What do you sew? [Archive]

alma

10-09-2007, 02:03 PM

I used to make most of my own clothes, and taught my daughter to do the same.

I made a lot of bed coverings with old sheets covering old blankets, and made pretty quilts out of old skirts and other fabric with batting in them, and still use them after years of wear and tear.

I take old velvet pieces to embroidery all kinds of neat patterns like crazy quilts, only the size of a pillow.

I've been making all kinds of doll's quilts out of old fabrics using all kinds of different designs on each one like samplers.

--and of course, i patch everything that is worth saving.

I found a denim jacket at goodwill with all kinds of noah's arc figures on it, so am making two tote bags out of it for a couple of little girls i know from a church i go to every couple of weeks.

I love most of the home arts. It has been my life to make do with everything, and make them as pretty as i can.

Sue takes old furniture she gets at good will and makes them into works of art.

I used to knit and crochet and teach others how to do the same, and sure wish i had the opportunity to teach again.

I made socks and sweaters etc. out worn out old clothes by unravelling them to use the yarn.

I always loved being a housewife, even when i had to wash all my clothes by hand or so many years, and
absolutely loved those old maytags i got to use later. love, alma

alma

10-11-2007, 06:26 AM

I am using up some old fabric and am working on beautiful doll's quilts using some fabric that i saved from some cotton dress pants i wore yeas ago and from a white short sleeved shirt i cut up a couple of weeks ago.

I had run out of white and knew it'd be a couple of weeks before i got sue to take me to the store to buy new white fabric.

"When there's a will, there's a way", and most of my
clothes are from GOOD will these days. love, alma

Katrina-Sisu

10-15-2007, 11:08 AM

Thanks for all the great ideas Alma! I loved crazy quilts and forgotten about them.

Katrina

FarmGirl4Jesus

10-24-2007, 05:24 PM

My own clothes, clothes for my family, cloth dolls, curtains, and most anything. :)

Rae_Jean

11-13-2007, 02:09 PM

I just got a old singer that I'm still getting used to. I've haven't sewn since I was a kid. I want to be able to repair clothes. Then eventually make some hats arm/leg warmers ect. then even on to STUFFED animals! lol

leera

12-02-2007, 01:31 AM

Katrina,

Sorry for the later reply,this is the first time in quite a while that I've been able to get online at home. I buy nearly all my fabrics at garage sales,and use flat sheets as the backing.My only major expense is the batting for the liner.I insist on using new,but stil buy it at 50% off at JoAnn Fabrics when it's on sale.

Quite often you can get flat sheets at thrift stores that are still new,because most people tend not to use them when they get new sets of bed linens.I buy all the solid colored ones that are in my price range($1.00-$2.00) and use those.If I'm making a smaller quilt,I can get two baby quilt backs out of one large sheet.

homesteaderbelle

12-20-2007, 03:20 PM

What things do you sew?

Kat

!
I sew some clothing and I have been sewing things to sell. I sew cloth mentrual pads. Thes are great! They are made with natural cotton , flannel, and a fleece layer for leak protection.
I also sew toilet wipes and baby washclothes/wipes.
I love sewing.
I would post my link to my blujay store but I am not sure if it is allowed here.
I LOVE TO SEW!!!!
Belle

homesteaderbelle

12-20-2007, 03:26 PM

I am like Alma, getting my clothes at the Goodwill. It is cheaper to buy clothes there than to buy the fabric to make them.
Some times I will buy clothing from Good will and use the fabric to make something with.
Mens cotton shirts work great for quilt fabric. I get shirts for a dollar each at the Good will.It is too expensive to buy fabric to make a quilt. Just use old clothing for your quilt projects and you can make a quilt fopr almost nothing but the labor.

A penny saved is a penny earned.
Belle

mtwildflower

02-01-2008, 04:24 PM

I love the new quilt fabrics. They are so pretty and I save money by buying fat quarters and then making scrap quilts. I also make quilts out of old jeans. Hey, when you have nine kids, a husband, a dad and a brother, what else am I going to do with all those jeans that have holes in the knees and are outgrown?? Goodwill will just throw them away!

