TSWLTH is asking for opinions about REAL sewing from real people who REALLY sew! Take the survey, don't let the first question on the second(?) page throw you, you have to enter a *different* ranking for each category: http://www.joann-mail.com/r2/r4.asp?r=1552_258337&i=J08225S1009 Maybe with...

hi everyone i am now starting the consturction of one of the biggest dresses that we have ever made its a rubberised satin inflatable bavarian crinoline dress,and we are using a medium rubberised satin to consturct the dress , as the dress itself will be filled with air, so all the seams will have...

Jack Schmidling wrote: First of all, what is the difference between and inner and interlining? 'Inner' lining is not a sewing construction term. Interlining is a fabric that is sewn in between the outer construction and the lining (usually a smooth shiny fabric to assist wearing the garment). ...

There is message on another list about needle plates, & I wonder if anyone has had the same trouble with fabric going down the slot.. and did buying a single hole plate for embroidery solve the problem ?

I've been trying to make one of those "full" petticoats, one that sticks out a lot, but I haven't found a pattern and the few articles I've found on the web aren't all that clear to me. I've tried experimenting, but the small pieces I've come up with look like a mess, so I'm reluctant to go out...

Hello All! I am making a very basic straight skirt with a matching cardigan style jacket. The fabric is a wool, actually it's some men's suiting fabric I bought a couple years ago to make a suit for my husband. The project never materialized, no pun intended, so now the fabric is mine. I will...

I would like to make a one-piece item of fitted/top sheets for my non-standard shape mattress in our RV. I have a pattern for the fitted bottom sheet which I got on the Internet and I thought to just attach the top sheet. I see a problem, though, crushed toes. I though to sew in several pleats...

Hi, I have a Consew 29 leather sewing machine, mine is motor driven. See http://www.mansew.com/music/leather.htm right at the bottom of the page. Have been trying to sew 5.5oz "upholstery" leather, yes I know its heavy...more like chap leather but thick and heavy is he whole point of my project...

I just finished this quilt and will be entering it in a local contest. My Daughter in law says it would be prettier in blue and white. What do you think? http://www.veronicamoser.com/images/mosers5.jpg

Im making a large ironing surface (6'x2') to iron quilts on. What fabric/material should I use and where can I buy material premade specifically for iron boards or appropriate to use for an ironing board? Any tips appreciated Thank you!

I'm a total novice, so please bear with me. I'm trying to use the zig-zag stitch, yet as the machine makes each stitch, it seems to be forming a crease in the middle. It's as if there's a fold right down the line of stitching under the thread. Does this make sense? Am I using the wrong settings for...

Hello, I am looking for a source of for sturdy diaper pins. It seems that they have gone into hiding. I can find flimsy safety pins, but what I am looking for is the pins that we used to buy with the plastic heads. Mary

I'm hoping someone of our Australian correspondents can help me with a material I've seen specified in some directions, but can't identify. The directions to make your own pleater board call for "Vilene Fusible Badge Backing 1050HF", and googling this only results in a pointer to hte same...

Joy Hardie's cat walked across a keyboard and came up with this: I think if you copy something for mass production re-sale you have to change or modify it by 30% to make it legal (from what I recall in my baby swimwear production days). But, if you are just making something for...

I need some advice so I thought this would be the best place ask! My highschool semi formal is coming up in a couple of months, and I've been searching far and wide for a dress, but to no avail. I was on the net last night and found THE perfect...

I'm going to buy myself a new serger for Xmas - Yeah!!! Anyway, I know I want a 5 thread so I can do a chain stitch and an overlock, but which one? Anybody have advice as to what to look out for and which ones to stay away from? TIA Hoku

My daughter-in-law is pregnant and needs 4X maternity clothes. Does anyone know of any available patterns in this size? Does anyone know of ready made clothes in this size? Thanks Karen

Hello, I live in the U. S. and I am in the process of researching the possibility of starting a home sewing business. The research has brought me to the Wool and Textile Labeling Acts. I have a few questions pertaining to fiber content labels. I hope someone in the group who is already in the...

Hi Everyone, I've just bought a Brother Embroidery machine. Does anyone know any websites with designs and ideas?

I think I remember reading in the Kwik-Sew book about sewing for babies the way to measure for crib sheets was this: measure the top width and length of the crib mattress. Measure the depth, add 5-6 inches. Add this to the width and depth, and this is the minimum your raw fabric should measure. I...