DISboutiquers

[EnchantedPrincess]

I have a question: do you guys usually use a pattern when you sew?

I almost NEVER use patterns. Of course, I almost always make my bags, peasant dresses, pants and/or shorts, skirts, and sleeveless dresses....none of which require a pattern.

Am I weird, or do you guys not use patterns much either??

So far, everything that I have made are from patterns - either YCMT, or Simplicity/McCalls... I am not daring enough to make something without patterns yet.

 

[Disney 4 Me]

I have a question: do you guys usually use a pattern when you sew?

I almost NEVER use patterns. Of course, I almost always make my bags, peasant dresses, pants and/or shorts, skirts, and sleeveless dresses....none of which require a pattern.

Am I weird, or do you guys not use patterns much either??

Patterns scare me. I use a few as a reference for how wide to make something. But mostly I take a piece of fabric and hold it up to DD to she how long/wide it should be. I guess that's why so many of my customs come out too big.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

My problem is where do I start? I think I know how to thread the machine, but I have never used a sewing machine. I can't really go out and take a class, but are there any good books or online tutorials you all can recommend?
Please remember I am a complete novice at this!

I bought "Simplicity: Simply the Best Sewing Book" and it has been quite helpful.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Hey does anyone have tricks for turning long skinny pieces, like straps. I made a long tie, It is not going so well to turn it. I think maybe it is to skinny. Before I go recut and sew a new one does anyone have any tricks. My grammy gave me a long skinny pole thingy- but it just isn't working

I just use wooden pencil - the kind with the eraser on one end. Not always the easiest, but it has worked on the straps for the stripwork jumper. If anyone knows any easier one, I'd love to know as well!

 

[LouiesMama]

OK - I've got my five already - thanks for the great response and the wonderful warm welcome!!! One of you asked if I'm on YCMT - I sure am, I do the sewboutique4dolly patterns .

I've got to get my post count up to 10 before I can write anyone back. Anyone have any ruffler-related questions - LOLOLOL!

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Really cute...love the pooh bear valentine dress.

 

[LouiesMama]

Oooh - and I think I can contribute something about turning things inside out! Stitch a long piece of yarn to the end that is opposite your opening (use tight tiny stitches to hold it in place), and have it sandwiched between your two layers. When you are ready to turn inside out, just pull on the yarn. The technique works even for the skinniest of spaghetti straps. I've heard the bodkins work great too, I need to try one!

Carla

 

[Shannalee724]

OK - I've got my five already - thanks for the great response and the wonderful warm welcome!!! One of you asked if I'm on YCMT - I sure am, I do the sewboutique4dolly patterns .

I've got to get my post count up to 10 before I can write anyone back. Anyone have any ruffler-related questions - LOLOLOL!

No ruffler related questions. How about this: If you could give one piece of advice to a beginning sewer, what would it be?

 

[Stephres]

Love the Tink and Valentine's dress! I'm sorry the Tink gave you so much trouble, but I can tell it was worth it seeing your DD twirl!

Y'all: Keep an eye out when you're fabric shopping for Pokemon fabric! I just need location.

I found one twin sheet set for one of my sons (I have 2 ds's who love pokemon) so I gave the set to the son who was with me at the time. Well, my other son is CRUSHED and wants pokemon sheets too. (He's my sensitive son).

I've been scouring Salt Lake, to no evail. I KNOW I've seen some somewhere!
I need enough to make 2 comfortors and some long curtains. I've found some fleece but they don't like it because Pikachou has blue cheeks on the print and in REAL LIFE he has red cheeks. KWIM?


I LOVE the pooh valentines dress and the Tink dress 100AcrePrincess made! sorry! I forgot to quote!

Hey, I bought this on clearance at my local quilt shop.

You will notice they have Pikachu with the correct color cheeks. How much would you need? I will go back a check for you, but tell me how much.

Cute! And your daughter's looks even cuter on. I am sure they will be perfect.

I have a question: do you guys usually use a pattern when you sew?

I almost NEVER use patterns. Of course, I almost always make my bags, peasant dresses, pants and/or shorts, skirts, and sleeveless dresses....none of which require a pattern.

Am I weird, or do you guys not use patterns much either??

I almost always use a pattern. I am not creative and would rather follow directions that try to wing it. I am even uncomfortable with the YCMT patterns.

My DD8's teacher has a thing for penguins, so they are studying Antarctica this month. Penguin Day is tomorrow so I made this top for her to wear.

Cute! That reminds me of Jessica's penguin party she did for her son. Her teacher will love it!

Beautiful! I love how it ties in the front: neat!

Ok, I made it through. Now I can show off what I made last night. Let me go upload and I'll be right back!

 

[Disney 4 Me]

OK - I've got my five already - thanks for the great response and the wonderful warm welcome!!! One of you asked if I'm on YCMT - I sure am, I do the sewboutique4dolly patterns .

I've got to get my post count up to 10 before I can write anyone back. Anyone have any ruffler-related questions - LOLOLOL!

to our thread! We love newbies, especially ones that can answer our many questions!

 

[100AcrePrincess]

Love the Tink and Valentine's dress! I'm sorry the Tink gave you so much trouble, but I can tell it was worth it seeing your DD twirl!

It was worth it. And my ruffler foot & I have made up now, but for a while I thought I might just have to throw it out the window.

