Ladies' Lifestyle: Sewing and Embroidery

[EntWife]

Just thought I'd start a thread for sewing and embroidery, a place for ladies to post about projects, or ask questions, or whatever.

One that I'm currently doing is a large counted cross-stitch picture. To start with, I chose a color near the center to start working outwards. (For smaller cross-stitch projects, I usually start in the upper left-hand corner. I first count the squares from the center to find where the corner should be. Why? Who knows.) This time, for that first color, the one I chose happens to be very close to the color of the aida cloth. Big mistake! Because I didn't do other color threads first, it's hard to see what I'm doing. I won't make that mistake again!

I'm going to try to finish that color today. I'm already halfway through it.

 

[dragonfire00]

This is great and very timely for me personally! I am embarrassed to admit that my (4) daughter is learning how to sew right now at preschool and is struggling with it but I HAVE NEVER LEARNED and I want to do so now. I was thinking of starting off with a sewing machine at first but I feel like it's important to also be able to sew without. Any advice on a sewing machine to purchase that is good for beginners? Ideally I'd want to have a small kit to repair things on the road, at home, or wherever but would use the machine for fixing things in the home. Maybe down the road learn to also create things as well, but starting here.

 

[EntWife]

This is great and very timely for me personally! I am embarrassed to admit that my (4) daughter is learning how to sew right now at preschool and is struggling with it but I HAVE NEVER LEARNED and I want to do so now. I was thinking of starting off with a sewing machine at first but I feel like it's important to also be able to sew without. Any advice on a sewing machine to purchase that is good for beginners? Ideally I'd want to have a small kit to repair things on the road, at home, or wherever but would use the machine for fixing things in the home. Maybe down the road learn to also create things as well, but starting here.

There is a little hand sewing involved in a lot of things you might make so it's good to learn that too if you want to sew.

You might be able to find a beginner's sewing class to attend. Sometimes a fabric or craft store will host classes like that. If you can't find a local class, there are instructional videos on YouTube, of varying quality. There's a book that I've found really helpful - SEW: Sew Everything Workshop, by Diana Rupp. I already had basic sewing skills when I bought it, but it looks like it would help a beginner too.

I don't know what sewing machine is best, but I don't recommend a Singer. They make them so that you can't fully clean and oil them so you have to take them to a service center.

Just remember to start out with something very simple. Sometimes people try to make something way beyond their skill level, think sewing is too hard, and then give up entirely.

I hope it works out well for you. It's very satisfying to make things for appreciative children.

 

[messaggera]

Just thought I'd start a thread for sewing and embroidery, a place for ladies to post about projects, or ask questions, or whatever.

Sharing visuals for projects would be nice to see too from others. Just a thought, perhaps for inspiration.

am embarrassed to admit that my (4) daughter is learning how to sew right now at preschool and is struggling with it but I HAVE NEVER LEARNED and I want to do so now.

There are pre-printed designs and colour floss guides sold in packages for embroidery at stores. Really simple and fun for children and adults.

Now is the time to learn - with the cold season upon us.

 

[EntWife]

This is great and very timely for me personally! I am embarrassed to admit that my (4) daughter is learning how to sew right now at preschool and is struggling with it but I HAVE NEVER LEARNED and I want to do so now. I was thinking of starting off with a sewing machine at first but I feel like it's important to also be able to sew without. Any advice on a sewing machine to purchase that is good for beginners? Ideally I'd want to have a small kit to repair things on the road, at home, or wherever but would use the machine for fixing things in the home. Maybe down the road learn to also create things as well, but starting here.

I forgot to mention that if your main goal is mending, you might still want to make a few simple things to practice your sewing skills. That way when it's time to mend your favorite skirt, you won't be too nervous about ruining it. Or you could practice mending on items that you aren't keeping anyway.

