Sewing, anyone?

[Cudedog]

I have decided to try my hand at sewing, at least in a limited fashion (LOL - no pun intended!).

I have never liked sewing much - probably due to a witch of a sewing instructor I had when in Junior High School, and also because the sewing machines I have owned have mostly been "on the brink" and have needed constant fiddling just to keep them going. There is nothing more frustrating - at least for me - than being in the middle of a sewing project, with a deadline in view, to have the sewing machine crap out right in the middle of my hurry. Ugh.

Anyway, I want some new clothes for the new me, and the (simple) style I want, with fabric that I like, is a bit beyond my price point. Of course, there is a lot of what I like on the scam Chinese clothing websites, but these have a big red flag when reading reviews.

Anyway, I found a pattern that I like, with nice linen-look (not stiff, but very flowing) fabric to go with it. Have bought the pattern and the fabric, and am not sure where to go from here.

Here is the pattern:

https://www.simplicity.com/simplicity-storefront-catalog/patterns/women/simplicity-sewing-pattern-s8924-misses-jacket-top-tunic-and-pull-on-pants/

It looks very simple, no zippers, button holes or ruffles. Just very plain and simple - a style I like, and I think would look good on me.

I have a few dim memories of the dreaded sewing class that I took so long ago, and a friend, who is a wonderful seamstress, has offered to help me put it all together. I think once I have someone help, I will be able to make these pieces on my own. I wouldn't mind having several versions of this outfit, in different fabrics and colors, I like it that well.

I have the pattern pieces cut, but am having difficulty trying to understand how to place the pattern pieces on the fabric. Have a knitter's group I belong to (meeting later this morning) that I think I will bring all of the "bits" with me and ask a lot of questions. The ladies there are all very nice, and I feel blessed to have found, and been accepted, into this group. I don't knit, but I just bring my latest jewelry project and sit there with them. They knit, I put pieces together.

Anyway!

Am thinking I might like sewing better if I had a sewing machine that wasn't crapping out all of the time.

SO! (LOL - Finally to the end of my tale!) Do any of you ladies have recommendations of a sewing machine that might be good for someone who is basically a beginner? I am thinking about getting one that also does quilting (I have done some quilting in the past) but maybe I should stick more to a "basics" model.

Thanks!

Anne

[havingfunnow]

I have the cheapest Brother machine, and it's been very reliable for a couple of years now. Nothing fancy, but lightweight, easy to thread, easy access to the bobbin, and a full set of basic stitches. I can get most of what I want out of it, and work around the rest.

That's a pretty pattern! And hurrah for friendly knitting groups! If you're using a lightweight linen-type fabric, be fussy about straight-of-grain to get the flowing effect to fall right.

Sewing is fun once you get past the initial learning curve. In my teens and twenties, I sewed most of my own clothes, as well as rain flies for my tent and horse blankets. These days, it's mostly doll clothes!

Edited to add -- if you like the results, will you post a photo, please?

[Rufflesgurl]

Hi Anne. I love to see people starting to sew again. A few years back I purchased a Baby Lock Sophia (sewing/embroidery) machine (over $700) and love
it. Very simple to use with neat features like self threading, clipping threads when finished. When I used to work, I made all my clothes and
when my daughter was young, most of her clothes also. Now I rarely sew except fun projects (tote bags, etc.) no clothes. Have not taken it in the RV because there are many things needed to go along with it. There are many machines on the market that would be good for you. Go to a store that
sells sewing machines and ask lots of questions - they probably even offer classes to learn how to use the machine. And with purchase of a new
machine I'm sure there would be some type of warranty.

Happy sewing!! Really like the pattern you chose. Looks easy to follow.

Linda

[BarbaraRose]

I used to do a lot of sewing years back. I made tops and swim suits, etc. Mostly tho, I just made curtains or hemmed pants, tailored tops that didn't fit right, etc.

I bought my sewing machine from Walmart, I think. Very basic one. I plan to set it up in my sunroom and get back into sewing projects again.

