Replies

1. 
   user-172042 | Jul 03, 2006 04:38pm | #1

   Hi Lilah,

   I think I am too clostriphobic to be wrapped in duct tape. That stuff is strong! I do know about being too excited about sewing to be able to sleep. Hope your project turns out good. It's nice that you have a friend that is willing to help you.

1. 
   lilah | Jul 04, 2006 04:38am | #3

   Trans Am Lady,

   Well, it was my husband doing the wrapping.  He's probably at his limit for sewing related stuff for this week, but thank goodness he is ever helpful and encouraging.  I don't have a sewing friend and my work schedule is kind of wacky, so I can't really get together with others.  So far the dress form looks pretty good.  Thanks for your kind words, Trans Am Lady.  None of the women I work with have any interest in sewing so I'm glad I've found this discussion group.

1. 
   user-172042 | Jul 05, 2006 04:23pm | #5

   My husband would probably enjoy putting me in duct tape, where I couldn't move. He might leave me like that. Just kidding. He tries to be very helpful, also. I have one sewing friend, but she has gone to work for another company now and I don't get to see her much. I would always discuss my sewing projects with my mother, but she passed away on Memorial Day. I think it's great that our husbands encourage us with our sewing.

1. 
   user-167104 | Jul 05, 2006 05:37pm | #6

   I have begged my husband to learn to thread the needle since I am doing a baby quilt with my embroidery machine. Changing that thread is a pain! I tell him, "Look, it's a machine, goes fast and slow, has power to sew anything! I know you'd like it if you would just try it!" He still has got it in his head its a 'woman thing'. I love to see men sew and the sewing work that they've done. My father, (passed away many years ago) quilted a quilt that my grandmother pieced which I have. He was the most manly of men. But most versitile in abilities and talents. But my DH does encourage me in sewing. Just don't ask him to hold a needle, or purse:)

   I was touched that you mentioned sewing and your mother. My mom loved to help and see the things that I sewed. She sewed mostly quilts and I sewed quilts, clothing, and other things, and she loved to get involved in what I was sewing. I often think what she would say about something I'm working on. My mother died on Good Friday a couple years ago.

   What a priviledge to lay this life down on Memorial day.  God bless you and your family through your loss.

    

    

1. 
   user-172042 | Jul 05, 2006 06:49pm | #7

   Hi,
   My husband wants to sew on my old machine. He said he has a project in mine. The trouble is, everything is on the floor and there is barely room for me to move in my sewing room right now. I could see him stepping on all my bags with fabric in them. He is probably wanting to make a cover for his racquetball racquet. My mom was very talented sewing and crocheting. She didn't do much the last couple of years, but she loved to see what I sewed and really encouraged me. Mothers are special. Come to think of it, my dad always complimented me on my sewing. Fathers are special, also.

2. 
   user-167104 | Jul 05, 2006 07:30pm | #8

   Crocheting was my mother's main talent. She did the fine embroidery (doilies, etc.) with thread. Never saw her crochet with yarn, except decades ago as a child she sewed my sisters and I those ponchos when they were in style the first time.

   I sewed on machine more than my mom. She always from the time I was a child and started sewing right to the last thing I made while she was alive, would do the hand sewing for me. I hate to hand sew anything, and often sew on machine what should really be done by hand. Last night I sewed a finish on a hem, and it was one of the few things I have done by hand. I thought of her. I thought "if she was here she would be doing this for me."

   Let him sew something, it would come in handy at times for your husband to know how!

    

3. 
   user-172042 | Jul 05, 2006 08:30pm | #9

   Oh, he had an old sewing machine that someone had given him. He sews, but doesn't know how to sew by a pattern, just something simple. I think it's great that you have those good memories of your mother. I love sewing cuffs or buttons on by hand, if I can take it with me and do it on my lunch hour at work. When you are sitting around waiting, it is fun to sew by hand, for me, anyway.My grandmother taught me how to knit. When those knitted vests were popular in the early seventies, she helped me knit one of those. I made a mistake and she caught it. I had already knitted quite a bit after the mistake. She told me I could just ignore it or pull out a big part of it and start from there. I chose to have it pulled out and I remember cringing while watching it being pulled out. I still have that vest. It's the biggest thing I have knitted. I am getting back into it now, though. I just don't have her guidance now.