 

[revrob]

OK - I've got my five already - thanks for the great response and the wonderful warm welcome!!! One of you asked if I'm on YCMT - I sure am, I do the sewboutique4dolly patterns .

I've got to get my post count up to 10 before I can write anyone back. Anyone have any ruffler-related questions - LOLOLOL!

LOVE your patterns! Ruffler related questions...

1. Why is it that they seem that they are straight from hades?
2. Have you ever BROKE one? I could write an e-book on that one! YEP, actually BROKE a ruffler foot.
3. What settings do you use to achieve a perfect 2:1 ratio ruffle?

Oooh - and I think I can contribute something about turning things inside out! Stitch a long piece of yarn to the end that is opposite your opening (use tight tiny stitches to hold it in place), and have it sandwiched between your two layers. When you are ready to turn inside out, just pull on the yarn. The technique works even for the skinniest of spaghetti straps. I've heard the bodkins work great too, I need to try one!

Carla

HOW SMART is that? Genius! I'll have to try that. Thanks for the tip!

WELCOME!

 

[CastleCreations]

Hey does anyone have tricks for turning long skinny pieces, like straps. I made a long tie, It is not going so well to turn it. I think maybe it is to skinny. Before I go recut and sew a new one does anyone have any tricks. My grammy gave me a long skinny pole thingy- but it just isn't working

I have a very thin wooden dowel. I had origionally bought it for korker bows, but decided one day to try it for my thin straps.

 

[Disney 4 Me]

Ack! I'm making 2 pillowcase dresses, Aurora and Tinker Bell. I just realized I sewed the purple strips of Aurora's dress to Tinker Bell's dress. I know that doesn't make sense right now. I'm just so upset with myself. I try to make two things at a time so DD5 and DD4 will have a new outfit together. And then I do this. Ugh! Now, where's that seam ripper?

 

[Stephres]

It was worth it. And my ruffler foot & I have made up now, but for a while I thought I might just have to throw it out the window.

I completely understand. I am still not speaking to my ruffler foot now that Tom has introduced me to upholstery thread!

Here is little Megan in her new nightgown (she has more nightgowns than Imelda Marcos has shoes, but she liked the fabric so who was I to say no?):

Doing the JoJo/Tessa:

Twirling (Scrappy approved):

I bought fabric today for my Ariel pillowcase. I can't wait to you all!

 

[sugarbees]

Hi all!
I wanted to post what I've been working on today....

I finally tried the peasant top!!! woo hoo!!!

and I have a question...what do you guys think of these?

they've got ribbon hanging down to hold bows....which was their original use, but, I thought even just the personalized wall hanging was cute? I dunno...what do you guys think????

 

[tnmom25]

I have a question: do you guys usually use a pattern when you sew?

I almost NEVER use patterns. Of course, I almost always make my bags, peasant dresses, pants and/or shorts, skirts, and sleeveless dresses....none of which require a pattern.

Am I weird, or do you guys not use patterns much either??

Nope, patterns scare me! Don't like them at all!! That being said, I do have a couple that I overcame my fear of and now love!!

Here is Bonnie's Valentine's Day top.

Love the penguin! I'm getting ready to make dgs a penguin top and flannel pants. Great job on the Vday top too.

Teresa=suck up

It was me! Thank you! It is soooo cute. I think I missed it the first time you posted it. I love the mice!

I just found clipart I liked, printed and ironed it on! I didn't want to try to tackle appliques that detailed yet!

Oooh - and I think I can contribute something about turning things inside out! Stitch a long piece of yarn to the end that is opposite your opening (use tight tiny stitches to hold it in place), and have it sandwiched between your two layers. When you are ready to turn inside out, just pull on the yarn. The technique works even for the skinniest of spaghetti straps. I've heard the bodkins work great too, I need to try one!
Carla

OMG that's a super idea!!!!!!!! Sorry for calling you a geek ...

 

[TSNCS]

Hi all!
I wanted to post what I've been working on today....

I finally tried the peasant top!!! woo hoo!!!

and I have a question...what do you guys think of these?

they've got ribbon hanging down to hold bows....which was their original use, but, I thought even just the personalized wall hanging was cute? I dunno...what do you guys think????

I think these are great! very pretty and creative

 

[tnmom25]

Hi all!
I wanted to post what I've been working on today....

and I have a question...what do you guys think of these?

LOVE the top and dress!! As for the Bow holders, I think they are cute but will clash horribly with your home's decor and you must send them to me right away to get them out of there!!!!!!!!! I realize that the initials don't match any of my kids names, but that's a minor detail that we can overlook

 

[LouiesMama]

Yay! I have questions!!!

Ok - I'll do them in separate responses to get my post count up!

Advice for beginning seamstresses...

Make friends with your seam ripper, because you are going to be life-long pals! I still make major boo-boos when sewing - even from my OWN patterns!!!

In fact, those of you who have my patterns may have noticed that I almost never mention sergers...I have one, and all I can say is SERGING IS FOREVER! It is so hard to recover from a serger mistake! I pretty much reserve it for sets to send to models or the rare auction outfit. For routine stuff, I just use straight stitches and zig-zag stitches so I can recover from my mistakes. Plus, not everyone has a serger (I sewed without one for years), and I want my patterns to work for as many people as possible.

OK - I'll go answer the next question !

Carla