Posted by craftyfool on 2007-04-28 21:00:26
Post Subject: Sewing Lessons Needed in Jersey City
Hi Everyone! Does anyone out there live in the NYC or Jersey City area? Do you know how to sew? Want to teach me? Pretty please? I have a sewing machine and you can come to my home or I can go to yours.
I have found a few classes in NYC, however none of them work with my schedule, so I thought I would try to find a personal lesson. And I'm willing to pay you for your time!!
If you are available, or can point me in the right direction, please get in touch with me at my website below or at my gmail address with username craftyfool (sorry this is so cryptic...I can't figure out how to add my email address cause it keeps getting deleted!)
Posted by Judy on 2007-02-11 14:37:06
Post Subject: In chattanooga any one interested in sharing their talents
Hi
I am a new member from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
I admire people who can sew. I don't know how to sew, but I have been told that I am a great cook. My mother was one of the creative craft person, but unfortunately, I never grew up with her.
Love to sew, I have a sewing machine but don't know how. I do everything by hand.
Any one who is good in sewing and wants to learn how to cook spicy food?
I would love to learn sewing and teach how to cook.
Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2007-05-07 09:08:22
Post Subject: Get Crafty at the Maker Faire May 19th & 20th
Calling all Bay Area Craftistas! Join co-editor Nancy Flynn, superstar columnist Susan Beal, and other talented crafters at the Maker Faire for craft demonstrations and all around CRAFT-y goodness.
Saturday from 3:00-3:30 Susan will be teaching a bead jewelry class, and if you miss that, she'll be doing an encore on Sunday from 11:15-11:45!
Saturday at 12:00-12:30 Nancy will be demonstrating how to sew a tote bag. And Sunday from 11:15-11:45, she'll be demonstrating an easy diy tank top pattern.
Stay to browse the Bazaar Bizarre and buy summer goodness from your favorite indie designers.
Visit the Maker Faire site for more information, and to buy tickets in advance.
Posted by MarthaA562 on 2006-11-26 23:02:07
Post Subject: Newbie!! I have pillow project & cording with a lip. Hel
I am starting to sew, and instead of my intentions to get simple fabric and stuff it, I went a little wild at the fabric store. My materials are:
nice (expensive, but had coupon, so don't want to mess up!!) fabric, suede fabric for the back, cording with a lip, and an 18X18" pillow form. I guess I need to do some kind of overlap opening in the back, and have no idea how to sew the cording so it looks good. I heard that you use the zipper foot... I dont know!! Please help!!!
Posted by riotous lioness on 2007-01-23 19:57:07
Post Subject:
Honestly, I don't know of any "famous" crafty people. So my heros are the people who taught me, or encouraged me. Number one on this list is our own moderator, artgeek, who is always showing me some sort of cool thing she made, and who's been very supportive of my interests in a variety of crafts. She also completely "bah"ed my feeling that I wasn't crafty enough for this forum, and I'm glad she did. I wouldn't have thought of cooking and gardening as crafty, and I've always felt that since I'm following someone else's pattern in cross-stitch, I'm not that crafty. Still, I keep learning new things (like crochet).
My friend Ginger, who taught me how to crochet and tried to teach me how to sew. The only downside is that I was so bad at sewing that she's totally given up on me, and won't give me a "refresher" course in crochet!
Finally, my friend Judy. She's an amazing gardener, who's always helping me figure out how to make my plants do well. I had an amazing container garden this year, and in no small part due to her advice. Plus, she's going to coach me on growing winter spinach!
Posted by lapin327 on 2006-04-06 13:58:45
Post Subject: NYC crafters...I need your help!
Hey folks--
I am going to be spending the summer in NYC, and I'm looking for some classes to take. I'm interested in learning how to sew...knit...use a letterpress...actually, any paper crafts at all. Can any of you recommend a place to take classes, or just hang out with talented ladies who might rub off on me??
Posted by PamTheQueen on 2004-06-17 12:15:47
Post Subject: Martha doesn't sew!
I need to rant and the only friend who I could rant about this woman to is out shopping for a new car right now. LOL
Okay, so this woman named Martha, who is the opposite of crafty, called me up as I was getting ready to leave for the weekend and in a roundabout way, asked me if I could teach her daugther how to sew.
The daughter is in 4-H and out of all the projects, picked sewing as her project. She had a pillow to make with the fabric and everything already supplied. She just needs to sew it. How sweet, but her mom(Martha) doesn't have a sewing machine or probably even know how to sew a button on. No relatives have machines either. Didn't want to buy a machine because she wouldn't know how to operate it, etc,
So I suggested Tuesday at 10 AM. Well, tuesday at 8 AM, after not sleeping all night, I just felt like total crap. If it was just this little girl coming over, it would be fine, but her mom is overwhelming and I would also have to entertain siblings. So I called to ask if we could move it to Thursday. She said she would call me right back. So I waited and waited and waited. She never called me back Tuesday.
Late yesterday afternoon(Wednesday), while I was out, she called and left a message which I didn't get. The message apparently said(didn't listen to it until just now) Thursday was okay and asked if I could call her back. She also stated that the project was due in FIVE weeks and she was feeling panicked. Since I didn't get the message, I didn't call her back.
Well, I again couldn't sleep all night and I had a major headache, so I was laying in bed still at 10:06 when my dog went nuts like there is someone pulling in the driveway. It's her and her kids!!!! Nick, my son, runs upstairs and announces this. I consider pulling a robe on and going down and scaring the little children, but I just told Nick to tell her I wasn't feeling well and was still in bed.
I'm sorry, but unless they are one of my best friends or my family (and even then not often), I don't show up at someone's house without confirmation.
Now my problem is that this lady is a bit ...uhhh..funny. Odd funny. As I mentioned above, she said she was getting panicky because the pillow project was due in FIVE weeks. 5 weeks? Is that all?! I am more like a 5 hours kinda gal. Especially for a project that will take ONE hour to do. Maybe 2 if I am teaching it to a first-timer. But Martha wouldn't understand that because she is...I can't even think of what kind of personality....almost autistic-like because if you change things, she freaks out. REALLY freaks out. Not hysterics, but more like a robot on the blitz. I saw it happen on this PTO project we were on.
