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Post by Crowen Grail on Aug 7, 2006 17:53:12 GMT -5
Hey everybody. It's been a few months since I've bothered to post here, mostly because I didn't have anything new to add in that time. About a month ago I bought a sewing machine but have been working so much I haven't had the time to start sewing. I've decided to make a muslin out of bits and pieces until I get my fabric, and since i'm a fledgling clothier at best, I figured I needed the experience. I figured I'd write a post and see if anybody had any sound advice for my endeavors. I've got a full plate as i'm learning to sew and work leather at the same time (a friend is an amazing bootmaker), so this should be an interesting few months...
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Post by Nova Darklighter on Aug 7, 2006 22:58:41 GMT -5
Read the instrution manual, and keep it nearby at all times when you are sewing. Practice, Practice, Practice! Be patient, and enjoy it. Use some scraps and practice sewing straight lines, curves and turning corners. Have fun! Ask questions, we'll answer.
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JediKai
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Posts: 5,560
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Post by JediKai on Aug 7, 2006 23:53:06 GMT -5
Once you've got the hang of useing the machine and sewing a straight line, you could get a beginning sewing book as there are a lot of tricks the manual doesn't tell you.
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Post by Crowen Grail on Aug 8, 2006 1:01:52 GMT -5
Yes, I agree with that 100%. As silly as it seems, I've picked up Sewing for Dummies which has taught me a great deal for an economical price. The only problem I've found with it is the sometimes crude illustrations, which can be hard to follow. Yesterday I grabbed an old sheet and practiced sewing straights lines on it, but came across some puckered stitches, which I hope has more to do with the sheet being wrinkled and unwieldy, than with thread tension. Thanks for the tips! I want to feel comfortable before I purchase and butcher some expensive fabric. Until later, Crowen Grail
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Post by Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi on Aug 8, 2006 2:21:40 GMT -5
actually i am making my out of tea dyed muslin, it was 2 bucks a yard at the walmart i bought it at. a suggestion is though is to try to get ahold of a serger, they are the machines that make the professional edge that you see in regular clothing you buy in the store. i have been using my aunts serger for 90 percent of the seams in mine that i am working on, and its almost guarenteed to never come out. they are awesome machines, there is very little you cant do with it, other than topstiching i cannot think of any.
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Post by Crowen Grail on Aug 8, 2006 13:21:51 GMT -5
I've read mixed reviews on Sergers. To boot, they are completely out of my price range and nobody I know has access to one. From what I've gathered they work magic on seams, but are impractical for the creation of an entire garment. I'll stick with my mechanical Singer for now (it's only a month or two old).
Maybe I'll check my local Sprawl-Mart for some cheap fabrics to make a muslin out of. I do plan on using psuedo-screen-accurate fabrics when I submit my membership.
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JediKai
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Post by JediKai on Aug 8, 2006 21:10:38 GMT -5
Most people I know who have sergers, do use them on all the garment seams. However, I've been costuming for 30 years and I don't have one. I don't worry about finishing the seams. On the rare occasion that I do, I use flat-fell or french seams. My Viking machine also has a stitch similar to a serged seam that I use, too.
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Post by Crowen Grail on Aug 8, 2006 22:55:09 GMT -5
What is the real added benefit of finishing a seam? Insurance that the fabric doesn't fray, or that the seam doesn't break?
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Post by Jauhzmynn Enz on Aug 8, 2006 23:35:03 GMT -5
I think it helps keep it from fraying and together. It never hurts to have the fabric stay put.;-)
I usually do that to my seams on the sides and arm holes of my under and over tunics becasue those places are the ones that would normally rip or tear with hard use without extra securing.
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JediKai
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Post by JediKai on Aug 9, 2006 1:57:15 GMT -5
Exactly. Keeps it from fraying, mainly.
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Post by Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi on Aug 12, 2006 1:07:30 GMT -5
actually, from my experience with sergers they are not impractical for the whole garment. i have been making mine with the serger for a good 90 pecent so far, and only using the regular sewing machine for a few hems....thats it.
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Post by Crowen Grail on Aug 12, 2006 9:31:16 GMT -5
Regardless, they're out of my price range
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Post by Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi on Aug 13, 2006 15:28:35 GMT -5
alright, good luck. i cant wait to see the finished product
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Post by Crowen Grail on Aug 13, 2006 16:59:47 GMT -5
Thanks. So far, I'm copying the tunic from the Simplicity pattern, but want to make a true, full length under tunic rather than create the dickie provided. I'll also be creating straight tabards. By the way, MJG, I did go to Wal-Mart and saw the tea dyed muslin. I picked up something very similar for a dollar a yard! Not bad for my first attempt. When the time comes, I'll make the jump to a more authentic fabric
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Post by Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi on Aug 14, 2006 1:35:16 GMT -5
wait, is the fabric you bought sinthetic....because if it is you should not use it or it wont breathe at all. the muslin may be more expensive (not much) but it is not sinthetic and will breathe. make sure that your fabric is natural before you use it.
and on the whole dickie situation, i didnt use it either, i made an undertunic from the same pattern as the outer tunic, just cut some of the ends higher so that it would show through so you can see both tunics. use the dickie collar for it and the normal collar for the outer tunic. and when you make the obi make sure to either put a crapton of fabric in between the two layers of obi fabric, or to use interfacing (the interfacing will be more reliable and also it will be cheaper, and you can buy it wherever you can get a hold of fabric).
also in the range of belts, my aunt saw one in a tjmaxx womens section that if modified (ie. removal of the buckle and replacing it with snaps to make it adjustable in the back, and also to allow for a more authentic look) will work as a belt for jedi. i dont know if it will be in all tjmaxx's, all i know is she found this one and you might be able to look online to find it.
seeing as i dont have any boots yet i cant help you there, so i just say find your foot size and width, and also measure your forleg length and your calves and you should (in theory) be able to find a good boot pair for you costume.
alright so i have given my little shpiel of doom....sorry it is so long, i was just giving advice from the creation of mine that is so far coming out wonderfully. all i have to do to mine is put the finishing touches on the obi, set up my belt, buy boots, and also get a new covertec clip for my lightsabre and i shall be ready to join. but i digress, and am now finished
-robert
p.s. sorry about the length again.
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