[weehr]

I actually love this thread!!

I haven't sewn anything from scratch since June when I made a waistcoat but I've some lovely silk stretch satin that I want to make into a dress and some really nice liberty print fabric that I might make into a top.

Recently I've just been doing repairs - buttons and fixing hems mostly! But reading about what everyone else has made is making me want to dig out my sewing box

(Original post by fran.ha)
I'm lucky that as its only me and my Mum in the house we both understand the sanctitude of proper fabric scissors. Nothing drives me madder than using fabric scissors for paper!

This is so true. I have to keep mine (well my sisters!) well hidden in my sewing box! £25 for a pair of scissors is too much for them to be used on paper!

[fran.ha]

Supposed to be decorating our dining room but thought I would squeeze in an hours sewing session before the room (and me) got too dusty. Cut out everything, interfaced the front band and sewn the lining and darts on the front bodice. It going to be an off the shoulder dress.

[vander Beth]

I tried out my new organization system. I believe I do like it. You fold and iron each piece of the pattern with the number facing up and slide it into a paper protector, which are then put into numerical order into a binder with the pattern envelop and instructions in the first paper protector acting like dividers. I think it will be very nice for patterns like the one I'm using now, which is actually for 4 pieces of clothing. You can pick out the pieces you need without getting the others, and then everything has a place and it is easy to see if anything is missing. It's much neater, and now I have an image in my mind of all the patterns I will have used in binders that are on a shelf, like my own personal catalog.

Spoiler:

Show

[fran.ha]

(Original post by vander Beth)
I tried out my new organization system. I believe I do like it. You fold and iron each piece of the pattern with the number facing up and slide it into a paper protector, which are then put into numerical order into a binder with the pattern envelop and instructions in the first paper protector acting like dividers. I think it will be very nice for patterns like the one I'm using now, which is actually for 4 pieces of clothing. You can pick out the pieces you need without getting the others, and then everything has a place and it is easy to see if anything is missing. It's much neater, and now I have an image in my mind of all the patterns I will have used in binders that are on a shelf, like my own personal catalog.

Spoiler:

Show

That is such a good idea! I'm constantly pulling pieces out to check notches or whatever and I always end up with them all over the place. Thanks for the great idea! I'm going to have to go to town tomorrow and buy a nice ring binder for all my patterns! You could even do it so that you have jackets in one, skirts in another etc etc. Would also be good for coming up with ideas for what to do with the patterns e.g getting a piece of sample fabric and flicking through your book to find what you like, then popping the fabric in so you know for future reference that you liked that pattern and fabric.

[fran.ha]

ATTENTION: WE ARE NOW A SOCIETY!

Please join the society, on page 13 of the society list. I chose the name 'The Needlework Society' because I thought this best encompassed everything we do, hope you like it!

Happy crafting!

[vander Beth]

Now the we are a society, I feel that I need to stop procrastinating on my current project.

I hate when I get too many ideas, and my large fall issue of Teen Vogue came yesterday and I've marking things in there that I would like to make like it's a shopping catalog.

[fran.ha]

(Original post by vander Beth)
Now the we are a society, I feel that I need to stop procrastinating on my current project.

I hate when I get too many ideas, and my large fall issue of Teen Vogue came yesterday and I've marking things in there that I would like to make like it's a shopping catalog.

I know the feeling all too well!

By the way, I've updated the OP with all the useful links and creations people have posted. I've noticed a lot of people that come on here are asking for advice so I thought it would be a good idea and also will give some people inspiration. We just need more people to post their beautiful creations!

[vander Beth]

(Original post by fran.ha)
I know the feeling all too well!

By the way, I've updated the OP with all the useful links and creations people have posted. I've noticed a lot of people that come on here are asking for advice so I thought it would be a good idea and also will give some people inspiration. We just need more people to post their beautiful creations!

Ah, you added my Barbie clothes! I'll post human stuff soon (hopefully!)

[fran.ha]

(Original post by vander Beth)
Ah, you added my Barbie clothes! I'll post human stuff soon (hopefully!)

Yes I did! I hope thats OK, thought it would be nice for everyone to see things without having to trawl through the posts.

[vander Beth]

(Original post by fran.ha)
Yes I did! I hope thats OK, thought it would be nice for everyone to see things without having to trawl through the posts.

No, it's fine. I forgot I even posted those.

[SuicidalLemming]

Ahh I didn't even realise this thread was here! I shall post up a couple of the dresses I've made later when I find my camera
You guys have made some brilliant stuff!