The fact that she mentioned the 5 weeks and panic means I am going to have a tough time calling her up and apologizing for being sick and setting up a new time. I am tempted(because it would be much easier than having her panicked-self come over here on another date) to get her one of those little cheap, but usable, sewing machines they have at Target now and give her a Sewing For Dummies book and say "Have fun learning how to sew with your daughter!" It's not like she is stupid and can't figure it out. She has a degree in journalism. She can read! LOL *sigh*
Okay, i'm done ranting. For now. Wait until I call her back later. :)
If you lasted all the way to the end, thanks for listening! ;-)
Posted by kittensrme on 2004-12-02 18:26:35
Post Subject: i wish to learn!
I've been wanting to learn how to sew FOREVER--nothing big, but just being able to fix tears in my Salvation Army clothes and maybe make a pillow or something. Does anyone have any tips or know of any books or anything I can look at?
Posted by VABEADQUEEN on 2008-09-11 16:28:03
Post Subject: can I have it
Hello today is my first day on get craft.com I was going thru the forums and came across your I see that it was posted a couple of months ago just wanted to know if youhad anything left.......I learning how to sew A friend of mine gave me this great book by Diana Rupp and she has peak my interest
please let me know if you have anything left
Thanks a lot
vabeadqueen
you can email at danielle_crn@hotmail.com
Posted by Miss M on 2004-07-29 22:32:26
Post Subject:
my mom made my son a busy book & here is what she included:
*velcro - it's a pocket and inside she left $2.00 & note telling him to ask me to take him for an ice cream - cute & fun!
*zipper - unzips to reveal G <3 N (gram loves nik)
*2 very large buttons w/ accompanying button holes
*snaps - unsnaps to reveal birdie iron-on patch
*clip - I'm not sure the real name, but she made an applique dog & the clip part hooks on a teeny d-ring like a leash - the clip is plastic and the leash part goes up & attaches at the top of the page
*toggle - like you see on drawstrings nowadays; the kind to have to pinch to release; she made kind of a pocket with a drawstring top & put a toy inside for him to find. I think this is a little hard for him at this age, but he loves pockets, so whatever
*buckle - she made what looks like the top of a pair of pants(beltloops & all) & added the buckle like a belt! She picked the plaastic snap-together kind rather than the traditional buckle
My mom sews a lot, so hers was pretty fancy & a lot nicer than I would have made. But she just used felt for the pages & binder rings to hold it all together(reinforced button holes to put the rings through). My kiddo really likes it a lot and brings it to me all the time to play with together. I like that I can just add more pages as he grows(like adding shoes laces, etc)
If you sew at all, I would sew it, rather than glue it. Only because I don't know if the glue will hold a zipper. You don't really need to know how to sew anything other than a straight line to make this! A lot you can just do by hand - like buttons
Posted by april again on 2007-05-30 00:39:13
Post Subject: Is it worth learning how to sew if you are ...err curvy?
I have always wanted to learn how to sew and I just drool looking at the nice patterns that are out there...
Sewing machines are pretty pricy, and I havent actually used one since I was a teenager and my great aunt who was a home ec teacher wanted to teach me ( I didnt want to learn then GRR I could kick myself).
My point is...I am a heavy person, and I am afraid that learning how to sew may be a detriment because I wont be able to find patterns in my size or price range for fabric...are there any curvy women who sew? what do you suggest?
I would LOVE to buy a machine and take lessons but is it worth it?
Posted by luka on 2004-12-06 11:01:01
Post Subject:
i first learned how to sew by taking apart my own clothes to see how they were made. maybe you can start with a skirt of something like that. if you want a really good guide to sewing that shows you all sorts of different seams and stitches, pockets, collars, sleeves, etc etc etc check this out:
Readers Digest Guide to Sewing
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0888502478/002-9012808-5012004?v=glance
Posted by smilingknitter on 2005-08-03 14:55:54
Post Subject: suggestions on taking a sewing class?
Hi,
My wonderful aunt gave me her sewing machine. I've always wanted to learn how to sew, and in the past bought inexpensive sewing machines which I broke trying to learn by myself. I don't want to break this one since it was given to me as a gift and it seems to be more pricey than what I've spent for in previous sewing machines. Any suggestions about enrolling in a sewing class? Is it possible to learn how to operate the machine all by myself? Time constraints and cost is what's making me hesitate in enrolling in a class. Let me know if it's worth it though.
thank you very much.
PS: Wondering how many folks was able to learn how to use the sewing machine by themselves??
i would recommend using some scrap yarn and practice a bit first ... use two thin kinds that would feel similar to the nice yarn you already have so you can get a feel for it.
do you know how to crochet? an open weave crochet would look nice for a bride ...
if all else fails, and you know how to sew, you can make or embellish a smallish shawl for your friend.
Posted by stella on 2005-04-17 20:55:26
Post Subject:
the only "how to sew" books i have are ones from the 40's-60's that i collect from thrift stores. i think their techniques are better than new books, which tend to emphasize shortcuts.
Posted by Schmatta on 2005-05-04 12:13:43
Post Subject:
Colette Wolff: Manipulating Fabric.
This is a very old book (70s or 80s) and is not so much "how to sew" as how to make fabric do anything: shir, burn, pleat, tuck, you name it.
Posted by beccabags on 2005-04-17 14:37:46
Post Subject: what is your favorite how-to-sew book?
http://thecutelittledot.com/images/sewingbook.jpg
This is my favorite how-to-sew book, New Complete Guide to Sewing. It is published by Reader's Digest (copy right 2002) and the goes over the basic quickly and moves on to some fancy techinques. Very Cool Book!
Posted by AnnS on 2007-01-21 10:27:01
Post Subject:
Try some of the independents - get a copy of Threads magazine and flip to the classifieds (or go to their web site).
I like, for edgy, very trendy designerly things (if you know how to sew pretty well) http://Hotpatterns.com. But you need to be prepared to do a lot of fitting with these the first times you use them, or make a basic sloper and modify the patterns to fit your sloper from then on. They are switching to multi-size, but they grade theirs in groups like slinky girl, curvy girl, so you're not trying to always alter that standard B-cup for instance.
Burda from europe is good (they sell 'em in the stores but it's not the same) a subscription is $70 a year, but it comes monthly in a magazine. burdamode.com, or the co. in the US that distributes is glpnews.com. Fit is excellent.
I like Christine Jonson, www.cjpatterns.com - hers are for washable knits, simple, stylish and easy to sew. Fit is easy, many are close to the body but look great on all sizes (I've sewn with Christine, few of her students are skinny), some are looser by design.
