#my sewing machine will hate me

[dinosaurcharcuterie]

I saw the Barbie movie and never longed for the instructions on how to make something more. Not that color, not that lining, but that mood.

And someone saw the same movie and just went "Yeah, I can make that happen".

They don't know I exist, they just knew people like me exist. And then put my dreams on sale for £7.20 while offer lasts, plus the willingness to transcribe YT instructions.

[sheliesshattered]

somehow, I don't know how, but somehow sewing machines always know when you're nearly done with a project and pick that exact moment to throw a hissy fit

[wacky-internet-rollercoaster]

Shot in the dark we're trying to find a manual online for the JCPenney 6050 sewing machine and struggling. Anyone have any info? We can barely find proof that it exists lol

[mushrooms-n-frog]

made my first item of clothing this week. third ever project and i had to look up like half the words in the patterns cus it was advertised as advanced but im an idiot

[dove-da-birb]

I hate shopping for clothes, and I'm not even close to trying stuff on

[tj-crochets]

Crafting update! I finished one of my six MTH 2023 auction fill plushies, but (at the winner's request) won't post it until it's made it to its final destination. I also finished another of the bear ear beanies, bringing the total to 3/6, and did a bunch more cleaning and reorganizing of my craft space! I got so much fabric out of vacuum bags in my closet and onto shelves where I can actually see and use it, it's a little ridiculous, and I got some more batting scraps cut down to the right size for baskets. I think I've got like half a basket's worth so far? Also I want to make a pig now because there's a pink fabric I found in a bag that I know went in the bag because I bought it before I knew what I was doing and hate working with it, but it's absolutely perfect for a pig. It needs to be a pig plushie

[bumblebeerror]

Hey buddy!!! I have a few embroidery hoops, needles and thread, but aside from YouTube, nobody I know nearby does it often enough to give firsthand experience. I embroidered a thatch of lavender and a little bee on one of my battlejacket pockets, but it was with regular thread and a regular needle. Can you offer any insight when it comes to the actual hoops themselves, what material works best, any insider tips?

So I’m not a regular embroiderer because it hurts my hands really easy, but I AM a moron who does everything the hard way first so I do have some tips:

If you’re using regular thread, it will help the design if you a) use an embroidery needle [I think you can get them separate from other sewing supplies for like a buck or two, and I recommend getting some kind of needle polisher as well bc then it will last 538463936472 years] and double up the thread 2-3 times to bulk it up and 2) use a smaaaalll bit of glue mixed with water [or spit, I’ve done that too] to twist together the threads along their length. It just helps them go through smoother and lay flatter with less overall fiddling, and if you use School glue or spit it will wash out 👍

If you’re using bulk dollar store quality embroidery thread, you have to be *gentle as fuck* with it while youre working the design. So, work patiently in small sections and try not to yank it too much, just generally be aware that its not gonna stand much abuse until it’s actually stitched in. Also, it’s totally possible to take a pulled end, tie more on, and keep on a-truckin - just make sure you pull a few previous stitches to get to a more sturdy bit, and tie it real close so you’re not trying to pull the knot thru. It’s strength when pulled on leaves something to be desired, but it IS infinitely cheaper than buying every color ever individually for a few bucks each, so pick your poison on that one. If you wanna use good thread basically you need to have planning skills and the patience to wait till stores are open to drive out and go get shit, neither of which I have :D

As for hoops, they are So, So helpful oh my god. You can use them for darning, you can use them for embroidery, you can use them for cross-stitch, you can use scrap fabric to make patches, you can even use them to hold fabric taut to hand-stitch on patches if you need to.

Basically, If you need fabric to stay where the fuck you put it while you work, an embroidery hoop is a godsend. Most are also pretty adjustable - though you may have trouble using them with really really thick or stiff fabrics like fur or denim seams. in those cases you can always use scrap fabric to embroider your design, and then iron on or sew on your new patch.

In order to use one, you just need a bit of fabric that can reach to every curve of the hoop. you place your inner hoop under the fabric, plop your untightened outer hoop over it, and then tighten it up. in order to make the fabric taut, you can leave the hoop a liiiitle loose, and then pull at the fabric till it feels kind of like a drum. then tighten the outer hoop as far as it'll go :D Once youve done that, youre good to go.

I'd advise sketching your design in chalk/charcoal/pencil/washable marker before starting, and if you feel like it you can also mark out a grid pattern of dots using a ruler to keep your stitches the same length, but thats not super necessary.

As for fabrics that work best for embroidery, tight-woven felt is a nice backing for patches but you will struggle to get a clear sketch of your design. Cotton is gonna be easiest to use for a sketch, but its gonna be flimsier. If you can layer both inside the hoop, that would probably work out pretty well, tbh. I wouldnt use stretchy fabrics if you can help it- the resulting patch will likely shrink and the fabric itself is going to be difficult to work with especially if you arent using more expensive thread or a sharp, polished needle.

TLDR: Bulk up your normal thread and smooth it with watery glue, use an embroidery needle and make sure it stays polished, embroidery hoops are lovely, make any threadwork easier, and work best on non-stretchy fabric like denim, cotton, non-spandex poly blend, plastic leather, and probably natural leather if its thin enough.

[prismbearer]

Being between sizes like.......🧍

[3rdmissingsock]

[kellyscabin]

me and textile crafts just do not mix well… which is so unfortunate cause I just can’t stop trying…..

[cheekys-slut]

.

[shadowbannedthehedgehog]

it's kinda funny the things u worry abt most thinking abt someone's death

[captorcorp]

just bid on a goodwill sewing machine so ✌ crossing fingers that it works hkjdfs

[cloneboywonder]

[spidertalia]

my favorite thing about making patch pants is painting and designing the patches and where they go. my least favorite thing about making patch pants is that i actually have to then sew the fuckers on

[oxbowreality]

I like being autistic most of the time but then I have to wear clothes without having time to make all my own clothes and I start screaming