yes... I'm another newbie

[blackmaylay.livejournal.com]

I'm a newbie to LJ and this EGL. Thought I'd say, "hi." Yes, I love/adore/worship EGL. I trying to learn how to sow but it's to freakin' hard (well for me). Maybe you guys could recommend books or something. I'm 17, female and I live near LA.

Comments

SO SORRY

[(Anonymous)]

I'm sorry I double posted. Didn't do it on purpose... ;_; See I really am a newbie and I suck at this.

[koualecia.livejournal.com]

Awww, it's okay! ;_; Welcome to the community. ^^ Glad to have you! I <3 your icon, by the way. And I'm tryin' to learn how to sew, too. So I know your pain. Unfortunately, the only book I have is from the 50's. >D Good luck and have fun! Nice having you.

[blackmaylay.livejournal.com]

Hello! I didn't make that icon. I got the icon from this site:http://www.duklyon-cafe.org/ I don't have the time/patient/mouse that actually works well to make an icon. ^_^;

sewing

[caliginous.livejournal.com]

Get yourself a copy of 'The New Singer Sewing Essentials' It should be readily availble at a fabric store. It is the best basic book around, shows everything from button holes to seam finishes. For beginners I reccomend using simple commercial patterns (simplicity is great, as is anything that says quick, easy, or beginner on the front). Start with easy fabrics to sew, cotton/poly is the absolute easiest, you can do anything to it (pin, pull stitches, etc) and it'll survive. Familiarize yourself with the pattern directions, learn what all the markings mean on the pattern (notches, darts, etc.).
Once you've gotten the fabric and pattern, get the fabric on grain. What this means is that the warp (long) threads are perpendicular to the weft (that go selvege to selvege). This makes the fabric hang like it's supposed to, so straight seams will hang straight, not pull to one side or the other. With simple weaves, as cotton will be, the fabric will always tear along one grain. make a small snip near the cut end of the fabric, and tear along that edge. You'll end up with a straight line that is true to the grain of the fabric. Use this line as the reference for the pattern grain.
From there you can cut the pattern, be sure to transfer ALL markings on the pattern to the fabric, including notches. If you want to cut notches, cut OUT, away from the stitch line, so you don't cut into the finished garment.
From there you should be able to follow the directions and get good results. Most of the problems people seem to have with commercial patterns is not checking their grain before they start, so be sure to do that. You also might want to pre-wash your fabric to make sure you don't shrink it after it fits. If you do pre-wash, be sure to iron it afterward, and if it's a really light weight fabric, you can use a light starch to make it easier to work with.
Other general rules:
always use a new needle, and make sure it's the appropriate kind. Too fine a needle will break on heavy fabrics, too heavy a needle will ruin fine fabrics. Stretch needles are cruical for stretch fabrics.
Check your tension and stitch length before you start a project.
Use the same thread in you bobbin as on your top feed whenever possible
Never wind bobbins that already have thread on them
The iron is your friend
as are pins

Re: sewing

[blackmaylay.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the tips. I'll look for the book. I didn't understand the rest you said that much... ^__^; I really need to get going. -_-; But thanks for pointing me in the right direction. ^__^

Re: sewing

[caliginous.livejournal.com]

the book should help make things a little more clear. The grain thing is hard to explain without showing. But grain is shown in all patterns, and I think the book explains it too. You can always look too for books on sewing used, Better Homes and Gardens has a bunch of them out there, and they're cheap. They explain a bunch of different stuff, sometimes I think over-simply (meaning that you won't get the best results), but they are illustrated and pretty basic.

[drfrankincense.livejournal.com]

ello there :> I adore EGl too, alas I don't get to dress like it much. I <3 it though. I think sewing is pretty simple, I would suggest going to a few sewing classes to learn the basics. Learning from someone is usually easier than learning from a book in the beginning. But when you have that down, a sewing book will become your love, full of helpful information. I learned by taking a semester of sewing elective at my high school. Since then I've done so much beyond "pajama pants" [teehee] You could try your local Joann's too. Good luck!

Dress up at AX!!!

[blackmaylay.livejournal.com]

I don't get to dress like it much but I started to think hmmm... what the hell. So I'm looking for excuse for REALLY dressing up. So far I have AX. The anime expo in anaheim (sp?). This year they had a EGL/EGA tournament... I don't know if I going to sign up but I'm defenatly going to try to dress up next year. They also had a J-Rock Masquerade, Mystery J-Rock Theatre 2003 and a performance from Duel Jewel. I can't wait 'til next year. I just hope they promote it more and get more (better) bands.
Oh and your lucky because your school has sewing classes. Mine getto ass school doesn't. I guess I can learn some of the basics from my mom but all she know is the REALLY basic. Do you use a sewing machine... I mean... I'm just making sure. Do a lot of people do this completely by hand?

Hey

[blackmaylay.livejournal.com]

You too! Thanks for the warm welcome. Solidarity. ^_^