[fran.ha]

(Original post by SuicidalLemming)
Ahh I didn't even realise this thread was here! I shall post up a couple of the dresses I've made later when I find my camera
You guys have made some brilliant stuff!

Please do! I'll post them in the OP for people to look at for inspiration!

[fran.ha]

Well! Have lots to share today!

Firstly, I just ordered 6 metres of this fabric for our new curtains for the dining room. I've still got to paint the room, and paint the wood work, put up our new dining room table before I can make them! Still I can christen the new table for sewing! I'm going to make tab-top curtains (which I've never made before, but I think it should be OK), also we have an understairs cupboard which is full door height but can't have a door on it because its too close to the wall, so I've decided to make a curtain also to go over it, but it won't be anything pleaty or fancy, just a flat panel curtain. The leftover fabric from that curtain (the fabric width is about 135 but the door width is only 90cm) I'm going to make a nice table runner In fact if I have any fabric left over maybe I can make some place mats or something!! Loads to do!



Also had a great time today as I came across a fantastic source of cheap stuff! I had to go to the bank this morning so I could pay our builder who did our new floor (you can see it in the pictures!) I haven't actually made it into town so early on a Saturday morning for years, and the market was on. I haven't been to the market since I was about 5! I went and had a look around and found they had a haberdashery stall! It was so cheap! I got the following things for a grand total of £8!:



Also from another stall I got last months Burda magazine and Threads magazine for £1 each rather then £4.50 they usually are, complete with patterns and brand-new! And also got a book on artists for £2.99 that I can use in my art course in September.

[sowhatimrad]

I've just applied! I love to sew, but my sewing machine has decided to take a (well-deserved) holiday so until it is fixed I am handsewing! Which is super therapeutic anyway Recently I've been shredding a couple of t-shirts and customising rather a lot of dresses - if you're interested I could show you?

[fran.ha]

(Original post by sowhatimrad)
if you're interested I could show you?

Very interested! If you'd like I can post them in the original post, to give people coming onto this thread some inspiration, or simply to see how fabulous we all are

------

What am I doing!? Seriously! I literally just emailed Fabricland to ask for some samples to get a colour match. I'm planning on making a co-ordinating pyjama set, slippers, dressing gown and eye mask But its a lot of work along with my new designs for the dining room, and I still need to finish my raspberry dress. I think I've gone crazy.

[vander Beth]

Is anyone who is starting university soon taking their sewing machine with them? I would like to continue to add to my wardrobe with it, but I have concerns about time and space and I'm wondering if it will just be a bother.

[Holly Unsightly]

(Original post by vander Beth)
Is anyone who is starting university soon taking their sewing machine with them? I would like to continue to add to my wardrobe with it, but I have concerns about time and space and I'm wondering if it will just be a bother.

I seriously just came on here to ask that!

I'm not so bothered about the space issues, because if there's room for a laptop on a desk then there's room for a sewing machine (just about) - the laptop will just have to be relegated to the bed! I'm more worried about the noise - will it really get on my flatmates nerves if I'm on it? I'm not really sure how far the sound carries, especially in halls

I can see it coming in really useful for fancy dress parties though!



Fran, I love the curtain fabric it's gorgeous! I wouldn't mind a dress in that

[fran.ha]

(Original post by vander Beth)
Is anyone who is starting university soon taking their sewing machine with them? I would like to continue to add to my wardrobe with it, but I have concerns about time and space and I'm wondering if it will just be a bother.

I am, although I'm so worried I won't have time. I'm going to be really sad to not be able to sew Then again I'm doing Art and Design which has a fashion section, so maybe I can ask if I can go in there and have a play for an hour just for leisure rather than work I may take it and then if its too much of an annoyance I'll bring it back home.

(Original post by Holly Unsightly)
Fran, I love the curtain fabric it's gorgeous! I wouldn't mind a dress in that

Yeah it is nice! Its a very big print though, very flowery. I don't think it would work all that well for dresses, its really thick and canvassy.

(Original post by Holly Unsightly)
I'm more worried about the noise - will it really get on my flatmates nerves if I'm on it? I'm not really sure how far the sound carries, especially in halls.

To be honest I reckon if you do it in the day/evening they shouldn't mind too much. I had an idea that I would just use one of the kitchen tables in my accommodation but I don't think anyone will be too impress by that

[SuicidalLemming]

Where do you guys buy your material from?

[fran.ha]

(Original post by SuicidalLemming)
Where do you guys buy your material from?

eBay, fabricland online, local shop