November 2010 Weddings
LindsMullinix
member
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Do any of you ladies sew?
As we all know I'm in major need of a new hobby. I saw this online and thought it would be really cute to make one for my new nephew (link here).
What I'm wondering is, do any of you sew? Own a sewing machine? I really havent sewn anything since home ec so I'm wondering, am I crazy for thinking this could be a fun hobby? Is it SUPER hard to do?
I'd love any and all feedback. Thanks!
-Linds
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Re: Do any of you ladies sew?
I can't really say that I sew, but I have made a few things. My mom sewed pretty well and had a sewing machine. Clothes are hard because of the fit and button holes, especially for things like tailored slacks. Things like quilts would be a good project to start with because it doesn't require those specialized things and you put a backing on so you could cover certain imperfections. I found household items like curtains or duvet covers much easier than clothes because they're usually basically flat, so it's more like cutting and assembling. Quilts are fun because of the different patterns you can make with different fabrics (my mom made quite a few baby quilts). I don't know if it's hard to get those rag stitches to turn out.
Have you seen this site:
http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html
I really enjoy sewing. DH's grandma taught me how to quilt last year and I love it. It's not super hard to do. I think it just takes patience.
Before you start on a project like the one you posted, I'd go to a fabric store, like Joann's, and get a quilting kit. They include all the pre-cut pieces and instructions. I found that let me work on my sewing skills before I invested all this time cutting out squares for the fabric.
Also, DH's mom loaned me her sewing machine so I could get a feel for it. I'd recommend asking relatives if they have a sewing machine and using one of theirs before you go out and buy one (if you don't have one already).
I dabble. I own my own sewing machine, from a christmas long ago from my mom. Just a middle of the road machine. I've made some simple clothes and curtains and pillows are easy. I just got a dress form for my bday last week so I have some new things mocked up and in the works.
I buy vintage patterns of 40s and 50s dresses and then attempt to make them. There are lots of great books (usually at smaller shops) to help you get started. Amy Butler has some great bag patterns that are pretty simple for a quick low cost project. Places like JoAnns have monthly classes too but again I'd check your local shops as well.
I've also been meaning to do a summer duvet cover for the bed. Seems simple enough. It's a fun hobby that may not necessarily save you any money, but makes things much more custom. Good luck.
Yes, I sew but only with my mom's help. I have to admit, I find it difficult. You have to be somewhat good at visualizing the final product in 3-D. I think it's a rewarding hobby though... skirts are probably the easiest clothes to make (many patterns only have two pieces). The most complicated project mom and I did was a 12-piece skirt (6 pieces for the overlay and identical 6 pieces for the lining). It came out super pretty though, and people are always asking where I bought it, haha.
ETA: The baby quilt may be a great first project (although I've been told quilts are harder than they look!). Sewing machines are nice to use for most sewing projects, and it keeps you from getting fatigued.
Secretly, I love to sew and craft.. that being said, here's a picture of the diaper bag my mom and I made this past weekend:
It took us about 8 hours to cut out the pattern pieces, fabric pieces, lining, and sew everything together... but it was still fun.
Quilts can take quite some time, but are very rewarding and fulfilling when you are finished. Compared to the quilts my mom and I have made, the rag quilt looks fairly simple. I suggest trying to just get the feel of a sewing machine on scrap fabric before you go out and attempt the rag quilt. I will admit that I stole that tutorial and will now be making one for baby Brooklyn, but if you'd like, I can eventually let you know how it goes. I am in no way a pro and I basically go with the flow and fix things where necessary. (Our diaper bag did the bunching and darts a different way, but it's all good) Also, another suggestion would be to split the steps up into different days. For example, one day, cut the fabric, the next day, cut the batting (inside of quilt), next day line up fabric/batting/fabric and put pattern in order, the next day, just sew the rows together...etc.
I think that if you have patience for it and are willing to make a few errors on your first try, go for it!! If you are one of those people (like myself) that gets frustrated if one little square is barely off, I suggest slowly taking your time to do it. Oh and have fun
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I sew a little bit. I have made a few quilt tops with my mom's help, but never put the backing on or did the actual quilting. My grandma did one of the backs, my mom did one and we "tacked" it instead of quilted, and then one we took to a shop and had it done. I've also made some curtains. It's a fun hobby, but it takes a lot of time. I have a hard time with it because it's easier for me to devote lots of time at once to a sewing project, rather than divide it out over several days, and I don't actually have lots of time to devote to it, which means I never actually do any sewing.
I can't see the link so I don't know how the pattern is... but I made a paper-piecing quilt where you sew onto newspaper and everything is kind of random-sized... super easy, and I love it. (It has a few holes in it - that's how much I love it haha)
As far as sewing machines... I have a beginner one. I love it because it's very easy to use. At first, it had some problems with alignment of the needle, and I had to take it to the shop, but it's been great since they fixed it. I can look at what brand it is, but I don't remember off-hand. Jansen, or something like that....