| Newbie at DIY..! | |
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+6Luminita La Diva Carlotta GhostRed albinasamara Ginger_Snaps Vampira132 10 posters |
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Vampira132 Moderator
Number of posts : 4606 Age : 37 Location : London 1886 : : The Victorian Woman in Black : : More Numbers : 7674153 Registration date : 2008-07-21
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Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:42 pm | |
| I wish I could help, but I'm rather in the same boat! My sweet ex gave me for me birthday last year a brand -bare buck new sewing machine...and to this day, I have no idea what to do with the thing. It's a very expensive paperweight. But I'm a whiz at hand-sewing! It's just a gigantic pain in the rear to do... |
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Ginger_Snaps Moderator
Number of posts : 4545 Age : 36 Location : The Otherworld : : Werewolf : : More Numbers : 7584902 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:40 pm | |
| I would suggest something relatively reliable such as a Singer (that is if you are planning on actually using it extensively), but if you don't think you will venture into becoming a master seamstress, you can get an el cheapo one like Brother. | |
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Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:33 pm | |
| ^HEY! That's my brand...Singer! From what I can tell...all my issues with it are operator error. |
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Ginger_Snaps Moderator
Number of posts : 4545 Age : 36 Location : The Otherworld : : Werewolf : : More Numbers : 7584902 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:08 pm | |
| Singer is a fairly good brand; plus if you ever need repair on it, the brand is big enough that any repair shop can quickly replace a part or fix whatever problem you have. | |
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albinasamara active member
Number of posts : 338 Age : 42 Location : Tri-Cities, WA : : More Numbers : 7581525 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:51 am | |
| I agree about Singers. They last...I've had mine for almost 10 years and the only thing I've had to repair is the bobbin case, which was just a matter of buying the part and popping it back in. I haven't even had to change the light bulb yet.
If you're new to sewing I suggest getting an instruction or guide book(like Vogue Sewing), and start with easy things like pillowcases, boxer shorts and straight or a-line elastic waist skirts. Don't work with difficult fabrics at first (chiffon, stretch panne and taffeta come to mind). Some try that and get so frustrated that they give up which is sad :-(
Hope this helps :-) | |
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GhostRed active member
Number of posts : 445 Age : 39 Location : DC Area : : More Numbers : 7580157 Registration date : 2008-07-23
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:38 am | |
| Yes, Singers are nice machines! The only thing is that they're parts are WAY more expensive than other machines and you can only use their parts. Other machines usually are interchangeable between brands.
I suggest the Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing. That dear book got me through college and I will probably love it forever. It has great pictures and step-by-step tutorials.
I agree with albinasamara, get the easiest fabric to sew on. Go to the quilting section, pick out some cute Halloween cotton fabric (they always have some, year-round!), get a pattern for a simply skirt and start with that. The more you practice...!
Also, check your local fabric store, often there will be sewing seminars/classes you can take!
Thank reminds me: where is Dark Gentleman? Havn't seen him in quite awhile! | |
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Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:02 pm | |
| ^OMG that's right... where is he? Last I heard of him, we didn't have a computer... I hope he doesn't try to get back on GB, only to find we are all gone! Does anyone have his email or any way to send him the links...? |
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Vampira132 Moderator
Number of posts : 4606 Age : 37 Location : London 1886 : : The Victorian Woman in Black : : More Numbers : 7674153 Registration date : 2008-07-21
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:03 pm | |
| ^^ I sent him a MySpace message not sure if he has read it though, so he does know. Just havnt got a clue on when he will join up. | |
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Ginger_Snaps Moderator
Number of posts : 4545 Age : 36 Location : The Otherworld : : Werewolf : : More Numbers : 7584902 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:11 pm | |
| A myspace message should suffice.
I have had to change light bulb in my machine (I have a bad habit of keeping the machine on even when not in use), but it took me forever to figure out that it required a bayonet bulb. | |
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GhostRed active member
Number of posts : 445 Age : 39 Location : DC Area : : More Numbers : 7580157 Registration date : 2008-07-23
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:49 pm | |
| I've seen him in Heavenly Hair, but I cannot get approved for a darn account with them. Does anyone else have one there? He's a very talented seamster, I sure hope he finds his way over here to give us advice. | |
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La Diva Carlotta supernova
Number of posts : 7864 Age : 44 Location : New York City : : More Numbers : 7585866 Registration date : 2008-07-23
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:23 pm | |
| - GhostRed wrote:
- Yes, Singers are nice machines! The only thing is that they're parts are WAY more expensive than other machines and you can only use their parts. Other machines usually are interchangeable between brands.
