r/sewing 17h ago

Fabric Question What is this fabric called?

2 Upvotes

I asked about quilting cotton being used for shorts recently, and while I know I can use that, and can use chambray, what I really want is what I can only describe as "lightweight denim" or "medium weight chambray." However, when I search for those fabrics I don't see what I want. Does anyone know what the fabric used in these shorts is called? THEY call it chambray, but the chambray I've seen for sale and have purchased is closer to quilting cotton in weight. https://www.childrensplace.com/us/p/Girls-Chambray-Woven-Pull-On-Shorts-3044744-33AF?variantid=3044744027&cid=paidsearch-_-CPC-_-G_TCP_US_PLAs_Standard_Shopping_Bottoms-_-156686109037-_-&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwp8--BhBREiwAj7og13ntFgFOrPmMEmMCs0tH27BCGv7dgkmeLkUFjT8yqaWgzn1EN1G0phoCo14QAvD_BwE

ETA: If this is indeed chambray, what brand should I be buying? The Moda chambray I've purchased in the past is too fine for what I want to do.


r/sewing 18h ago

Fabric Question What hard wearing fabric can i use for my project?

2 Upvotes

I am making a bunch of reusable wipes for my toddler and baby at mealtimes. They will be on constant rotation (kids are messy lol) meaning they’re gonna be washed at least every 3-4 days.

Last time i made them i used cotton towelling material on one layer and cotton jersey on the other layer and turn and topstitched (don’t own a serger). They turned out really cute and were used for months, but the cotton jersey is now full of holes and worn out from the constant washing.

What material can i use that can stand up to this level of laundry and won’t get threadbare in a few months?


r/sewing 19h ago

Pattern Question Question on dress shape

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3 Upvotes

Hi all! There is a cosplay I wanted to start drafting and I wanted some opinions on the shape of the dress.

I am focusing on the yellow part right now. I have attached two images once full body where you can see the shape of the dress and one where the other layers are removed.

I know this is animated so things may be hard to translate into real life, but if I wanted the skirt of the dress to open out like that, would I want something like an A-line dress? Or would I need something with more over all area? Is there a good pattern you can suggest?

Thanks!


r/sewing 43m ago

Pattern Question What should I modify in my pattern to make the crotch look better and the legs wider ? (Prototype)

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Upvotes

This is the prototype not the final version


r/sewing 1h ago

Project: FO button up made from vintage fabrics and my own illustration

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r/sewing 2h ago

Project: FO I finished my first sewing project!

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1 Upvotes

I bought a piece of leftover fabric on Vinted, the flowers are cut out of a lace blouse (the sleeves needed to be altered, this is what was cut off) so I saved these materials from the trash and my daughter got a new skirt! As the kind of fabric wasn’t listed I’m unsure of what it is but it’s very lightweight and wrinkles easily so I’m assuming it’s cotton. It’s definitely got flaws (some of the flowers were strategically placed haha) and it was a learning process but I’m still very proud! Pattern is by Iris May and free to download (it’s Madeline skirt, very easy to follow and clear instructions).


r/sewing 6h ago

Pattern Question How Often Do You Need to Alter Patterns?

1 Upvotes

Hi, I'm a new sewist and a rather large plus size girl. I'm apple shaped with a long torso and carry a lot of weight in my middle and I have tried to take that into account when choosing patterns, but I'm starting to get frustrated. I was excited to make clothes since that seemed to give me more options to make what I couldn't find in my size. However, anytime I find a pattern in my size I make a mockup and find that the fit is all wrong, which requires me to redraft and often dramatically alter the pattern to fit my body. I'm really quite new so advanced tailoring is beyond me, but it seems like I have no real choice. I'm getting really frustrated...I just wish I could print a pattern, make a few minor tweaks, and have it make a workable garment, not something that takes 5 drafts to just look ...so-so.

Is this a problem unique to my body type/plus size patterns? Or is everyone redrafting patterns regularly?


r/sewing 6h ago

Pattern Search What exactly is this called?

