Sewing?
 

I am really tall. So tall that I have to buy clothes online. I am really, really sick of not finding what I like, or having to pay a fortune for a simple pair of pants. I am tired of buying, waiting, trying on, finding that their size whatever is not my size whatever. then having to put them in the mail, wait a month for a refund, start all over again. Searching for pants takes up a great amount of my time.

I now have a great pair of pants. They are very silky, and I would like a bunch more. They are "just pants" you know? Pull ons. No closure, elastic waistband and two pockets. I was looking on-line. Can't find any like it. Gerr.

So I woke up today thinking, "I am going to get a sewing machine. I am going to get a big roll of paper and totally trace that pair of pants and make a pattern directly off them and copy them. It would only take about 5 pairs of pants, maybe 6 to make up for the cost of the new sewing machine.

So I was thinking: I have been wearing these pants all year last year and the year before, and no one has ever said a word about their being simple, or maybe looking home made. Well, some chick in Indonesia put them together, what makes me think my sewing skills will be less or more? I really think I can do this. I think I will stick to basic trousers, skirts and simple things.

I am not a beginner, but not an expert either. In High School, I got up to the place where I could sew a lined jacket. I used to love sewing, but it is one of those hobbies I dropped when I had to start working. I never had a decent sewing machine. I know for a fact that it does not take a long time to sew a decent garment. I would like to take it up again, simply because the "choices" (yes those were irony quotes) for a person my size are very limited.

Tell me true, does anyone here sew? Would a person feel strange wearing clothing not bought at a store?

I don't sew...well not more than a hem here or there...but I know people who do and they sew some of their own clothes. I would never have the patience to do it but kudos to those who do!

FWIW - if you want to make your own clothes then I say go for it and who the Hell cares what others think. Honestly, some of the shit in stores these days is so freakin' cheap...we'd all probably do better making our own clothes. Good for you.

I've been making my own Halloween costumes for years, since stores never have the characters I want, and also I can do it for way cheaper anyway.

Stuffed toys are generally more my thing, though. Of course, I've had to hand-sew a lot of stuff because I didn't have a decent sewing machine, and only just got a good one this year, given to me by my aunt.

I love going around with something I made because people will be like "That's so cool! Where'd you get it?" and I'm like "I made it." and they're like "That's amazing!"

I used to make all my own clothes. I also make my own patterns using newspaper. I say go for it. They will fit you and be the length you want. You will have clothes no one else will have, all your own.

(Some people wash the fabric first in case there is shrinkage, I never did but I took that in to consideration when making the pattern.)

---------- Post added at 02:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:23 PM ----------

You don't really need a fancy machine. I made many clothes on an old treadle machine. :)

My mom always talks about the treadle we have in our house, but it's already in use as a bird cage stand in my brother's room, and way too big to move anywhere else anyway, so it's not practical for me at all. :lol: But I guess a treadle would work quite well for someone who has room to use one.

My newer machine (electric lol) is a cheap portable Sears one.

I used to sew all the time. Started in High School with my first baby sitting money. Bought a really pretty skirt and when I got it home, my mom said that I could make one just like it for about 1/4 the cost. She made a pattern out of newspaper for it and I bought the skirt back to the store, then went to the fabric store and got the same fabric and made my own. Looked just as good as the store bought one and nobody even guessed. From there on out I made most of my own clothes, even my prom dresses. Made most of my kids clothes too until I started working full time, just wasn't enough time in the day to do it any more.
I just recently took sewing back up but no where near like I use to. Forgot how much satisfaction it brought.

I say go for it! Doubt anyone will ever even guess their handmade and you'll have clothes that fit just the way you want and original and can be proud you made them yourself. :biggrin:


Judi

Totally real! I think I will try to get a serger. It is going to be Amazon Prime day, on the 15th of July. I will see if there is a serger I can afford because I would love to work with knits. I also see many uses around the house. Roman shades, pillow covers, curtains and things like that. Not to mention I am going to soon be a teacher and we most likely need to have little "daisy" head dresses for some pageant or other.

