The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: Tess Anderson on February 14, 2011, 02:56:00 PM
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link (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x413698)
More importantly for some, do they know how to make a cloth that happens to be a turlteneck sweater?:
Ozymanithrax (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-14-11 12:10 PM
Original message
Would you buy a sewing machine and sew your own cloths?
I grew up in the 50's and 60's. My mother and grandmother made all of their cloths, and all but the pants worn my my grandfather, my brother, and me. (They chose not to sew jeans). In the summer, they would take a trip to the five and dime and buy patterns for dresses, shirts, blouses, (everything but underwear and socks) and begin sewing. Until I was a 13, and my mother remarried, we did not buy cloths at a store.
Who here would do that, buy the material, cut it, pin it, fit it, sew it, and wear it?
My mother did that, because making her own cloths could be done at a fraction of the cost of buying.
How far will people go?
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Okay, a typo I can understand, but mis-spelling "Clothes" every time? :hammer:
Considering the price of fabric that is decent quality, and the time required, it is rarely cost-effective to sew your own clothes, unless you are very skilled and get a good deal on the fabric.
I will happily repair seams, add a hem, or sew on a button though.
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Oh my Lord, it's a gigantic fire! Who knew? They're all over there trying to outdo each other in their vast talents. :yawn:
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Have they started back to selling 25/50/100 pound sacks of flour in fine cloth bags again?
...and SINGER sewing machines went outta business, didn't they?
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Have they started back to selling 25/50/100 pound sacks of flour in fine cloth bags again?
...and SINGER sewing machines went outta business, didn't they?
Johnny, my wife has a Singer, and it's less than 4 years old.
Some of her best dresses (including that little black number she'll be wearing tonight) were stitched together on that machine.
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Ozymanithrax (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-14-11 12:10 PM
Original message
Would you buy a sewing machine and sew your own cloths?
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Nope. That's what they have Asian sweatshops for.
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how is babby formed ?
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Damn right I would and do!!! Unfortunately, fabric is not cheap these days. Let's talk a regular cotton skirt with an elastic waist. Fabric per yard(44 inches) @ $7.50 we'll say a yard and a half, 11.25 for fabric, $1.50 for a package of 1 inch width elastic, and $2.50 for thread. total $15.25. now a pattern and 5 bucks. the pattern and thread will come in handy again. It's time consuming.
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Ozymanithrax (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-14-11 12:10 PM
Original message
Would you buy a sewing machine and sew your own cloths?
No, because I am due beer and travel money.
(Sorry if you haven't picked that up at the DUmp.)
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I used to sew my family's clothes. We didn't have many, didn't need many. The cost of patterns and material rose to the point where it was no longer cost effective. My talent ran pretty basic. I have a sister who was very good at it, but only sews now if it's something she wants to tweak to her own design. Me? I was happy if I got a zipper in right.
Now I sew primitive, but warm, denim quilts just for family from old jeans that we use up and the folks from my church save up for me. It's fun now, not a have to, and it doesn't cost much.
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I made both of my daughters cute little toddler clothes and PJ's when they were little and also still make PJ bottoms for them now. I made ONE outfit for my son when he was 18 months old but I didn't size it correctly (it was about two years off :p ). I have made my friend who is hippy skippy a couple skirts made out of Amy Butler fabric. My mom used to make me and my cousin matching outfits (different colors of the same fabric).
Sewing is fun but I wouldn't wear anything I am able to make.
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My grandma does a lot of sewing. She makes her own sundresses and curtains. She also makes cute little library bags to put her books into when she takes a trip there. My grandma taught me how to sew when I was younger, but I haven't done it in ages. Would I ever sew my own clothes? No, because I can buy them cheaper at the store.
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Damn right I would and do!!! Unfortunately, fabric is not cheap these days. Let's talk a regular cotton skirt with an elastic waist. Fabric per yard(44 inches) @ $7.50 we'll say a yard and a half, 11.25 for fabric, $1.50 for a package of 1 inch width elastic, and $2.50 for thread. total $15.25. now a pattern and 5 bucks. the pattern and thread will come in handy again. It's time consuming.
Yes fabric is expensive. Good quality quilting fabric is about $9.50 a yard. It costs about $400 to make a queen size quilt and pay to have it quilted (not to mention the time you have into making it, it takes forever to bind it too). If someone hand quilts it then I can't even imagine what it would cost.
