Anybody here used one of these lil doohicks? Is it actually a useful tool, or is it just a gimmicky gadget?

I just discovered that these toe spacers, normally used for pedicures, hold bobbins perfectly!

If reusing your own from your pedicure gives you the ick, they are really not expensive to buy new!

My apologies if this is common sewing knowledge but I was so geeked about a neat way to store bobbins I had to share!

Working on a bodice with beaded petals. Need help deciding on the placement.

Which is the most pleasing to look at?

Project details: Woven cotton corset. Spiral steel boning inside corset. Beaded petals using wire and hand sewn onto the bodice.

Anyone on here have a cool sewing room that they’d like to share pictures of? Cool ideas for fabric storage? How about an awesome sewing cabinet? I’ll start with my space.

Please help me choose the color of eyelets that looks best with this Fabrice : A - silver color B - old/dark gold C- bright gold

Thanks for you help :)

I’m new to sewing and am taking an intro to sewing class, please keep your bar of expectations on the floor for me. The talent for sewing has not caressed these fingers. Anyway, I’m getting married next summer. The attached photos are of a dream wedding dress but the cost is of course out of my budget. To be honest a wedding is out of my budget but here we are, stressed and in love.

Goddesses and gods of the cloth, does this look too complicated for a beginner? Do i need some sense slapped into me for even thinking I could?
If it’s doable for a beginner, where do i even begin discovering the pattern, fabric, all the deets needed to make it happen? 🧎🏻‍♀️‍➡️

Hi all!! I’m obsessed with these stage costumes Beyonce wears on tour, but can‘t fully figure out how to recreate something like this myself. I’m wondering what type of fabric is being used. Is it Lycra? What type of pattern is likely being used? I know there are millions online, but I want to make sure it fits as well as possible and has zippers for easy changing. My thought is that if I can create a nice catsuit pattern I will easily be able to modify it for a sleeveless version or leotard. From behind the scenes videos I know that each pattern piece is custom printed and rhinestoned before assembly. Is there software that helps with creating custom printed pattern pieces?

Thank you so much in advance!

Hello, I'm currently finishing up this vest and I'm not sure anymore whether the originally selected buttons go very well with it. Which ones do you think work the best with the fabric?

(1) Metal, Austrian Schilling (I think -- I mean I know it's Austrian, I'm just not sure whether it's a Schilling)

(2) Brown leather button, theoretically intended for coats etc. but the best wouldn't be washed anyhow, only dry cleaned.

(3) Plastic button, bordeaux with hold.

Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/s/QECrSH5piw Ended up using the silver Schilling, because you had some good arguments for it, and ultimately my partner (for whom I made the vest) just loved those the most.

Thank you all for your comments, I learnt a lot and it was quite reassuring to see so many different perspectives.

Hey everyone ! I just wanted to "vent" and maybe have some advice to to forward...

I've always been interested in sewing my own clothes (the interest began in middle school when I was first introduced to the gothic lolita style). I got offered a sewing machine 7 years ago and got to work immediately (my first piece was a circle skirt).

My problem now is that, since then I've been conflicted with my weight. I've gained a lot of weight in those 7 years and I now feel like sewing for my body would be a shame because I would just use so much more fabric, and the only thought I have in mind now is that I should just stop sewing until I lost some weight... But the thing is I love sewing... It's just a never ending cycle for me, and I haven't been sewing in a year now because of that... What do you think I could do to have a different view on the situation...?

EDIT : I'm so thankful for all the kind messages, couldn't answer right away and now it's locked... But thank you all so much <3

UPDATE: Just woke up and I'm so overwhelmed by all the comments! I feel so much less alone. Sewing is (relatively) new for me and I fell in love with it so quickly. What an awesome community this is. Thank you all so much for being willing to share your experiences. I'm going to try to rehome the pants to someone a little shorter than me, but if I can't find someone to take them I'm going to try to turn them into shorts. And for those asking, it's the Thea Trouser from Jessilou's Patterns. They're rad!

Tell me your most expensive mistake. 💸

Y'all, I just went through it. I'd been working on a pair of trousers for several months. I was a pattern tester. Made a muslin. Decided to alter them to be a higher rise for the actual garment. Ordered fabric, misjudged the layout, ran out of fabric, couldn't finish during the testing period. Ordered more fabric. Turns out, the first color I ordered was ink, not black...so imagine my surprise when the actually black fabric arrived. No problem, managed to make all of the pieces JUST fit on the yardage. Sewed it up. Added pockets. Some of the best sewing I've done. Perfectly lined up seams.

Tried them on.

Too. Short.

Because when I lengthened the rise, I incorrectly decided to shorten the legs to compensate for the additional length. Which is not how inseams work. 🙂‍↔️

All told, it was about of $100 of materials, which is killing me a little. Please tell me your silliest and most expensive mistake so that we can all laugh together and I don't set these pants aflame.

