I wasn't going to shop today. But son really loved the stretch sleep sack. And for some reason I went by the site to look and found the sale. I can buy him more there than through the local sales. Fingers crossed that he likes the mix of textures and weights.Thank you
I really, really debated the denim. But this is for projects for the son. Projects for me have to wait.Their fabric quality is the best you'll find , and even non sale prices are comparable to the much crappies stuff at JoAnns, etc.
I'd better not look at the site... hubby will kill me if I bring one more yard of fabric in here!
I used a half yard of the nice, heavy 100% cotton denim to make a couple of pastry cloths... my previous duck pastry cloth vanished in the move. With such limited kitchen space, I need one to roll out pastries and cookies. It worked great. Total for each cloth... two bucks!
Summerthyme
Wool isn't available around here, either... just west of the Adirondacks! It's a price thing... people simply won't pay $60 or more for a sweater. I can't, either... but might consider it if I found a great deal in a style and color I loved. Because I wear them for decades! I'm currently wearing an Angora/wool blend turtleneck sweater I made on my knitting machine over 30 years ago. It's warm and still pretty, although there is some pilling on the wear spots on the sleeves.I've learned to never say never when it comes to fabric, Summer.
You're spot-on about the thin commercial fabric, not to mention a lot of it is that itchy micro-fiber, most of which I moved out, once I determined that it was contributing to rashes.
Those crappy fabrics are starting to make it into the thrift stores, so my sewing machine has come back out, and once I'm finished with the outside work, I'll sit down and sew some new winter shirts.
And that's my other pet peeve: I live in freaking Iowa! How do the stores get away with selling such light-weight clothing when we get sub-zero temperatures? There's even far too much cotton and spandex in so-called "heavy" sweaters. No wool whatsoever.
I bought a sewing machine about 5 years ago with the intent to learn to sew. Never happened. I can't figure out how to thread the damn thing. It sits on a tall shelf in my shop. Sad.I just ordered from connecting threads. I just got a new machine. Trying to learn to sew and quilt. I’m taking a beginners quilting class in January. I guess I’ll see if this 52 yr old Grammy can learn a new skill.
There ARE needle sharpening gadgets... and if your needle simply has a small burr on the end, they work well. But most times, if you hit a pin or something, it also tweaks the shaft of the needle enough that it's not worth trying to fix.There are good online sewing courses. Right now, I'm working my way through some vids that are not good for those without experience. But definitely interesting for learning how to create things from scratch, including creating your own pattern. Or marking to cut directly on fabric. I haven't done that in a long, long time.
But over COVID, some people put up some very basic instructional videos on how to use your sewing machines and do some basic projects. The bonus is that you can watch multiple different people do it, stop, re-watch sections, search for material specific to your machine or what you are trying to make.
One thing I have learned very thoroughly. If the machine starts acting up in the middle of a job, replace the needle. And toss the old one so that you don't accidentally try to use it again.
If I could only find a video on how to resharpen sewing machine needles...
My grandmother was also a great seamstress and made so many beautiful quilts. Also crocheted tablecloths, doilies etc.. had her own sewing shop way back in the day. I’m taking a “ know your machine” class the quilting place is offering on Wednesday. Hoping this will help.I bought a sewing machine about 5 years ago with the intent to learn to sew. Never happened. I can't figure out how to thread the damn thing. It sits on a tall shelf in my shop. Sad.
My grandmother used to be a great seamstress. I remember as a teenager helping her to thread the needles when she could no longer see to do it. And, She made so many beautiful quilts. I sure wish she were here today to help me learn.
Good luck to you! Hope it goes well.
No Kevlar thoughJust a heads up. Nick of Time Textiles is doing 54% off for Black Friday. I've tripped across one or two fabrics that it is not discounting, and the mystery boxes aren't part of it. But just about everything is.
Um... at some point I tripped across someone selling Kevlar material. But that was a while back. I do know of vendors selling Kevlar thread. I was repairing a trampoline and trying to decide which materials would work best. Kevlar thread got ruled out because it has little to no flex and would have ended up acting as a micro saw in an already damaged area. But it's got great UV resistance.No Kevlar though
Darn!!!
I've got a peg loom - might take a decade or so to weave enough for a jacket - not sure I've got the timeUm... at some point I tripped across someone selling Kevlar material. But that was a while back. I do know of vendors selling Kevlar thread. I was repairing a trampoline and trying to decide which materials would work best. Kevlar thread got ruled out because it has little to no flex and would have ended up acting as a micro saw in an already damaged area. But it's got great UV resistance.
I guess, with a loom, you could buy enough to make your own fabric.
Go to YouTube! They've got instructions for almost everything! Modern machines are generally simple to thread and operate ( except sergers!) buy some cheap fabric or large clothing items at a thrift store, and practice! Basic sewing 8snt difficult.
I'm so grateful my vision has cleared enough for me to be able to thread my machines! Hubby or son were always willing to help, but not always available, and I hated to bother them. My oldest son bought me one of these, and OMG!, is it useful!
I was making a dress for DGDs 4th birthday... last minute, as usual! And I goofed on some topstitching on the neckline. Ripping out matching light blue thread from the light blue fabric wasn't happening... until I put it under the magnifier! Magic...
Summerthyme
Oh, and I have clips now. Those are interesting. And have proven to have been worth buying.
Oh, I still use pins. I recently had to order long quilt pins. But the clips are very handy for a lot of things as well.Absolutely agree with you. I resisted the urge for many years because I'mcheapfrugal, but saw a really good sale on some about 10 years ago and got a bunch for very little money. Love them and very seldom use traditional pins any more. They've proven to be a big help for our granddaughter who is a budding seamstress, as well.
A few years ago, I did that on eBay. I actually have a really good stash of machine needles. I just hate having to toss needles that are fully fuctional, just dull. I will admit it took some time to figure out the Organ needles online. But once I had them in hand, the package marking is pretty clear.Although, I've got to say, looking at the prices for machine needles on Amazon... spend $10-12 and get a hundred of them... probably a lifetime supply for most of us!
Summerthyme
Just a heads up. Nick of Time Textiles is doing 54% off for Black Friday.
Thank the heavens that I missed those sales! I don't think my credit card could have taken the wear and tear!Www.connectingthreads.com also has 25% off site wide, and that's on top of any sale or clearance prices.
My dad was always complaining of the cold after his heart surgery. The highlight of his day was a hot shower. So for Christmas, I got him some flannel lined jeans from Land's End. I got them unhemmed since I wasn't sure of his inseam and if he didn't like them, they were going back (They're not cheap.) Well, they didn't get hemmed (just rolled up) until another pair could be gotten for him, since he wore them all the time. He loved them.A nephew has discovered that Northern NY and New England are cold. He wants warm winter shirts and pants. But I can't find anything that would realistically be warm enough for up there. (If anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears.)