Plus you can alter your basic patterns, lots of fun classes with details to add on to patterns you have at www.seeitsewit.com. The NYC Details classes are my favorite. The classes come on CD, so you do them at your own pace and post online with questions. There are freebies to try.
Posted by maustudio on 2006-06-21 15:14:17
Post Subject: Not quite in Chicago!
Hello, I'm in the Rockford are! I went to UIC though. I'm a graphic/web designer also! I love to learn how to sew with a sewing machine. Currently, I'm just sewing by hand and making cute little cellphone charms.
Posted by boheme-anne on 2006-02-27 22:18:16
Post Subject: tips on how to make this skirt?
I don't know if anyone is going to know what the hell I'm talking about but new for this season are a lot of these peasant type skirts that have jean on the top. I figure if you just chop the top of a pair of jeans off at the crotch, and then sew it to a peasant skirt it should be easy right? Problem is that I'm not sure how to sew the material on. Should I sew the jean right over the top, leaving it fray. Or should I go seam to seam? Has anyone made one of these before? I'll try to get a picture posted.
Posted by CraftinFool on 2004-10-11 11:00:20
Post Subject:
I'm trying to learn how to sew at the moment too, and one website I'm planning to use for how-to heolp is http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/e_learntosew.html.
Posted by PrettyPettyThieves on 2004-12-22 17:32:08
Post Subject: Flapper Dress
My sweetie and I are planning on going out on New Year's and we want to dress all swanky--I was thinking of making a flapper-style dress out of an old black shift dress I found, you know, the kind with all the fringe, but I have a few questions--black is kind of dull, so should I maybe make the fringe red, or would that look uber-tacky? And the sleeves aren't bra-strap style, they're, like, an inch wide, so what should I do with those? I was thinking a few strips of red (or black, if we go with that) sequins, but I don't even know how to sew on sequins and I'm terrible with glue!
And what would I wear with it? I have a red cloche with a black ribbon, and I was thinking of layering black fishnets over red tights, would that be too much? How about silver sparkly tights and short gloves?
Posted by Kanle on 2005-03-17 12:34:00
Post Subject:
Beginning Sewing is an online book that you can download or print out that will help you get started just learning or refreshing yourself with how to sew. Try this page for different patterns.
I'll try to post more as I come across them, but if you do a search for free sewing patterns on Yahoo or Google you will find lots of sites. You might alsow ant to look at Free Patterns.com. You have to become a member, but it's free.
Posted by melmelon on 2004-07-01 19:02:39
Post Subject:
This is a fabulous topic....on another board I particpate on of women in my area, I am trying to get a skill-share thing going....since it seems we can all do something that others can benefit from learning. What good is knowledge if we don't share it or pass it on? It seems like the things we take for granted knowing how to do put others in awe...the other day I had the group "owner" over and taught her how to make two different types of yeast bread and for fun some cookies...all in the span of 3 hours...with one batch of bread I also showed her how to do pitas, rolls and a variation on a flat bread (kinda like a chapati)....she was amazed at all that we got done in such a short amount of time....
hopefully someone can teachme how to sew.....or crochet...that would be good.
Posted by Diana on 2007-06-01 12:43:48
Post Subject:
Of course it is worth learning to sew if you are not an "average" size. I'm less than 5 foot, and knowing how to sew has allowed me to alter off the rack items and make anything else I want. There is also a terrific book out called "Life is not a dress size" that is about sewing for plus sizes. It is very helpful. Try borrowing a sewing machine from a friend, to see if you'll like sewing before you make the investment. And start with a simple pattern, like pillows or the skirt featured in the "Get Crafty" book. Sewing will allow you to wear exactly what you want, not just what some faceless designer or clothing buyer says you should. And have fun with it!
Posted by JediEmpressMel on 2004-06-17 18:46:25
Post Subject:
Ya..
I don't really understand why she would want to bring herself and her whole entire family over, if you only need to teach the one daughter how to sew. It seems a bit intrusive and silly.
I third/fourth the people who said to just make arrangements to have the daughter over by herself, if at all possible.
I mean, entire families don't go to thier kids piano lessons, so why would they ALL need to be at the girls sewing lesson.
Anyhow, Good Luck!
Posted by smachel on 2004-06-17 20:20:58
Post Subject:
I don't really understand why she would want to bring herself and her whole entire family over, if you only need to teach the one daughter how to sew. It seems a bit intrusive and silly.
maybe the mom wants to be involved and kind of learn herself. i'm not trying to justify/take the mother's side... just offering another opinion. of course, if mom wants to learn, her daughter can teach her after she learns from you!
do you normally get enough sleep? if you typically wake up feeling like crap, you should a) schedule for later in the day or b) tell her that you can't do it. i would really be pissed if someone kept cancelling on me.
Posted by juna on 2004-06-08 15:47:20
Post Subject:
I have very fond associations with making braided rugs. My aunt, who taught me how to sew when I was a wee one, made them when her Alzheimer's was at a stage that no longer allowed her to sew with her machine.
We called them rag rugs because we would cut up strips of old clothes, etc and braid them together, handsewing on a new strip once we got to the bottom of one of the pieces as we braided. We did not finish the edges of the fabric strips, and the fabric will fray a little bit with use. The tight braid keeps it from fraying *too* much. I like the slightly frayed look. It says "cozy" and "vintage" to me.
Once you have a braid going, coil it and sew the coil to itself as you go. Our rugs were circular, but I would think that you could get the angles like the rug in the link by carefully creating corners (and reinforcing the stitching in the corners) as you coil the braid.
Posted by sun bear on 2004-06-17 15:17:54
Post Subject:
heh at first i thought you were going to blaspheme about Martha Stewart :)
I don't know what to tell you about your Martha problem, but if I didn't know how to sew, or own a machine and I had a daughter with a project in 5 weeks, the last thing I'd do is wait until the day before and ask someone to bail me out, so she's kind of justified in being freaked out, esp since you had to cancel b/c you were ill and then you didn't get her message, she is being pushy but then again if you knew that was her personality before you said yes, you really have to just deal with her and next time politely decline.
good luck with it though, sounds like a tough situation
Posted by plainmabel on 2004-11-26 17:38:39
Post Subject:
Here's a really good article on how to sew knits: http://www.sew-whats-new.com/kim/Sewing_Knits/sewing_knits.shtml
The main things are to use ballpoint or universal needles, and to use a zip-zag stitch if you don't have a serger or a machine that has "stretch stitch" settings. Using a zig zag instead of a straight stitch allows the knit to stretch a bit and not get all puckery and weird.