One thing that can be very helpful is iron-on patches. I once fixed a small tear in my then-favorite skirt with an iron-on patch, and afterwards you couldn't see that there had been a rip at all. I put the patch on the wrong side of the fabric to hide it. I cut the patch a little larger than the tear, very carefully matched up the torn edges of the fabric, very carefully placed the patch shiny side down covering the entire tear, very carefully and gently put the hot iron on top of it, then pressed down for the required time period. The result was perfect, and I wore the skirt for several years after that. People complimented me on the skirt a lot, probably because they couldn't see the mended rip near the hem.

 

[EntWife]

This video is inspiring.



I want to make more of mine and my daughter's clothes, but probably not 1950's styles. It's so hard to get modest clothing at all, but especially that isn't made out of cheap fabric that shrinks, fades quickly, gets twisted out of shape, quickly gets holes, etc.

 

[Veemerk]

My 8 year old niece is in a sewing class. They just finished a pillow. She was so proud of her work. I didn’t think she would like the class because she has disliked every other activity she has ever tried—tee ball, soccer, dance, and gymnastics. I haven’t heard her complain about sewing yet! And she signed up for the second session. There are only 5 other girls in her class but it really makes me feel good that my sister signed her up and she enjoys it.

 

[Kitty Tantrum]

I've had a few friends and acquaintances ask if I'd be willing to teach their daughters some basic/beginner sewing lessons. I'm in no position to "teach classes," but I've taught a few little things here and there. I'm glad they want to learn!

(Although I have to wonder how many will turn around and use those skills for "cosplay." Sigh.)

I haven't really been sewing lately, but I'm setting my machines up again and preparing some space for... nothing more exciting than a giant pile of mending. Wooo. Mending.

 

[Starlight]

I enjoy doing the pre-printed embroidery designs as a pastime but I always feel like they’re kind of pointless, like I have enough tea towels and pillowcases and my needlework isn’t fine enough to sell at the church fundraisers. I like projects that have a deliberate purpose, you know?

I’m really hoping my BIL or SIL gets married sometime soon so I can finally start on a baby quilt! My grandmother (dad’s side)- made quilt pieces out of little tiny hexagons cut from my grandfathers old work shirts. All hand cut, hand sewn. She unfortunately passed away before she could finish it and it was packed away for a few decades and then my mom finished piecing it together. It is a real treasure to me. I know quilts are meant to be used but I can’t help but tuck it away.

My mom’s side did a lot of crochet, as well as making their own clothes (my grandma made my mom’s wedding dress, how special is that?). It’s amazing how skillful the women of yesteryear were. My great-grandma was *completely* homesteading while raising a brood of kids, no running water or electricity. They grew, hunted, or traded for food in a state with 6+ months of winter, a true Pioneer family. And yet, she still was able to find the time to cultivate her skills so she could make this beautiful piece (among many others):

Though I never knew my dad’s mom or my great-grandmother, I hold them both in very high esteem and consider them as examples to measure myself against (which, of course, I’m failing miserably at, lol/cry)

 

[messaggera]

I enjoy doing the pre-printed embroidery designs as a pastime but I always feel like they’re kind of pointless, like I have enough tea towels and pillowcases and my needlework isn’t fine enough to sell at the church fundraisers. I like projects that have a deliberate purpose, you know?

I use the pre-printed (hoop included) / colour guide kits for cognitive purposes. Similar to how individuals will just knit to knit to keep the mind active.

I do like how the kits provide opportunities to learn new stitches.

Will also draw out designs or pictures and select colours. I enjoy the journaling / drawing out as part of the process. Sometimes just free hand embroidery. Give those away as gifts.

My grandmother (dad’s side)- made quilt pieces out of little tiny hexagons cut from my grandfathers old work shirts. All hand cut, hand sewn.

Enjoyed hearing about your grandparents; such a cherished memory to have and to share with your children.

When my dziadek passed away my godfather’s wife took one of his nice cotton pullover dress shirts, and made a pillow so that the front of the shirt was similar to placing my head on his chest. She also made a beautiful patch work pillow with the silk tie he wore to my wedding. Beautiful colours and designs.

