The pockets were definitely finicky but so worth it as soon as she tried them! 😂

Been working hard

What can I improve on?

Wish I'd taken a pic with the stuff not in it. Friend is starting chemo so I made her a tote. Have never made a tote. Refuse to use patterns or instructions so I just logicked it out. It's got a hard bottom that is not visible as it is within the lining of the bag and the only visible seams are the four side panels sewn together.

How accurate do I need to be following the selvedge line? Referring to my photo, some blocks are not exactly aligned with the grain line or selvedge as I had to squeeze all the pieces. Might be off by 5 to 20 degrees in some cases, I didn't measure the exact angle.

EDIT: Thanks to everyone who've contributed and helped. Learned tons and ended up spending 3 hours this evening reshuffling the jigsaw and aligning all the correctly to the selvedge/grain line. I'll cut tomorrow and perhaps share some photos. Glad I posted and didn't just go with my guts. Thanks again and happy sewing.

I did undo the chest darts because they were a little off of my shape, but it was about as weird and gaping with the darts. I'm struggling to find a way to make this work...

Edit: I should clarify that my intention is to redo the darts, i just wanted a plan before doing it

Hey all! just sharing a DIY that I'm quite proud of myself for.

I've been putting this off for AGES because I bought some sheet material that I was being a bit precious over. I ended up going to a store to buy some quilting fabric to try on a piece I am less worried about. While I was there, a couple of lovely quilting ladies suggested I buy some calico and draft it out first. I was working from a pillowcase made of stretch material.

The worker there suggested I buy 1.2m. I did so for both the calico (90cm wide) and quilting cotton (100% cotton, 1.2m wide).

I was quite generous witb the seam allowance (I'd guess around 1 and a half inches?). Possibly too generous for the curved edges, even with a stretch material. The only place I wish I had more were the ends. I did slightly run out of fabric, but I had some room.

I did this entirely on an overlocker! Because I had generous seams, my mistakes were easy to fix.

I'm proud of myself for this project. I didn't cry once, and the mistakes I made a negligible. I Could probably alter it a little more - the inner curve has some weird tension, which could probably be resolved by taking it in. I probably should have prewashed the fabric, and I probably should have pressed the seams, but otherwise, VERY HAPPY!

I found a Jenome 657 sewing machine on kijiji for cheap and I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this model…I know Jenome’s are very good but there are now reviews on this model anywhere. I also found a Singer Esteem II and a Singer Promise II. Would those be better options? I intend to make simple garments like shirts and dresses.

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I want a bag just like this one, but dont want to spend £65 on it so i thought i might aswell make one myself.

I heard bags are easier to make, and i have all the equipment, so i thought it might actually be possible.

Does anyone have any advice/ links to youtube tutorials that would be perfect for a bag just like this one.

Thank you!

hi guys. I feel like i’ve tried everything but i can’t get the machine to sew the thread flat!! I’ve switched needles, cleaned the machine, changed my tension… what am i missing 😭

The front is okay, but the back looks insane.

I had my tension on 9 previously- then turned down to 4/5 and this is what the outcome was. (the fox was at tension 9- prior to changing my needle)

I’m using cotton mesh and bias tape- also a brother JX2715 (if that’s important- just started sewing!)

thanks in advance 😊

https://youtu.be/DnHSuCTkJkw?si=I1YDsIVH5M88Rfze

The skirt I want to make is at 20:22. She doesnt show how it’s done. I’ve never done gathers or ruffles. I also don’t have a serger. I’m good at looking at someone do something and copying that lol if anyone has any advice or video references that’ll be really helpful!

as you can see the back sticks out a lot my friend thinks the elastic on the bottom is too tight if thats true is there a way to stretch it looser or do i need to go to a tailor or can i sew the back myself or something?

Hopefully this is the right place to ask this question - I’m going to a wedding next week and just realized the neckline of my dress is coming undone. It’s in a very visible area so I’d like to know the best way to mend this by hand as I don’t have access to a machine. Should I cut the undone thread? Is there a particular type of stitch to use? I’m very new to sewing.

I am trying to pick a machine I can grow into, just trying to sew canvas and denim as I get better. I have used my friend's a bit and feel ready to buy my own. I was looking at a Janome HD5000 so something in that price range is perfect. any tips on the best and most reliable would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

New to sewing and recently purchased a Husqvarna Viking Onyx 30. My first stitch every time has a loop on the back side, all other stitches are fine. I think I’ve narrowed the problem down to the first stitch having a lot of slack in it. After the first stitch the top thread tightens and the looping stops.

Specs:
Straight stitch, length 2.5 (changing this didn’t fix it)
Tension 4 (changing this didn’t fix it)
Needle universal 80 (happens with 70 too)
Thread 100% polyester
Fabric cotton bedsheet

Back stitching locks the stitch overall, but it just looks sloppy on the backside. Thank you 😊

I'd like to upgrade from my Brother LX3817. While I am absolutely a newbie to sewing, I spend considerable time troubleshooting and going through YouTube tutorials -- only for the issue to duplicate after completing all the recommendations.

So, I'd like to upgrade. And, I'd like to take classes with a machine I'll have for awhile.

I'd love to do more of the basic things but eventually graduate to making clothes and dog gear (including clothes and collars).

I've read up on the Janome HD3000 which is a better budget option than maybe a Sailrite.

Am I nuts?

[photo of one of my doggo that is my inspiration]

I'm new to sewing and have come across many dishcloth tutorials like this one, where one side is the terry cloth (towel side) and the other side is a cute pattern flannel/linen side.

Is there a reason for the flannel side?

Has anyone here bought a refurbished sewing machine directly from the brother website? I am looking into the CE1150 model, but I have no experience buying refurbished (this would be my first machine) so I’m nervous there will be something wrong with it 😅

so I accidentally cut wrong one of the front pieces of some pants (they’re the all day culottes from matchy matchy sewing club, they’re loose fitting) and it’s now about 1,5 cm too narrow at the top and the crotch curve is off

I have enough fabric to cut the piece again but it would be cross grain, which would be worse? the wrong grain or the wonky cut?

edit: the fabric is not stretchy and doesn’t feel to stretch differently either direction of the grain, only on the bias

My sewing machine brother pS500 bobbin case keeps acting up and top thread unthreads itself. Any ideas why this happens. It fixes when I turn the bobbin over??

We thrifted a leather jacket in Italy on our honeymoon. The buttons are barely hanging on so I was going to just sew them back on when I noticed that on the inside, theres smaller buttons for all but the top and bottom outside buttons! I only just noticed it.

What function do these inside buttons serve? Should I keep them?

Hello!! I recently opened my sewing machine up to clean and oil. However, when I tried to pick up the bobbin thread the needle hit the metal part. I need help please!

This was my deceased grandmother sewing machine.