I'm looking for a pattern for a babydoll nightie for my wife. I can visualize what I'm looking for..the hard part is describing it here. I've looked at Kwiksew, Simplicity, McCalls...and I'm getting cross-eyed looking at the patterns. What I'm looking for is something with a halter top, with very...

Reading the Vogue Sewing book, I came upon a description of the first step in hand stitching. It shows tying a simple knot and slipping this off the finger after the thread is passed through the needle. Not a clue what to do with this knot. Wife says it goes at the end of the thread to keep it...

Want to tackle the huge stack of linens in my mending basket, but think "50" cotton is to strong for fine percale and linen. Is fine cotton darning thread (80) still made? Or, should I try Mettler instead? Any ideas for patches? Am thinking fine cotton muslin or hitting the thrifts for a second...

I'm having a rather stressful day, and I took out my frustration on this group. I'm sorry! Melinda, will you please ignore me for the next couple of days? I have a contract with a concrete contractor who, so far, has torn up my front driveway, and hasn't come back to put in the new one. Yuck! I...

I just ordered some red corduroy fabric from the Fashion Fabrics Club. Probably should have asked this questions first. Does anyone have any experience with this vendor and, if so, what do you think of the quality of the fabric? Thank you. Barbara

It is *so* good to see a newsgroup being so collectively sane about the disaster. (I sporadically read and post to rctq, have occasionally lurked on rcts). OK, an idea. (I really don't like making suggestions I am in absolutely no position to do myself, but this one seems not to have been made...

I know that queries about sewing machine recommendations are directed to the FAQs and every make has its supporters, but I'm still going to risk asking g I have a Bernina that I am very happy with but I'm having to think about getting a lighter SM to take to classes. So any recommendations,...

Jack Schmidling wrote: Is there any way that can be made without knitting or combining a woven fabric and knitting? My wife is learning how to knit and has made me a pair of very simple socks but they wear out faster than she can knit them. I mend them by weaving the same yarn over...

I have the chance to pick up a Singer 301 in it's original wood cabinet from 1950 from an estate sale. It was used by a dedicated quilter up until her death, so it is presumably in good working order. My interest is in a heavy duty capable machine and I am wondering if anybody has experience with...

I am new to sewing and have been buying cheap denim fabric (about $3 yd) to make beds for my Newfoundland. I want to make others for friends dogs but what/where would be the best best fabric, places to look for deal on heavy fabrics? I have used my local Hancock fabric store but am looking for...

My DH and I are just starting the exploration of building our dream retirement house and I am going to have a bedroom to use as my sewing/stitching room. Today, as we discussed some of the house plans in a book we are studying, we measure out one room that is 12 X 11 and decided that the Koala...

Hi all, I have a little leather wallet-on-a-string thingy that I really like. I bought it 4 or 5 years ago, and carry it every day. Naturally, it's starting to get old and ratty, and I've started looking for replacements - and I can't find any. It's amazing, but no one seems to be making the...

How do you nice people ship a completed garment to someone? It's a silk hapi coat. Not certain how to pack it so it arrives looking unworn :) Thanks!

I used to have a small tool which I was told was called a "sweater pic". When you would get a "pull" in your sweater (for example, your cat grabbed it and a piece of the weave was pulled into an extending loop), you could insert this instrument from inside the sweater and draw the "pull" into the...

I've googled, but everything I have found so far has been in women's sizes S-M-L or 0 up to 7. I have large hands and I wear a 7, it would be too small for my new SIL, who wants a large man's thimble, I'd like to find him both a metal and a leather one. Anyone??? TIA, --

Greetings: I'm interested in a way to locate a seamstress who would be able to copy a clothing design from a photo. The woman at the local tailor shop said that its fairly easy to do....but time-consuming and thus she wasn't interested in taking on the project. Any assistance in pointing me in...

Nana: My browser dropped your reply posts so cannot post back to your original answer - but I have another question! The 163 tizzit knots: is that 163 in total or 163 on each end of the Tallit? I will be explaining the meaning behind the shawl, the knots and the 'strings' on each corner to the...

I'm making a pair of shorts for someone far away and I was wondering how I should measure the elastic for the waistband to make them fit just right? If the person has a size 32" waist, should the elastic be just a bit smaller than that or do you measure exactly the right size? Or allow a bit...

Last month I posted a question about cutting strips for a futon cover I was working on. Just wanted to say thanks for the tips. My strips ended up reasonably straight. And here's a photo of the cover and my sewing room in general. I know you guys are pretty talented sewers here so you probably...

Well, lingerie may be gilding the lily a bit, but I want to make a couple of split slips. I'm not sure if this is the right term. Not bloomers, but something to wear under a skirt to prevent chafing. I was thinking about just taking a pajama bottom pattern and doing knee length legs. I plan to...