If you want to up your sewing game this year join me and a community of other like minded sewists at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/ as I'd love to have you in class!
I taught myself to sew when I was in 6th grade--before I had any home-economics classes in 7th grade. I have been an avid sewest ever since. I am now 65 years old and still learning new stuff all the time. And I still make mistakes. Recently I drafted a pattern for a pull over blouse. Cut it out from upcycled shirt fabric. When I tried to put it on my dress form I realized that the fit was spot on, but it was to snug to pull on over my head. I didn't want to toss it out. So I picked the seam out on one side and added a side zipper. Shirt fits and pulls on now. I went back and corrected the drafting mistake on my pattern before making another blouse. You're never too old, or to experienced at sewing to make mistakes. I have made many garments that have some unique features that are actually covering up a boo-boo. Applique patches, ribbons, and ric-rac are nice things to have around for covering up "oopsies".
Many skill can be practiced prior to tackling the final garment. In addition to making a mock-up, you can practice things like button holes, zippers, narrow hems on scrap fabric. I always use scraps of the fabric I’m going to use for my garment to test the needle, tension, and figure out the best setting for button holes because every fabric has its own temperament.
Whenever I feel like sewing, but don't want to start a whole new garment, I practice techniques. I got samples of every stitch on my sewing machine with every possible setting (including button holes), different pockets types, all kinds of bindings and hem treatments in different widths... samples of different interfacings on different fabric types... it's an invaluable resource.
I find it's important to pace myself. I generally have the finished product in mind but when I can slow down and focus more on each step I make fewer mistakes.
Yes! This is the lesson I’m learning right now. I don’t realize how much time it will take to go through the whole process, I think and plan for much less time then I get frustrated and try to rush to meet my own imaginary deadlines. Then when I make a colossal mistake i find I avoid my sewing room. So my. Urgent sewing mantra is “Pace Yourself”.
I've been Sewing for 40+ years and still make often silly mistakes... im learning all the time. My big tip for mistake is let it hang before you hem... too often I've been in a rush and forget (accidentally on purpose) to let circle skirts (including A-line) for 24 to 48 hrs then remark the hem... fabric stretches!
Fear of making mistakes is the #1 problem I hear people say is the reason they haven't started sewing. This is such a wonderful video to help address those fears and help them get started! Thank you so much!
I had a breakthrough some months ago, on the design to body shape question. Instead of looking at fancy clothes, or TV actresses and models, I looked at people who are shaped the same as I am and if I like their clothes and how it's sat. This is of course a very basic idea that should be built up from. I also realized I'm not 18 anymore.
I stay-stitched when I first started sewing, and will do so occasionally still, when I can tell the fabric needs it. IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER - ALWAYS - STAY STITCH. However, a few times due to fitting problems, waistbands/necklines have become stretched. I simply do large gathering type stitches, on the stitching line, and draw it up. Pretty much identical to inserting a fitted sleeve cap, but easier.
No fabric in my house ever gets thrown out even if I make a terrible mistake (and I make lots of them). A skirt cut too short can become a curtain for a small window, pot holders, part of a quilt or throw pillow, etc. Even sheets, blankets, towels, tablecloths, and napkins can become something else. I once took a bunch of old clothes and curtains and made a huge, patchwork, patio table umbrella. Thank you for another great video. I just love this channel.
You have helped me a great deal! I am currently relearning how to sew. After not sewing for many years and then dealing with an aneurysm rupturing in my brain I have learned a lot about sewing from your videos.
Some patterns come with suggestions on where you can add or subtract fabric for fitting purposes. Definitely read through all the info it gives you at least once before starting so you'll have an idea when you'll need to do those things. Or where to look on your completed piece if you need to alter it. I'll sometimes grab patterns specifically because they have a list of alters possible so I'm not having to figure it out myself.
Wish I'd heard your advice on choosing an "easy" pattern before signing up for a pricey in-person class to sew my first dress! The pattern was "Advanced Beginner," and I asked the folks at the store about my skill level since I had sewed a non-zero amount of items before. They thought I would do well NOW I realize there were too many new "things" in that pattern. My first one was totally the wrong size, didn't even know what a toile was, I gave that to my sister. My second one technically fits me but it didn't hold up in the wash so it's been sitting in my mending pile. This was all very valuable experience, but it would have been even more valuable and more fun if I had chosen a dress pattern that was "easy" by your definition. Easy meaning, according to what "things" I personally already had done before, not just what I "knew" how to do in theory. Evelyn you are a treasure!!
What I'm too scared to make something for myself I make something for my niece instead. Which is a whole other nightmare because she can grow an inch in a month.
Awww Madeline 🥰 Thankyou for your kind words. I'm just so happy to hear that it didn't deter you, you've just taken your lessons and excited on how to do better next time. This is what will make you a good sewist! 😀
I enjoy your content so much. I have been sewing for nearly 60 years (WOW! I started with embroidery and Barbie clothes at about 8 years old) and still I pick up things to work a new way, new tools to make life easier, or am reminded of things I had forgotten about or put aside. We can always learn something new or refresh ourselves in our lives as *sewists*.
A favour you can do yourself if you're tackling a pattern that is stretching your skills a bit is to make the mock-up in a plain, light-coloured fabric. Then do the "final" version in a busy pattern. Plain fabric shows every crooked, puckered or wavy seamline, every little unwanted tuck in a set in sleeve, every slightly "not dead level" buttonhole, pocket and so on (and on, and on, and on...). And that's really handy when you're trying to get master a skill. A busy fabric for the final version will camouflage a multitude of mistakes so even if whatever you're making doesn't turn out as polished and professional as you're striving for you're still likely to be happy wearing it or giving it.
I just walked away from my project to figure out how to fix a mistake... and here you are. I've actually figured out my solution while I made a little snack, but I do love the synchronicity anyway!
I think I’m an almost intermediate sewist now and it’s taught me patience and acceptance of mistakes and the beauty and wisdom of mistakes. Also the value of persistence and staying calm and collect during all of this.
Sewing is so fun, yet so discouraging at the same time. It looks so easy on tutorials, but something always goes wrong when I try it. Thank you so much for your helpful videos! You are the sweetest! Much ❤️ from the USA!
I started sewing (or trying to) at ahe of 13... never took classes and gave up after so many disapointing garments that wouldn't fit. Because I didnt adapt the pattern, I didn't chose the right fabric and I didn't habe all these little tricks i sewing. I got an old Pfaff machine from my granny from 1956, gave it a full restauration and started again. With videos on the little sewing tricks, right tooling, and I took classes for pattern making/alterations. And it worked!!! I didn't bought any garnment in 2021, I sew it all myself and it looks as I want it! Soooo satisfying!
I had stopped sewing for 10 years. And I have been reteaching myself how to sew for almost 2 years now, and learning how to tailor at the same time. And I think I've about figured it out. And you have been a big help, I honestly should probably watch more of you then I do.
For me, the biggest mistake is rushing! I have the project in mind, I am passionate about it, I can't wait to get to it, and then I almost never take care to really pace myself. I end up making thoughtless mistakes, and end up frustrated, all because I was just way to eager! Now I try to check myself and if I feel I am getting almost a bit giddy, I make myself take a whole day break. It feels uncomfortable in the short run, but makes the whole proces so much satisfying!
These are all spot on. I still have trouble picking patterns that will look good on me, though I’ve gotten a bit better over the years. I have also learned the hard way about choosing the right fabric for the pattern. My biggest struggle now is sizing it correctly for me. My brain just has a hard time translating the measurements on the pattern to my correct size with the right amount of ease.
I’m almost finished with my first sewing project in over 30 years. Its a vintage-looking jumpsuit with an invisible zipper. I’ve made so many mistakes but consider then as opportunities to relearn the art of sewing. Needless to say my seam ripper stays close at hand. I’ve spent many hours on RUclips researching techniques and even to just remember sewing terms. I am So glad I found this channel I feel like you’re speaking to me at just the right time.
I wish it was true (for me) that we learn from our mistakes! Choosing the correct size is my biggest bugbear and I tell myself always to use my upper bust measurement. Then I start a new project and go off the back of the envelope. A bell tent is the result! I made a hoodie that would've graced an orang utan. The hood would've delighted a dementor! Note to self: Use upper bust measurement, check the finished garment measurements (there was no chart on the hoodie pattern) and measure the pattern pieces, make a toile then try it on as you go!
I just started sewing as a hobby and I’m so afraid of wasting this really pretty fabric that I got for a corset, but your video calms my nerves. Thank you!
