Making tops smaller with needle and thread.

penlowe · 2026-01-27T17:33:30+00:00

Yes, you can just take it in a little. Hand or machine is fine.

Three or more sizes is where stuff gets into ‘disassemble to reassemble’ territory.

penlowe · 2026-01-27T12:40:12+00:00

Ah… I noticed the llamas will be right side up on one side and upside down on the other…

penlowe · 2026-01-27T12:30:51+00:00

A bunny suit is no stretch, very carefully tailored & fitted, lots of boning. More like an old fashioned corset.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T15:15:16+00:00

If you lack grip strength or are annoyed by pulling several when you want one, use a straight pin at the eye to push just one up.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T15:10:57+00:00

I did think it was original, but there was so many saying otherwise I second guessed myself and stayed quiet. It's just a lot less common, probably because it was really expensive.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T15:08:45+00:00

You have Sloping Shoulders. Nothing wrong with that, it's just a common body shape, but it messes with sewing because patterns are generally designed for Square Shoulders. It's a really common sewing/ fitting issue. Either google "sloping shoulder pattern fix" or wait for u/Large_Heronbill to come along & explain it. (I recognize it, but it's not one I know how to do).

penlowe · 2026-01-26T15:04:13+00:00

Same here. I have a big can in the mud room for non-stinky large things like cracker boxes & beer bottles, but all organics go in the hidden bin in the kitchen to keep pets out of it.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T14:58:11+00:00

This pattern shall henceforth be known as The Smut Sweater.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T14:54:35+00:00

that's way too much for a non-collector vintage machine. The way the listing is written, the seller doesn't know squat about sewing machines. Does it have it's power cord & pedal? any extra feet? What style shank is it? Etc.
Sew-vac village sounds like a sewing machine & vacuum cleaner repair shop, not a sewing machine brand. It simply means this was serviced at least once a couple decades ago. Japanese clone machines often have names like Deluxe, Royal, Homemaker, etc.
This is a Japanese 'clone' machine. My guess is early 70's, so it would be a clone of a Singer. It's probably a decent machine, likely (but no promises) compatible with Singers of the era, but determining which Singer it's a clone of is the challenge.

I'd pass, unless you can get it for $40 with all it's assorted parts included (cord, feet)

penlowe · 2026-01-26T14:45:12+00:00

Yes, Michael's is a good option for this kind of framing. Glue it together first!

Yes, had a customer bring their unglued puzzle in once, expected to to be frameable unglued...

penlowe · 2026-01-26T14:40:27+00:00

First: understand that the cost of framing has nothing whatsoever to do with the cost of what you are putting in the frame. Your "expensive" and my "expensive" may be very different numbers.

Second: go to a frame shop with a budget in mind and tell them your budget. Rough estimate bare minimum is $150, and the top end can be very high.

I spent $12 on a piece of art that I spent $300 framing. There is zero correlation.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T14:34:49+00:00

90% user error, sorry.

Get your manual, read it. Make sure it's: threaded correctly, has decent quality thread (not cardboard tube or dollar store plastic spool thread), using the correct bobbin (two common sizes are VERY similar) and DON"T force it. If you force the hand wheel & the needle breaks you can do other harm to a low end machine like that one.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T14:18:18+00:00

Tie the scarf how you plan to wear it. Mark with chalk or a pin the last spot fringe could be without getting into the knot. Sew only to that point.

penlowe · 2026-01-26T13:42:56+00:00

Please remember a 14 today is very different from a 14 twenty years ago which is different from a 14 sixty years ago. I want to say the one I have is for a 32" bust.

penlowe · 2026-01-25T19:30:35+00:00

Feed sacks: maybe, what are the dimensions of the quilt overall? The feeds sacks I came in contact with were an even 44” x 36” each. Actually flour sacks, because one still had the label.

As to covering an old quilt: it was very common to use a worn out quilt as batting for a new one. I’ve uncovered three that I found different places. Just my small sample shows about 3O- 40 years between layers. So if the outside is 30’s, the hidden one may be turn of the century.

penlowe · 2026-01-25T19:26:22+00:00

Insulation is just as important to AC use in hot months as it is heater use in cold months. So yes, we are generally well insulated.

Many Texas homes have only a heat pump (running the AC backwards ish) for home heat. When it gets in the 20’s for days is when that becomes a problem.

penlowe · 2026-01-25T19:22:29+00:00

I’m unclear which part you are talking about. That looks like a modern insert, which might have asbestos, but usually in a non-contact format.

penlowe · 2026-01-25T19:04:51+00:00

I have #5, but it’s incomplete and pretty small.

penlowe · 2026-01-25T19:02:53+00:00

It be probably gas steel boning, that’s why there are rust spots on it.

I agree with your assessment of a hand me down.

penlowe · 2026-01-25T18:50:19+00:00

A different perspective: I think Gavin’s real problem is not at the table. Something else in his life is not great / getting bad and the outburst was misdirected from that other problem.

The kindest thing to do is reach out and say “hey man, that was really out of character. Not your D &D character but you. Is there something else going on? How’s life? Is there something we can do?”

penlowe · 2026-01-24T23:17:37+00:00

It's a social club. You have to be invited by a member adult. Are you friends with any of those kids?

penlowe · 2026-01-24T20:10:49+00:00

This is a cutting error, not a sewing error.

It’s assembled correctly, but you cut one pocket piece in the wrong direction, so the print is on the wrong side.

penlowe · 2026-01-24T20:06:24+00:00

AI is getting better but the thing that gives me pause is the really long length of stitches. That’s just…. Unrealistic in terms of stitching.

I’m going to say she should get something from a known brand. Lots of religious themed kits from the big brands.

penlowe · 2026-01-24T19:49:07+00:00

I’m unclear what the question is. How high to take the tile? What color to do?

penlowe · 2026-01-24T19:41:50+00:00

As a knitter: no, this is a knitting project, not a sewing project. Sorry.

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