Comments for Sew for dough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com Teaching you to sew for fun or profit Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:24:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Putting Bustles On Your Wedding Gown by sewfordough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/bustles-for-your-wedding-gown/#comment-197 sewfordough Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:24:12 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1049#comment-197 You're going to be surprised by my answer, but the simplest thing to do (and maybe the only thing), when there isn't any seam, is to pull the train up underneath after the ceremony and use safety pins to keep it in place! This may make some small holes in the dress, though, so you may want to use some other fastener. The only other option is an overbustle, but that will only work if you have something like a button or hook at the back waist area to hook it to. You can add one if it would look good. If there isn't any lace or appliques or anything to hide that button or hook, that button/hook may stand out like a sore thumb. What does your dress look like in the back? If you wouldn't mind sending me a photo, I could give you a better idea. Hope this helps, Linda You’re going to be surprised by my answer, but the simplest thing to do (and maybe the only thing), when there isn’t any seam, is to pull the train up underneath after the ceremony and use safety pins to keep it in place! This may make some small holes in the dress, though, so you may want to use some other fastener.

The only other option is an overbustle, but that will only work if you have something like a button or hook at the back waist area to hook it to. You can add one if it would look good. If there isn’t any lace or appliques or anything to hide that button or hook, that button/hook may stand out like a sore thumb. What does your dress look like in the back? If you wouldn’t mind sending me a photo, I could give you a better idea.

Hope this helps,
Linda

]]> Comment on Taking In A Dress That’s 5 Sizes Too Big by sewfordough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/taking-in-a-dress-thats-5-sizes-too-big/#comment-196 sewfordough Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:20:34 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1450#comment-196 Hi Michelle, Thank you for your nice comments. Actually, I don't consider myself pro, more like stupid in this case!!! That is my New Year's resolution...to be more smart about what I take in to alter! I am so glad you didn't have any stressful projects this year. And I'm so impressed you got your gifts made early. What did you make? That's a great resolution about excercising. I need to do that too. Hope you have a great day! Linda Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your nice comments. Actually, I don’t consider myself pro, more like stupid in this case!!! That is my New Year’s resolution…to be more smart about what I take in to alter! I am so glad you didn’t have any stressful projects this year. And I’m so impressed you got your gifts made early. What did you make?

That’s a great resolution about excercising. I need to do that too.

Hope you have a great day!
Linda

]]> Comment on Taking In A Dress That’s 5 Sizes Too Big by michelle http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/taking-in-a-dress-thats-5-sizes-too-big/#comment-195 michelle Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:15:00 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1450#comment-195 Wow, that is quite an accomplishment! I've never altered any garment that much. :) But, you're the pro and I'm the novice. I did not have any stressful projects this year (unlike past years). I managed to get gifts done early. Main New Year's resolution: exercise more. Wow, that is quite an accomplishment! I’ve never altered any garment that much. :) But, you’re the pro and I’m the novice.

I did not have any stressful projects this year (unlike past years). I managed to get gifts done early.

Main New Year’s resolution: exercise more.

]]> Comment on Putting Bustles On Your Wedding Gown by Liz Graves http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/bustles-for-your-wedding-gown/#comment-194 Liz Graves Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:12:48 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1049#comment-194 Linda, I'm trying to come up with a bustle for a train that does not have any seams in it. Do you have any suggestions! Thanks Linda,
I’m trying to come up with a bustle for a train that does not have any seams in it. Do you have any suggestions! Thanks

]]> Comment on How to Hem Without Puckers…For Flared and Tapered Pants by sewfordough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/how-to-hem-without-puckers-for-flared-and-tapered-pants/#comment-192 sewfordough Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:14:34 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=264#comment-192 Wow, congratulations! You did alot of work on those pants! Glad it worked so well. Wow, congratulations! You did alot of work on those pants! Glad it worked so well.

]]> Comment on How to Hem Without Puckers…For Flared and Tapered Pants by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/how-to-hem-without-puckers-for-flared-and-tapered-pants/#comment-191 Linda M Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:11:55 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=264#comment-191 I just tried your technique and turned my pegged leg pants into cuffed capris. This method worked great! Thanks for sharing. I just tried your technique and turned my pegged leg pants into cuffed capris. This method worked great! Thanks for sharing.

