Sewing Hot Takes with Shannon Makes!
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Y'all have got some O-PIN-IONS on sewing, and I'm here with @ShannonMakes to discuss!
Check out Part 1 on Shannon's channel: • YOUR Sewing HOT Takes ...
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Sewing a linen dress: • How Long Does It Take ...
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I love that the world-touring circus performer and the Hollywood background actor both say they "never go anywhere," LOL. I hope you two do more collabs together, since you mesh so well.
well, when I'm not on contract, 95% of the time I'm in my hobbit hole 🤣
Hahaha it’s the ups and the downs - we’re out working, and then we’re holed up for ages.
Lol, Thank you! I was trying to figure out what Shannon did! Lol.
Sewing over pins? I've been told you could do that when I started. I tried it. It imediately broke my needle because it hit the metal. Tried it again with a new needle. Broke it again, this time the broken part flew towards my eye and bounced of my eyelid. Nothing bad happened thankfully, I was unharmed. But I won't ever ever again try to sew over pins.
I also watch the Closet Historian (whose channel I highly recommend) and she uses silk pins, which are thinner so she’s never broken a needle by sewing over those pins.
I use extra fine pins too. I haven’t broken a needle with those, but I’ve broken many pins. I’ve even accidentally sewn over a pin with my serger. 😬
Tbf it's not worth the risk of an accident and take seconds to remove the pins while sewing
They also should have told you, if you are sewing over pins, go slower. Slower, the needle strikes with less force and is more likely to graze off the pin rather than break it. But it’s better all around to take them out.
I don't like sewing over pins, but I can't be arsed to remove all of them since I pin liberally, so I just remove them when they are on a collision course with the needle XD
Rather than saying "my laziness," I would call it "my workflow." It's more positive and accurate to say "I need this here because it works best for my workflow."
@@AdamantErinyes oooh, hmmmm I love using the. Word "laziness" to justify the crazy way I do things that may not even be the easier way in other people's eyes :p something in me just likes reclaiming negative words as the reason I move forward
Hi Erin.
I have way too many people in my life that are obsessed with "the right way" to do something (aka: how they do it). You look at them dead in the eye and say "I'm too lazy to do it that way". Takes away the insult they want to use to make you conform, then they realize that your clothes have not disintegrated and bulk washing in cold is a perfectly acceptable. And they say they got it from RUclips...
@@Nerdygoddess😂 I love defusing their insults with self deprecation! It helps me take back my power in the conversation because I know I’m just kidding half the time and the other half the sting isn’t there because I am acknowledging I am not “perfect” which is ok!
I totally agree! I love that word better (“workflow”) because it more accurately conveys what is going on!
The "clips make you a professional" comment is WILD! My aunt is a tailor AND a seamstress (educated as both and has other diplomas as well). She has worked all her life sewing for people professionally and has won awards (yes I'm super proud of her 😄), and she doesn't use clips. She hardly uses needles either, except when the fabric/technique calls for it. She also puts pins in her mouth 😂
Use clips if they are easier for you to use, but don't mistake any tool for conferring skill. Effort and practice only will make you skilled.
Off the rack is not professional. Since they do not care how it done. A lot of time, the garment has bunch s mistake.
First of all, your aunt sounds amazing! Second of all, wonderful phrasing about not mistaking any tool for conferring skill.... couldn't agree more. Although would still recommend getting decent enough basics (sharp scissors, functioning machine if you want to machine sew) so that you don't spend more time frustrated and giving yourself carpel tunnels 🤣
I love this. and I think so often advice and "rules" are given without consideration of the specific craft or background being applied. Particularly separating quilters from garment making from accessory making or even toys. Yes there is overlap, but if you've developed your skills and understanding of tools from one area, then they will make sense when you move into another, but for someone approaching from the other direction it could be more confusing. Safety should be first but beyond that, trial and see is core of all crafting. ^_^
@@ShinySarah44 I've also noticed the use of what I consider to be quilting items used in garment sewing - the clips and rotary cutter in particular. Fine if they work for you, but if they add unnecessary expense, no one should feel like they are "less professional" for not using them.
I think your aunt sounds amazing, your pride in her definitely shows in your writing!
I did buy clips ages ago, but to be honest, I only use them for SUPER bulky things, like clipping binding to a quilted edge, since they can also get bulky. 🙃🙃
Love Charlie’s take on making fancy clothes that are secret lounge clothes. After making several special occasion dresses I never wear because I’m a hermit who works from home, every piece I make from now on must be sleepable. Ball gown = jammies. Jumpsuit = jammies. Velvet jacket = jammies.
That's my take as a spoonie too.
Yes make all clothes comfy clothes! They are allowed to look fancy, but there is no need for them to not be comfy as well.
I love this idea! I have made some fancy clothes that I no longer have any place to wear them. Now they will be lounge wear!!!
I curse the politicians who thought, right when both parents were more likely to be working, was the right time to throw out the "skill learning" programs--sewing, cooking, home/personal budgeting, home/object/equipment maintenance and repair.
Yes, I'm 67 so I had Home Ec that included sewing...which I loved. It is too bad that so many "home skills" are no longer taught in schools. And we all know now, while sewing and cooking may be dominated by females, there are guys who enjoy sewing and cooking too and any classes that are still available in schools today, are open to guys and gals...and should be. Heck, I love how things work and a shop class class in car repair would have been fun, as well as a wood shop. But my school days were when things were more separated by sex. We know now, esp where practical skills and creativity is concerned...there really is no gender...only "preference."
It's because the parent are demand more STEM classes... (only so much time in the day)
My hot take is that people spend too much time worrying about what other people think. I'm constantly surprised that a) people have opinions about how other people do things and b) are concerned about what other people think about how they do things. If I hear a suggestion for doing something differently than I've done it in the past, because "it's better," I will try it and see what I think of the result. Sometimes my response is, "Oh, that is so much better," and other times, it's "Meh."
a very healthy approach!
So glad yall are saying there is no one way to so. Went to quilt shop near me and the lady was talking about her classes and how people come in doing it all wrong. I thought to my self " you are not the instructor for me!"
Ooof, fully agreed, that sounds like... I think I'd just NOPE myself right out of that shop!
I'm more of the opinion of know the rules/guidelines so you know which ones to break/ignore. Like I use old thread. It hasn't broken in my machine and when I tug on it. I don't necessarily want my quilts to hang in a museum. I want them to be loved until they fall apart
@sarahkinsey5434 if it survives the tug test and your machine then the thread isn't bad. Thread stores in could dark dry places can be good for absolutely years. I have thread from the 70s in my 100 year old treadle singer😂
@@melmoomlem7321 fully agreed that I use thrifted thread (of varying ages, some quite old) ALL the time, and I always just test it out first, and most of the time it's still good!
@@melmoomlem7321 yeah the thread I inherited was stored in sewing boxes in a basement. The spools are wood, styrofoam, or plastic
Charlie: I never made something that shrunk after washing.
Red pants from capsule wardrobe video: hey! Did you forget about me???
Yeah, I thought this but then noticed that Charlie said something along the lines of "never shrunk so much she couldn't wear"
Hahaha I'd forgotten about those red pants, but actually, they didn't shrink from washing - I constructed the waistband in a way that removed the stretch, which I hadn't prepared for, so that's what made them too tight!
Pre-washing fabric? Hadn't used to, now I do. And yes polyester can shrink, which surprised me.
The one fabric that always always should be pre-washed is denim, especially as it's not cheap. I made my first pair of jeans with thrifted burgundy denim. I worked really hard on the details, they looked amazing and the fit was okay. I had pre-washed the fabric, once. The shrank in the wash, snug but wearable. Then they shrank again in the next wash.
