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Sewing Machines / Re: Sewing on modern computerised machines - advice sought
« on: December 14, 2019, 19:52:28 PM »
I love my computerised 5-year old computerised Janome.
When turned on its settings are as I left them (actually as I last sewed, rather than as I last set them if you get my gist).
I can set it to a combination of starting and finishing; just a straight stitch; a straight stitch with a "fastening" stitch, or a straight stitch with a reverse backwards and forwards; and then do these with an automatically cut off.
Then, with a press of a button, set it to finish stitching either with the needle up or down. Or do a single stitch by pressing a button rather than using the hand wheel.
The default stitches can be altered and saved.
I can set the speed limiter and start stitching without using my dodgy hip on the pedal.
I can change feet just by pressing them on and off.
It takes all the physical effort and thought out of sewing. I know you're thinking that sewing isn't physical, but when I go back to a manual machine I struggle after 10 minutes.
It is quicker and easier and I'm never going back to a non-computerised machine.
When turned on its settings are as I left them (actually as I last sewed, rather than as I last set them if you get my gist).
I can set it to a combination of starting and finishing; just a straight stitch; a straight stitch with a "fastening" stitch, or a straight stitch with a reverse backwards and forwards; and then do these with an automatically cut off.
Then, with a press of a button, set it to finish stitching either with the needle up or down. Or do a single stitch by pressing a button rather than using the hand wheel.
The default stitches can be altered and saved.
I can set the speed limiter and start stitching without using my dodgy hip on the pedal.
I can change feet just by pressing them on and off.
It takes all the physical effort and thought out of sewing. I know you're thinking that sewing isn't physical, but when I go back to a manual machine I struggle after 10 minutes.
It is quicker and easier and I'm never going back to a non-computerised machine.
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Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: Sewing Speed
« on: November 20, 2019, 13:48:53 PM »
I don't use the foot in my sewing machine as I have had numerous issues with my right hip that make doing so for any length of time uncomfortable. I struggle with using the overlocker for the same reason. This response only applies to dressmaking and the odd handbag.
I do everything using the start/stop button on my computerised jamone. I decide at the start of each seam whether to set the speed at its slowest or a bit quicker. I quite often then speed up. I can hold the fabric with both hands and then hit the stop/start button within a couple of stitches at a medium speed. If necessary I use the up/down button for individual stitches.
I have no idea whether this makes me a tortoise or not, but I do know that for the dress I have just finished I didn't need to unpick anything.
I do everything using the start/stop button on my computerised jamone. I decide at the start of each seam whether to set the speed at its slowest or a bit quicker. I quite often then speed up. I can hold the fabric with both hands and then hit the stop/start button within a couple of stitches at a medium speed. If necessary I use the up/down button for individual stitches.
I have no idea whether this makes me a tortoise or not, but I do know that for the dress I have just finished I didn't need to unpick anything.
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Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: The Sewing Place’s Year-Long UFO challenge 1.01.2019 - 31.12.2019
« on: November 08, 2019, 21:52:11 PM »
Been on a bit of a sewing hiatus for months. But have got my mojo back now.
Trying to work out what I've seen this year and can't for the life of me remember what the three UFOs I refer to in my signature were.
What I do remember I have done since Jan first.
Cut out 3 metres of faux fur and 3 of lining from stash to make a wrap as part of the original stash busting competition. Finished last week.
Cut up an enormous drop shouldered burgundy silk blouse found by a friend in a charity shop. Started turning it into a t-shirt. For a recycling completion here. Finished a month ago.
Bought 2 metres of blue and black fabric for the singing the blues competition. Then as I was working only 10 minutes walk from Soho bought another 2 metres of blue silk which was more suitable for a day dress. Finished yesterday.
Made a t-shirt from a glittery fabric from funky fabrics from stash. Finished yesterday. About a metre.
Made purple spiders top from metre of cotton fabric from stash. Finished for Halloween.
Made top from gray skulls fabric from stash. A metre of fabric and finished in the summer.
Finished off black silk jersey top. Fabric bought during a get together from the last forum and been a UFO for years!
Finished off black and white floral dress from scuba fabric.
Made a small handbag from odd remnants of other projects. Say half a metre. Done last week.
Bought 2 metres of silk suiting and red lining from Berwick street as happened to be passing and was wearing a dress that needed a matching jacket. Any excuse!
So this year I have bought 10 metres of fabric and sewn 11 1/2. Plus finished two UFOs and repurposed a blouse.
I don't think one and a half metres of stash busting is very impressive. Just need to blame working in Holborn for the purchases!
Trying to work out what I've seen this year and can't for the life of me remember what the three UFOs I refer to in my signature were.
What I do remember I have done since Jan first.
Cut out 3 metres of faux fur and 3 of lining from stash to make a wrap as part of the original stash busting competition. Finished last week.
Cut up an enormous drop shouldered burgundy silk blouse found by a friend in a charity shop. Started turning it into a t-shirt. For a recycling completion here. Finished a month ago.
