I finally opened up my new sewing machine today - it still counts as new even though I've had it for over a year since I'd never opened it, right? - dug up the fabric and pattern I had bought back in like 1995 and started cutting and sewing. I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm making a dress with a jacket. Vogue pattern 2245, in case anyone is interested. EDIT: I found a picture of it online http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=1360665 - snazzy, ain't it? So, the picture of the uber professional in the lower right corner is what I'm making, only it's teal, not white.
I was surprised when I pulled the pattern out of the bag in the attic (the attic is a whole 'nother story - yikes!) that I had purchased a size 12-14-16 pattern. Then I looked at the size chart. It's crazy how much sizes have changed in the last 10-20 years. And because it surprised me so much, I thought I'd share.
SIZE 6 8 10 12 14 16
Bust 30.5 31.5 32.5 34 36 38
Waist 23 24 25 26.5 28 30
Hips 32.5 33.5 34.5 36 38 40
Also, how the hell do I do an easestitch??
Typically it's a really long stitch that you use to gather the fabric up a little so that you can match up a long edge to a short edge. It's similar to basting, except you have to gather up the longer piece of fabric a bit.
Quote from: Alice on October 28, 2007, 07:38:50 PM
Typically it's a really long stitch that you use to gather the fabric up a little so that you can match up a long edge to a short edge. It's similar to basting, except you have to gather up the longer piece of fabric a bit.
Yeah, but how do I make the sewing machine do it?
I gave up on trying to make it do basting and just did that by hand. My pat on the back moment so far has been putting in the zipper. I've never done that before. I've barely sewed anything before ever. As I said, I have no clue what I'm doing -- except having a blast. I can't wait to see what this thing looks like when I'm done. I'm almost finished with the dress - just gotta put the sleeves on (hence the easestich question) and hem it.
Did mention that it's teal? So very much teal. Super teal!
Oh! I'd set the dial to about 10 or 12 stitches per inch.
I'll try that. Thanks!
I have no idea how to use a sewing machine but I'd really like to get one and learn.
Quote from: Jessie on October 28, 2007, 07:50:27 PM
I have no idea how to use a sewing machine but I'd really like to get one and learn.
Did you sew Wilma by hand?
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 07:51:33 PM
Quote from: Jessie on October 28, 2007, 07:50:27 PM
I have no idea how to use a sewing machine but I'd really like to get one and learn.
Did you sew Wilma by hand?
Sure did. Twice, since I made it way too short the first time and had to rip out about 2/3 of the stitching.
Damnit! While I figured out the easestitch, I still screwed up one of the sleeves and I don't have a seam ripper and it would take me a gazillion years to rip it out with scissors, so my sewing project is at an end for the evening. I did try on this masterpiece (just the dress - haven't started the jacket yet) and whoo wee! It is SEXAY!! Not. It's a box shaped sack. A super teal colored box shaped sack, with one jacked up sleeve.
Ladies! Speak English!
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 08:48:30 PM
Damnit! While I figured out the easestitch, I still screwed up one of the sleeves and I don't have a seam ripper and it would take me a gazillion years to rip it out with scissors, so my sewing project is at an end for the evening. I did try on this masterpiece (just the dress - haven't started the jacket yet) and whoo wee! It is SEXAY!! Not. It's a box shaped sack. A super teal colored box shaped sack, with one jacked up sleeve.
But it probably looks totally fabulous on you, right?
I demand photographic proof!
Quote from: Jessie on October 28, 2007, 09:08:06 PM
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 08:48:30 PM
Damnit! While I figured out the easestitch, I still screwed up one of the sleeves and I don't have a seam ripper and it would take me a gazillion years to rip it out with scissors, so my sewing project is at an end for the evening. I did try on this masterpiece (just the dress - haven't started the jacket yet) and whoo wee! It is SEXAY!! Not. It's a box shaped sack. A super teal colored box shaped sack, with one jacked up sleeve.
But it probably looks totally fabulous on you, right?
Um, not so much. My husband says it has potential, if I take off the screwed up sleeve and fix it, and then hem this thing like 10 inches and put in some darts and perhaps wear it with a belt and dye it black.
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 09:11:11 PM
Quote from: Jessie on October 28, 2007, 09:08:06 PM
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 08:48:30 PM
Damnit! While I figured out the easestitch, I still screwed up one of the sleeves and I don't have a seam ripper and it would take me a gazillion years to rip it out with scissors, so my sewing project is at an end for the evening. I did try on this masterpiece (just the dress - haven't started the jacket yet) and whoo wee! It is SEXAY!! Not. It's a box shaped sack. A super teal colored box shaped sack, with one jacked up sleeve.
But it probably looks totally fabulous on you, right?
