No-sew Recycled T Shirt skirt

I was busy in the shop, wearing blue jeans, with my pile of t's and the heat started getting to me. I came up with this great idea for a no-sew recycled skirt! A quick internet search reveals that, alas, I am not the first to think of this. I am still proud of myself and have pictures for a tutorial. Ready?

Supplies needed:
2 T shirts without side seams, one must be at least 2 inches wider than your hip measurement (Keep in mind that this is not suitable for a logo because the bottom up the skirt is up.)
scissors and/or rotary cutter and mat
ruler
safety pin

Lay out the T shirt, nice and flat. (I fold at the center front, because it is easier for me to cut straight this way)

Cut under the arms as neat and straight as you can

Cut a 2 inch strip from another T

Cut the strip.

Stretch it to form cord for the casing

Keep the center front of the T.

Cut through one layer of the hem in the front to form the casing.

Attach safety pin to cord.

Thread thru casing.

Finished!

The one I made for me complete with dirty baby foot :)

This skirt is rather short, sewing ideas include:
adding length
a ruffle
a flounce
The possibilities are endless!

Sewing Class at the Richmond Aud

We are finally going to start sewing classes again at the Aud. Its been super busy in the Youth Theater, with 3 almost overlapping plays. Wizard of Oz, Jungle Book and Secret Garden. They are doing Jungle Book again now, because the first time this year was with a Charter School. This means I don't have as much work, we can use the costumes from last time. I will only need to make some wolves.

The class is for Middle School kids and is free for anyone who lives in Casco or Lennox Townships. All others will have to pay a mere $20.00 for the 4 week class. We will be working on a Machine Stitch Sample booklet. The booklet teaches sewing machine basics like backstitching and is flexible according to students abilities. A child new to sewing on a machine will be introduced to sewing a plain seam, while a child with some experience may progress a little faster and learn how to do a flat-felled seam and french seams. I will also have other projects available.

Hopefully, the class will be a hit! I'm looking forward to cultivating a love of sewing in the next generation.

Detroit Sewing Examiner

I am writing for Examiner.com as the Detroit Sewing Examiner.

You laugh? Yes, I see, you are skeptical because I don't write here often enough. Well, it is a different kind of writing there. This is personal and opinionated, it takes more effort. I think in my head as I'm composing there, "just the facts, ma'am". I'm going to try to be a good source of info for what is happening in the Metro area. I am well suited for the title because I'm pretty obsessed with sewing. I am not an expert, but I am knowledgeable.

I think it will be fun! Visit me there and if you think you could be the right person for Sewing Examiner in your area apply here and I might get a commission!

Oh! And I still plan on posting here, my mind is overflowing with ideas!!

F or my little seamster.

I just dug out my Pfaff Tiptronic 1171. She has been buried for quite a while.

I bought her, in about 1999, because I needed a backup for when my other home Pfaff was getting serviced. I never liked this machine as much as my other Pfaff. She was never used by me for anything much and hardly used by the first owner. But, she needs a cleaning. Silly me to think I could pull her out and use her after all these years. I was gonna do it myself, but who am I kidding. Some day I'll do my own service, I think. I don't really want to pay for the cleaning/tune up, but I'd pay way more for a new machine, so its going in.

Look at what I noticed!

My new favorite part. Look at the arrow showing which direction to turn the knob. Love it.

oh yeah, my son wants to sew, this will be his machine. He sat on my lap for 4 years watching me sew. We picked up a junky little toy one, you should see his hands! I'm interested to see if its something he can do well and if he will really like it.

How I measure.

I sell in various venues at various times and I understand how difficult it can be to buy online when sizes are vague or not standard. I do my best to represent garments as accurately as possible.

My first suggestion is to get something out of your closet that has similar attributes. For example, a sweater with set in sleeves for a sweater with set in sleeves. You don't have to know exactly what set in sleeves are, just look for similarities. Don't measure something of yours that is sleeveless if you are looking at a sleeved garment.

You will need a tape measure.


Dritz Tape Measure- 5/8''x60''

First I lay the garment flat and neat on the table.


Measuring underarm to underarm.


Measuring length. Starts where the neck edge meets the collar.


Ends at the hem (this style has an open front, so the length is approximate))


Measure sleeve.


From where the top of the sleeve meets the shoulder,


to the hem.

Beginner sewing tips

I've recently had the opportunity to see some of the mistakes that beginners to operating sewing machines often make. So, I've got some suggestions to make your sewing machine work better. I don't want newbies to become frustrated before they can even start sewing.

First make sure the tension dial is in the factory setting. If you don't remember where that is, put in it in the middle of the range, usually about 4. Now forget how to move this dial.

Set the machine to a 2 1/2 - 3 in the stitch length. It is easier to pick out.

Use muslin or a quilting cotton for your sewing practice. That means a quilting needle or a universal or a sharp 11. I like Schmetz and have had good success with Organ. Other brands are good, I just haven't used them. Buy a couple packs with different sizes, plus ball points.

Make sure the bobbin is wound properly. Even, not crooked, and nice and tight, not squishy to the touch. Make sure there are no tails sticking out of the top.

Make sure the bobbin is placed into the bobbin case properly, or placed into the drop bobbin properly. See your manual or these pics for examples of bobbins. There is no one size fits all answer, it depends on your machine.

Pfaff 6091, thread goes off to the right.


Bernina 950, thread goes to the left.


If your only thread stand option is like this buy one of these or these.



See your manual for proper threading. If you don't have the manual, try to find your machine here. I will try to do some more threading tutorials soon. The rules are pretty much the same, machines just look different.

Place your foot all the way up on the foot pedal, not just your toes. Use even pressure, less for slower or more to go faster.

Situate the fabric under the presser foot, needle down, then presser foot down. ONLY TURN THE HANDWHEEL TOWARD YOU! NEVER (NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!) TURN THE HANDWHEEL AWAY FROM YOU! Even if it means the wheel has to go all the way around.

Let the machine do what it is designed to do. Don't "steer" the fabric, guide it. Its OK to be a little off starting out, keep your corrections gradual and it won't be as noticeable.

If you want to slow down, use less pressure with your foot, don't hold back the fabric. I can't stand the sound of working against the feed dogs.

Backstitching should be limited to about 3 stitches.

Change your needle often, this is not a place where you should be skimping and saving money. If the stitch isn't right and you are positive the threading and bobbin are correct, try a different needle, you can use this chart. Make sure the needle matches your fabric and you are using a compatible thread.

A seamstress is not a patternmaker.

A seamstress is not a patternmaker. If you are looking for someone to make patterns, do not ask a seamstress. A patternmaker can sew, but if I call myself a seamstress, I am not implying that I can make patterns. If a patternmaker says he/she can't sew then find yourself another patternmaker.

I was asked many years ago to sew samples for a self-described patternmaker who lamented that she could only draft patterns but could not sew to save her life. After contracting to sew 10 designs, already cut out, for $50.00 apiece I discovered the problem. Nothing fit together. She couldn't sew because she couldn't draft. I was inexperienced at the time and brought the garments to a experienced patternmaker. She confirmed my discovery. I gave it all back and didn't charge her anything because she had spent $5000.00 for a booth at a show.

If you don't know this basic truth, its time to stop. You aren't ready for production. Go here, buy her book.