Sewing... does anyone sew?
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I made a bit of money out of that pattern @anniec I used to make it up in oilcloth with a different collar, detachable cape and a back vent so you could ride a horse in it. Sold dozens of them and they were not cheap but the horsey ladies loved them, much more stylish than a dry-as-a-bone when one is sitting on a $30k nag waiting for ones dressage class.
I probably should dust off the heavy duty machine and do that again, though I have no idea where Id get the fabric now. It would also mean cleaning out my workshop. The horror..4 -
Steampunkers would pay big bucks for a coat like that. They (and hardcore goths) pay a lot for exclusive garments as they can't really pop into Target or David Jones for their fashion choices. I did quite a bit of knitting for things like victorian collars, gauntlet gloves and spats for cash, one off, no two alike and I couldn't knit fast enough.3
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I see myself reflected in many of the previous posts. Mum could sew like a tailoress and taught us how to draft out own patterns. I was sewing skirts and petticoats, and rag dolls on a Singer Treadle at aged 10. I made most of my own clothes until I was about 40 when Aust. started importing cheaper clothes from China. I've dabbled in patchwork and machine embroidery. I have a sewing machine and overlocker which have been pretty much dormant for the last few years and although I wonder about that because I have always loved sewing I don't stress about it. I cut out a lap quilt for a friend four years ago and have done about an hour of sewing on that ..... duh?! I was knitting and crocheting at an early age and my stash represents quite a few beanies and wraps, again, duh? I keep on thinking that one day I'll wake up and feel like sewing or knitting - hasn't happened yet.Last year I joined a local charity knitting group but it wasn't for me, again, not sure why. Its all a bit weird but I can look at knitting and crochet books all day - I borrow from the local library and call them my 'picture' books. ps, I loved the coat - that's what we mean by 'style' and as my Mum taught us, 'There's nothing like a good cut!'
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@Beryl C...The local charity knitting in my area consists only of knitting squares for blankets which are donated to the fistula hospital opened by Dr Hamlyn (I think Etheopia). I find squares to be totally mind numbing. Although postage costs a bomb, I knit for three different charities in South Africa. One gives hand to hand (so no missing work being syphoned off by unscrupulous staff) to destitute mothers and their newborns. Moms have been seen taking their babies home wrapped in newspaper from state hospitals. I also send winter wear to a clinic supporting rural children with disabilities. Kids on crutches, in wheelchairs, blind, intellectually disabled and so on. Then I also support a charity supporting children in the oncology ward at Grey's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. So as much as my wallet allows, I have more than enough to knit. Here is a photo of one little girl with her new turban hat.
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@Zoffiel that coat is something else
. I can knit ( boring! ) crochet ( a square if I concentrate ) but I think I have always known how to sew. I helped pay for my youngest daughters uni by making smocked dolls clothes and sold them on eBay... that was quite a while ago lol. My little granddaughter is a fashionista at 5 with very eclectic taste. I love sewing for her but for myself? Yikes my poo bear shape doesn’t make for a fashionable silhouette 😩 2 -
AllyJay,you are a fabulous knitter! Love the turban and love that you are using your skills to help others.Zoffiel, your coat is amazing! But why have we all stopped sewing for ourselves?I had less time when I was younger and yet I made all my 2 girls their clothes and I worked part time. Now I’m retired,you’d think I’d be in my hobby room all the time.I guess clothes are so cheap now you couldn’t make it for the same price.However, if you want a nice dress that fits,you can’t beat homemade. I ended up making my’mother of the bride’ dress because I couldn’t find anything suitable in the shops.Due to my mastectomy scar,I can’t do low necklines so that ruled out alot
I also refused to spend $400 odd dollars! Anyway,I made my dress for $45 and it fitted and looked great.So come on ladies,let’s get those sewing machines out again.7 -
I have very little ability in anything requiring needles - knitting or sewing. My mother had no leaning towards those skills either. But there's nothing like incentive - I had a notion of a very French styled coat that I wanted and couldn't find for my daughter when she was small. So I made it. Only piked out on the buttonholes, dressmaker at the end of the street couldn't work out why I was asking her to do them! Along with the knitted lorikeet coat (unlikely to be worn by my two grandsons!) they are my two best efforts to date.5
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Yep. Blue base and a pattern of rainbow lorikeets with wattle trim! Nearly went skelly eyed following the pattern but my daughter wore it for years - OK it was very long when she first wore it and she looked like a colourful Dopey, but all my own work!!2
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I have one somewhere, it was a long time ago!0
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I am trying to figure out a way to pack my sewing machine and overlocker into my motorhome. I miss them terribly when on the road. I have resorted to cross stitch to satisfy my addiction but it doesn't have the same kick as actual sewing.
I'm stuck in Syd for a while now while I wait for tests etc so I'm sewing up a storm.
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I also sew, mainly quilts but also drain bags, other bags and a few stretchy fabric tops. i give away much to friends and charity. My sewing room is my happy place. I wish I could sew clothes better. When my children were young I did a knit wit course and sewed them T-shirt’s and shorts. It was fun. I am currently quilting a top I sewed by hand 15 years ago. I don’t love it anymore but it will be good to finish it!2
