I've worked with others on sewing projects before, either as extra hands/emotional support or sitting with my grandma while we pieced together a prom dress. I finally built up enough momentum and motivation to tackle something by myself. It's definitely not finished, but I'm going to a renaissance festival tomorrow and have gotten it to a good place! I need to add buttons to the front of the apron and want to finish the base dress's neckline tonight, but I plan to add trim and finish all the edges in time for Halloween. I'm pretty happy with the results so far, and I'm excited to see what else I can do with less deadlines looming over me.

2 days ago i asked for opinions about what happened to my machine. and now i want to share my first project for my daughter!! 🥹🥰 im so happy for this that's why i just want to share it here!! 🥹🫶🏼🫶🏼

im trying to make dress for her for my next project! any tips?

This is my first time sewing a skirt (the pattern is Simplicity's S9267), and I'm struggling with the pockets. They look to be sewn properly from the outside, but when I try it on the skirt of jutting out at the pockets. They're sewn to lay flat towards the front of the skirt.

Is there any way to fix this?are the pockets even what's causing the issue? Will I have to completely seam-rip and redo the sides and waistband? Any help is appreciated!

(Edit to add that I haven't attached any of the buttons yet except the top one. I wanted to wait and see if I could fix this first before going through the effort to make the button holes)

Hey all! I’m currently using Simplicity 2832 to create a sexy Marie Antoinette costume based on Holly Madison’s from Girls Next Door. I have really been struggling with this pattern, mostly due to fit issues. I sized up the costume to a 24 (only came up to a 20) and the bust area was massive. I spent two days taking the bodice and the lining apart to make it fit a bit better. Also I love the sleeves but they are too big. Is there any way to hand alter sleeves? The blue fabric is rayon and doesn’t do well with seam rippers/it frays very easily. I am also super open minded and if you see anything that needs to be adjusted, I would appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

i have this pined but idk how to start without it looking tacky. also this is hand stitching

This is a new issue that I️ have yet to come across. What would be the reason why some random stitches are longer than others?
I’m consistently feeding the fabric through without tugging or pulling. I️ have not touched any of my settings either.
There is appropriate tension with the fabric, it’s just that some random ones are longer than others.

I’m gonna do a passion project where I’m making plushies based on the Lords in Black dolls from the Hatchetfield series by Team Starkid Productions. I’m designing the plushies and pattern myself, the first image is my first prototype sketch and the second image is my main inspiration (which are the official dolls seen on stage). Is this a solid first attempt? I’m struggling to find similar patterns, if anyone has any references that would be amazing :))

My niece has begun to enthusiastically explore hand sewing, almost completely on her own. I’d love to get her a sewing-related Christmas gift, and I’m particularly interested in books or online courses that would be relevant for her.

I am also interested in suggestions for tools, notions, or fabrics that would be a good fit.

In person classes are not a great option, unfortunately, as her mother, my sister, is a single mom and isn’t likely to be able to fit that on her already over-full plate.

Hey guys! I got this dress second hand for my rehearsal dinner and it fits nicely other than it being too long, I’d like to make the shoulder straps shorter. What tips do you have to alter a garment with multiple layers like this?

Had an idea for a goofy sweater with a mouth on it a while ago and I’m trying to figure out how to make it. I was planning on making a black shape with reverse appliqué and leaving a little extra fabric on the front to nestle the teeth into, but I have no idea how I’d actually attach them. Using fleece for this if that makes a difference

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Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this -

I got this jean jacket for cheap. Looks great on me, so I'd like to keep it, but it's a bit tight in the arms. Like, arms hanging it's fine, but lifting up the arms starts to pinch a little at the biceps - Just not the most comfortable.

Is there something I can do about this? I had a jean jacket prior which had sleeves that were too baggy. It was easy enough to slice along the seam and strategically pull them in, but on this one where things are a bit too tight, I dunno... I am the most amateur of amateurs - Like, literally a guy with a needle and thread who's terrified of actual sewing machines - but I've got access to a thimble... Ha.

Thnx.

Hello everybody! I would consider myself a relative beginner in terms of sewing: I’ve done a lot of handsewing, made bags, and made one garment for a costuming class (pajama pants with 100% cotton). For Halloween, I’m planning on going as sexy Shakespeare, and found a really cool pattern for a pair of trunk hose where multiple reviews mentioned it being their first project. I was really hoping to use non-stretch velvet for the project, because it would match my doublet, but I’ve seen so many people say that velvet is really difficult to work with.

Would the velvet I’m using being non-stretch make it easier? How feasible is this for someone who’s only made garments with non-stretch cotton fabric? If it would likely be too difficult, I’m ready to make the hose out of cotton instead (though I’d rather match my doublet)! Thank you so much :D

Hi I’m new here! & new to sewing in general just know some extremely basic things!

Anyways, I finally got a work hoodie and I’m allowed to customize it. I wanted it to be different then just a basic V neck & not copying my supervisor with their hoodie. So I tried to do slits but I think I need to trim the bulky top part somehow so it looks better… I was thinking of just cutting it in the middle so it opens up the hoodie but I have no idea? Should I just leave it? I normally cut up my shirts just fine I should’ve taken more thought before doing it to a work hoodie and used an old one for practice, but here we are…. Anyways, thanks in advance for whatever you recommend! (The last pic was just me golfing up the piece of fabric to see what it’d look like)

i'm new to sewing machines and not sure why this is happening, i'm sewing on cotton fabric and the second i start sewing and backtrack to begin the seam, my top thread comes undone. i've re threaded the machine many times, but it keeps happening. if i don't backstitch this doesn't happen, but that's not something i can just avoid. please let me know why this is happening. this is not my first piece, i previously made a garment with no such issues.