I suggest the Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing. That dear book got me through college and I will probably love it forever. It has great pictures and step-by-step tutorials.
I agree with albinasamara, get the easiest fabric to sew on. Go to the quilting section, pick out some cute Halloween cotton fabric (they always have some, year-round!), get a pattern for a simply skirt and start with that. The more you practice...!
One more vote for Singer sewing machines! I also use a Kenmore model I got for real cheap at Sears, i just cuoldn't pass up the bargain. Kenmore makes really good sewing machines. I also second getting the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. Of all the sewing books I have, and I have several, this is by far the best. It's thoroughly illustrated and has step by step instructions. My first sewing project ever was a skirt with stretchy velvet type fabric. That was a pain to sew! Never again!!! I've learned my lesson. | |
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Luminita junior member
Number of posts : 59 Age : 33 More Numbers : 7581270 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:31 am | |
| my sewing machine is a brothers ls-30, and it hates me. | |
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GhostRed active member
Number of posts : 445 Age : 39 Location : DC Area : : More Numbers : 7580157 Registration date : 2008-07-23
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:59 am | |
| Oh my god, Brother machines, NO. Also, NEVER get a White. I seriously threw mine across the room once. Never again.
I'm now saving up for one of those fancy computerized sewing/embroidering machines. | |
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Ginger_Snaps Moderator
Number of posts : 4545 Age : 36 Location : The Otherworld : : Werewolf : : More Numbers : 7584902 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:49 pm | |
| Or you could just learn to handsew to look like you used a machine. | |
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La Diva Carlotta supernova
Number of posts : 7864 Age : 44 Location : New York City : : More Numbers : 7585866 Registration date : 2008-07-23
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:07 am | |
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Ginger_Snaps Moderator
Number of posts : 4545 Age : 36 Location : The Otherworld : : Werewolf : : More Numbers : 7584902 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:44 am | |
| I would agree that the sewing machine was an important invention, but I am always glad I can hand stitch to look like a machine stitch whenever I am without the benefit of a machine. | |
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Symmentha member
Number of posts : 141 Age : 34 Location : Griffith, NSW.. Australia More Numbers : 7576074 Registration date : 2008-07-26
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:55 am | |
| I have a Husqvarna. Its my baby. Treat your sewing machine with love. Get it serviced. Ask the lovely shop lady how to clean it, take care of it. It will last you many years. Mine is still going uber well after how ever many years. | |
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Luminita junior member
Number of posts : 59 Age : 33 More Numbers : 7581270 Registration date : 2008-07-22
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:41 pm | |
| i assure you mine just hates me. | |
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Katànya junior member
Number of posts : 51 Age : 39 More Numbers : 7579949 Registration date : 2008-07-23
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:11 am | |
| Um... My boyfriend is buying me a sewing machine tomorrow/this weekend, as an early birthday present. It's a Singer Inspiration, as my mum says that Singers are pretty good. I do know how to thread one up and all that... but I've never made anything with one. I've always hand-sewn, and I never did home economics at school. (I moved a lot in my first year of high school, and so I did woodwork.) Anyway! Which is best to start out with? I want to make something useful, so not a pillowcase (plus I have too much linen!). It's a toss up between a pair of guys boxers <_< or a circle skirt for myself. Which one do you guys recommend to start with? I eventually want to make myself a tulle petticoat and then a mini crinoline. Thanks in advance. | |
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RedAngel star member
Number of posts : 5385 Age : 46 Location : CT/NC: Josephine on my mind : : More Numbers : 7413837 Registration date : 2008-11-30
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:51 pm | |
| I'd say start with a project for yourself. That way it doesn't have to be perfect. Once you feel like you're honing your skills, then you'll be more comfortable making a gift. | |
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cynfullov star member
Number of posts : 3919 Location : Wickedly at play while the GODS of HADES give an ever watchful grinning eye. : : More Numbers : 7644822 Registration date : 2008-08-20
| Subject: Re: Newbie at DIY..! Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:35 pm | |
| I agree with RedAngel. It's gonna be so less stressful starting out on something for yourself than on something for the boyfriend. You never know though..you could have been born to the sewing machine and just don't know it yet! Your gonna L~O~V~E that sewing machine! LOVE! After hand sewing ... by the way and not that your gonna need it, you do have a seam ripper don't you? A must have tool. One of my best friends even now after years of sewing. Hey! Don't for get to come back here and share all the details of how it goes! | |
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