Costume & Crafting Help

[Drawingablank]

(I guess most 2x women don't go for extravagant looking clothing as I have found few items that both fit and look good).

Although, I cannot speak for all 2x women, in my own case this si a big pile of bullsiht. I would love interesting clothes, rather than "I'm trying to make my fat dissapear by fading into the wallpaper or looking like your grandma's sofa."

Well I am only going by what I see at the thrift stores which rarely has interesting clothes in plus sizes (I suppose this observation was also influenced by the boring stuff my wife buys).

I suppose the conclusions that they don't manufacture much or that those who have them hang onto them and don't donate them to thrift stores would also be equally valid based on my shopping experince.

I did not mean to be insulting or anything, it was more of an observation that interesting plus sized clothing seems rather in short supply - at least where I've been shopping. I did manage to find one 2x lacy mini skirt in a year of thrifting though.

[theCryptofishist]

I didn't take it as an insult. I was simply proclaiming my frustration with the exact same problem you were talking about.

[AntiM]

(I guess most 2x women don't go for extravagant looking clothing as I have found few items that both fit and look good).

Although, I cannot speak for all 2x women, in my own case this si a big pile of bullsiht. I would love interesting clothes, rather than "I'm trying to make my fat dissapear by fading into the wallpaper or looking like your grandma's sofa."

Well I am only going by what I see at the thrift stores which rarely has interesting clothes in plus sizes (I suppose this observation was also influenced by the boring stuff my wife buys).

I suppose the conclusions that they don't manufacture much or that those who have them hang onto them and don't donate them to thrift stores would also be equally valid based on my shopping experince.

I did not mean to be insulting or anything, it was more of an observation that interesting plus sized clothing seems rather in short supply - at least where I've been shopping. I did manage to find one 2x lacy mini skirt in a year of thrifting though.

2x and larger in more interesting and colorful designs are out there. Maurices and Lane Bryant come to mind. Pricey though, and yeah, once a large gal such as myself finds gems to wear, we don't let them go lightly. When I do clear out the closet, it goes to freecycle. Hot Topic used to carry larger sizes, (Torrid?) but they ran small. The new corporate masters are not interested in larger sized females, so we rarely scrounge the clearance rack anymore.

MyLarry is lucky, he wears a 13/14.

[Drawingablank]

Can anyone recommend a good brand of bobbins? I am having fits trying to get decent class 66 bobbins.

I tried Dritz metal ones but the hole is so jagged most wont fit on the bobbin winder. I tried Singer plastic ones and half of them have exploded apart while winding them.

Heading back to the fabric store tonight to see what other options they offer.

[Drawingablank]

Made a reversible vest for my son (my bolero pattern without sleeves). Will be making a matching loincloth too. Short pile leopard with tie dye flannel inside.



Edit: I'm not happy about making these without pockets, but it seems they would spoil the look when reveresed.

[theCryptofishist]

You might try ebay for the bobbins. The thing is that the old stuff was made in metal and to last, so a lot of it is still kicking around.
I have some, because I think they're interesting for things like found object assemblage. (I hate using french terms, so pretentious. Yet somehow, "Assembly: It Isn't Just for Ford Anymore" sounds a litte forced as well...)

[MyDearFriend]

Made a reversible vest for my son (my bolero pattern without sleeves). Will be making a matching loincloth too. Short pile leopard with tie dye flannel inside.



Edit: I'm not happy about making these without pockets, but it seems they would spoil the look when reveresed.

Could you put an angled pocket between the layers, with the opening in the front seam?

I love the look you've got there DAB but you are so right about pockets.

[Savannah]

That leopard fabric is really pretty . . .

[Milayna]

Very nice vest drawingablank!! Your son's a lucky guy

[Drawingablank]

Thanks for the comments, I'm not sure an angled pocket on the seam will be useful as that would put it just below the armpit.

[Drawingablank]

Thanks for the comments, I'm not sure an angled pocket on the seam will be useful as that would put it just below the armpit.

The fabric is not to my taste, but nice. I really don't care for the fur look personally.

Will trry to find some vinatge bobbins.

[lucky420]

I like it and a good job sewing that you have done there. I feel like it needs a little more ummphh. Maybe some el wire or some longer fur trim around the edges perhaps? I don't know, just opinion and i'm drunk right now , so my opinion doesn't count for much, eh?

[AntiM]

A little cording for trim would spiff it up quite a bit. Or pom-poms!

[Simon of the Playa]

as a professional seamster, i offer my services to answer any questions involving stitching...Just Pm me, preferably with a photo and description...

ill show you the "seam"y side of life...

[Simon of the Playa]

on second thought, post it here, and send me a pm telling me you did, then i'll post answers so everyone can see how its done...

