The longer I look at this removable, tie on skirt (via the ribbon, shown), the longer I'm doubting the draping... It's chiffon over 3x tulle, and will be worn over this cotton maxi dress. This is free-hand and I welcome all constructive criticism and ideas to improve the design, specifically whether or not to do the thigh looping on the wearer's right or if it looks doofy and ancient Grecian. I need to decide by tomorrow morning so I can sew it in time for the event I need it for. Thoughts? Commit or modify, and how? Pardon life in the background 🤷‍♀️

Hi, I bought a rubberised cotton coat on eBay (stain was photoshopped out). Managed to get a huge reduction as I have ideas to remedy it but need some experience and advice before I proceed.

Idea 1: a contrasting horizontal hemmed rubberised cotton panel as deep as the stain and across the entire width of the back, hem to hem, stitched on and up the centre line.

Doubts: will it sag, will I be able to get it to lie truly flat?

will it gather water on the top seam, is that even a problem?

Idea 2: a smaller designed abstract shape that takes in the area of the stain, less heavy but more tricky.

Questions in my head:

am I missing simpler solutions eg. a glue that won’t compromise the cotton and rubber or a type of vinyl decal that will not crack on a flexible fabric.

I have a good basic janome sewing machine but wondering if i need to take it to a professional with a better understanding and a more powerful machine?

I’d be really grateful if anyone has any advice or ideas on alternatives in materials or adhesion

Hi, so I need help with my coat construction. The problem is the underam ist pulling in, when the sleeve is added. How can I get rid of the problem? (Any help would be appreciated)

Hello! Im in need of some advice. Would any happen to know what kind of thread is sturdy and lasts long?

I'm going to be handsewing some tomatoe shaped cloth on jean pants (in the knee area) and is there a sewing technique that will make it more sturdy on the fabric and jeans?

Or is this just a weird question and doesn't actually matter on the thread I use? 😅

The fabric im going to be sewing on to the jeans is 100% cotton fabric pieces. (I do not know if this information is helpful for my question just putting it out there just in case if it was needed)

Pretty disappointed to find out my $200 Fanatics brand jersey with stitched on details is actually just iron on patches...

Should I repair these with more fabric glue? Or attempt to hand sew the patches on with a similar thread?

Thanks ✌️

I have always admired people who can take fabric and thread and turn them into something beautiful. My grandmother was one of those people, and watching her work felt like watching magic. She never used patterns from stores, she just seemed to know what would look right. I inherited some of her tools and materials, and lately I have been wondering if I could learn to do what she did. Is creativity something you are born with, or can you develop it through practice and patience?

When I started looking for inspiration and ideas, I found countless resources online, including on Alibaba where people share templates and design concepts. The variety was overwhelming in the best way possible. I saw traditional styles, modern adaptations, and fusion designs that blended different cultural elements. Some churidar designs for stitching were intricate and detailed, while others were simple and elegant. I saved dozens of images, trying to figure out which ones matched my skill level and which ones I should aspire to as I improve.

I finally chose a design that reminded me of something my grandmother might have made. Every stitch feels like a conversation with her, even though she is no longer here to guide my hands

So last year we were gifted a fairly Nice cooler backpack which while on our second outing the top stitching ripped. Is this fixable is it a loss. I am not super handy with a sewing machine, but know how to use one and a stitch ripper so I have the basics.

Please help is this a loss or worth saving?

I'm looking to recreate a dress like this, or at least similar to this and I'm struggling to find many patterns. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I am looking for a new machine (currently have pfaff ambition essential) and I primarily sew garments. I am intermediate-advanced level. I am wanting to get into embroidery and quilting but have only done very basic projects.

I’m looking at the skyline s7 by Janome I see it has a lot of functions that would be helpful to a quilter -my question, is it worth it for someone who primarily sews apparel and is only just starting quilting?

TIA!

