Hi, and welcome to my blog! My name is Linda and I have been sewing since my father taught me how at age seven (41 years ago!) It’s a passion of mine. I graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Textiles and Clothing in 1983. I have owned and operated a bridal business since 1984 and have sewn and altered clothes since 1988.
My purpose in writing this blog is to teach you how to sew and alter clothing for fun or profit. While there are many books on the subject, I think most fall short in giving you complete and precise details with photos of each step. Please feel free to leave a comment or question and I’ll respond or answer accordingly.
I have been married 25 years this year to an amazing man. He’s a CFO and an incredible fisherman (used to be a guide) and hunter. We have two awesome daughters ages 21 and 23. The older one graduated from college last year and has a real job in the real world and the younger is in her third year of college with the end in sight.
The only pets we have left are some koi in our pond. I have seven brothers and no sisters, but alot of great sisters-in-law. That’s about it in a nutshell.
Enjoy this site. I welcome your feedback.
I think the first one got deleted and errored out.
I am proud of you!
What a nice story.. Your sight is very helpful.. Thank you very much!
Hi. just found your blog. Love your family story. Love your links: lovedare, compassion. Very similar to our passions.
We purchased our first serger and will be sewing a dozen or so long ballet skirts for money and want to know how to sew in the elastic with the serger. We do not have the so-called elastic attachment and want to avoid bulky casing. We’re looking something like one found on a slip or bathing suit skirt. We’ve already read several tutorials but none seem to produce the sewn on look that we have seen. Our serger instruction book is lacking.
Thank you!
Hi Marcella,
Glad you found and like the site!
To answer your question about the elastic. Serging elastic without the elastic attachment can be a little tricky, but hopefully, this tip will help. First, do you have a cover stitch capability on your serger? I’ll explain that later in this answer. Divide your skirt into fourths. (I use the center back seam or the two side seams to get me started.) I put a pin at each quarter mark. Then, take the waist measurement minus 4″ and cut your elastic to that measurement. Shape this length into a circle and stitch the ends together forming a circle of elastic. Divide this elastic into fourths and mark each spot with a pin. Now pin the skirt marks to the corresponding elastic marks and pin these two layers together at those spots. Does that make sense? Once you have pinned them, you’ll notice that there is more skirt than elastic between the pins. That is exactly what you want because you are going to stretch the elastic as you sew. So, once you begin to serge (or sew), pull the elastic tight so that the elastic and skirt lay flat. Serge (at the edge of the elastic and skirt) to the next pin pulling the pin out before you get there, but don’t let the elastic go slack while you’re serging. Now, fold your waistband over hiding the elastic in the waistband. (You may have different instructions for your waistband. If so, let me know and I’ll adjust my instructions to you.) Do you want more rows of stitching (serging) along the waistband? If so, this is where a cover stitch would work. Otherwise, what you have done, is all you can do with a regular serger. If you don’t have a cover stitch and you want more lines on your waistband, you’ll need to use a sewing machine and stitch more lines every 1/4″ apart (or whatever distance you desire.) Just make sure you are pulling the elastic tight as you stitch.
Hope that helps! If not, ask me some more questions so I can be of more help.
Thanks,
Linda
Hi Linda,
I too was taught how to sew by my dad. He took a Vogue pattern for a safari jacket and showed me that if I would just follow the directions to the letter, then I too could sew anything. He did not know how to sew at the time but did a fantastic job on the jacket. He just wanted to prove to (and encourage) me that it could be done.
I stopped sewing for a while but have recently started doing alterations in my home-based business so that I can homeschool my youngest son.
Sewing certainly is rewarding and a lot of hard work. I am glad that I found your website and I look forward to reading more and hopefully contributing as well.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Linda,
Do you belong to any sewing organizations like American Sewing Guild, which I am joining today, or American Sewing & Design Professionals? I think they are great for networking and sharing sewing information.