I love the denim old jean quilts, they just sort of fold over you and tuck you in all by themselves. ;)I usually get fleece on sale and use that for the backing. No batting needed and they come in lots of colors and patterns.

Katrina-Sisu

03-02-2008, 04:23 PM

I agree it's cheaper to buy clothes. I switched back to regular clothes. I got 3 shirts for 30 bucks (Not bad for brand-name plus size stores) and that's how much it used to cost me to sew 1 modest jumper.

I fixed one sweater that the buttons had fallen off weird. I made it look like the top and the bottom of the sweater weren't supposed to have buttons at all. I like it lol.

I chopped up one of my modest jumpers. I am using the top for a slip on Cobbler apron and I'll make the bottom part curtains.

Kat

CarolAnn

03-05-2008, 12:02 PM

I have sewn clothing and alterations to ready-made clothing, kid's bathrobes, baby clothes, Haloween costumes, large stuffed toys from my own patterns, curtains, slip covers, aprons, hanger covers with hidden compartments for jewelry, table cloths and napkins, pillows, lamp shade covers, and small items like a velcro-closed bracelet pin cushion and couch-arm savers with pockets for the remote control and tv guide.

I've sewn on fabric, leather and plastic, and combinations of those.

I haven't done it yet, but I'd love to get a bunch of rip-stop nylon and make a huge, 3-dimensional kite this year! (I've got the book, just not the nerve to try it yet!) Also, for something that expensive, it's hard to justify when I can't even fly it myself! *;D

Oh, yeah - I even made a sleeping bag once! Really, anything you see made from fabric - once you get started, you can sew it.

The difference between buying it and making it is that when you make it, you can make it very well, and to fit exactly right in exactly the color and fabric you choose. If you love to sew, that fun is part of the up-side. If you don't enjoy sewing, it's too expensive not only in the money sense but in agrivation.

theresehirko

04-13-2008, 08:03 PM

I sew my clothes, things for the house, gifts, etc. I take old clothes and turn them into new items. About the only thing that I don't make is my underwear and my school uniforms.

denham

04-20-2008, 10:54 AM

I made an apron out of an old pillowcase that had ripped. I used one side for the apron part and cut strips out of the other side for the ties and to go around the neck. I did not do it right though, the neck part was too big and I should have narrowed the top part of the apron. Oh well for me it was quite a big step!

theresehirko

04-20-2008, 12:22 PM

With me not working for one more year and the outlaying of nursing school tuition to boot, we are always broke right now. I do everything I can to save money and who care s if the top of the apron is too big. Does it keep your clothes from getting ruined? i bet it does and that's what an apron is for. bob had a pen leak ink onto one of his white dress shirts and we tried everything short of a blow torch to get it out. It is now a "smock" for me to wear when I'm trying out an experiment at home or in the lab at school. At first the prima donna students laughed, but now they all want one.

MotherCharlotte

04-21-2008, 08:14 AM

What an inspiring thread. I hope someday I will be able to sew things like quilts and dresses...right now though I am just starting out. I bought a sewing machine for myself only two days ago when I saw some for half off at Canadian Tire. :)

The first thing I am doing is practicing by putting edges on some rags...lol might as well start small and work my way up. I think next I will be taking some old flannel I have and making hankies. Eventually I'd love to make myself some long skirts, as I can never seem to find them in the stores...not too soon though, as I'm 6 months pregnant at the moment, and my size changes every day. ;D

catrules

11-11-2008, 04:38 PM

This year, I sewed halloween costumes for three people at work. Now I am working on making Christmas presents. I am making aprons and cloth napkins for folks in my family.

Have convinced my whole family to agree to give useful, inexpensive, and handmade this year. Exciting. Don't need more plastic junk at my house.

theresehirko

11-11-2008, 07:35 PM

When I wore suits every day to the office, I would sew all of my clothes but underwear and pantyhose. I even made my wedding dress. Now that I'm in school I don't have time to sew, but i do have patterns for scrubs. There are nurses at the hospital who make all of their own scrubs and they look great. Once school is over, the sewing machine is getting dusted off!

homemade_mamma

11-21-2008, 07:15 AM

Today I am sewing up some more diapers. I make our own pocket diapers and I also make covers for the prefolds. Anyone else use cloth diapers and/or sew their own?

