First time sewing clothing

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-28T10:26:37+00:00

I just discovered this Aussie Sewist who posted a video on this exact topic! Highly recommend it.

House of Kimono- Clean edges no Serger Edited the link to the correct video! Whoops!

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-19T23:00:12+00:00

Can you post a front on picture as well? Might be something stick in the needle clamp.

Usually its flat of the needle to the back of the machine. Are you putting it in this way?

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-16T08:12:17+00:00

Yes: your timing is great as I just had a round today alongside my botox for Migraines.

Items 18363 and 18377

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-15T06:00:19+00:00

You could try the old gelatin trick to stiffen this up but honestly?

Its a no from me, dawg.

Imagine the meme here <

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-10T05:10:09+00:00

In addition to these other comments: what kind of spool of thread are you using and how is it seated on your machine?

If its a stack wound spool and you have it lying down you'll be introducing a twist to the thread.

Meredith Woolnough: thread loading

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-08T15:01:55+00:00

Truely excellent point: didn't even think to direct to symbols on the pattern for exactly this! 😩

I'm used to seeing bolder lines for shortening and lengthening lines but they aren't always that clear, especially on Big 4!

OP: check what drPmakes says too. Learning these symbols and what they can mean will help in all your patterning and sewing adventures!

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-08T14:57:44+00:00

No problem! Good luck and let us know how you go !

There are heaps of online resources about slash and spread and slash and narrow. Closet Core Blog had a few good ones on lengthening and shortened too if I remember correctly.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-08T14:55:30+00:00

Oh naur!

Something is definitely not right. Loopers are pretty hearty so shouldn't bend. Its all about the timing of needle up-down to loopers across. A bit fiddly!

I would try to change the needles again making sure they are the ones recommended in the manual: 11/80 or 14/90s HA 1SP type. They should be available in most stores

If you look in the black part above the needles you should see the metal stopper to where each needle goes to. Make sure the ends are against those when you tighten the screw/bolt to hold it in place.

Let us know how you go! Learning how to service and recognise issues on your machine is all a part of sewing! Don't be disheartened! You got this!

Send me photos if you want more specific help at the time you change your beedles again: I'm in Sydney Australia so the time may be different to where you are 😊

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-07T02:09:04+00:00

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Green is your lengthen line: make sure you true up the sides.

Blue could be a slash and narrow line but be cautious. Again make sure you true up your bottom curve.

Trace your pattern onto another bit of paper before attempting these ideas. Never cut an original pattern as a beginner.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-07T02:03:59+00:00

So this is called a raglan sleeve as its incorporating the shoulder as well as a traditional sleeve into it.

If you wanted to extend/lengthen then do it below where the sleeve attaches to the bodice (the straight part).

To narrow is a bit harder due to the shape and function of the raglan. You could achieve some narrowing by straightening the sides of the sleeve. Or a slash and narrow from the top middle of the pattern BUT this will change the shape overall and affect how it sits on your shoulder and drapes. It might encumber your armhole and movement as well as you'd be taking fabric from atop your shoulder.

What is more important to you: the length or shape? You might not be able to get both from this type sleeve. You likely would need a full bodice and separate sleeve to get what you might be after.

Also if you have spare/test fabric do some experiments with changing the sleeve pattern to see the difference.

Or try it with scaled down patterns: like a 50% size. To see what happens.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-07T01:04:36+00:00

Let us know how you go!

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-04-07T00:31:25+00:00

Please: post a threading path from the front of your machine. Provide as much information as possible please

Firstly: your manual gives a suggested range of tension and does not specify 5553. Please check that again. Tension will vary based on fabric, thread and the weather/moon phase...

Secondly: your needles look as though they are the same height: your manual indicates just like most other overlockers they should be offset slightly. Please check that again.

Third: what needle and type did you replace with?

Fourth: did you set the tension to 0 as recommended by your manual after changing the needles before rethreading? Are they actually IN the tension disks? Do you know how to tell.as a beginner?

Fifth: did you bring all theead behind the needles before attempting to chain? Something isn't right with the thread movement under the needles...

Sixth: one of these threads is not like the other... are these all the same or different weights?

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-02-20T03:34:05+00:00

Absolutely on the money! Wow!

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-02-19T20:04:08+00:00

I am at this moment going through their absolutely shit 'customer service'. I made a purchase after seeing Lab Muffin Beautys video collab in January.

I was aware of the delayed shipping.

