Crafty Thread - what are you working on at the moment?

[Mrs Miggins]

Question for the sewers: do you always wash and dry new fabric before cutting out your pattern?

I see this advice all over the Internet. My mum never used to. I never used to but I do remember years ago making a dress out of some insane pink fabric that shrank when I washed it and broke my heart.

 

[Boudicca]

Question for the sewers: do you always wash and dry new fabric before cutting out your pattern?

I see this advice all over the Internet. My mum never used to. I never used to but I do remember years ago making a dress out of some insane pink fabric that shrank when I washed it and broke my heart.

The only time have pre-washed, I was making a cover for a futon, it was big piece of fabric and if it shrank just a little bit, it would have ended up too small. It did shrink a bit.

Otherwise no, and I've never had a problem.

Only the quilters pre-wash really.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

The only time have pre-washed, I was making a cover for a futon, it was big piece of fabric and if it shrank just a little bit, it would have ended up too small. It did shrink a bit.

Otherwise no, and I've never had a problem.

Only the quilters pre-wash really.

Thank you. Maybe it's more of a thing in America? Just because they tend to dominate the internet.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

So here we have it! One clown dress
It's insane but I kind of love it. Very pleased I've made a garment from nothing. Whether I'll wear it outside remains to be seen...

 

[danski]

Insane but excellent. Looks ace!

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Insane but excellent. Looks ace!

Thank you

 

[Boudicca]

So here we have it! One clown dress
It's insane but I kind of love it. Very pleased I've made a garment from nothing. Whether I'll wear it outside remains to be seen...
View attachment 436538View attachment 436539

That's fabulous and you should definitely wear it outside!

 

[wtfftw]

That's fabulous and you should definitely wear it outside!

This!

And then when people give compliments you can say you made it

 

[Epona]

The colours do work!
Great job, definitely wear it outside!

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the encouragement.

And I can't wait to start my next dress. I've actually bought some fabric this time. I'll share it here when it's done.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

Got some organisers for my materials.
Also got a tiny table saw. It's making consistency easier.

Put down floor boards for one room. Little uncertain how to attach. The super glue was kinda messy.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Next time I make this guy they will get a little thrown pedestal to stand on, had to improvise one out of a bamboo coaster

 

[RubyToogood]

Question for the sewers: do you always wash and dry new fabric before cutting out your pattern?

I see this advice all over the Internet. My mum never used to. I never used to but I do remember years ago making a dress out of some insane pink fabric that shrank when I washed it and broke my heart.

I generally do prewash, yes. Viscose particularly can shrink significantly.

Dress is awesome, not clown like at all, colours are fab and you can totally wear it out.

I've just made some posh PJs from the Ruffle Brunch Set pattern from the same people, out of an old sheet.

 

[Epona]

Next time I make this guy they will get a little thrown pedestal to stand on, had to improvise one out of a bamboo coaster

View attachment 437361

View attachment 437362

That is so cute!

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I generally do prewash, yes. Viscose particularly can shrink significantly.

Dress is awesome, not clown like at all, colours are fab and you can totally wear it out.

I've just made some posh PJs from the Ruffle Brunch Set pattern from the same people, out of an old sheet.

Thank you RubyToogood

Hmmm....I might prewash then. I'd be devastated if something shrunk that I'd spent so long making. Never mind the expense. What with the cost of the new machine plus fabric plus cotton plus patterns, paper, sellotape....

It's not about the cost though. It's about a creative outlet and making clothes that I can't buy. I've found some wonderful fabrics at Fabrics Galore on Lavendar Hill. This is my next project. Those colours together make my heart sing

 

[RubyToogood]

Thank you RubyToogood

Hmmm....I might prewash then. I'd be devastated if something shrunk that I'd spent so long making. Never mind the expense. What with the cost of the new machine plus fabric plus cotton plus patterns, paper sellotape....

