Sewing

[pozorvlak]

I find myself doing increasing amounts of sewing these days. This is partly because all of my clothes are starting to fall apart and I hate clothes-shopping: I can only do it if I kid myself that I'm buying a souvenir (which explains all of the T-shirts) or hiking gear or something. Actually, I've noticed a lot of people wearing patched, tattered combat trousers recently, only I'm pretty certain that they were bought pre-patched. This suggests that the "style" I'd adopted anyway for reasons of my own is in some way fashionable, which is an uncomfortable thought.

Anyway, I learned to sew in Primary 4, which was rather a while ago now, and I haven't done very much in the meantime. Consequently, my stitching is rather wonky, it takes ages, and I'm not very clear on which stitches are available to me and how I'm meant to choose. Can any of you (*looks at stronglight in particular*) recommend me some good learning-to-sew type references? Books, for preference.

Also, I seem to spend an inordinate time tying stopper knots. Any suggestions for a good, quick one that won't just pull through?

Update: Oh dear. I appear to have bought a sewing machine on eBay. Ah well, it wasn't much money... and the sewing reference would still be very useful.

Comments

[the-barlow.livejournal.com]

I spent an hour last week making draught excluders with year eight on a "cross curricular day". I was working with a group of boys and none of us could competently do back-stitch, so my group ended up being about twenty minutes behind the rest of the class!

E
x

[stronglight.livejournal.com]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0789419777/026-1112905-4804404?v=glance&n=266239&s=gateway&v=glance is the little book I keep in my sewing box as it has tips on a variety of things and is only little. It's tips rather than a whole reference book, though.

Hand and machine sewing are clearly very different. Hand sewing I'd say you probably only want a back-stitch (unless you're doing something fancy). That sews two bits together neatly and without them wrinkling up, and is suitable for almost everything. Sadly it only gets faster and less wonky with practise...! This pdf http://www.helloknitty.com/pdfs/Handstitches.pdf has a "how to" but I don't know how easy it would be to follow if you don't already know how to do the stitch... It also has slip-stitching which is handy when sewing on the right side.

If you can't follow these, remind me during rehearsal week and I'll teach you.

Mending a hole is harder than a tear - you either need to darn or patch. Patching is much easier to do neatly, as darning involves kind of weaving a new bit of fabric with your thread and so generally looks messier unless you're really good at it.

If you're machine sewing, a straight or a zig-zag stitch will do most things. Cross your fingers your machine comes with a manual, as you'll need instructions on how to thread it...

I hope that's helpful. Truly do ask if you want to be shown during rehearsal week - being shown how to stitch is SO much easier than reading instructions and I'll probably be finishing/adjusting costumes anyway at some point... :-)

[pozorvlak.livejournal.com]

The book looks good, thanks. Patching I can do, but it currently takes me ages. And last time I patched the knee of a pair of trousers, it promptly developed a new hole just above the patch :-( I eventually gave up and turned them into cut-offs.

[stronglight.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I knot my thread as follows:

1.) Find the ends of the thread. (I always use doubled thread, where the needle is in the centre and both ends are in the knot, for mending as it's a little stronger.)
2.) Hold the ends, and wrap the end bits around the needle a few times, so that it is coiled around the needle.
3.) Pinch the coil so that it doesn't unravel and draw the needle through your fingers so that the coil moves down on to the thread, and then right down to the end of the thread.

If you're gentle enough that should give you a knot at the end of the thread and the more loops you put on the needle the bigger it'll get.

[pozorvlak.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks. I think that's the same as the knot I was already tying, but probably an easier method, and the doubled thread will definitely help (and, as you say, make the mend stronger).

Don't bother with knots!

[half-of-monty.livejournal.com]

Hi, btw this is Elizabeth. I've set this account up to use while I'm in Sweden, but was just having a potter around.

Anyway, knots for sewing: I'm with Helen on using double thread, but I don't bother with a knot at the end. Instead you sew several small stitches on top of each other (careful with the first two that you don't pull the thread all the way through - after that it will hold). This has the advantages of being quicker, stronger, and not leaving a lump in the fabric above the big knot. Horay! And you can use the same method to finish off.

Have fun with your sewing maching!

Re: Don't bother with knots!

[pozorvlak.livejournal.com]

Welcome to Livejournal! And thanks. I have befriended you, hope you don't mind.

You are a disgrace to the male race.

[benparker.livejournal.com]

You have a girlfriend.

Use her.

Re: You are a disgrace to the male race.

[stronglight.livejournal.com]

You'd need fabric with a very wide weave, otherwise she won't go through the holes...

And men aren't a race.

Re: You are a disgrace to the male race.

[(Anonymous)]

You're right. More of a subspecies really...!

Re: You are a disgrace to the male race.

[pozorvlak.livejournal.com]

I do, frequently. It doesn't do anything about the holes in my clothes, however.

Badum-tchsh!

Re: You are a disgrace to the male race.

[(Anonymous)]

I see you're getting into that Edinburgh spirit already....

Re: You are a disgrace to the male race.

[pozorvlak.livejournal.com]

It's a bit early for whisky, surely? I don't normally start drinking until at least one o'clock.