Any other men who sew?

[Mr. Boltneck]

Do I sew? Yes, a bit. Do I sew at all well? No.
I'm a bit better with leather, but I confess that fabric tends to leave me rather at sea, with its floppiness and threads.
And I definitely agree on the bad treatment by most fabric stores. On the occasions I have gone to them by myself, it's mostly been borderline hostile. The exception is one or two times I've gone into Britex in San Francisco, which has men working in it, and is far more professional, and is moreover far less of a Martha Stewart-fest. I haven't been there for a few years, so I can't guarantee that this is still the case, but on my previous experience, I would recommend them just for not being unpleasant, never mind the vast resources.

[Duellist]

For a certain value of sew; yes, I do. 

I decided to sew a waistcoat last year, my first project in years, and then decided to stick with the one I bought.  In my theatre days, I studied many unmanly arts like sewing and make-up.  The latter drew me off to special effects make-up, which is much more manly, but I could probably still make myself more pretty if I needed to.

I have to say that internet shopping helps, but I have never got a negative reaction from any shop.  In fact, the local shop that I went to for patterns and 'bits' (for some reason, there are two shops; one only sells fabric and the other sells everything else you would need) is run by a man who seemed perfectly normal and knowledgeable.

This year, I might be helping to make a Victorian ball-gown for my wife, who looks to me for guidance on sewing (poor thing).  That could be interesting...

[Andrew Hawk Gunnersson]

I actually have quite a bit of sewing experience, thanks to the Military... During my years in the U.S Marine Corps, My MOS (job type) was as a Parachute Rigger, and as such, I had to know how to repair said parachutes and parachute equipment... I haven't made many things for recreational purposes yet, but I definitely plan on doing so...

[sebastian Inkerman]

In the past, I have had some strange looks from shop assistants for looming like a hairy biker type that shouldn't know a what a toile was if it came up and slobbered onto his face. I've been making clothes in one form or another since I was at school and rather than do cooking for home economics, I opted to make a dressing gown. Nowadays, I teach costume design at one of the largest universities in the UK and most of the assistants in local fabric or haberdasher shops were either taught by me or know me by name (or atleast "that bastard that made us go and get swatches for our design books"

[Kelley]

I sew because I, unfortunately, do not have the money to pay someone else to do it for me.

Admittedly, I don't really enjoy sewing, but more the reward that comes from it. I don't mind hand sewing quite as much, because I can watch a movie and thereby satiate my tiny attention span.


I'm eagerly awaiting receiving my fabric in the mail in the next few days - I get to try to dye it and I'm going to feel like a mad scientist while I dissolve dyes and stir the inky black dye soup. I only have a few more things to order (I need to get some buttonhole twist, ack) and I'll have everything ready to sew !

I am looking for a place I can learn to sew (without having to pay about $200 for the privilege  )
given what I tell people I'm out to make (while being honest about it), usually I get a few smiles or the odd directions to a drag club, but that's another story entirely.

My mother just told me to get a pattern I wanted to sew, then sat me down and told me not to sew over my fingers or I would be sorry and she didn't want to bring me to the hospital. The thing that took me longest to learn was how to thread the machine, but once you learn it, the same basics are applied to almost every machine you'll use.

Just start out with some cheap fabric and practice sewing straight lines - once you can control the fabric in the machine, do a simple project - but go slowly and dedicate the time it takes to doing a quality job and doing it right. Don't cut corners that you'll later regret - I've learned that the hard way several times when I didn't give myself enough time to do the work.

[Robo Von Bismark]

The biggest problem I seem to have is finding decent patterns. Even searching online reveals that patterns for men's clothing is about one tenth of what is available to women (at best). Fortunately many can be modified extensively if they have good basics. A Simplicity pattern for a "Matrix" coat worked well for the Howie Lab Coat in my avatar photo.

And some of those patterns are extremely lame. Matching father & son Xmas vests? How is this not humiliating for everybody involved?

[LillysWorkshop]

Wow, there are a lot of other male sewing aficionados here (I hate writing the term sewers for obvious reasons). I guess it makes sense that such a DIY community would have more people in general who sew!

It's interesting to me that other American members seem to face hostility in fabric shops (that sentence sounds hilarious but accurate) more than U.K. members. Is sewing seen as a "feminine" hobby as much there is at is stateside?

