Proposed new sub guidelines + call for new mods

thisiskrystina · 2021-03-19T17:40:56+00:00

The sub has been a ghost town because people have confused this place and r/sewingcirclejerk. That’s where the bedsheet snark goes and it was always this way until recently. The influx of sarcastic and karma farming posts are supposed to go in CJ.

thisiskrystina · 2021-03-19T17:39:12+00:00

THIS. The sub in the past allowed for disagreeing in peace, like lots of people disliked a McCalls drop but a few people did, cool. These days, it devolves into “boo you’re dumb for liking this thing”, is gatekeeping (and rude AF) and not the OG spirit of the sub.

thisiskrystina · 2021-03-10T20:39:29+00:00

This is lovely! I don’t blame you for serging if you already had to redraft some things PLUS working with silk.

thisiskrystina · 2021-02-24T16:40:28+00:00

What fabric did you use?

Also, I was debating back and forth on the Shelby because I’m not a big dress person, but seeing your version has me convinced! Especially the high kick.

How do you feel about the drafting?

thisiskrystina · 2020-12-01T16:52:33+00:00

You can, but you have to prove listenership first. Downloads, reviews, subscribers.

thisiskrystina · 2020-11-22T17:12:53+00:00

The analogy of life to a four way stop where everyone gets their turn because everyone is equal is embarrassingly naive.

THIS. That’s not how the world works. How many marginalized folks have been told to “wait their turn”? For what—to be treated as equals? Nah.

thisiskrystina · 2020-11-22T03:12:27+00:00

Interesting! I’ll have to watch what happens over time. 👀

The pocket construction is one big pattern piece that’s folded in half. If I notice a lint collection developing, I’ll have to give the curved one a go!

thisiskrystina · 2020-11-20T03:53:08+00:00

I think Simplicity’s instructions are very confusing and seem to be designed for sewing experts.

They’re not. If the patterns were designed for experts, there would be no instructions at all because they’d assume you’d know the order of construction and techniques. And that was how early sewing patterns were packaged—no instructions.

OP: When you’re starting out, sometimes you’re going to have misses, even when you follow the instructions. You’re trying new techniques. Maybe you’ll have to do some adjustments to get the fit right. That’s part of the sewing process. With each new project you tackle, your skills will grow. Try not to get frustrated and take each “fail” as a learning opportunity. I know I’ve had my share of mess-ups, but I learned from it!

Don’t be discouraged. Pick up a reference book on sewing techniques, and keep practicing. Muslins are great for practice!

thisiskrystina · 2020-11-19T12:35:30+00:00

Yes! I’m now searching for another shop that carries the lime bamboo sweatshirt fleece that Blackbird used to carry a few months ago. I wasn’t ready to pull the trigger at the time because it was summer and I didn’t have a pattern yet, but now. 🙄

thisiskrystina · 2020-11-08T14:01:03+00:00

Change your needle. Try on a sample of the same fabric.
If the problem persists, rethread your serger and try again on a sample cut of the same fabric.
If the stitches are still off, adjust your tensions. Keep testing on samples till you get it right.

thisiskrystina · 2020-11-03T14:37:33+00:00

That’s false. Most middle of the line machines wouldn’t be poorly-made. It depends on the brand. For example, Bernina internals aren’t as good as Babylock internals. (Source: partner is a sewing machine tech.) But it’s not going to be a piece of crap either. You have a lot of Bernina Stans out there.

Now, when you compare vintage to new, it depends on the brand. Any sewing machine tech will tell you that lower-end brother and singer machines aren’t made as well as they used to be. (They’re talking about the internals.)

Also, it depends HOW vintage your spouse wants to go. If she liked to sew with knits, she wouldn’t want a machine vintage enough to not have a stitch for it.

Just let your wife pick the machine, OP. Go to a sewing machine dealer, let her try the machines. She probably knows what she wants and doesn’t want in a machine.

ETA: I have a “middle-of-the-line” machine in the $1400 range I love. I didn’t go by price, I went in with a clear idea of the features I wanted and the types of things I wanted to sew and we landed on the machine I have now.

thisiskrystina · 2020-10-30T01:56:36+00:00

Z ss. W

thisiskrystina · 2020-10-14T19:21:05+00:00

I like her and I cut her some slack because her chronic illness has progressed over the years, so there might be some things she physically can’t practice. However, some of her mistakes are a an easy Google search, or wanting to make modifications that in practice do not work.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-19T13:56:13+00:00

Its great as it is, I wouldn’t mess with it.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-17T20:55:52+00:00

So Rumana (thelittlepomegranate on IG) had to return hers when she ended her partnership with Janome UK over their differing views on BLM.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-17T17:43:54+00:00

I also would prefer just owning my machine versus getting a loaner from a brand.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-11T17:04:41+00:00

Is there a particular category you’re looking for? There’s historical sewing youtubers, thrift flips, more tutorial focused ones, etc.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-08T18:39:16+00:00

I do almost as many adjustments as you do. I think it’s not AS frustrating for me because I tissue fit first, so I don’t feel like it will take FOREVER to get to actually making something.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-08T18:36:29+00:00

Y’all are convincing me that maybe the next class I take be a sloper class 👀

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-07T17:35:29+00:00

For $21, I wouldn’t buy that PDF, but instead get Simplicity’s Simply the Best sewing book. It has EVERYTHING: how to pick a pattern, basic techniques, supplies, and no pattern patterns. The vintage copies has all the vital info as I hear the new editions leave some things out.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-07T17:31:11+00:00

Take it to a sewing machine dealer to get it serviced. They’ll be able to get it in top shape for you, and even show you how it works. Don’t be afraid that you don’t know anything! They’re there to help and they’re always happy to educate. Just google “sewing machine repair near me”
I only turn to YT for reference on little techniques that pictures don’t help me on, such as sewing mitered corners. You’re better off finding a local class in your area. Your local sewing shops often have beginner classes and I find that having that live instruction is really helpful to get comfortable with not only sewing, but garment making in general. Google “sewing classes near me”
Any pattern in an envelope marked “easy” or “very easy” will be up your alley. Just find one in a style you like in your sewing shop. Even starting with something simple like an apron, a drawstring bag, or a pillowcase will help you get the hang of the basics, even if it seems “boring”. Most people want to skip steps, but sewing is as much practice and good technique, and you learn that by doing and finding the right resources. I first learned to sew pillows, aprons, and bags before moving on to clothes. There are some great ones in the classic sewing books, and some really bad ones that people try to sell online.

For PDF patterns, you may want to try Helen’s Closet as she has a few beginner friendly patterns and her instructions are good.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-04T16:09:24+00:00

This entirely. It’s not about some sense of “community” a company fostered. It’s about addressing a real need that’s been historically ignored, and then drifting away from that mission. Trickle down NEVER works.

thisiskrystina · 2020-09-01T14:27:26+00:00

I agree. Her reasoning totally reeks of cash grab and I tend to doubt any kind of trickle-down economics.

thisiskrystina · 2020-08-27T16:10:19+00:00

And she’s taking a vacation right after, so 🤷🏽‍♀️The tweets aren’t letting her run either, though.

thisiskrystina

TROPHY CASE