stuff for them. I've done curtains for our house, and all kinds of stuff. I've been sewing since I was 9 and used to make dresses for school dances and stuff, now if it's for myself I mostly do simple skirts and dresses.

I have a newer Singer machine, as well as an older 1960s Kenmore (which I love), and I also have a serger and an industrial sewing machine.

Sewing from patterns is not too difficult, but I recommend starting with something simple like a skirt or shift dress, and doing more as you feel comfortable. You can get good deals on fabric but depending on what you like and find, it's not necessarily cheaper than buying, but at least you control the fit and what it looks like, which I think is great.

You can buy machines locally from JoAnn's, Target, Walmart, etc. for about the same price as online most times. You don't need anything super fancy if you're not doing quilting/embroidery, so a basic machine with a few stitches plus a buttonhole option would be good.

[adhdfashion]

Go to the Hobbies board ,Crafts. Someone can link you to our old QnA's section from the place that shall not be named. It'll have all the info you need. The ladies are all sweet and helpful.

And to answer your Q's, I can and do sew everything.

[adlove]

Jul 2, 2012 11:06:53 GMT -5 fashionx said:

I sew a lot, mostly for part of my job though. I also do my own alterations for myself and DH, and sometimes friends will ask me to do stuff for them. I've done curtains for our house, and all kinds of stuff. I've been sewing since I was 9 and used to make dresses for school dances and stuff, now if it's for myself I mostly do simple skirts and dresses.

I have a newer Singer machine, as well as an older 1960s Kenmore (which I love), and I also have a serger and an industrial sewing machine.

Sewing from patterns is not too difficult, but I recommend starting with something simple like a skirt or shift dress, and doing more as you feel comfortable. You can get good deals on fabric but depending on what you like and find, it's not necessarily cheaper than buying, but at least you control the fit and what it looks like, which I think is great.

You can buy machines locally from JoAnn's, Target, Walmart, etc. for about the same price as online most times. You don't need anything super fancy if you're not doing quilting/embroidery, so a basic machine with a few stitches plus a buttonhole option would be good.

So wish I had any of these places locally! I definitely get that I won't be saving money sewing my own clothes, so it'll be more of just a hobby, making a few pieces here and there. It's a skill I'd like to teach any future daughters I may have one day.

[Deleted]

I can but don't have my own sewing machine, I have to go to my mom's or aunt's house and use theirs. Both of theirs are Singers from the 60's. I mostly do alterations and pillow covers but I've sewn Barbie clothes from patterns before. I'd like to make my own shift and sheath dresses but the fabric stores by me don't cater to the fashion-forward market - it's more like stuff for crafty home decor things and baby clothes.

[mrspost08]

I sew everything. Curtains, clothes, pillow cases, coozies, bibs, baby stuff, blankets etc. I just do not shorten pants! To me it is worth taking them to the cleaner and paying $12 to get them hemmed. Too much of a headache.

[mrspost08]

Jul 2, 2012 10:41:10 GMT -5 adlove said:

Ok goldengirl convinced me! I think I'll start hunting for a good machine. Thanks guys!

My machine is the $150-200 from Walmart. I have had it for over 4 years and it works awesome still! My MIL bought it for me for my birthday for around $100 on sale.

[FormerCityGirl]

I got my machine for about $110 shipped from overstock, but it's a Brother that's supposed to be worth over $300 (I think). It was a really good deal. It didn't come with a manual, but some Youtube tutorials and trial and error worked well. It really wasn't that difficult and it's fun to just get into a project on a boring night.

I upcycle a lot of stuff. I've turned some of DH's old football jerseys into strappy tanks, made faux fur jackets from a pattern last winter when I couldn't find ones that I liked, and recently made a maxi dress our of some jersey I had lying around. I'm working on learning to make patterns and make some unique pieces for my wardrobe. I got a lot of ideas from Pinterest. I agree that it's not cheaper to make clothes, but it's fun to get compliments on things you've made.