I never had much money growing up, but I liked going to parties, and how can a girl show up to an "event" wearing the same outfit all the time ;)? So, for me, sewing was the way to go. Nowadays I just can steal enough time to make halloween costumes for my daughter and home decor items. One thing I'd like to say is that the fabrics at the fabric store are often of superb quality, and there are ready patterns for clothes making. For me, sewing is a self accomplishment activity- just like orchid growing ;). Good sewing to you, rest assured you're not the only one!

I am about the same. Learned to sew in Home Ec. in high school and made a lot of my own clothes using baby sitting money to buy the fabric and notions. My mom had a Kenmore portable maching that all of us girls learned on. But not from her. My dad bought it for her to make mending an easier chore but she never touched it. So being 2nd oldest, it was practically brand new when I got my hands on it! I made suits, shirred waist dresses, even my own jeans and denim jacket with all the top stitching.

I haven't done as much in many years, but I can still pull out my own Kenmore machine and do what I need to do. When we needed a shade cloth for out 10 x 30 greenhouse, we bought some from Lee Valley but we needed 2 or 3 and my hubby and I cut and fitted it and sewed it all together with special upholstery or some strong thread. Hubby made grommets all over so it can tie down and it is still in good condition many years later! It was laying all thru the house as I sewed it because it was so long :rofl:

I am more of a knitter now and have many sweaters that I have made, some without patterns. I have always felt proud to wear something made by me.

Go for it and wear your pants with pride :)

(sniped)
I am a so-so knitter. But one year when my teen daughter was taking ballot everyone was wearing these pink knitted body suits. They were $100 at the time which seemed like a lot of money. So I knitted one with no pattern, and it looked just like the all the rest. :)

I have a friend/colleague who sews, and makes a lot of her own clothing. Not for size issues of store bought clothing, but because she enjoys making them and wearing them. And we always like seeing what sort of new clothing she creates! She started with simple tops, then more complicated ones, then skirts. She’s tried pants, but apparently they’re more difficult compared to the rest.

I don’t sew, but learned to knit when I was 7, and have a pretty big collection of sweaters, both warm ones for winter, and cotton for spring/summer. I love making them (the more complicated the pattern the better) and enjoy wearing them. It’s not weird at all to wear clothing I make myself, and other people usually don’t think so either. Most of the time they are impressed that it was handmade (even if it’s a simple pattern), and I make some for friends too.

You need to move to the Netherlands, a country home to the world’s tallest people! :) Clothing with long legs/arms can very easily be found here (and poor 5’1” me, I have to hack off a huge amount of any pair of pants I buy...)

Defiantly go for it. I am not a good sewer. My niece is but now that she is working full time doesn't do it as much either. I wish I was better at it however. Around here they have make it your self with wool contests where 4-H kids sew there own cloths and also adults. Then they lead a sheep that they sew something for and they can win prizes for the outfit, how the sheep looks and for all 3.

It's a big draw for the people in town. I help with the sheep lead every year. Any way rambling, I can't believe how beautiful some of the clothing is. It is always made with wool. Not like the wool of the olden days this stuff is soft and beautiful indeed.

Sounds fun with the sheep and all. When I was a kid in 4H we got to model the clothes we made, in a fashion show. It was fun but scary too.

Yes they do that on another night at fair. The sheep lead is another event. The kids usually if they make there outfit out of wool then they get in the sheep lead. But they have different classes. From little bitty kids, which is really fun, I can't remember the age cut offs. But they have I think 4 different classes up to adult.

I get to help line them up and send them out into the ring.

LOL! If only moving internationally were so easy! I live and work in a state in the USA where there are a lot of people from Mexico. In fact, the schools where I teach have mainly Mexican and Mexican-American kids. So when I walk in, these short little kids are craning their necks looking up as though I were Optimus Prime, saying things like, "Holy Shamoley! Great Googly-Moogly!" and asking, " are you a GIANT?" I say, "no, I do not have a pituitary gland tumor, and I am actually within the "Normal" range of females (on Earth), though just 2% of the US population." Then I get into a rambling lecture on statistics, and mention that in Norway and in some Scandinavian countries a woman who is 6 foot tall would not get a second glance from anyone. Then I get into a rambling lecture about world demographics, eye color, hair color, genetics (etc.) I could talk all day about Tallness.

I am actually of Norwegian decent down the line somewhere, though my last name is Irish. I have light green eyes and blond hair also. I am no longer as Skinny as a super model, but in my early days... sigh. Oh well, life goes on. Too much Pizza and Beer!