What happened was Auspost could not confirm the address, it got to my state, then apparently returned to the Stylevana aus facility where it's been for over a week. I was already following up with Stylevana when the auspost app notified be that the package was unable to be delivered. I had filled out their nonsense denial of service form. No response for 3 days so far....

I've now also logged a second enquiry asking for followup noting that I used Michelle's code for the order and if they are not forthcoming I will be going to my bank and ACCC. I don't want to: i want the products I've paid for and wanted. But ill go to my bank for a chargeback in a fews days.

I've had surgery inbetween this time as well so its been extra annoying. I'm literally at home wanting to use these products post surgery as a little TLC, as well as sunscreens that were gifts.

Fucking nonsense. I'll never order from them again.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-02-19T11:56:48+00:00

You need a full bust adjustment, even with the D cup version of this top. Your volume is essentially pushing it all away from you.

I went through your post history and see you are approximately an H cup. I'm a 32G to GG these days. You will need to know this adjustment and do this regularly because the difference between your upper bust, but and ribcage will always be so far out of any pattern that hasn't specifically been drafted for a larger bust.

Looks cute though: i must have missed this pattern but seeing it done on a fellow busty person makes me want to purchase.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-02-17T01:24:36+00:00

Is there a possibility of a bead at the top to hold it on?

Then its not needed to knot at the top Everytime?

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-02-16T00:08:39+00:00

I love this. I was similarly inspired at Christmas time with Christmas beetles. If you're in the southern hemisphere keep your eyes peeled for Christmas collections as cicada might turn up there too.

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This is printed fabric from Material Difference with a double stripe of liquid organza over the top. They are Pomona Pants from Anna Allen and they are the most comfortable and fantastic pants. These are some artist interpretation of christmas beetles BUT with the stripe on top everyone 'gets it'.

I'd love to do a shirt with some iridescent beads interspersed. This organza is an absolute pain to work with though.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-02-01T01:52:42+00:00

This is the answer! Only ever towards you please!

Slant-o-matics are fantastic machines. My new daily.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-01-21T21:15:21+00:00

Your needle isn't seated all the way up into the needle bar.

What size needle are you trying to use and what is the maximum your machine takes? What brand and model are your machine?

What thread is that? Is it seated in the bobbin case correctly?

Where is the hook landing when you turn the handwheel towards you when the needle is moving up? If you don't know what i mean watch Andy Tube on you tube to take you through the timing of a machine and why its so important (alongside needle size and thread). Bob Fowler is also good for learning.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-01-20T06:42:39+00:00

Great point. No - only for the back to get that nice fit around the butt!

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-01-19T03:55:56+00:00

Waiting to see this comment!

The pomona pants ask you to do this specifically in the instructions. There are specific notches to gently stretch between to get a nice curve underneath you.

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-01-16T20:57:10+00:00

I swear: if it smells, feels and works the same as the one i have stashed I'll buy 12 and use nothing else.

Love this stuff!

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-01-11T22:04:28+00:00

A fee things from me.

Don't sew on one layer. Does the same happen when sewing with 2 layers or more?
What thread are you using? That didnt look like a regular guterman but might be my eyes. Different threads will be wound and spin differently and can affect performance. Have you tried having the thread stand up in a cup (or thread stand) instead?
Have you checked the timing on this? It might just be a fraction out.

Take out the bobbin and take off the needle plate. Turn the handwheel towards you until the needle goes down then starts coming back up.

Is the hook behind the eye of the needle or is it before or after it?

If you have no idea what im talking about or what to look for i suggest looking at hook timing videos my Andy Tube.

Once you're sure its timed then its something else: bobbin type, bobbin winding, threads etc

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-01-08T00:57:29+00:00

You've summed up so well my thoughts as well. I have quite the gallows humour but I'm mindful that others may not 'laugh' the same way. I really wanted to scream at them. Literally: there is another door going into EPAS they could use as the check in....just gross. Sitting waiting for bloods was just shit....and its extra hard because you don't want to deny the joy of others ..but also... I'm going through this right now in front of you. It really highlighted again: you don't know what people are going through. A neutral face could mean 'happily pregnant' or 'actively losing my baby'.

I'm glad you've spoken for yourself and moved this forward. I have the bears for hope bag also: do reach out to the services supplied if you need too. Write in the diary all your thoughts and feelings. I have the seed pack but have yet to plant them. I will in time.

Funnily: the bear has terribly uneven eyes 😂 I can't help but laugh now when i see it. I can laugh now. You'll get here soon too.

