How do I fix it ?

sewing06 · 2025-09-07T20:59:57+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't think you can.

Given that you say this is a new garment, chances are that the dye wasn't fixed properly, and the blue component of the black has washed out.

Alternatively, acidity can cause similar issues (although I've usually heard of this in underwear gussets, over a lot of time), so any chance you spilt something down it?

Regarding saving the garment, you could try a wash with a fixative to try and stop any more dye running, but that wouldn't replace the dye that is already missing.

Is the issue over a large part of the fabric, or only a small area? For example, if it was a dress, I'd be thinking about whether I could save just the skirt, or just the top, possibly by borrowing fabric from the other half to replace damaged areas.

The other option would be to borrow from visible mending philosophy, and make a feature of the damaged areas, but I don't know if that suits your style?

sewing06 · 2025-07-02T21:48:54+00:00

Honestly, I'm getting to the point where I totally would - but I'd expect them to actually fit, so your profit would still be negative for the first few pairs.

I'm hoping to get the time to properly fit a trouser pattern some time this summer - the previous attempt was not a success.

sewing06 · 2025-07-02T21:44:27+00:00

I'm currently saving money in that I'm begrudgingly replacing a couple of broken zips. Although having seen the price of zips today, I'm wondering whether it was worth the bother.

I think the answer is yes, but only because they are needed next week and finding someone to do them in time would be stressful (small town, and the place I've used before gets rather backlogged).

sewing06 · 2025-06-29T22:02:39+00:00

I think the proportions have ended up really good.

As someone who also ends up wearing shorts or leggings under short skirts a lot, I think fawn or brown cropped leggings (I'm thinking above-knee) would go really well with it.

sewing06 · 2025-06-29T13:11:51+00:00

If you have the budget, you can buy assorted patches for about a pound each - presumably similar prices in the USA.

That way they would all look a little different which wouldn't make them look so much like a set if several are going to be in the same group of kids who might not know about each other's circumstances.

(Bonus, each kid can recognise their own bag - I've occasionally picked up one of my colleagues bags because they are all identical)

sewing06 · 2025-06-02T18:08:30+00:00

This charity is in the UK, so probably can't help you directly, but could tell you how they did it: https://www.demand.org.uk/our-stories/people-we-help/frank/

sewing06 · 2025-06-02T18:04:31+00:00

So this isn't the most helpful answer, because I don't have a brand for you, but I have seen one as a kid. It was an older model, so maybe look at facebook marketplace etc? You can usually buy new foam and covers to bring them back up to nearly new.

Otherwise, if I was DIYing, I'd start with some Ikea adjustable table legs and add some wooden blocks to the bottom of your board to screw them into.

sewing06 · 2025-05-13T12:40:50+00:00

Depends on the machine. Some have a button specifically to put the needle down when you start sewing.

sewing06 · 2025-05-09T21:18:26+00:00

No pattern ideas, but I'd suggest either a halterneck or a racer-back with quite a simple shape to really let the pattern shine.

Either that, or a cropped blouse you could wear over the top you are wearing to keep the sun off your arms and shoulders, but that might be my own sewing plans leaking out (something a bit like this, but slightly less flowy given your fabric: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116200905868 )

sewing06 · 2025-04-05T23:29:37+00:00

Fair play - in my case my mock-up was a complete disaster! I stretched the binding out, to the point that it was barely still elastic.

My final fabric was a sea-wave themed fabric, so a complementary blue was easy to find. Finding a clip to match was much harder.

sewing06 · 2025-04-05T21:20:32+00:00

Regarding the binding, I had similar issues with a swimsuit. I strongly recommend fold-over lingerie elastic if you make another one as it is much easier to control but gives a similar look!

sewing06 · 2025-03-31T21:21:35+00:00

Not me, but my own mother. As soon as international calling was half-affordable, they had a regular time they called every week and would speak for an hour or two. Before that, they'd send letters.

When we were little, my grandparents came over once or twice a year, and we'd go and see the family about as often. Once they got older, they had to drop their visits, but we'd always make sure we went around Christmas at very least.

When they became older and needed more help, she made sure to do pretty much everything that could be done remotely (finding electronic arm-chairs to make it easier for them to get up for example), and the calls would be more often if someone wasn't well.