Great tips! I started wanting to make a shirt and that was wow... just beyond me. Then I tried... a jacket. What was I thinking!! Both projects never got much past opening the pattern. Now I've done a few scarves and now I'm on my third tote and everything is making much more sense, I'm confident with my sewing machine and with what to do when the things go wrong. My current revelation is that cutting the fabric correctly is important. LOL I remember what you said about "this is a precision craft."
I have made all of these mistakes, Evelyn! As you say, mistakes are learning opportunities. I would just say that if you've made something slightly too tight, and if you've used a 1.5cm seam allowance, sometimes you can give yourself a little more room by resewing at 1cm - it may just be sufficient to salvage the garment 🤞 Thanks as always for your invaluable tips x
This video reminds me of the small mistake I made just today. I was under-stitching and thought "oh straight forward" but no. I had just done the main seam and did not bother to iron that seam so the under-stitching went very wrong. The answer was to get my seam unpicker out, take out the under-stitching and PRESS that seam, then the under-stitching went just as it should have, and looked very nice.
I'm not complete beginner but I actually like to choose difficult projects and projects that has many new things I want to learn. That way I will have just one practice piece for all the new things I will learn while doing it.
I am one of the people who reads and watches every possible thing to avoid mistakes before starting anything. But I wish I was a little of the person who just jumps in and figures things out along the way. That's a new goal for me this year.
Stretched out neckline and armholes. Use blasts of steam from your iron instead of trying to hand was a garment piece. Easier, quicker and no framing of the fabric. Love your videos.
The one thing I learned that saved my sanity was to always ensure that the presser foot is UP when threading the machine. If not, the tension rods will be closed and the thread will not be engaged in them. You’ll start sewing and get a huge nest. The second thing is to begin a stitch or two in from the edge and backstitch so your fabric doesn’t get pushed down into the hole under the presser foot and get stuck there.
This is wonderful! I had another busy but fun filled day in my sewing room and now get to watch and do some hand quilting. I hope you have a blissful and creative week ahead! Thank you for posting this video.
How timely! I haven't had a thread jam in years, but I was just working with several layers of a heavy fabric and got the most giant pile of bobbin barf I think I have ever seen. Of course, this happened on the final seam of the project. Ugh! At any rate, I've learned the hard way that basting isn't a waste of time, it's one of your biggest friends, especially if you are working with slippery fabrics. When I inherited my grandmothers 1940s singer, I cleaned it up but left the little piece of newspaper she had attached to it at some point: "As ye sew, so shall ye rip." It's reminded me to just take deep breaths and reach for the seam ripper.
I like to make a note on the pattern envelope, or on the pattern/directions about any special fixes for fitting or construction that I've had to do. My daughter was using one of the patterns I sewed for her as a girl, to make for her daughter just the other day. She said, "Mommy, it looks like you lengthened this skirt 14 inches!" Ha! Well, yes, I did. Because the width of the pattern fit her, but she was like a bean pole, and it wasn't going to be long enough otherwise! I had written 14", and drawn an arrow for the length, on the pattern.
I was told by my sewing machine fixer that it was usually the result of the threading of the machine. Usually when you are going too fast or you're using the wrong needle. It causes the threading to get tangled off and out.
Fabric recommandations on the pattern enveloppe are sometimes wild. Like : "challis or silk faille". Most sellers in sewing shops don't even know what it is
Stay stitching is the first thing I do, before the darts. Ask me how I know….. (The neckline curve is cut across the bias so stretches if you look at it, armholes are the same). I also sew the hemline fold with 3.5 stitches before I fold up and iron. Makes an even hemline easy on a curved hem
My biggest one for beginners would be: if you think the step is useless and can be avoided bc it seems like too much effort, don't brush it off! practice the technique if you must, find a video that explains it in terms you understand but don't give up on it. Every step is absolutely important. I used to do this with everything I didn't "immediately understand" from darts to finishing your edges and my garments looked terrible and I ended up losing a LOT of years of very important sewing knowledge. The problem is the mistakes and sewing no no's you do because it seems easier end up being a habit if you don't tackle those little bits here and there of technique that you need to learn, and it can bring so much discouragement for the whole practice in the long run. While learning the right techniques, make you progress so much faster, and much more proud of your garments. But I do believe it was way less easy to learn all those techniques 7 years ago than it is now. Sewing youtube content is sooo wide now. Before if I wanted to understand one technique there would like only 2 or 3 videos on the subject and it was easy to give up if I didn't understand those.
The worst mistake I made was with Simplicity pattern 2580. I got the pattern in a second hand shop and although it had all the pattern pieces and all instructions it didn't have it's envelope. Because of this there was no 'suggested fabrics' info and I didn't realise that the pattern is for knit fabrics. I make costumes for a troupe of dancers so was making 6! Thankfully after making the first one specifically for one dancer and it not even vaguely fitting I noticed my mistake in using non knit fabric. Thankfully it turns out that it just means that particular dress became one size smaller and fitted another dancer. The following 5 I just made sure I cut to be one size larger and they fit perfectly. I was sooooo relieved as the fabric was gorgeous. It taught me to read instruction sheets thoroughly about 5 times before I start a new project!
@Jill Rogoff that just takes more time for me. I would either have to hand embroider or free motion it because I don't have an embroidery machine. I'm good enough to do monogram free motion, but most other things look better if I hand do it.
Not a different mistake per se but an addendum to the last one about body shape and choosing projects. Learning pattern adjustment/pattern drafting basics will sometimes be the easiest way forward. If a type of ready made garments never fits you, if you are between sizes, then sewing patterns for those garments are never going to fit you either. Trying to fudge it yourself only leads to frustration, actual patten adjustments will probably be much less frustrating. I only figured out the reason why blouses never fit me as intended (unless it was of the the stretchiest of stretch) when I first heard of full bust adjustments. Sewing skirts was fun and good for learning the abc's of sewing; now I am sewing blouses and dresses that fits :)
Lots of us might have friends or family that would be happy with owning that "wrong size" garment. So if it doesn't fit you, try to see who it will fit. Better to give it away then throw it out.
I always hoped I could make the styles that never fit in the stores like you and a pencil skirt. I think that is the biggest problem I had to get over, accepting that my body type will never fit those wonderful designs.
There may be a way. I obviously don't know your body type, but. I saw an old lady dancing an Irish jig and when standing still her skirt looked like a pencil skirt but it had quite a bit of movement disguised in it. It was high waisted, and had two little felled down pleats, one for each leg that opened up just above the knee, and had all the rest of the fabric gathered up into stacked box pleats right in the middle of the back. The important thing is the measures, when measuring around your hips you need to put a yardstick right against your belly and measure around it, so the skirt does not hug in under your belly, and don't forget that the front waistband is shorter than the back. You can keep it fitted but not too tight. It's quite similar to a ladies kilt. And as for size, Karen from Daredevil is a very large woman but at first glance she looks super tiny.
I have found when I make a mistake or something doesn’t look correct, to stop and walk away. After a bit of time, I realize how to correct or salvage the project. Isn’t 100 percent, but works most of the time.
#8 is so me! I have done that so many times over the years. I make a garment in a shape that I don't usually wear, only to realize that there's a reason that I don't wear those things - because they look awful on me.
Use cheap fabric of a similar drape for your toile. Use scraps of the same fabric to test your stitch settings, seams and hems. The toile itself can then be used to test fit me style as well as perfect your technique as a dummy run. For perfect results you may need to do a number of toiles before moving into your final fabric. Also looking at the sizing information and noticing where you are different sizes in different parts of the body. Sometimes this can be worked out as an approximate fit on a trace off of the original pattern (and ideally toiling to test) as opposed to wrecking your fabric. As the pattern is perfected you can trace off the better version of the pattern so you can use it as a starting point for next time, and to do well fitted variations of the original design. Washing your fabric (to catch any shrinkage) and making sure the weave is perfectly perpendicular before you sew. This prevents a poorly hanging garment. Iron as you sew
It doesn’t matter how long you have been sewing, you still make mistakes. I made a pair of shorts with a pattern I have been using since the early 80’s. I had this wonderful fabric with geisha girls on it. I wasn’t paying attention to the pattern placement and end up having a geisha face right b/w my legs. I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried. It was sooo bad. I had only sewed up a few seams so I unpicked them and will have to think of something else to do with the fabric. Also.....pay attention to the nap !