Denim needs to be washed and dried at least three times before cutting. It's a pain in the arse, but not as much as not being able to wear something that took bloody hours to make
I hand sew things that don't come out as well on the machine, invisible hems in particular, but also areas that need more precision. I learned to sew by hand first, so my first instinct is to handle troublesome areas by hand.
I love the control that hand-sewing gives (but don't ask me to do long lengths of straight stitching/back stitching...!!!)
@@rebeccahendricks9829 agree, hand sewing is also great for the fiddly to get at areas (such as jacket facings, can get into all the corners).
Oh yes. I tried blind-stitch on a machine once and immediately went back to all blind-stitching being done by hand. Some repairs are faster by hand versus getting the machine out.
Knotting your threads is a great way to get a neat finish on topstitching, especially on something like a patch pocket. If you pull on the bobbin thread, the top thread will form a tiny loop on the wrong side of the fabric. Stick a pin or the end of your seam ripper into that loop, pull the thread to the wrong side of the fabric and knot them together. Tidy topstitching that won't come undone!
I have to pre wash as even handling unwashed fabric can trigger allergies. Some don’t know there are carcinogenic finishing chemicals, anti fungal sprays etc on the fabric and it can be absorbed through your skin. Please prewash for your health!
Such a good point! My partner has deeply unpleasant nut allergies- if someone or their kid had grubby peanut butter fingers and I *didn't* wash it..... hoooooo boy, I don't wanna think about that
when you enter a good sized buikding full of textiles, there is dander from the manufacturing and the dyes in the cloth. They are very dangerous. I also cant get near wool.
I work at Joanns and tell people to wash everything. I've found dead bugs in between the folds, but I just tell people the bolts fall on the floor and you never know what conditions are like in the factories and warehouses
Exactly! I always wash fabric just to get the chemicals and allergens off. I get so itchy from unwashed fabric
And then I get the added bonus of not having to worry about shrinkage later
Yes, sewing is such a tactile activity, so all the handling while sewing is when I would be most cautious, not necessarily wearing the garment. Especially if you’re human and touch your face/eat food/etc without washing your hands, because you’re just doing a clean activity…
I think French Seams are almost necessary for sheer fabric. I used them on a 20 panel skirt I made. I'm pretty darn proud of the fact that I only had to un-pick and re-sew 5 panels after sewing them on backward. I think all the fraying would have been horrible without the French Seams.
I like french seems for long straight seems, like skirt panels and pants legs, sometime side seems, but rarely overall for working on tops. But it's so much easier for long seams than coming back and having to deal otherwise with the raw allowance in any other way.
It's funny, I never thought of French seams as being fancy, just a way of preventing fraying with crappy fabric. I've used it on Barbie clothes for my granddaughters to make them survive longer, and on delicate fabric that would wash better if the edges weren't raw. It's easier than having seams give out too soon. Just another useful method to ensure longer lasting results. My Mam was a seamstress so I guess growing up learning things from her made techniques less rare or unusual or even extra work to me, but siimply the best method in certain circumstances.
Clips are only life-changing for binding. Especially if you’re binding something thick.
Totally with you there - although they are proving useful for the paper piecing too, so that's nice (just in terms of... I already made the mistake of buying them, so I'm glad they're at least proving useful for something else)!
I used my quilting clips last night, making drawstring out of woven cotton to match a skirt.
They're also very handy for sewing things that aren't woven/knitted! I added a clear plastic card slot in a wallet and a little sewing kit recently, and the clips were so useful!
I'm new to clips and I would say they're extremely useful sometimes but sometimes pins are better, especially if I need to keep moving the piece I'm working on. Pins stay put better but clips can be faster
They were prefect at holding the pleats when I made masks
I just... thank you to Shannon for taking "laziness" and reframing it to do with accessibilty. Too often those of us with legitimate reasons to find things challenging (often spoonies, like mentioned) get "lazy" thrown at us by people unwilling to understand there are barriers to us being able to do things as easily as either ablebodied or neurotypical folks... so thank you for the validation
I worked in a higher end fabric store in the 90s. Sergers were de rigeur if you didn't want that "loving hands at home" look. The hot books are about how to finish your projects as tho they'd been made in a factory.
I love that the pendulum is swinging away from that. I'm sorry it took the tragedy of fast fashion to get us here.
I have a serger, but it eats my fabric. So I’ve started to use finishing stitches on my sewing machine now.
"the tragedy of fast fashion".... what a great phrase (and so true)!
On pattern matching: I think the busier the pattern and the smaller the details, the less important the matching is. But if the design is bigger and orderly, the more distracting it is to NOT pattern match.
Or when the pattern is very slightly off , this is the worst in shop brought or handmade.
Agree. Plaids on, say, a pencil skirt or jacket that are just cut differently at the side seams just look… well, they look like budget fast fashion. Poorly made. That goes out the window for stripes or plaids on circle skirts and such. That’s just the flow of the pattern around the circle.
GenX. We definitely had HomeEc in the 80s. I made the ugliest, most ill-fitting, prison-matron-grey, gathered skirt. And also I think we learned to bake cookies. It was lame and extremely useless. I’m sure my mother’s (Boomer) class had actual usable skills to learn. Sigh.
French seams: an absolute must for very sheer fabrics that fray like it’s their passion project. Serging just doesn’t look great through sheers and I think flat felling would just be a nightmare.
I was thinking about this the other day while wearing a sundress I made, and I do think that's the secret. That dress has a very small pattern to the fabric that would have been impossible to match, but I've also made a gingham dress where I tried to be very careful as I cut out the pieces. Having it match as closely as I could made the dress look more professional.
Oh, the clips! I don't use them often to put seams together for sewing, but I do use them to clip my pattern to the fold when I have a place-on-fold piece. It works REALLY well!
oh, clever!!!
This is the best use for clips that I've seen!
They work great for grouping things together. Like the rows of quilt squares.
Thanks for the chat ladies. I chuckled them all in the wash before I stick them in the stash including the thrifted stuff. You never know it's history.
The Mystery Holes!!! I get those too! I once found a forum somewhere online that was trying to figure out where they came from - was it cleaning fluid burns? They always appear at counter height - are they from things poking at your shirts? You are DEFINITLELY not alone though, and I can also tell you something to help: I've become a devout Wearer of Aprons. Since wearing aprons anytime I go anywhere near my kitchen, or craft supplies, I have an apron on. ADORable aprons. And no more mystery holes!! Because clothes are expensive (value-wise even if not monetarily), 3x over if I made it myself!
Team cindabearr! I put on an apron EVRY time I step in the kitchen, craft, or wash something out in the laundry room sink. I have about 15 of them (some from thrift stores, some I've made) and wait until they're all ready for a wash and then I have an entire load of aprons/dish (tea) towels/dish rags. Any hints on how to prevent the ties from tangling into knots from hades? I've tried lots of methods, even putting each one in a separate mesh garment bag (takes FOREVER snd aprons ball up and don't seem to get clean) but each method has its bad points.
I always get them on my thighs. I cannot for the life of me work out what causes them. It even happens in my PJ bottoms, and dresses.
My micro holes are always on my belly/waist too!! Common theory is friction - snagging of a single thread in a cotton knit will pop a hole 🕳
Pets, belts, rings, benchtops, handbags...
I love the apron though, you'll never catch me cooking without one - I've splashed too much oil and ruined too many tops/dresses to take the chance anymore!
@@kristiswa my best bit of advice might sound weird and a little tedious... but fold each tie like an accordion and safety pin it down. You can do loose folds, so like, a few inches long - but just enough so they won't tangle with anything. Maybe 5-6 inches or so? I've never measured. If you get nice stainless pins they wash really well, and you can store them either pinned to the back side, or pinned inside a pocket.
My only other alternative? I've tied them in bows before, which does work, mostly, but then you get a very crinkled bow, not at all pretty, and permanent creating that doesn't iron out. Pinning ftw for me!