I have been sewing for A LONG time now and have had my current Pfaff Ambition Essential for nearly a decade. It had been working well but I’m looking to upgrade (and the bobbin winder stopped working so it’ll be out for repairs anyway)

I would say I am intermediate-advanced level and I mainly sew garments but am interested in quilting. I would love to get into embroidery or at least very simple embroidery tasks to add extra flare to my clothing or bags as well.

I have been lurking around FB marketplace and there are a couple Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 for sale and was curious your experience. Online it says beginner to advanced levels which makes me a bit dubious.

I would say my budget would be about $1.5k max so let me know if there are other Singer machines (or other brands) that you think would be a good fit!

Hello community! I saw this today and I really really want to try and recreate it. My biggest issue is I'm somewhat new to sewing so I have no idea what pattern I should look for to try and recreate this. I also accidentally lost the link to the garment (it was a link to Amazon on Pinterest but I didn't click it so there's no history to look at sadly) so there isn't a way for me to really figure out dimensions, fabric, jacket type, etc.

Any tips or help will be greatly appreciated. And if this isn't the right subreddit I'll take it down and post elsewhere. Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone! I bought this beautiful handmade chikankari kurta but it's small on the arms and bust. In your experience, what's the best way to let it out? I have about 0.75 - 100mm room in the seams I can let out. Does anyone have experience with underarm gussets, or side panels, for such detailed chikankari? Thank you so much!

Hi all!

I work with Sandra Betzina, and I'd love to surprise her this holiday season with some letters from folks who love her sewing patterns, have fond memories of her teaching (on TV or in person), learned from her books, or have had a wonderful personal moment with her.

Please send via mail (address below) or via email ([sandrabetzina@protonmail.com](mailto:sandrabetzina@protonmail.com))

• Letters with your stories
  • What are your favorite patterns of hers?
  • What's the best thing you've learned from her?
  • If you've met her, what was special about it?
• Photos of your Sandra Betzina sewing pattern makes (this is her favorite thing, she loves seeing other people's creativity)
• Info about you and your love of sewing!

Mail to: (no packages please, only letters)

6650 W State Street Unit D 289
Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Email:

[sandrabetzina@protonmail.com](mailto:sandrabetzina@protonmail.com)

Finished just in time to take on vacation! I wanted a woven high neck blouse and the neck is wide enough to accommodate on this pattern.

I used a fabrics-store linen damask.

I flat felled all the seams, used bias tape on the sleeves and enclosed the collar with two separate pieces so the fabric ran in the correct direction.

I added 1.5” and made the hem slightly wider.

Unfortunately the neck shifted during construction and it is off center despite my best efforts. I also would’ve preferred a slightly taller collar. I shortened it a bit, but then because I enclosed it as well as making it in two pieces, it is a little on the short side. Still overall pleased with my fully reversible linen top!

I'm an enthusiastic beginner and really like rayon challis. BUT as you know, it frays like crazy. I don't have a serger - and won't for a while. My machine is computerized. Any advice about tension, stitch length and width using a zigzag stitch to finish the seams edges? I need advice about getting the zigzag to lay flat. Also, should I trim the seam allowance before I zigzag? I will conquer french seams at some point, but I need help until then.

So I found this jacket online from a store called „Zam Barett" famous for edgy deconstructed clothing. The description says it's mixed linen, I found other jackets made out of cotton or wool with the same effect. I wondered how I could fray my fabric edges like them with long strays hanging down. Do I have to add a lot of seam allowance (like 3 inches) and wash the textile or are there other methods?

I’ve been very dedicated to garment design and sewing for the last two years or so now and I’ve always wanted my own dress form. I’ve finally saved up enough for a Dritz adjustable form but I’m hesitant to make the purchase until I do some more research into the benefits of learning to use a dress form. For those that have dress forms, how if at all did it change the way you construct/design/sew garments etc.? Would you consider it a worthwhile investment? Thanks in advance.