Most people won't pay what it cost to make a quality quilt so I don't make them to sell. I agreed to make one for Hawkgirl's little girl last year. She paid for the fabric and I agreed to piece the quilt and quilt it (I ordered the fabric and she paid me for it). I took forever to make it and she understandably asked for her money back because I dragged my feet for so long (I also had a couple bouts of UVeitis during this time which makes it hard to see but I won't make excuses, I get distracted easily :p). I FINALLY finished the quilt top and I'm getting ready to quilt it.
God, I sound like Vesta with my wandering post. :p
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I used to sew my family's clothes. We didn't have many, didn't need many. The cost of patterns and material rose to the point where it was no longer cost effective. My talent ran pretty basic. I have a sister who was very good at it, but only sews now if it's something she wants to tweak to her own design. Me? I was happy if I got a zipper in right.
Now I sew primitive, but warm, denim quilts just for family from old jeans that we use up and the folks from my church save up for me. It's fun now, not a have to, and it doesn't cost much.
I made a rag quilt out of my cousin's old t-shirts, some coordinating flannel and old jeans. That sucker is heavy as crap.
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Johnny, my wife has a Singer, and it's less than 4 years old.
Some of her best dresses (including that little black number she'll be wearing tonight) were stitched together on that machine.
I've got a German machine that belonged to my Nana. My family never quit makin' clothes. Especially the specialty shit like Prom Dresses and Wedding Dresses. It's so much cheaper than goin' to one of those rental or specialty stores! My mother in law and her sisters made my daughters wedding dress, and it was hands down better than anything we could have bought for $500!
I think the machine I inherited is worth some where around 2 grand. "Toots" won't use it, but my oldest granddaughter is an expert on the thing! I should mention she's all of 14!
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I wore a couple of shirts my Mom had sewed when I was a kid, and my wife made her food money as a seamstress in college. I have to agree that these days it just basically isn't cost-effective for daily-wear stuff. She did sew our daughter's special clothes, prom/graduation/wedding stuff, for a huge savings.
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I have more material I can shake a stick at however.... Being somewhat on the short side, I have to hem most of my pants(have to hem several today in fact).
What kind of sewing machine do you have?? Mine is a Husqvana Viking Emerald
Where do you get your material?? I usually go to Joanne's Fabrics, if I have a coupon or Fabric.com(they have free shipping)
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I wore a couple of shirts my Mom had sewed when I was a kid, and my wife made her food money as a seamstress in college. I have to agree that these days it just basically isn't cost-effective for daily-wear stuff. She did sew our daughter's special clothes, prom/graduation/wedding stuff, for a huge savings.
I did the same....I hated the big collar that was on them.
The wife of the couple that lived in the next house up the road from us was a hell of a seamtress. She made everything her husband wore, from underwear to his neckties. He was always well dressed. Whenever I did some work for her I took it out in sewing. I was tall and skinny and she would alter my better clothes to fit perfectly. When I went to college kids tried to dress well. I had her make me several vest to wear...one was red velvet with gold buttons...one was black velvet with rhinestone buttons...and the others were just about as wild.
I left college and joined the Marines. When I came back the kids looked as if they were trying to see who could be the dirtiest, raggedist of the bunch. Being a little older then and dressing as before, I guess I looked like the nutty professor on campus.
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I have more material I can shake a stick at however.... Being somewhat on the short side, I have to hem most of my pants(have to hem several today in fact).
What kind of sewing machine do you have?? Mine is a Husqvana Viking Emerald
Where do you get your material?? I usually go to Joanne's Fabrics, if I have a coupon or Fabric.com(they have free shipping)
I have a Janome Memory Craft. I also have a Janome embroidery machine and a serger too. Oh and a 14' longarm quilting machine.
I order my fabric from FatQuarterShop.com and fabric.com mainly. I used to get a lot of fabric at my local quilt store but since we moved I haven't walked into a quilt store.
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Nope. That's what they have Asian sweatshops for.
So very wrong... but so very funny. H5.
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When I was young, my mother made most of my clothes and my dolls' clothes too. She was wonderful at it, but sure dressed me in a lot of flower-y stuff. :thatsright:
I learned to sew in mandatory 8th grade Home Ec, after she died. I hated it, but it might have had more to do with the circumstances of my life at the time, than the sewing itself.