God bless you @Starlight .

 

[EntWife]

I enjoy doing the pre-printed embroidery designs as a pastime but I always feel like they’re kind of pointless, like I have enough tea towels and pillowcases and my needlework isn’t fine enough to sell at the church fundraisers. I like projects that have a deliberate purpose, you know?

I’m really hoping my BIL or SIL gets married sometime soon so I can finally start on a baby quilt! My grandmother (dad’s side)- made quilt pieces out of little tiny hexagons cut from my grandfathers old work shirts. All hand cut, hand sewn. She unfortunately passed away before she could finish it and it was packed away for a few decades and then my mom finished piecing it together. It is a real treasure to me. I know quilts are meant to be used but I can’t help but tuck it away.

My mom’s side did a lot of crochet, as well as making their own clothes (my grandma made my mom’s wedding dress, how special is that?). It’s amazing how skillful the women of yesteryear were. My great-grandma was *completely* homesteading while raising a brood of kids, no running water or electricity. They grew, hunted, or traded for food in a state with 6+ months of winter, a true Pioneer family. And yet, she still was able to find the time to cultivate her skills so she could make this beautiful piece (among many others):
View attachment 51073
Though I never knew my dad’s mom or my great-grandmother, I hold them both in very high esteem and consider them as examples to measure myself against (which, of course, I’m failing miserably at, lol/cry)

That's beautiful! I have a doily that my great-grandmother made. The women like her and your ancestors had a leg up, so to speak, because they learned these skills from their mothers. My grandmother knew how to sew and embroider, but didn't teach my mother, who couldn't teach me.

But just imagine doing everything women did way back when and still managing to teach a passel of children how to do all of it too. They probably didn't know what insomnia was; they likely fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

 

[EntWife]

I have this piece of fabric that I decided would make a really nice cape for my daughter. There are YouTube videos about how to make capes without patterns, but they're using fabric that is much wider than my 44" wide fabric. Like this.



It doesn't seem like it would work with the narrower fabric. Unless possibly if I did it in 3 pieces instead of 1 and made it shorter at the sides and longer at the front and back. There would be 1 piece for the back and 2 for the front. Not sure how that would look.

My other option would be a cape pattern that I already have but have never made. I would need 2 3/4 yards of 44" fabric, but I've only got 2 yards. I once cut out a dress from cloth that was half a yard too short, and with careful positioning it worked fine, but 3/4 of a yard? I don't know. I'm thinking about it. Decisions, decisions.

 

[EntWife]

Looking up something else for a project I'm doing, I stumbled on this video about historical seam stitching. She also shows how they finished off the seams at some historical time period or other. (My kids were screaming at that point, and I couldn't hear it.)

She shows how to do a back stitch, which is useful in any time period. I just used this very stitch last night to mend a seam in a pair of pants and another seam in a shirt. It isn't necessary to wax the thread if using modern thread.

 

[Starlight]

That's beautiful! I have a doily that my great-grandmother made. The women like her and your ancestors had a leg up, so to speak, because they learned these skills from their mothers. My grandmother knew how to sew and embroider, but didn't teach my mother, who couldn't teach me.
But just imagine doing everything women did way back when and still managing to teach a passel of children how to do all of it too. They probably didn't know what insomnia was; they likely fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

Yes, exactly! I feel like I can barely keep the house and all the laundry clean week to week but imagine having to really do everything by hand. I think that is what a “purpose filled” life would be like. These days we have so much leisure time, we can’t even think up enough stuff to fill it with!

I use the pre-printed (hoop included) / colour guide kits for cognitive purposes. Similar to how individuals will just knit to knit to keep the mind active.

I do the same but usually just buy the pre-stamped designs and then get the embroidery floss separately, seems to cost less that way as I can repurpose leftover floss from previous projects. Embroidery is both mentally stimulating but also relaxing at the same time. Probably has to do with the level of focus required.

Will also draw out designs or pictures and select colours. I enjoy the journaling / drawing out as part of the process. Sometimes just free hand embroidery. Give those away as gifts.