~Debbie

catrules

11-21-2008, 11:49 AM

We use cloth diapers. I have looked up some patterns, but it seems like a bit of a daunting task.

homemade_mamma

11-21-2008, 01:35 PM

We use cloth diapers. *I have looked up some patterns, but it seems like a bit of a daunting task. *

I'd say you have half the battle won by just knowing how to use cloth diapers! ;) So if you already have the prefolds, the covers are REALLY easy to make.
I use a simple pattern, some PUL (polyurethane laminate) fabric, fold over elastic and a bit of velcro.

#1 cut out fabric
#2 sew fold over elastic around edges, stretching at the back and around leg holes
#3 sew fuzzy side of velcro on front and hook side at the tabs.
All Done!

Some of the homemade diapers ARE work. Like the all-in-one (AIO) diapers. Lots of layers to buy ($$) and to sew together. I made a couple once and I could never get them to smell completely clean. And they are very hard to get dry.
It really doesn't have to be a big adventure like some people make it out to be. Like anything else you can spend a lot of time and money on it when you really don't have to. Fancy moms= fancy diapers ;D

I love just using covers over my prefolds. Pockets can be very nice too, but they do have to be washed everytime and I don't with my covers.

Here are some links to a great pattern and fabric sources.

I use this pattern:
http://www.chloetoesboutique.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=ChloeToesDiaperPattern

But I realized that it is just the shape of a diaper and I really could have drawn around a disposable and made it work. But they do have instructions in there for many other kind of diapers.

Here is a good source for materials:
http://www.verybaby.com/

But there are MANY sites just like this one.

GREAT site for everything cloth:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/

I also look on ebay for all these supplies. I also have belonged to a yahoo group for cloth diapering. You can buy from their co-op and get some great deals.

Oh and I never use the snaps, I just use velcro. My babies have never complained ;)

The PUL fabric has many other uses too. I have used it for baby bibs, washable waterproof bags, (take them to the beach, throw diapers in them, bread bags, lunch bags) I even have saved the smaller scraps and have been thinking about making my own panty liners.

~Debbie

jan_in_georgia

12-01-2008, 05:37 PM

I mostly sew the occasional quilt (more occasional than I would like), placemats, crafty gifts, etc. Usually, though, what happens is that my mother will run her sewing machine into the ground and then borrow mine. Eventually, I will buy another and the cycle begins again! But, I can't complain too much, because she is an excellent seamstress and will do repairs, hemming, etc. for my family.

Jan

homemade_mamma

12-11-2008, 11:14 AM

I just finished sewing up my daughter's christmas present. An outfit for her doll :) Matching pants, shirt and skirt. As well as a crocheted poncho and hat. I love making doll clothes. Not so much for barbies (too small) but her 18" doll is just the right size for fun clothes.

I will see if I can get a pic posted of them to show.
~Debbie

homemade_mamma

12-12-2008, 09:46 AM

here they are *:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/loveleighs/DSC00748.jpg

CarolAnn

12-19-2008, 01:11 PM

Homemade mama - very nice work!
I'm sure your daughter's going to love them! Is she old enough to start learning to make doll clothes herself? If so, time spent with her doing this could be another great gift and one she'll remember forever!

homemade_mamma

12-20-2008, 07:24 AM

Thanks CarolAnn :)

I have started teaching her crochet. She does really good at making looong chains, lol! Next step is the ever so hard turning chains.
She also is good at needlework. I stretch a white piece of cloth over a hoop and draw a circle or heart ect. and she practices making small and even stitches. Now I need to make time to show her patterns and piecing. I tried getting a her a kid sewing machine like I had when I was little. Boy, those things are just junk nowadays. :P

~Debbie

mimipaula1

12-30-2008, 02:50 PM

homemade mamma, the doll clothes are cute!