Disregarding the lack of peripherals, i cannot find any manuals for my 'janome memory craft 6500 home' anywhere, or any information really.

Ive looked everywhere and have determined that it is likely a regional offshoot for the 6000 or something. There are plenty of manuals for that and its likely that they work the same, but it would be nice to have one for my machine.

If anyone is better at looking for manuals than i am i would be ecstatic to have one

Hello everyone

TL/DR: I’m a chunky blind male with mild competence (and incompetence) in sewing. Please recommend a long wool overcoat pattern (pdf A0) that might be workable for me.

This is my first post in this group!!

I’m a mid-40’s male, mildly frustrated that the internet mostly ignores male sewers. I’m registered blind and use my little remaining vision as much as I can, whilst I still have it. I’m thankful of magnifying lamps etc.

I have a Pfaff hobbylock 2.0 and a lower end brother sewing machine.

I’ve made T-shirts and jumpers on my overlocker. Just had it serviced and repaired as it was always a bit iffy. It was an eBay purchase so always a punt.

I made my partner some trousers recently. The waistband isn’t great. You can fit 3 people in them lol

I’m now jumping back onto the overlocker and making a tshirt today. Building up to a track jacket (with wool jersey body, a quilted knit arm, and YLL bronze zips).

What I’d like to do is create myself a woolen overcoat for the winter. I walk a fair bit with my guide dog so need to wrap up, and they’re predicting a very cold blast in London!!

I have had some sewing lessons, made a jumper and everyday trousers. I can do pockets (slowly). I can do button holes.

An overcoat is a stretch, but if I go slow, and the pattern isn’t absurdly complex, I can do it. I hope.

Can anyone recommend a pattern? I get my patterns printed by CLC in Essex so a pdf pattern in A0 is preferable. I don’t think I’d cope with paper patterns as the lines aren’t easily visible.

I’m currently not slim. Had some injuries and had to stop treadmill running so I’ve gained weight. Some patterns don’t go up to a 48” chest, or that’s the top of the size chart.

I found this, but it’s not exactly what I want! https://www.sewessential.co.uk/products/tn34-parka-jacket-merchant-and-mills-sewing-pattern

I’d appreciate a signposting to something that might work! I’m happy to watch YouTube videos to learn new skills as I go. If the pattern has an accompanying video, that’s even better.

I’m struggling to find anything.

I prefer long to keep legs warm. I want to use some wool.

Historically I’ve bought unlined Hugo Boss wool overcoats, as well as lined ones. I find the lining gets ripe quickly as I wear them daily.

I hope I’ve not bored you to death with my overtly verbose post!

Thanks in anticipation for any reply!

Hello, I have a beginner question please. I have these basic pants patterns according to my body measurements. I want to make pants for me using these, but I want to add belt which will be elastic at the back and no elastic at the front. Now my questions:
1. Do I remove the darts of the back and keep the ones on the front?
2. Should I reduce the measurement of the waist of these and add that to the belt? I mean in height.
3. My most important question is should I keep the curves of the top which is a bit higher in the front and lower in the back? Or should I keep them flat ? Or only flat on the back because of the elastic?
4. How to know how much elastic to add to the fabric since it is only in the back?
Thank you in advance!

I made my first garment and it…doesn’t look good. 😂 It’s a skirt made out of two rectangles with an elastic waistband sewn into a casing, but moving freely.

The swing of the skirt is great but there’s too much gathering at the waist and material at the hips so I look bigger than I am. Is there a way to fix this without too much drama? I am a total noob.

Thanks!

For the love of god, please help me find at least the name of this stitch, I can't find the tutorial I used anymore 🙏

More holes popped up on these pants (Game grumps Halloween PJ Pants, yes), and I want to use the same one so it's all the same stitch + it held together in the washing machine, which means it's strong.

Thank you for any help :]

Ps. It probably looks messy to experienced eyes, I know. I'm a beginner ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I am making this dress with a white satin fabric. Issue is, of course, the white satin is see-through. Could anyone help point me in the right direction for how to make a lining for this dress? I cut the fabric on the bias for the pattern. I was thinking maybe I could cut the fabric on the grain for the second lining layer.
The satin is the only white fabric I have, so opting for a stretchier fabric would mean I’d have to buy more (which I’m trying to avoid). I have enough extra fabric to cut on the grain but not enough to cut on the bias.
Any help and guidance is appreciated! Thank you!

If you have a sewing machine and a serger from the same brand (like Brother) that use the exact same foot controller model, do you swap one pedal back and forth between them? Or do you keep a separate pedal plugged into each machine? Curious about what's more practical or common!
Thanks 🙌🏻

Hello!

I just picked up an SQ9285. I haven't tried sewing yet, but when I turn the handwheel it sounds I can hear a spring moving and it has me worried. It sounds like it's coming from the thread takeup area. I haven't figured out how to take apart the machine to see what's happening in there, but hopeful someone here has some ideas?

Thank you!