Um, not so much. My husband says it has potential, if I take off the screwed up sleeve and fix it, and then hem this thing like 10 inches and put in some darts and perhaps wear it with a belt and dye it black.
What kind of material is it? Please say heavy polyester.
Quote from: sapphirehart on October 28, 2007, 09:10:59 PM
I demand photographic proof!
I promise to take pictures of it when I finish. The jacket scares me, it has a lining -- and shoulder pads.
Quote from: Jessie on October 28, 2007, 09:12:01 PM
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 09:11:11 PM
Quote from: Jessie on October 28, 2007, 09:08:06 PM
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 08:48:30 PM
Damnit! While I figured out the easestitch, I still screwed up one of the sleeves and I don't have a seam ripper and it would take me a gazillion years to rip it out with scissors, so my sewing project is at an end for the evening. I did try on this masterpiece (just the dress - haven't started the jacket yet) and whoo wee! It is SEXAY!! Not. It's a box shaped sack. A super teal colored box shaped sack, with one jacked up sleeve.
But it probably looks totally fabulous on you, right?
Um, not so much. My husband says it has potential, if I take off the screwed up sleeve and fix it, and then hem this thing like 10 inches and put in some darts and perhaps wear it with a belt and dye it black.
What kind of material is it? Please say heavy polyester.
It's a rayon blend. $7.59 a yard, so it's really good stuff.
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 09:12:30 PM
Quote from: sapphirehart on October 28, 2007, 09:10:59 PM
I demand photographic proof!
I promise to take pictures of it when I finish. The jacket scares me, it has a lining -- and shoulder pads.
shoulder pads are so 1990s
Quote from: Infobahn on October 28, 2007, 09:18:46 PM
Quote from: Gamplayerx on October 28, 2007, 09:12:30 PM
Quote from: sapphirehart on October 28, 2007, 09:10:59 PM
I demand photographic proof!
I promise to take pictures of it when I finish. The jacket scares me, it has a lining -- and shoulder pads.
shoulder pads are so 1990s
Yeah. This is from the 90s. Or course, every single suit jacket I've ever owned has had shoulder pads.
You can machine baste if you put the stitch length at like 6.
Can I have your sewing machine when you get tired of it?
PS- Congrats! Sewing is a much bigger pain than cooking- you should try THAT next.
"Vogue pattern 2245"
Isn't that the pattern this guy used?
[attachment deleted by admin]
Quote from: The Dude(VJ) on October 29, 2007, 01:19:24 AM
"Vogue pattern 2245"
Isn't that the pattern this guy used?
"waaaaiiit.. was she a big fat person?"
Quote from: dazie on October 28, 2007, 09:24:20 PM
You can machine baste if you put the stitch length at like 6.
Yeah, but for easestitching you need to make it longer than that, otherwise the gathering gets weird and difficult.
Sewing? Next thing you know she'll be cooking.
Quote from: manosax on October 29, 2007, 02:09:30 AM
Quote from: The Dude(VJ) on October 29, 2007, 01:19:24 AM
"Vogue pattern 2245"
Isn't that the pattern this guy used?
"waaaaiiit.. was she a big fat person?"
<<chuckles!>> I was going to say that but was trying not to offend. Way to read my mind though!!
this thread inspired me to get my sewing machine repaired....now if I only knew how to sew.
I just got a sewing machine for free off the local "freecycle" site. It's one of those old black ones in it's own cabinet.
I hope it works. *lol* The light comes on when you plug it in!
It's a "Necchi" brand, and it has knobs and slidey things on it that I've not seen before, so I'm going to see if I can find a user's manual.
I finished the dress part, except for the hem. It's really ugly. I keep meaning to take pictures of it and then change it.
Quote from: Gamplayerx on November 14, 2007, 09:04:58 AM
I finished the dress part, except for the hem. It's really ugly. I keep meaning to take pictures of it and then change it.
Try fabric instead of flesh. Doesn't shrink as much.
Kate and I made a "recycled" skirt for her today- took a pair of jeans that still fit but had holes in the knees and a dress that didn't fit but still had a good skirt and combined them. We cut the legs off the jeans and the top off the dress, tossed those and sewed the skirt to what was left of the jeans. The skirt was then long enough again, and the jeans still had their fancy pockets and look much nicer than they did this morning!
Quote from: dazie on November 17, 2007, 03:59:11 PM
Kate and I made a "recycled" skirt for her today- took a pair of jeans that still fit but had holes in the knees and a dress that didn't fit but still had a good skirt and combined them. We cut the legs off the jeans and the top off the dress, tossed those and sewed the skirt to what was left of the jeans. The skirt was then long enough again, and the jeans still had their fancy pockets and look much nicer than they did this morning!
that sounds awesome...pics please!