I just had the problem off the dress being too small around chest even when correctly following instructions and cutting correct sizes. I just cut the bodice open traight from the middle on front and back and added a piece of fabric. It ended up making it more charming.
"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it." Or "I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." - Michelangelo. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn't fail 1,000 times. B light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps." "Great success is built on failure, frustration, even catastrophy." Or as I heard it growing up. "I I didn't fail 1,000 times, I learned 1,000 ways how Not to make a lightbulb. - Thomas Edison. I tried to make a cotton blouse last summer. It didn't want to be a blouse, it wanted to be a skirt. With pleats and pockets.
I must steal your,” unintentional customization”. I love it. You know the thing is so many times the “ modifying “ looks better/ more interesting than what it is supposed to look like.
Common problems - not just as a beginner but in moment of inattention, distraction etc. throughout: Losing track of which is the 'wrong side' of a pattern peice. Putting bit the wrong way up, wrong way round or to the wrong seam or in the wrong hole. Loosing track of warp and weft or fabric pattern direction. Going off grain. Not realising what 'nap' is. Seam Allowance mistakes (especially if the pattern uses different ones at different steps). Not making, muddling or otherwise not managing your markings. Bad interfacing choice (there definitly seems no industry standard of what is light, medium etc.). Choosing fabric based on the abstract delight the colour, pattern or texture provoke making you somehow forget your personal style, or even to consider how it would look on your actual body. Skipping a pattern step. Misreading a pattern step. Doing once something you need to do more than once. Pushing on when tired, frustrated or without solving whatever previous problem you made creating some heinous compound problem. Catching things in seams that weren't meant to be there; walking seams so somehow one edge is a different length to the other; not removing bulk from seams, removing too much bulk from seams and various snipping in mistakes; deeply unfortunate pattern placement; being so excited it looks like you have a nearly completed garment that you rush into a terrible hemming choice; not hanging before hemming - in fact 'too keen to finish' probably has some of the most heartbreaking errors -I think it's worth at least one good nights sleep, a minute or twos calm reflection on your choices and a commitment to test each technique before emabarking on any hem, buttonhole, trim or embellishment that comes at the end of a lot of hard work! I think there may be no actual end to the list of Common Mistakes, I could be here all night...
I hear you. I now make a very detailed list of each step I need to do in order to complete a project, and tick off each one after I've finished it. Makes a huge difference.
Do you considering throwing the machine away because of winding bobbins? I always had difficulties getting my thread through the tiny bobbin hole. It took me forever and tossing the machine looked good to me. One day while flossing my bridge work, I realized the floss threader would work for the bobbins. Now the bobbins are threaded in a minute and my machine no longer faces assisted suicide.
#1 was (almost) me not long ago, the thing kept skipping stitches to the point it just... wouldn't sew. tried on a scrap piece of fabric, and same thing. so I let it rest for a while. then I guess the needle broke so I changed it... to the thickest I had (16/whatever). BAM. no more skipped stitches. ... yeah I should really match the needle with the fabric -- especially when the fabric is 8+ layers of medium weight cotton. also again a few days after when it just wouldn't move. being an engineer, I removed the back cover and almost the front one (there was one pretty inaccessible screw that I couldn't be bothered to reach for), did a good cleanup. THEN moved the stitch width/length dials. ... next time I should really start with the dials -- I have a spare screw now. I always say the thing absolutely hates me because I make it work, but... ever since I started watching your vids (... and using the 16 needle, LOL), it seems to be behaving better. worst part is when it misbehaves, it's always in the middle of something. I guess I wouldn't find it after I'm done LOL.
I have my first mock-up (toil) which I use a pen all over. And then I have my working mock-up, which is "pretty" (but still cheep) and finished but not what I want to pour my heart out onto. The first one is for fit, the second one is for mistakes. But only if I have to go through more than one.
I make my toile out of an inexpensive but wearable fabric so I can wear it if it turns out ok. I often find fabric at $2:50 per meter at big fabric store sales.
I buy cheap sheets and make a prototype then if it is ok I wear it and make a note of any improvements on the pattern so the next one will be much better. If the first result is too bad I use the item to wear for gardening or diy
Am an on the cusp of starting my first proper sewing project since high school, so I am a bit nervouse and looking into all the ways I could mess this up
Hi Evelyn! Great video. I was wondering if you have plans to make serger videos (mistakes, 2/3/4 thread, the serger as a method of garment construction, etc.)? I know not everyone has one, but for those that do, videos are more limited than sewing machine related videos and I enjoy watching your content 😁
Ive accidentally made holes with my SCISSORS - I had the most beautiful camel coloured smooth wool - for a mens Regency front fall pants...and they were PERFECT - I was so proud....and i went to clip something - and i nipped a hole - in the FRONT of the pants at the ankle point. I was beside myself. I just quickly used a little fray stopper and lightly darned it closed with silk thread - quickly ran out and bought matching coloured silk thread. I was SO sad. but no one notices...and now I can claim they are period correct!!! LOL.
Another mistake would be assuming your ready-to-wear size is the same as your pattern size. Learn to properly take your body measurements and embrace them to pick the best size for you.
Aside from the sewing mahcine out the window issues (one needs a through internal cleaning, one likes to spit the thread out of the tensioner altogether and the other is a new-to-me antique hand crank and I'm saving learning how to use it for a specific project I haven't gotten to yet) and my inability even on a well-kept machine to sew a straight line unless I'm installing a zipper, my biggest issues with fitted garments have been with measuring. I have a band of torso muscle from physiotherapy for my spine, covered with a bit of spare fat around my middle in my very small gap between the top of my hip bone and my bottom rib (a one inch space, I hate belts) that pushes my "natural waist" narrowest measurement up above the bottom of my ribcage, which is fine for dresses but dear gods I DO NOT WANT a skirt or trousers waistband there, and have been at wit's end trying to even figure out how to measure myself so that I end up with a waistband that stays where I want it without squishing anything else, I also have narrow hips so if I make it too generous, things literally fall down. As an example, I own several sizes of the same make of men's cargo pants. The 28s are a bit uncomfortable right now thanks to the extra pudge and some internal stuff going on. The 30s are about right, although sometimes they sag a little. The 32s, I can slide down off over my hips with the button still done up. I'm assuming that if I measure the waistband of the 30s I should be in the right neighbourhood, but then we get into pattern ease and actual finished garment measurements...and I have so little gap between my hips and my ribs that I prefer not to wear belts, so this has been the biggest thing holding me back from trying to make pants. I "solved" the issue with a heavy wool skirt by making a wide curved waistband, it also solved a "this isn't right on your body" pleated skirt issue by dropping the seam where everything's gathered down a couple inches towards my hips because with only a few inches difference between my hips and waist, any kind of gathering right AT the waist makes me look like a potato Another trick I've learned with my princess seamed bodice block is to elimnate the waist seam altogether wherever possible to reduce bulk at the waist since I don't have much difference between waist and hip to begin with. Also another thing on measuring and uh, squishiness? for anything intended to be close fitting or supportive... I do not generally wear a bra and so measure myself without one because that's how I plan to wear the garment. Works fine for loose garments, no problem, but with anything fitted, pretty much inevitably, I end up having WAY too much room in the bust and have to take it in significantly because the garment will squish me, and I measured unsquished... I recently watched another youtuber measure herself (she actually did a duct tape body wrap to get correct shapes) for an undergarment mockup while wearing a bra, and she had the exact opposite issue and ended up having to add way more than one would expect to the bust cups. So, for fitted garments, take into account your own personal squishiness and the... um, planned level of confinement or support of your finished garment versus whatever support garment you may be wearing when you measure or drape... I have some of the same squishiness issues measuring my waistline, if I were to measure comfortably around where I want my wasitband to sit when I'm not wearing a waistband, I'm going to get a much bigger measurement, and my pants will fall down if I were to use that number to size my garment. But in general, I have found it to be true that mistakes will be made, and you learn more from fixing them than you do if you just did the thing properly the first time. So far this has been true not only with sewing, weaving, and crocheting but also in the armour shop, the wood shop, the kitchen, painting, drywalling, plumbing and flooring.
I have similar issues...narrow hips, not much waist and a somewhat 'sturdy' ribcage. Plus, every bit of fat I store, sits right at the belly and waist. It's ridiculous. Anything high rise (store bought) will not fit (or look good) and anything low rise will just slide down my hips. I, too, can just take off low rise pants or skirts, without opening them. Best solution I've found is elastizing the back of my pants and skirts. It keeps things were they belong, without the restrictiveness of a belt. For an even more inconspicuous look (or on already finished garments), you can add thin belt loops on the inside of your waistband and use a piece of elastic as an invisible belt.
