I'm a Bro and I Sew... Who else is with me?

[OldRoninJedi]

I've been hand sewing since I was a kid (had to be cool by sewing patches on all of my jackets) but really only taught myself to use a machine as an adult with my first major sewing project, a complete Jedi costume. I used a 1950's Kenmore for that, and it was kind of temperamental and a pain to use, but I was able to learn some of the basics. I recently got a new Singer and there's no comparison in ease of use. I hope to be able to use both machines to make a Peacekeeper jacket and most importantly, learn to tailor my clothes.
Darth Mule- your work- and experience- are impressive. I really like the steampunk Batman!

 

[heiro5]

This is a great thread. Full of outstanding and inspiring work, and somewhat informative for a guy about to embark on a self-teaching adventure. Of course I came across the bewbs thread a couple of weeks ago, which was also full of win, so it was cool when I stumbled onto this.

Darth Mule, I applaud you for getting this going and hosting it, as it were. Your work is amazing, a real pleasure to see. Thanks for sharing. I've been a longtime fan of costumes and cosplay, and have avidly searched for pics of cool costumes after the major cons for years. Somehow, in a flash, I've been bitten with the bug to start making costumes myself. No skills, and of course not one costume but two, requiring some involved prop-making, a little pep and fiber-glassing, some leather work, and lots and lots of sewing... Is it a coincidence that it comes as I'm in the midst of major life changes? Dunno, but I couldn't have less time, lol.:unsure

So this thread has given me a little start, and thanks to all. I've learned what a sloper is, and some abstract (but specific) concepts to apply as I wade into making patterns and giving some sewing a shot.

Winterg, thanks for the Rosemary Ingham Costume Technician's Handbook suggestion. That will get picked up as soon as I can budget it. In reading some Amazon reviews, one mentioned that while full of specific info, it presupposes some knowledge of sewing basics. I probably won't have time to enroll myself in a little sewing class until possibly next summer.

If a person were trying to self-teach themselves sewing from the ground up, does anyone have any suggestions as to resources for sewing basics? I'm happy to work my way through a well-written textbook, for instance.

Hopefully, I will soon join the ranks...

 

[Darth Mule]

Being as kinesthetic as sewing is, there's really no substitution for hands on teaching. At least to give you the basics. Books only do so much until you understand the subject matter.

Most fabric stores offer sewing classes from time to time, though if you're enrolled in college, and your college has a theatre dept. with a costume shop, I particularly recommend looking into taking an intro to costume construction class if they let you (So schools are so specialized that they don't let non-majors in).

 

[NormanF]

Being as kinesthetic as sewing is, there's really no substitution for hands on teaching. At least to give you the basics. Books only do so much until you understand the subject matter.

Most fabric stores offer sewing classes from time to time, though if you're enrolled in college, and your college has a theatre dept. with a costume shop, I particularly recommend looking into taking an intro to costume construction class if they let you (So schools are so specialized that they don't let non-majors in).

I learned the basics of using a machine way back in a previous century and then never did it again. Thanks to this thread (a pun!) I got a new machine and re-learned with the classes the dealer had for familiarizing buyers with their new machine. So I used that for the basics. I also got an old copy of "The Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" from a used book store and "Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide..." from Amazon. A few videos on YouTube helped too. Luckily I just happened to find one on attaching sleeves before I actually had to do it or I would have been sure I screwed something up cutting the fabric.

I am so glad I got into this. I really enjoy doing it even when the tension acts weird and I end up with a huge ball of thread underneath what I am working on. I made a costume, a pin cushion, the gifts for the RPF secret Santa, and over the Christmas break I plan to make a custom TOS themed cover for my machine. Although I am thinking making my sewing machine a redshirt might be a bad idea. I also want to make a TOS themed messenger bag for conventions and general use.

 

[heiro5]

Being as kinesthetic as sewing is, there's really no substitution for hands on teaching. At least to give you the basics. Books only do so much until you understand the subject matter.

No, I figured that it was a hands on process, and we have a little sewing machine at home... I just wouldn't know where to begin. I'm a couple of decades out of college, but NormanF's book suggestions (and the resulting Amazon suggestions) seem to be just what I'm looking for. Now I just need to chisel out a few hours and start fooling around.

Thanks, guys!

 

[winterg]

For machine sewing the best thing to do is get some scrap fabric and play around. Watch some YouTube videos about how to thread it and set set the tension. Then it comes down to stitch length and width depending on what you are doing.

Power is currently out in my neighborhood. When it comes back I will try to find some helpful links for you to get started.

Sent via my mobile R2 unit using TapaTalk

 

[heiro5]

^ Thanks, man.

 

[BogDog]

Yup I'm a Bro that can sew. My wife is a little up I can sew better then her. But in her defense she can hand sew better then me, but not by much. I can make my own patterns, lots of the time I have to since I can never find a pattern for what I need when I needed one. I'm sure at some point in my life I'll get a chance to try and use one.

 

[winterg]

Heiro5,

Here are the links as promised. This is just some basic stuff to get you started. Do a Google search yourself for 'Basic Sewing Machine' or some such and you will find tons of resources.

Sewing Machine Information - Sewing Machines 101

How To Sew - Free and Simple Ways to Learn Sewing

Like most have said, the only way to learn is to dive in! Hopefully some of these links will help you get started. If you live near a JoAnn or other craft store they generally have tons of classes or all levels.