]]> Comment on My Sewing Room by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/my-sewing-room/#comment-190 Linda M Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:27:47 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1187#comment-190 You have a great looking sewing room. Does it always look that neat or is that just for pictures? :-) Is your sewing room setup for production so that you can produce items quickly? Is that an "L" shape? I am looking for your iron and cutting area? You have a great looking sewing room. Does it always look that neat or is that just for pictures? :-)

Is your sewing room setup for production so that you can produce items quickly? Is that an “L” shape? I am looking for your iron and cutting area?

]]> Comment on About by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/about/#comment-189 Linda M Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:13:13 +0000 #comment-189 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. 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.

]]> Comment on How To Mark Your Pants For Hemming…One Method by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/how-to-mark-your-pants-for-hemming-one-method/#comment-188 Linda M Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:09:40 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1410#comment-188 Hi Linda, Thanks for the tip. I need that stool! I already have hem marker. This is a great tool especially for hemming skirts because it allows you to mark the hem perpendicular to the floor. Again, thanks. Hi Linda,

Thanks for the tip. I need that stool! I already have hem marker. This is a great tool especially for hemming skirts because it allows you to mark the hem perpendicular to the floor.

Again, thanks.

]]> Comment on Shortening Long Sleeves by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/raising-sleeves-on-a-shirt/#comment-187 Linda M Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:14:25 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1163#comment-187 Shortening cuffed sleeves on a jacket or shirt is one of my favorite alterations because it's quick. I agree that you do need a guide in order to re-attach the cuff, however, I mark with chalk instead of hand-basting; that makes this alteration even faster. Did I tell you that I just love your blog? There's really not much out there on this treasured skill. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I hope it pays off for you. Shortening cuffed sleeves on a jacket or shirt is one of my favorite alterations because it’s quick. I agree that you do need a guide in order to re-attach the cuff, however, I mark with chalk instead of hand-basting; that makes this alteration even faster.

Did I tell you that I just love your blog? There’s really not much out there on this treasured skill. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I hope it pays off for you.

]]> Comment on How To Choose a Sewing Machine by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/how-to-choose-a-sewing-machine/#comment-186 Linda M Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:52:15 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=255#comment-186 I have only heard great things about Bernina and I wish I could own one but I opted out for a New Home (Janome) almost 20 years ago. Can't remember having any trouble with it except when I tried to use really thick thread to sew jeans once. I did not realize at the time that home machines are not designed to handle thick threads. The shaft, I am told, is too small. I also have a Janome 1600P which works quite well for the biz because it can handle any weight of fabric but it does not zigzag. It is a quilter's machine and the size is appropriate for home use and it stitches at least 1200 stiches/min but I don't sew that fast--yet. Don't think I would recommend it for industrial use. I have only heard great things about Bernina and I wish I could own one but I opted out for a New Home (Janome) almost 20 years ago. Can’t remember having any trouble with it except when I tried to use really thick thread to sew jeans once. I did not realize at the time that home machines are not designed to handle thick threads. The shaft, I am told, is too small.

I also have a Janome 1600P which works quite well for the biz because it can handle any weight of fabric but it does not zigzag. It is a quilter’s machine and the size is appropriate for home use and it stitches at least 1200 stiches/min but I don’t sew that fast–yet. Don’t think I would recommend it for industrial use.

]]> Comment on Mending a bed sheet by worderss http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/mending-a-bed-sheet/#comment-185 worderss Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:44:13 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=98#comment-185 Very great products & designs . As they said healthy clothes are cotton made . Long time & safe using for old and children men or women http://cottonnthings.ecrater.com Very great products & designs .
As they said healthy clothes are cotton made .
Long time & safe using for old and children men or women

http://cottonnthings.ecrater.com

]]> Comment on Pricing Strategies For Alterations by sewfordough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/pricing-strategies-for-alterations/#comment-184 sewfordough Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:14:42 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=520#comment-184 You're right on...stay competetive with your area! Don't think that because you work from home that you should charge less. Your customers are paying for quality of workmanship, not where your location is (unless all your customers have to drive out in the country 25 miles or something!) Different hems take different amounts of time, so maybe your best strategy is to, again, price your hems according to what others charge in your area. Hope that helps. You’re right on…stay competetive with your area! Don’t think that because you work from home that you should charge less. Your customers are paying for quality of workmanship, not where your location is (unless all your customers have to drive out in the country 25 miles or something!)
Different hems take different amounts of time, so maybe your best strategy is to, again, price your hems according to what others charge in your area.
Hope that helps.