Have you thought about suspenders. They can be quite cute and I've been seeing them all over recently. And there also is the early 1900's high waist of which I have been a big fan of recently. I recently took care of my grumbling appendix so now I'm shrinking everywhere, but I still love the high waist loose around the hips look.
@@marthabenner6528 haha, a high waisted anything would end up under my bust and I'd look like Steve Urkel! I very definitely do not have the lovely pear-shaped anything that looks good with that style, regular rise women's pants already end up with the waistband over my ribs. I'm actually way happier in low-rise hip huggers, at least with those, the belt does't poke me in the ribs... I have tried suspenders for the look and I have to be very careful about placement because boobs, and I think for them to actually hold my pants up won't work, I wrecked one of my shoulders and it doesn't like pressure on the part of my clavicle that now sticks up... When I was using suspenders to hold up my metal armour legs, I had to run them over the metal gorget (throat protection with something of a form fitted yoke that all my armour hangs off) to keep them off my shoulder bones. They were so much trouble to get into that I eventually attached a belt to my padded gambeson (an inch thick padded vest I wear under the armour).
@@raraavis7782 Heh, yeah, I feel your pain. Nothing like putting on off-the-rack women's pants that fit around the waist and sticking your hands in the pockets, splaying your fingers out and still having plenty of extra fabric around the hips. I'm so glad I can shop in the men's department, they have better pockets anyways. I actually have a few pairs of cargo pants that have an inner tie-cord, so that's how I keep the 32's from falling down. I'm considering that trick when I make trousers as a "just in case", the way I use the cord for my yoga pants now that the elastic is shot, although I might try a thin elastic next time. A really light skirt with an elastic waist will actually roll itself up my ribcage to the narrow spot, so I tend to wear stuff either off the hip if it doesn't have enough weight to hold itself down.
I have an entry level mechanical machine with 20 stitches that’s 4 yo, it jams after a few inches of sewing or near the completion of a seam. I have tried everything to fix it, I mean everything, from needles to bobbins to rethreading, I was sewing the same fabric I always had. My machine is clean inside, I took it apart and saw thread jammed between 2 gears. I removed it, put it back together, it worked fine, then it happened again. I think after so many jams, the timing may be off. So I’m using a machine from 1973 that’s more heavy duty than todays heavy duties. I did hear from somewhere, that entry level machines are only made to last a few years. Mine is past that.
I remember my grandmother gave me 2 yards of the most beautiful 2 tone (different color warp and weft threads) fabric as a beginner, i traced out a tshirt i had, not realizing that making something stretchy out of a woven fabric would lead to unfortunate results
I’m just about to start sewing my very first garment (pattern comes from a local sewing class). I’m terrified! I’m doing a calico version first because I don’t want to ruin my nice new fabric.
My fear is definitely taking an existing piece apart because I've got an idea of how to modify it for fit, styling, etc. What if I can't get it back together in a finished product????
Ohhh I can help with these. When I deconstruct a garment I take a photo of what it looked like at every stage and note how it was sewn at a particular point. Then as I go to reconstruct it after alterations I just follow the photos/notes I've taken to reconstruct it! Hope this helps :)
Maria you have such good advice here already! I agree, take photos and note down which order of stitching was over the top of others as you take it apart. Then just work backwards to get it together again 😀
I'd really advocate practicing on things you don't care about. You learn SO much from taking things apart. I did a lot of sewing in my teens (30 years ago now), I also loved rummaging in the then-common jumble sales and picking up things for pennies because I liked the colour, texture or whatever - it was my main source of fabric - I barely bought notions either - I just scavenged from old garments. I can confess now that I destroyed more than I salvaged - though I also created most of my wardrobe at the time this way - and I realised much later that it's left me with a pretty firm understanding of garment construction. I still really enjoy taking things apart - except if it's because I've just sewn them together incorrectly, though even that I'm pretty sanguine about it - possibly due to all the practice I've put into taking apart seams while preserving fabric.
Two common mistakes i can think of are 1) skipping steps because we do not understand what they are and 2) educating ourselves about garment construction and fabric types (including lining, interfacing, interlining, etc.)
Some "easy" patterns turn out to be hard because the instructions are awful. Pattern instructions aren't there to teach you to sew. They assume you already know what they are talking about so sometimes they don't go into enough detail. This is why a toile/mock up is so important. One of the best tools for fighting bad instructions is a good sewing book. It doesn't have to be a new one. The fundamentals of sewing are still pretty much the same. I have a 30 year old Vogue sewing book that I still use from time to time. If a patterns instructions get confusing take a look in the book and see if it makes more sense. There might be better illustrations as well.
I love all your videos. I have been sewing for many years but I still get a lot of ideas from you. I do have a question, do you happen to know of a good pattern for a wrap dress, I am having trouble finding one. Thank you so much for your help. I have been a subscriber for a few years, again thank you.
1/ My ever first mistake: didn't follow the grainline. Thought it was useless and just wanted my tartan fabric to match. 2/ 2nd HUGE mistake: didn't wash a blue stretch velvet fabric before sewing. It stained my hands, my sewing machine (has still today some blue left) , my white table...everything. A nightmare! I've learned my lessons, harshly.
Finishing up my toile, using cotton sheets. I have discovered the armholes and shoulders are too tight. I am planning to add extra fabric, as you suggested to the underarm area. Where should I add to the next pattern cut out? Equally to the yolk, front and sleeves?
Juul Thijssen has quite a few very good videos on hand sewing. She is an absolute Genius. You also might find helpful Burnley and Trowbridge's beginner tutorials.
I bought a bunch of patterns in the wrong size because I used the size chart in the back not realizing that those were all the sizes the brand offers, not necessarily all the sizes the patterns offer.
I have a vogue pattern that includes a pattern piece sleeve stay. I don’t have the foggiest Idea what that is. Please help. Love your videos and I’m considering your school.
Your videos are a treat to watch - I have done all of these! But off-topic - I'm going to make a similar top to what you're wearing and am trying to decide if I want to add lace around the neck and sleeves or something different and I really like the decorative stitching on your top. How was this done? Did you do some sort of smocking or another decorative stitch before adding elastic?
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If you want to up your sewing game this year join me and a community of other like minded sewists at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/ as I'd love to have you in class!
Mistakes in sewing are identical to mistakes in life. We all make them. How we deal with them is what matters.
Clifton I was waiting for someone to make this (so true) comment!
"Slippery fabrics is a thing in itself." I felt that in my soul...
I taught myself to sew when I was in 6th grade--before I had any home-economics classes in 7th grade. I have been an avid sewest ever since. I am now 65 years old and still learning new stuff all the time. And I still make mistakes. Recently I drafted a pattern for a pull over blouse. Cut it out from upcycled shirt fabric. When I tried to put it on my dress form I realized that the fit was spot on, but it was to snug to pull on over my head. I didn't want to toss it out. So I picked the seam out on one side and added a side zipper. Shirt fits and pulls on now. I went back and corrected the drafting mistake on my pattern before making another blouse.
You're never too old, or to experienced at sewing to make mistakes. I have made many garments that have some unique features that are actually covering up a boo-boo. Applique patches, ribbons, and ric-rac are nice things to have around for covering up "oopsies".
Tanya this is so true, and what a wonderful way you say it! I like to say those types of mistakes are just a 'design feature' , maybe by accident!
Many skill can be practiced prior to tackling the final garment. In addition to making a mock-up, you can practice things like button holes, zippers, narrow hems on scrap fabric. I always use scraps of the fabric I’m going to use for my garment to test the needle, tension, and figure out the best setting for button holes because every fabric has its own temperament.
Whenever I feel like sewing, but don't want to start a whole new garment, I practice techniques. I got samples of every stitch on my sewing machine with every possible setting (including button holes), different pockets types, all kinds of bindings and hem treatments in different widths... samples of different interfacings on different fabric types... it's an invaluable resource.
Yes!! I bet testing everything has saved many a ruined garment for you Marianne!
@@raraavis7782 Great idea! Maybe it’s time to that for my machine 😂 So I think I have to start today.
I find it's important to pace myself. I generally have the finished product in mind but when I can slow down and focus more on each step I make fewer mistakes.