Posted by kittoness on 2006-01-24 10:53:06
Post Subject: Me + a huge bag of leather samples=?
Hey ladies,
Over the years in the shoe business, my dad has collected hundreds of samples of leather/suede/different kinds of "skins".
They are different colors, but the same size, about 1" by 1".
Any ideas of how to use these guys?
I was thinking of making pillowcases for the throw pillows on my couch, but don't know how to go about it.
I'd love to figure out how to sew them onto a thrifted skirt, but how?
Posted by tako on 2006-10-04 09:30:27
Post Subject:
My mom taught me how to sew. We never had a sewing machine (until I got one for my birthday this year) so everything we sewed was by hand. My stepfather taught me everything he knows about landscaping. After I did some professional work, I was even able to teach him a thing or two.
Posted by sunnite on 2006-04-29 14:32:18
Post Subject: Need Ideas for 15 yards of Jeans fabric
I have 15 yards of jeans fabric and i don't know what to do. The problem is that i don't know how to sew. It's been sitting around my house for one year now. Intially i bought it to cover a couch but that didn't go too well.
If anyone has any quick and creative solutions let me know. Thanks
Posted by Chelsea on 2005-09-30 14:30:48
Post Subject:
I don't remember what it was, but when I first wanted to learn how to knit about a year ago I saw a book for lefties. My mom is left handed and was trying to show me how to knit and she needed a refresher herself, so that didn't work out great.
My mom is left handed, so I grew up in a house of 5 left handed scissors and one pair of right handed scissors that was ALWAYS lost. They were so annoying to hold. I can't imagine if everything was like that.
I don't know if it's true, but my mom told me the sewing machine was invented by a left handed person? It sure does look like it, because when I started learning how to sew I kept wanting to turn the machine around ;) heh
Posted by mrs_stroozi on 2006-05-29 13:40:45
Post Subject:
I LOVE the idea of a jar of crochet hooks as Art. Lovely!
1. My small set of Susan Bates crochet hooks. I love the way their hooks work.
2. My antique 1920's stork embroidery scissors. So! sharp. So! precise. They're a joy to use; and the very first nice thing I ever bought for myself after college.
3. My 12" by 2" transparent art ruler. It's divided by eighths all through it. I am totally dependent upon it and I don't wish to quit.
4. My thinnest-nosed needle-nose pliers.
5. My pliers that crush then shape finishing metal beads at the end of strings.
And off the list, last but not least, my 30+YO Singer portable sewing maching. She has given me all kinds of grief, we have had major battles together, but now that I've found a repair person who loves her as much as I do she's finally purring and I am loving it. I will teach my daughter how to sew on this sewing machine.
Posted by stella on 2006-10-05 01:34:39
Post Subject:
my mom taught me how to sew, crochet, paint silk, and do beadwork. all of those except crochet she has done for a living at one point or another.
my dad taught me how to use a drill and circular saw, and basic car maintenance, which i suppose isn't a craft. he also taught me how to roll a joint when i was a kid... with mullein. i'm sure he had the real stuff around somewhere but someone around the house was trying to quit smoking cigarettes by smoking mullein, so i learned with that. oh, and how to start fires, which i am still not very good at.
my grandma taught me how to knit and paint with watercolors. i never really picked up the watercolor thing, though.
my grandpa was a furniture-maker by trade, but he didn't teach me any of that, although he did show me how the tools worked.
Posted by Ratti Pillo on 2006-02-28 15:07:11
Post Subject:
hey i started a crafty interest thread on this foruma little bit ago. i'm from the princeton- hamilton area, andi work at the b&n at marketfair mall. i'm not really into knitting, just because I don't know how to do it (i'd like to learn). i'm in to sewing stuff, i do little things like headbands and small bags, and stuff, but i'm trying to do more apparel; i learned how to sew clothes, buti haven't done it in a couple of years. i also like to do needle craftys-embroidery and xstitch decoupaging, jewelry making, and paper stuff.
i'm busy with school right now & up in new brunswick, but once it's over (i graduate in may!) i'll be free and most likely in the area to crafty like crazy.
Posted by Katrin on 2006-05-06 20:32:42
Post Subject:
If you're looking for ideas to do with a large amount of any kind of fabric, the first step is to learn how to sew. Otherwise, pretty much your only option is "drape it over something."
Seriously. Learn to sew. It's a useful skill, and you can have a lot of fun with it. You don't have to become a professional dressmaker to appreciate the ability to mend your own clothes, do basic alterations (like hemming), or make simple garments and accessories. A smaller new sewing machine (without a lot of extra features) can be found for less than $100, and you could probably pick up a used one for a lot less. It's totally worth learning.
For your first project with the jeans fabric, how about some throw pillows for your couch? Then you could move on to making yourself a tote bag and a skirt. Making an actual pair of jeans will take a little more advanced learning.
Posted by Athos on 2004-12-15 17:17:46
Post Subject:
i wish i knew how to sew better. i realized yesterday that i am almost always disappointed with how clothes turn out when i alter them. i just sewed a pretty trim onto a cotton sweater, but i didn't use a stretchy enough stitch, so now the sweater bottom buckles funny and just doesn't move anymore or fit well.
Posted by creo ingero on 2006-10-03 02:13:51
Post Subject:
My dad is about the least crafty person I know, and a major geek. But my mom has always been pretty crafty. For while she had a side business for sewing and alterations.
My mom used to make all sorts of things for my dad and my siblings when we were young: clothes, curtains, blankets & afgans, doilies (sp?), etc. She was a stay at home mom until my parent's seperated when I was 5 and divorced 3 years later. She tried to show me how to sew when I was around 10 years old, but usually got too impatient with me and ended up finishing the project herself. A few years later, she helped me come up with a purse design. I had a blast doing it and always wanted to do more, but I didn't get around to buying a sewing machine until after I moved away from home.
My grandfather was a carpender and could build pretty much anything. He extended the basement, attic and other 1/2 of my grandmother's house and did all of the electrical work. He fixed cars and any kind of mechanical thing. He died when I was around 8 years old. My great uncle was a graphic artist (of the old school kind) and had a business making vinyl stickers that he drew/designed himself. My grandmother and aunt have a little band and they go to nursing homes to play music (all christian songs) for the elderly. A lot of people on my mom's side are really artistic and crafty, though I don't really know them very well. But everyone in my family says that's where I got all of my creativity from.
