Do You Sew Your Own Clothing?

[jadabug]

Originally Posted by nana911

I sewed clown costumes for my skinkids when they were little and if you looked real close they had little railroad tracks all over them from where I ripped out many many seams and started over... thank god they were clown costumes, 'cuz the absurdity of it was acceptable.

My mom had her mother's ancient treadle black singer a late 1800s or early 1900s model. She sewed MOST everything on it, but she complained to my father that she could not make anything fancy, like a square dancing dress, only shirts and pants, etc.. (they belonged to a club and she wanted a dress with the ruffles, lace rick rick, bells and whistles), my father, the engineer who also taught me how to knit and crotchet, bought a pattern and on that old machine made her the most beautiful red and white square dancing dress complete with layers of ruffles and poufy sleeves, gathered waist, underskirt that made it pouf out, sweetheart neckline, rickrack everywhere, god it was fancy and gorgeous and gaudy. Minnie Pearl and Loretta Lynn look out. Fit her like a glove, she shut up and when she died at 84 she still had not gotten a new sewing machine.

Love that story too. My grandma had a black singer treadle machine. I remember sewing on it when I was little. I loved that sewing machine. I need to find out if she still has it, I would love to have it someday. That really brings back good childhood memories.

[Sookie]

Originally Posted by nana911

I sewed clown costumes for my skinkids when they were little and if you looked real close they had little railroad tracks all over them from where I ripped out many many seams and started over... thank god they were clown costumes, 'cuz the absurdity of it was acceptable.

My mom had her mother's ancient treadle black singer a late 1800s or early 1900s model. She sewed MOST everything on it, but she complained to my father that she could not make anything fancy, like a square dancing dress, only shirts and pants, etc.. (they belonged to a club and she wanted a dress with the ruffles, lace rick rick, bells and whistles), my father, the engineer who also taught me how to knit and crotchet, bought a pattern and on that old machine made her the most beautiful red and white square dancing dress complete with layers of ruffles and poufy sleeves, gathered waist, underskirt that made it pouf out, sweetheart neckline, rickrack everywhere, god it was fancy and gorgeous and gaudy. Minnie Pearl and Loretta Lynn look out. Fit her like a glove, she shut up and when she died at 84 she still had not gotten a new sewing machine.

Sweet story. That is TRUE love.

[nana911]

Yeah, they were quite the couple. She was a pretty bad mother, but one heck of a wife. June Cleaver and Donna Reed. It was the second marriage for both and it lasted for over 50years. I remember even towards the end when they'd have their nightly bowl of ice cream, she'd had a couple of strokes and he was having to do everything, but some rituals were still on, they'd watch tv and he'd put her feet in his lap and give her foot rubs while they ate their ice cream.

He remarried a couple of years ago, at the ripe old age of 86. He needs a woman to take care of....LOL

[SweetPuppy]

Is it possible to learn how to sew just by watching videos on youtube?

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by SweetPuppy

Is it possible to learn how to sew just by watching videos on youtube?

Is it possible? yes. will you be doing it the right way? probably not. Knitting and crocheting you can learn from vids, but sewing, not really... Not if you strive to learn actual techniques. Lots of people know "just enough" but not the real way. that is learned by mentoring, schooling, etc. All my stuff I use couture level finishing techniques.... most home sewers do not know these techs. I never use sergers/overlock. I treat my dog clothes the same as I treat my high end human client clothes, like couture.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Is it possible? yes. will you be doing it the right way? probably not. Knitting and crocheting you can learn from vids, but sewing, not really... Not if you strive to learn actual techniques. Lots of people know "just enough" but not the real way. that is learned by mentoring, schooling, etc. All my stuff I use couture level finishing techniques.... most home sewers do not know these techs. I never use sergers/overlock. I treat my dog clothes the same as I treat my high end human client clothes, like couture.

My mother learned the essentials of sewing in a 4H club (are those still around?), but she learned advanced finishing techniques while working in a dress shop. The job turned into a sort of apprenticeship to the skilled dress makers. Sadly, she chose another career path.

I still have a couple of dresses she made for me and I marvel at the seams, the hems, and all of the other details that make the difference between good and great.

I also think some of your skill Capt Noonie is a natural gift -- like a musician, or a painter.

[nana911]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I also think some of your skill Capt Noonie is a natural gift -- like a musician, or a painter.

That is absolutely true. Like playing the piano, you can learn to hit the correct notes but to do it with style and panache is a gift/talent.

Most sewing machine stores offer lessons and hands on is about the only way to learn the basics. If you are learning to do that, then I'd just make some calls and find out which store or fabric shop in your area is offering lessons.