@@cheekyb71 Mine are always at my waist too but I feel like the culprit is probably the cat, when she and her sharp little claws want to sit in my lap and have pointy little opinions if I move.
1. I prewash. I just do it, tumble dry it just like I do with my finished product. I don’t know what chemicals were used on the fabric, I don’t know what kind of animals were on it or used it as a bed or something like this.
2. I press. I hate ironing but I press the seams. Always. I like actually sew-iron-sew-iron stuff. It just breaks the monotony. Love it!
3. Pinning. I sometimes sew over them but I will always wear my glasses when I do it. 😅😅😅 I saw the closet historian (great gall y’all) doing this. Or I don’t. Depends on my mood. Clips are ok but they are heavy. No pins on the overlocker and no clips on light fabric.
4. Charlie you toddler. 😂😂😂 i put 5 pins in my mouth ever since I started sewing. Well…
5. Hand sewing helps! Helps sewing my seams together so that my machine tacks them perfectly. 😊
6. I love my serger. I thread and rethread it like crazy. The one problem? Changing the needle. But it’s a great thing, got one (cheap, Aldi, 150 €) and it paid itself like in 2 months. I clean it very often, though. You still can do everything with the sewing machine and live without a serger.
6. Antique, vintage and fairly new machine fellow here. I sew with the vintage one heavy fabrics, the fairly new one does the most work (but I want a new one because my machines just go from 0 to 100 in 2 seconds and I like to be able to have a speed control one) and the antique just sits there like a princess. It’s cute and old.
7. Knits - ignorance is a bliss. I stayed so long away from them…why, I don’t know.
8. I am upset that I cut into a pattern and I see the cut but nobody else does and the dress turned up quite nice. I still wore it.
Kisses from Europe!
Team no-computer in my sewing machine here! My day job is in software and the LAST thing I want to do with my hobby time is to fight technology. My machine is definately in that middle land of not antique, not modern.
Another bonus of hand sewing if you are on a tight budget: you burn through fabric + supplies a LOT slower. Before I bought my machine I could spend all month working on one project. Depending on your personality, it could be frustrating because you want to hurry up and wear the garment, but it is perfect if you just enjoy the process and can't budget yards and yards of material.
Batching stuff!!! I do that all the time! I’ll even sew several projects at the same time that use the same colour of thread.
I don’t have space to have my iron near my sewing machine, so I do need to move in order to use it. I see that as a good thing, it’s my opportunity to get up and stretch.
Love batching things when possible!! Sometimes instructions are written in a strangely convoluted way 🤣
For the most part, I agree. HOWEVER... My current project is to turn a ton of 2 inch wide strips of fabric into a striped dress, and all of the seams are French seams. Since I'm using a woven cotton fabric, ironing each seam is an absolute necessity - and an absolute nightmare 😂😂
As someone who has swallowed a pin and is left having to be hyper aware of how close eating and sleeping happen to each other or if the food im eating is too acidic.... do not put pins in your damn mouth... I thought the same, but trust me when I tell you that the subtle decrease in quality of life is worse than death... when you're dead, you are dead and do not have the ability to care. You will very much care when you're uncomfortable because you ate something you now have to be mindful about because you swallowed a pin and it could have been avoided. Just get a magnetic wrist band or heck even stick a pad to your machine. Both better and just as easy as sticking pins in your mouth.
I wonder what age groups you get certain comments from? I am 72 years old so I learned to sew many many years ago and there were rules to sewing and you did it that way and only that way as we did many things in life at that time. It seems younger folks these days don't always follow rules that I couldn't break and their sewing or whatever is just fine.
@@colleenkelsick9476 Probably because most of us younger (hah, I'm 49) sewists weren't taught The Rules, I got half a semester in 8th grade that involved a sewing machine and I remember learning a few sewing skills but not how to read a pattern, not how to wash or prewash, not how to iron or press, and I genuinely don't remember if we were told not to sew over pins, I never did cause it seemed like an unecessary risk.
A bonus for not keeping pins in your mouth: no water stains on silk from accidentally getting spit on a pin...
I was taught not to put pins in mouth or sew over them at school, but this was in the Nordic countries a few decades back. My teachers were older ladies who had been taught to thread mark everything, and I do mean everything including sewing lines! I guess it was more haute couture/atelier style. They let us kids use pen marking though.
But yes, stricter on pin safety, also those school machines were abused enough without a bunch of teens trying to sew through metal pins, not to mention the risk of a student getting unlucky enough to win a trip to the ER/eye surgeon 😅
I was taught to sew by my mother (born in the 1950s) and grandmother (1920s), but never both together at the same time. They had *very* different viewpoints on both pins in mouths and sewing over pins(my mother did it, so small me did it too, until my grandmother saw me and hit the roof!) so now my "this is just so much faster and easier" brain gets frowned at by my "that's so dangerous!" brain. The things they both taught me stuck, though, like pre-wash fabric, do hems (unless fully top-stitched) and zips by hand and never, but NEVER, cut paper with fabric scissors. That and "never, ever, ever interrupt the counting", but that's a knitting/crochet thing 😂
I have never swallowed a pin, but I have pushed a pin two and half centimeter in my lip. It was painful. Especially the having to pull it out.
My kids in Kansas all took Home Ec classes. The 90's. Funny, teachers taught them how to make pillows, even though their Mom is a professional seamstress, sometimes a teenager needs a different teacher. They all learned (4) how to sew fleece jackets with me before they were six, and all my daycare kids sewed Japanese quilts from kimona fabrics. Children can easily run sewing machines, and they love it. I love you guys together, rock on!
As a 3 year old Mom had these pins with pretty coloured heads I mistook as sweets and swallowed half a dozen of them, I had to go for x-rays every other day until I passed the last one to make sure they did not turn around. I never put pins in my mouth ever because of that moment in my life.
I love sewing by hand, but then I started my sewing doing embroidery work onto many of my clothes.
I have a serger which my Mom gave me almost 40 years ago and it still works fine, many of my friends bring me theirs to me when it stops working so I can fix it for them.
I have one with the computer but it’s because I don’t need to use the foot peddle, it has a button that I can control the speed as I hate it when it runs away from you which would happen when I used the peddle because I have what is called drop foot, I cannot control my foot on the sewing machine because it’s over sensitive unlike the peddle of a car.
So many historical sewers have discovered there is no such beast as historically correct after they have bought a historical outfits and looked on the inside of the garments and seen the shocking work inside😹😹😹
I bought some sewing thread for doing gathering that just washes away as I hate pulling those threads out.
I don’t do back stitching as many seams are cross stitched, but I do hand finish all of my threads.
I like French seams as it’s neater than overlocking the seams to stop them from fraying. Yes I have an Overlocker but I love to fell my seams once finished as it looks so much neater inside as well as outside of the garment
I hate ironing I think that’s why for years I bought polyester clothing, but I hate getting zapped due to the constant buildup of the static electricity caused by polyester clothing. It’s why I am back to ironing my clothes and using natural fibers the seams need to be pressed. I have a baby steam iron that I bought years ago to go with my baby ironing board, it works just as well as a full sized steam iron. I use the baby steam iron at my sewing machine to press the seams open. It’s only when the garment gets to cumbersome at the machines baby ironing board that I then take it out to the adult ironing board.
I have found that if I am going to press an outfit after washing it I tend to use my baby steam iron as it gets into those tight places on the garment which a standard iron just cannot do. I tend to use both when ironing my clothes because by using both, the ironing of my clothes stopped being a hassle in the end.
I enjoyed both episodes of these chats they were both entertaining and full of great ideas. Thank you Ladies🤗🤗🤗
I had to stop using the multi color glass head pins because kittens kept trying to steal the pretty toy. Chasing kittens makes quilting slow, let me tell you.
