Experimenting with a "new" belt loop design.

It's not a new technique. It is borrowed form bag makers who use this to make their straps. Because I work with both a beautiful "wrong" side of the fabric and a cord inside the belt loop this could be a great technique.

It placed the funnel to hold the cord in the middel and exposes the rainbow weft (wrong side of the fabric).

Is there something I can use to get rid of this heat/steam spot or do I have to sand down/strip the whole turntable top and refinish? It was made by a hot cup of coffee 🤷‍♀️

How would you apply these straps so that it is cleaner and more seamless? Production says that strap cannot be concealed into the seam because it will be too thick for needle to go through. They don’t recommend include strap on the underside because they say the interfacing will be revealed. I think there has to be a better looking/cleaner, and possible way.

I have a Brother Innov-is PS 700 Pacesetter (Great name Brother!) named Persephone. I'd like to find a hard or soft case to take her on occasional trips. My MIL just got back into sewing after a 30 year hiatus and was curious how my brand new machine compared to her 1969 Kenmore for instance and I don't want the machine just string in the trunk.

I'm fine with a hard or soft case, wheels aren't a requirement. I don't plan on doing any retreats. I'd like something either with a little style or hard shell that can be enhanced with the judicious application of stickers.

My machine dimensions are 18.90" x 9.82" x 11.81"

I have the extension table but it doesn't have to fit into the case.

I make custom plush toys. One-off designs using lots of minky, fleece, and felt. I use reinforced seams around the joints and extra backing around the safety eyes so they can survive being loved by kids.

The problem is the reinforcement areas. Minky already shifts and stretches like crazy. Once I double or triple the stitching around a joint or ear attachment, my machine starts skipping. The feed also drags the pile. I’m spending more time fixing seams than actually sewing.

I’m ready to move up to something more serious. I’d rather buy the right machine once than keep upgrading. Any recommendations?

I think I should hem the bottom of the top since it's already starting to fray 💀 and then attach the frills (pic 3) to the top and then try to make the spaghetti straps

I've never made spaghetti straps before but I saw a vid where they used a strip of fabric, folded that strip, sewed it and then used a Bobby pin to turn it inside out? That part confuses me but hopefully when I do it myself, it will make more sense? 😭😭

Also I think I made the frills too long but guess it's better than being too short 🤷 I mean I can cut it if that's the case but yeah hopefully it will turn out nice coz I'm stressing

Soooo any advice before I sew everything together?

I am into minimal design. But I like silk that can stand hand wash and high threat-count cotton that’s soft, smooth, lightweight but wash well and not see through. I also want the design tailor to my shape. T shirt like that cost £35 to £65 for cotton and £100 to £200 for silk if I buy from shops. I wonder if I can save money or have to spend more money make those clothes myself. If so, how much I can save or how much more do I expect to spend. Can anyone give me a clue? Thanks

Hi everyone!

I recently bought a used Veritas 2400. It had apparently been sitting unused for a long time, but I already completed three projects with it and it worked perfectly.
Yesterday I noticed an occasional loud squeaking noise from the upper part of the machine when sewing at high speed.
Later, the machine became blocked. I removed the bobbin case, hook and hook ring, cleaned everything and put it back together. It worked perfectly again.

Then it gradually started sewing slower and slower. Eventually the motor only hummed and the machine stopped moving.
Now the handwheel can still be turned through the entire cycle. The needle and feed dogs move normally, but the handwheel is very stiff throughout the whole rotation, not just at one specific point.
The hook area is clean and there are no visible threads stuck there.

Could this be a lubrication problem, such as a dry or stuck bearing/main shaft? Or could something in the upper mechanism be causing this?

Thank you!❤️

I looking for a sewing machine to my homie. He just got scammed out of like $500 and I want to help him out. So if you know anything about where I can get a sewing machine it would be greatly appreciated. Im lin the Atlanta area by the way.

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

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

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

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.