tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post4694287557766813208..comments2009-01-19T06:52:26.371-05:00Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16245730088359572839noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-9002076189764069712009-01-19T06:52:00.000-05:002009-01-19T06:52:00.000-05:00Great post! I'm sure these tips will inspire many readers!Tanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01073735708031525696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-58173766218218932622009-01-16T11:03:00.000-05:002009-01-16T11:03:00.000-05:00(I know I&#39;m slow on posting) I love Born Again Sewist and all the tips. The equipment, dedicated space, fabric quality (you lucky devil that you get to peruse NYC fabric district - can you do that from afar?), measurements &amp; muslin are all fundamentals that guarantee a fab outcome. I&#39;ve done it over and over on all bodies, but it is fun to watch the whole ensemble take shape as you complete each one!Clairehttp://clairekennedydesign.typepad.com/the_atelier_of_claire_ken/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-32240146013493329402009-01-07T22:21:00.000-05:002009-01-07T22:21:00.000-05:00I'm a brand new sewist, not a born-again sewist, but your advice is fantastic all the same. Thanks for a great post!heiligegluthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01444155399534001538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-36020133697952998792009-01-07T13:51:00.000-05:002009-01-07T13:51:00.000-05:00To add to my post about the value of taking a sewing class:<BR/><BR/>No one in my family could sew: my mother could barely manage a button and she had a very negative attitude about sewing. I still remember her knocking the few people in the neighborhood who sewed ("Those are garments are so homemade-looking!")<BR/><BR/>People and machines in my family also did not mix well: I'm the only one who ever learned how to drive, as an adult, and only because I had to. Needless to say, there was no sewing machine.<BR/><BR/>In short, I didn't have a whole lot of confidence or experience. And not everyone can learn from a book: I'm an excellent reader. But I did not find books alone sufficient for me to learn a skill in which I had no background. Reading does teach sewing terminology and explains the rationale for the use of certain techniques.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes you need to have someone watch you do it. The next best thing is an excellent video. There are many on the web.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-42974714114851089282009-01-07T08:36:00.000-05:002009-01-07T08:36:00.000-05:00Great post. I sewed for years and even majored in home ec. in college. I could always wear a <BR/>Vogue 12 right out of the package so I never learned to alter. Now I'm pushing 50 with three kids, small shoulders and a large bust. 2009 will be the year of the muslin for me!<BR/><BR/>MargaretAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-13543799184251044972009-01-07T06:45:00.000-05:002009-01-07T06:45:00.000-05:00Word.phyllishttp://thesewingdivas.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-30272665573785995222009-01-06T23:51:00.000-05:002009-01-06T23:51:00.000-05:00Good post. One suggestion:<BR/><BR/>Take a good sewing class if you have the time. After trying to learn in past years when I did not have the time to devote to it, I finally took some courses and and can now do various kinds of seam finishes, among other essential sewing-related tasks. I sewed a skirt with an invisible zipper and a hand-finished waistband and hem and a tailored blouse with French seams. I also did the buttonholes on a buttonhole machine, although the next time I do it I'll probably have them done professionally. I don't need the stress.<BR/><BR/>Before last year, I literally had not advanced beyond threading the machine. <BR/><BR/>I still haven't made anything for myself yet. Want to get the fit right, which as someone working alone does not seem to be at all an easy task. While I'm hardly big, I'm no Size 6 mannequin, either. <BR/><BR/>Over Christmas I had a relative help me make one of those body outline charts that the fitting books recommend. Next: measurements, and some kind of custom dress form, maybe that My Twin kit -- has anyone used it?<BR/><BR/>I know how to draft a sloper (for a Size 6 mannequin), but I wouldn't know how to reliably alter a pattern from a sloper made from my measurements, much less design something from it that I'd actually want to wear.<BR/><BR/>If you're considering a class, try to find out:<BR/><BR/>--The size of the class;<BR/>--The length and number of sessions;<BR/>--The skill level of the average student;<BR/>--Whether students have access to machines and other equipment outside of the class;<BR/>--Whether the teachers are considered helpful and skilled;<BR/>--What you make;<BR/>--The cost of supplies;<BR/>--Whether the project(s) the class announcement says you will make can actually be made in the allotted time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-48031135617554207132009-01-05T20:34:00.000-05:002009-01-05T20:34:00.000-05:00What a great set of tips for new sewers, returning sewers and really all of us! :)<BR/>Thanks! And Happy New Year!Gwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953347562329586677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-23146543137884741272009-01-05T06:50:00.000-05:002009-01-05T06:50:00.000-05:00This is an excellent post for born-again and even for those just starting. I started sewing in junior high, through high school, and then stopped for a few years, then started again when I first married (1973). Some of your tips apply even to those of us who sew alot- and I like Nanflan's suggestion of not stressing out!!!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12655695696943452993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-11249773978527583572009-01-04T20:33:00.000-05:002009-01-04T20:33:00.000-05:00What wonderful advice! Have you thought about teaching?Little Hunting Creekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15581836733935812927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-14980487357759123022009-01-04T18:09:00.000-05:002009-01-04T18:09:00.000-05:00Excellent, excellent post. I also like the Elaray's suggestion regarding the idea of a poll.