Sewing Techniques/Projects

Miss Cassandra · 09-23-2007, 04:22 PM

I searched, and I couldn't find any threads on sewing. I am working on an important project right now and I was hoping you guys might have some tips for me. I never use a machine for my projects, everything is always done by hand. (The difficult way, LOL)

So, right now I am making a pencil skirt, and I have done a lot of researching online for instructions, and patterns. I found nothing I liked so I made my own pattern, already stitched it together, and now I need help with the button closure.

It is high waisted, and I want 6 buttons straight down the right side. If any one has tips for a waistband, closures, or pleats, please post them. And pictures too, if you have any.
I just don't want any bulges or mess-ups along the way. Any help would be very appreciated.

It looks like this one, but without the decorative accents.

***Rían*** · 09-23-2007, 08:01 PM

Whew! I wish I could help you, but the only sewing I do is minor repairs and hems and stuff like that.

I crochet, though, and if you want to make a crocheted skirt I could help!

Buttons on a side seam sound hard to get flat - good luck! Maybe just try a sewing store.

**Mari** · 09-26-2007, 12:06 PM

Weird to think there is nothing online that you can use. I always do everything the hard way, because I just can't seem to use a machine. But I've been told my stitching is very neat, so I guess it doesn't really matter.
Good luck! Did you try the archives of older sewing magazines?

hectorberlioz · 09-26-2007, 12:20 PM

Machines are hard to use...and besides, you double or quadruple your threads, things tend to stay together better done manually

. Witness my attempt some time ago to cut and hem some overlong pant legs: the machine basically made me a trouser purse

.

Miss Cassandra · 09-26-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

Machines are hard to use...and besides, you double or quadruple your threads, things tend to stay together better done manually

. Witness my attempt some time ago to cut and hem some overlong pant legs: the machine basically made me a trouser purse

.

Hah! lol. Trouser purse! Im gonna use that one! *Thinking....
I have made my mistakes too. I can use them pretty well, I just prefer the manual method, I think in the end it's worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mari

Weird to think there is nothing online that you can use. I always do everything the hard way, because I just can't seem to use a machine. But I've been told my stitching is very neat, so I guess it doesn't really matter.
Good luck! Did you try the archives of older sewing magazines?

I have looked and found a lot of pattens, but they didn't help any, and some good sewing techniques that I already knew about. Im sure there is something that could help me finish it, I just haven't found it yet! I also have sewing books at home that I re-read, and they didn't help much either. I have most of it done but the closure. I just want it to look professional, and have no bulgey fabric bumps in it. its a pretty thick fabric.
Ill keep searching, but if you find anything let me know

***Tessar*** · 09-26-2007, 02:28 PM

Hm, maybe it's cheating, but if you can get the majority of the skirt done, you might check with a local alteration shop to see if they'd do the buttons or anything terribly fancy for you.

My mother has sewn herself a few skirts and jackets, and for some of them she took them in and got the buttons or zippers done for her by someone who really knew what they were doing. I think it cost about $5-10.

Miss Cassandra · 09-26-2007, 02:34 PM

Thats brilliant! Why haven't I thought of that?!
Thanks for the advice Tessar.
Locally, I live in a terrible area for specialty shops, but Im sure I can find one within an hour drive. Now Ill have to search for that too! But thanks again!

sisterandcousinandaunt · 09-26-2007, 03:06 PM

Is the skirt lined? I would consider partially lining it (saves you a bundle on hosiery, if the fabric of the skirt has any texture). Then your proceedure would be to turn the opening over and tack it down, match the lining to it, with a strip of interfacing, which will anchor the buttons and buttonholes. Remember, make the buttonholes before opening them.

Miss Cassandra · 09-26-2007, 03:15 PM

Yes. It will be fully lined. I have a thin lining fabric, a satin type.
Ya buttonholes are so tricky!

You gotta sew 'em just right! Thats what Im worried about, because they are right on the hip. I dont want the puckers to be there, so Ill probably just take it in to a shop. They can do the hard part for me. Are you a seamstress sacaa? Do you do a lot of sewing? I might have some questions for you, not skirt realated of course...

sisterandcousinandaunt · 09-26-2007, 03:51 PM

Wardobe mistress, more like. Intermittently. Meaning that I more often get to swap buttons in and out than to decide who wears what. Still, I sew.

Happy to help when I understand the question.

Miss Cassandra · 09-26-2007, 04:03 PM

Nice. Ill pm you with any questions I have. I have been sewing for many years, but there are still some things that puzzle me.
Thanks for your offer to help

**Mari** · 09-29-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sisterandcousinandaunt

Wardobe mistress, more like. Intermittently. Meaning that I more often get to swap buttons in and out than to decide who wears what. Still, I sew.

Happy to help when I understand the question.

Sis knows everything! Sis to the rescue!

