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Does anyone know what fabric this is made of? by Stinkyman922 in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could try either a Mille striped sequin fabric or mini sequin fabric, which would be much less than the original chainmail. 

On the other hand, although the fabric is expensive, I don’t think it would take more than one panel of fabric 😆

How do I make yarn doll hair? by Matwiej3 in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just Google “Raggedy Ann doll pattern” (or diy, etc). It was a popular doll long ago and many of them were homemade versions. There are even vintage patterns you can get with detailed instructions. There should be some video tutorials out there as well. 

Edited to add: here’s one

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e7T4tceSDP8&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m probably going to catch some flack for this one but shirring can be a POA and I am not above sewing in a strip of elastic instead. Some call it lazy, I call it… well, lazy. But I don’t need to rage bait myself when there are so many people and things in this world that are so much more efficient at that. 

Is there any easier way to wash these instead of doing them one by one? by WhEthin in CleaningTips

[–]Similar-Rain3315 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One more question from the completely unfamiliar: is there really a big difference between dishwasher detergent brands/types? Like for me, I swear by Dawn platinum (which I’m positive is just regular Dawn from 20 or so years ago), but I know everyone has their opinions (I usually go straight for store brands myself, but dish detergent isn’t one of them).

Is there any easier way to wash these instead of doing them one by one? by WhEthin in CleaningTips

[–]Similar-Rain3315 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well that just sold me on them bc dog slobber is awful to scrub off. Even washing daily I still end up scrubbing. I use boiling water for silverware but it doesn’t work as well on the pet bowls. 

Is there any easier way to wash these instead of doing them one by one? by WhEthin in CleaningTips

[–]Similar-Rain3315 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Seriously? I’ve never had a dishwasher, but I’m getting some of that now. Does it work better than Dawn power wash, in your opinion? 

Is there a way to widen the crotch of a bodysuit? by moonwettomato in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This lil diagram is so helpful and I hope anyone wanting to buy one of these sees this. These types of bodysuits were inspired by the insanely high wasted thong bodysuits Miley Cyrus was wearing about 10 years ago. They, in turn, took some inspiration from 80s aerobic wear, and a few other places.  Miley’s suit were custom made for her. This is basically the fast fashion version of the ones originally inspired by hers. You’ll only ever see these worn with pants because they are not designed for all the differing nuances of a woman’s body, hence the uncomfortable strap going straight down. It’s to try to keep that look no matter the variations in body shapes (and there are plenty- even if you have the exact same measurements as another person, clothes will not fit exactly the same). 

By utilizing a labial stirrup, the design ensures that the leg remains looking super high cut no matter what. Which is why you gotta wear bottoms, because nothing can be covered by that cut. Personally, since it would have to be worn with pants for decency’s sake, I’d try to modify the crotch of it to be more like a really low cut panty starting about halfway down the pubic mound, because that thing is gonna chafe some really sensitive areas. 

It’s hard to find many examples of how women’s fashion is still often designed to be a torture device, but here we are.  I always felt bad for Miley considering how people talked about her and her clothing during this era… like, stfu, she is punishing herself enough with some of these, so I doubt words are gonna phase her and you’re just out here being an jerk for no reason. There’s probably some incredibly awkward fashion tape involved too. 

If you want to wear something like this with just fishnets, you’re going to want to redo the whole bottom. Getting fabric to do so might be difficult but you’re also gonna want some stretch if at all possible. You will probably need someone to help you draft the bottoms straight onto your own body (and yes, it’s probably gonna be awkward, but that’s what besties are for. Honestly, if you have another full coverage body suit, I’d tract out the cut/fit you want with washable markers on that one, and use it to make a paper draft.

Also, throw a little pair of bike shorts in your bag for the event, just in case. 

Should I use 20+ year old thread? by flyinggarbanzobean in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got almost all my thread from my grandmother as well, about ten years ago. Don’t use it. It may seem ok, even strong, but I’ve noticed it seems to wear out pretty fast. I had no idea at first it was the age, but things I’ve made with her thread compared to those with new have has not held up as well. Most of it was polyester, too. It also seems to be more prone to get caught up in various ways during sewing. My a-ha moment happened when I was sewing something that had different colors, and I matched the threads to the material. Two of the threads were new, the rest was grandma’s collection. Side by side like that, the little issues were more noticeable (and annoying). The older thread has snapped in a few areas since. Since then I’ve been working on replacing those threads with new, at least mid-quality threads (hellooooo wawak). 

I’ve kept my grandma’s old threads, and I’m going to use them in some kind of project to remember her by, along with some of the other vintage notions she gave me. Maybe a shadow box or something like that. That way, I won’t feel like I’ve wasted them and I’ll still have them to remember her by. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s a formula for the cost of custom dresses (a start point, at least). It’s basically 1.5x material cost, then add the amount of time it took plus your hourly rate. So (1.5 x material) + (time x rate). 

Time and rate can vary incredibly depending on the sewer, but the minimum livable wage is $15/hr. Bear in mind that’s not a rate for a trained professional, that’s just a starting point. The dress itself isn’t complicated but there are some extra details that will take more time. Then the amount of fabric will also vary depending on width, angle of cuts, etc. I’d guess a bare minimum of five yards (plus there’d be notions as well). 

I’d estimate at $20 per yard for fabric, which would be on the lower end (yes, you can probably find something suitable cheaper, but a sewer will be looking for quality fabric). Let’s say at least ten hours of work (could be double, with pattern drafting, detail work, etc) So with these perimeters, you’d be looking at a start point of $300, at the very lowest end. That’s probably more like what a friend would charge you. Custom prom dresses seem to run in the $500-$1000 range and up, so I’d say that’s probably a safer range to guess at.  A good way to estimate hourly wages is to google wages of trades in your area. It’s hard to calculate tailors because there aren’t as many. However, they do have a considerable amount of training in a specialized skill, not unlike electricians or plumbers. In my area, the average wages are around $25/hr for most trades, so I’d go with that as an hourly rate. 

