Are you sewing anything right now?

[bluestocking]

There really is something conceptually wonderful about a company that makes sewing machines and chainsaws, isn't there?

I've amazingly not had any problems with my approximately decade-old school-model Singer. Perhaps it knows that I've got an even older one (well, two...) waiting in the wings should it fail to respond to brute force or gentle persuasion.  The two older ones are all-metal tanks, and unstoppable.

I think I need a new waistcoat or two, or perhaps I'll finally get to work on that corset I've been threatening to make. It's not like I've got an 8,000 word article due or anything...

Oh, and Rosel, hand-bound buttonholes are dead easy, and I find they often go faster than machine-made ones, even on machines that do them automagically (my mum has a machine that does that, but it requires the attachment of a special foot assembly, and setting the fabric just so, and... it's a pain. By the time I get it set up, I could have done the buttonhole by hand). They look prettier, too.

[Miss Pixie]

Let's see...

Right now I'm working on a purse and a set of juggling balls, both or which need to be done by Friday, but I have a tendency to just make it up as I go along, which makes what would be simple projects take a lot longer than they should.

I also have a few repair jobs going, they also need to be done by Friday.

Other than that I'm working on a satin skirt, but it's completely hand stitched (I was too lazy to get out the sewing machine when I started it) so that's taking forever.

I also have a pinstriped, knee length coat that I have plans to alter by adding velveteen cuffs and lapels, and making it a little more fitted (as it's a medium and I tend to be a small).

My projects would probably go a lot faster if I actually learned to sew right, instead of just trial and error until I mess it up beyond saving or I decide it's good enough (thought never as good as I want.

~Miss Pixie

[ShredsnPatches]

Current sewing projects are a repair job on a leather corset/bodice top a friend gave me, it needs to be rehemmed and altered to fit me.

Then there is another repair job on a black cotton tiered skirt, and making a dress out of a games convention t-shirt.

And a wall-tidy with lots of pockets, for a friend who's having a baby. I haven't had time or enough vilene fabric stiffener to whip out my machine and finish this one. It's a cheap ass Lervia that I got in Aldi, and so far it's a beauty.

[Jemima Annabelle Clough]

And my petticoat is back on track It's a simplicity victorian style one, modified slightly.

[hexidecima]

mmmf, my sewing machine (a Janome) decided to have bobbin issues this past weekend, in the midst of a corset.  It just about "flew" into the wall of my sewing room. 

So, in the mean time, I've started on a riding hat from Lynn McMaster's patterns and it's going along swimmingly.  I guess it knew if I had one more thing confound me, it would have met its end in my fireplace. 

The corset, the dress to come and the hat are all for Dragon Con. 

BTW, I believe Singer also has made or still makes machine guns. 

[Ms. Madeline S. Brightley]

I'm working on (among other things) a waistcoat and a poet shirt - some things you just have to make yourself, or you'll never find them for girls. It's really rather frustrating!

One thing I'd be curious about people's experience with before even attempting: do you know how well sewing machines handle several layers of fabric, for instance the waist of a bustled skirt? I usually sew things by hand, but it's not very practical for anything larger than a vest!

[Zwack]

A Mexican loop holster.

Well, I hand sew all of my leather projects (at least those that require sewing) and that's what I'm currently working on. 

After that I have a short list of sewing projects...

A card case for my wife's Uncle.
A non-sewn bracelet that is just waiting for some spots I can't order until the 7th of July...

And when those three are finished I get to start the fun one... 
A leather laptop case/messenger bag, lots of sewing on that one, particularly as part of it will be lined as well. 

Strangely I'm not as good at sewing fabric as I am at leather, I don't know why.  Although I can sew buttons back on, and when I do they never come back off.

Z.

[Vienna Fahrmann]

     Dear Madeline,

     The only sewing machine I've ever had that handled a lot of thick layers with relative ease was an industrial model.

     Vienna

[Ms. Madeline S. Brightley]

     Dear Madeline,

     The only sewing machine I've ever had that handled a lot of thick layers with relative ease was an industrial model.

     Vienna

Thank you. Ah well - if I've gotten this far by hand, right?

[Jennette Haber]

i'm currently making a keychain that'll hold my jumpdrives
its the first thing i've sewn other than stitching up my skirts and i'm doing it by hand
if anybodys ever read plucker (if you haven't you should) its gonna look like this

i would love comments

[RemyRasmus]

Attempting to smock bits for my Grima Wormtongue costume, altering my best friend's Susan Sto Helit costume, and getting ready to make a Jonathan Teatime coat of Doom. Dragoncon will be SO much fun this year.

[Silas P. Morgan]

Sunday came and went in a happy blur of Bloody Mary's then Gin and Tonics.....

So I didn't even get started on my nightshirt....

Yesterday (Monday) the Canvas for my tent for Burning May arrived.... I had to cut it in half to fit it into the washing machine to pre shrink it....(I don't waterproof tents, other than shrink the canvas)  But after sewing parts for three mascots today, I'm just not in the mood to sew tonight....