In the month of December, I made 25 vests for my church's childrens' Christmas program, four Christmas vests for my granddaughters, four Christmas dresses for granddaughters, four pairs of pajama pants for grandsons, and LOTS of doll clothes for 11-13 inch and 16-18 inch dolls that granddaughters received as Christmas gifts. After the New Year, my next projects will be re-covering my youngest daughter's dining room chairs, making denim quilts from a stack of old jeans, and making Easter dresses for granddaughters--I have six granddaughters and 3 grandsons.

My mother is an excellent seamstress who, at 72, still sews every day! She made my sisters and I learn to sew when we were growing up. I didn't like it much and quit sewing until my oldest daughter was 12 years old and 5'8! I started back sewing then just to keep her in decent clothes that would fit and, of course, began sewing for all of my other kids, also. I've been sewing since that time and love it! I have re-upholstered couches and did custom window-coverings for the newly-built homes of my two daughters. One of my most fun projects is making Halloween costumes each year for my grandkids. Last October, I made costumes for three kid Power Rangers, two adult Power Rangers, three kid cheerleaders, one Hannah Montana, one kid cat, and a Barbie Mariposa! I'm not great with creativity, but I'm REAL good at mass-production--ha!

MontanaQuilter

02-05-2009, 02:50 PM

Quilts, quilts and more quilts...it's been a passion/addiction of mine for many years ;D

Saoirse

02-05-2009, 03:53 PM

I do mending for my mechanic step son in exchange for jeep repairs, sew quilts for the boys, make boxer shorts and pj pants, pillows & tonight I am going to make a tablecloth since the new ones at the store were $20.
I don't sew as much as I'd like to. My daughter makes beautiful aprons.

LittleChick

02-28-2009, 05:10 AM

:) If it can be sewn, I've sewn it. :)

all clothing (underwear, bras, corsets, bloomers, chemises, leggings, riding/split skirts, skirts, pants, shorts, skorts, shirts, tops, jackets, coats, hats, aprons, handbags...)

home decor (drapes, curtains, recovered sofas, chairs, made chaise lounges, canopy for my 4 poster bed, table cloths, crazy quilts...)

pet stuff (kennel covers, dog beds, dog sweaters...)

... what else... that's all I can think of right now...

:)

--LittleChick

Pudlmom

04-19-2009, 03:11 PM

Well, better late than never....

I have made clothes over the years, but it's been about 8 years since the last garment. I make pillows, ottomon covers, chair covers, dog beds, crafty things, etc.

R_Tapper

04-21-2009, 01:46 PM

I haven't sewn anything for years. Too much time spent doing other things, but when my kids were babies I did not have a sewing machine I made some of their little clothes by hand and I loved doing it. Maybe it was the love that went into the task at the time. The last outfit I made was by machine and it was a vest and matching slacks for myself on a new machine I have only used once. :(

R_Tapper

04-23-2009, 09:04 PM

I do have some worn sheets that would make some good pillow slips from the least worn parts.

homesteaderbelle

05-06-2009, 04:09 PM

I sew my own clothes, alittle more each time. I've made a nice dress and some leggings for myself. The fabric is alittle more expensive but I know the quality and that's it's reinforced like Kevlar by the time I'm done with it lol.

I plan on sewing a knit jumper when I get back home.

What things do you sew?

Kat

Oh I mend socks and underwear..those things get holes like crazy!

What did you make your leggings out of?

Belle

homesteaderbelle

05-06-2009, 04:12 PM

I sew some of my own clothes like skirts, pants, and underwear. I sew and embroider dishclothes and dishtowels. I sew homemade toys for family members. I make quilts and blankets. I sew cloth menstrual pads and baby wipes/washclothes.
I sell some of the things I sew like cloth menstrual pads, baby wipes, ect...

Belle

mtwildflower

05-08-2009, 01:05 PM

HOMEMADE MAMA Very very cute!

MTQUILTER...I'm a quilter too, but have some other projects to get done before I can do anymore quilts, LOL.

Right now I am sewing skirts for my daughters, dresses for my baby daughter and some othere babies born at the same time as she was, and I want to get some christening gowns made to sell in some boutiques for extra cash.

But right now...it's getting the garden in that's top priority!

