I'm interested in trying to make myself some SILK boxers. The searches I have tried on this topic haven't told me if I need 'special' needles (my machine is an older STYLIST model 416), if 'polyester' thread will work and whether I need to use a specific type of stitch. My only real sewing...

Hi, My car has a canvas top and the the zipper for the rear window completely ripped out. I would like to sew it back on by hand, but I am not very good at sewing. So I thought I'd better ask for some advice before attempting this repair. What kind of thread and needle should I use? Anything...

Hi there, It's been a long time but I'm about to get back to sewing after a 25 to 30 year absence. Starting out doing new stuff for our 9th grandbaby including sewing on cotton and some knits. Just remember from the past the "hell" of sewing on stretch fabrics and want to be sure that...

Hi there, It's been a long time but I'm about to get back to sewing after a 25 to 30 year absence. Starting out doing new stuff for our 9th grandbaby including sewing on cotton and some knits. Just remember from the past the "hell" of sewing on stretch fabrics and want to be sure that...

Would it be possible to just take out the hem stitching, cut the worn area off and re-hem? Would it be too short then? You might think about using hem tape. HTH Barbara in SC and now FL

I was poking through the closet and found a pair of trousers I bought and apparently never wore. I bought them when I was a couple sizes larger than I am now though, and if I want to wear them, I'll have to take them in. I'm trying to decide if its worth the effort. They have a fitted waistband...

I just found a wonderful Vogue pattern that just intrigues me to no end. Vogue 2848 http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2848=x&TI='2848'&page=1 I gotta have it.. I gotta make it.. muttering senselessly lol. Seriously, I have never worked with a vogue pattern and I...

This is all new to me, but how do I do this.... I am getting married in the Philippines (myself and family are in the UK) and the designer of the dresses (bride + bridesmaids + mothers) is in the Philippines.... How can I get the designer to get the dress right for my mother who can not visit...

Hi~~~This may be my only question, but I'd appreciate help. I haven't sewn in 30 yrs. but have a pair of womas dress slacks (poly-rayon-spandex) that are about 3" too long. I figue there may be new methods to approach this project. Many thanks, Misty

I am trying to sew on this little Singer tiny tailor machine, but can't seem to get the bottom thread to cooperate. The bobbin is wound right, but it is off set to the right of the needle. I don't know how to get the bottom thread under the needle, and the instructions seem like something...

I'm making heating pads for christmas gifts and I purchased whole kernel deer corn. However .... when I tried to microwave my creation, it sounded like the corn popped! Does this normally happen the first time you heat these bags? Is there a way to treat the corn so it doesn't pop? What am I...

I've been reading with interest your members' posts regarding favorite sewing machines and have some questions. I have read good things about the Janome 4623 LE Plus and the Huskystar 224 (which my dealer sells) and wonder how they compare???? I am interested in sewing items for my house -...

I am trying to do a quick-and-dirty last-minute skirt just so I can have something a little brighter to wear to church tomorrow than my usual drab colors, and I have this nice length of fabric and want to make a skirt with stitched-down inverted pleats over my torso and them released to make the...

I am in the process of learning how to make a welt pocket, starting with the slanted breast pocket. I have tried half a dozen different procedures with varying results but one basic detail escapes me in all the instructions. What is the relationship between the width of the welt and the width...

Throughout history, women have had their breasts lifted up, pointed out, pushed down , in, together and apart. Women's waists and hips have been similarly manipulated. With the exception of padding cod pieces, have men EVER been put through so much to artificially change the body shape?

Hello! I'm usually a lurker on this list, but I need help at this point, and because I have learned so much by reading, I thought I'd request your assistance. Because of my voluptuous figure (not fat, you understand ;o), I am now forced to give up commercial patterns and create my own. The two...

On Wed, 13 Jul 2005 23:34:48 -0400, "Ward" wrote: Hello, Two ladies working with a one of my relatives would like to learn how to sew. I have been sewing since I was a little girl and would say my sewing skills are pretty good. I've made everything except a formal gown. A...

Hi, I'm new to the group and am hoping that someone can suggest a BASIC entry level serger. This will be mostly used for crafts, and light apparel, such as costumes. Thanks!

I have the following magazines for sale-$1.50 each plus shipping (I will use media mail) Sew News-September 2001-August 2002 Threads-November 2001, March 2002, May 2002 McCall.s Patterns-Winter 2001, Spring 2002, Summer 2002 2

Hello All, It's been 2 months of reading your wonderful and knowledgeable posts to get up the nerve to actually sew something...anything. I just had to finally dust off and use the Pfaff 1122 sewing machine that my mom gave me for Christmas. And now I have - 2 projects under my belt. First, a...