]]> Comment on Pricing Strategies For Alterations by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/pricing-strategies-for-alterations/#comment-183 Linda M Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:00:35 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=520#comment-183 Pricing has been one of the toughest issues I have had to deal with since starting my business over a year ago. I purchased a book by Barbara Sykes called "Pricing Without Fear" and that helped me a great deal. Mostly, I try to stay competitive by pricing what other sewing businesses are doing in this area. However, what took some of the fear out was my decision to offer the best job I could do for the customer. I still need to pickup some speed, however, I won't be the lowest in town, either. In my area, a pair of pants cost from $8 to $12. I charge $10 and sometimes I pickup and deliver. I still think I am undercharging. How long should it take to hem a basic pair of pants? It takes me about 1/2 hour from initial preparation to finishing the details. Another issue that bothers me sometimes is that I work out of my home studio. I thought I should charge less since I work from home. Should I charge the same price as someone in a shop for the same quality? Pricing has been one of the toughest issues I have had to deal with since starting my business over a year ago. I purchased a book by Barbara Sykes called “Pricing Without Fear” and that helped me a great deal. Mostly, I try to stay competitive by pricing what other sewing businesses are doing in this area. However, what took some of the fear out was my decision to offer the best job I could do for the customer. I still need to pickup some speed, however, I won’t be the lowest in town, either. In my area, a pair of pants cost from $8 to $12. I charge $10 and sometimes I pickup and deliver. I still think I am undercharging. How long should it take to hem a basic pair of pants? It takes me about 1/2 hour from initial preparation to finishing the details.

Another issue that bothers me sometimes is that I work out of my home studio. I thought I should charge less since I work from home. Should I charge the same price as someone in a shop for the same quality?

]]> Comment on Hem Your Jeans the Professional Way by sewfordough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/hem-your-jeans-the-professional-way/#comment-182 sewfordough Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:48:33 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-182 Oh, hey, why didn't I think of that? That's totally a great tip and free! Oh, hey, why didn’t I think of that? That’s totally a great tip and free!

]]> Comment on Basic Skills by sewfordough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/basic-skills/#comment-181 sewfordough Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:41:45 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?page_id=26#comment-181 Hey, that's awesome! The timing with the ornaments couldn't be better. What a great thing you are doing by teaching and making a big difference in the lives of those kids (and adult!) Hey, that’s awesome! The timing with the ornaments couldn’t be better. What a great thing you are doing by teaching and making a big difference in the lives of those kids (and adult!)

]]> Comment on Basic Skills by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/basic-skills/#comment-180 Linda M Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:08:47 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?page_id=26#comment-180 Our sewing class was great last week. We made the ornaments and the kids loved it because it gave them a sense of accomplishment along with a pretty neat gift. We even had one adult who was impressed that she was able to sew something cute. Hats off to Sewing Machine Fun #1. Our sewing class was great last week. We made the ornaments and the kids loved it because it gave them a sense of accomplishment along with a pretty neat gift. We even had one adult who was impressed that she was able to sew something cute. Hats off to Sewing Machine Fun #1.

]]> Comment on Hem Your Jeans the Professional Way by Linda M http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/hem-your-jeans-the-professional-way/#comment-179 Linda M Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:05:01 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-179 To go over the bumps of the side seam, I take a small strip of the jean fabric remnant, fold it a couple of times, and place it behind the presser foot. Then I can continue to sew smoothly over the bump. I learned this trick from my sewing machine dealer. To go over the bumps of the side seam, I take a small strip of the jean fabric remnant, fold it a couple of times, and place it behind the presser foot. Then I can continue to sew smoothly over the bump. I learned this trick from my sewing machine dealer.

]]> Comment on How To Mark Your Hems..Another Method by Beverly http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/how-to-mark-your-hems-another-method/#comment-178 Beverly Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:38:57 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1416#comment-178 I have one of these and it is super old!!! I am going to have to drag it out, but the bulb is probably decayed....LOL. Linda-I hope you and your family have blessed Christmas. Bev I have one of these and it is super old!!! I am going to have to drag it out, but the bulb is probably decayed….LOL.

Linda-I hope you and your family have blessed Christmas.

Bev

]]> Comment on How To Mark Your Hems..Another Method by sewfordough http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/how-to-mark-your-hems-another-method/#comment-177 sewfordough Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:01:35 +0000 http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/?p=1416#comment-177 Glad to have you back! Are you working on a sewing project now? Making anything for Christmas? Glad to have you back! Are you working on a sewing project now? Making anything for Christmas?

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