To all you sewing lot...

Hand stitch? It doesn't have to be super neat right?

ah good call. maybe.

i have a a rain jacket i really like but the zip sliders keep breaking - there are 2 on the main front zip and they keep coming loose - the metal is so weak that it bends when the sliders come off the zip and then soon breaks. i've borrowed zippers off other things but they keep breaking too - any chance people with knowledge and skills could fix it for me, maybe with some heavy duty plastic sliders that wont break? am happy to offer something in return.

bump

I had my first experience with a sewing machine a couple of nights ago, making a fancy dress outfit. I've managed 35 years without ever paying attention to how they work, so it was a bit of a mission setting it up.

Within a matter of seconds I realised that my newly freecycled Alfa Challenge was about to live up to it's name, despite being in good condition and having a manual it was all looking a bit beyond me. But needs must when the devil rides, so it was time to get busy with the instructions and learn some new shit. What a nicely illustrated manual, I've no idea when from, but it showed clearly how to get the machine set up, and despite my cackhanded fumblings we were ready to rock within about half an hour.

Under my right foot is the power control, like the wah-wah box of a randy seamstress. I can feel it a'humming, possibly due to poor earthing, but I'm protected from certain death by a thin layer of bakelite and am fighting the desire to rev. I've blindly reached the last page of instructions, I'm anything but ready to sew shit up, but here goes...

Whoa! The Power is immense! I've put some sort of running stitch across 6 inches of test material within a couple of seconds. I come to a shuddering, sweating halt. Like a rampaging but conscientious elephant I pause to survey the damage. I still retain my fingers, I've not stapled myself to the table and there's a bit of sheet attached to another bit of sheet in a vaguely straight line. This constitutes some form of win, so I celebrate with the cunning addition of rum and iced tea, as recommended on Mumsnet.

I kick the beast back into life, but there's a problem, the machine's jammed harder than Bob Marley's crumpets and is starting to smell of burning, so it's time to take a pair of scissors to it and get snipping. After about an hour of repeated swearing and unjamming, I've got a passable Princess Leia outfit, and a princess Leia shaped hole in the middle of what I'm about to be informed is a fairly expensive sheet. The ingratitude.

Anyway, that's my recent sewing experience, and yes:

TL;DR

love it. well done. now get a pattern and make something else.

Anyone got a Rapha Bonk bag they've reconstructed? Got my girlfriend a sewing machine (which she wanted) on the proviso she makes me one from an old tweed jacket.

Alkali repped ... ebay will become your friend for mixed bundles of fabric, threads and buttons ...

So, what machines would are people recommending? Currently I'm working on my Granny's Singer 99k but I'm in need of my own machine for Uni, brands to look out for on ebay? Brother, Singer, Husqvarna? Any help appreciated. Oh yes and cheap as possible, -£50.

bernina

Yes - Bernina, they're not cheap, but they'll last and last and last.

and last.

a few weeks ago a man had two at spitalfieds antique market he had a 807 which he was selling for 130.00 and another slightly bigger bernina that he wanted 190.00 not sure if he sold them but worth looking into if you are in london. if i can find his telephone number i will call him on your behalf.

I never thought I would be even remotely interested in sewing, however I have recently started to think it is rather manly... (think sail making )

so... I just had a look at my dear old departed Mums sewing machine... LOTUS !!

Elna Lotus SP sounds very fast. Lovely bit of swiss kit.

Where should I be looking to learn how to thread it ? bobbins etc. tension ?

I can sense all you 'sewers' out there taking bets, on how long, before I go to Accident and Emerg...

for those interested in the sewing classes my friends are organising this is a link to their website. i think the first class is on the 23rd of this month. its in deptford so if anybody fancies going to the royal albert for a glass of beer afterwards ............

www.craftybitches.org

If they're still going, they are amazing. Well worth going to at least 2 of their classes to get you up and running.

Cheers wicksie, I'll have a look.

very welcome. They taught me, brilliant teachers, great people.

I'd like to make one of these for my impending travels. Anyone know where I can get some leather off cuts?
http://www.pickett.co.uk/shop/home-and-games/games/Roll-Up-Backgammon/

Can't believe how expensive they are!

what about 3trum ? the guy whp makes wallets etc, he might know.

They look very cool !

give murtle as shout, he might have some or direct you to somewhere that you can get some from

Genius, thanks guys!

there's also a leather thread on here somewhere

[Raises eyebrow]

oooh errr

So, sewing leather on a basic machine. Difficult much? Is there a leather needle or summint?

Yes get a leather needle and use thicker thread, at work the thread is slightly oiled to run through the leather easier.
Also check how much lift your machine foot has- it might not cope with thick leather too well.
Oh and skive the edges if you are going to seam them or add a zip.
Bachelors on culford mews sell scraps and can help with skiving etc.

Brilliant, thanks for this.
Lift is ok, I made a messenger bag on it. I have some sail thread left over so that should help.

So do you skive so you sew in to it?