My mom always encouraged me to explore the arts and has always been impressed with what I do (and not JUST because she's my mother, though you know there is some of that mother's pride). She insists on supporting me by buying a little something from my etsy shop every month or so and is really sweet :)
Posted by merrydeath on 2005-01-06 16:11:20
Post Subject:
ha, thanks liberty. ^_^ i think it is starting to sound easier since you explained it to me. on of my problems with my 'test strips' is the rows weren't even, cause some of the squares were longer than others, but i thought they'd look cute like that. but i didn't think about how to sew the rows together. haha. well, actually, i think they would work, if i just sewed the rows together high enough where the squares are all even. anyway, i'm practicing my cutting, trying to cut uniform squares. heh. i'm working on it! and keeeeeeen! you're my hero! you sew all your stuff by HAND?! wow. i mean, i'd be traumatized too, if i sewed my finger when i was a kid. you know, when i was in kindergarten, i was busleft, and that's scarred me. i'm always scared i'm going to miss a bus or plane etc. oddly enough, i'm late for everything else. i mean it. like, in high school, i was terrified i was gonna be too late for my bus and have to call my dad to come get me (like, i'd get all panicky and try to rush out of the school- i must've looked like a foo'!) but when i got a car, i showed up late to school so many times i got detention. hahaha, it's actually quite funny. i mean, i think sewing your finger is more traumatic, but i can imagine myself now if that had happened to me! haha, perhaps one day you will find the strength to overcome your fear! YOU CAN DO IT! ^_^
Posted by miapig on 2006-07-30 03:27:24
Post Subject:
i did a search for my machine online, & found a not entirely easy to understand but hey it's something illustration to string my machine. Also, hell, i think i have found more advice, instruction, inspiration, & patterns here & on crafster.org than i could in any book, & with half the effort. But i have also gone through the effort to take a sewing class with a local woman who charged $7 an hour, so amazing cheap, & i found her on Craigslist. i recomend doing this because some things are better shown in person. There will always be people teaching others how to sew, so check it out! Good luck!
Posted by terrihd on 2004-10-07 16:35:52
Post Subject:
Hi there ... I learned how to sew on an old Singer that had no reverse ... my grandmother told me to leave enough thread hanging at the ends to tie up. A little time-consuming, but it works.
Posted by Miss E on 2005-01-05 01:39:42
Post Subject: sewing machine vs. serger - for a beginner? [xposted]
I really want to learn how to sew and start designing and making clothes and purses. I have no experience with a sewing machine, but I do know how to hand sew.
What would you reccommend for a total beginner? Should I get a plain sewing machine or a serger?
I've looked here and at craftster and have heard good things about Kenmore. What do you think of this 3/4 machine? I think one of you girls have it.
Posted by mel_stormer on 2006-03-29 10:36:26
Post Subject: Newbie at sewing
I have sewn little things off and on throughout my teens, but haven't touched a machine in a few years. My mom recently gave me her old one and i want to get started sewing. I never knew how to sew "correctly" i always just sort of guessed about how to use the machine and stuff would turn out (plus i never made anything to difficult, the most advanced thing i made was altering jeans to a skirt) does anyone know of any good "how to" books on sewing? Another downfall is that my mom has no idea where the manual is. Can i order an old copy online? Let me know what yall think
Posted by revafisheye on 2004-05-31 02:17:54
Post Subject:
If you live in or near NYC let me know and I can give you some specific places to try.
Hi, Earth Tones, et al. I live in NYC and I would love to know your recommendations for fabric. I'm just learning how to sew, and I know the garment district is the place to go, but there are so many shops, I get overwhelmed. Plus, I never really have anything specific in mind...I love to browse.
Posted by EarthTones on 2004-05-31 11:46:29
Post Subject:
If you live in or near NYC let me know and I can give you some specific places to try.
Hi, Earth Tones, et al. I live in NYC and I would love to know your recommendations for fabric. I'm just learning how to sew, and I know the garment district is the place to go, but there are so many shops, I get overwhelmed. Plus, I never really have anything specific in mind...I love to browse.
Thanks!
Hey revafisheye *smile*
A really good start would be to take a walk on West 40th Street between 7th and 9th avenues, well particularly between 7th and 8th. There are loads of fabric suppliers in that block, more than enough in variety too to get you started. The ones that I can think of off the top of my head are...
*Rosen & Chadick (246 W, 40th)...they are my fave in that area, they have a good selection at good prices.
*Silk Plus International
*Mountain of Fabrics
*Zora Fabrics
*Paron Fabrics
*B&J Fabrics
*Hakoba Sarees (#264 and they are on the 15th floor...I love to reconstruct saris and make them into pillows and other home decor)
start at Rosen and Chadick and see if you like them. You can also hop on over to W 39th in the same block. There is a cool fabric shop that I have been to downtown...lemme email my friend and ask her for the name and address and I will post it.
Posted by craftfetish on 2007-02-23 12:09:31
Post Subject: Re: Harper Collins signed me on for another book!!!
(a) Congratulations! That is fantastic news.
It's a book for people who want to sew but are too busy to learn ALL the gory details. It's easy techniques with fantastic project ideas so everyone can have fun indulging in fabrics, threads, etc... without getting frustrated at the directions.
(b) I so need this! I keep wishing I knew how to sew, but I'm really not in for gory details. Can't wait to get a copy.
Posted by faboolicious on 2004-09-08 09:56:40
Post Subject:
Wow! That coat sounds amazing! You'll have to post some pics when it's finished - i love the black velvet collar and cuffs too. For the pants, are you just removing the pleats and then taking it in? Cool!
Here's my next question: any easy instructions on how to sew a zipper into a new piece of clothing? I know there's a bunch of weird ironing and folding and stuff going on with that, and you're not supposed to just sew it on flat (although that seems to make more sense to me!). Anyhoo, any ideas or easy suggestions?
Posted by Bashi Squashi on 2004-09-10 15:09:13
Post Subject: New here, Love this thread!
I started reconstructing in junior high when i first learned to sew in home ec. Whoda thought it would pay off back then? My thrifty grandfather was proud and gave me his sewing machine when I was about 15. He sewed a lot and taught me a few things.
My biggest sewing passion is halloween costumes. I have 2 kids- one 12 and the other 4. Plus a husband. I start around now- early sept. to get them all finished.
My proudest creation has to be Blue's Clue's "Blue" I made last year for my son. Totally from scratch. It turned out so darn cute. He wants to wear it again this year. I would have included a pic but I don't know how to do that on this forum.
