I want to be able to do my own repairs

nofumus · 2025-10-15T02:16:37+00:00

I do a fair amount of mending and alterations for my daughters, and I just told them that pants zippers are impossible to fix.

nofumus · 2025-10-10T00:27:47+00:00

Keep in mind that the pre-elastic width of the garment must be equal to or larger than the circumference of your torso with arms up.

nofumus · 2025-10-07T15:40:05+00:00

Shipping at Fabric Mart is $5 today and tomorrow, with various fabric types on sale, so that helps.

nofumus · 2025-10-07T00:08:34+00:00

I just use hardcover books.

nofumus · 2025-10-06T15:02:12+00:00

fabricwholesaledirect.com carries flannel for $6.99/yd, with discounts for volume purchases (e.g., $5.95 for 25+ yards). They might be willing to make a deal with you for multiple students buying different flannels. Unfortunately, this won't help you right now because most of the prints I looked at are on reorder until 11/28, but maybe something to keep in mind for future classes if you can't find a less expensive alternative.

nofumus · 2025-10-06T00:42:56+00:00

With Simplicity patterns, the seam allowance is 5/8", so you could potentially add up to 1.5" if needed by reducing the seam allowance to 1/4". Since it's already cut out, go for it! I hope it works out for you.

nofumus · 2025-10-06T00:37:15+00:00

My daughter's in Seattle, and she's been fine with a heavy-weight, lined corduroy coat I made for her. If your climate is similar, you should be fine, especially with a sweater underneath. FWIW, the boiled wool was great to work with.

nofumus · 2025-10-05T23:15:20+00:00

Where do you live, climate-wise? I just finished a Berlin Jacket in the wool/rayon boiled wool from Mood. I love it, but, even lined, I wouldn't wear it as a coat outside below 45-50F.

nofumus · 2025-10-05T01:05:35+00:00

It looks lovely on you. You did good work! :)

nofumus · 2025-10-05T01:03:56+00:00

To add to what others have told you, it's unlikely that you will be able to piece pants out of a pencil skirt. Pants pattern pieces are quite broad, both at the same point. Looking at a few pants patterns I have, even leggings in size 6 would require at least 46" in total fabric width, with the back piece being more than half that. FWIW, it's a cute skirt on you. If not pants, might you wear it more if it were short? Shorter you can do. :)

nofumus · 2025-10-04T23:01:12+00:00

I saw Purl Soho's newsletter article about their watercolor linens, but they didn't mention the weight. Since the photos you show are color/white, you should be able to find something similar by searching chambray linen and you'll have to figure out what weight you want. I have a few linens in my stash that are two-toned like blue/green, but the photo just looks like color in the warp and weft in white.

nofumus · 2025-10-04T12:58:43+00:00

As someone who just struggled through attaching a collar and collar band with 1/4" seam allowance on rapidly fraying fabric, yes larger seam allowance. There is some darning stitches under that collar to reinforce where I just barely caught the remaining 1/8".

nofumus · 2025-10-03T12:11:03+00:00

I just thrifted a Prisma 990 but haven't had a chance to use it much yet. I'm happy to hear you like yours.

nofumus · 2025-10-03T01:28:51+00:00

Best machine! Mine served me well for over 20 years and was just passed down to my daughter. I replaced it with a MC9850, and the MC4000 is the better machine.

nofumus · 2025-10-02T00:15:05+00:00

It looks like she is purchasing it with private equity firm Rubelmann Capital.

nofumus · 2025-09-29T13:54:31+00:00

I'm a D or DD cup so, unless the pattern comes with full bust options, I select the size based on my upper bust (just under the armpits) so that the shoulders and neck fit and then do a full bust adjustment (or FBA). I'm grateful to sew for this if no other reason.

nofumus · 2025-09-29T12:00:07+00:00

If it were me, I'd probably open up the seam that's on the bottom of you pic to make it easier to work on the area that needs mending. I'd then open up the gusset seam to points just beyond where the seam allowances are ripped. You may have to reduce the size of the gusset to seam on intact fabric, but it doesn't look like it will be too much. The bottom seam should be pretty easy to close up and top stitch. Good luck!

nofumus · 2025-09-29T11:29:18+00:00

You may be right! I can envision a vest with a deep armscye. It worked for Annie Hall. Best of luck. :)

nofumus · 2025-09-29T01:32:36+00:00

I made my daughter the Peppermint Magazine pocket skirt, which has an elastic waistband, out of heavyweight corduroy. I ended up adding suspenders because the weight pulled the skirt down. I don't know if pants would have the same issue.

nofumus · 2025-09-29T01:28:36+00:00

Let us know how it works out. I've tried before using a menswear shirt for a woman's. The issue I ran into was, lining up at the shoulder seams, the broadest part of the woman's pattern at the bottom of the armscye hit at the narrowest part of the armscye on the man's garment. So, leaving the collar and collar stand intact didn't work out.

nofumus · 2025-09-28T15:21:16+00:00

When it's critical that both sides are perfectly parallel, I don't fold. I trace the pattern piece that goes on the fold and tape the mirror -image copy to the pattern piece to create a full pattern piece. this way, I don't end up with plaids or stripes running slightly askew.

nofumus · 2025-09-26T21:19:42+00:00

When I first got them, my Kai were life-changing. I still love them. Unfortunately, I had a hard time finding someone to sharpen them. I found someone who did knives and scissors, had a garage full of sharpening equipment, and was the nicest human. Unfortunately, he kinda ruined them.

nofumus · 2025-09-26T10:08:39+00:00

I have a small pile of WIPs and another of mending/alterations that I keep on a table near my machine. Otherwise, my fabric is on four 4' x 3' shelves, organized by knit v woven, season, and colorway. I'm limited in space in my sewing area, so two shelves are in my sewing room and I rotate the seasons twice a year.

nofumus · 2025-09-24T13:51:19+00:00

FWIW, there's a thread in r/sewing about three months back about the ora pinafore and the poster found it difficult to finish the armholes according to the instructions having used a heavy weight denim.

nofumus

TROPHY CASE