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#1
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
Heyo - just started learning to sew - made elf hats for my sisters at
christmas - but wanting some more indepth skills: pleats, darts, collars, finishing touches, et al. Anyone got some free time and room to accomodate a big dumb guy? I'm between contracts at the moment, so I couldn't pay, though I can be handy around the house: bit of light plumbing, moving heavy boxes, rewiring lamps, dish or window washing, etc. I can help you photograph your own projects for use in a web gallery or on eBay or etsy. Backrubs. Whatever you're needing done, I'll take a stab at it. My goal is to be able to make structured, properly tailored clothes. Got my eye on some nice waistcoats and a frock coat. Anyway, thanks for any help you can give. Cheers! Sarge (in West Hills, CA) slsecondthoughts at gmail. |
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#2
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
Jeffery Sargent wrote:
Heyo - just started learning to sew - made elf hats for my sisters at christmas - but wanting some more indepth skills: pleats, darts, collars, finishing touches, et al. Anyone got some free time and room to accomodate a big dumb guy? I'm between contracts at the moment, so I couldn't pay, though I can be handy around the house: bit of light plumbing, moving heavy boxes, rewiring lamps, dish or window washing, etc. I can help you photograph your own projects for use in a web gallery or on eBay or etsy. Backrubs. Whatever you're needing done, I'll take a stab at it. My goal is to be able to make structured, properly tailored clothes. Got my eye on some nice waistcoats and a frock coat. Anyway, thanks for any help you can give. Welcome! First, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide.../dp/0762104201 Then come back here to ask specific questions. I'm not in your geographical location. I hope someone in your area offers you lessons, but good luck finding *quality* lessons without paying real $$ for them. -- Beverly http://ickes.us/default.aspx |
#3
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
BEI Design wrote:
Welcome! First, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide.../dp/0762104201 Then come back here to ask specific questions. I'm not in your geographical location. I hope someone in your area offers you lessons, but good luck finding *quality* lessons without paying real $$ for them. Beverly, Is this a really good book for those who wish to learn to sew? I bought my daughter in law a new sewing machine for Christmas and she is thrilled, she said it was the smash hit of all the Christmas gifts that anyone received. My delightful and very dear granddaughters ages 11 and 8 are very interested in the machine and have begun to use it for some little sewing projects. I am very surprised and happy that the girls are interested in sewing, I just wish I wasn't clear across the country. I know it's not recommended to choose a machine for someone but I did do some research and found a Janome at Sears that was on sale and has a one step buttonhole with a foot that can measure the button and make the correct size buttonhole. It also has an adjustable foot pressure and can drop it's feed dogs. And it was really cute, off white with red/pink controls. The girls (and my DIL) all just love this machine. I hadn't thought about a book to send along but after reading your post I think it's an excellent suggestion. I do know they will need a good supply of needles, it was a long time before I realized just how important it is to use the correct needle and one that was in good condition. Would this book help or hinder? I don't want them to be intimidated (by a big heavy book) and they do have an aunt near by who sews. They think it's so much fun! Hooray!!! My older granddaughters used to sew with me but after I moved from South Lake Tahoe they got frustrated and decided to not sew again ever. These two live in Apple Valley which is still in California but not at all close to their cousins. If you (or anyone) know(s) of a good beginning sewing book for younger people please let me know. Thanks, Judie P.S. My DIL is now a sewist although she recently has expressed some interest and even asked her sister (the one who sews) to look at the older Sears Kenmore machine I gave her a few years ago. She said it was eating her fabric and breaking needles (trying to hem some pants). I know that particular machine is a good little workhorse in very good working order but hard to know what was wrong from New York, hence the new machine. |
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
Judie in Penfield NY wrote:
BEI Design wrote: First, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide.../dp/0762104201 Is this a really good book for those who wish to learn to sew? Yes, in my opinion it's a great all-around book for sewists. I'm 70, have been sewing for 64+ years, and every once in a while there is a rarely used technique I need a refresher course on. I have a fairly large sewing library, including several on couture techniques (and for those I highly recommend Claire Shaeffer's books), as well as books on draping, bridal, serging, etc. and also many books on historical designs and costumes. There may be other "Sewing for Dummies" type books. However for a really good reference book on sewing I think the RD Complete is a great start. It has good descriptions and excellent pictures. NAYY, -- Beverly http://ickes.us/default.aspx |
#5
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
BEI Design wrote:
Judie in Penfield NY wrote: BEI Design wrote: First, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide.../dp/0762104201 Is this a really good book for those who wish to learn to sew? Yes, in my opinion it's a great all-around book for sewists. I'm 70, have been sewing for 64+ years, and every once in a while there is a rarely used technique I need a refresher course on. I have a fairly large sewing library, including several on couture techniques (and for those I highly recommend Claire Shaeffer's books), as well as books on draping, bridal, serging, etc. and also many books on historical designs and costumes. There may be other "Sewing for Dummies" type books. However for a really good reference book on sewing I think the RD Complete is a great start. It has good descriptions and excellent pictures. NAYY, I agree with Beverly. I haven't been sewing quite that long, but in my opinion, it's a great book to have. I find that even 11 YO's can refer to it and understand what it says quite easily. One I've seen but don't own and is also good is the Dorling Kindersly one of a very similar name: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Boo...342051&sr=1-12 It uses photographs rather than drawings, so it's sometimes easier to translate to your own work. I don't think it's quite as comprehensive as the RD one, but some folk prefer it. -- Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.katedicey.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and explore! |