I get most of MY Stuff sewn on Sunday, after taking a break from sewing the rest of the week....

I might get all the parts for the tent and the nightshirt cut out sometime this week... But with the 4th of July weekend coming up, it may be the weekend after that.....

Hey... I have until the end of August to get everything sewn..... I just have to drink less or wake up earlier on Sundays......

[hexidecima]

I'm working on (among other things) a waistcoat and a poet shirt - some things you just have to make yourself, or you'll never find them for girls. It's really rather frustrating!

One thing I'd be curious about people's experience with before even attempting: do you know how well sewing machines handle several layers of fabric, for instance the waist of a bustled skirt? I usually sew things by hand, but it's not very practical for anything larger than a vest!

Madeline, my Janome (I don't have the model number handy, but I think it's the Decor Exel Pro 5124) goes through about 5 layers of heavy denim with little problem.  I've also sewed some rather thick leather on it, with a leather needle of course.  It's, of course not an inexpensive machine, running me about $600 US. 

[Ms. Madeline S. Brightley]

Thank you kindly for the advice! Alas, it will have to wait - that's about the amount of money I make for food and art supplies in a semester, haha.

[elkedoring]

Many projects seem to be on hand for me!
I have a corset in the works but am having trouble locating steel boning in town. *sigh* That's what I get for living where I do.

I also have a work apron (complete with tailoring for the female form and plenty of pockets ) in the works.

Some spats and cutoff pants are on the back burner so to speak until I can find the buttons and fabric I want.

Also various non-wearables (and non steamy) items such as rugs, throws, and stuffies for a craft show later in the year.

[Zwack]

I finished the holster last night and have almost completed the card case... Basically just the sewing to do on that one.  Nothing like sitting of an evening with a stitching pony, two needles, and a sharp awl to help you relax.  At least until you stick one of them into your finger.

I've noticed most people are sewing larger projects than me, and using machines.  Has anyone else done much leather stitching, and do you use a two needle, hand technique, a hand lockstitch, or a sewing machine?  For those using sewing machines, what kind of machine and what weight of leather?  I'm wondering if it's worth trying to find a machine for some of the larger things, or not.

Z.

[Katlyntje]

I'm currently working on sewing a cross pattee, symbol of the V Corps, infantry, during the American Civil War, onto my wool union kepi. Hand stitching of course, I have little idea on how to use a sewing machine and even if I did the hat won't fit through  Gotta finish it tonight if I want to wear it tomorrow. At this point I'm pretty much just tacking down the edges, later on I hope to get some gold embroidery floss and outline the edges of the cross.

[Nique Ting]

All my personal projects are on hold, specifically my steampunk outfit, until January (after I have a baby and lose as much of the weight as possible).
Currently, I'm working on stuff for people in a medieval combat LARP (Amtgard), making sporty circle tunics for a team of combatants.

[Lilith-Nighthawk]

I'm making a small apron with some faux leather i have and some lace. I'll be happy when my mum picks up some things i need to finnish it. I'm thinking of hand sewing it, should i?  I don't have the right kind of needle for my machine so i'll have to any way.

[Gazongola]

Just got back from Paris two days ago with (I kid you not) $350 in lace and ribbon trim.  There is this little store at the base of the Sacre Coeur that carries high end trim and I try to go there once every 4 years and buy until the money runs out.  Then I make stuff to put it on.  This week's project is a Victorian corset.  The Renaissance couset went well a few months ago, but this one is giving me fits.  I've scrapped the first try and am onto the second, and I have one less piece of metal boning than I need so I have to wait until Wednesday when I can get out to the one store in 100 miles that carries the stuff.....

I must go back to Paris myself and blow my Euros on cut price fabrics. And hats. And absinthe. And chocolate? And Tintin. And I think thats it...

[lilibat]

Here is the proof of concept for the ball gown skirt I am working on:

[Silas P. Morgan]

I finished a cargo vest and the linen night shirt.....

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(sorry, no photos of the cargo vest yet....)

 Now I have to start on my tent for Burning Man, before I can even think of starting a new frock coat, or Air Pyrate jacket...... (Hey... does casting a lot of pewter buttons for an Air Pyrate jacket count as part of a sewing project?)

[Rosel]

Here is the proof of concept for the ball gown skirt I am working on:

ahh, i saw this on Livejournal, really good tutorial.

[Stella Gaslight]

I am so very close to being done with my gown I can taste it.
A teaser of The wormwood gown or the dress that has eaten my life.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I sill have to gather the over skirt and underskirt and fiddle with the back but I think it looks good so far.

[Miimno]

No pics yet (a fortnight hence?), but one must finish his linen uniform, handmade gaiters and head-wrap for a desert rendezvous with the Bomb Bay Tea Company, scheduled at the end of August.