<BR/>Again great tips! Amen!alethiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109474450521019305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-83069015742371787062009-01-04T14:34:00.000-05:002009-01-04T14:34:00.000-05:00All the same reasons why I stopped and all the same reasons why I started again. I love reading the blogs and looking at everyone's projects.Eileensewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021854271629386306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-3840094778294056882009-01-04T13:59:00.000-05:002009-01-04T13:59:00.000-05:00Excellent post Lindsay!Ann's Fashion Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02736679240367173915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-91124990925882126042009-01-04T13:16:00.000-05:002009-01-04T13:16:00.000-05:00GREAT post. And even good for those who dabble and then decide to get serious (like I did two years ago).cidellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13762649326538041094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-65296379311256731482009-01-04T12:58:00.000-05:002009-01-04T12:58:00.000-05:00Nancy's (nanflan) comment is a really good one and I wish I had thought to include it. There will be some "what was I thinking!" garments but <B>relax</B> and just know that you'll improve with each thing you make. And even sewing experts still make duds.Lindsay Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16245730088359572839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-41599028334463198112009-01-04T12:28:00.000-05:002009-01-04T12:28:00.000-05:00Your tips are great! I'd add, don't stress out over sewing! It's supposed to be a hobby, right? Even if you were the Queen of 4H in your younger days, you are out of practice, and besides, a lot has changed in the world of sewing since "back in the day." Don't worry about all that's been forgotten and all that's changed. Simply allow yourself to learn and create.Nancy (nanflan)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00609215745927535353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-58942080186284800202009-01-04T12:08:00.000-05:002009-01-04T12:08:00.000-05:00Wow to think that one conversation perculated in your mind and produced this awesome post! <BR/><BR/>You definitely have insight into a subject that I am totally unaware of...because I faced the same challenges but some how managed to still sew. Definitely not as much as I do now but something came out of my sewing machine at least once a month!<BR/><BR/>I agree with Elaray - you should do a poll on this! I would love to see the results and read the back stories.Carolyn (cmarie12)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-33115800973426163852009-01-04T11:30:00.000-05:002009-01-04T11:30:00.000-05:00I'm also returning to sewing after a loooong hiatus. These tips are very helpful indeed. I've been reading about muslins on several blogs and that one tip is, I think, going to be the tip of the year for me. I've never started with a muslin before and of course have a million fitting disaster stories. (ask me about the time I thought facings were just extras you really didn't need!---but that's another story!)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting this.Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-79901916434392198822009-01-04T11:27:00.000-05:002009-01-04T11:27:00.000-05:00Thank you for your words of wisdom! I will reread and apply! After 5 years of grad school,full time work,4 children,races and half m's,I know I have lost my dear hobby. I am ready to reclaim and take it the next level. Thank you for your inspiration and wisdom! I am so excited!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218217151372072602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-23718365658106510522009-01-04T11:24:00.000-05:002009-01-04T11:24:00.000-05:00Wonderful tips Lindsay, very well thought out. And I couldn't agree more with Ann's post about muslins, any attempt to make a muslin 'wearable' usually results in reluctance to actually use it as a muslin, and then you miss the entire benefit of doing it.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11914496343251646284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-77928522836555428952009-01-04T10:13:00.000-05:002009-01-04T10:13:00.000-05:00I agree with everything Lindsay. <BR/><BR/>I do not have a blog of my own, but I read yours and many others and find them interesting and inspiring. I comment often and offer suggestions and that is almost the same.<BR/><BR/>One can also find deals on good machines at http://www.rummageads.com/<BR/><BR/>And don't forget that many sewing centers, such as Sally Cheney's Superstore (Babylock and Pfaff) here in the Nashville, TN area (Rivergate) have oodles of classes every month.<BR/><BR/>BurdaStyle.com has an impressive How To section and many excellent free patterns with which to begin learning.<BR/><BR/>I've been sewing since the 1950's and still have much to learn and lots to do; so, to all you beginners and returnees, jump in the water, it's fine.patsijeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10362426384481772370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-61322839456864403112009-01-04T09:03:00.000-05:002009-01-04T09:03:00.000-05:00Fantastic advice. I'd add one little thing to the measurements advice: if possible, get someone else to take them for you. That's not always possible, but if you can, it makes them that much more accurate.Gorgeous Thingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00105281854898289918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-64064258698237984872009-01-04T08:53:00.000-05:002009-01-04T08:53:00.000-05:00I've made 2009 the year I get organized so I can have more time for my creative side. You're absolutely right about having your equipment out and ready to use. Now if I could only clear away all the clutter I'll be ready to go.<BR/>Thanks for all your great advice.:O)snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930343387389187617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-40254063081053603252009-01-04T08:37:00.000-05:002009-01-04T08:37:00.000-05:00Fabulous tips! Amen!Bunnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672695141031447916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541518822404853610.post-28412903499925708412009-01-04T08:14:00.000-05:002009-01-04T08:14:00.000-05:00Your tips for born-again sewists are excellent. It's good for long-time sewists to be reminded of them. I started sewing in junior high school and stopped only when I was in college and didn't have my machine with me. Is there a Friday poll question somewhere in this post? I like hearing about people's sewing habits and back stories.Elarayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487492651398001387noreply@blogger.com