4. 
   lilah | Jul 05, 2006 09:06pm | #10

   What wonderful memories the two of you have of your mothers.  My mom used to sew alot of clothes for herself, but she never taught me how to sew.  She worked outside the home and really didn't have time.  I've always wanted to learn, but by the time I took home-ec they only had a short sewing section.  We bought a pattern and fabric, etc. and did the whole thing with little or no guidance.  I made a sort of tunic-style top with a blue crinkle cotton fabric.  I was one of the few who actually new how to thread and operate the machine, and one of the two who actually finished the project on time.  It was pretty good except for a bubble on the front yoke where I top-stitched. 

   My mom did the fine crocheting, too, mostly table-cloths.  She made and sold them to co-workers.  I have two table-cloths she crocheted for me and they are really beautiful.  I started quilting about 20+ years ago and I kept trying to get my mom interested in it.  Finally she took it up and that's now her biggest hobby.  I'm glad we have something in common!  My mom really is not a good teacher.  She can do it, but she's not good at explaining things and gets flustered when people ask questions.   My g-grandmother taught me how to crochet and I wish I had asked her to teach me how to sew.  She used to make all of her DIL's clothes because the woman was very tall.  I didn't get seriously interested in sewing until after GG passed away. 

5. 
   autumn | Jul 06, 2006 02:46am | #11

   Sorry to hear your husband thinks sewing is a "woman thing". My first husband would not even carry a heavy basket of laundry into a laundromat because he was afraid of what it would do to his ----.

   I've know quite a few men who sew. In college I knew four who made their own, and other men's, shirts for square dancing. I have a close friend now, a Doctor, who knits. I once saw a big he-man Park Ranger in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l. Park who was sitting on a bench knitting.

   So, a "woman thing", or a "man thing" is just in the mind. It won't do any good to tell him this, though.

6. 
   nisee | Jul 06, 2006 04:08am | #12

   Its nice to hear about others experience with learning to sew.  My grandmother sewed and made so many of my clothes.  I loved the shopping for fabric. She sewed holiday clothes for dozens of cousins and myself, sister and brothers. She also worked full time.  She made my mom's drapery, covered kitchen and a wing chair in "Naguahide?" That wing chair lasted 50yrs.  She and my grandfather made the cornice for my moms living room.  It was 16 feet long.  I don't even know where they did the work. They're house and garage was so small. She was always stretching her skills and my grandfather was in there with her.  My mom never sewed.  NEVER.  My dad sews canvas.  Thats a story in itself.  I would love to try that duct tape thing. I think your discussion has inspired me to co-opt my sister. She doesn't sew but she would not run for the hills if I show up in a leotard.  Thanks for the inspiration.  And sharng your memories.

2. 
   autumn | Jul 03, 2006 11:42pm | #2

   I often discover solutions to sewing problems in my dreams, or while I am half asleep before getting up. I made my daughter's wedding dress that way, and figured out the problem of a large ruffle around the neck that had to be able to be on or off the shoulder, which meant it had to be elasticized. Elastic meant that it could not hold up the weight of the dress.  I worked/dreamed about that problem for a couple of months and finally worked it out in my sleep.  I ended up boning the dress so it would hold itself, and tacking the ruffle to the top so it could do it's own thing, up or down.

1. 
   lilah | Jul 04, 2006 04:45am | #4

   Autumn,

   Wow.  Cool solution for your dilemma!  My oldest daughter asked me to make her wedding dress, but she and the groom-to-be have parted ways for now.  I'm relieved, actually, because I'd pretty much decided to buy her gown instead of making it.  She loves everthing I make for her, but a wedding dress is pretty ambitious.  My other daughter doesn't like anything sewn at home.