Bought 2 metres of blue and black fabric for the singing the blues competition. Then as I was working only 10 minutes walk from Soho bought another 2 metres of blue silk which was more suitable for a day dress. Finished yesterday.
Made a t-shirt from a glittery fabric from funky fabrics from stash. Finished yesterday. About a metre.
Made purple spiders top from metre of cotton fabric from stash. Finished for Halloween.
Made top from gray skulls fabric from stash. A metre of fabric and finished in the summer.
Finished off black silk jersey top. Fabric bought during a get together from the last forum and been a UFO for years!
Finished off black and white floral dress from scuba fabric.
Made a small handbag from odd remnants of other projects. Say half a metre. Done last week.
Bought 2 metres of silk suiting and red lining from Berwick street as happened to be passing and was wearing a dress that needed a matching jacket. Any excuse!
So this year I have bought 10 metres of fabric and sewn 11 1/2. Plus finished two UFOs and repurposed a blouse.
I don't think one and a half metres of stash busting is very impressive. Just need to blame working in Holborn for the purchases!
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Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: The Sewing Place Contests in 2020 - suggestions please
« on: October 25, 2019, 16:59:28 PM »
I would like a competition for people to finish the things they started for this year"s completions but which didn't get completed in time.
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Publications / Re: What to keep?
« on: September 03, 2019, 21:54:50 PM »
That's only 10 books. No need to cull until you have 100.
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Machine Accessories / Re: Needles!
« on: May 30, 2019, 11:25:20 AM »Wasn't there a line in the Donovan song, Mellow Yellow - something like "I'm just wild about saffron and saffron's wild about me"? I was never sure if it was supposed to be someone's name or whether it was reference to something else.
I thought that the title referred to smoking banana skins, which were rumoured to be hallogenic.
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In the wardrobe / Re: Machine Guidance
« on: May 30, 2019, 11:15:30 AM »
Will you want to see buttonholes? If so, take fabric and buttons to an bricks and mortar shop and only buy a machine that has been demonstrated to do a satisfactory buttonhole on your choice of fabric and with your choice of button.
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In the wardrobe / Re: Smack me in the head over my crazy ideas...discuss with me this Jacket
« on: May 01, 2019, 16:00:42 PM »
I like it, don't love it only because I think the idea was done better by Mr McQueen himself.
I also don't particularly like the colour combination. I could see those sleeves though in black satin on a black leather bikers jacket. Or in chiffon on a velvet jacket. Or in any thing on an evening gown.
I want to see your final version.
I also don't particularly like the colour combination. I could see those sleeves though in black satin on a black leather bikers jacket. Or in chiffon on a velvet jacket. Or in any thing on an evening gown.
I want to see your final version.
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Hi, I'm new... / Re: Hello to Those Who Sew, from Shetland
« on: April 05, 2019, 17:58:49 PM »
The Channel Islands are crown dependencies, rather than being part of the UK.
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Patterns Discussion / Re: Looking for a pocket
« on: March 23, 2019, 00:13:12 AM »
It may be my bad eyesight but are those actually pockets?
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In the wardrobe / Re: Heeelllllllppppp!!!!! Advice needed.
« on: March 18, 2019, 19:46:08 PM »What about one of the beige/rust colours of the birds for the trousers? It wouldn't have to be such a perfect match as navy would need to be.
This.
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Mesh/sheer fabric
« on: March 08, 2019, 20:47:15 PM »
What type of fabric is the dress made of and what style of sleeve do you want to add.
To me mesh suggets a soft fabric which quite large holes: the sort of thing uses in sports wear.
For a prom dress I would use chiffon If you want something floaty or organza for something a bit more structured.
Red can be difficult to match though so if you can't find a match you might consider a contrast; for me I would go.black but perhaps for a prom a pale pink?
To me mesh suggets a soft fabric which quite large holes: the sort of thing uses in sports wear.
For a prom dress I would use chiffon If you want something floaty or organza for something a bit more structured.
Red can be difficult to match though so if you can't find a match you might consider a contrast; for me I would go.black but perhaps for a prom a pale pink?
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Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Stashbust in 2019
« on: February 16, 2019, 18:19:45 PM »
I have decided to combine what I was doing for the year-long UFO challenge, with stashbusting and sorting out things that have been needing repair and alteration for years.
I've got 9 crates of the stuff; stash, unfinished garments, things that need altering - including a bass guitar case!
I need the space urgently.
So, my signature hopefully reflects this!
I've got 9 crates of the stuff; stash, unfinished garments, things that need altering - including a bass guitar case!
I need the space urgently.
So, my signature hopefully reflects this!
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Sewing Machines / Re: Janome Atelier 5 - problems with Shank which holds the foot ...
« on: February 03, 2019, 13:20:30 PM »
I have that happen on my Jamome (another model) too. I too always just tighten it by hand.