And some of those patterns are extremely lame. Matching father & son Xmas vests? How is this not humiliating for everybody involved?

I feel your pain. I've got a few men's Victorian and western costume patterns, but that's all the male patterns I have.

I bought a scrubs pattern to make my male nurse friend a pair of scrubs. Before I made them I showed him the pattern cover because it pictured a male nurse in addition to a female nurse. He pointed out something I hadn't noticed; the female nurse was wearing patterned broadcloth scrubs that were covered in tiny drawings of clearly female nurses.

The male nurse's scrubs were the same.

[Mr. Boltneck]

It would be even weirder if the nurses on the fabric also wore scrubs covered with smaller nurses, and so forth. With all the new custom printing services coming up, surely such things will be possible soon.

[LillysWorkshop]

It would be even weirder if the nurses on the fabric also wore scrubs covered with smaller nurses, and so forth. With all the new custom printing services coming up, surely such things will be possible soon.

That's so meta and crazy that I may have to design and order such a fabric from Spoonflower.

[Robo Von Bismark]

It would be even weirder if the nurses on the fabric also wore scrubs covered with smaller nurses, and so forth. With all the new custom printing services coming up, surely such things will be possible soon.

[cge]

I do sew, but sew rather rarely, as I simply don't have the time, and I'm rather picky about construction techniques. I'll often cut patterns, though, and have others make them, or sew prototypes of various things and then have them copied.

The biggest problem I seem to have is finding decent patterns. Even searching online reveals that patterns for men's clothing is about one tenth of what is available to women (at best).

This is probably one of the most important issues for men sewing things for themselves, and is more complex than simply a lack of decent patterns because fewer men sew. Proper men's clothes, in general, are far more difficult to make than most clothes for women, especially if one doesn't make a number of significant compromises; they're also much less forgiving in terms of patterns and alteration of patterns.

However, especially for Victorian styles, there are significant resources for cutting patterns. The Cutter and Tailor Forum, run by the quite-knowledgeable Sator, has scans from a number of texts on the matter, and well-fitting patterns can be derived from them. I've often used the late-19th century versions of Vincent's Complete Practical Guide for this matter, and there are links to a copy of it somewhere in that forum.

It's interesting to me that other American members seem to face hostility in fabric shops (that sentence sounds hilarious but accurate) more than U.K. members. Is sewing seen as a "feminine" hobby as much there is at is stateside?

I think the hostility has quite a bit to do with the types of shops and what one looks like. Sewing is the sort of thing that, at a high level, is done by both men and women, but at a low level, is done primarily by women; much like many hobbies and professions dominated by a particular sex, members of that sex will practise it as a casual hobby, or simply because it's expected of them, while members of the other sex will only practise it if they're very interested.

If one were to go to a serious store, this would be understood, and it would be unlikely that one would face any hostility. Go to a fabric store in downtown Los Angeles, for example, and I doubt anyone would have a problem or even think the situation odd. However, especially in the US, most fabric stores one can easily find are focused almost entirely upon the lowest of the casual sewer, and those are, as I noted, primarily women. If I go to such stores, they know that I'm actually there to buy things, and I've never really faced hostility, but they usually don't have what I need, instead being filled with ridiculous prints on polyester and whatnot: they usually have no hymo, for example, and no silk gimp, or even silk buttonhole twist, or even silk twist. Those are the sorts of places where a man might be looked upon oddly, or face hostility.

I don't, however, and I believe it has much to do with the way one presents oneself. When I walk into a fabric store, it's immediately obvious to everyone that I'm not a normal person, as my clothes are entirely unlike anything anyone else is wearing—a fact that's very depressing, but can be useful at times. I ask specific questions, carry around bolts of fabric, and generally, while acting as I would normally act, act in a way that would make it impossible for anyone to think that I was just there because of someone else.

(I need to get some buttonhole twist, ack)

Buttonhole twist isn't terribly hard to order, but gimp certainly is...

[twilightbanana]

Being a Larper with very specific costume ideas, I usually wouldn't be able to find the costume piece I'm looking for even if I cared to try finding it. Sewing (and crafting) everything myself frees up my costume design considerably.