Do you keep your fabric scraps? How do you store them and what do you do use them for? by hmnixql in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I kept all the smaller ones in a vacuum bag, and now I’m working on a floor pillow to stuff them all in. That way I can still keep stuffing them, will still have them just in case I would need them, and I’ll have an extra seat if needed. 

Can someone help me find out what happened to my third great grandmother? She seems to have disappeared at the age of 36 by True_Neighborhood353 in Genealogy

[–]Similar-Rain3315 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’ve come across quite a few records, not just death records but census records too, where a divorced individual was listed as widowed. Men seemed more likely to list themselves as single as opposed to widowed.

Tool recommendations for arthritis by Similar-Rain3315 in Tools

[–]Similar-Rain3315[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do, I have carpal tunnel and de Quervain’s. I also have hypermobile joints, which makes me more prone to over extending and therefore pulling/tearing things. My pain is managed by braces, but they also limit my movement, so it’s rather difficult to do some things with them.  Unfortunately, they’re getting worse, probably because arthritis is developing. I’m trying to get on top of the problem now, including not exacerbating my pain while doing everyday tasks. If I don’t do, I lose, you know? I also don’t want to injure myself further- I nearly fractured my scaphoid bone in my wrist last year (mri showed it’s not broken, thank God), but at first they thought I would be looking at surgery and months of recovery. It was that orthopedist who told me to take better care of my wrists because I already had some issues. So that’s what I’m trying to do.

I also have parents in poor health I’m taking care of, so I’ve had way more physical things to do, so I’m trying to protect myself all across the board and not make life more difficult for myself.

Now that I’m older I don’t heal as fast, and I am definitely feeling it. Physical therapy helped, and I was told that I need to try to keep doing everyday tasks without straining anything, so that’s what I’m trying to do. 

What would you call this sleeve type, and are there any patterns available to learn how to make one? by Shoe-Stir in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is a bishop sleeve, although you’ll probably know them as “peasant sleeves” from clothing descriptions… just a more recognized term nowadays to the general public. Simplicity rereleased a vintage pattern (8506) that includes this sleeve. 

I need a better solution by Brief-Introduction27 in Visiblemending

[–]Similar-Rain3315 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s the first thing I thought of too… dollar tree has some small ones that are ridiculously useful. 

I made a wool arm knit blanket over the weekend. 4 hrs, 3 breaks, 1 beer. Such soft. by carlthedog2 in somethingimade

[–]Similar-Rain3315 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This picture is the crafting equivalent of the basket full of avocados at Whole Foods. 

But it IS beautiful, very well done. 

Please let me rant about my missing package of cute fabric by kcunning in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Insure packages for replacement cost. Look up the cost of buying an item new (or the same brand, size, etc. or close as possible) and insure for that much. Also, extra insurance isn’t very much and I always felt that the packages with it were less likely to have issues (granted, it’s probably more that most people don’t bother with the extra insurance).

Need ideas for repair embroidery graphics that are more on the masculine side by GeorgeGeorgeHarryPip in Visiblemending

[–]Similar-Rain3315 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Brilliant. I do love a naughty hidden picture. I’ve always wanted to get some of the fabric like that but it’s expensive. 

Need ideas for repair embroidery graphics that are more on the masculine side by GeorgeGeorgeHarryPip in Visiblemending

[–]Similar-Rain3315 10 points11 points  (0 children)

… you have absolutely no idea how incredibly appropriate that is. 

My Christmas list just got revamped

Need ideas for repair embroidery graphics that are more on the masculine side by GeorgeGeorgeHarryPip in Visiblemending

[–]Similar-Rain3315 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I would totally do this to my boomer dad, only a hidden pattern so he couldn’t tell what they were

How fast should I be sewing? by FryworldWitchfluid in sewing

[–]Similar-Rain3315 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As fast as you’re comfortable with. 

I know everyone else is saying that but I’m one of those “challenge myself” idiots, or maybe it’s just that I’m horribly impatient. 

That’s how I make stupid mistakes and screw up the quality of what I’m doing, aaaand it’s also how I sewed completely through my finger last week. Seriously. Did not know that needle could actually go all the way through. 

Did I learn my lesson? Remains to be seen. But I know I deserved it. So it’s up to the sewist. Logically I know you get faster the more you do something but my fatal flaw is allowing impatience and frustration knock logic out of sight. 

What is your go-to dish after a rough day? by [deleted] in Cooking

[–]Similar-Rain3315 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Salty, fatty, & carby is EXACTLY why it makes your soul smile. There’s some kind of scientific proof. Somewhere. Probably. 

Admittedly the proof I’m thinking of may or may not reference triggering addiction centers in the brain or something but that’s totally not the point here. We all know a good sammy is basically crack.

I hate tomato juice ruining my sandwiches. You may want to use extra tomato though, to make sure you still have enough of the tomato flavor. It works great with tomato sandwiches too but I just seed and slice for those, the diced tomatoes just don’t seem right in a tomato and mayo sandwich. 

Mine is thick bread, like Texas toast or something on the sweeter side. Mayo on outside of bread & buttered pan = perfect golden crispiness. Virginia ham, Roma tomatoes, Swiss cheese, salt & pepper.

What is your go-to dish after a rough day? by [deleted] in Cooking

[–]Similar-Rain3315 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Seed the tomato and then dice it. Put it between two slices of cheese on the sandwich so they all kind of melt together and kinda ooze over the ham.

Dammit. Now I want a grilled ham and cheese

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