After halloween, if the christmas season doesn't consume me, I start quilting until spring.
On the ZIPPER question:
The package has detailed instructions on how to sew a zipper on. It seems like a lot of work but it does pay off. I follow step by step every time because I always forget exactly how to do it. Be careful with invisible zippers that you don't sew too close to the teeth. Using a zipper foot is really necessary.
Well I blabbed enough. This is a pretty cool little community. I"m glad I found it.
Posted by xuli on 2004-10-20 22:01:14
Post Subject:
Hmmmm ... do you want a knit pattern or a sewn pattern? I wouldn't have a clue about how to sew them together, but if you wanted to crochet them and then felt them, you could probably adapt the ballet slipper pattern in the Interweave Knits crochet magazine.
(Sorry, that was totally unhelpful -- you specifically said you didn't want crochet patterns! But I agree that those are really cute, and I'm totally mulling over how to make them.)
Posted by kohuether on 2005-02-09 14:00:30
Post Subject:
Hi there!
I stumbled on this site a while ago, but forgot abnout it until I just visited thelibrary! I found Jean Railla's book, Get Crafty, and have been reading it all day. The book is a lot of fun, and this seems like a great topic to begin my posting.
I wish I knew how to:
Sew and design my own clothes
Knit (I crochet)
Draw
Sing
Swim
Rock Climb
Run Marathons
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-06-06 15:26:13
Post Subject:
oh good, I'm glad you like it! (and I just thought this weekend about the fact that it doesn't have a zipper, so it won't hold coins very well, sorry about that, hee.)
I'm keeping your address in case I ever figure out how to sew, btw! :)
Posted by Snufkin on 2004-05-18 14:27:14
Post Subject:
The reason I wanted to learn how to sew is that my sister was supposed to be making me a shirt with this cool retro flannel from Repro Depot. That was 3 years ago and she's still working on it! And despite the two attempts I've made at a class, I'm a sewing moron who has serious problems with remembering how to thread a bobbin or make a stitch without clogging up the needle. So the 'project' I had for that class, ended up going to a seamstress. Maybe someday I'll get a patient sewing teacher and finally learn how to use a machine.
Posted by mochaviolino on 2005-02-15 13:15:08
Post Subject:
Boys could sew pajama pants.
I like the Life Skills concept better than Home Ec. And I agree that stuff like embroidery might not be well received. Perhaps knitting, though.
i agree. i took a life skills class in middle school and the guys weren't embarrased by the stuff we did. plus my class had a good mix of different people, so it couldn't be anything that was cliched in surburbia. we learned the basics:
+ how to mend clothes & sew on a button
+ how to plan & make basic, healthy meals
+ how to get a job
+ how to balance a checkbook
+ everyone learned how to sew a pair of pajama pants
i don't remember what else, it's been at least 7 years.
Posted by artgeek on 2006-02-12 20:51:45
Post Subject:
Full disclosure: I tend to hoard fabric. For years.
When I started sewing, however, this hoarding behavior was well-rewarded as I was able to make lots of things without investing in fabric and, thanks to the wonder of the Internet, patterns. Things I look at when trying to decide whether to put something in my fabric bin or send it on to Goodwill:
How unique is the fabric in terms of color, pattern or texture? I'm more likely to keep something that's a unique print or a basic color (figuring I can always find a use for black and white fabric, for example). Colors I actively dislike (orange, yellow) go to the donation pile.
What is the material? I've learned the hard way how difficult stretch fabrics are to sew, so those get donated. On the other hand, more expensive fabrics (eg, silk), I hang on to. When I have a project appropriate for silk, I have the opportunity to learn how to sew on it without wasting a bought piece of fabric.
What size pieces does the garment break down into? Look at the seams on your item and determine how much usable fabric there is. By this logic, I keep many more trousers and skirts than I do shirts and blouses, since the former usually gives 2-4 nice sized pieces of fabric and have significantly less detail work (think of all the buttons, cuffs, pockets on a man's dress shirt, for example).
If I'm ever in doubt, I look hard at the piece and then at my fabric pile. If there's already a lot of it (small pieces of black fabric, for example) or the original garment is in really good shape, I donate it and let someone else have a shot at it. If it matches another piece of fabric well, suits a project I've in mind or, heaven forbid, is denim, it goes into the fabric pile. Don't ask me what I'm going to do with all the denim I've accumulated, but I just can't seem to let it go. ;)
Posted by Jan1311 on 2006-01-02 15:06:31
Post Subject:
I have 2 big ones:
Move from the city. Buy a plot in a nearby small town (15 miles from the city) and save to build a home (we plan to buy a little pre-built house and use what we save in rent to save for the house);
Try to have a baby.
And 2 smaller ones:
Get a driver's license again. I haven't driven in ages and I'll have to go to traffic school, but it will be necessary with living further away;
*Really* learn how to sew. Get a "new" sewing machine (used but better than the one I have) and take lessons again.
Posted by stprcsm on 2004-05-31 20:06:32
Post Subject:
interesting point.
mothers often did cook all the time becuase of lack of convienience foods/eating out. his GF cooked becuase that is her profession. it seems to me that this guy just got lucky in his ability to skate through life with women who always cooked for him.
but thinking about it, when I or my mother cook, we always make a full meal, not always "healthy" but balanced. when my dad or brother cooked for the family it was like box mac and cheese and hot dogs. Granted they didnt cook as often as my mother or I so in the long run we ate really well.
its funny, my mother taught me to cook. in fact I did most of the cooking from when I was about 7 untill I moved out, and now that Im back home for the summer I cook most nights. She taught me all about how to cook but also little details like serving colorful veg with bland colored fish how to tell if raw meat is seasoned well w/o tasting it ( my old roomate used to taste raw hamburg -blech)
the point of this really long post is, maybe just becuase Im a girl my mother took the time to teach me these things that she never taught to my brothers ( or my father) or maybe I just showed and intrest. either way Im SOOOO glad Im not forced to eat nasty prepared stuff all the time ( Im also glad she taught me how to sew so I dont have to choose from that clothes on the rack!)
Posted by sewnupheart on 2005-08-30 18:17:01
Post Subject:
I was worried that I was alone with the relationship I have with my mom. It is nice to see that Fathers were primary custody holders. My parents got a divorce when I was 12, I think it was probably a bad time in general for a divorce. It didn't help that my mom promised..which no one should do that they would never get a divorce. My dad was the one that helped me with crafting. He would teach me how to sew or give me ideas around halloween. He is my prime parent, mother and father. He just got remarried three years ago and I adore my stepmom.