It's not about the cost though. It's about a creative outlet and making clothes that I can't buy. I've found some wonderful fabrics at Fabrics Galore on Lavendar Hill. This is my next project. Those colours together make my heart sing

View attachment 437439

Fabrics Galore are excellent. I've got some jersey with cherries on from there waiting to be turned into a jumpsuit.

 

[Artaxerxes]

That is so cute!

I have another very similar one that's almost ready, I'm going to try do something special with it but it might not survive (raku is brutal)

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I've had a late grandma's sewing box knocking around for ooooh at least 15 years I'd say. One of those multi-compartment cantilevered ones.
Anyway, I've finally got round to clearing it out.

Anyone know what these are?

 

[Mrs Miggins]

And there's 3 big reels of this white thread - I don't know whether it's worth keeping. (Standard cotton reel there for scale)

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I've got a fine collection of thimbles now

 

[Mrs Miggins]

And buttons! Buttons! Oh my god BUTTONS!! Where could I take all these buttons? Would a school want them? For crafts? Seems a shame to bin them but I honestly can't see me ever using the overwhelming majority of them.

Will happily donate to anyone here who wants them. And that white embroidery thread.

 

[Humberto]

I've had a late grandma's sewing box knocking around for ooooh at least 15 years I'd say. One of those multi-compartment cantilevered ones.
Anyway, I've finally got round to clearing it out.

Anyone know what these are?

View attachment 439106View attachment 439107

One on the right looks like this:

Antique Wooden Pestle Vtg European Farmer Home Kitchen Mortar Food Grinding Tool | eBay

This pestle is approx. Not sure how old it is, but at least 50 years and probably more. It is still in good condition and will be a nice addition to your kitchen collection or decoration.

www.ebay.co.uk

Maybe it just got stuffed in the wrong bag.

 

[Epona]

I've had a late grandma's sewing box knocking around for ooooh at least 15 years I'd say. One of those multi-compartment cantilevered ones.
Anyway, I've finally got round to clearing it out.

Anyone know what these are?

View attachment 439106View attachment 439107

Is the one on the right something to do with making lace?
My nan was a dressmaker and had loads of stuff like this but I'd be lying if I said I knew what it all was

Excellent haul of thimbles btw

 

[Mrs Miggins]

One on the right looks like this:

Antique Wooden Pestle Vtg European Farmer Home Kitchen Mortar Food Grinding Tool | eBay

This pestle is approx. Not sure how old it is, but at least 50 years and probably more. It is still in good condition and will be a nice addition to your kitchen collection or decoration.

www.ebay.co.uk

Maybe it just got stuffed in the wrong bag.

No it's quite small:

 

[Epona]

No it's quite small:
View attachment 439118

Oh definitely seeing the size I am sticking with my initial "lace thingy" suggestion - it's used to make lace doilies and collars and stuff I think.

 

[Humberto]

Ah ok. Well google image search is no use then.

 

[Epona]

I've had a late grandma's sewing box knocking around for ooooh at least 15 years I'd say. One of those multi-compartment cantilevered ones.
Anyway, I've finally got round to clearing it out.

Anyone know what these are?

View attachment 439106View attachment 439107

The 2 on the left, maybe for working with leather or canvas or other heavy materials/fabrics?

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Oh definitely seeing the size I am sticking with my initial "lace thingy" suggestion - it's used to make lace doilies and collars and stuff I think.

Could well be.

I wondered if it was a tool for pushing out seams like when you've made a collar and turn it the right way out. I don't know what that's called.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

The 2 on the left, maybe for working with leather or canvas or other heavy materials/fabrics?

Yeah good idea! I wondered if they might be upholstery needles or something? But they're usually curved aren't they?

 

[Epona]

Ah ok. Well google image search is no use then.

Just a case of scale I think, I've seen pestles that look like that but bigger, although tbf normally not made from wood (maybe a lot bigger for cracking wheat though would be feasible for a wooden implement)