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New to sewing (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 3/19/12 11:08 PM ET
Hey, I need to resize some XL shirts to Medium, but unfortunately I don't know anything about sewing, haha. I've found some really good tutorials for doing it on YouTube, but I'm just a little nervous to start because I have no idea what I'm doing yet.
This is an example of how I was wanting to do it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAXY5wH-Z88
My only concerns are sewing in a straight line for when you sew over the area that you traced with chalk, doing the straight stich at the bottom of the shirt, and doing the sleeves properly.
I could just take these to a seamstress/tailor, but they all want to charge me like $15 per shirt, and I have over 20-30 shirts to resize, so that'd be a lot of money. :/
So I'm not really sure where to start for this, I'm sure I could just practice first on some old t-shirts, but are there any other tutorials or methods that I should use to get used to using a sewing machine before I do this? I'm hoping to do this pretty soon, though, so I hope learning these methods won't take me too long.
I actually don't have a sewing machine yet, but I was planning on just buying a cheap one off of Craigslist or something. I don't think I'd need anything too fancy or expensive.
Any help would be great, thanks!
This is an example of how I was wanting to do it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAXY5wH-Z88
My only concerns are sewing in a straight line for when you sew over the area that you traced with chalk, doing the straight stich at the bottom of the shirt, and doing the sleeves properly.
I could just take these to a seamstress/tailor, but they all want to charge me like $15 per shirt, and I have over 20-30 shirts to resize, so that'd be a lot of money. :/
So I'm not really sure where to start for this, I'm sure I could just practice first on some old t-shirts, but are there any other tutorials or methods that I should use to get used to using a sewing machine before I do this? I'm hoping to do this pretty soon, though, so I hope learning these methods won't take me too long.
I actually don't have a sewing machine yet, but I was planning on just buying a cheap one off of Craigslist or something. I don't think I'd need anything too fancy or expensive.
Any help would be great, thanks!
Posted on: 3/20/12 10:48 AM ET
I haven't watched the youtube video you posted but here's some general info anyway!
First off, that sounds like a big project for a very new sewist but if you want to jump in with both feet, go ahead.
In terms of a sewing machine - getting one off Craiglist is not a bad idea BUT ... sewing T-shirt knits can be a little tricky. You need to have a decent machine plus use the right needle (stretch or at least ball point). If you want to buy a used machine, make sure the owner can demonstrate for you how to sew T-shirt type fabric and get a good seam (not all bunched up) or you will be in for a world of frustration.
IF you think sewing is something you'll want to do after this project, you might want to invest the time and money in going to a local sewing machine dealer. Explain the sewing you want to do and ask them to demonstrate a machine they have that would suit your needs.
Good luck!
JEF
------
First off, that sounds like a big project for a very new sewist but if you want to jump in with both feet, go ahead.
In terms of a sewing machine - getting one off Craiglist is not a bad idea BUT ... sewing T-shirt knits can be a little tricky. You need to have a decent machine plus use the right needle (stretch or at least ball point). If you want to buy a used machine, make sure the owner can demonstrate for you how to sew T-shirt type fabric and get a good seam (not all bunched up) or you will be in for a world of frustration.
IF you think sewing is something you'll want to do after this project, you might want to invest the time and money in going to a local sewing machine dealer. Explain the sewing you want to do and ask them to demonstrate a machine they have that would suit your needs.
Good luck!
JEF
------
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." --Abraham Lincoln
Posted on: 3/20/12 12:33 PM ET
In reply to Hybr1d
When I read this I thought it was a great idea. If you get second hand machine you want to make sure it has a zigzag stitch as some older machines only have straight stitch. Your video gives great idea how to save the shirts and I have seen other us this video to make nice fit when changing the shirt. Make sure to get one old tshirt for practice use and post pics when you are done.
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