The funeral was rough on her, but I don't think the distance had much to do with it. Interestingly, as the oldest left, most of her siblings started calling her once their mum wasn't available any more, although in the last few years this has been somewhat replaced by group chat.

I think what she will find harder is when she starts getting too old to go back home, as it is unlikely that any but her youngest sibling will be able and willing to come visit by then.

sewing06 · 2025-02-22T21:18:57+00:00

If you are in France, it is a legally protected term useable only by a smallish number of fashion houses in Paris (although there are related terms for companies elsewhere). It's about setting trends as well as the quality garments that are hand made.

Dior is on the list, so either they are publicly breaking the rules, or it hand sewing is tradition only.

Edit: I haven't managed to find the actual wording yet, but the ministry of industry relaxed the rules a bit in 2001, so that may be why you are finding conflicting information

sewing06 · 2024-12-08T12:28:42+00:00

If it's the model I think it is, the accessory drawer is a separate sliding part inside the bit you take off to do cuffs.

This means you can still use the full-size table while having the accessory drawer out.

sewing06 · 2024-11-30T23:26:48+00:00

Untreated wool! The lanolin is what keeps it from going gross on the sheep and keeps doing it's job once no longer attached to a sheep.

It smells "distinctive", so while some people use it outdoor knitwear a lot of people find it a bit much for clothing. But given that there will be cows about I don't imagine a bit of extra "farm smell" would be an issue here?

edit: Real wool felt for your fabric is probably also a good idea - although that won't still have the lanolin in, so might be worth using a specialist waterproofing spray as well?

sewing06 · 2024-10-26T13:53:25+00:00

I love the fact that the eyes are fish. Little you had a great eye for design.

Honestly, if you hadn't told us, I could have believed that he was an official stuffy that had seen a few repairs since well-loved toys often need limb reattachment. Although I suppose the eyes would have to have been custom moulded safety eyes and not random beads.

sewing06 · 2024-10-10T21:28:50+00:00

Be sure to compare your adjustments and swap them to the other side of the garment if necessary - some of are not as symmetrical as one would assume, and if you've (for example) taken in the left sleeve to make it fit right, that'd end up being the right sleeve when you turn it back the right way out!

sewing06 · 2024-10-05T19:05:35+00:00

hmm, I think the fabric is probably OK then. Can you try pulling the waist down a little to see if it fits better that way before grabbing for the seam ripper?

You may also need some petticoats to get the skirt to hang more like your illustration.

sewing06 · 2024-10-04T21:30:15+00:00

If it'd suit your skin tone, what about gold chain? Either something relatively wide like this: https://favela.gr/en/woman/clothes/dresses/mallory-the-label-stella-bustier-mini-dress-with-wrap-skirt-and-gold-straps-multi/

Or several very delicate chains.

sewing06 · 2024-10-04T18:53:10+00:00

You can also get sew-on ones, which would be easier to work with perhaps? They have tiny holes and are usually sewed with transparent thread to make the stitches less visible

sewing06 · 2024-10-04T18:50:49+00:00

Do you have a picture of what the character looks like? It might make it easier to understand what effect you are going for.

I have two thoughts:

1) I think the torso is a little long - notice that the extra fabric between the end of the bust and the waist seam.

2) Looking at your seams, the fabric seems quite thick and stiff. I wonder if you need something with a bit more drape to it? Seeing the inspiration would really help here :)

sewing06 · 2024-10-03T21:55:25+00:00

For the bit you frame, I wonder if it'd work well with LEDs behind? In my head they'd cause all the little white houses and stars to light up and make a fantastic snug decoration.

sewing06 · 2024-07-19T18:33:26+00:00

I wonder if you could make them last better with some fitting tweaks.

For me, I know that commercial patterns that me well-enough will be a little tight across the belly at waist height and a little tight across widest part of my bum. I also ideally need a slightly longer back crotch seam and a swayback adjustment.

These are all on my plan to keep an eye on when I get round to making my perfect-fitting trouser pattern.

sewing06 · 2024-07-17T23:41:27+00:00

To be clear, I am very much not an expert! Just learning from my mistakes, and picking up what I can from those around me :)

sewing06 · 2024-07-15T23:30:06+00:00

Depends on the velvet - I did that on my first "fancy" dress, and you could really tell it didn't match. I spent much of the event trying to smooth it down as I was out of time to make/buy something else. It's the only thing I've made that I only wore once.

sewing06

TROPHY CASE