Beginner question

Joe, I don't have any answer to your how much time should it take, but I
will give you some encouragement. I bought my first sewing machine about
6 weeks ago. I have had no instruction, except for some ideas and
feedback from the wonderful folks here in the news groups. I made a tank
top out of nylon tricot for my wife, with bias cut bindings on the
neckline and armholes. I took my time because I was learning, so it took
me about 24 working hours to make that first one, but I learned a LOT
and think I could knock a second one out in about 4 hours. A lot of that
time was (and would still be) stopping to jump up and answer the phone
or let the dog out/in. Use care when cutting, and follow the pattern
directions. The boxers should be fairly easy. The tee shirt a bit more
difficult as the soft stretchy knits are a bit harder to work with. With
a little guidance, and no interruptions, I could make the tank top in
about 2 hours, including laying out the pattern, cutting it out making
the bias strips etc etc etc.

Don't give up...I'm having a great time learning.
Mike (FtForger) blacksmith and sewing newbie

Joe Thompson wrote:
I am trying to assess the practicality of learning to sew some simple
clothes for my self. Initially, I could use a friend's machine.

Approximately how long should it take me to make items such as (1) simple
t-shirt (men's) (2) boxer shorts, or (3) simple long-sleeved polo shirt?

Is it conceivable, given enough care, that I could make these with almost no
prior experience sewing?

thanks for any feedback and information!

[please post responses to newsgroup thread...my email address is altered to
discourage spam]

Another thing I read, saw on TV, or something like that. When you are going
to be sewing or whatever crafting you plan on doing. Pick a day, tell your
friends that you will not be answering the phone on that certain day, and
don't want to be bothered until late in the afternoon of that day, that way
you can get your mind straight on what it is your doing, and concentrate on
that.
I don't get much calls, so any day is a good day for me to sew or quilt or
machine embroider, knit or whatever it is I'm doing. today I'm working on a
shirt for myself, almost done, just have to do the hem and buttons and
button holes. I thought that maybe I could do the whole thing on my
treadle, but the button holes have to be done on my newer machine, but that
is why I got the newer machine, it has so many different stitches that it
can do, plus the embroidery.
so now that I have taken a break from sewing, I think that I can get off
here, and get back to my sewing. After that, I have a pair of pants to
make, so busy me off to making my clothing.

Maine-iac Rose
@---
remove the thorns and add a hyphen between the 2 words to email me.

"FtForger" wrote in message
: Joe, I don't have any answer to your how much time should it take, but I
: will give you some encouragement. I bought my first sewing machine about
: 6 weeks ago. I have had no instruction, except for some ideas and
: feedback from the wonderful folks here in the news groups. I made a tank
: top out of nylon tricot for my wife, with bias cut bindings on the
: neckline and armholes. I took my time because I was learning, so it took
: me about 24 working hours to make that first one, but I learned a LOT
: and think I could knock a second one out in about 4 hours. A lot of that
: time was (and would still be) stopping to jump up and answer the phone
: or let the dog out/in. Use care when cutting, and follow the pattern
: directions. The boxers should be fairly easy. The tee shirt a bit more
: difficult as the soft stretchy knits are a bit harder to work with. With
: a little guidance, and no interruptions, I could make the tank top in
: about 2 hours, including laying out the pattern, cutting it out making
: the bias strips etc etc etc.
:
: Don't give up...I'm having a great time learning.
: Mike (FtForger) blacksmith and sewing newbie
:
: Joe Thompson wrote:
: I am trying to assess the practicality of learning to sew some simple
: clothes for my self. Initially, I could use a friend's machine.
:
: Approximately how long should it take me to make items such as (1)
simple
: t-shirt (men's) (2) boxer shorts, or (3) simple long-sleeved polo shirt?
:
: Is it conceivable, given enough care, that I could make these with
almost no
: prior experience sewing?
:
: thanks for any feedback and information!
:
: [please post responses to newsgroup thread...my email address is altered
to
: discourage spam]
:
:
:

Maine-iac Rose wrote:

Another thing I read, saw on TV, or something like that. When you are going
to be sewing or whatever crafting you plan on doing. Pick a day, tell your
friends that you will not be answering the phone on that certain day, and
don't want to be bothered until late in the afternoon of that day, that way
you can get your mind straight on what it is your doing, and concentrate on
that.
I don't get much calls, so any day is a good day for me to sew or quilt or
machine embroider, knit or whatever it is I'm doing. today I'm working on a
shirt for myself, almost done, just have to do the hem and buttons and
button holes. I thought that maybe I could do the whole thing on my
treadle, but the button holes have to be done on my newer machine, but that
is why I got the newer machine, it has so many different stitches that it
can do, plus the embroidery.
so now that I have taken a break from sewing, I think that I can get off
here, and get back to my sewing. After that, I have a pair of pants to
make, so busy me off to making my clothing.

I let the phone ring if i'm at a difficult point, and pick up any
message later when I take a break.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!