(thinking out lout to myself)
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@RLetot @ai6yr some people also lay out their favourite clothing - maybe a teeshirt, and reproduce the pattern onto paper. Or cut an old garment with holes or stains where the sewing was done.
If you do that, beware that
1 youbalways sew inside out
2 you need to leave room for the sewing, add an inch or so to the shape before cutting, and then sew an inch away from the side to get the right side.Also theres something called basting, sewing with a weaker thread first, try it on, and make sure you use your solid thread when you know where youre sewing. Of course ADHDers can skip this step if impatience hits, knowing the risks.
Theres also plenty of video tutorials in the sewing corner of the internet
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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr I do wish you could watch the Great British sewing Bee, I think you'd love it
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<warning: rambling to no one>
(I had been purging stuff I hadn't been wearing, but suddenly after learning how to modify clothing the formula has changed dramatically... several pairs of new pants I would not wear suddenly made wearable because I added pockets and zippers. And all the t-shirts that didn't fit me re-cut and sewn to my size... Amazing what learning sewing does for that whole business)
@ai6yr also that it can start small with learning basic mending techniques! We (collectively, in the US) toss so many clothes that could be patched or altered.
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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr I learned sewing from a couple of places (my mom & sisters a bit, 4H, school). It really bummed me out that at my teen’s school, which has a very broad arts curriculum, they offer nothing in fiber arts. No sewing, knitting, weaving, etc. He’s doing a theater class this fall that focuses on costume design but the teacher was surprised when I asked about sewing - much more about thrifting (fine) and glue. Missed opportunity.
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@ai6yr also that it can start small with learning basic mending techniques! We (collectively, in the US) toss so many clothes that could be patched or altered.
My mother dumpster-dives for things that could be donated to thrift stores, and regularly finds clothes that only need a button sewn on. Buttons can be expensive, but shirt buttons aren’t that bad, and shirts often have a spare button attached to an inside seam.
I think button-sewing is a good first thing to learn!
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My mother dumpster-dives for things that could be donated to thrift stores, and regularly finds clothes that only need a button sewn on. Buttons can be expensive, but shirt buttons aren’t that bad, and shirts often have a spare button attached to an inside seam.
I think button-sewing is a good first thing to learn!
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@ai6yr I learned sewing from a couple of places (my mom & sisters a bit, 4H, school). It really bummed me out that at my teen’s school, which has a very broad arts curriculum, they offer nothing in fiber arts. No sewing, knitting, weaving, etc. He’s doing a theater class this fall that focuses on costume design but the teacher was surprised when I asked about sewing - much more about thrifting (fine) and glue. Missed opportunity.
@kimu GLUE? No glue! I do think fiber arts have disappeared from schools... They had sewing in Home Ec. when I was in middle school (which I took and absolutely and completely failed, because my mom didn't know how to sew and couldn't help me.... but I recall I was the only male in the class.)
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My mother dumpster-dives for things that could be donated to thrift stores, and regularly finds clothes that only need a button sewn on. Buttons can be expensive, but shirt buttons aren’t that bad, and shirts often have a spare button attached to an inside seam.
I think button-sewing is a good first thing to learn!
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@ai6yr sock repair is a thing. A huge thing, especially in Japan, as the book "darning socks" from Hikaru Noguchi shows....
https://modernmending.com/collections/books/products/darning-socks-book-by-hikaru-noguchi@gusseting Yes. My attempts (so far) have been not great. I will have to try again.
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My mother dumpster-dives for things that could be donated to thrift stores, and regularly finds clothes that only need a button sewn on. Buttons can be expensive, but shirt buttons aren’t that bad, and shirts often have a spare button attached to an inside seam.
I think button-sewing is a good first thing to learn!
-
My mother dumpster-dives for things that could be donated to thrift stores, and regularly finds clothes that only need a button sewn on. Buttons can be expensive, but shirt buttons aren’t that bad, and shirts often have a spare button attached to an inside seam.
I think button-sewing is a good first thing to learn!
-
Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
My daughter is a seamstress for a few theater companies! The actors love her because their pants don't fall down on stage because of her work!
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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
And should things go to hell in that proverbial hand basket, sewing will be a valuable skill set in a post apocalypse!!
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And should things go to hell in that proverbial hand basket, sewing will be a valuable skill set in a post apocalypse!!
@Sfwmson lol, it is consistent in that theme in my hobbies.
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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
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@knowattitude @ai6yr My second year as a USFS firefighter, half my crew and all my crew leaders were women – and they kicked my butt.

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Anyway, PSA to no one in particular: sewing is an extremely, extremely useful skill to have, of PHENOMENAL usefulness, and it's a shame it's not respected as such (at least, not in the US -- and based on the extremely low value placed in sewing worldwide, probably a global thing). So glad the many folks here have pointed me in the right direction on this. And it's also a shame it's been pretty gender-role limited. (at least for me, a straight male...) I highly recommend everyone and anyone at least learn the basics (repair and some modifications), but if you're into math/puzzles/3d modeling/etc. it is a natural fit to go well beyond that.
@ai6yr i taught myself to sew (mostly via youtube and indie patterns) starting in about 2022. as a fat person, it feels like a superpower to be able to make things that fit me. i find it so satisfying to be able to repair and alter and design exactly what i want to wear. it's super fun to watch you figure it all out from scratch, although starting from pre-existing patterns made it much easier for me

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@ai6yr i taught myself to sew (mostly via youtube and indie patterns) starting in about 2022. as a fat person, it feels like a superpower to be able to make things that fit me. i find it so satisfying to be able to repair and alter and design exactly what i want to wear. it's super fun to watch you figure it all out from scratch, although starting from pre-existing patterns made it much easier for me

@piebob NICE! It sure feels like a superpower!!!
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@knowattitude @ai6yr My second year as a USFS firefighter, half my crew and all my crew leaders were women – and they kicked my butt.

@msbellows @ai6yr
It would be interesting to learn who commanded that the smoke jumpers had to sew their own gear. -
@msbellows @ai6yr
It would be interesting to learn who commanded that the smoke jumpers had to sew their own gear.@knowattitude @ai6yr More like, they knew what they needed and no one was making it for them so... sew.