My current pride is a costume for a Woodelf soldier:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I'm the fellow in the back with the bow. The chainmail, bow, arrows and boots are the only pieces I didn't make myself, though I did add the patches of scales to the shoulder of the chainmail.

The employees at fabric stores don't usually ignore me. There was at one point a double-take by a pair of older ladies at the fabric departement of a large local thrift store, but they were mostly impressed that a man would sew.

I learned how to use my mother's machine when I was a teen, but didn't do much with it until I started Larping at 23 years of age. I also occasionelly weave (rigid heddle), handsew, and have at one point learned to knit.

[r_is_for_rachel]

The biggest problem I seem to have is finding decent patterns. Even searching online reveals that patterns for men's clothing is about one tenth of what is available to women (at best). Fortunately many can be modified extensively if they have good basics. A Simplicity pattern for a "Matrix" coat worked well for the Howie Lab Coat in my avatar photo.

And some of those patterns are extremely lame. Matching father & son Xmas vests? How is this not humiliating for everybody involved?

have you tried folkwear patterns? my other half is a big fan.

which is why i'm here, my fella really enjoying sewing -he's made coats, bags waistcoats, trousers and helped me with my first Victorian bustle skirt! he much more accomplished than me at the craft!

[Kelley]

However, especially for Victorian styles, there are significant resources for cutting patterns. The Cutter and Tailor Forum, run by the quite-knowledgeable Sator, has scans from a number of texts on the matter, and well-fitting patterns can be derived from them. I've often used the late-19th century versions of Vincent's Complete Practical Guide for this matter, and there are links to a copy of it somewhere in that forum.

The CPG can be found on costumes.org , here.

It should also be noted that, while The Cutter and Tailor does have resources useful to Victorian garments, the forum is explicitly dedicated to modern tailoring, and the subject of historical costume when not applied to the modern is excluded.

If I go to such stores, they know that I'm actually there to buy things, and I've never really faced hostility, but they usually don't have what I need, instead being filled with ridiculous prints on polyester and whatnot: they usually have no hymo, for example, and no silk gimp, or even silk buttonhole twist, or even silk twist. Those are the sorts of places where a man might be looked upon oddly, or face hostility.

I remember the day I was so inexperienced that I thought JoAnn's would have hair canvas. I looked for it, I did - but I suspect it was somewhere along with their stock of Snipe.

JoAnn's sometimes has things in the Home Decorating section, but much more often useful for gowns than men's clothing.

I buy black silk thread there, but that's about it any more. Sometimes buttons, they have some horn ones I can use for button-flies and other things if I'm in a hurry or just couldn't find anything better, anyway.

(I need to get some buttonhole twist, ack)

Buttonhole twist isn't terribly hard to order, but gimp certainly is...[/quote]

I just hate ordering on-line, I was overjoyed today when I found wool-cashmere satin (and the right colour, too !) in person, so I didn't have to have it shipped from England. I have several orders awaiting shipping that I'm still pins and needles on (companies I've never placed an order with before, although I have high hopes due to good reputation) - and I can't just order a swatch of thread like I could a fabric (learned to do that the hard way - have 7 yards of this awful plastic-y crushed gold upholstery velvet that was definitely not as described).


Good luck with the gimp, a long time ago when I was looking for such trims, I had just gone and settled on bulk rayon trim. I most likely still would if asked to do that project today. Something like 250 yards of silk trim would probably make most people's budgets curl up and die of shock.

[Silent Theatre]

Lilysworkshop-your work is amazing!!You have alot to be proud of.

Im a a lady that sews.I have to say Id be a bit surprised to hear that a man sews for enjoyment but I certainly wouldnt be negative or criticise him.
Its like cooking, we all have to eat, and we all have to wear clothes which need repairing, its a great skill to have.

Lets face it, most fashion designers are men, so nobody should be negative about a man sewing.

[thebnf]

Curiously, despite the fact that I'm a male, I sew better than any female I know, including my mother who taught me somewhat.

[Sorontar]

I may not be high quality but I can sew up a decent costume. I started off in the SCA making my own outfits and have made a variety of pieces of clothing and headwear for fancydress parties as well. Never been into cosplay for conferences but the costumes included Dan Dare, Cacofonix, Stargate Anubis guard, Aquaman & Link so I don't always like picking easy outfits.