The stuff about heat erasable vs washable pens reminded me of something. I don't think I've ever used either. I'll usually just use pins to mark everything, but if it really needs a precise line like that, I've often just use a normal graphite pencil. It'll wash out of most fabrics, erasers still work on it, and I don't have to go out and buy a fancy tool.
I've TOTALLY done that too!!!
I have a mechanical pencil next to my chalk pencil in my daily sewing basket. The snazzy heat erasable and water erasable are in the cabinet with the fabric. I pull them out when they will help on a project.
If I know I'm marking within seam allowances for matching or gathering marks or on mockups or linings, I use sharpie! I test for bleeding and sometimes even use them on the back of my final fabrics. Once they're dry, only alcohol will budge the ink and it can be a good use for the weird lighter colors in the sharpie multi-packs like yellow and light green.
I'm so glad Shannon took the chance in the iron discussion to point out how with disabilities you sometimes need accommodations, even in your hobby and it's about what works for you. It made me cry a little since recently my disabilities have made sewing really difficult for me.
You also both reminded me of why I'm subscribed to both of you when you were discussing how sergers were just not (financially) accessible to everyone. I do love to see financially conscious and thrifty craft youtubers.
1 Vintage machine + 1 industrial machine = paradise.
I have 10 vintage machines but I only have one out right now. It goes straight forward and straight back and it’s bulletproof and the control over the stitch is magnificent.
I have a similar combo: a 99k with lots of attachments and an 80s serger, both around £100 from eBay in perfect working order! It's the dream 🥰
My grandma LOOOOOOVED to iron :) Clothes, sheets, towels (!!!!) …. Whatever. When she ran out of stuff to iron, she’d go upstairs to my sister’s apartment and iron her stuff, lol.
ahhh, I think a fair few people in the comments would love to have your grandma come over and iron for them!
I'm a pre-washer because new fabric often smells a bit funky! (And I'm also a natural fibre user, so stuff is more likely to shrink). And I also chuck my clothes in at 40 degrees C and tumble dry.
Sewing over pins... my mum taught me to pin at right angles, so I can sew over pins, but my new machine (2020) is less happy about it than my old (1980 vintage full metal). SHe also taught me French seams, so it was very much "what's the big deal"? I do like enclosed finishes though (don't have a serger).
that's an interesting point, as I've also always sewn using vintage flavours of machine, so maybe that's why I've had better luck with it?!
@@ShannonMakes could well be! I often sew fine woven rayon/viscose, using size 60 needles, so try and be good about taking pins out! Less bothered if I'm using size 80s for less fine fabrics.
I used to hate hand sewing with a passion. But then I wanted to try EPP so I had to suck it up. And what I found is having the right needle, a decent quality one, not those cheapy mixed ones in the round plastic, of the right type and size, and the correct thread, along with a well fitting thimble and how to properly use the thimble (not the horrid metal ones) makes a whole world of difference, and now I really enjoy hand sewing.
I usually don't bother with a thimble (and when I do, I use the metal ones because that's what I find secondhand and I have one that fits really nicely that I love), but I have been doing lots of EPP lately --video on channel soon!!-- and I have also been loving it! But I think you're right that most people use the cheapy metal needles that are horrid, and that probably makes the process a lot more tedious!
A thimble makes hand sewing a thousand times easier; it's kind of annoying that it's hardly taught any more - I was taught to sew as a young child but didn't learn proper technique until I sought it out in my twenties! I like a metal thimble personally, but I just happen to have a thimble which fits me. The key with thimbles is to find the right one for the individual, and fortunately there are many types!
"Serged edges look unprofessional?" I bought a designer sweater *many* years ago (I think it was Ralph Lauren - on sale) and ALL the seams were serged. It was a lovely sweater.
Sergers were used in the "industry" for a lot of years before they came home.
You kinda just need to do that on jumper/sweater seams. A lot of the fabrics fray over time or a single straight stitch can pop because of the stretch stretch of the fabric. Overlocked seams are strong and stretch with the fabric.
The $60 serger I found on Craigslist, 15 years ago, is one of my best purchases. Love that thing.
YAY, two of my favs together at once! Thank you!
You're welcome
I use a ton of pins. As a result, I find them everywhere. Usually in my feet. I also use clips. But some things seem to require pins. I have a bodice pattern I made, that is so fiddly, it has to have a ton of pins. My best friend sews over her pins. She said there is a certain way to do it. I will not sew over pins, and tempt fate.
I love hand sewing. All of the clothes that I have made so far are hand sewn. You can take your projects with you if you are going to be waiting somewhere. But I just don't have the time anymore. So I am starting to learn my sewing machine. At least I know how to sew by hand if SHTF. 😆😆😆
Oh goodness. I'm a recent subscriber to both of you. Many decades ago, I majored in Home Economics. I learned everything the classical way, sewing through tailoring. For instance, we learned that ironing is needed to sculpt the fabric if one uses hams, sleeve rolls, etc. However, as I watch younger makers on You Tube who are reinventing sewing, I see so much joy. That's a good thing and a good trade off to classic clothing construction.
I learned to iron at the age of 5 (heavy supervise by my Mom). I think she figured out it might be "therapeutic" for her easily distracted middle child. I don't know if it was conscious or not, but she was right. I spend a lot of time at my ironing board (using it to cut out small pieces too). I think I pre-wash and iron new fabric because my mind can run wild with ideas while my muscle memory knows what it's doing, no instructions required. Also, Mom explained the advantages of the pre-wash and iron, based on the type and purpose of the fabric. She is still with me (her physical presence left at the age of 91 in 2020), whenever I'm in my creative space.
Do what you really feel people, and don't condemn those who don't feel the same. The best advice from Marjorie Kathleen (Kay) Walker -- born 1929.
Do you piece/quilt? Because that is a very ironing heavy hobby and very satisfying to create beautiful blocks, greatly aided by the step of ironing.
@@aksez2u I do not but Mom did some (paper piecing?) Not sure I would have the attention span and, unfortunately, definitely don't have the space--the reason I cut hand bag pieces at the ironing board. I might try it for a bag front to use up scraps so, thanks for the thought.
@@ruthkirkparick3535 There are ways to work around the limited space issue - Making smaller pieced projects is one of them. Best wishes on whatever you choose to do!
Clips are life changing for bag makers. I use them a lot but not for garment sewing.
that's interesting... I've made a few bags and never thought to use them, but (since I have them already), maybe I'll keep that in mind for the next bag!
My hot take after over 40 years of sewing: there are only two genuine errors (or "ur doin it rong") that always apply. The first is not pre-shrinking the fabric appropriately before laying out and cutting, and the second is not strictly adhering to the straight of grain when laying out on woven fabric. I have more than one sad tale to tell about the times I've ignored these two instructions.
Not pressing as you sew *can* be a universal error, but I'll say only on woven fabrics. I find it much less important, and sometimes a waste of time, on knits, but I don't sew with knits that often so I may just be lucky so far.
I suppose that choosing an inappropriate method for me to achieve my desired result could count as an error (for me) that one time, but my inappropriate method may be one that other people use effectively. For example, one of my friends produces beautiful bound buttonholes and so do I, but we use very different methods. She doesn't like my way and I don't like hers, but it does not bloody matter: both of us achieve good results.
I totally see where you're coming from, and if I was only talking to able-bodies, neuro-typical sewists, I'd generally agree. But it can definitely be a struggle though, for those with chronic illness/pain/ADHD/numerous other reasons why they have limitations on their time and energy; sometimes you just gotta get to the fun part of the making or else you'll never end up making at all. As long as you're happy enough to wear/use the final product, and it doesn't go to waste, I'm just happy you got to express your creativity, ya know?!
There are so many things that are fun to knit that I do not enjoy using or wearing. Those things get gifted because there is no way to know that I wouldn't enjoy them before making them
totally fair! Surprise presents!
That’s the perfect project to gift pipeline!
