Anyone sew?

[Katherine Brengle]

I am suffering here big time. I've wanted to learn to sew for the longest time, so my husband went out and bought me a sewing machine the other day -- I went to JoAnn's yesterday and picked up a pattern and everything I needed and got ready to do my project -- a simple dress for my daughter.

I got everything prepared, the fabric, the pattern, pinned and cut, marked, started putting it together. But I am a complete novice at reading a pattern so I don't understand all of the instructions, and as much as I search online, I only find so much explanation...

Anyway it is coming along slowly but painstakingly. I was hoping someone here might have a resource or a book suggestion or something to help me out.

Any and all advice much appreciated!

[KitchenWitch]

1. If you can give me the pattern number and manufacturer of the pattern

I might be able to "e-talk" you through it.

[Katherine Brengle]

2. Simplicity 5641 View D size 3

I am making some headway, but not very quickly.

[KitchenWitch]

3. Man, the Simplicity website does not have the instructions online.

Where are you stuck?

At the Simplicity site, there are some sewing tips that might help you out.

http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=sewingBasics.html

[Katherine Brengle]

4. Yep --

I went there first lol. It's not that I am having difficulty with the actual sewing, I just need a comprehensive guide to following a pattern. Everything I've found so far just says " read the directions " or something equally unhelpful lol.

I guess I am just going to keep winging it and see what comes out on the other end.

:D

Thankies!

[KitchenWitch]

5. Have you cut everything out?

[Katherine Brengle]

6. Yes. I've also started constructing the bodice and the bodice lining and the

straps are done but not attached.

[Katherine Brengle]

7. I just realized I did screw up...

I cut the front part of the bodice in half and I wasn't supposed to... now I have to cut a new one bc it will be too small with two 5/8 seams sucked out of the middle.

Argh.

[KitchenWitch]

8. OOPS

I am sure you have enough fabric to redo it!

I just recently made a blouse for my daughter, (she is a kids size 6 according to Simplicity). My daughter is long in the torso (she is tall) and unfortunately the blouse ended up being 3-1/2 inches too short (at a kids size 6 no less). I need to go back and get more of that fabric so I can make her another one (since it is part of a blouse/skort set and I have already cut out the skort pieces.)

[Katherine Brengle]

9. I bought twice as much as I needed just in case lol --

so at least I have plenty to fix a few mistakes if necessary :D.

[Arkansas Granny]

10. Here are a couple of sites I found that might help understanding

the symbols you find on a pattern and some other sewing basics:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/nmt037_31.asp

http://craftandfabriclinks.com/sewingbook/sewbk3.html

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/el_cutting.html

If you know someone who sews you might ask them to take a look at your project and offer some advice. Good luck with it.

[Katherine Brengle]

11. Thank you -- that first link was particularly helpful to me.

[eleny]

12. Flower Pin Cushion

Nothing to do with your current task. But here's something so easy for you to try some day. Perhaps made from some of that extra fabric you have from the dress. A little flower pincushion to remember the first dress you sewed for your daughter.

Free instructions here and she even has a great zigzag tip for beginning sewers --> http://lovetocrochetandknit.blogspot.com/2006/07/flower-pin-cushion.html

[Katherine Brengle]

13. Thank you!

I'm starting to think I should have started with something a little less ambitious lol, but I tend to jump right in when trying new things...

[eleny]

14. I bet most of us did that

It's hard to pass up a pattern we fall in love with at first. Luckily, summer is coming up. There's lots of easy patterns for kids that take little fabric or time.

One tip I can share is to try and read the pattern instructions before doing anything else. Just fix a cup of something good and find a quiet place. Go over the instructions leisurely. When you start to lay out the pattern for cutting, you'll feel relaxed. Sometimes I read the pattern the day before I tackle it. It goes easier for me when I scope out the process beforehand.

[Katherine Brengle]

15. I will take that advice --

I'm actually going to set it aside for a few days and let my head clear - I was fighting with it so much today that it wasn't fun, and that's not the point.

I have a book coming that will hopefully help, and I bought enought fabric for several of these so once I figure it out, maybe I will get at least one decent one out lol.

Ironically, I was looking a little more closely than normal at the dress my DD was wearing today and it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay simpler than the one I am trying to make.

Go figure!

[eleny]

18. My first pair of slacks

They were corduroy. I laid out the fabric and pattern on the dining room table and went to cutting out the pieces. It wasn't until the pants were sewn that I realized the nap was wrong. I had the nap right on the back. If I ran my hand down my leg it felt right. But the front had the nap of the corduroy going up. I laid out the pattern wrong on the fabric.

I laugh about it now. Back then I was in disbelief.

And then there's the fancy blouse faux pas. I finished the whole blouse including making buttonholes (which are a lot of fun) and sewing on the buttons. Then I sat down to cut the buttonholes open with a single edged razor blade. I carefully set the blade on the first buttonhole and started to slice when my hand slipped and I sliced past the buttonhole and into the blouse itself. I put down the razor, put the blouse on a hanger in the closet and didn't look at the damned thing for a year.

Sewing will give us all that special pain between the shoulder blades and up the neck. It goes with the territory at the start. But you'll get so much satisfaction from making so many lovely things. Lovely and simple. The basic sewing machines these days can do much. Keep it oiled and fuzz free, use the right needles and change them often. Get yourself a good chair. I like a typist chair for my lower back. You'll know what you need. And then post some pictures. We love pictures here at DU!

[gizmonic]

16. What a pretty dress!

I would second eleny's suggestion and find a quiet place to sit w/a cuppa tea and read the pattern/instructions.

I have basic sewing skills but this is what I know about patterns.

Most patterns have a legend or key: how to lay out the tissue pieces, how much of a seam allowance, if you have to cut interfacing, etc. It will also give you info regarding what the symbols represent on the pieces: dashes, dots, notches, etc. These will tell you that you may have to baste or match pieces or something like that.

Read thru the instructions. If you are doing View D, circle or mark all of the instructions for that view. It can make it easier to follow. Sometimes the instructions will say something like "all views" or "view A,B,C" or a variation. Just follow the instructions for your View.

It can be overwhelming as first. But once you get the gist it becomes clearer.

I hope this helps a little. Be sure to post a picture! :) :hi:

[likesmountains 52]

17. If they are helpful at your Joann's you can take the whole thing over there

and get some hands on advice..I did that a few times when I was learning to sew. That will help especially if you are the type of learner that has to see something to understand it..Maybe even go ask someone local who does alterations..And when you have successfully made the dress, make another one soon while the pattern still makes sense..you'll be amazed how easy the second one will be.

[ellie]

19. I have to read

sewing patterns several times before I understand them. Just go really slow. On a positive note, I have found that once I make a mistake in sewing, I usually don't make it again! Good luck and post a photo when you are finished.

[Katherine Brengle]

20. Thank you all!

I am actually setting aside while I wait for a couple of books I ordered to help me out, but when it eventually gets done, I will put it up.