Update: I bought the sewing machine. I am still interested in the serger, but will get on with the basics for now. I got a "Singer Sewing 4432 Heavy Duty Extra-High Speed Sewing Machine with Metal Frame and Stainless Steel Bedplate." I was thinking about a Brother machine that had twice as many fancy stitches, but it was ultra light weight, and this Singer can be used to sew thicker fabrics, and I eventually want to sew some leather and denim.

I used to professionally sew Renaissance and belly dance costumes. Still use the same Singer sewing machine Hubby bought me for our first Christmas too many years ago.

That's a great sewing machine you bought, will last you a long time. It should have a stitch pattern for finishing off the raw edges like a serger does.

If you want to sew leather, there are special leather needles to use. Same holds true for working with heavier fabrics. They have heavy duty needles so you don't keep breaking them all the time.

Have fun sewing and enjoy your need wardrobe!

Thanks for saying that. It is good to know of someone who has used the same brand/style and has good things to say about it.

I have a sewing machine collecting dust (the sewing cabinet is actually collecting dust).

I've not sewn anything ambitious but I can sew a mean hem! I wish I had the patience to sew my own clothes. Like others, I'm less than happy with what I see on the racks.

So more power to you!

I really want to change my style from blue jeans and t-shirts to cute tunics and leggings. Skirts and boots, things like that. i have scars on my legs from an auto accident and I am very self conscious about my legs. For my height, even cheap leggings cost 40-50 bucks.

I also say go for it - I've always wondered and finally bought a machine a few months ago (on a same day as an orchid show - a BIG mistake! Not much money left in the 'orchid jar' for new babies :P) and I do not regret - it's actually very simple and you get to make anything you want. Also, you don't need to buy a machine with all those fancy stitches and what not, the basic model will really do. I make a lot of our camping gear accessories, like a cutlery bag that can hang.
And to moving abroad and being big - I moved to SA and somehow women here are tiny and me with my 5'10'' I feel like a giant! Also am considering making my own long sleeves, because my arms are just too long :D

I got it today (splurged and got it overnight shipping). It is gorgeous, heavy, and seems like a real machine. It came with several feet, a zipper foot, button hole, I guess I have to look it over. I haven't really messed around with it yet. I bought some material, some thread, needles, bobbins, and measuring things. I will be getting some patterns thought the mail. A few simple shirts and slacks to start with. I need to start on my wardrobe for next year.

Well, as a complete sewing beginner I somehow decided that I'm ready to make a toy!
Don't know if you know this game, it's called Viva Pinata - you have a garden and you lure in various pinata animals, it's just so cute - and my favourite animal is the Pretztail (all their names are connected to sweets or snacks :)). Super soft fleece was on special, so why not make a Pretztail? It was a STRUGGLE, just to draw it and imagine a 3D toy, and then working with fleece! But I managed and this is the result - a very fat fox :D A bit box-shaped, but I swear that's what he looks like in the game. Not bad for the first try I'd say, especially after I've been laughed at while sewing that it looks like a walrus crossed with a mammoth :D

Cute little animal, good job :)

Way to go. If I tried something like that I would end up in the loony bin.

Thank you! I almost did Shannon! I definitely doubted myself a lot at the start. And then you start putting it together and it definitely DOES NOT look like a fox - not very encouraging :D
And it ended up being 60cm long, so it's not that little!

Long, long ago, in a century far, far away, I was in high school. My mom learned to sew. She sewed me some knit pullover shirts that I actually liked, I actually wore, and my friends actually thought were neat. So I think all y'all should go ahead.

Ive been working on some leather stitchin by hand does that count? I found I like to make complex braids and am working on an australian styled whip from kangaroo. :)..Its going on my motorscooter. They call em 'GET BACK whips'...for dogs and things that get too close and make you uncomfortable you tell em 'get back once' and then its the whip. :)

Sure hand stitching counts, I think we need a picture of that whip :)

I started sewing when I was at school and since that I still have the Singer One sewing machine. This machine is not the most advanced computerized machine, but, I’ve never had any problems with it. It’s simple in use and I think, it is so user-friendly for beginners. Moreover its vintage appearance is really good looking.