Two of my most favourite sewing/etc. people, agreeing on "following" hots, is exactly how I "find my people".
XOXO to you both.
love that, thank you!
I love these where you get together to discuss, I love you both. I agree, clip if it’s fat(bag making), pin if it’s slippy, no pins if it cotton just wiz it through. Finger press when you can but if it’s a collar/cuff it best for me to iron. I have put pins in my mouth all the years I’ve sewing, about 55 years. I have a hand crank and I have that instead of a heavy duty as it’s better and I use it for my tiny items for craft tables and my new computerised machine but there is also a lot of hand sewing as I enjoy that. There are no RULES, there is no longer the RIGHT way, for me , the right way is the way that works for me and that’s what satisfies me and makes me happy and I make most of my clothes now. Happy sewing ❤🇬🇧P.S. I love my serger and I can re-thread it. Wonderful machines, I wouldn’t be without one as I cut and sew some of my machine knits.
I don't like serged edges. Its one of the reason i often don't like store bought clothes. If i make my own clothes i always fell down the seams (mostly by hand, or if i can't for whatever reason by machine.)
But this isn't necessarily because i care about looks (tho i think felled seams look neater.) Its a sensory issue for me. My autism doesn't like the serged edges. Tgey feel bad and itchy on my skin. The felled ones are nice and flat and don't irritate my skin.
Plus the felled seams feel way sturdier than the surger seams. Even with washing they have yet to come undone on me.
So yes, i'd rather spent hours handfelling my seams than run my fabric under a serger, even tho i was gifted one second hand.
That’s an excellent point - I’ve heard many people say serged edges are a sensory problem for them, which totally makes sense! Gotta love that there are so many other cool ways to finish your seams!
This is the only acceptable reason to hate serged edges, sensory issues make total sense... ory... sorry... horrible pun...
I understand that some folks can't afford a serger, I got one for 60 bucks on Craigslist 15 years ago, that's the only reason I have one. But for someone to not like serged seams for aesthetic reasons... nah man.
I love the idea of taking my hand-sewing outside. Unfortunately, I first tried this in rural Ontario, Canada in May. The bugs were so bad, I think I got 3 stitches in before I gave up. 😂
I think where I live sewing outside is an autumn activity, once the bugs are gone.
Oh, I am the type of person that mosquitos LOVE (I always joke that I'm everyone else's bug repellant, because if I'm in the room, nobody else will get bit as they're all over feasting on me 🤣😭), but I love being outside stitching so much that I absolutely suffer for the pleasure! But yea, I feel your pain!
Nooooooooo I hate the mosquitos too. We’ve got specific times of year I can go outside - mid-summer, I will be eaten alive.
Light clothing and 2weeks of garlic before camping REALLY helps!!
"if anyone comments on that, you can just kick them"
Yesssssssssssssssss. Immaculate vibes.
I think there's a price point where a new machine is better than a vintage one. Mid-low range heavier duty but not fancy stitch machines are brilliant. I have a brother A16 and I love it.
Thanks for the fun chatting, great company as I ironically ironed and sewed my French seams of my wearable mockup (to become underskirt)... I am also team 'hand felling is fun, but prefer machine stitching the straight! I love that you guys acknowledged that sewing 'truths' are so subjective and you should really just take the parts that make you happy and let other people sew the way they want to! Thanks ladies!
6:28 thrifted fabric can have bedbugs - I’ve got them from buying from value village before; apparently they can spread through the whole store at a terrifying pace. That may be why this person said they only prewash thrifted fabrics.
11:04 thank you for the spoonie recognition ❤ it’s so hard to get things done with fatigue.
22:07 I really love your take on hand sewing and personality types. It’s such an overlooked portion of the conversation.
31:40 I actually agree, serged edges look like cheap fast fashion. That said, they’re on the inside, so… as y’all said - kicking. XD My big complaint is mostly from a sensory point - it can get uncomfortable.
36:44 I have a brother machine, no computers. Works a treat. It’s made it through a jean duvet project. I don’t know how, but it just works for the most part, now that I know how the thing works.
42:16 I love the term “fussy cutting” and will be stealing this now kthx x3
Great video you two. :3
Oh the joy of having someone acknowledge in such a matter of fact way the problems of being a spoonie. ❤
I love Fridays when I can visit with you both!
🥳🥳🥳
On my sewing journey I have learned the following.....
Pressing and ironing are two different things
Pressing is a up down movement. Pressing sets seams and helps to create 3D shape. Ironing gets rid of wrinkles. If you" iron" your cut pieces while sewing you risk stretching out fabric.
Re Prewash- Besides the shrinkage and chemical removal aspect - Prewash also helps with the distortion that can happen to fabric on the bolt- it helps your finished garment look as it did when you finished it- no twisted pant legs after the first wash etc. This is for both knit and woven materials.
I must admit that I put pins in my mouth too but I have started trying to not do it because I met a woman whose sister ended up in surgery because she inhaled for either a sneeze or hiccup and ended up with a couple pins down her throat. I love this discussion Thank you Ladies!!
Every time a pin is hit by a machine needle, the needle bar gets pushed up and by increments eventually will cause the timing to be off on the machine: skipped stitches, boogered up bobbin thread, etc. There are ways to pin the work so that the foot breezes past the pins without touching them when the pins are applied parallel (pins stuck in lengthwise instead of perpendicular) to the seam being sewn. A zipper foot can be used along with parallel pinning can be especially helpful should the pins have large heads. Personally, I find that I pin more when a good amount of time has passed since haven sewn a project, but after being "back in the saddle," I normally do no use that many pins. Then, there is basting. When I worked as a tailor's assistant, we basted everything, usually standing up. As the assistant, I BASTED, LOL, for the tailor. I did it standing using a needle threaded from a huge spool of basting thread (100% cotton). The thread was on a large spindle, and so the thread was pulled through the fabric and rolled off of the spindle and was only cut after the basting pass was done. Honestly, avoiding hand sewing is OK for casual clothing, but if one wishes to make something couture, there has to be some hand sewing involved. I still use the padding stitch when making lapels and holding interfacing into place. There is so mush involved with hand sewing that a machine simply cannot do. BTW, older machines rock, and pattern matching is so frickin' important. Nothing like cheapening up the effort made on a project by slip shod pattern matching. Wisdom in purchasing fabric to avoid wasting fabric, but having said that, what is more wasteful? A piece of fabric or YOUR precious time on Earth as a maker? Donate your leftover scraps. Don't use "soap" lead/heat erasable pens on silk. It is just a white or colored wax and it will leave a grease stain.
I use my machine for the bulk of my historical dress. I only hand sew the parts that are going to look visibly different if done by hand. Too much carpal tunnel syndrome to hand sew the whole thing! Plus, it would take me a year to finish a single garment because I'm so slow at hand sewing.
There's a story of a woman who inhaled a pin, it got infected in her lung tissue and she had to have it removed through her back ribs. She was a professional seamstress working in a theatrical production. And just had an accident. Its something i try to train my students out if doing. There are wrist pincushions and things like that. Its personal choice but i would rather not engage in something preventable
I choke on air. Absolutely nothing. So I am not going to stick a pin in my mouth. I do forget sometimes, but I try very hard to be mindful.
This exactly. I did almost inhale a pin but was able to cough it up into my throat and swallow it from there (couldn't cough it out).
This was the most entertaining RUclips I've ever seen! I was talking and laughing out loud!!
My spiciest sewing hot take is more of a fabric care hot take: unless the fabric has Never Been Washed Before and dye leaks are a concern (or it's a white outer layer I guess), you don't actually have to sort your laundry by colour. Sort by fabric weight instead, and wash with cold water.
I broke a machine needle sewing over pins once! It made a very scary 'crunch' noise and I thought I'd broken the machine and was going to have to get little shards removed from the bobbin area or something - this was not the case, but now I try to remove the pins instead of sewing over them. I don't always remember, but I try.