Good luck and have fun!

[Acadianmom]

I lost 2 sewing machines when my house flooded. My sister gave me one of the Brother portables that Walmart sells for Christmas in about 2006. I have been very happy with it. About all I do now is hem or mend things. I use to make most of my clothes but now it's cheaper to buy things on clearance than to make them. You can't find what you want, you have to like what you fine. I'm not finding much that I like any more. Everything is just so cheaply made. The material is so thin you can see through it.

You want to pay attention to which way you lay the pattern on the material. I'm not sure but I think the patterns use to tell you which way the pattern should go. Most of the time you want to go with the grain of the fabric.

Martha

[Redetotry]

Go to yard sales and watch for sale ads in the paper. People seem to almost give sewing machines away. Sometimes the older ones are heavy but Singer is a good brand. Your pattern should have arrows be sure they go the direction they point, it is sort of like fitting a jigsaw puzzle to gather.

[Cudedog]

Go to yard sales and watch for sale ads in the paper. People seem to almost give sewing machines away. Sometimes the older ones are heavy but Singer is a good brand. Your pattern should have arrows be sure they go the direction they point, it is sort of like fitting a jigsaw puzzle to gather.

Urg. Then I am definitely in trouble. I am not a jigsaw type person.

Anne

[snowball]

I had the best sewing pal... I would take the material for one of the kids we would find a pattern and I would help cut it out and she would sew while I fixed lunch!!! worked for me for a lot of years...
now when we get together we visit go to lunch and take a nap... last time I was hoping to put a new lace on my slip but think she forgot that I wanted to... and that baby quilt is still in the bag waiting for me to get the help I need because I never learned when I had the best of two worlds...
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

Urg. Then I am definitely in trouble. I am not a jigsaw type person.

Don't worry. I think it shows you how to lay them out so you don't have to figure it out yourself. They do that so you don't waste any material and you get all the pieces cut in the right direction. You got this!

[havingfunnow]

What did the knitting group say about layout? Does it make more sense now?

[mtngal]

Maybe try local senior center or recreation department for beginner classes?

[bikerchic777]

I bought a small Kenmore machine, since I started RVing, and it used to fit in one of my cupboards when I had Myrtle. I was thinking of picking it up to bring up to SD this summer, but Thumbelina is so tiny that I couldn't justify the space. It is a pretty basic machine, which is really all I need. Quilting machines can get so big and pricey. I have friends who have them in their RVs and they have had to get bigger RVs to accommodate their multiple machines, fabric, etc. I love your pattern, but I had sticker shock when I saw the price of the pattern! It used to be so much cheaper to make your own clothes. Now, I think the benefit it mostly quality. I would love to see a pic of you in your new outfit.

[asirimarco]

I used to sew most of my own clothes and also sewed for my boys and husband. Made him a three piece suit once. But eventually it became cheaper to buy clothes. By the time I got the pattern, material and everything else needed buttons, zippers, lining etc. I could buy the same thing for less.
Now I have a quilting/embroidery machine. Love it and use it for quilts, napkins, decorations etc. But haven't made any clothing with it.
I failed sewing in junior high!!!! But out of the 25 girls in the class only one girl passed - the teachers daughter! Funny now wasn't then. Welcome to real world.

[BarbaraRose]

Not a very good teacher if no one could pass a sewing class! I loved my sewing class!

I am shortening my window valences in my kitchen but haven't gotten my sewing machine or kit out of storage yet, so am using glue for now.

[Acadianmom]

When I took sewing in junior high the fashion then was that dresses had a side zipper. I managed to put my zipper in upside down. It zipped from bottom to top instead of top to bottom. It worked so I didn't see that it mattered but the teacher made me take it out. I don't remember what year the straight skirts were in but I could buy the material, finish the skirt overnight and wear it the next day. I think I still have 2 riding outfits from high school. As soon as I lose 80 pounds I be able to wear them.

Martha