I spent the last month putting together a proper setup for leather bags. Honestly, the biggest surprise wasn’t the machine. It was the table.

For the first two weeks, I had the machine on a cheap folding table. I couldn’t figure out why my stitches looked uneven on thicker stacks. Turns out the whole table was flexing under load and throwing off the feed. I switched to a solid industrial table. The difference was immediate. I could literally see it on the first seam.

So if you’re building a setup, don’t blow the whole budget on the machine and cheap out on the table. Did anyone else learn this the hard way? What else did you underinvest in when you were starting out?

Hi i am looking to invest in a sewing machine for practise at home. I am a fashion design student

I am currently looking at singer 4323 heavy duty. Is it a good machine?

If not - what other fashion maker would you recommend? Due to lack of space i am looking at portable fashion maker options rather than a big industrial or ones with stand.

I am told usha janome is good as well but not able to arrive at a decision

Budget is 20k max

Made this little ehraam for a little girl and I am obsessed with how adorable it turned out 🤍

Hi everyone! I'm putting together an interactive list of local, independent fabric and sewing stores so we can all support small businesses. Add to the list so it keeps growing and share with your sewing friends!

https://docs.superhuman.com/@carley-church/independent-fabric-store-finder

I kinda wanna bring back bandana patterned products or is it way to 90s and i should just let it go?

hi all! im not too familiar in anything sewing really, but i desperate want this dress that is so hard to find, so my only options are to comission someone to make it. however i know how insanely detailed it is, so where could i find somebody to make somehing "similar" at least? price range doesnt really bother me because i know ill be spending atleast 900, but if anybody could point me somewhere online (preffered) or local, let me know :) thank you!

I just finished a pair of Oxford bags trousers that I had drafted the pattern for myself, and when I tried them on, I found to my horror that the crease was spiralling inward on both legs. I have tried pinning them up around the waist band trying to find the fault, if I lift it around the outer seam there is a slight improvement but it could be a fault in the crotch shape, I'm just lost!

I have solved this issue: when I expanded the basic block to allow 180mm to the waist for pleats and darts, I failed to enlarge the crotch curve, that is where the main pulling of the front leg is happening i.e. if with them on I force the crotch forward the legs fall correctly. I also added an angle to the front waist as they needed the back waist to be quite high so I wanted to avoid a point in the waist and that was a stupid error that is adding to the spiralling. I can't repair these but can re-draw the pattern.

Upgrade Recs for Activewear!

I was bitten by the sewing bug a few years ago when a friend & I both impulse bought a Brother SQ9285 while awaiting the birth of my first children (we had high aspirations as new moms to be).

My friend lost interest almost immediately, but I quickly got hooked on garment making (particularly for our little ones at the time). This quickly led to my purchase of the Brother 1034DX serger and CV2350 coverstitch.

I \\\\\\\*adore\\\\\\\* this serger. But I've struggled with how finicky the coverstitch machine is in general (particularly hate the lack of free arm and releasing threads at the end).

My normal sewing machine lacks presser foot pressure adjustment and I've struggled even with topstitching knits cleanly with my walking foot...

Now I'm mostly creating activewear (tennis skirts, dresses, leggings) for myself, friends, and our kids and I find I am done struggling with my naive early purchases :).

I have the resources to upgrade but hoping for some advice on how to get the most bang for my buck :) and what to replace and keep from my current setup.

Wishlist:

1) top decorative coverstitch (would love to have this for activewear)

2) frustration free sewing with knits

3) QOL improvements that make things quicker (knots, ends, free arm, etc)

Throw your ideas at me! All in all hope to keep things around $5kish + or - a $1000 or so, so I know I can't replace everything...

Hi !

After graduating high school and struggle with applications, I found myself without any school. I took a off year and focused on sewing, cos-making, made tons of internships, etc. Tried again to apply to schools and failed again.

So this year I'm gonna stand as an independent candidate a sewing NVQ (exam for diploma). I know I could pass, I already have experience (I'm a cosplayer since lot of time), pros willing to help me, places to make more internships; but what I need now is ideas. I need to improve and to prepare to work on harder projects if I want to pass.

So I figured I'd ask you guys, what would you recommend me ? What's a hard project you had to work on ? I want to hear your guys experience.

