Start Sewing!

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Greetings! This little post is ment to encourage new stitchers. If you are already experienced, perhaps consider mentoring a new stitcher!

Sewing is an amazing hobby, in that from a simple piece of cloth you can make something useful or fun. Getting started may seem daunting at first, but there are so many excellent sources where you can pick up basic skills to get started.

You don’t need much to begin sewing. A sewing machine is the biggest investment, but they are readily to be had used or new. Start with a simple machine. If you become passionate about sewing then trade up to a machine with more features.

  • Watch a video about the basics of a sewing machine. Threading a machine, winding and inserting a bobbin are some basics you need to know.
  • practice stitching a simple shape, such as circles, squares and hearts. Practice stitching on some cloth or a piece of paper. You can find a heart template and project on this site.
  • Consider sewing an easy first project such as 2 piece animals, a great beginner project. If you prefer to sew clothing, lounge pants are another easy project to use your new skills.

 

Be a sew and sew! E

Sweater revival

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Sweater season is upon us, and it’s time to access last years wardrobe favorites. Some sweaters might not make the cut,  but might be contenders for a repurposing  project.

Sometimes a long loved sweater can become so “natty” with use, it looks too sad to wear in public. But with a little grooming you can bring many sweaters back to their original glory.

If a sweater has fuzz-balls, skim them off with a fine tooth comb.

 

If a sweater’s fibers are a little “natty”, brush the knit with a fine bristle brush. I was lucky today at a discount store and found a boars hair bristle brush, perfect for this purpose! Now, with hardly any effort, my sweaters from last year are all keepers!

Enjoy the fall! E

 

Huggable Lovable dolls to sew

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One of my favorite career experiences was as a doll designer. So much fun! You too can have that same fun by styling and sewing one of these soulful cuties (Simplicity 8402) to adorn a girls bed or to be a take-everywhere-friend.

The jumper, skirt and collar for these dolls are so easy to make. Perfect for a shared project with a young stitcher. For additional creativity and with some finessing, 18″ doll clothes can be adjusted to fit these girls. Have fun being a doll designer too!

Doll skin fabric is available at the print-on-demand site Spoonflower.com.

Sew fun! Sew playthings! Elaine

Vintage inspired fashion for 18″ doll clothes

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8072

 

Rock and roll!

These little outfits are inspired by the rock and roll era of the 1950s. Get ready for school, prom, or a sock hop with this 18″ doll fashion pattern pack.

This pattern, Simplicity 8072, includes a sweet classic cardigan sweater. For a sweater knit you can repurpose a fine gauge sweater or socks as shown on the pattern photo.

Below is a brief tutorial on how use sweaters and socks to make these sweet separates.

 

 

Make sweaters with socks

An extra special doll sweater can be made using an adult crew sock or a fine gauge sweater. Strategically place the pattern hemlines as shown below.

 

sock 2

Use one pair of crew or long socks for a short sleeve doll sweater. Notice hemlines are placed along the finished edges of socks where possible. Carefully plan layout to fit pattern pieces.

 

sock 3

Use two pairs of adult crew or long socks for a long sleeve sweater.

 

Make a doll sweater with a thrift store find

repurpose

This is cut from a fine gauge sweater found at the thrift store. The cutting layout above is planned to utilize the sweater’s ribbing for a realistic look.

 

Rock and Roll!

FIRST SEWING SUPPLIES! A MUST HAVE LIST!

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This is the list of the basic equipment, tools and notions needed to start sewing. As you develop sewing skills, you will discover the direction you want to go with sewing. Then, upgrade and add more tools tailored to those interests.

EQUIPTMENT: Sewing Machine and Iron

Your first sewing machine need not be a big investment, a basic sewing machine can be purchased for under $100. Any sewing project on this site can be made successfully with a basic machine. When you purchase your sewing machine, pick up additional bobbins and a pack of sewing machine needles. As you advance, you can usually trade in your machine toward the next purchase. Someone may give you a machine, which is great, BUT, often a used machine doesn’t include a manual and also may be too funky and cause frustration. I definitely recommend a nice shiney new one for a fresh start!

A basic iron is fine.

TOOLS AND NOTIONS:
Scissors for fabric: Start out with a good pair of fabric shears from day one!

Scissors for paper: It is best to have a separate pair of scissors for paper. Fabric shears will soon become dull if used for cutting paper.

straight pins
sewing needles
thread
pincushion
tape measure
small ruler
pencil

Each project “recipe” will list any additional tools, notions or supplies you need.

A shoebox container is handy to hold and tote your first batch of supplies.

Now your are ready for many projects on the home page…Lets get started!