custom sewing patterns
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Gothic Lolita maid 05 Cosplay Costume Custom-made $64.99 |
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Devil May Cry 3 DMC3 Dante Cosplay Costume Custom size Halloween $89.99 |
Which sewing machine do you recommend?
My dad gives me $400 for Christmas, and I really want a sewing machine
(nothing super professional, but something I could just take out and put away easily like the ones at wal-mart)
My mom is an expert at that stuff, but I will not even ask her because she'll just go on and on.
I like customizing my clothing, sewing custom Barbie doll outfits, and recently, I've been really interested in buying patterns for myself. Up until now, I've done everything by hand (takes forever) but I think I'll be better off with a machine as far as buying patterns go, so what do you recommend?
(Any department store links would be good)
Take a look at Kate Dicey's essay on choosing sewing machines at
http://www.katedicey.co.uk (and take a look around at her site...
there are a lot of nice little tutorials there!). The FAQ she
refers to is at http://web.archive.org/web/20071021104932/htt
p://cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm now.
What I want for beginners in sewing:
- a machine that doesn't scare you
- a machine that isn't balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable -- just
too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don't cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle generic
presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use proprietary
or very expensive presser feet)
If the budget stretches far enough:
- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won't use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds -- mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.
Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You'll get a far better machine at a
specific price buying used than new and a good dealer is worth
their weight in sewing machine needles when you get a machine
problem -- often they can talk you through the problem over the
phone. While you're trying things out, try a couple of machines
(sewing only, not combo sewing-embroidery) over your price limit,
just so you can see what the difference in stitch quality and
ease of use might be. You may find you want to go for the used
Cadillac. Or you might want the new basic Chevy. Might as well
try both out.
Suggested reading: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.
Used brands I'd particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota
New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick, if new, decent and budget
was my choice: Janome (who also does Kenmore).
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Christmas Stained Glass Tablerunner $95.00 You'll want this beautiful Stained Glass Christmas Table Runner to help accent your table decor this Holiday Season. Christmas Fabric all trimmed in shimmering gold bias trim. Poinsettas on each end of table runner are also trimmed in gold bias trim.... |
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Islander Sewing Systems - Pants Etc! {Draw Your Own Pant Pattern for a Custom Fit!} $34.92 ... |
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Designer Sweatshirts (How to Trim and Alter Sweatshirts) $55.00 VHS Video on Designer Sweatshirts, How to Trim and Alter Sweatshirts. Plain sweatshirts become designer garments with techniques shown by Mary Mulari, author of Designer Sweatshirts. Step by step procedures on this video include the addition of: *Plackets *Cardigan Front Opening *Collar *Lettuce Edging *Shirt Tail Bottom. Machine and hand applique, Seminole patchwork, double needle stitchin... |
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Custom Dress Form $36.12 DVDs from the fashion industry expert! Learn the same sewing and fitting techniques Coni teaches in her studio classes, at sewing expos, and in seminar venues across the USA. Can't travel to a sewing class, seminar, or expo show this year but still want to sew a new wardrobe that fits and flatters your figure? These DVDs can be your answer! These helpful visual DVDs show you the successful t... |
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Sewing with Nancy Zieman Cosmopolitan Sewing DVD Sewing with Nancy DVD only, Cosmopolitan Sewing with Lorraine Torrence, 2008... |
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Sewing Thread Pattern iPhone 4 Case - Fits iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S $15.95 ... |
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LittleBigPlanet Sackgirl/Sackboy 6 Plush - 2 Pack Bundle $16.00 Add to your creative experience and bring the powers of your favorite LBP characters home with a 6" plush friends.Features include: •6" high-end collectable plush dolls•Rich textures and materials bring the LittleBigPlanet characters from the TV screen to real life•Fully jointed and moveable•LBP Plush characters pose like game-play•Tons of character - collect 'em all... |
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Elegant Girls Embroidered Rose Shawl Scarf Wrap $11.70 ·Durable and soft material ·Rose patterns embroidered ·Easy for mix & match ·Elegant as accessory... |
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Gothic Lolita maid 05 Cosplay Costume Custom-made $64.99 |
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Devil May Cry 3 DMC3 Dante Cosplay Costume Custom size Halloween $89.99 |
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Vogue 7467 Claire Shaeffer Custom Couture Tailored Jacket18-20-22 plus size incl $8.00 |
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CUSTOM DO-RAG DOORAG DEWRAG DO RAG DOO RAG DEW RAG PATTERN 2 SIZES CHILD & ADULT $7.99 |
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CUSTOM DO-RAG DOORAG DEWRAG DO RAG DOO RAG DEW RAG PATTERN child size $6.99 |
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CUSTOM DO-RAG DOORAG DEWRAG DO RAG DOO RAG DEW RAG PATTERN adult size $6.99 |
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20 custom fit patterns Make your own clothes detail instruction fashion design $10.50 |
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Vintage Stretch & Sew by Ann Person Pattern #1761 Men's Custom Shirt 34 - 48 $6.99 |
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Vogue Claire Shaeffer Custom Couture Pattern 8652 Sz 16-18-20-22 Loose Fit Pants $8.99 |
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Vogue Claire Shaeffer's Custom Couture Pattern 7468 Size 18-20-22 Pants $6.99 |
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Custom made infant Zebra & hot pink carseat cover with bow, girl carseat cover. $75.00 |
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Custom Girls Dress 2T to Size 10 - Betsy Tacy Books - Dress Like Betsy and Tacy $90.00 |
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Simplicity Decor Custom Bedding Instructional Booklet #5335 $0.50 |
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2 Patterns WEDDING DAY+custom BRIDESMAID 4 Barbie FR Ca $6.75 |
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Vintage lot of Custom doll patterns for groom dolls 7 1/2" $14.99 |
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Personal design evening dress $299.00 |
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Custom Make a Homemade Dress Form How to Make DIY Personal Fit Multi-use 1926 $5.99 |
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Shrek Custom Birthday Shirt $14.95 |
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Shrek Custom Birthday Shirt $14.95 |
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Shrek Custom Birthday Shirt $14.95 |
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Shrek Custom Birthday Shirt $14.95 |
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Shrek Custom Birthday Shirt $14.95 |
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Custom made infant Zebra & hot pink carseat cover with bow, girl carseat cover. $80.00 |
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Simplicity pattern 2645 SUIT,Custom Fit Jacket, Skirt sz. 6-14 $3.99 |
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Damour Designs, Custom Window Treatment Pattern, Buttonhole Pattern, Curtains $3.99 |
How to Design & Make a Custom Bikini : Fabrics & Patterns for Making a Custom Bikini