Brenda

09-19-2009, 05:12 AM

Hello,

I sew just about everything. I taught myself as a little girl. My mother does not sew at all. I make all of my curtains for my home and all the other things such as pillowcovers, appliance covers, tableclothes and napkins. I used to make clother but haven't for a few years. I also quilt which I love to do. I have a room full of fabric and trims. I sell quilting supplies on the web. I get alot of newbies that are learning and they are worried that they will make mistakes and I just tell them that is what makes a quilt.

I just finished new curtains for the winter and am starting on making some napkins to use daily so I won't have to buy paper ones anymore. I always made ones to look at and not to use. (A waste of fabric)

crunchycon

09-19-2009, 10:52 AM

sonshine

09-28-2009, 05:22 PM

I recently replaced my sewing machine that I lost in a hurricane. Haven't used it yet. At one time I made all my clothes except undergarments. I made shorts and pjs from my sons when they were growing up. And before that I made some of my clothes by hand sewing (that took a long time).

I want to learn how to quilt, but right now I am trying to finish some birthday and holiday crocheted items.

I really like the idea of making quilts out of jeans and scrap material. I've gotten a couple of large pieces of fabric at a thrift store that I can use as backing.

When I sewed I could still get sale fabric for 50 cents a yard. The prices now are too high for me.

Judy

Anon001

09-28-2009, 05:26 PM

sonshine

09-28-2009, 05:43 PM

Judy,

I never throw out any old material. If a shirt, jeans,etc, wears out, I cut off the buttons, zippers (recycle) etc.

I have two blue jean quilts made by my grandmother around the 1940's. I also have one I made. After my dad died, none of my brothers could wear his jeans so, I cut them into 2-1/2 inch wide strips and did a sort of "log cabin" pattern quilt. I used an old tattered blanket for the batting and an old sheet for the backing. It is heavy and warm.

Paul

Thanks for the suggestions. unfortunately, I don't have anything old or wornout anymore, it all went by the wayside in a hurricane. But thrift stores are a good place to find things like that especially when they have a dollar sale. As soon as I finish my crochet projects I'm gonna start on my quilting. The log cabin pattern is a great suggestion.

Judy

NCLee

10-03-2009, 02:19 AM

IMHO, yard sales are an even better place to look for fabric pieces that can be recycled into something else. Curtains, sheets, pillow cases, and large sizes in outer wear as well as robes and such. And, as Paul said, old blankets make good batting. My Mom used to recycle old blankets by putting them inside quilts.

Another possiblity for good prices on fabrics are dollar type stores - Family Dollar / Dollar General. Again, look for drapes and fabric shower curtains. Even though the thread count on their sheets is very low, those may work for a rustic or antique look.

Lee

*mitzy*

10-03-2009, 05:12 AM

here they are *:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/loveleighs/DSC00748.jpg

Very nice. Did you make the same outfit for your daughter? That would be so cute.

Pokeberry Mary

10-05-2009, 08:17 AM

I'm not a seamstress by any stretch, I can sew hems and buttons and patches when I need to but I generally do my sewing in the form of fancy work--embroidery for one.

Recently I started to play with wool felting and I am making little animals of felted wool and doing a bit of stitching on them to finish off details.

I have the attention span of a gnat when it comes to following a clothing pattern and spent most of my 10th grade sewing class ripping out darts (which frankly at that age I didn't even need darts!) I think it soured me on the whole thing.

Anyhow though I am artistic and I love to do a bit of hand sewing for decorative or frugal purposes. My daughter has the machine in her room and uses if far more than I ever would.

mtwildflower

10-10-2009, 11:17 PM

Oh, goodness, when I transferred from private back to public high school, I made most of my own wardrobe (simple skirts and jumpers). Over the years, I've sewn clothes from time to time, but have not attempted to sew seriously since I joined the corporate world. I always think I'm going to take it back up after I "retire" after next year, but you all have inspired me to at least dust off the sewing machine and get back into practice.

Have you ever tried the Lutterloh System? You can make lots of very nice talored and well fitting garments that you can dream up from the system. I've had it since about 1992 and kind of put it away about 10 years ago when I stopped sewing for other people. I brought it back out last week when my daughter needed a costume and couldn't find a pattern. I measured her and then cut the pattern to fit. I had forgotten how easy it was and how well the pieces themselves fit together.

