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Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Yeah, the bobbin case.

Do you have one of these? http://thru-hiker.com/projects/bobbin_basics.php

Rufus En Fuego fucked around with this message at 07:08 on Feb 22, 2012

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Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

mrs pooglyfoop posted:

yeah, it's down in the machine with the bobbin. for the life of me i can't understand how it all fits together. i had a top loading one and it was no problem! i'll upload more pictures of what is on the inside in a bit.

Top-loading machines don't have the bobbin case that we're talking about - the bobbin case is an extra part that holds the bobbin in place in front-loading machines. Top-loaders don't have it because gravity keeps the bobbin in place.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Cross_ posted:

I tend to cut out the largest size, then use wax/carbon paper to trace the smaller outlines onto the fabric as needed.

You can also make perpendicular cuts every inch or so up to the line of the size you need, fold them under and iron the folds.

These days I just buy three or four of the same pattern and cut them to size.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Hana Dammit posted:

/\/\/\ babylocks are worth their weight in gold

I. Love. My. Babylock. Holy cow. I may even stipulate that it be buried with me in the event of my death.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Stultus Maximus posted:

What features would you consider essential?

Pretty much all sergers offer the same basic features (which are excellent for beginners), but where the Babylock truly stands out is the self-threading and overall stitch quality, not to mention ease of use. Puckering's pretty much a thing of the past, and the thing's built solid. I bought mine used ages ago and I still haven't needed to get it serviced (even though I should).

Their website has a lot of great information on the various models. http://www.babylock.com/sergers/

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Unoriginal posted:

I think I already know the answer to this, but I'd rather get advice just in case. I don't have time for more mistakes, unfortunately. I'm making a reversible circle skirt for a little girl and it requires spots sort of like a cow on one side. Since they're largish, I doubt fusible web is the best idea since it seems like that would stiffen the fabric and make the skirt fall oddly. Do I just pin the spots down as flat as I can and stitch them on from there or is there some trick I should be using to keep it flat?

Also there will be approximately 4"x4" bits of machine embroidery on each side. Would it be better to have the embroidery in the same spot on each side or will that cause some problem that I haven't even thought of and I should have it in different spots so as not to weight it down or whatever?

I'm confident this will be completely awesome when I'm done, but having failed at my other projects and already being past the deadline, I'm nervous and second-guessing everything now. Any help would be appreciated.

Fusible webbing is quite all right, but if you want a truly pro finish, set your zigzag to max and your width to max and trace the outline exact, it'll be awesome and you're awesome. Do it. If you're not sure, try it out, but I think you'll both be really happy.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Yeah, learning the pedal on a new sewing machine is like learning the brake on a new car. Practice until you get the feel for it, and eventually you'll be in complete control. :)

Sleeves aren't bad once you get used to them. If you're brand new to putting them in they can be a little counter-intuitive at first, but you'll get better with practice. Just be sure that you've cut and sewn your fabric precisely, match seams/markings, and clip the curves. Don't be afraid to pin the poo poo out of it if you need to.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Butterick and McCall's are on sale for $1.99 online, and Vogue's $3.99. Limit 10 per customer.

Further discount if you're a member of Club BMV.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
I believe I have Simplicity 5400 at home and I'm willing to send it to you if you think it's going to help (which is sounds like it just might). It has darts at the bust and it's a v-neck.

Chiffon, though...I don't think it's going to stand up to the beading you describe. You'll be better off with a netting or tulle, or even a hardy lace. Chiffon will likely shred to poo poo and all your beads will fall off, not to mention it'll show every little pucker if you don't keep your tension perfect.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Stay away from the heavy duty Singer. I bought one for my girlfriend last year and it broke in a day. I exchanged it for another, and that one broke too - the same exact problem (dogs don't return to start when you drop them). Finally I sat myself down at JoAnn's sewing center and compared it to every other Singer they had, and Curvy won. http://www.amazon.com/SINGER-8763-Computerized-Sewing-Machine/dp/B0027DLWS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336666964&sr=8-1

Yes, it's computerized but it can do everything the heavy duty can AND it's been working perfectly for her (she's a beginner). It's a great machine for her.

PS - the bobbin tension was off on the first heavy duty I bought, so when I brought it up to the saleswoman at JoAnn's she was all, "Oh, that's set at the factory, it's right." I plugged the thing in right then and there and showed her that it sucked, and she didn't have anything else to say about it - was just confused. Curvy was spot-on, though, and I haven't had to crack it open for adjustments yet...and she's sewing leather.

Rufus En Fuego fucked around with this message at 17:31 on May 10, 2012

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Rowenta!

I have a Shark that's decent too, but I only use that for stuff that might affect the iron. It also says that it's stain and rust proof, but that hasn't been my experience.