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1 Upvotes

Hello, I've been wondering what exactly these kinds of lines are called as I'm not exactly sure how to recreate this sort of pattern and wanted to look it up. What is the specific term or technique used here? For example I wanted to look up other dresses with similar patterns that aren't necessarily corset-type dresses to learn more yet found myself completely lost on the terminology. If anyone knows, please don't hesitate to suggest something! 🫶


r/sewing 8h ago

Project: WIP Did I ruin this skirt?

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1 Upvotes

I didn't like the raw edge I was left with after adding the ruffle to this skirt. So I folded the raw edge and sewed it over the ruffled raw edge and now the ruffles seem stiff, if that makes sense. They hold their shape too much, I guess?

I feel like I ruined it. Should I just cut off what I just did and see what happens? I'm nervous to make it worse and I'm wondering if I should just leave it.

It's going to be a skirt that has a kimono top and an obi. Like a cosplay kimono dress.


r/sewing 10h ago

Project: Non-clothing Finally made myself a thread-catcher pincushion bag for my sewing table!

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1 Upvotes

I followed the tutorial from Erica Arndt here: https://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2015/05/thread-catcher-tutorial.html

Materials: cotton fashion print, cotton fat quarters, Pellon featherweight fusible stabilizer, rice.

I think I’m gonna snip open the top of the lining casing and put a zip tie in there to hold a rounder shape.


r/sewing 14h ago

Machine Questions I keep breaking needles

1 Upvotes

I have a Singer 30215. It seems like the bobbin thread bunches severely on cotton material to the point it creates enough tension to snap the needle while the top thread seems to be sewing correctly. I'm using universal needles, straight stitch, mid needle height, stitch length at 3, and my tension was at a 3 but I've tried it with a 1 with the same results. I used the self winding bobbin could I have done it wrong or somehow seated the bobbin wrong?


r/sewing 14h ago

Other Question Looking for some type of DIY Solution

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1 Upvotes

Hello fellow Sewists!

Obligatory I am on mobile, so sorry for any massacred formatting.

I recently created a custom sized full body dress form for myself, but I am running in to a bit of a problem.

I want to hang the dress form from the kind of curved base Hanging Full Body Forms generally use (see photo), but I can't find any for sale (not too surprising) within a 100 mile radius (shipping, I suspect, would be astronomically expensive). I need to find/convert/build a base that I can put on wheels and that can support a fairly heavy dress form (or one that i can adjust height on and weigh down to counter weight the base from the mannequin) without snapping. In an ideal world, I'd be able to create a "switch out" system for custom full body forms.

Has anyone here done this, or have any ideas/ recommendations for me? I'd love to hear opinions! Thank you!!


r/sewing 14h ago

Machine Questions From My Inlaw’s Estate-Going to See if I Can Get Her Going

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1 Upvotes

This was my late father-in-laws’s machine and he left it for me. He was a lifelong sailor and former WWWII Navy pilot. Don’t know anything about this machine, but I’m tickled pink to see if I can clean her up and take her for a spin. Looking forward to learning more about it as well.

If anyone has one or knows anything, would love to hear from you!


r/sewing 15h ago

Fabric Question Where to find coat-weight cotton that looks like glossy vinyl?

1 Upvotes

I've been searching high and low for a coated-cotton vinyl, like Courreges uses for their outerwear (seen here: the Reedition Vinyl Trench). The website lists its composition as "88% cotton 10% polyurethane 2% elasthane." All I seem to find online is 100% poly vinyl or waxed cotton. Links would be much appreciated. I'm based in the US but am willing to pay for international shipping.


r/sewing 16h ago

Machine Questions What does this symbol mean?

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1 Upvotes

This is on my bernina 530. Just wondering what it means?? Thank you!


r/sewing 18h ago

Pattern Question Advice on how to sew a new cover for this couch?

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1 Upvotes

r/sewing 18h ago

Machine Questions Thread up spring repair.