If you are interested, you might find a sample pattern by googling it and the system on ebay. You will never ever have to buy another pattern again.

Catfaery

12-18-2009, 08:37 AM

Hello,
I sew for the pleasure of sewing. It is a stress relief for me
Previously I have made everything from sweaters to shorts.
Recently I learned curtains (that was a task) and a chemise (which I am still trying to figure out but going to finish).
Next I am going to make a nice Renaissance dress for either my wedding or future anniversary.
In the future I would like to make my childrens cloths and little things for the home.

---
I know how to crochet but not to knit (but would like to learn).

Thanks,
Catfaery

Jamie

12-27-2009, 08:23 PM

I sew some, I have made pjs for my boys and aprons, skirts and doll clothes for the girls. I love to sew and wish I did more. I am planning on learning more this year for myself. I am teaching myself to knit currently and hope to quilt someday also. Life is busy for me as I am now due with our 9th child. But I learn something new each year and try not to be too hard on myself.

Jamie

pcrowder

12-31-2009, 06:27 PM

I sew quilts, sewed most of my sons clothes when they were little (including bib overalls), walker and wheelchair bags, pillowcases, placemats and other household items, and I mend anything that will hold still long enough to get under the presser foot, even holey T-shirts. I'm gonna be a grandmother in June, so I have tons of baby patterns bought on EBay, tons of fabric, and am dying to get started on those. Now, if I could just get the quilts finished I didn't get done in time for Christmas then I could get started!

SheWoff

01-10-2010, 01:50 AM

I have sewn quilts for years now. I also make some of my own clothes. I have been sewing for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was a seamstress and she taught me on her old treadle machine. I don't sew as much as I used to having had a few strokes. I still sit in my sewing/prep room looking at my stacks of material thinking

"I NEED MORE!" :sarcastic:

So, do we have a quilters group here???

She

firegirl969

01-10-2010, 06:53 PM

DH pulled out his old Dressmaker zig-zag sewing machine today for me. I plan to make myself some shorts, capris, and tank tops for the warm weather. The 10 y/o daughter wants me to make a couple of dresses for her to wear this summer. My twin girls are both pregnant, so I am excited to be the new grandma by making clothes for my grandson and grand-daughter. I also plan to make myself some bras. I can't find fronthook bras to fit me that I like, so I plan to order the pattern and make them myself. I figure I can make them for about 1/2 price of what Belk charges for them.

MrsL

02-04-2010, 01:20 PM

I'm just about to start sewing MrL some shirts; he's a bit nervous about it, don't know why!

stinging nettle

06-13-2011, 09:19 PM

Hi, I'd love to have patterns for sewing underwear, bras, diapers if anyone would like to share. I'm learning how to sew and would like to know how to make the essentials. Thank you!

crackergirl

07-10-2011, 08:43 AM

When I was a young mom I saw a family of five paying out the last of their kids' school clothes that had been on layaway all summer. More than $100 (This was when $100 was ALOT) That afternoon I went and got a sewing machine because I knew three daughters (there were two more and a boy later on) would need clothes.
Since then I have made undergarments, lingere, clothes for all of us, worked in a fabric store for 5 years, worked for a suttlery making re enactment costumes, quilts, curtains, home decor of all sorts, fixed chaps, made wedding gowns you name it.
Now that the kids are mostly grown, quilting is my favorite. I machine piece and hand quilt. Most of my fabrics comes from auctions (auction junkie) and thrift stores. I especially love finding a quilt project in estate sales and completing them. Unfortunately they are often without notes or directions so I may have to re cut or repurpose. But I even use the thread from some little old lady's stash. It feels like she is there with me as I complete her last project.

