Sewing for pleasure and needs.

[homesteaderbelle]

I love to sew! I have been busy sewing lots of stuff. I have a huge stash of fabrics to work with. I buy fabrics that I like when they are on sale. This way when I am in the mood to sew I won't have to run out to the store to get fabric and pay the original price.

I am always looking for ways to become more self -reliant. I have been sewing most of my clothes, or buyibng them from the Goodwill. I have also been sewing cloth, washable, feminine needs.This has been great! I don't have to run to the store for those monthly needs or worry about having enough. I just make my own. They are soo comfortable, absorbant, and a healtier choice for me. No more yeast infections caused by those store bought plastic pads. I also sew my own toilet wipes. They are washable cloth. No more buying TP for me.
I have many quilt project going now. I never get bored since I have much interest in sewing. I like to bless others with my sewing by sewing needed things for them at a fair price.Sewing Is such a pleasure for me and I am soo happy that my mother has taught it to me.
Belle

[alma]

I started sewing little dolls quilts with my daughter for a project of hers.

I got so interested in it, that i made about 10 more to have her sell in a booth that she rents at an antique place.

Then, i decided to do the same for my daughter in law who we visited in maryland recently. I made about ten for her to sell before xmas, the same as my daughter to make a few extra bucks.

Each time, i learned a little more to improve my work.

--and then, i started making some really nice ones by tearing stips, all the same measure, like 1 1/4 inches.

I sewed a pattern strip about 12 inches long to a white strip, and then a third strip of the pattern piece.

Then, i sewed a white stip about 6 inches long and the second row the pattern and then white again.

I then measured 1 1/4 across the 12 inch rows and cut, and then the 6 inch rows.

I then ironed the 1 1/4 inxh strips and sewed one row of alternating colored white and colored strips to the second row. Now i had part of a nine patch already emerging. Then i sewed another 1 1/4 inch strip for the third row and had a nine patch.

Now, that is 1 row, color, white and color
Second row white, colored, white
Third row color white and color


{#} O {#} OOOOO {#} O {#}

O {#} O OOOOO O {#} O

{#} O {#} OOOOO {#} O {#}

etc. etc. etc. I hope you get the gist of it. Ha!

Strip tearing is a lot easier than cutting when it is feasable. love, alma

[homesteaderbelle]

Thanks Alma! I do understand your post but I have never heard of tearing the strips. That is a great idea and I am going to try it. I like to make small things for dolls, like quilts and clothes. I have noticed that most girls don't play with dolls much now days. I wish they did so there would be more of a need of the small doll quilts and clothes.
Have you ever seen the dolls quilts at Tasha Tudor's store? They are selling for over $100.00 and they are very small. Tasha Tudor is a homesteader and an author/ illistrator, she is 92 or close to that age. One of her family members makes the tiny quilts and they are selling as well as other hand sewn things.You can see the quilts by searching Tasha Tudor store, it is interesting.
I was given a vintage quilt top for my birthday this year. It looks to have been made with 1930's or40's fabric, not reproduction. I have it on my quilt frame now. I also have a fan quilt in the making. I love to sew and quilt. I am never ever bored when I have access to a needle thread and a little fabric. Oh, how entertaing it is to me!
Belle

[leera]

I sew quilts mostly,and other small items like pot holders.I can mend my clothes,and have attempted makiing my own........

You would think with as many machines as I own,that I would sew more than I do......perhaps after we get moved next year I'll be able to.Right now I can only set up one machine at a time and can only start/work on one project at a time.........

[anna]

I love to sew although I spend too much time at work or on the computer these days to get much done. I want to learn how to quilt and have a good stash of fabric for that day if I live so long. I also love making clothing but it isn't really cost effective any more.

I have collected a good selection of patterns for both myself and dh on sale for 99¢ each at Hancocks or Hobby Lobby so should I have to make our clothes I could. I have a fair sized stash of shirt fabrics but need to buy fabric for sweats. I have dress/blouse and slacks fabric for myself for both summer and winter, flannel for nightgowns, and some crazy fabrics just for aprons.

Hobby Lobby has patterns 99¢ again this week so I'm going to look for underware patterns to add to my stash. Does anybody really pay $14.95 for a pattern?

[homesteaderbelle]

Underware patterns would be great to have. I would like to make my own underware but have never been able to find the right fabric for them. Thanks for the Hobby Lobby info, I am going tomorrow.

Sewing your own clothing is costly, unless you could make clothing out of free stuff.

I am making my sone some pajamas right now. The cost, not including the pattern, about $9.00 for one pair. That is very expensive but I just love to sew. This is my hobby that will get much use by someone.
* * * * * * Belle's mom

[pcrowder]

Check on EBay for sewing patterns - alot of times they have never even been cut, and you can get them for pennies on the dollar. They also have vintage underwear patterns too, some of which are really cute! You can also get PJ and robe patterns, and also out of print patterns that you never thought you'd find again! I just LOVE looking over the auctions for all the sewing stuff...and knitting stuff...and spinning stuff. I think I single-handledly keep EBay afloat sometimes! But you can get TERRIFFIC deals on almost anything.
Happy Sewing!
Pat

[anna]

Simplicity has quite a few vintage patterns from most every decade in its catalog. I haven't had time to spend going thru the whole thing but I did find and buy a couple apron patterns.

For fabric, buttons, trims, etc. check used garments at garage sales, Goodwill etc. I bought a blouse just for the decorative buttons. I bought a HUGE ladies nightgown and used it to make a crib sheet and several bibs. I bought a HUGE ladies floor length dress and made two pairs of girls slacks and a pair of shorts from fabric. Another time I bought a gathered pink cotton dress with a eyelet underslip and made a pink child's dress with a pinafore to go over from the eyelet. Re-purposing is in vogue these days. A good source of fabric is auction boxes of linens. A large linen brocade table cloth could be made into a dress, a nightgown, tea towels, curtains, napkins, blouses, baby dresses, aprons or even used as a table cloth!