I remember that you’re very talented
https://www.rooshvforum.com/threads/sewing-thread.39884/post-1499677
What, if anything, do you use to transfer your drawings to the fabric? Or do you just freehand on the fabric itself?

Enjoyed hearing about your grandparents; such a cherished memory to have and to share with your children.

When my dziadek passed away my godfather’s wife took one of his nice cotton pullover dress shirts, and made a pillow so that the front of the shirt was similar to placing my head on his chest. She also made a beautiful patch work pillow with the silk tie he wore to my wedding. Beautiful colours and designs.

That’s sounds so sweet.

God bless you @Starlight .

Thank you @messaggera and God Bless you as well sister.

 

[Starlight]

Looking up something else for a project I'm doing, I stumbled on this video about historical seam stitching. She also shows how they finished off the seams at some historical time period or other. (My kids were screaming at that point, and I couldn't hear it.)

She shows how to do a back stitch, which is useful in any time period. I just used this very stitch last night to mend a seam in a pair of pants and another seam in a shirt. It isn't necessary to wax the thread if using modern thread.

The whip stitch is what I use to repair seams and most tears, even in leggings. What I like about the whip stitch over the back stitch is that the whip stitch compresses the interior of what is being sewed (so the fabric isn’t poking back into the garment, it’s stitched down) and it allows for some flex. It’s also super easy to do by hand and quick.

 

[Starlight]

I haven't really been sewing lately, but I'm setting my machines up again and preparing some space for... nothing more exciting than a giant pile of mending. Wooo. Mending.

I actually really enjoy mending clothes mostly because I know I’m saving a lot of money by repairing them lol but it’s also kind of like a puzzle, like how can I fix this in a way that no one will know?

 

[EntWife]

My mom’s side did a lot of crochet, as well as making their own clothes (my grandma made my mom’s wedding dress, how special is that?). It’s amazing how skillful the women of yesteryear were. My great-grandma was *completely* homesteading while raising a brood of kids, no running water or electricity. They grew, hunted, or traded for food in a state with 6+ months of winter, a true Pioneer family. And yet, she still was able to find the time to cultivate her skills so she could make this beautiful piece (among many others):
View attachment 51073
Though I never knew my dad’s mom or my great-grandmother, I hold them both in very high esteem and consider them as examples to measure myself against (which, of course, I’m failing miserably at, lol/cry)

Scrolling through the thread, impressed again how beautiful this is.

 

[EntWife]

I'm currently taking pockets off my sons' old, torn, stained pants so I can tear them in strips for rag rugs. It's really hard to get pockets off some of the khakis. They super-duper sewed down every corner on every pocket. There were pockets on the legs too. If I hadn't ripped the pockets off, I wouldn't be able to get long enough strips of cloth to bother with.

Anyone else ever made rag rugs? This is my first one, which I haven't actually started since I'm still preparing the "rags". I really need some rugs, and making them sounds enjoyable.

 

[Starlight]

.

 

[Starlight]

Scrolling through the thread, impressed again how beautiful this is.

Thank you again, though the glory is not mine

I'm currently taking pockets off my sons' old, torn, stained pants so I can tear them in strips for rag rugs. It's really hard to get pockets off some of the khakis. They super-duper sewed down every corner on every pocket. There were pockets on the legs too. If I hadn't ripped the pockets off, I wouldn't be able to get long enough strips of cloth to bother with.

Anyone else ever made rag rugs? This is my first one, which I haven't actually started since I'm still preparing the "rags". I really need some rugs, and making them sounds enjoyable.

Funny you should mention that because I’ve been wanting make one as well. I think they’re absolutely beautiful. From what I’ve seen online, you can stitch shorter bits together to make longer ones before braiding. The Anabaptist family I stayed with as a child had ragrugs… one must’ve been 12 feet long and at least 8 feet wide… Now, I’m thinking “that’s a lot of leftover clothes!!” Lol