#6
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
BEI Design wrote:
Judie in Penfield NY wrote: BEI Design wrote: First, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide.../dp/0762104201 Is this a really good book for those who wish to learn to sew? Yes, in my opinion it's a great all-around book for sewists. I'm 70, have been sewing for 64+ years, and every once in a while there is a rarely used technique I need a refresher course on. I have a fairly large sewing library, including several on couture techniques (and for those I highly recommend Claire Shaeffer's books), as well as books on draping, bridal, serging, etc. and also many books on historical designs and costumes. There may be other "Sewing for Dummies" type books. However for a really good reference book on sewing I think the RD Complete is a great start. It has good descriptions and excellent pictures. NAYY, Thanks, Beverly I do have this book but it's copyright date is 1976 and I don't find it nearly as helpful as the Simplicity Simply the Best sewing book I have from 1988. I also have the Singer sewing books plus a couple of the Sewing with Nancy books. I think I may have to actually get out to a store and check the newer sewing books in person. Judie |
#7
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
Kate XXXXXX wrote:
BEI Design wrote: Judie in Penfield NY wrote: BEI Design wrote: First, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide.../dp/0762104201 I agree with Beverly. I haven't been sewing quite that long, but in my opinion, it's a great book to have. I find that even 11 YO's can refer to it and understand what it says quite easily. One I've seen but don't own and is also good is the Dorling Kindersly one of a very similar name: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Boo...342051&sr=1-12 It uses photographs rather than drawings, so it's sometimes easier to translate to your own work. I don't think it's quite as comprehensive as the RD one, but some folk prefer it. Thanks, Kate. I think a trip to a store so I can see in person what is available would be the best thing for me to do at this point. I have a number of different sewing books here ranging from the Singer Sewing Book up to the serging book I got a couple of months ago. I think they would be better off with actual photographs, I hadn't realized that most of my books are not even in color. I sort of think something simple at first in order to not make them feel overwhelmed. I just wish it were possible for me to visit them but it doesn't look like that's going to happen for the next year or two. Judie |
#8
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
Judie in Penfield NY wrote:
BEI Design wrote: Judie in Penfield NY wrote: BEI Design wrote: First, get this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide.../dp/0762104201 Is this a really good book for those who wish to learn to sew? Yes, in my opinion it's a great all-around book for sewists. I'm 70, have been sewing for 64+ years, and every once in a while there is a rarely used technique I need a refresher course on. I have a fairly large sewing library, including several on couture techniques (and for those I highly recommend Claire Shaeffer's books), as well as books on draping, bridal, serging, etc. and also many books on historical designs and costumes. There may be other "Sewing for Dummies" type books. However for a really good reference book on sewing I think the RD Complete is a great start. It has good descriptions and excellent pictures. NAYY, Thanks, Beverly I do have this book but it's copyright date is 1976 and I don't find it nearly as helpful as the Simplicity Simply the Best sewing book I have from 1988. I also have the Singer sewing books plus a couple of the Sewing with Nancy books. I think I may have to actually get out to a store and check the newer sewing books in person. Judie The RD book is good in may ways, but not in all ways. I bought it on recommendation of many on this ng., but was somewhat disappointed. Likewise, I bought "Sewing for Dummies" sight unseen, for my dgd, then thought I had better have one myself in case she had questions, but agan, I was VERY disappointed. Frankly, I think that along with the Singer books, many of which I bought off the remainder table, the best one I have is the Vogue 1975 edition, which I bought at a rummage sale for $1. My advice is always the same. Take an entire afternoon or evening, go to your local free public library (or a big city branch if neccessary) and look at ALL of the various sewing books,to see which one "talks" to you. Olwyn Mary in New Orleans. |
#9
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
Wow..thank you all for the suggestions.
Kinda figured it wouldn't be that easy. Started sewing with a pretty good idea how it worked (I'm a sculptor, so patterns and assembly are second nature) but not how to work the blasted machine. Like having a road atlas in your head, but not knowing how to operate a car. Thought I might have good luck having a hands-on tutor to help me with fancy bits (an instructor vs learning to drive via the driver's manual). But I guess it's time to hit the books. Thanks again! Sarge |
#10
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Seeking a sewing mentor in West Hills/Canoga Park area
Olwyn.Mary wrote:
My advice is always the same. Take an entire afternoon or evening, go to your local free public library (or a big city branch if neccessary) and look at ALL of the various sewing books,to see which one "talks" to you. LOL! I live in a very small town with a tiny library where I volunteer, and I read all these recommendations avidly to help me decide what we should buy for the library's shelves. -- Kathy |
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