Pins in my mouth scare me because of a (possibly fake) picture I saw of an x-ray where someone had inhaled the pin and it was in their lung.
Benefit of hand-sewing: easier to do while watching videos on the computer! Or listening to the radio, or chatting with friends. Machines are great but the motors can be loud.
I saw a really nice plaid jacket once, where the horizontal stripes matched up Perfectly across the shoulders, and the spacing of the vertical stripes was such that they made nice triangles where the sleeves met the back.
My oldest sister was part of a quilting group. She really liked the quilting process, sandwiching the layers together and attaching it all, but the piecing of the quilt tops was kind of 'meh' for her, so she teamed up with friends who really liked the piecing stage but weren't crazy about the quilting stage, and they did projects together.
I 90 percent sew on linen. French seams a must (because of raveling) but you can finger press everything, even on a tailor's ham. I love the softness of linen. But I also don't care about wrinkles that much. Linen used to be starched. I'm old enough that I have my original machine that I won in a raffle in 1976, a Bernina (low end) with a coupon to upgrade. I just needed straight stitch and zig zag. I was a costumer (still am) and that machine sews on everything, and easy to repair. I love hand sewing, but I usually sew a garment as much as possible on the machine and then do details including embroidery later. I love all the hand smocking and pleating and fun stuff you can do by hand. I hate ironing with a passion and I try to use every scrap of fabric, often piecing belts together and facings and collars. I also don't use patterns or make patters or use much in the way of pins, but I've been sewing for 50 years.. I do some draping, but mostly the size of the fabric dictates what I can make with it. I do a lot of remakes, repairs, and over-dying. When I really don't like something it goes up at my Etsy store. And yes, i had to take Home Ec. I was made because I knew how to cook and sew and I wanted to take Shop, but girls weren't allowed to take shop. So when I started making my own furniture, it was pretty funny!
I really enjoyed the discussion about hand-sewing specifically, as for me, I'm the opposite of you two. I've tried embroidery before and didn't really stick to it (although I think I would enjoy it more now) and it was because for me it felt quite useless. Whereas when stiching a sem, I'm kind of amazed to see the thing taking shape as I sew, and knowing how useful these stiches will be when wearing the garnement make me so happy. For this reason, but also because of the stitch, I find backstiching seams more satisfying than finishing them or felling hems ^^
Also, I realized that for me, the machine was what was being "between me and creating" (love this quote). I've used one for years so I'm not exactly new but still, learning how to choose stitch length, type, feet, needle is not something I ever really did and it feels a lot. Plus there's still a possibility that I will make a mistake that will ruin my seams or worse, the machine that's not even mine. Hand-sewing eliminates all these issues: I picked a linen thread for hand-sewing, some wax and what seemed like a reasonably sized needle like recommanded by historical costumers, very quickly learned two stiches and I was ready to go. And if you don't have a sewing space, you don't have the taking the machine out part which to me is also a lot. Unfortunatly I want to sew knits as well, so I'll have to figure out those machine things but as for (think) woven fabrics, I don't think I'll ever use the machine much 😅
Comments are funny. I tell you one thing, I was a professional tailor. Apprenticed, went to school for masters. And I can tell you it doesn’t matter how you do it as long as you love it and the outcome looks the way you want. I put needles in my mouth, and taught my grandson to never do it. We both are still alive 🤣. I iron and pre wash, I don’t like my clips. In the end it really doesn’t matter. I find people who feel the need to correct others are often not the ones we should listen to in the first place. You do you actually is a thing.🥰
As someone who is disabled, and has had very spotty instruction, I am very much in the camp of 'if it works for you, do it that way'. As an example, whenever I have to hand sew something, I use quilt basting needles because that's what works for me.
Similarly, I always pre-wash because I am sensitive to a lot of the sizing that are used in fabrics, and I am ultra sensitive to the scented candles that most fabric stores also carry. I have to do a lot of processing on my fabrics, getting all that smell out before I can really work with them. They have to air out for a while, then sometimes they need a vinegar soak or spritz. If that doesn't get everything, it can take multiple washings, or hanging them out in the sun. Its a lot. I am somewhat envious of those who can use fabric straight off of the bolt.
I kind of like ironing, as long as it isn't a larger piece of fabric, but it can be tiring if I am having a bad joint day and my back forgets how spines are supposed to work. I really like the idea of putting the board down within reach of your chair. I'm not sure if I can set up my space to do that, but I might give it a try. Thank you for the idea!
Jumping onto the pins vs clips thing, I cannot use clips because of how my fingers work, but I do use straight pins. If I need to hold the edge of something together, but won't take being poked together very well (extra thick material that won't lay flat or stuff that will get damaged) I actually use bobby pins. You can get huge packs of them for super cheap, so using as many of them as you want/need is easy! There's only been a few times where I've had them accidentally move on me, and they were very easy to put back. They are also magnetic, so if you use a magnetic tray for your pins, you can stick a few into there as well if you want. In the very rare cases where those are not enough, I'll use short but wide clothespins, but that's generally for making thicker crafts or repairing stuff. It weirdly seems like people have forgotten that cheap clothespins exist and are getting more expensive plastic clips for things.
I've had a few project pieces which were difficult to handle until I used alternating straight and bobby pins. I was trying to make a bag strap out of something that was stiff and didn't want to stay folded nicely. The straight pins kept the layers together, and the bobby pins kept them pinched down. It worked great!
My grandmother sewed over pins. There's a family story about a dress she made for me for xmas when i was about 3. I only wore it once bcus she'd missed a couple and there was no convincing small me that the dress was safe
oh nooooo!! 🤣😭
I once got a quilt finished and bound, and I had to spend the day before gifting it (grandparents 50th, squares by each child and grandchild) working 5 pins out to seams and wiggling them out.
Now I pull them as I sew and fling them in the direction of the magnetic pincushion.
G'day, @TheStitchery and @ShannonMakes!! LOVED this (and loved Part 1 as well). Quick thoughts - sewing over pins, heck yeah, as long as you understand how to do it safely. Ironing board next to sewing machine - another heck yeah ... when I was learning to sew, we had the sewing machine ON the ironing board (because there was nowhere else to put it!! LOL), so I had the machine AND the iron plugged in and going simultaneously!! French seams - learn how to do ALL the seams, over time, then use the ones that you LIKE and that WORK for your project - the same goes with machine sewing -v- hand sewing. You do what gives YOU joy!! Love both of your channels/content.
Regarding pre-ironing: I was pre-ironing fabric for purse linings... And realized that there was enough of the pretty fabric for a nice skirt.
I pulled out a '70's polyester sheet for the purses.
You're both so kind and generous; it's wonderful.
I took home ec, back in the early '80s -- we also took wood/metal shop. The only things we sewed were stuffed animal pillows, but they were cute and used a variety of sewing skills.
I sew over pins. I use fine pins and although I end up with some bent, the only time I've broken my needle was on bigger pins. Even then the needle was still caught on the thread, so it didn't go anywhere.
And anyone who's scared of French seams needs to go look at a Hong Kong finish. That's intimidating.
I’ve sewn for close to 60 yrs, pins, I vary between pulling them, sewing over them (if they are perpendicular to the sewing machine needle generally works) and I put them between my lips to hold them and I’m still alive. 😊 I alternate between pins and clips depending on what I need. Then at times I don’t use either. No fast and hard rule whatever works for you.
I’m younger than both of you, and I did have a home economics class (though it was called something else) in middle school. Whether it’s removed from the school curriculum is 100% a regional thing.
We mostly focused on cooking and planning for the future, with one or two units each on sewing, date etiquette, childcare, table setting, etc.