09-23-2007, 04:22 PM	#1
Miss Cassandra Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 160	Sewing Techniques/Projects I searched, and I couldn't find any threads on sewing. I am working on an important project right now and I was hoping you guys might have some tips for me. I never use a machine for my projects, everything is always done by hand. (The difficult way, LOL) So, right now I am making a pencil skirt, and I have done a lot of researching online for instructions, and patterns. I found nothing I liked so I made my own pattern, already stitched it together, and now I need help with the button closure. It is high waisted, and I want 6 buttons straight down the right side. If any one has tips for a waistband, closures, or pleats, please post them. And pictures too, if you have any. I just don't want any bulges or mess-ups along the way. Any help would be very appreciated. It looks like this one, but without the decorative accents. __________________ DIMMU BORGIR Antichristus Spiritualis

09-23-2007, 08:01 PM	#2
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	Whew! I wish I could help you, but the only sewing I do is minor repairs and hems and stuff like that. I crochet, though, and if you want to make a crocheted skirt I could help! Buttons on a side seam sound hard to get flat - good luck! Maybe just try a sewing store. __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

09-26-2007, 12:06 PM	#3
Mari Elf Lady Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In the lands where mountains are but a fairytale Posts: 8,588	Weird to think there is nothing online that you can use. I always do everything the hard way, because I just can't seem to use a machine. But I've been told my stitching is very neat, so I guess it doesn't really matter. Good luck! Did you try the archives of older sewing magazines? __________________ Love always, deeply and true ★ Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. ★ Friendship is sharing openly, laughing often, trusting always, caring deeply. ...The Earth laughs in flowers ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"...

09-26-2007, 12:20 PM	#4
hectorberlioz Master of Orchestration President Emeritus of Entmoot 2004-2008 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Lost in the Opera House Posts: 9,328	Machines are hard to use...and besides, you double or quadruple your threads, things tend to stay together better done manually. Witness my attempt some time ago to cut and hem some overlong pant legs: the machine basically made me a trouser purse. __________________ ACALEWIA- President of Entmoot hectorberlioz- Vice President of Entmoot Acaly und Hektor fur Presidants fur EntMut fur life! Join the discussion at Entmoot Election 2010. "Stupidissimo!"~Toscanini The Da CINDY Code The Epic Poem Of The Balrog of Entmoot: Here ~NEW! ~ Thinking of summer vacation? AboutNewJersey.com - NJ Travel & Tourism Guide

09-26-2007, 02:34 PM	#7
Miss Cassandra Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 160	Thats brilliant! Why haven't I thought of that?! Thanks for the advice Tessar. Locally, I live in a terrible area for specialty shops, but Im sure I can find one within an hour drive. Now Ill have to search for that too! But thanks again! __________________ DIMMU BORGIR Antichristus Spiritualis

09-26-2007, 02:28 PM	#6
*Tessar* Master and Wielder of the Cardboard Harp of Gondor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IM IN UR POSTZ, EDITIN' UR WURDZ Posts: 6,433	Hm, maybe it's cheating, but if you can get the majority of the skirt done, you might check with a local alteration shop to see if they'd do the buttons or anything terribly fancy for you. My mother has sewn herself a few skirts and jackets, and for some of them she took them in and got the buttons or zippers done for her by someone who really knew what they were doing. I think it cost about $5-10.

09-26-2007, 03:06 PM	#8
sisterandcousinandaunt Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,535	Is the skirt lined? I would consider partially lining it (saves you a bundle on hosiery, if the fabric of the skirt has any texture). Then your proceedure would be to turn the opening over and tack it down, match the lining to it, with a strip of interfacing, which will anchor the buttons and buttonholes. Remember, make the buttonholes before opening them. __________________ That would be the swirling vortex to another world. Cool. I want one. TMNT No, I'm not emo. I just have a really poor sense of direction. (Thanks to katya for this quote) This is the best news story EVER! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26087293/ “Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint.”...John McCain "I shall go back. And I shall find that therapist. And I shall whack her upside her head with my blanket full of rocks." ...Louisa May

09-26-2007, 03:15 PM	#9
Miss Cassandra Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 160	Yes. It will be fully lined. I have a thin lining fabric, a satin type. Ya buttonholes are so tricky! You gotta sew 'em just right! Thats what Im worried about, because they are right on the hip. I dont want the puckers to be there, so Ill probably just take it in to a shop. They can do the hard part for me. Are you a seamstress sacaa? Do you do a lot of sewing? I might have some questions for you, not skirt realated of course... __________________ DIMMU BORGIR Antichristus Spiritualis

09-26-2007, 03:51 PM	#10
sisterandcousinandaunt Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,535	Wardobe mistress, more like. Intermittently. Meaning that I more often get to swap buttons in and out than to decide who wears what. Still, I sew. Happy to help when I understand the question. __________________ That would be the swirling vortex to another world. Cool. I want one. TMNT No, I'm not emo. I just have a really poor sense of direction. (Thanks to katya for this quote) This is the best news story EVER! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26087293/ “Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint.”...John McCain "I shall go back. And I shall find that therapist. And I shall whack her upside her head with my blanket full of rocks." ...Louisa May

09-26-2007, 04:03 PM	#11
Miss Cassandra Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 160	Nice. Ill pm you with any questions I have. I have been sewing for many years, but there are still some things that puzzle me. Thanks for your offer to help __________________ DIMMU BORGIR Antichristus Spiritualis

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