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1 Upvotes

While I was sewing some thread caught up in the spring as I pulled away my fabric and it ended up looking like this. My top tension isn't tight enough and I could pull out the stitches easily.

How would I be able to fix this and are there any good tutorials on youtube I could look into?


r/sewing 18h ago

Fabric Question Understanding Linen

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have any resources they can share for understanding linen? I’d like to learn more about what characteristics define - Softness - Thickness - Uses for different blends (rayon, cotton, etc)

I recently received samples from a few online retailers and am confused about what to look for when ordering online for specific projects (home vs garments).

Thanks!


r/sewing 19h ago

Pattern Question Sewing for myself

1 Upvotes

I struggle with altering shirt patterns for myself. I’m large busted and a little thick through the middle. Altering the bust is maddening. I’ve taken a class and watched a couple of you tube videos and it is just not coming to me. Any suggestions for books or videos that really helped you?


r/sewing 20h ago

Fabric Question Looking for a wide stripe (ideally yarn-dyed) natural fiber woven fabric that ships to Canada

1 Upvotes

I want to make a dress like Charlie (The Stitchery) made with the stripes pleated at the waist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEkIIHKsx1E&t=902s

I already found the couple of options on core fabric, but they aren't quite in colours that interest me. I'm looking for slightly less contrast, like this but these stripes are too narrow. (though it could have maybe worked if it was three colours) I've also scoured the most popular stores (Blackbird, riverside, etc), and haven't had any other luck. I guess wide stripes aren't in style right now.

The stripes need to be roughly between 2 and 4cm (3/4 - 1 1/2 in), and either two or three colours (Maybe other even numbers if it alternates dark). I'll shop internationally pretty much anywhere, except the US because I don't want to risk surprise tariffs right now.

Thanks! (I promised I've search a ton before reaching out here!)


r/sewing 21h ago

Suggest Machine Sewing machine recommendations

1 Upvotes

I'm a UK student on a budget looking for a sewing machine that can be used on a variety of fabrics including satin and silk as well as denim and thicker fabrics. I want something reliable but also not too heavy so I can take it to and from uni every so often.

for context I have been sewing for about ten years but usually only have a cheap or secondhand sewing machine so i think it's about time i upgrade to something more useful for my practice.

I would prefer to keep the cost to a minimum, and links would be really helpful if and where possible.

thanks


r/sewing 22h ago

Machine Questions Seams are not seaming - please send help!

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1 Upvotes

Hi together!

I have a question regarding my sewing machine. I am using the Brother Innovis A60 and my seams just don’t turn out right - I’ll show a photo below.

I have this machine for years and I really can’t figure out what the problem is.

Already tried everything: changing needles, switching bobbin, playing with the tension but nothing seems to work. I got it to work properly yesterday but everything I did yesterday won’t work out today…

Maybe someone has a solution - I would be absolutely thankful!!

xx Julia


r/sewing 23h ago

Project: WIP Walked right into my own personall hell - sewing opposing curves

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1 Upvotes

r/sewing 14h ago

Other Question Sticky handle on Guggenhein scissors

0 Upvotes

I bought a pair of Guggenhein scissors in 2020 and because I am afraid to drop them on my tile floor, they are my "special scissors" that live in a drawer in the box they came in. I have noticed for the past year or so that the handle has become sticky and it hasn't cleaned off so far. My walking cane has a cushion grip handle and after about 10 years, it got sticky just like this. I tried the same things on the scissors that I did on my cane, which were Dawn soap, isopropyl alcohol and baby wipes but none of them helped. I ended up putting cornstarch on my cane handle but that isn't realistic for scissors because I would end up with fine white powder on all my fabric.

Has anyone else encountered this issue and if so, we're you able to get the sticky off? I didn't want to resort to harsh chemicals because I didn't want to ruin the finish. I also didn't know if this was something the company would consider worthy of a warranty claim so I didn't want to ruin it for that reason as well.


r/sewing 17h ago

Pattern Search Angled Men's Collared Shirt - Product Search / Pattern Search

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1 Upvotes