Our sewing unit was a project where we stitched together a stuffed animal head, with large, simple shapes, and learned to sew the border, leave a gap and put in the stuffing, then sew up the gap. This project is still going strong afaik, because my younger brother was taught it just last year.
I don’t like hand sewing, like I can’t even stand sewing on my binding. But then I found mobile quilting I.e. quilting I could do anywhere, aka epp, I adore it! I’ve almost finished my entire first epp quilt and I’ve enjoyed it so much and I’m so proud of all my work and just all around a wonderful hand sewing experience.
I also just started my EPP and have been having quite a lot of fun (but I already loved hand sewing and already brought my projects all over the place with me 🤣)
I especially enjoyed the vintage vs new conversation. About 12 years ago, my 2 vintage machines (60 & 80 years old) died. I couldn't find replacement parts. My husband bought me a lower end Kenmore. I was totally shocked by how far the technology had come. I find it easier and more convenient to use. So, I have been all over the place with my opinions and preferences when it comes to sewing machines. I refuse to buy a serger due to the cost and hassle of learning to use it. But, I do have clips and love using them. I also use pins and yes, I put them in my mouth. Nobody has died here either.😉 I used to sew over my pins as that was how I was taught. But don't anymore. It freaks me out when my needle hits one. I use hand sewing as a secret weapon. When things get fiddley I break out the needle and thread. If you couldn't tell, I really enjoyed this topic and video. Thank you
you're welcome
I enjoyed eavesdropping on this conversation so much. I was actually making shorts for my daughter while I listened to you both. I kept clicking pause every time I knew I was going to run my sewing machine or serger, then unpaused for all the quiet parts of sewing like cutting or ironing. I just about have the shorts finished.
It's interesting to hear all the different viewpoints on different aspects of sewing. I'm of the belief of "whatever works for you", except for the pins in the mouth. I have three daughters and I would never let them hold pins in their mouth, but I was always a slightly paranoid mom who was afraid to let my daughters walk anywhere on their own too. They were also nearly full grown before I would let them strike a match by themselves. Now I'm going to Shannon Makes to hear the other part.
I'm Gen X and we had a plethora of Home Economics classes in my highschool, including separate sewing and clothing construction classes, by the next generation those classes had all been removed. Love the hot takes! Off to watch part 1❤
i'm gen z and i was lucky enough that my middle school had a home ec class! i made a pair of pajama pants in that class that i still wear to this day :^)
Hope you enjoy part one equally!
@@ShannonMakes I did!! Liked and subscribed!!!
Ironing forces me to get up and stretch. I will use clips for slippy fabric but that is usually it. Got my serger from Goodwill (website) almost 10yrs ago and it's going strong. Gen X here and we had home economics however it was only "available" to students on the trade track. If you were on the college prep track there was no way to fit in any of the trade classes. I really wanted to take a couple of trade classes.
I got lucky, in the 70s, when I was in Jr high out progressive district made everybody take half a year of home ec, and half a year of shop.
Now, no one gets anything
I did have home economics in public school in 2010, it was one quarter of the year so we really didn't dive into anything but we had a sewing class! We made stuffed animals, I didn't retain anything about sewing at all but here I am years later learning on my own!!
When it comes to overlock machines, nice to have, not necessary all the time. But if you do purchase one, get an air threader, they can even air thread the needle. Also learn how to do the decorative stuff with it , lots more fun
I mean I always felt surged edges were the cheap way out cause Ive always had them fall apart on me in my purchased clothing.
This has more to do with companies cheaping out by making the length of the serged stitch as long as they possibly can with the garment still staying together in transport. They really do not care how many wears/washes we as a consumer get. I absolutely dread fucking up a serged seem as most times it won't come apart after I've sewed it.
I agree on serged edges in bought clothing, but I use a serger at home and utterly dread having to rip a seam. Serged edges are a nightmare to undo. I messed up a serge seam yesterday and spent nearly 45 mins unpicking the darn thing, and it was equivalent to the length of a small toddler's t-shirt.
fully agreed with the big box brands just cheap-ing out on every step of the process, cuz my surged seams are pretty darn tough!
I had Home Economics class in school! My freshman year of HS (1884). We spent the first semester doing all things cooking, healthy meal planning, and family budgeting and the second semester was EVERYTHING sewing. From choosing fabrics to go with certain patterns, how to read , customize and design our own patterns, all the types of seaming and altering for the perfect fit, to changing out notions (zipper to buttons etc) and changing out sleeve types, pockets etc to troubleshooting the solutions when things go awry. We spent every class of the semester sewing on our individual projects with the final exam being a fashion show in which we had to model a garment we made during the semester. I learned SOOO MUCH in that class that zI wouldn't have otherwise, because my mother struggles to sew on a button.
That sounds like an amazing class - more of that please!!
I think a lot of the discussion about sewing machines, and which ones are best, is highly individual. There are people who could not - would not - touch a modern one with a 10 foot pole. And others are firmly in the camp of give me all the stitches and options. I upgraded from a Singer Fashion Mate (the green one) to a newer Janome, because it was important to me that it have all the features like up/down needle, thread cutter, etc. I however only made the jump when the old one was becoming a bit of a barrier to what I wanted to do - neater stitches, more consistency, free motion quilting, speed etc, and I also wanted a quieter machine so I wouldn't need to wear headphones all the time to listen to stuff while I sew. Lots of people don't want the modern stuff, and that's perfectly fine.
But I will say, for a beginner, the less options the better, the lower the price (or barrier to entry) the better. For someone perhaps picking up a new hobby, or coming back to it after a while, I would not recommend the investment into the newer / more feature heavy machines until the actual machine becomes the barrier to what you want to do. You also don't really know what machine is going to align to your individual needs until you've gotten through a few projects and have established your way of doing things.
I so agree - I was using my desire for a fancy machine or an antique machine as that barrier to entry back in the day, when all I needed was a simple, inexpensive one to get me going!
Lol...clips have been life changing for me. I am an office supply geek, and it transferred over to sewing notions. I love sewing notions! I use wonder clips for some things and pins for other things; each has its super power. I'm definitely not a minimalist when it comes to sewing notions. Some tools make the job sooo much easier and/or quicker.
lol that's so funny, because I've had them for years and have never found a good use for them other than sometimes on bindings! To each their own! 🥰🥰🥰
What this boils down to is: know the rules. You don’t have to follow them. That’s what is frustrating about this conversation. We should encourage knowing the rules and learning as many skills as possible. We need to take ourselves out of boxes.
This was a super fun discussion and I honestly feel like everything covered is situational. There are times when it makes sense to do one thing rather than another. Examples: clip rather than pin, say if you're sewing leather. Pins leave holes. Clips may leave marks though, so do what works for you. Pins in mouth? Only my own, and never when draping a client. Sew over pins? Only if I'm going really slowly or hand-cranking, because it would screw up the seam if I pulled the pin out before the area is sewn. Pin or don't pin? I rarely pin straight seams. Anything else, I pin because I need the extra help. Press or don't press? I press everything because I'm sewing mostly woven fabrics and pressing helps, IMHO. Because I am a spoonie (love that you mentioned this, Shannon - thank you!), I also have a tiny iron and a pad that I can swap out for my sewing machine without leaving the table. French seams? Love them because I hate frayed edges inside a garment. Even serging the edges is problematic for me. Its a sensory thing. Everything has to be soft or I'll never wear it. Historical garment creation? That's mostly what I sew and I always call it "historically inspired" because I will always use a sewing machine and the tools that get the job done as quickly as possible. I'd only hand sew something if it were for re-enacting or for teaching a historical technique. I have more ideas but my sewing machine is calling :) Thank you both. Love your channels and all you do.