Rowenta.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Shnooks posted:

Edit: Wait, on the front yoke there's the waistline marking and some numbers that say the sizes and some inches next to it. I'm guessing that's probably the waist measurements? It's coming out to me being a size 12. This is what it says:

6 26"
8 27"
10 28"
12 29 1/2"

That still feels awfully big to me considering a month ago I made a dress by McCall's out of a size 8.

6 is usually 24", so I'm guessing those measurements are probably the bottom of the yoke.

Can you just cut out the pieces, fold them along the size you think you should be plus the seam allowance and fit it to yourself to see?

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Shnooks posted:

Basically this. And that the pattern I bought only goes up to a size 12.

Edit: I roughly cut out the yoke in muslin and pinned it together and it seems that size 12 will fit. That's kind of strange that a month ago I was an 8 or so...

Sizing can vary even within one pattern manufacturer. I especially notice a difference in dress sizing vs everything else - it very much depends on the style. Different designers, too.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Asstro Van posted:

I just made this lil cutie on my gifted Morse Super Dial! :3:




It is made from zipper and ribbon, so it makes a little coin purse when zipped up and can be unzipped into a strip. You can clearly see where it got a little goofy, a few crooked spots and jumps. It was a lot of fun learning a new weird project while trying out my vintage machine for the first proper time. I am going to give it to my hairstylist as a thank you gift, since she was the one who gave me a free awesome machine.

I haven't given it a good cleaning to make it sparkle, yet. Any idea how to best clean the case/platform thing? It is sort of a weird material and I don't want to ruin it. It's sort of like a strange fabric paper wrapped around wood or some other base material. It is super dusty and dry wiping it isn't doing much good. I heard somewhere that car cleaning supplies are good for the actual painted metal of the machine, is that right or bunk? I want this old lady to look her best.

One more dumb question. Could someone tell me what these guys are for? They were in with the machine and I am a stupid newbie.



Zipper foot and seam guide. :)

So cute! I love that little purse! I'm curious about that fabric/paper thing. Pics?

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Asstro Van posted:

Thank you! And poo poo, I should have asked earlier! That purse might have turned out nicer if I had used the proper foot instead of trying to finagle it with the regular one. :saddowns:

You can see on the second picture the way that the surface is sort of wrapped and folded over at the corner. That icky dust is sort of stuck in there.



It came out nice enough regardless! I sometimes can't be hosed to use my zipper foot, and no one can ever tell. :ssh:

As for the cleaning, I'd try silk plant cleaner in a spray can. You can get it at any craft store and I think it just may do the job. Test it on a small, hidden spot first, however, and keep the receipt just in case. Other than that, maybe just canned air to blow out the dust?

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Sew True sewing supply! http://sewtrue.com/

They often have free shipping, too! And the cheapest boning I've ever come across.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Coopsy posted:

I've worked plenty with chiffon before so slipping doesn't worry me too much, more slippage at the seams. Especially with a heavier piled fabric like a boucle. I thought about interfacing but on a sheer it wouldn't really work. I'm making the pattern myself so the best way to go about it will probably just be to do a few toiles.

Try a French seam, or even understitching in hidden areas.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
It's probably far too late in the game to get the dress done for her, so I'd just go ahead and grab some inexpensive white brocade and finish the dress for your portfolio. Hell, I even have 110 yards of exactly that if you want some of it! Picked it up last summer at a textile moving sale (they do the upholstery and bedding for all the casinos) and I've only made a single corset from it so far.

Unfortunately, unless you have really trusting customers or friends and family who need sewing done, you're probably going to have to build your portfolio on your own dime. Are you looking to specialize in wedding dresses or would other types of sewing be good for you, too?

ETA: Okay, so I just got asked by a drag queen friend to make Katniss's red interview dress from The Hunger Games, but I only have 2½ weeks to get it done in time for a parade. I have a day job and my own business, so drafting a pattern's pretty much out. Have any of you seen a commercial pattern similar enough to this?


Rufus En Fuego fucked around with this message at 19:25 on Aug 22, 2012

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Amykinz posted:

Well, it's way to late to have the dress done properly. I could do it according to the pattern and the first set of changes I made with her fitting, but it was a Vogue pattern and I had to modify the fit quite a bit to have it not look dumpy.

I'd honestly like to do costumes (period or not), fun dresses, and more offbeat style wedding dresses (especially plus sizes), I don't want to do regular wedding dresses. This was gonna be an awesome 50's style dress and I was pretty happy about it. I would LOVE to make dresses for drag queens, that would be too much fun. You can get away with so much more awesome trim and stuff.

Katniss's dress, underneath the details, looks like a strapless, backless princess seamed sheath dress.

Here's one from Butterick

downloadable pattern only

I'd use the pattern for the dress part, then just gather a ton of netting (or whatever the mermaid skirt part is, it's hard to see in the pictures) in cartridge pleats and make the skirt, and the top looks like just a swag of the same fabric with a poofy flower. I wish I could see a bigger picture.