Mrs. Owens

07-11-2011, 12:36 PM

My Mom taught me to sew when I was very young. I have never had a time that I would say "what am I going to wear". Being very tall and poor as a church mouse meant that I sewed it up or I didn't have it. I was so pleased to wear the prom dresses my mom sewed up for me. They were beautiful and I felt like a princess. Thanks to my Mom, I am able to do just about anything I want these days. She taught me well.:wub:

ghoststories1957

10-25-2011, 08:47 PM

http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/vb/picture.php?pictureid=462&albumid=87&dl=1311819691&thumb=1 (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/vb/album.php?albumid=87&pictureid=462)Here is a photo of a quilt I made for my nephew for Christmas last year, I used scraps of material I had on hand. I like to do easy projects on my sewing machine, have not tried to make any clothes, but will do some mending on the machine.

ghoststories1957

10-25-2011, 08:49 PM

http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/vb/picture.php?pictureid=463&albumid=87&dl=1311819691&thumb=1 (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/vb/album.php?albumid=87&pictureid=463)Here is a photo of a quilt I made for my neice for Christmas last year. Used scraps of material I had on hand.

Mperfect1

10-27-2011, 05:52 PM

IMHO, yard sales are an even better place to look for fabric pieces that can be recycled into something else. Curtains, sheets, pillow cases, and large sizes in outer wear as well as robes and such.

Lee

Lee, your old post brought back a memory...

Years ago, when our youngest was about five, I found a very large lady's dress at a yard sale cheaply. I figured I could easily get a few outfits out of the generous fabric to fit my daughter. As I looked around at other things, my youngest spyed me carrying around the dress and asked, 'Gee, mom, whatcha gonna do with that HUGE dress!?' and, 'Wow, what size do you think that lady WAS, mom??' and on and on 'til I was hoping the ground would open up and swallow both of us. I could NOT shut her up! And of course there sat the very large and very gracious lady that had worn the dress who kindly took my money and only smiled at me. What a saint!

Back OT, I made casual clothes for the kids when they were little, p.j.'s, shorts, easy dresses for the girls. Nowadays I mostly do alterations or the occasional apron for my mother at Christmas and sometimes a few household items.

LoiDreams

10-27-2011, 09:54 PM

I like to applique baby quilts. I also sew sweatshirts and dresses for Christmas for a good friend who has 7 children. I am experimenting with combining quilting with clothing right now. I am half done with a coat I am assembling and quilting one pattern piece at a time. When I am done building the pieces I will put them together using the Cotton Theory of quilting as you go. I also sew curtains, duvet covers and some of my own and families clothes. I also like to quilt hot pads as gifts.

LoiDreams

Mrs. Owens

10-30-2011, 11:43 AM

Hey, quilting as you go sounds like something I'd like to try. Would you please explain in a little detail for me?

Also, the pieces of cotton that I save for quilts are such an array of colors, I'm afraid that they won't look good together and I'm not one of those folks who can go buy yards of 5 or 6 prints for a quilt. Wish I could but I'd probably not be able to decide which colored print goes well with the other.

Anyway.............my sister goes to thrift stores and gets clothing for the buttons and zippers, fabric, etc. Smart gal! She found some the other day for just pennies and was able to use most of the garment for all of it's parts.

I'm just now learning to use a serger, so any handy tips on that is most appreciated. It's so intimidating that I've had it for a couple of years and am just now plunging in to figure it out. Not so bad after all. :wub:

Junie

10-30-2011, 05:29 PM

Mrs. Owens, I bought a brand new serger, stared at it for a couple of years, then gave it to my sister. I never could figure out what to do with it.

I'm getting ready to make some dresses. I haven't made any since spring and they're getting pretty worn. I don't really have anything decent to wear to town anymore so I need to do this. I have one cut out and will cut out another one in the morning. It's knit, so I'll have to find the needles I bought to sew it. I've never worked with knit before. I've also never made a hood before and I want to put hoods on these. I think I have it figured out (I don't use patterns)

crackergirl

11-18-2011, 06:15 PM

Oh, Ladies, don't be afraid! Sergers are the cat's pj's ! When the girls were small, I used to make everything for them and myself, including 'unmentionables' I spent more time cutting out than I did sewing.
One of my favorite memories is cutting out lovely flannel pj's during Christmas week. I would bathe the girls, wash all that long hair and set them in front of the fireplace to dry it. As they dried their hair, I was serging up new pj's so that they would look pretty in the Christmas pictures!
It is really simple to learn; like anything else, read the instructions and go slowly.