When I got married, we got a new sewing machine as a wedding present. Both my wife and I were sewing our wedding outfits at midnight the day before. But now, she does most of the sewing as it is part of her job. She is clearly the better of us.

Sorontar

[Mr. Hatchett]

It would be even weirder if the nurses on the fabric also wore scrubs covered with smaller nurses, and so forth. With all the new custom printing services coming up, surely such things will be possible soon.

If you use a substrate that can run on a HP Indigo press, it has been possible for a few years.  The ones we have in Texas can produce type so fine you need a low power microscope to discern one letter form from the next.  You'd have to save your nurse iteration as a typeface, but it could certainly be achieved down to a slightly microscopic level on a very flat, toothless fabric.

Mind, I wouldn't want to wear scrubs made of a material you could print on that finely - they wouldn't breathe well at all.

[Gazongola]

I am also a male sewer. Whilst I have never made a proper garment as of yet, I have made other things, ranging from bags to tails... I have never had any funny looks whilst buying stuff in all honesty. It is all the make up I buy that gets me the funny looks (its for dressing up and costume purposes... honest.)

[cge]

It should also be noted that, while The Cutter and Tailor does have resources useful to Victorian garments, the forum is explicitly dedicated to modern tailoring, and the subject of historical costume when not applied to the modern is excluded.

That's certainly true, though it's worth noting that Sator's views on modern tailoring, like mine, are not what most people would consider modern at all.

[Dorian Ambrose]

I sew quite a lot actually.
For me it is no different than when I forge or work with wood.

When I meet new people they tend to be shocked and somewhat amazed, but the only ones who have ever reacted negatively, is the overly insecure macho types (we all know those, sad as they are).

To people I know, it is completely natural. Most of my female friends even call me, when they need help with their sewing.

[MinistryOfTruth]

Another one here.

I took up sewing a while ago, mostly so I could make clothes for myself that fit properly.  Most modern off-the-peg clothes are cut for a very narrow range of body shapes.  I've got very broad shoulders, and a fairly substantial chest, which means that most stuff cut to post-1950s patterns just won't fit me at all unless it's made many sizes too big anyway (most modern stuff is cut completely straight down, so the only jacket you can get that'll fit a 40-inch chest will be one with a 4-inch waist as well).  Trousers are also a problem, as most modern cuts have the waist set far too low, and are apparently designed to fit men who are completely lacking in leg muscles and certain other typical masculine characteristics (I'm sure you gentlemen will know what I'm talking about).  Also, I got into dressing in a more "old-fashioned" way in the end as well, which more or less necessitates making stuff myself.

That and the fact that it saves a hell of a lot of money.  You know, if you find a good supplier (in the UK, at least, I'm not sure about fabric prices in the USA or anywhere else) you can make yourself a good quality three-piece suit for about the same price as you could buy a slightly less good quality jacket for.

Also, I've never really noticed the bad attitude towards men in fabric shops, but maybe that's just the places I go to.

[Lord Jeffreys]

I sew (poorly) by hand. I always have to fix any rips, tears, hems, buttons, etc. I sewed the patches on my son's karate uniform when he was small. My wife refuses to sew, she hates it and refuses to do it. My wife and son call me "seamstress" when they need something sewn. I always reply "Tailor Tailor"! But I feel a seamstress is quite an honorable profession. My mom bought me one of those mini sewing machines, I have it in a box. It probably works horribly, I should try it out one day.

[Artorius]

Been sewing since I made my own Halloween costumes as a kid.
Learned to do it even better in the circus.
I made a full King Henry the 8th outfit for myself because I couldn't afford to buy one and curtains from Goodwill were cheap.
I love being able to do that.

We are definitely in the minority and oft times looked at strangely but I love when people compliment my garb and I can say "Thanks, I made it." =)

[SPBrewer]

I taught myself to sew, when I got a part in "The Pirates of the Carolinas".  The shirt I have on in my avatar is the one I sewed.  I use a Singer pedal machine.  Two nights before we were to start filming, we had a bad storm come through and it knocked out power.  I finished my shirt, on the pedal machine by candle light!

I may have to sew some more in order to get the Steampunk clothing I want.  Suits in the Thrift stores don't look Victorian at all.  Anybody know a good source for Victorian patterns?

                                     The Sky Pirate  (Get that image of Capt Shakespeare out of your head!)