Anyway back to my mom, she started drinking. She decided to tell me a day before that she was moving two hours away from me.
Before the divorce she was neglectant and on horrible prescription drugs. The doctor gave her a mix of weight loss drugs and anti depressants. She left my dad with me, my brother, and sister. Shes never really been a mother to me, she apologized about a week ago for everything that ever happened.
She is awkward and I always feel like the mother when I speak to her. I have to tell her to take her vitamins and take care of herself. She used to hang up on me when she got a little upset. I had to teach her that doing that was rude and not okay.
I love her because she brought me into this world and she is my mother. Our relationship is difficult.
I am glad I am not alone with this.
Posted by Chelsea on 2005-05-10 01:05:07
Post Subject:
I get most books from the library except the ones I want to keep to read again or just to have - it's my only real obsession.
I always try to get movies at the library too. I love going to the theater to see them, but not if it's just an "eh" movie. If you wait too long though, the DVDs are so scratched they won't play. Either that or I wait for 99cent day at the rental place.
Coupons for groceries - but only for stuff I want and normally buy.
Make gifts.
I wear clothes until they're worn out - I hardly ever buy clothes, don't like them much anyway. If I knew how to sew I might do that.
My husband likes really cold water - so he always wants to buy cases of bottled water. I like the taste of our tap water better actually, so we buy a case every few months and then re-use the bottles until they've all been lost. I re-fill them and put them back in the refrigerator so they'll get cold enough for him. :)
Posted by anati on 2004-06-30 13:26:30
Post Subject: how did you all get started?
so i'm curious...how did everyone start getting crafty?
i started when i took a jewelery course one summer and now i have a giant collection of beads that i make jewelery with all the time. that's pretty much the only crafting i do. i'm also planning on learning how to sew this summer.
i'm so excited because a couple of months ago they opened a bead store in my town. no more trips to the city every time i want an interesting bead!
Posted by imadavistwin on 2006-04-17 19:59:01
Post Subject: How did I start
I started because no one wanted to teach me to do the things they did. My grandmother could sew her butt off. I mean anything you could name, she could sew it. My mother became a knitter briefly but never had the patience to teach me either.
So, I started out teaching myself how to knit from following instructions in a book. Then I moved on to crocheting. Now I am learning to sew and am in the intermediate level. A good resource for you to learn how to sew is a website called: www.youcanmakeit.com. I love the course and I hope you like it as well.
Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2005-04-13 17:56:28
Post Subject:
it is inspiring to hear how many people were taught crafts by their moms & dads-- that means the crafty mommas on here are carrying on the tradition that led so many of us to getcrafty!
i was also initiated into craft by my mother-- she never made a big deal out of it, but always made me the most amazing costumes and fancy hats, and barbie clothes as a kid. Not to mention dust ruffles and curtains and duvet covers.
I used to get sick a lot as a kid, and my mom taught me how to embroider and crochet to keep me busy. She tried to teach me how to sew but I was impatient, recently when I told her i wanted to learn, she got me a machine for my birthday and I've been sewing up a storm!
Posted by anati on 2005-10-01 23:30:51
Post Subject:
I can't decide what to be this year.
Last year I went as a bee. I took a black shirt and made stripes with yellow ribbon and double-sided tape. Then I sewed a big black tutu just for kicks. I don't really know how to sew and was just improvising so it came out really puffy. Antennae were pipecleaners and a headband, wings I had from an old angel costume. I decided I didn't have enough yellow so I made yellow armwarmers out of an old tshirt and wore them over black gloves.
It was probably one of my best costumes ever, and I can't come up with anything better, so I might wear it again. I'm considering Dorothy or Pippi Longstocking.
Posted by Grungie on 2007-05-24 21:36:56
Post Subject:
I also don't remember being taught specifically how to be thrifty, but I do remember picking up certain things from my mom.
-Learn how to sew. Even if you can't do it well enough to make your own clothes, if you know how to do simple repairs you can make your clothes last longer.
-On clothes, spend a little extra if it means that you'll get something that's well-made. You actually lose money if you have a bunch of cheap clothes that wear out after a couple months.
-99-cent shampoo washes your hair just as well as 5-dollar shampoo.
-Support local businesses (I remember my mom teaching me this even before Wal-Mart started to take over everything!) Back then, it was a matter of trying to support our struggling little town that was losing money and residents to the big tourist trap next door. Nowadays, I try not to burn up a lot of gas driving across town to dump money into a big box.
Posted by Echo on 2004-05-24 00:07:34
Post Subject:
First of all - congrats!!
My SIL is getting married on July 24, 2004 & I just got married a year ago (yesterday!), so this is all fresh in my mind. Some of the DIY things we've done:
+ SIL is doing a cupcake tree instead of a wedding cake. She will decorate with bright, vivid silk flowers.
http://www.cupcaketree.com/
+ My mom knows how to sew, so she's making my SIL's wedding dress and my matron of honor dress. For my wedding, she made my SIL's dress (she was my maid of honor) and my daughter's little dress. My mom also did all of the flowers & decorations (we had a decorated arch) - she used to be a florist.
+ I designed the wedding & bridal shower invitations (I am in the process of starting up a business making custom announcements) and we printed them off on the computer.
+ For our wedding favors, we wrapped up scented votive candles in tulle, then attached a business card that read "This candle is a sign of our love and appreciation for brightening our day and warming our hearts." Those were really, really cheap! My SIL is wanting to do lollipops & those should be pretty easy as well.
+ We got married at a lake (so is my SIL), so we didn't do a lot of decorating. My SIL is going to put Tiki torches up around the lake and maybe even floating candles (which can be homemade or bought). The reception will be at my ILs home around their pool, so they are planning on using the floating candles in there as well.
+ Instead of a traditional guestbook, my SIL is getting a picture of the two of them matted & framed, then having the guests sign the mat.
I'm sure that sites like weddingchannel.com & theknot.com have tons and tons of tips! Good luck, congratulations, & happy wedding planning!!
Posted by amaryllis on 2006-07-12 10:48:19
Post Subject:
They all *seem* a bit too serious and not funny to me this time. But who knows, maybe some great personalities will surface. Does this show make anyone else feel like they need to get their sh*t together and learn how to sew really really well?