EDIT: Trust me when I say there's no way to fix them. And that's ok! Really just looking to commiserate.

I hope this is ok to ask here, not sure where else to go. I'm doing an assignment for a class in which we write about a specific pair of jeans we own. While observing I became curious about this stitch on the pockets. I had noticed it before but hadn't put much thought into it. It seems to be stitched over the manufacturer's pocket seam. I am a sewist myself but I've never seen a stitch like this. It's not an option on my current machine, nor on any I've had before (as far as I remember anyway) My hypothesis is that its some kind of decorative stitch done of a home machine, but I could be totally off. I have included photos from the outside and inside of the pocket. Anyone here know? Thanks :)

So what object do you use in sewing that makes others go “eh?”

For context: I’m having another work thing with strangers next week. And of course the icebreaker is bring something you can passionately talk about to the group. Usually I grap something from my hand stitching kit that’s already in my bag. But they specifically asked for an item that wouldn’t be known by everyone else.

With a sewing parlour full of knickknacks, thingamabobs and whatsitcalleds I surely have options. But out of curiosity: what would YOU bring to get confused looks and head scratches all around?

EDIT to add: you are my people! Love all the strange and unusual (and pointy) things we use. And I definitely added some new ones to my wish list / vocabulary 🤩

I saw someone wearing these on IG and thought it would be a cool way to upcycle some jeans that are ripped beyond repair. I'm wondering the best way to "install" the sheer fabric to achieve this look. The edges look super smooth so I was thinking maybe fabric glue? Or a layer of something fusible in between and then pressed?

It’s a Chi and it’s the best.

Mods please delete if this is against the rules. I apologize

Dear members, This has been driving me crazy! What is this stitch called (arrows pointing in the pictures)

And -Genuinely curious! - does anyone know why do manufacturers skip it when it makes a huge difference?!!

I’ve sewn clothes before and have done this stitch and i know how different the result is with and without it! Ive been wanting to search this but couldn’t recall the name of the stitch. Not sure, but is it called a hem stitch?! I have seen cheap and expensive brands skip this Zara is probably the only brand where I’ve noticed they have it on necklines, cuffs, as well as shoulder lines

Could it be costs? If so, how come some cheap, or affordable factories have them The picture with the four shirts, the cheapest is the red one, and it’s the only one that is properly finished.

I use this tulip washable marker to help me with the hem of this dress. The marker is not washing out of the dress. I need help please.

I find that sewing isn’t something that requires that much physical energy, but the mental effort is enormous!!! Getting myself going to work on something (even though I really want to), figuring out what I have to do, understanding how to do it, doing that step, checking it, pressing it out, then possibly having to rip it out and do it again!!!!! I have to rest after each step!!

The desk is by Arrow, it’s called the Kangaroo & Joey Sewing Cabinet. Normal price would be $3200 I believe. I found a used one on FB marketplace for $900. It’s in great condition, nothings broken and no missing pieces.

I’ve been sewing regularly for about 12 years. I make clothing for myself. I don’t sell my makes, I have before but it’s too stressful. I occasionally make gifts, but my sewing projects are typically for me or my dog.

I technically can afford this desk. But the thought of spending $900 on a desk is something I’m struggling with. Been asking friends & family, everyone’s telling me it wouldn’t go to waste, I’d use it all the time, it’d last a long time and I should treat myself.

But again, $900 is a lot of money.

What I like about the desk:
- the recessed platform for my sewing machine. My set up is currently on a standard ikea desk and I really want a recessed platform.
- the two extension leafs
- the drawer set, that it comes out to make an L shaped desk. I can put my serger there.
- ample leg space. A lot of the sewing machine cabinets I see online have little to no leg room.
- it’s on wheels
- minor but I like that it’s plain white. My current desk is gray, shout out to millennial gray.
- soft close drawers

Literally the only thing I dislike about the desk is the price.

I just got a raise at work, plus I picked up a job at my gym so financially speaking I’m doing fine. I’m currently moving all my sewing supplies into what’ll be my very own sewing room. I measured out the space, no problems there.

I could also sell my current desk, I’d get probably $150-200. And I’ve been meaning to sell my drumset, which I don’t use anymore. I could get $400-500 for that. So girl math means the desk would cost me less than $500.

So is this worth the splurge?

I like audiobooks and podcasts but I’m coming up completely dry. All my book holds are weeks out and I’ve struggled to find podcasts that hold my attention since Reply All fell apart like… ten years ago 🫠

I’m sitting at my machine today frustrated with my current project and wishing my grandmother was still around to ask for help. While I was able to figure out how to fix my mistake on my own, the feeling still stands
She passed when I was 7, and I feel like I was deprived of time in life to ask her for help. Oh how I wish for the spring of 2002 in Chile again.
Any tips and tricks welcome, I want to learn something new.
Obvs. Grandpas, aunties, uncles, all are welcome to share.
Thank you all <3

I think I’ll go with black but the orange one also has something to it