STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

sage · Dooney & Bourke

Anyone sew??

ejc423 · Coach

I sew a little and I think it's pretty hip! It is incredibly gratifying to be able to think something up and make it! I haven't made any clothes yet--just pillows, bedskirt, etc. But--there's something to be said for being able to hem your own pants! My mom, sister, and I all together figured out how to do the "tricky hem" so now I can even hem jeans!

If this machine place offers a class, I would take it. It's frustrating to try to figure it out on your own. I have not taken a class, but I started sewing at home where my mom walked me through it all.

Enjoy, and you might find you like details more than you thought!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I used to sew all the time when I was younger- I was even in a sewing 4-H group! I haven't done it in a while, but I've recently been toying around with buying a machine- even if I don't end up getting back into it that much I figure it will make altering clothes a lot cheaper.

Oh, and I have about as much patience as a reanky two year old and never had a problem so you should be fine.

honey · Gucci

i sew! you definitely don't need patience (i'm very impatient). i second ejc423, if the place offers a class take it. machines can be finnicky and fiddling with one will take the fun out of sewing.

Hermes

I 3rd ejc423...

I started sewing... gosh when I was 5 maybe? thread and needle stuff... really got into machine sewing in HS - I assisted in teaching others to sew in home ec and designed and made a lot of my clothes during that time.

I also recommend taking a beginners class - just threading the machine or stepping on the pedal can be intimidating for some. Save yourself a ton of frustration and take a class!

lynnie · Chanel

Yay! I used to sew all the time (i worked at the costume shop at my school) and i've taken two costume construction classes at school. One I got to design, pattern, create a mockup (shirt and skirt in fake fabric) and then make the final product. I made a black button down blouse and a tan wool crepe skirt. wow- the shirt was so much work- i probably spent 100 hours making the damn thing because of cuffs, collars, plackets, buttons, darts, hems.......plus I had to make it twice. I should do it more (I keep telling people that I want to be a fashion designer but not doing anything about it!) but it is really tedious and it's expensive to make your own garments. But its fun having a complete one of a kind design! I say go for it- you can even find a decent sewing machine for around $200 at Wal-Mart and buy some books. Many fashiony people were actually self taught- it just takes a lot of motivation. Sometimes I am too lazy though and would rather have an expert show me how to do things!

RyanJ · Coach

I sew all the time- I make dog/cat beds and sell them. I also make my own bags, pants, pajamas and shirts. Last summer I made these really cute beachy linen and jersey (kind of abercrombie looking

) skirts just to bum/run errands in when it was really hot. I am currently in the process of making a skirt out of this hideous coco brown fabric w/ purple elephants on it. I think it is going to look really cool when I am finished, but my mom just can't see my vision

.

My mom and I also made my skirt for prom because I could not find one that I wanted- it turned out really pretty. People coudn't belive that I had made it.

I can be really picking about clothes and get an idea of what I want and can't find it anywhere in stores, so I end up making it myself-USUALLY it works out very well.
I would say definatley give it a try. I think it takes a little while before you start making things that don't look "homemade".

blubirde · Chanel

Why is sewing not cool? I'm always super-proud when I sew something. I'm still a novice but my grandmother and mother have been sewing for years and I've always helped. Every costume I had when I was a child was sewed by my mother. (My Rainbow Brite rocked!) I've sewed curtains (super easy and way cooler and cheaper than bought ones), Halloween costumes, table cloths to cover old, gross tables at work, hems, etc. It's a very handy talent to possess.

My interest started out of necessity and thriftiness (ha! okay, too cheap to buy real curtains), but it's so handy that I'm going to set up a sewing room when I move into my new place in May. I'm going to start slow with my mom's old machine and start making plain shirts and skirts to begin with. I can't wait.

Also, I can needlepoint, too! Stitch 'n Bitch, baby! I've been needlepointing since I was a little girl. I forget some of the stitches but they're easy enough to pick back up. It's cool to be able to embroider a design on a shirt or make some cool towels for your girlfriends at xmas.

I say go for it!

bex · Chanel

i sew! my mom is a SUPERSTAR when it comes to sewing... she's hardcore with a sewing/embroidery machine that is hooked up to her computer so she can do special designs... and then she has a serger too. so whenever i need help- its great to call her up for direction.

if the place you are renting from has classes, take them! i still get frustrated when i am trying to thread the damn machine... it is so annoying and i always forget how- oh i can make a bobbin like nothing... but threading is my downfall...

and i think you DO need a bit of patience... especially in the begining... it can be a struggle figuring out patterns, etc. but once you get the hang of it... you'll be on your way!

good luck! let us know how it turns out!

sage · Dooney & Bourke

Thanks everybody!! And thank you for the tip. I will call and see if they offer classes before I rent one and waste the whole time trying to thread the thing!!