Box Pleat skirt-OverCast Foot

Hello, thanks for stopping by!! Since I am a new seamstress and have no idea how to use a serger,  I have discovered a presser foot that has really helped me make my finished edges look more professional. If you look at the seam finishes on some of your clothing you will notice that the edges are finished with a zig zag stitch or with a serger. The finish in the picture above was done with an overcast foot.

I have a total of three sewing machines and since the feet are low shanked I can change them between machines. My Singer sewing machine uses my Brother feet also, great feeling!!

The type of stitch is a zig zag stitch, even though it is takes longer to do it is worth it because the edges won't fray when your garment is laundered. After the skirt was complete I hemmed it an inch.
This box pleated skirt was pretty simple to make. There are a ton of them over on YouTube. I have made a total of four skirts and out of them I am only pleased with 1 and that is the one in this photo.

I will make another one and post photo's stay tuned!! Thanks for reading please share!!

Amount of fabric-3-4 yards
Pleating space-4 inches apart
Fabric purchase: Hobby Lobby (100% cotton)

How to finish seams are very important. If you do not own a serger this is the next best option. It's more work, but this prevents the edges of your fabric from fraying when washing. 

Beginner Seamstress #2-Dress Form

Hello, thanks for coming by today!! Today's topic is about dress forms or better yet a  mannequin. I decided to purchase one because I needed to use it to fit the desired body size on the tissue or muslin fabric onto it.

I have watched a couple of YouTube videos and one that I ran across was a sewing blab, where Andrea Davis, who lives a couple of hours away from me, stated that you have to know the terminology. That stung like a bee sting because upon reading patterns you have to know what a top stitch, under stitch or even a basting stitch is. I know of only one, lol the basting stitch. The top stitch I learned when sewing my very first pattern from stylesewme.

                                           


Dress Form

                                                          


My dress form arrived and it is located in my sewing area of my salon. I have two dress forms, one that is smaller and is sporting a tutu, and the other one is naked and has no forms on it. I plan to purchase the dress form system and contour it more to my body type. Nobodies body is perfect and the system will make it more realistic.

                                                           

The purpose of purchasing the dress form and dress form system is to eventually make clothing for myself. Learning the terminology of sewing is my next task. Follow my next post on the class that I have began taking to help me with reading and understanding patterns. Thanks for reading!!

Beginning seamstress #1 tips

Hello, and thanks for stopping by today. Today's blog is for beginning seamstress. You want to sew and don't know where to begin? You don't have a clue about sewing machines, patterns or even fabric. Well I'm here to help. Let's began shall we.

First please realize that sewing requires a lot of patience and FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS. I have decided to take some courses on Craftsy, YouTube and MiMi G Sew Academy  to help me with not continuing to waste money.  I will make a schedule of course to take each day I'm off. This will answer a lot of questions and time because I won't have to guess at trying to figure out what to do.

Some people are gifted at picking up by looking at things, I have to have instruction and reasons why this goes this way....And with sewing I found out, there are no short cuts, you can't cut fabric your way, you can't just use any fabric, you have to know the difference between the salvage edge omg, and the list goes on.

Patterns 
Following directions on patterns can be a task because the pattern has to be broken down, and depending on what fabric you are using you may not really need a dress form, I used myself which was a task. I will definately be purchasing a dress form and pads soon. If you are sewing  knit fabric, which is stretchy and conforms to the body the project will not be a big issue. The first project I sewed was a Ponte knit and was relatively easy to make. The second project which is a jumpsuit is going to require two different sizes. I attempted making it, but I feel as if it is too big. I didn't realize I had to combine sizes and needed a dress from to actually see what I was making

Fabric selection is crucial, if you are not using knit and you are making vintage dresses and you have to make darts, stay stitches gathers, ect, that is really confusing. So I need a lot of beginning tips and tricks and so I must start with the bare basics and that is making a freaking pillow. Do I want to make a pillow, heck no, but I have got to start somewhere. Moving along....

I considered purchasing a kit from Craftsy. I will be doing so many hours a day of the class because they are kind of long and I need to be attentive when I am listening.

I know on my last post I was entering a challenge, well that has changed. The reason is because I am still not very good with patterns and understanding some of the instructions such as a stay stitch, the best hem options, and just plain out diagnosing the pattern fully which I learned in one of my courses.

The classes that I find that are most important for beginner sewist I will post to my blog on my next post, so make sure you come back and find out!!

Measurements as of now

What has helped you began in your hobby? Follow me, I follow back! Have a great day!!

Sewing Challenge #1

Hello, this is Shiry and thanks for visiting my blog. I am excited to admit that I have decided to participate in the sewing challenge. This is going to be a challenge in itself because I've only sewn wigs not clothing. I made a skirt last month for my birthday and loved it. I don't know how the shirt will end up because I have not decided on the view I want.

I have been stocking up on fabrics, but still have no idea on what color fabric I want to use.

Sewing Machines 2017

Hello, thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. I have taken on the hobby of sewing and decided I wanted to purchase another sewing machine for my collection. I also make wigs so I decided to make the Brother JX2517 for  wig making only. The other two BrotherCE1100 and Singer tradition were going to be used for making clothing.


 

I still have not completely conquered the sewing machine just yet, but I decided to make a machine a temporary serger.  So you say how? The Brother and Singer machines are low shank and the feet just pop off. I have a Singer Walking foot and it attaches to my Brother machine. The machine I purchased came with an Overcast foot which mimics the look of a serger.

I have not quite decided on the type because I am clueless at what machine to even begin with. I think I will end up purchasing a Brother 1034D.




If you are new to sewing have you conquered the sewing machine yet?
Thanks for reading!

Janelle Skirt Pattern

Hello, and thanks for coming by to read my blog. I wanted to share the excitement about my new item I sewed before I went on my vacation. For those of you that don't know me began by saying I have only been sewing two years. I am a very new seamstress and I still have a lot of learning to do.

I have been watching YouTube videos and have learned quite a bit. I began sewing wigs and moved on to clothing. I took the plunge and ordered material and messed it up because I had no idea what the heck I was doing, lol.

I ordered a PDF fill from StyleSewMe, the product was simple to put together. I am apart of her group and I asked how to put pattern together and she made a video on it. I printed my pattern, pieced it together like a puzzle and began putting my pieces together.

Since I am a new seamstress I always buy more fabric than needed because if I mess up I can start over. As mentioned above I ordered fabric and messed it up because I just didn't know what I was doing.

I finally got a hold of myself and began cutting pieces and sat my phone next to me and sewed right along with her while constructing the skirt. Her YouTube channel is StyleSewMe.

The fabric I used was a Jersey knit from JoAnne's. I always purchase more, because you never know. The instructions and video are pretty simple to understand. I made it harder because I was in a rush to get done. Remember if you don't have time alloted for sewing DON'T start the project. If you find yourself frustrated when beginning and during your project, WALK AWAY!

Sewing requires patience and it really soothes the soul. Here are a few pics of my results. But first here are the things needed to complete project.

Things needed:

Interface

Knit fabric

Scissors

Measuring tape

Pins

Zipper