I have M's mother's old sewing machine. I've never used it, but it's at least 17 years old, as she died a few months after we started dating.
My daughter got a new one for Christmas a year ago. From what she says, it will do everything! She got sewing lessons with it, but hasn't taken them yet. She asked if she could bring the machine over here, and set it up in my "Observatory" (caves are for men :wink: ) when she starts lessons, so that she doesn't have to put it up and take it down after using it, cause she doesn't have room. I'm thinking of asking her, if she would like to bring it over....now. :-)
BEG....I want to make a duvet cover and use my current comforter as the stuffing. Do I need to get a pattern? Also want to make drapes, and cornice board coverings for my room. And make a dust ruffle, and drapes for guest room and it's bathroom. Will need to do some shams and toss pillows too, I guess. Do I just measure what I need, and wing it? I'm tired of looking around and not finding what I want already made, but I have seen lots of fabrics that I like.
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I have more material I can shake a stick at however.... Being somewhat on the short side, I have to hem most of my pants(have to hem several today in fact).
What kind of sewing machine do you have?? Mine is a Husqvana Viking EmeraldWhere do you get your material?? I usually go to Joanne's Fabrics, if I have a coupon or Fabric.com(they have free shipping)
Is it Tim the Toolman gas powered?
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When I was young, my mother made most of my clothes and my dolls' clothes too. She was wonderful at it, but sure dressed me in a lot of flower-y stuff. :thatsright:
I learned to sew in mandatory 8th grade Home Ec, after she died. I hated it, but it might have had more to do with the circumstances of my life at the time, than the sewing itself.
I have M's mother's old sewing machine. I've never used it, but it's at least 17 years old, as she died a few months after we started dating.
My daughter got a new one for Christmas a year ago. From what she says, it will do everything! She got sewing lessons with it, but hasn't taken them yet. She asked if she could bring the machine over here, and set it up in my "Observatory" (caves are for men :wink: ) when she starts lessons, so that she doesn't have to put it up and take it down after using it, cause she doesn't have room. I'm thinking of asking her, if she would like to bring it over....now. :-)
BEG....I want to make a duvet cover and use my current comforter as the stuffing. Do I need to get a pattern? Also want to make drapes, and cornice board coverings for my room. And make a dust ruffle, and drapes for guest room and it's bathroom. Will need to do some shams and toss pillows too, I guess. Do I just measure what I need, and wing it? I'm tired of looking around and not finding what I want already made, but I have seen lots of fabrics that I like.
Search the Internet for free instructions on the duvet cover. Or if you want a fancy one with some sort of cool closure purchase a pattern. I made a window treatment in my kitchen in our last house and it looked professional when I was done. You will be amazed what you can do. If you need any tips or anything just ask. I can't wait to see what you make. What colors are you going use?
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Is it Tim the Toolman gas powered?
Husqvana is a very expensive sewing machine.
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I've got 3 sewing machines, but sewing clothing nowadays is cost prohibitive. I use the machines for curtains, crafts and my business.
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BEG....I want to make a duvet cover and use my current comforter as the stuffing. Do I need to get a pattern? Also want to make drapes, and cornice board coverings for my room. And make a dust ruffle, and drapes for guest room and it's bathroom. Will need to do some shams and toss pillows too, I guess. Do I just measure what I need, and wing it? I'm tired of looking around and not finding what I want already made, but I have seen lots of fabrics that I like.
Obviously not BEG here, but I've made duvets out of sheets and they come out looking great. Getting the width you need without seams showing can be problematic unless using a stripe or other material where the seam can be almost invisible.
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Search the Internet for free instructions on the duvet cover. Or if you want a fancy one with some sort of cool closure purchase a pattern. I made a window treatment in my kitchen in our last house and it looked professional when I was done. You will be amazed what you can do. If you need any tips or anything just ask. I can't wait to see what you make. What colors are you going use?
I started a thread in The Spa....so we can continue this discussion. :-)
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I would make shorts and cotton pants, just the pull on kind, but it costs more for fabric than it does just to buy them...If I get the sewing machine, and can get it running, I may make some shorts for myself again, simply because I can make them the length I want, or buy capris on sale and hem them. I not a great at sewig but I can fix a zipper, fix a seam simple stuff...
If I get the machine and get it working I may look at the thrift stores for fabric, or even sheets to make some curtains or things for myself. It maybe something I could get good at.