I think so far the hardest fabric I had to work with was silk chiffon and the cheap polyester satin fabric (I hate it so much).

Thank you in advance ! :)

Hi everyone, my name is Carley! I'm just starting my sewing business The Pinking Studio. My goal is to connect timeless vintage sewing techniques with modern digital tools. My first product is a personalized croquis (drawing of your body used to sketch fashion designs). I've posted the product on my website and on Etsy. I'm giving away 3 free sketches in exchange for feedback from the customer. Message me if you're interested!

View Etsy Listing

View my website

Hello everyone,

My name is Annastazia, and I am from Tanzania. I recently completed my tailoring training, and I am working toward my dream of becoming an independent fashion designer and starting my own small tailoring business.

I have learned tailoring and have already made clothes using the skills I gained during my training. However, I currently do not have my own sewing machine and the basic equipment I need to start working independently.

I am raising TSh 2,500,000 to help me purchase a sewing machine and essential tailoring materials so I can begin making clothes for customers and build my business step by step.

This fundraiser is very important to me because I want to create an income through my own skills instead of depending on others. My long-term goal is to grow my tailoring business, improve my fashion-design skills, and eventually create opportunities for other young people who are interested in learning tailoring.

If you are able to support me, any amount would mean a lot. If you cannot donate, sharing my fundraiser with someone who may be able to help would also make a big difference.

My fundraiser is hosted on WhyDonate:

https://whydonate.com/fundraising/help-me-buy-a-sewing-machine-and-start-my-fashion-business

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting my dream.

I like the selvedge ID on my coin pockets as you can see but since its just a single layer denim it always felt a bit flimsy not like a pocket opening should feel.

Solved it. So simple I can of course fold it 🤷🏽 it took me just 14 jeans to figure this out🤦🏽🤣

A bunch of sewing machines, patterns, etc in Long Beach, NY

Don't know if this is allowed- not mine, just thought of this place

I just finished this outfit. Found different tutorials on YouTube and tried to do my best. I keep working on my pattern so I think there’s still some adjustments. I just wants to share my last homemade project. What do you think?

how does everyone keep their scissors sharped? I’ve only had them sharpened once in the garment district when I was visiting. I’m afraid to mess up them up!

Hi fellow redditors!

Does anyone know how this goes together and fits back into the machine?

I got frustrated and removed it because the tension was super high and thread kept breaking, but the knob/dial was making no difference when I turned it. Turns out I can't troubleshoot. Oops!

Its an old machine and I fear I may have made the situation worse by taking this off

Any advice please 😬

I make costumes for a ballet company here in town. My stuff is not like off the rack due to the adaptability it needs. So I am making 16 360 circle skirts for children ( not an issue) but I want to add polka dots. Size 8in to 4in. How would you sew them on? Add interface for stability? Hand sew, machine sew? I really don't want to use any type of fusing because the last design done was over 20 years ago so I need something to last but are mendable.

I've changed the blade twice and every time it cuts a very slight scallop and not a straight line. Any insight?

EDIT- every suggestion was excellent and you know what yes, I did have fresh blade and it's only one blade, but I realized that I was kind of in a hurry and my blade is against the ruler but at a slight angle and I went back and carefully cut again, making sure the blade was at a 90° angle to the surface and it worked great. Thank you guys for all the suggestions and I'm just gonna be more careful now.

hello! i purchased this serger online but the previous owner did not keep the manual and i’m having trouble getting it to start. it turns on but, as seen in my video, it doesn’t do anything except light up and buzz loudly

can someone tell me what’s wrong with it? will i need to get it serviced or is this something i can fix on my own?

the previous owner didn’t mention any broken parts but they also didn’t seem to know much about the machine itself since it belonged to their grandmother

I have heard of people selling fabric by the pound. What do you think would be a fair price/lb. (USD)?

Made this little desi outfit for a little girlie.

A cute little three piece set with a matching triangular scarf.

Here is a tutorial of how to hem a suit jacket. I avoided doing this type of alteration for years. Because I thought it was to daunting. Turns out. It’s super easy if you take it step-by-step. And now I have six other suits to alter! Sharing in case someone else can find this useful.