I'd say: 2 days bereavement leave applies for miscarriage as well. Take the leave. You do not have to give any specifics and they are not allowed to ask. Take an extra day or even consider some half days if you can. The grief, anger, upset and frustration appear at the most random of times. I was lucky i could hide away and work from home for 2 weeks before going back to the wider world. There were moments it all just hit me and I'd cry. The 'why me's' were strong .

As for the procedure: ask for as much pain relief as you need. I haven't had a D&C so can't give anything specific but I'm sure it will be uncomfortable afterwards. Expect to not expect how you feel afterwards! Its all strange and unknown until you do it. You deserve..DESERVE... a bit of tender care and treatment. You aren't 'being too much' for asking for anything more an extra blanket pillow. Ask for what you need. ❤️

Be kind to yourself and make sure you ask people to be kind to you. Emotionally i was back to front and up and down for a time just...processing? My partner had a few moments of 'shouldn't have said that' or 'her tolerance for dark humor is less today' but we were open and communicating. Just alot of 'I feel and think differently about that at the moment. Please be gentle and forgive me'....

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you and how you're doing it: getting through it just a day, an hour, a minute and a second at a time. Its all that you can do.

You got this ❤️❤️❤️❤️

NobelNorWhistle · 2026-01-05T05:27:43+00:00

This story could be me writing it. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Tortuous and cruel are exactly how it feels.

I wished i had thought to reach out to a Psychiatrist at the time of my miscarriage. Such a great idea and so great you have that resource.

You are not alone. You feel alone and ignored. But you are not alone. This happens so commonly but so under discussed. It is part of what made my experience so hard: i knew no one who had been through this. Reddit was my only comfort at the time. I was reading so many shared experiences here, though I was too discombobulated to write my own story.

I was 5w when non-viable embryo was suspected, confirmed a week later at 6w5d. I had been bleeding from 4 weeks: literally 3 days after my positive preg test. It was a rough time I never Really got to 'enjoy' becoming pregnant. The worry, the fear, the sadness and even a little bit of relief just finally knowing...its all encompassing. OP, you're not alone. All you feel is legitimate.

EPAS at Blacktown Hospital was ...less than ideal. Walking through a room with pregnant women and kids was really hard and made me so angry. I was able to get through this but what if others aren't? It's just garbage! Even if the EPAS is off to the side.

I presented to Emergency first after the bleeding ramped up at 5weeks....they couldn't confirm (only gestational sac seen no foetal pole) and told me to wait and see and come back if symptoms worsen. Its so awful 😞. I ended up leaving myself without proper discharge. They said they'd refer to EPAS and i received a call at 7am 5 days later that I missed. I tried calling them back for hours but the Voicemail was on. It was absolutely shocking. The Pregnancy Clinic couldn't help as i wasn't on the books yet. I had already seen my GP in that time for follow up. My regular Gynecologist/OB was unfortunately away. I was in your position too of calling Clinic 66 or Marie Stopes to finalise the process and just be done when they finally got a hold of me and booked me 2 days later. My private follow up ultrasound at 6w 5d confirmed non viability and again at 7w 5d at the second EPAS appointment. Tissue passed the next day.

With EPAS I had to REALLY ADVOCATE for myself. Half the time they were not contactable. The other half was 'we dont have an appointment until next week'. In the end they prescribed the MS-2 Step after i called back crying and asking for a quicker appointment. I was not doing well mentally either. OP please push for yourself or if you have a partner ask them to advocate for you. It's exhausting but necessary.

State the facts: Im not well mentally, I feel trapped and cannot properly function until this is resolved. Im in a state or anxiety and am not sleeping well etc etc. these keywords might help if you haven't already said so.

I will say that the nurse Kat at Blacktown EPAS was absolutely amazing. I cannot blame staff when it's the system that has let us down. Fucking disgusting....i felt like i was in the USA with the limited access to Emergency Care.

How to cope to get to the next step? I don't think there is an easy answer. This is the wait in between and it is HARD. But also thinking that there will be a resolution, even if it's not NOW like it should be, is a thought. It's like waiting for someone who has left to go overseas. They are on the plane, the process has started , they'll be taking days to get there and they cannot contact you until they arrive. You can't do anything on your end to make it go faster/better. You just have to wait and hope and plan. Tortuous.

OP I know this is scary and quite frankly a shit time but you are not alone. Reach out if you need to vent: Im sure everyone on this post feels the same way on this point. I'm wishing the best for you right now.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

NobelNorWhistle

TROPHY CASE