Yes!! I know I used to rush through so much and that's when all the mistakes happen! Learning to slow down is a good lesson 😊
Yes! This is the lesson I’m learning right now. I don’t realize how much time it will take to go through the whole process, I think and plan for much less time then I get frustrated and try to rush to meet my own imaginary deadlines. Then when I make a colossal mistake i find I avoid my sewing room. So my. Urgent sewing mantra is “Pace Yourself”.
I've been Sewing for 40+ years and still make often silly mistakes... im learning all the time.
My big tip for mistake is let it hang before you hem... too often I've been in a rush and forget (accidentally on purpose) to let circle skirts (including A-line) for 24 to 48 hrs then remark the hem... fabric stretches!
Fear of making mistakes is the #1 problem I hear people say is the reason they haven't started sewing. This is such a wonderful video to help address those fears and help them get started! Thank you so much!
I had a breakthrough some months ago, on the design to body shape question. Instead of looking at fancy clothes, or TV actresses and models, I looked at people who are shaped the same as I am and if I like their clothes and how it's sat. This is of course a very basic idea that should be built up from. I also realized I'm not 18 anymore.
Tv models and acrtresses are not what you think they are. No. Watch poncho pete channel to learn the truth that affects us all.
Always good NOT to feel alone in our learning process...and beyond.
I stay-stitched when I first started sewing, and will do so occasionally still, when I can tell the fabric needs it. IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER - ALWAYS - STAY STITCH. However, a few times due to fitting problems, waistbands/necklines have become stretched. I simply do large gathering type stitches, on the stitching line, and draw it up. Pretty much identical to inserting a fitted sleeve cap, but easier.
Oh right! We ALL skip stay stitching and have regretted it 😅 You've found a great solution there!
No fabric in my house ever gets thrown out even if I make a terrible mistake (and I make lots of them). A skirt cut too short can become a curtain for a small window, pot holders, part of a quilt or throw pillow, etc. Even sheets, blankets, towels, tablecloths, and napkins can become something else. I once took a bunch of old clothes and curtains and made a huge, patchwork, patio table umbrella. Thank you for another great video. I just love this channel.
I think that going to a store and trying on different styles will give you an idea of what looks good and what doesn't.
Making mistakes is a perfect opportunity to learn and get better!!
You have helped me a great deal! I am currently relearning how to sew. After not sewing for many years and then dealing with an aneurysm rupturing in my brain I have learned a lot about sewing from your videos.
Some patterns come with suggestions on where you can add or subtract fabric for fitting purposes. Definitely read through all the info it gives you at least once before starting so you'll have an idea when you'll need to do those things. Or where to look on your completed piece if you need to alter it. I'll sometimes grab patterns specifically because they have a list of alters possible so I'm not having to figure it out myself.
Wish I'd heard your advice on choosing an "easy" pattern before signing up for a pricey in-person class to sew my first dress! The pattern was "Advanced Beginner," and I asked the folks at the store about my skill level since I had sewed a non-zero amount of items before. They thought I would do well NOW I realize there were too many new "things" in that pattern. My first one was totally the wrong size, didn't even know what a toile was, I gave that to my sister. My second one technically fits me but it didn't hold up in the wash so it's been sitting in my mending pile. This was all very valuable experience, but it would have been even more valuable and more fun if I had chosen a dress pattern that was "easy" by your definition. Easy meaning, according to what "things" I personally already had done before, not just what I "knew" how to do in theory.
Evelyn you are a treasure!!
What I'm too scared to make something for myself I make something for my niece instead. Which is a whole other nightmare because she can grow an inch in a month.
Awww Madeline 🥰 Thankyou for your kind words. I'm just so happy to hear that it didn't deter you, you've just taken your lessons and excited on how to do better next time. This is what will make you a good sewist! 😀
I enjoy your content so much. I have been sewing for nearly 60 years (WOW! I started with embroidery and Barbie clothes at about 8 years old) and still I pick up things to work a new way, new tools to make life easier, or am reminded of things I had forgotten about or put aside. We can always learn something new or refresh ourselves in our lives as *sewists*.
A favour you can do yourself if you're tackling a pattern that is stretching your skills a bit is to make the mock-up in a plain, light-coloured fabric. Then do the "final" version in a busy pattern. Plain fabric shows every crooked, puckered or wavy seamline, every little unwanted tuck in a set in sleeve, every slightly "not dead level" buttonhole, pocket and so on (and on, and on, and on...). And that's really handy when you're trying to get master a skill. A busy fabric for the final version will camouflage a multitude of mistakes so even if whatever you're making doesn't turn out as polished and professional as you're striving for you're still likely to be happy wearing it or giving it.
I just walked away from my project to figure out how to fix a mistake... and here you are. I've actually figured out my solution while I made a little snack, but I do love the synchronicity anyway!
I love it when this happens! But I knew you'd figure it out! 😀
I think I’m an almost intermediate sewist now and it’s taught me patience and acceptance of mistakes and the beauty and wisdom of mistakes. Also the value of persistence and staying calm and collect during all of this.
Sewing is so fun, yet so discouraging at the same time. It looks so easy on tutorials, but something always goes wrong when I try it. Thank you so much for your helpful videos! You are the sweetest! Much ❤️ from the USA!
I started sewing (or trying to) at ahe of 13... never took classes and gave up after so many disapointing garments that wouldn't fit. Because I didnt adapt the pattern, I didn't chose the right fabric and I didn't habe all these little tricks i sewing. I got an old Pfaff machine from my granny from 1956, gave it a full restauration and started again. With videos on the little sewing tricks, right tooling, and I took classes for pattern making/alterations. And it worked!!! I didn't bought any garnment in 2021, I sew it all myself and it looks as I want it! Soooo satisfying!
I had stopped sewing for 10 years. And I have been reteaching myself how to sew for almost 2 years now, and learning how to tailor at the same time. And I think I've about figured it out. And you have been a big help, I honestly should probably watch more of you then I do.
For me, the biggest mistake is rushing! I have the project in mind, I am passionate about it, I can't wait to get to it, and then I almost never take care to really pace myself. I end up making thoughtless mistakes, and end up frustrated, all because I was just way to eager!
Now I try to check myself and if I feel I am getting almost a bit giddy, I make myself take a whole day break. It feels uncomfortable in the short run, but makes the whole proces so much satisfying!
These are all spot on. I still have trouble picking patterns that will look good on me, though I’ve gotten a bit better over the years. I have also learned the hard way about choosing the right fabric for the pattern. My biggest struggle now is sizing it correctly for me. My brain just has a hard time translating the measurements on the pattern to my correct size with the right amount of ease.
I keep forgetting I'm not 18 anymore.
that blue top looks really nice on you!
I’m almost finished with my first sewing project in over 30 years. Its a vintage-looking jumpsuit with an invisible zipper. I’ve made so many mistakes but consider then as opportunities to relearn the art of sewing. Needless to say my seam ripper stays close at hand. I’ve spent many hours on RUclips researching techniques and even to just remember sewing terms. I am So glad I found this channel I feel like you’re speaking to me at just the right time.
I wish it was true (for me) that we learn from our mistakes! Choosing the correct size is my biggest bugbear and I tell myself always to use my upper bust measurement. Then I start a new project and go off the back of the envelope. A bell tent is the result! I made a hoodie that would've graced an orang utan. The hood would've delighted a dementor! Note to self: Use upper bust measurement, check the finished garment measurements (there was no chart on the hoodie pattern) and measure the pattern pieces, make a toile then try it on as you go!
I just started sewing as a hobby and I’m so afraid of wasting this really pretty fabric that I got for a corset, but your video calms my nerves. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, I know so little, but always try to test in another fabric & start simple, like going up the stairs.
❤️
Great tips! I started wanting to make a shirt and that was wow... just beyond me. Then I tried... a jacket. What was I thinking!! Both projects never got much past opening the pattern. Now I've done a few scarves and now I'm on my third tote and everything is making much more sense, I'm confident with my sewing machine and with what to do when the things go wrong. My current revelation is that cutting the fabric correctly is important. LOL I remember what you said about "this is a precision craft."
I have made all of these mistakes, Evelyn! As you say, mistakes are learning opportunities. I would just say that if you've made something slightly too tight, and if you've used a 1.5cm seam allowance, sometimes you can give yourself a little more room by resewing at 1cm - it may just be sufficient to salvage the garment 🤞 Thanks as always for your invaluable tips x
This video reminds me of the small mistake I made just today. I was under-stitching and thought "oh straight forward" but no. I had just done the main seam and did not bother to iron that seam so the under-stitching went very wrong. The answer was to get my seam unpicker out, take out the under-stitching and PRESS that seam, then the under-stitching went just as it should have, and looked very nice.