Love and Stitches,

the Upholstergeist...

[theCryptofishist]

the Upholstergeist...

OooOO! I like it. Besides, it's about time that Simon starts building up his stable of socks.

(wry aside, not actual encouragement of socks.)

[Drawingablank]

I like it and a good job sewing that you have done there. I feel like it needs a little more ummphh. Maybe some el wire or some longer fur trim around the edges perhaps? I don't know, just opinion and i'm drunk right now , so my opinion doesn't count for much, eh?

I agree, but he wants a tarzan costume for halloween which he would also add to his burner clothes. He will likely add some el wire as well, but he's an adult and can deal with that himself if he wants it.

I like the idea of trimming with shag fur too, and may incorporate that into future designs.

On occasion great ideas come when drinking.

[Drawingablank]

ACKKK! Stopped at the fabric store yesterday for a few spools of thread and some bobbins and ended up with another 50+ yards of fabric.

Got a bolt of metallic green reptile print, a glittery red leopard print, a tiger print suedette, red curly fur (super soft), black shag fur (like bear fur), and a bunch of 2.00 a yard cotton prints including a checkerboard plaid with bear prints, and blue camoflage.

Finishing up one more bolero vest in a pink minky fur to test a different assembly technique, then on to some new designs. I'm thinking possibly a mad hatter coat with fur trim or possibly a skirt with that reptile print.

My son is also bugging me to work out a pattern for that bear coat from the Workaholics show.

[MyDearFriend]

Thanks for the comments, I'm not sure an angled pocket on the seam will be useful as that would put it just below the armpit.

Ooooh no not in the side seam; men's shoulders won't rotate that way. I was thinking an angled chest pocket, like the Marine BDU blouse, reach across & in just behind the front center seam... no? Otherwise it would have to be a welted pocket, yikes.

Bwahahahahahaha, I love how 50+ yards is your limit on impulse buys.

[Drawingablank]

Bwahahahahahaha, I love how 50+ yards is your limit on impulse buys.

Well actually it's not the limit, it just seems like I can't find more than that much interesting fabric at a time. If they would actually stock some interesting stuff I would easily buy as much as 200 yards at a time.

[Drawingablank]

Bwahahahahahaha, I love how 50+ yards is your limit on impulse buys.

Well actually it's not the limit, it just seems like I can't find more than that much interesting fabric at a time. If they would actually stock some interesting stuff I would easily buy as much as 200 yards at a time.

Edit: Made a matching loincloth to the leopard vest today.

[Drawingablank]

Another fun fabric shopping spree. Had a card for 30% off the entire purchase so I loaded up with half price furs and brocades and it worked out to 65% off.

We had 2 carts filled with bolts of exceptionally loud fabrics and faux fur so the lady at the yarding counter asked my wife if she was making costumes. I don't know how she managed to keep a straight face, but she said "Oh no, I don't sew. My husband is making himself a new wardrobe." The expression on the employees faces and those in line behind us was priceless.

[Savannah]

Brilliant. This set me thinking of the fabric store employees' likely preoccupation for the rest of the evening . . . which in turn, reminded me of this passage from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

[quote]The manager was on him at once, mumbling, "Cool it, cool it, come on back to the office." I never saw him after that night, but before he was taken away, the road-person distributed his samples. Huge white spansules. I went into the men's room to eat mine. But only half at first, I thought. Good thinking, but a hard thing to accomplish under the circumstances. I ate the first half, but spilled the rest on the sleeve of my red Pendleton shirt ... And then, wondering what to do with it, I saw one of the musicians come in. "What's the trouble," he said.

"Well," I said. "All this white stuff on my sleeve is LSD." He said nothing: Merely grabbed my arm and began sucking on it. A very gross tableau. I wondered what would happen if some Kingston Trio/young stockbroker type might wander in and catch us in the act. Fuck him, I thought. With a bit of luck, it'll ruin his life -- forever thinking that just behind some narrow door in all his favorite bars, men in red Pendleton shirts are getting incredible kicks from things he'll never know. Would he dare to suck a sleeve? Probably not. Play it safe. Pretend you never saw it....[/quote]

[Drawingablank]

Brilliant. This set me thinking of the fabric store employees' likely preoccupation for the rest of the evening . . . which in turn, reminded me of this passage from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

[quote]The manager was on him at once, mumbling, "Cool it, cool it, come on back to the office." I never saw him after that night, but before he was taken away, the road-person distributed his samples. Huge white spansules. I went into the men's room to eat mine. But only half at first, I thought. Good thinking, but a hard thing to accomplish under the circumstances. I ate the first half, but spilled the rest on the sleeve of my red Pendleton shirt ... And then, wondering what to do with it, I saw one of the musicians come in. "What's the trouble," he said.

