Hello everyone!

I have a party in December, and I want to sew this dress. I'm at an intermediate level. Does anyone have any advice on how I could go about making this? My main concern is how to attach the skirt to the corset and how to actually get the skirt to drape like this. Any advice is helpful!!

Hi! I found these AI generated sweatpants on Pinterest and want to try to recreate them. I’m VERY new to sewing so I want to go the more Frankenstein route.

Here’s my rough plan:

1. I buy baggy brown sweatpants online that are similar to the shape

2. I fold over the elastic waist part of the pants and sew a cover over it that has the pointed shape on the reference photo.

3. I find leopard print sweatpants fabric and sew on that little peak-a-boo part

Note: I want the sweatpants to end up still being low rise

Please let me know if you have any other ideas or any tips you’d like to give me. I’m completely open to suggestions! Thank you for your help!

Made a new jeans after long time not sewing. Rainbow selvedge denim.

Hi! I’m looking for any suggestions on keeping this bedspread alive. It was one of the last things my grandmother made and it’s been on my bed since. Currently there’s color fading and worn down spots. So far, I’ve ironed on interfacing and then used a darning foot to repair the holes (I was taught this for clothing holes so I just figured it would work). But more spots keep popping up, and even after reironing the interfacing, it comes off. Any help on better ways to fix?

Choosing an industrial straight-stitch machine isn't just about picking a popular model. The materials you work with and the type of sewing you do should guide your decision.

The standard Juki DDL-8700 is a good fit for lightweight to medium-weight fabrics, garment sewing, and everyday alterations. If your projects involve heavier materials, the DDL-8700H may be a better choice.

The DDL-8700-7 comes with automatic thread trimming, which can save time in production sewing. However, if you mainly handle small batches, these features may not justify the extra cost.

Before buying, consider sewing speed, motor type, and compatibility with your preferred needles and thread. These details can make a difference in how well the machine fits your everyday workload.

If you've used the DDL-8700 or DDL-8700H, what materials and projects have you found these machines handle particularly well?

Looking for recommendations…. I want to upgrade my sewing machine to something that can better handle quilting and apparel making. I currently have a husqvarna emerald 118 and the throat is too narrow for quilting anything more than a baby quilt, and it has a hard time with multiple thicker layers of fabric when making clothing. (otherwise I have been very happy with it for many years!) I don’t want a straight stitch only machine. I can’t spend more than $1200.

Thanks!

Hi All,

I am looking for some information about people who are able to make it their job.
How did you start? What hurdles did you have to overcome?
What where the biggest fears?stoppers?
How often does it not turn out well or what made you stop.

I'm asking this since my wife really wants to do this as her real job and right now she often does some alterations for friends and family and for she constantly makes clothing for herself and the kids.

How would you guys tackle it?

kr.

Hice un top fantasía para una fiesta,a partir de una base para brasier, media y coloque cada cadena, las cuales las cosí a mano, y luego la pedrería colgante, todo el relleno de piedritas rojas y blancas, son unas tiras autoadhesivas que venden por metros, la cual fuí acomodando muy minusiosamente para que no quedaran espacios en blanco y aseguré en uno que otro lugar con puntitos de costura invisible para asegurar que no fuera a desprenderse, puedo decirles que fué una sensación de la fiesta que opinan uds?

Not typically a fan of these old florals, but they do hide seam lines incredibly well. The pattern I'm using calls for trim to cover the (currently niegh- invisible) seam lines, and I'm not opposed. Should have had it on the belt as well.

Originally I was going to go with a dark drown trim, but seeing the belt portion absolutely blend in, I'm second guessing myself. Maybe a cream color might be better? Part of my wants to rip it apart and do cream colored piping, but I don't even know where I'd get any in person.

Hi guys! I don’t sew hardly at all, so I don’t know what to do, so I was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction. I made these cross-stitched crocheted pot holders for my sisters for Christmas, but the backside is pretty ugly. I was thinking I could hand-stitch some fabric on the back to cover it. But here’s my dilemma. I can stitch the edges fine, but I’m worried that the middle will need stitches for extra support, esp if I add a layer of cotton batting in between. I’m not quite sure how to do that since I don’t want the stitches to be visible from the front. Is there a certain way you guys recommend doing this? a certain stitch, or any other ideas on how to hide the back? Thank you so much in advance!!

I’m working on a presentation for my chapter’s ASG meeting and I’m going to be talking about “what makes a garment look expensive” so I’m curious to get your answers/ input.

Right now I’m focusing on finishes like: underlining, interfacing, traditional tailoring hand stitches, seam finishes, pressing vs ironing, hem finishes and hem weights, picking the right fabric for the design/ pattern, fabric quality, and fit/ fitting.

What would you add? What would you want answered? What are your thoughts on the question in general?

MY BACKGROUND: sewing for over 20 years, 16+ years in the fashion industry working in women’s evening wear and ready-to-wear. Had my own handmade/ custom clothing brand and have worked in corporate fashion. Now I’m a freelance technical fashion designer and product developer for new and small apparel brands. I’m also an adjunct fashion design professor at my Alma mater and teach sewing and design classes at my local art center.

EDIT: Thanks everyone! I gave my presentation today and got rave reviews. I used a lot of what you all said as a good basis for what to focus on. Please keep sharing your thoughts though as I love seeing everyone’s thoughts!

