Starsong wrote:
> On Mar 19, 3:48 pm, "BEI Design" wrote:
> > Starsong wrote:
> > > I have been lurking the newsgroup for a few days, and
> > > I
> > > have a question. What is a good project for someone
> > > who
> > > doesn't like sewing,but wants to get over that
> > > dislike?
> >
> > > Starsong
> >
> > A few questions (which may or may not be relevant):
> >
> > Are you male or female? Female
See, right away that helps to know how to help you. ;-)
> >
> > Child or adult? Adult
> > Do you have a <good> sewing machine? Not sure if my
> > sister's machine works. Though I want to hand sew.
Hand sewing is certainly possible, after all until sewing
machines were finally made for the home-sewists in the 19th
century, that's how all clothing was made. But I think
tackling "... professional
business clothes for [yourself]..." may be so time consuming
you would be better off finding a good 60's era mechanical
machine (my personal preference is the Singer 401A, which I
bought new in 1960 and am still using every day), and start
on a few basics then work up to "business clothes"
tailoring. Tailoring will include lots of hand sewing too,
but a machine will make things go faster.
> > Do you have *any* previous experience sewing? fixing
> > seams and sewing on buttons, and I made a pillow in the
> > 7th grade, and I actually still have it after 20+
> > years.
> >
> > If "yes", what was the result? I had good solid seams
> > and buttons that stayed on for a long time.
Solid seams are good, so are buttons that stay on. ;-)
> > Do you have good ironing equipment? No
Invest in a good ironing board and iron. You don't
necessarily "iron" while sewing, but lots of "pressing" is
absolutely necessary for a good result.
> > Do you have fabric? scraps, that I plan to try and
> > make a quilt with.
> >
> > Do you want to make clothing? Yes
> >
> > Or curtains? No
> >
> > Or ?????
> >
> > Beverly
>
> Beverly,
>
> Hello! Sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
> Follow up is not
> one of my strong suits, but here I am. I want to make
> professional
> business clothes for myself. Though I don't know how to
> enlarge a
> pattern or even how to pick out the appropriate patterns
> for what I
> want to make.
>
> My measurements don't fit the usual for women, so I have
> to modify
> patterns or make my own.
>
> Bust: 52 1/2"
> Waist: 48"
> Hips: 58"
Here is a link to women's pattern sizing chart:
http://www.butterick.com/tech/charts/bwomen.html
Try some of the easy patterns from the "Big Four"
(Simplicity-Vogue-Butterick-McCalls). Here are a few links,
you'll find the patterns in your local fabric stores (often
on sale):
http://www.butterick.com/list/large_sizes/page-1
http://www.mccallpattern.com/list/large_sizes/page-1
http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?cat=1&type=1&sec=8&startrow=1
http://www.voguepatterns.com/list/the_vogue_woman_collection/page-1
Now this is im****tant: Compare *your actual* measurements
to the measurements in the sizing charts. DO NOT buy a
pattern based on your Ready To Wear sizes, the two are very
dissimilar. Select a pattern size based on *your* largest
measurement, it's usually easier to scale down than up.
Many patterns contain three or more sizes in one envelope,
so you can usually use one set of lines for your hips,
another for your waist, and yet another for your bust.
Taper the lines to transition from one size to the other.
Another option is Wild Ginger's pattern software:
http://www.wildginger.com/
Buy several yards of inexpensive fabric to make a "toile" or
practice garment. Then after you resolve any fitting
issues, buy nice fabric and use your altered pattern to make
a real garment.
Last, there are several good books available with basic
sewing instructions.
"Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" is my favorite,
look for the pre-1980s edition (later editions added serger
information but deleted other basic stuff). You may be able
to find it at your local library.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Sewing-Readers-Digest/dp/0762104201
After you get farther along, there are some excellent books
on tailoring techniques, look especially for titles by
Claire Schaffer .
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1579544150
If you are able, sign up for a beginner's sewing class at
your local Community College, or look for instructors at
your fabric stores.
> Those are the most recent measurements I have. I would
> appreciate any
> suggestions, especially since I want to make my clothes
> by hand.
I think Butterick 4817 might be a good starting point. You
could make the blouse or vest, and after you are more
confident in your skills, the pants, skirt and jacket are
all in the same pattern envelope. Each piece is fairly
simple. Or, you might start with something really simple
like an apron, then move on to clothing.
> I
> don't like mending, which is why I haven't been sewing
> for a long
> time.
None of us likes mending or altering! ;-)
Good luck!
NAYY,
Beverly
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