Stay stitching. The term says it all! I like how you emphasized the staying part!
I'm not complete beginner but I actually like to choose difficult projects and projects that has many new things I want to learn. That way I will have just one practice piece for all the new things I will learn while doing it.
Thank you so much for this video. I'm a beginner and I'm glad I'm not alone in these sewing mistakes
Thanks for another great video. Underestimating the amount of fabric you need to purchase for matching patterns is one I hear a lot.
I am one of the people who reads and watches every possible thing to avoid mistakes before starting anything. But I wish I was a little of the person who just jumps in and figures things out along the way. That's a new goal for me this year.
Stretched out neckline and armholes. Use blasts of steam from your iron instead of trying to hand was a garment piece. Easier, quicker and no framing of the fabric. Love your videos.
The one thing I learned that saved my sanity was to always ensure that the presser foot is UP when threading the machine. If not, the tension rods will be closed and the thread will not be engaged in them. You’ll start sewing and get a huge nest. The second thing is to begin a stitch or two in from the edge and backstitch so your fabric doesn’t get pushed down into the hole under the presser foot and get stuck there.
This is wonderful! I had another busy but fun filled day in my sewing room and now get to watch and do some hand quilting. I hope you have a blissful and creative week ahead! Thank you for posting this video.
How timely! I haven't had a thread jam in years, but I was just working with several layers of a heavy fabric and got the most giant pile of bobbin barf I think I have ever seen. Of course, this happened on the final seam of the project. Ugh! At any rate, I've learned the hard way that basting isn't a waste of time, it's one of your biggest friends, especially if you are working with slippery fabrics. When I inherited my grandmothers 1940s singer, I cleaned it up but left the little piece of newspaper she had attached to it at some point: "As ye sew, so shall ye rip." It's reminded me to just take deep breaths and reach for the seam ripper.
Bobbin barf - what a great phrase! Mind if I borrow it?
@@ReallyJillRogoff Not at all!
I like to make a note on the pattern envelope, or on the pattern/directions about any special fixes for fitting or construction
that I've had to do. My daughter was using one of the patterns I sewed for her as a girl, to make for her daughter just the other
day. She said, "Mommy, it looks like you lengthened this skirt 14 inches!" Ha! Well, yes, I did. Because the width of the pattern fit her, but she was like a bean pole, and it wasn't going to be long enough otherwise! I had written 14", and drawn an arrow for the length, on the pattern.
I was told by my sewing machine fixer that it was usually the result of the threading of the machine. Usually when you are going too fast or you're using the wrong needle. It causes the threading to get tangled off and out.
"Man Sewing" on you tube shows how to clean that tension assembly on the front on the sewing machine.
I found his presentation to be quite good.
Evelyn always has a solution 🥰
😘😘😘
Fabric recommandations on the pattern enveloppe are sometimes wild. Like : "challis or silk faille". Most sellers in sewing shops don't even know what it is
Sad but SO true!
Stay stitching is the first thing I do, before the darts. Ask me how I know…..
(The neckline curve is cut across the bias so stretches if you look at it, armholes are the same). I also sew the hemline fold with 3.5 stitches before I fold up and iron. Makes an even hemline easy on a curved hem
My biggest one for beginners would be: if you think the step is useless and can be avoided bc it seems like too much effort, don't brush it off! practice the technique if you must, find a video that explains it in terms you understand but don't give up on it. Every step is absolutely important. I used to do this with everything I didn't "immediately understand" from darts to finishing your edges and my garments looked terrible and I ended up losing a LOT of years of very important sewing knowledge. The problem is the mistakes and sewing no no's you do because it seems easier end up being a habit if you don't tackle those little bits here and there of technique that you need to learn, and it can bring so much discouragement for the whole practice in the long run. While learning the right techniques, make you progress so much faster, and much more proud of your garments. But I do believe it was way less easy to learn all those techniques 7 years ago than it is now. Sewing youtube content is sooo wide now. Before if I wanted to understand one technique there would like only 2 or 3 videos on the subject and it was easy to give up if I didn't understand those.
The worst mistake I made was with Simplicity pattern 2580. I got the pattern in a second hand shop and although it had all the pattern pieces and all instructions it didn't have it's envelope. Because of this there was no 'suggested fabrics' info and I didn't realise that the pattern is for knit fabrics. I make costumes for a troupe of dancers so was making 6! Thankfully after making the first one specifically for one dancer and it not even vaguely fitting I noticed my mistake in using non knit fabric. Thankfully it turns out that it just means that particular dress became one size smaller and fitted another dancer. The following 5 I just made sure I cut to be one size larger and they fit perfectly. I was sooooo relieved as the fabric was gorgeous. It taught me to read instruction sheets thoroughly about 5 times before I start a new project!
Your continual smile is frightening
Thank you. Great video. Very helpful for sewing beginners.
Your videos are so informative and enjoyable!
I'm so happy to hear they've helped you Ginger!
Such a gem! Always smiling and encouraging.
I'm actually making a toile for a dress I want! I'm using up an old bedsheet to practice princess seams. 😄
You can fix a hole from seam ripper by making the seam allowance bigger. Or add color blocking like when you let a garment out.
You can also embroider over or around it: e.g., a simple flower. Perhaps even repeat the embroidered design elsewhere on the garment.
@Jill Rogoff that just takes more time for me. I would either have to hand embroider or free motion it because I don't have an embroidery machine. I'm good enough to do monogram free motion, but most other things look better if I hand do it.
Not a different mistake per se but an addendum to the last one about body shape and choosing projects. Learning pattern adjustment/pattern drafting basics will sometimes be the easiest way forward. If a type of ready made garments never fits you, if you are between sizes, then sewing patterns for those garments are never going to fit you either. Trying to fudge it yourself only leads to frustration, actual patten adjustments will probably be much less frustrating. I only figured out the reason why blouses never fit me as intended (unless it was of the the stretchiest of stretch) when I first heard of full bust adjustments. Sewing skirts was fun and good for learning the abc's of sewing; now I am sewing blouses and dresses that fits :)
Thank you again. Practice what you are most uncomfortable with. It's better then trying out a new technique on your good fabric.
Lots of us might have friends or family that would be happy with owning that "wrong size" garment. So if it doesn't fit you, try to see who it will fit. Better to give it away then throw it out.
I always hoped I could make the styles that never fit in the stores like you and a pencil skirt. I think that is the biggest problem I had to get over, accepting that my body type will never fit those wonderful designs.
There may be a way. I obviously don't know your body type, but. I saw an old lady dancing an Irish jig and when standing still her skirt looked like a pencil skirt but it had quite a bit of movement disguised in it.
It was high waisted, and had two little felled down pleats, one for each leg that opened up just above the knee, and had all the rest of the fabric gathered up into stacked box pleats right in the middle of the back. The important thing is the measures, when measuring around your hips you need to put a yardstick right against your belly and measure around it, so the skirt does not hug in under your belly, and don't forget that the front waistband is shorter than the back. You can keep it fitted but not too tight. It's quite similar to a ladies kilt. And as for size, Karen from Daredevil is a very large woman but at first glance she looks super tiny.
Thank you for this encouraging episode.
I have found when I make a mistake or something doesn’t look correct, to stop and walk away. After a bit of time, I realize how to correct or salvage the project. Isn’t 100
percent, but works most of the time.
#8 is so me! I have done that so many times over the years. I make a garment in a shape that I don't usually wear, only to realize that there's a reason that I don't wear those things - because they look awful on me.
Use cheap fabric of a similar drape for your toile. Use scraps of the same fabric to test your stitch settings, seams and hems.
The toile itself can then be used to test fit me style as well as perfect your technique as a dummy run. For perfect results you may need to do a number of toiles before moving into your final fabric.
Also looking at the sizing information and noticing where you are different sizes in different parts of the body. Sometimes this can be worked out as an approximate fit on a trace off of the original pattern (and ideally toiling to test) as opposed to wrecking your fabric. As the pattern is perfected you can trace off the better version of the pattern so you can use it as a starting point for next time, and to do well fitted variations of the original design.
Washing your fabric (to catch any shrinkage) and making sure the weave is perfectly perpendicular before you sew. This prevents a poorly hanging garment.