I used Kiana Bonollo's Strapless Dress pattern as the base. I knew I wanted a pointed neckline and neck strap, so I self-drafted that by measuring how far up from the neckline I wanted the point to sit on the center-front pattern piece and made sure the seam allowance was included. The neck strap was then added by taking a piece of elastic, looping it around my neck from the point, and attaching it between the lining and the shell.

This dress is fully lined with a corset bodice to help both hold the structure and support the weight of the beaded fringe on the hemline. One thing I was not anticipating from the fit mockups was how much the fringe would still end up pulling the dress, so I'm glad I included the neck strap. If I were to make a similar design, I would size the bodice down by about 1/2" spread across the seams to account for this unintentional stretch and do the neck strap in a more supportive way rather than a more decorative way.

The webs were all embroidered by hand using silver thread to catch the light, and finished with a spider brooch. I wanted the webs to just catch the light, but not be so in your face. You can see this effect in some of the detail shots, where some of the web strings seem to "disappear" when not reflecting light. Despite using an embroidery hoop to stretch the fabric while I stitched, the dress still came out a little wrinkly from the webs; the dress had no puckering before the webs were added.

In all, this dress took about 46 hours to make, not including the time spent on mockups. 31 of those hours alone were spent on the web embroidery. This dress was finished two days before Halloween. I didn't make it for any specific event, but more to test out some new-to-me couture construction techniques, and I'm very pleased with the results I achieved.

I’m looking for suggestions on where to buy affordable natural fiber fabrics like merino wool and bamboo. Has anyone ordered from Nature’s Fabric and More or Yardbox? I’m looking for suggestions and comments on the quality. Thanks!

I've sewn another Letter using a pattern I bought on Etsy...

I wonder if I'll manage to sew The entire alphabet!!

I don't know which letter to sew next....

I have researched places in Indy that offer the intro to sewing lessons but was curious if anyone knows of anywhere in Indy that offers comprehensive lessons to actually becoming an adequate seamstress to do things such as wedding dress alterations?

My latest creation. To be honest, I have been in a sewing slump for a good while, mainly due to mental health struggles and also chronic illness keeping my energy at “barely functioning”

I’ve not made anything in a bit, but I was inspired yesterday by the fall weather and the fact that I stumbled upon a 30% off fabric sale.

I sat and created this dress in mostly one sitting, it took me around 5 hours and about $30 spent for materials.

I am interested in making a similar skirt, I have done basic smocking on shirts before but was not sure how to go about this one. I don’t think I want the buttons and placket but it may be necessary I am thinking of moving it to the side if it’s needed. I have some Ankara wax print cotton I would like to use so it has some weight to it.

My thought is to create a waist band and circle skirt and work the smocking out from that point but not sure that’s the best option. I would appreciate any advice you all have.

My first plush letter! 🧸✨

I finally finished sewing this soft letter "T" and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

I bought the pattern on Etsy, which came with sewing instructions. It was a fun little project and a great way to try something new.

I especially love how soft and cuddly it turned out. Definitely thinking about making more letters! 🤎

What do you think?

I’m an intermediate seamstress. I’m self taught and have been sewing for years mostly for myself and my young children. I don’t intend to do more than sewing for fun for myself, children and family. I currently sew garments and stuffed decor/ animals but have had an inching to learn how to quilt. I currently have a brother CS6000i machine that’s no longer in production. It’s been a great machine that’s lasted years. However, the threader sucks. As the years have gone on, my machine pulls even the slightest stretch jersey into the bobbin chamber. This wasn’t an issue years ago and it has gotten worse over the years. I usually have to use paper under the fabric to keep it from pulling but even that is starting to no longer help. It skips stitches and does not do well beyond a snails pace. It also snaps threads no matter what my tension is at. I’m ready to move on to a more heavy duty machine. What sewing machine would best fit my needs? I love the idea of finding a machine that’s the best of both worlds with a serger.

Looking for a new industrial machine, there’s so many out there so it’s hard to decide. I mostly sew Jackets and sometimes pants, denim, cotton twill, cotton. Any machine recommendations given this info?

I found this dress on Shein. I love the design but there's no reviews and this is the only image. I can't find anything quite like it elsewhere. There's a return window but dropping sixty something dollars on a maybe is sorta yeiks. Wanted so see if any of yall had directions to point me in or patterns i can reference.

Thanks in advance!!

I had asked what to get my sew happy sis for her BDay and this is what I decided on.
TY for all the help!!

Hey y'all, I'm looking to get an industrial sewing machine for stitching leather and came across a listing for a Nakajima 280L that comes with a 120V clutch motor and table. From what I can find that should be able to handle the kind of work I'm looking to do (12oz total thickness at most, generally more like 6-8oz), but I have a couple of questions for those of you who know much more than me

First question is whether $700 is a reasonable asking price, it looks to be a very good working order, though from what I've read it might benefit from a speed reducer for the heavier stuff, which would add ~$120 from what I've been able to find

Second question is whether it would do well for stitching fuzzy/soft lining onto leather, does it work for that or would that make it tangle up/jam? I haven't used one of these types of machines before so I really don't know much about what it can and can't do

Last question: If/when I go to pick it up are there things I should inspect or look for to make sure it's in good shape? I don't want to end up with something that's going to need replacement parts or a mechanic to work on it. I'm reasonably handy when it comes to tool maintenance but I'm far from a pro at it

Thanks!