 

[Bloop]

Seeing Contec's quilted Doc Brown vest above, I decided to share a pic of what I feel is a partially successful quilted satin scorpion jacket from the movie Drive that I attempted. Considering my limited sewing experience (never did much of anything, especially not a jacket or quilting), tiny budget and short time to make it, I feel it was pretty passable. It started as an old black Columbia fleece zip up that I found laying around, which I modified with satin fabric (about $12 worth). And I only had 3 days to do the whole thing.

I didn't make any patterns or anything, and I mostly eyeballed it. I just laid out patterns directly on the fabric with painters tape. I don't have a good pic of the back. I ran out of time, so it needed some adjustments to the tailoring that I didn't have time to do. If had more time, I would have made the collar smaller, added some additional stitching around the zipper and shoulders, replaced all the black fleece with more accurate brown fabric (including a proper elastic waistband), made a scorpion patch that looked more like embroidery, and tailored it a bit better. But all in all, it was serviceable as a costume.

 

[heiro5]

^^ Thanks, Winterg. That sets me on the path... (I was indeed looking at JoAnn class schedules yesterday...:love)

But those resources you pointed to will let me get underway as soon as I have a minute for it. Much appreciated.

 

[drknotter]

I sew too! I just made a cloak for my wife for the Hobbit premeire tonight. She picked out the fabric and trim, found the pattern, and cut out the pieces, but I was the one to actually put it together. The fabric is stretch velvet, so it has a lot of weight to it, it feels great!

This is also the first time I have done a serious sewing project, so even though it's not perfect, I'm still really happy with how it turned out.

Here's the front. My wife did the clasp:

And here's the back, with a super long hood:

 

[seancoleman]

Hopefully getting a sewing machine for Christmas

First on my to do list is Jedi/Sith robes

 

[Freya Willia]

No, I figured that it was a hands on process, and we have a little sewing machine at home... I just wouldn't know where to begin. I'm a couple of decades out of college, but NormanF's book suggestions (and the resulting Amazon suggestions) seem to be just what I'm looking for. Now I just need to chisel out a few hours and start fooling around.

Thanks, guys!

If no one has mentioned this (doubt it, since this is a dudes thread...)

I got this book, because I really like the magazines. You can save your masculinity by just getting the book, instead of trolling the issues of girly covers looking for how to install a zipper.

It has a LOT of sequential color photos, goes over the basics of patterning, stitching, ironing, and some cool fancy stuff. It goes over the properties of different fabrics, too.

***Threads Sewing Guide***

 

[heiro5]

If no one has mentioned this (doubt it, since this is a dudes thread...)

I got this book, because I really like the magazines. You can save your masculinity by just getting the book, instead of trolling the issues of girly covers looking for how to install a zipper.

It has a LOT of sequential color photos, goes over the basics of patterning, stitching, ironing, and some cool fancy stuff. It goes over the properties of different fabrics, too.

***Threads Sewing Guide***

That's what I'm talking about! Looks exactly right. :cheers

"You can save your masculinity by just getting the book, instead of trolling the issues of girly covers looking for how to install a zipper," made me laugh.

 

[NormanF]

If no one has mentioned this (doubt it, since this is a dudes thread...)

I got this book, because I really like the magazines. You can save your masculinity by just getting the book, instead of trolling the issues of girly covers looking for how to install a zipper.

It has a LOT of sequential color photos, goes over the basics of patterning, stitching, ironing, and some cool fancy stuff. It goes over the properties of different fabrics, too.

***Threads Sewing Guide***

That reminds me: If you are doing garments you need a decent iron. I do not remember the exact quote or where I read it but it was something about how bad pressing makes it obvious clothing is home made.

Sent from my Etch-A-Sketch

 

[Darth Mule]

Bite your tongue woman! I don't actually own that book, but I do have a bunch of photocopied pages from it. It is on the list. Lot's of useful info in there. Though we did discover that they show you how to put in trouser zippers backwards.

I love threads magazine. A while back I posted a link to their online article about online fabric shopping. A must have!

Online Shopping and Resource Guide - Threads

If no one has mentioned this (doubt it, since this is a dudes thread...)

I got this book, because I really like the magazines. You can save your masculinity by just getting the book, instead of trolling the issues of girly covers looking for how to install a zipper.

It has a LOT of sequential color photos, goes over the basics of patterning, stitching, ironing, and some cool fancy stuff. It goes over the properties of different fabrics, too.

***Threads Sewing Guide***

 

[deserthunter]

A lot of impressive work here. Abby still has boobs though!!

 

[Canobi]

I know I posted before, but had an update. Just scored a sewing machine from my mum :thumbsup

Apparently it's done some rounds with a fashion designers proto seamstress who gave it to her when she upgraded (must find out who that was).

It's big n heavy and has loads of functions, but mum can't move it about with her bad back and wants a smaller one so she let me have it. She's going to show me how to load the bobbin and stuff next time I see her

Can't wait to get cracking :thumbsup

 

[winterg]

A lot of impressive work here. Abby still has boobs though!!

I'm sure some of the bros here do as well! Hahaha :lol

Canobi, do you know what the make.model is? It should be labeled on the machine somewhere. With that info we can prob help you find some YouTube vids to help you get started with it.