I was looking at that pattern and another similar one on McCall's, but now I'm debating having him get a cheap commercial dress that fits and just doing a red taffeta overlay. That way I can sit back and concentrate on the madness below the knee. All this depends on getting his measurements on time, though...the ones I have from last year are about 30 pounds out of date and apparently a third party is giving me his current ones.

I hate relying on third parties. They always manage to eff things up.

Costume/historical sewing for money is awesome, but generally doesn't pay well, in my experience. Unless the customers are kind of on the hardcore side they generally tend to be tightwads. Drag queens, however, typically have at least a passing knowledge about what it takes to make fantasy looks from having done it themselves more than once, and also seem to have relatively bottomless bank accounts (at least the ones here in Vegas).

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Natural cotton batting about ¼" thick. I haven't had to change it in over five years!

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
I know it's archaic, but doing buttonholes by hand is really satisfying.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttonhole_stitch

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
I just dropped off my Baby Lock for service and I feel oddly bereft. At least the guy said he could get it back to me tomorrow (instead of the two weeks everywhere else) but I never thought I'd :qq: this hard over letting it out of my sight for a day. I think I'm gonna have to go troll the Halloween fabrics section at JoAnn's for a while.

:qq:

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Queen Elizatits posted:

I want to buy a serger but I keep getting overwhelmed with the amount of options out there. Would you recommend the baby lock for someone who only ever sews spandex? Which one do you have if you don't mind me asking?

I'd recommend the Baby Lock to everyone, but if all you're going to do is sew spandex leggings and tank dresses and the like it isn't exactly necessary. Any run of the mill serger will do you just fine, especially since Babys can get really pricey. It's a quality machine, though, and if you have the funds and desire, go for it. You won't regret it.

Edit: I have the Enlighten. Bought it used ages ago.

Rufus En Fuego fucked around with this message at 17:59 on Oct 9, 2012

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Amykinz posted:

ALSO: I'm going to be sewing a new ren faire bodice and skirt for me and a dress for my kid, should I post it here or make a new thread?

Here or the cosplay thread. We've started posting ren faire/reenactment things over there.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Match all seams/markings exactly, pin the poo poo out of it, clip curves where necessary and go slow. :shobon: Sleeves are simple once you get the hang of them, but they definitely make you feel like you're doing something wrong when you're just learning.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
As long as your cuts remain within the seam allowance you'll be fine. Use a seam gauge or a measuring tape if you have to, and feel free to ignore Simplicity. Clipping before you pin and sew will make it 100% easier.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"

Pile of Kittens posted:

Edit: guys, I'm too depressed to sew. What's a good cheer-up get-back-on-the-horse project?

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2145-accessories.aspx

:buddy:

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Mmmm. Tacky boxy shirts ftw.

I remember pillowcase dresses being an easy thing to make/wear when I was a kid and was recently surprised to find out that they've been making a comeback.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Sounds more like a nightmare to me. :stare:

I'm about to embark upon



in black and gold confetti dot for a drag queen friend of mine. I made him promise to pull random things out of those deliciously deep wings during his performance, including a $5 footlong and possibly a trombone.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
I just...how are you...it's huge. :stare: :hf: :stare:

And here I thought my last-minute archery glove project was work.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Yes, but it takes time, patience, and a teeny tiny crochet hook. You up for that?

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
:frogsiren: Baby Lock talk. I'm a crazy 'Lock fangirl and will probably stipulate it be buried with me when I die.

Seriously, though, what machine you choose should depend on the kind of sewing you do. If you're really into having that much stitch variety and all the automation, then go for it - but I'd advise trying to source a well-maintained used one to save a chunk of cash (unless you have the money to burn). Janome's a decent brand and it's not too hard to find techs that will work on them, but the computerization will definitely make repairs more expensive.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Not all opera singers are barrel-chested. I went to college with several skinny-minnie opera students who went off to star in some amazing shows. Post pics, though. We'll all probably be better help knowing what we're working with.

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
This looks like what you want. http://store.junetailor.com/store/p-79-iron-on-foil-embellishment-sheets-2-sheets-silver.aspx

Barring that, get some silver paint and freezer paper and make a stencil!

Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
Don't do the heavy duty. My GF's into doing leather and denim and we returned two of those because when we dropped the dogs they'd never come back up. I ended up getting her the Singer Curvy and it's been swell. Best thing to do is go to JoAnn's or whatever and test out as many machines as possible. Just...give the heavy duty a pass.

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Rufus En Fuego
Oct 19, 2011

HOUSE BARK

"Winter is Potato"
To be fair, pretty much any machine can handle the number of layers of denim used in seaming jeans. You just need the right needle.

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