"Well," I said. "All this white stuff on my sleeve is LSD." He said nothing: Merely grabbed my arm and began sucking on it. A very gross tableau. I wondered what would happen if some Kingston Trio/young stockbroker type might wander in and catch us in the act. Fuck him, I thought. With a bit of luck, it'll ruin his life -- forever thinking that just behind some narrow door in all his favorite bars, men in red Pendleton shirts are getting incredible kicks from things he'll never know. Would he dare to suck a sleeve? Probably not. Play it safe. Pretend you never saw it....

[/quote]

I love that book.

[waxpraxis]

Ok costume-y folks - I could use some help!

I'm currently working with an awesome hobbyist electronics supply place (adafruit.com) on a tutorials-for-electronics trade program (getting all the parts for my Blitter Bike project that way!). So anyways we're throwing back and forth ideas on tutorials for me to write and they ask "Do you have access to a sewing machine?". Well, technically, I do... my mom has one. But I've honestly never used a sewing machine in my life.

All in all it sounds like they're wanting me to do more electronics-mixed-with-crafts style tutorials (my first one was for EL wire luna moth wings, it should be online soon!). When I think about it, getting my moms sewing machine would be a big pain the ass and I'd be really worried about ruining/damaging it. It would probably be good if I just had my own sewing machine and knew how to sew.

So (sew?) what's the easiest way to get started? I'd rather not buy a new machine, a used one is just fine - I just don't know what to look for. I also don't have the slightest idea how they work. I've done some reading online, but mostly I just found it confusing I think because I don't have a machine in front of me.

I was thinking for learning how to use the machine I'd buy a few yards of cheap cloth just to practice with.

[theCryptofishist]

Okay, I'd say an old Singer. There are other brands, but Singer was so dominant for such a long time, so that finding parts shouldn't be an issue. Get one from before they started making gears out of plastic. Take it to a sewing machine shop to get it tuned up (or whatever it's called, "serviced" maybe, but that sounds so dirty.) I don't know about places like JoAnn's, but old fashioned fabric stores tended to have sewing lessons, if you want a guide. Might also be able to meet someone who could be sewing expert for this. Maybe craigslist could find you one. You may not need one, but it might turn out that your ambitions outstrip your abilities and an expert could be useful.

[EspressoDude]

an OLD machine is good, like Fishy sez...like pre 1960 about the time cars went to plastic dashboards.

Go to a sewing machine shop and ask questions and try out used machines. Ask what to stay away from, what they like to tune up. Ask how to adjust for diffo threads and fabrics.

try craigslist. should be real cheap.

get a zig zag machine, NO cams for fancy stitches!! (more fiddling to get it timed right) No electronics!!! Absolutely NO ELECTRONICS!!!

a free machine on cl may be good if you like to tinker. a $50 - $100.00 tune up may make a machine for sale in the shop, already to go, a deal.

Bigger space under the arm is good. One half of your sewing project has to fit there.

every fabric is different, so don't spent too much time or $$ on practice pieces.

[AntiM]

I know Hancock Fabrics does sewing classes for all skill levels. Most fabric shops do.

I learned to sew from my mom, and 8th grade home ec. A few private lessons can get you on the right path.

If you can't find a good old machine, you can find machines fo runder $100. Cheap, but not bad for starters.

I have a Necchi for daily use, mom's old Pfaff head which needs a tune up and is collectible, and a Japanese treadle machine. I know the treadle works, but haven't tried it in all the years I've had it. Dragged that cast iron monstrosity home out of the trash!

[Drawingablank]

Every week I see at least one free machine on our local freecycle so that might also be a good source for a cheap one. http://www.freecycle.org/

Practice - old sheets work and are cheap but tend to be a bit soft and mushy. When you first start it is easier to practice with firmer fabrics such as new unwashed cotton broadcloth which you can usually find at 2.00 a yard on sale. Of course for making garments in cotton it best to prewash and shrink it first, so using it unwashed would only be good for practicing.

Try to avoid practicing on anything stretchy until you get the hang of it since stretch stuff is harder to work with. Knits tend to be a bit different than sewing other fabrics.

Singer machines were all metal at least until 1962. The only plastic on my model 328 is the carrying case and the spool holders which appear to be nylon. It has a basic lever controlled zig zag, and although it does have cams for fancy stitches and all sorts of feet and accessories I never use them. A nice thing about Singer is you can download free user manuals in PDF format for most of their machines from their web site.

Joanns also has sewing lessons in most of their stores, although I think they are run by an independent company who leases space in their stores.

[AntiM]

Denim legs from old jeans are what I practiced on. Made a lot of little bags before I tackled a garment.