Posted by athena on 2006-07-12 14:24:47
Post Subject:
They all *seem* a bit too serious and not funny to me this time. But who knows, maybe some great personalities will surface. Does this show make anyone else feel like they need to get their sh*t together and learn how to sew really really well?
Posted by for_esme on 2006-02-23 13:56:20
Post Subject:
That's the one I'm gonna rip off and make for myself. Oh, and also thank you Project Jay, for showing me a close-up of exactly how he does those appliques.
Yeah, the dress seems like it would be pretty simple to duplicate. If I knew how to sew I'd definitely give it a try. If you do, post pictures!
Posted by lazysundae on 2007-04-11 08:12:00
Post Subject:
Hey! I used to post here about a year ago and then I stopped. Never posted in this thread. 28-yr old HR Analyst at an ad agency in NYC. I've just now found job stability. Now more time for crafts!
One of my good friends lives right behind me in Brooklyn - we like to cook, and I'm going to teach her how to knit. We've only known each other a few months but we're like 2 peas in a pod.
I like photography, music, film, and cooking/eating good food. Haven't done as many crafty things as I'd like to but - I want to learn how to sew and I want to learn to make simple jewelry as well.
Posted by violetkarma on 2004-07-23 13:33:40
Post Subject:
I'm Melissa, VioletKarma on the old boards and Supernaturale. I'll be 21 in September (sweet lord, you don't know how long I've been waiting for this birthday) and live in NJ but spend most of my time in Philadelphia because it's 5 minutes away from my house. I'm studying Psychology at my community college and then plan to transfer into a university in NJ that has its courses comepletely online (which is perfect for me because I'm online all.the.time.) I like making tile coasters, marble magnets, and basically glueing anything. This fall my friend is going to teach me how to sew and knit...I can't wait! When I'm not online, I'm cooking, driving around the tri-state area for my freelance marketing job (I take pictures of coffee shops and their advertised sleeves to mail back to the advertiser), or watching my boyfriend's band (they're pretty neat-there's 8 guys, an accordian, violin, theremin, and a guy who just does their lights, and they play music that's been descriped as "epic nintendo rock")
Posted by Grungie on 2007-04-22 22:16:08
Post Subject:
Hi, I'm Grungie. I've posted here a couple of times already but I never really introduced myself formally.
I'm 29 for a few more months and I live in Ohio with my husband and my (now) 14-month-old little boy. I'm an MD (recently board-certified in internal medicine, for what that's worth) and I'm in my first year of a fellowship in infectious diseases. I love what I do, but I've also had to get used to the fact that I'm still in training while most of my friends already have "real" jobs.
I'm probably waaay to into crafting. As a kid, I learned how to crochet and do cross stitch. I started knitting when I was in med school as a way to kill time while waiting for web pages to download (I still can't afford DSL, so I'll be getting a lot of knitting done!) Along the way, I also learned how to sew, but I've been more successful with making doll clothes than clothes for myself. I collect dolls a little--no frou-frou dolls-ick!--actually, my collection is mostly the Barbies I had as kid that I never got rid of.
So, I always have plenty of projects I want to work on but I have to balance that with the work that I'm supposed to be doing.
Posted by Chelsea on 2005-04-29 19:46:59
Post Subject:
I'm Chelsea, 25 and I live in Evansville, IN. I just got married 6 months ago and we've been together 10 years. I have two kitties, Loki and Isis.
What I like:
- reading (Roald Dahl, Chuck Palahniuk, books about homicide research and dead human bodies and what happens to us)
- movies (current favorites - Sin City, Dawn of the Dead, Matilda - Can't wait for - Land of the Dead (EEP!) and Devil's Rejects
- finding new crafty things to do
- christmas decorations
- free stuff
- finding great deals
- my keeties
- wandering through Michael's and Hobby Lobby.
- playing with flowers at work. :)
- storms
- finding cross stitch patterns I like (Kats by Kelly is my favorite)
I work in a grocery store and I'm in either the floral dept or the general merchandise/drug dept.
I don't have any kids, but we're working on it. :)
My crafting:
- I learned how to knit a week ago - can't figure out the purl stitch yet though.
- I do cross stitch (mostly the black cat "Kats by Kelly" designs and Christmas stuff)
- I just started collecting plates to make some mosaic pieces. I plan on making flower pots, purple and green coasters for our living room, and possibly a small table for our balcony.
- I am very interested in collage. I just discovered it a few days ago when I was looking through the craft section at Barnes and Noble.
- Painting with acrylics on canvas and small wooden or plaster pieces that end up being christmas decorations or magnets.
- I would LOVE to learn how to sew, but one thing at a time! (well, kinda a "few" things at a time really, but you know what I mean)
- I would also love to do beaded jewelry too.
Posted by maize on 2004-07-07 21:58:39
Post Subject:
Hi!
I'm Maize.
I own two websites www.mommytags.com and www.maizehutton.com.
I'm way older than the majority of you, 40+ ARGH! But, thankfully, I don't look or act it.
In my prior life I was a paralegal then a nurse. Now I design jewelry.
I'm an adventurer at heart. I've raced sled dogs in Alaska (lived there 8 years--did my time), rafted the Grand Canyon, rode a bike from Seattle to Portland in two days and finished the 2003 NYC marathon this past November. I enjoy yoga, running, gardening, my Westie Max, and my studio where I spend my time creating and filling orders.
I'm lucky enough to finally do what I love fulltime.
I have two kids, one girl 20 *choke* and one boy 14. I also have a 15 year old stepdaughter with Rett Syndrome.
I'm a certified artisan with the PMC Guild and teach PMC (Precious Metal Clay) at a local bead shop where I live in Washington state.
I drive a "yield sign" yellow VW Beetle named "Huny B."
My favorite musicians are Dave Matthews, Sting, Van Morrison, Jem, Jack Johnson, Macy Grey, oh why did I start this list....way to many to mention.
I've been sewing and crafting since I was a little little kid in Montana. My mom taught me how to sew and I used to display my work at the local 4H fairs. I embroider (love Sublime's stuff--I beaded the kitty), crochet, knit (own Deb's stich & bitch book) bead and I'll try anything once.
I'm ecstatic that there are craft forums on the web and feel like I've found my people! I was cutting up old levis back in the 70s making skirts, purses and quilts. It's funny to see so many doing the same these days!
And, yes, I hate discussing politics. I find it incredibly mean, alienating, and a very dirty business.