But the machine was Cowboys mothers. But she seemed to like that I had it and not the other DIL, but we'll see.
I have seen some simple patterns I could copy off the net
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My grandma also taught me to sew on her mothers machine the old belt and wheel Treadle machine. non electric just a grate that one placed their feet on and the speed was controlled by how fast your feet pumped.
The only thing it did was to sew in one one direction and one had to reverse the fabric to sew backwards. Loved that old work hourse, one could make most anything on it and Grandma did.
Through the years I had a few other modern electric machines, one so complicated I could hardly work it.
Today I have a very cheap Brother that I taught my 8 year old niece to use to make hand bags and pouches on in one day. The simpler the better for me.
So the cost of frabric is going sky high today, a shortage in cotton or some such. I have no worry as I have not bought material more then twice in 10 years. I go to the thrift stores and buy a super large size dress in a fabric I like, take it apart and for less then $4.00 I may have 4-6 yards of material. I also check the section for table cloths, large napkins and curtains. Some of the stock is miss labled and a Sarong may be thought of as a table cloth or small sheet.
I seldom buy paterns as they are really expensive so if I get say just one long silk crutain, I trace around a shirt I like the style of , and can put in darts later if necessery.
Jeans are difficult used as they do shrink so my size 8 will just fit into a size 12-14. I get them home and turn them into shorts or get out the plastic sheets for stamping designs on walls etc. color the legs in with fabric color and embroider around the design. May take a week or so to finish but it looks at the finish like high cost jeans.
So much can be done with little money if you have a sewing machine. I bought a used book on how to turn used T.shirts into other uses. I took my old concert shirts and made skirts from them with the logo and picture on the front. Little sewing just a top hem for the elastic waist band. A hem under the top and a blouce, all for the cost of thread and elastic.
What fun to have one of a kind clothing and have people come up and ask you where you got it.-------I allways tell them Boston because if I tell them I did it myself for some reason they snear and walk off.
Fact of life people only value what they must spend allot of money for , home made things are considered crap no matter how great it looks.
Try this, deliver a home made cake to a friends party and they thank you and will sometimes put it aside and forget it. Have someone deliver a cake close to yours with a $30.00 price tag on it and that cake goes to the front of the table.
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I think I spotted vestanumbers:
(http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac32/gobucksnumbers/tanktop.jpg)
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I've got 3 sewing machines, but sewing clothing nowadays is cost prohibitive. I use the machines for curtains, crafts and my business.
What is your business WB?
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What is your business WB?
I wanted to answer here and will go on to the new thread in The Spa.
I have a primitives booth at a local antique/flea market mall. Business isn't so great and am thinking of going to Etsy.
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I think I spotted vestanumbers:
(http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac32/gobucksnumbers/tanktop.jpg)
Now that is one heck of an idea Go, with a little trim and razzle dazzle who would have thunk it.???
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I wanted to answer here and will go on to the new thread in The Spa.
I have a primitives booth at a local antique/flea market mall. Business isn't so great and am thinking of going to Etsy.
I love Etsy, I think that would be a smart move.
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I wanted to answer here and will go on to the new thread in The Spa.
I have a primitives booth at a local antique/flea market mall. Business isn't so great and am thinking of going to Etsy.
If you do, let us know where we can find you. I love Etsy :)
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Husqvana is a very expensive sewing machine.
They also make primo chainsaws, and all sorts of other high-quality powered equipment, BEG, which you probably already knew but I throw it out for the general info of anyone who didn't get his joke.
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I have a Janome Memory Craft. I also have a Janome embroidery machine and a serger too. Oh and a 14' longarm quilting machine.
I order my fabric from FatQuarterShop.com and fabric.com mainly. I used to get a lot of fabric at my local quilt store but since we moved I haven't walked into a quilt store.
I have an Elna made in Switzerland. It was made back in the 70's. Got more Gizmos than I can decipher! Has all kinds of cams and more adjustments than a '69 GTO with a Cam-A-Go!
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I think I spotted vestanumbers:
(http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac32/gobucksnumbers/tanktop.jpg)
Can't be Vesta-numerology...no brown streak... :-)
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Can't be Vesta-numerology...no brown streak... :-)
not nice. :hammer:
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not nice. :hammer:
and your point is.....................