Iron as you sew
It doesn’t matter how long you have been sewing, you still make mistakes. I made a pair of shorts with a pattern I have been using since the early 80’s. I had this wonderful fabric with geisha girls on it. I wasn’t paying attention to the pattern placement and end up having a geisha face right b/w my legs. I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried. It was sooo bad. I had only sewed up a few seams so I unpicked them and will have to think of something else to do with the fabric. Also.....pay attention to the nap !
Great advice, and thank you for your encouragement Evelyn.
The feed dog chewing the fabric is a classic too 😂
Put tissue paper down and then lay your fabric on top if it's a thin fabric or something small
@@dacrayzblaze1 thanks 👍
I just had the problem off the dress being too small around chest even when correctly following instructions and cutting correct sizes. I just cut the bodice open traight from the middle on front and back and added a piece of fabric. It ended up making it more charming.
"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it." Or "I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
- Michelangelo.
When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn't fail 1,000 times. B light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps." "Great success is built on failure, frustration, even catastrophy."
Or as I heard it growing up.
"I I didn't fail 1,000 times, I learned 1,000 ways how Not to make a lightbulb. - Thomas Edison.
I tried to make a cotton blouse last summer. It didn't want to be a blouse, it wanted to be a skirt. With pleats and pockets.
Mistakes make it custom. Perfect is the factorystyle ;-).
Accurate! "Evidence of humanity" is my favorite way to describe unintentional customization
There's this young swedish lady who I'm absolutely inspired by, she does so much piecing and makes it look absolutely beautifully intentional.
I love this!!! ❤️
I must steal your,” unintentional customization”. I love it. You know the thing is so many times the “ modifying “ looks better/ more interesting than what it is supposed to look like.
Common problems - not just as a beginner but in moment of inattention, distraction etc. throughout: Losing track of which is the 'wrong side' of a pattern peice. Putting bit the wrong way up, wrong way round or to the wrong seam or in the wrong hole. Loosing track of warp and weft or fabric pattern direction. Going off grain. Not realising what 'nap' is. Seam Allowance mistakes (especially if the pattern uses different ones at different steps). Not making, muddling or otherwise not managing your markings. Bad interfacing choice (there definitly seems no industry standard of what is light, medium etc.). Choosing fabric based on the abstract delight the colour, pattern or texture provoke making you somehow forget your personal style, or even to consider how it would look on your actual body. Skipping a pattern step. Misreading a pattern step. Doing once something you need to do more than once. Pushing on when tired, frustrated or without solving whatever previous problem you made creating some heinous compound problem. Catching things in seams that weren't meant to be there; walking seams so somehow one edge is a different length to the other; not removing bulk from seams, removing too much bulk from seams and various snipping in mistakes; deeply unfortunate pattern placement; being so excited it looks like you have a nearly completed garment that you rush into a terrible hemming choice; not hanging before hemming - in fact 'too keen to finish' probably has some of the most heartbreaking errors -I think it's worth at least one good nights sleep, a minute or twos calm reflection on your choices and a commitment to test each technique before emabarking on any hem, buttonhole, trim or embellishment that comes at the end of a lot of hard work! I think there may be no actual end to the list of Common Mistakes, I could be here all night...
I hear you. I now make a very detailed list of each step I need to do in order to complete a project, and tick off each one after I've finished it. Makes a huge difference.
Do you considering throwing the machine away because of winding bobbins? I always had difficulties getting my thread through the tiny bobbin hole. It took me forever and tossing the machine looked good to me.
One day while flossing my bridge work, I realized the floss threader would work for the bobbins. Now the bobbins are threaded in a minute and my machine no longer faces assisted suicide.
#1 was (almost) me not long ago, the thing kept skipping stitches to the point it just... wouldn't sew. tried on a scrap piece of fabric, and same thing. so I let it rest for a while. then I guess the needle broke so I changed it... to the thickest I had (16/whatever). BAM. no more skipped stitches.
... yeah I should really match the needle with the fabric -- especially when the fabric is 8+ layers of medium weight cotton.
also again a few days after when it just wouldn't move. being an engineer, I removed the back cover and almost the front one (there was one pretty inaccessible screw that I couldn't be bothered to reach for), did a good cleanup. THEN moved the stitch width/length dials. ... next time I should really start with the dials -- I have a spare screw now.
I always say the thing absolutely hates me because I make it work, but... ever since I started watching your vids (... and using the 16 needle, LOL), it seems to be behaving better.
worst part is when it misbehaves, it's always in the middle of something. I guess I wouldn't find it after I'm done LOL.
I always find it hard to make a toil, because I WANT TO MAKE THE PRETTY THING NOW! And I always regret it :-D
I have my first mock-up (toil) which I use a pen all over. And then I have my working mock-up, which is "pretty" (but still cheep) and finished but not what I want to pour my heart out onto. The first one is for fit, the second one is for mistakes. But only if I have to go through more than one.
I think you speak for all of us Kellie 😅😅
I make my toile out of an inexpensive but wearable fabric so I can wear it if it turns out ok. I often find fabric at $2:50 per meter at big fabric store sales.
I buy cheap sheets and make a prototype then if it is ok I wear it and make a note of any improvements on the pattern so the next one will be much better. If the first result is too bad I use the item to wear for gardening or diy
Am an on the cusp of starting my first proper sewing project since high school, so I am a bit nervouse and looking into all the ways I could mess this up
Hi Evelyn! Great video. I was wondering if you have plans to make serger videos (mistakes, 2/3/4 thread, the serger as a method of garment construction, etc.)? I know not everyone has one, but for those that do, videos are more limited than sewing machine related videos and I enjoy watching your content 😁
Ive accidentally made holes with my SCISSORS - I had the most beautiful camel coloured smooth wool - for a mens Regency front fall pants...and they were PERFECT - I was so proud....and i went to clip something - and i nipped a hole - in the FRONT of the pants at the ankle point. I was beside myself. I just quickly used a little fray stopper and lightly darned it closed with silk thread - quickly ran out and bought matching coloured silk thread. I was SO sad. but no one notices...and now I can claim they are period correct!!! LOL.
Another mistake would be assuming your ready-to-wear size is the same as your pattern size. Learn to properly take your body measurements and embrace them to pick the best size for you.
No 1, made me laugh....dont throw your machine out of the window 😂😂..... I can totally relate to that thought!! Loved it Evelyn!
Aside from the sewing mahcine out the window issues (one needs a through internal cleaning, one likes to spit the thread out of the tensioner altogether and the other is a new-to-me antique hand crank and I'm saving learning how to use it for a specific project I haven't gotten to yet) and my inability even on a well-kept machine to sew a straight line unless I'm installing a zipper, my biggest issues with fitted garments have been with measuring.
I have a band of torso muscle from physiotherapy for my spine, covered with a bit of spare fat around my middle in my very small gap between the top of my hip bone and my bottom rib (a one inch space, I hate belts) that pushes my "natural waist" narrowest measurement up above the bottom of my ribcage, which is fine for dresses but dear gods I DO NOT WANT a skirt or trousers waistband there, and have been at wit's end trying to even figure out how to measure myself so that I end up with a waistband that stays where I want it without squishing anything else, I also have narrow hips so if I make it too generous, things literally fall down. As an example, I own several sizes of the same make of men's cargo pants. The 28s are a bit uncomfortable right now thanks to the extra pudge and some internal stuff going on. The 30s are about right, although sometimes they sag a little. The 32s, I can slide down off over my hips with the button still done up. I'm assuming that if I measure the waistband of the 30s I should be in the right neighbourhood, but then we get into pattern ease and actual finished garment measurements...and I have so little gap between my hips and my ribs that I prefer not to wear belts, so this has been the biggest thing holding me back from trying to make pants. I "solved" the issue with a heavy wool skirt by making a wide curved waistband, it also solved a "this isn't right on your body" pleated skirt issue by dropping the seam where everything's gathered down a couple inches towards my hips because with only a few inches difference between my hips and waist, any kind of gathering right AT the waist makes me look like a potato Another trick I've learned with my princess seamed bodice block is to elimnate the waist seam altogether wherever possible to reduce bulk at the waist since I don't have much difference between waist and hip to begin with.
Also another thing on measuring and uh, squishiness? for anything intended to be close fitting or supportive... I do not generally wear a bra and so measure myself without one because that's how I plan to wear the garment. Works fine for loose garments, no problem, but with anything fitted, pretty much inevitably, I end up having WAY too much room in the bust and have to take it in significantly because the garment will squish me, and I measured unsquished... I recently watched another youtuber measure herself (she actually did a duct tape body wrap to get correct shapes) for an undergarment mockup while wearing a bra, and she had the exact opposite issue and ended up having to add way more than one would expect to the bust cups. So, for fitted garments, take into account your own personal squishiness and the... um, planned level of confinement or support of your finished garment versus whatever support garment you may be wearing when you measure or drape...