I sewed over pins and now my new machine won’t sew a decent straight stitch even after I’ve had it in to be fixed twice! Since then I’ve started sewing by hand and I’m amazed how many little projects I’ve been able to finish because I can take it anywhere or do sitting with my hubby watching TV. Loved both of these videos and hearing that my finagaling when I sew is ok!!
that is absolutely one of the benefits of hand sewing. My roommate even naps sometimes when I do it because she finds the sound of the needle and thread to be soothing!
I'm in my mid thirties and took home ec (and woodshop) in middle school, and we did cover sewing. (My handheld phone - but not cellphone because it was too early for that - pillow is still floating around somewhere...)
Edit: Also I'm team hand-sewing, but for a secret third reason - I have way more control that way, where machine sewing always has some aspect of "Jesus take the wheel" to it. 😅
I'm jealous you got to do home ec and woodshop. I would have taken both, but my school didn't have either class.
yea, I also love the control that hand sewing gives, but I use it mostly in tight corners or where precision is demanded!
I have to go back and forth between rooms to iron and sew. I LOVE getting my steps in!
I have been sewing for a long time. I agree with you both, you use the tools and techniques that work best for you. I try not to sew over pins but sometimes it happens. I have never broke a needle sewing over pins, but I sewed my index finger twice and 😂 I was more worried about the blood stains on the fabric than the 4 stitches on my finger 🤪.
If someone is close enough to see your seams a) they better have your consent and b) they should be more interested in you than your seams!
The more I sew the more I realise that learning things helps you to decide if your current project needs it or not. And knowing more doesn't mean you sew faster!
I'm team pressing (it isn't ironing!!) it will make the project easier and tiny iron makes it so must easier to do!
I have so many thoughts about that episode! Firstly, what a great episode! Made me reminisce back to when I first learned to sew, home economics in 1975! We were so lucky to have those amazing teachers back then! I did some supply teaching a couple of years ago at a high school and was shocked that the students didn't have the same opportunity to learn crafting like I did. I asked several students if they were offered a class (or even a club) where they could learn how to sew on a button or hem a pair pants and they overwhelmingly were excited about something like that. Definitely a need for it! I started learning on a treadle sewing machine that my dad bought me at an auction sale and I have to say it was hands down my favourite sewing machine. I also loved my first electric Singer that only sewed straight and zig zag but what a workhorse it was, it sewed through everything including leather. I have a "computerized" sewing machine now that I love but quite frankly I'm a little afraid of it. My husband bought it for me and it was expensive and I'm terrified that I will break something on it. And really the majority of the time I only use straight and zig zag anyway. Again loved the show, Shannon and Charlie are my go to girls and it was great seeing you both together!
Forgot to mention that fussy cutting when you quilt is for a specific type of quilting such as "I Spy" or hexagon quilts, I don't think I've ever done it and I've made alot of quilts. Besides isn't one of the reasons women quilted was to make something from scraps? Creating unnecessary scraps in the process kind of defeats that purpose!
Glad you had fun, thanks for watching!!
I learned most of my sewing skills in home economics class grade 7-12, here's a rundown of what a project looks like: Wash & dry fabric, but I hate ironing the yardage (I do it anyways), pin patterns pieces down, in case I need to stop before cutting, I don't sew over pins, 1) I've had a few brake and fly into my face 2) I've heard / think that when you hit a needle while sewing over them it bends the needle and puts the 'timing out' on your machine and then needs servicing. I iron seams depending on the fabric, otherwise I just finger press where another seam will cross. I tie my ends even if I backstitch. I will match stripes and very obvious patterns, but other patterns doesn't matter to me. I love my serger for knit fabric, zigzaging on a regular machine just didn't work for me, the seams always broke. I agree with everything you both have said especially if a technique stops you from doing something, find another way that works for you.
I find ironing therapeutic and when I learned to sew it was the “law” to press as you sew. I also got in the habit of washing my woven fabric as soon as I brought it home. This video was so enjoyable. The sewing habit that I find irritating is interfacing, I do it but under protest. Thank you
I absolutely LOVE French seams…. 😊
I had a home ec class in the ‘70’s. By the time I had it I had been sewing, cooking etc for years. (Thanks Mom and thanks Dad for having me prepped for shop). These classes were only introductory and taught basics like sewing a button on or measuring ingredients. I was bored but some people struggled. They were mandatory for both girls and boys.
Both were mandatory in the later 90s still! It also included balancing your checkbook and putting a condom on a banana!! And washing dishes. Ha. The most useful class most of us took in HS.
Awesome that yourself and Shannon Makes have had a yarn/ collab together. Love her videos as well. Shannon's true self is Beautiful, not too many who are in the amazing shape she's in have things like accessibility enter their minds. I was handy to half century before purchasing a serger love. If other hands are sizing up your seams they are too nosy lol.
At the end of the day it’s your sewing you own it do what you want, I iron I sew over pins, I use clips I glue zips before sewing for me it works you do you.
I use a watercolor pencil or a #2 pencil to mark lines. For all fabric and thread projects 😂
And seam finishing is so subjective, what fabric, what garment, what fit, what end use you've got in mind. Just do what feels the most pleasant on your body
Me too, I have fancy Taylor's Pencils and stuff, but I just use a normal Pencil most of the time.
And more often than I care to admit I just use any Pen lying around.😂
I just jabbed myself with a pin while watching this video. I only use pins when I have to hold fabric together away from the edge, or for zippers, etc. I love my little clips!
19:53 Love hand sewing! I hand sew a hem so much better then when I machine sew a hem. The hem of my thirteen yard skirt for my haunted house costume is all hand sewn. I also use a size 10 quilting needles for hand sewing.
26:34 I have never used a surfer. I don't even and understand them.
For me it's blanket stitch 🥰 I got into hand sewing last year (I live in a car so machines are out), and I think it's mostly because it's just the first non-running-stitch I tried a lot and got good at ... but I could just do miles of blanket stitch! I always like to have a medium or large project going that requires feet of it.
I also love overengineering for durability, so blanket stitch is optimal for that in many cases where faster stitches would admittedly probably be good enough. But I'm happy to overcomplicate a project by using it where it takes way longer for no reason besides enjoyment XD
I also love my complex embroidery projects, and doing lots of inventive construction-heavy 3D stuff for my carhouse or whatever, but many evenings I just want to chillax and do nice small even repeating simple stuff. It's so satisfying.
I appreciate the mention of Chronic Fatigue. I have to clear a surface one day, rest a day and then set up to hopefully iron...unless somebody else has found and filled the clear surface...
I only really hand sew to mend things. And honestly, mending has been so fun. I learn something new with each fabric and situation. I don't get so frustrated with wanting to finish a project sooner. I get to use my loved stuff longer. Highly recommend mending even if you never want to make your own stuff!
I learned to sew with the pins in and till now never broke a needle on them.
What a great idea getting a travel iron ❤ I can't iron because it hurts my hands 🥄
Give it a try, I really love mine, and it works super well (mine has a steam function, with many travel irons don't, so I'd recommend verifying that if it's a feature you'd use)!
I put pins in my mouth or in the front of my shirt - I've never forgotten them in my mouth but frequently go out with them still in the front of my shirt!
I love hand sewing hems and finishing touches.
I love the "spoonie" comment! It made me giggle. I also have a tiny iron like Shannon, and it makes it much easier to iron seams with a small iron especially in a small space. I've heard horror stories about pins (like someone hiccups while holding a pin in their mouth) so I made a magnetic pin holder because I can't be bothered to use a pincushion, and I'm very prone to hiccups. It took that specific scenario though to convince me to stop holding them in my mouth. As for the serger tie on, I only tie the lower loopers, and of those 2 only one is because it's a pain in the butt to re-thread. the others are super easy to rethread, and the needles aren't worth tying on because it's faster to just rethread them.
Home Ec class... only one sewing items in mine and it was worthless. The teacher had us use patterns, but no techniques taught to alter, so almost none of us had shorts that fit. The only good thing I learned from that class was to make a good omelet.