I have some of the same squishiness issues measuring my waistline, if I were to measure comfortably around where I want my wasitband to sit when I'm not wearing a waistband, I'm going to get a much bigger measurement, and my pants will fall down if I were to use that number to size my garment.
But in general, I have found it to be true that mistakes will be made, and you learn more from fixing them than you do if you just did the thing properly the first time. So far this has been true not only with sewing, weaving, and crocheting but also in the armour shop, the wood shop, the kitchen, painting, drywalling, plumbing and flooring.
I have similar issues...narrow hips, not much waist and a somewhat 'sturdy' ribcage. Plus, every bit of fat I store, sits right at the belly and waist. It's ridiculous. Anything high rise (store bought) will not fit (or look good) and anything low rise will just slide down my hips. I, too, can just take off low rise pants or skirts, without opening them.
Best solution I've found is elastizing the back of my pants and skirts. It keeps things were they belong, without the restrictiveness of a belt.
For an even more inconspicuous look (or on already finished garments), you can add thin belt loops on the inside of your waistband and use a piece of elastic as an invisible belt.
Have you thought about suspenders. They can be quite cute and I've been seeing them all over recently. And there also is the early 1900's high waist of which I have been a big fan of recently. I recently took care of my grumbling appendix so now I'm shrinking everywhere, but I still love the high waist loose around the hips look.
@@marthabenner6528 haha, a high waisted anything would end up under my bust and I'd look like Steve Urkel! I very definitely do not have the lovely pear-shaped anything that looks good with that style, regular rise women's pants already end up with the waistband over my ribs. I'm actually way happier in low-rise hip huggers, at least with those, the belt does't poke me in the ribs... I have tried suspenders for the look and I have to be very careful about placement because boobs, and I think for them to actually hold my pants up won't work, I wrecked one of my shoulders and it doesn't like pressure on the part of my clavicle that now sticks up... When I was using suspenders to hold up my metal armour legs, I had to run them over the metal gorget (throat protection with something of a form fitted yoke that all my armour hangs off) to keep them off my shoulder bones. They were so much trouble to get into that I eventually attached a belt to my padded gambeson (an inch thick padded vest I wear under the armour).
@@raraavis7782 Heh, yeah, I feel your pain. Nothing like putting on off-the-rack women's pants that fit around the waist and sticking your hands in the pockets, splaying your fingers out and still having plenty of extra fabric around the hips. I'm so glad I can shop in the men's department, they have better pockets anyways.
I actually have a few pairs of cargo pants that have an inner tie-cord, so that's how I keep the 32's from falling down. I'm considering that trick when I make trousers as a "just in case", the way I use the cord for my yoga pants now that the elastic is shot, although I might try a thin elastic next time.
A really light skirt with an elastic waist will actually roll itself up my ribcage to the narrow spot, so I tend to wear stuff either off the hip if it doesn't have enough weight to hold itself down.
I have an entry level mechanical machine with 20 stitches that’s 4 yo, it jams after a few inches of sewing or near the completion of a seam. I have tried everything to fix it, I mean everything, from needles to bobbins to rethreading, I was sewing the same fabric I always had. My machine is clean inside, I took it apart and saw thread jammed between 2 gears. I removed it, put it back together, it worked fine, then it happened again. I think after so many jams, the timing may be off. So I’m using a machine from 1973 that’s more heavy duty than todays heavy duties.
I did hear from somewhere, that entry level machines are only made to last a few years. Mine is past that.
I remember my grandmother gave me 2 yards of the most beautiful 2 tone (different color warp and weft threads) fabric as a beginner, i traced out a tshirt i had, not realizing that making something stretchy out of a woven fabric would lead to unfortunate results
I’m just about to start sewing my very first garment (pattern comes from a local sewing class). I’m terrified! I’m doing a calico version first because I don’t want to ruin my nice new fabric.
My fear is definitely taking an existing piece apart because I've got an idea of how to modify it for fit, styling, etc. What if I can't get it back together in a finished product????
Omg I'm not alone 😭
Ohhh I can help with these. When I deconstruct a garment I take a photo of what it looked like at every stage and note how it was sewn at a particular point. Then as I go to reconstruct it after alterations I just follow the photos/notes I've taken to reconstruct it! Hope this helps :)
@@petrathorsty3833 and with cell phones nowadays you can take a short video for the tricky steps.
Maria you have such good advice here already! I agree, take photos and note down which order of stitching was over the top of others as you take it apart. Then just work backwards to get it together again 😀
I'd really advocate practicing on things you don't care about. You learn SO much from taking things apart. I did a lot of sewing in my teens (30 years ago now), I also loved rummaging in the then-common jumble sales and picking up things for pennies because I liked the colour, texture or whatever - it was my main source of fabric - I barely bought notions either - I just scavenged from old garments. I can confess now that I destroyed more than I salvaged - though I also created most of my wardrobe at the time this way - and I realised much later that it's left me with a pretty firm understanding of garment construction. I still really enjoy taking things apart - except if it's because I've just sewn them together incorrectly, though even that I'm pretty sanguine about it - possibly due to all the practice I've put into taking apart seams while preserving fabric.
❤ been watching your videos in repeats to give you some you tube support. So love you and your videos. ❤
Two common mistakes i can think of are 1) skipping steps because we do not understand what they are and 2) educating ourselves about garment construction and fabric types (including lining, interfacing, interlining, etc.)
Something i've heard to avoid stretched necklines is to just pass a wide seam before handling the fabric.. it works for me haha
Some "easy" patterns turn out to be hard because the instructions are awful. Pattern instructions aren't there to teach you to sew. They assume you already know what they are talking about so sometimes they don't go into enough detail. This is why a toile/mock up is so important. One of the best tools for fighting bad instructions is a good sewing book. It doesn't have to be a new one. The fundamentals of sewing are still pretty much the same. I have a 30 year old Vogue sewing book that I still use from time to time. If a patterns instructions get confusing take a look in the book and see if it makes more sense. There might be better illustrations as well.
sat unpicking a hem as we speak!! ah well!
I love all your videos. I have been sewing for many years but I still get a lot of ideas from you. I do have a question, do you happen to know of a good pattern for a wrap dress, I am having trouble finding one. Thank you so much for your help. I have been a subscriber for a few years, again thank you.
1/ My ever first mistake: didn't follow the grainline. Thought it was useless and just wanted my tartan fabric to match.
2/ 2nd HUGE mistake: didn't wash a blue stretch velvet fabric before sewing. It stained my hands, my sewing machine (has still today some blue left) , my white table...everything. A nightmare!
I've learned my lessons, harshly.
I’ve prewashed fabric without a color catcher and it ran. Of course.
Finishing up my toile, using cotton sheets. I have discovered the armholes and shoulders are too tight. I am planning to add extra fabric, as you suggested to the underarm area. Where should I add to the next pattern cut out? Equally to the yolk, front and sleeves?
Appreciate your covering this topic
Any chance you can do d demo of BASIC HAND SEWING STITCHES??? thx
Over the hundreds of videos she's made, Im sure she's covered it somewhere 🙂
Bernadette Banner has one of basic stitches.
@@adedow1333 thank you so much
There's a video on YT (I forget the name of it) demonstrating couture hand stitches that is very good.
Juul Thijssen has quite a few very good videos on hand sewing. She is an absolute Genius. You also might find helpful Burnley and Trowbridge's beginner tutorials.
I bought a bunch of patterns in the wrong size because I used the size chart in the back not realizing that those were all the sizes the brand offers, not necessarily all the sizes the patterns offer.
I have a vogue pattern that includes a pattern piece sleeve stay. I don’t have the foggiest Idea what that is. Please help. Love your videos and I’m considering your school.
Love stay stitching!
Your videos are a treat to watch - I have done all of these! But off-topic - I'm going to make a similar top to what you're wearing and am trying to decide if I want to add lace around the neck and sleeves or something different and I really like the decorative stitching on your top. How was this done? Did you do some sort of smocking or another decorative stitch before adding elastic?
I hate those days where I have to rip all the stitch out 🤪🤪🤪🤪
Using my seam ripper as I’m watching 😅 lol. Sewed on my first patch and it’s wonky AF. Ooops.
Love your outfit.