Show us your sewing projects!

[rayra]

Another project was building a custom center console from scratch for my Suburban, to hold a CB and HAM radio. I did a bit of mediocre upholstery work on that.

Details here

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ling-and-heavy-gage-power-lines-under-vehicle

 

[Guster]

The bit above about holding purses reminds me of one of the more amusing aspects of sewing. It's walking into a fabric or craft store for something and surprising the sales staff again and again by knowing what I'm after and where it is located in the store. They look at you like you are an alien. Or an invader. I take extra delight in dragging my knuckles as much as possible on such visits. Really confuses people. 'No, I'm not looking for my wife, I'm looking for some canvas duck cloth in a green shade.' was a favorite. Then there was the time I went in around halloween with some very specific fabrics in mind, had the bolts under my arm and was standing at the wall of zippers and buttons, looking for something particular. The staff were actually whispering about me.

LOL... that is it right there. When it comes to the craft and fabric stores I am always being 'managed' by some older lady that tries to contradict me. My wife thinks it is hilarious. Even had one so much as tell me I am wasting my time, indicating the door as I must have ulterior motives to be in her store. At the same time my wife came in after finishing up at the shop next door and the whole scene and perception about me changed. People are fascinating!

The best part is when you get to the till with a collection of things that has no known reason in the universe to be bought together and watch their faces as they try and figure it out.

Luckily we also have some great canvas/upholstery stores and the guys there know me very well. They know when I come in I know what I want and how much I want. They will get it for me if they are out of stock as I will pick up anything they order for me right away. How it should be.

...

Also right about sewing ripstops. It is slippery but at least it is dimensionally stable. I would sew ripstop all day compared to working with t-shirt fabrics or satins. I have sewn and repaired a lot of parafoils where you can have different compound curved seams on both sides being sewn together. One good trick is I was shown to keep a damp cloth or something nearby and just moisten the ripstop a bit between layers to make them less slippery.

 

[Damian_74]

New seat on Gran's old Singer.

 

[nine4gmc]

That came out like new, great job!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[Damian_74]

That came out like new, great job!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

Careful photo taking hides the defects - but as the bike is for the bush and there is every chance that it will be torn, so more than good enough.

The main reason for the re-trim is that I shortened the seat (and built a custom subframe) to drop some weight and qualify for discounted single seat registration.

Also added a GEL insert for my delicate ***!

 

[jar944]

I went on a Craigslist sewing machine buying spree exactly two years ago. I ended up with three walking foot machines (juki 563, singer 111g156 and a consew 226r) then for good measure I picked up a singer 212w140 double needle, and Pfaff 138 zigzag. Fortunately they were cheap since in those two years since all I've made are some hammocks for myself and some curtains for my wife.

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice assortment jar944!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[Leadfot]

Wow. I got a Windows 3.11 or Windows 95 flashback from my teen years when i see thos pillows. Cant find a Google image as referance. Thanks for the good old memories flashback.

 

[mtwaterguy]

I started upholstering in 1972 when I went to work in our family business. 5 year apprenticeship with a real European craftsman. At that time we had 5-6 full time upholsterers and 1 seamstress. I learned to sew from her during my free time. Later, as I took on more of the day to day responsibilities, I started doing fill in sewing as needed. When our seamstress retired I did the sewing for a couple of years. When my Dad retired and I took over the operation I hired a seamstress but still filled in during busy times. When I retired in 2001, I kept the business and brought it with me when I moved to Montana. Now days I only work for friends and occasionally my own projects. My machine of choice is a Consew with walking foot and reverse.

 

[Lee Celtic]

Ran my own Upholstery business for 16 years and my weapon of choice is the Pfaff 145 machine.. still use it now and again mainly for Bike seats I do for a local custom shop..

https://scontent-lhr3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/40311_153435794672875_7510682_n.jpg?oh=9ce44e7365a6efe484e8d1a5383c8193&oe=57FAE9CE

I made the seat from the base up. Welsh dragon on the riders seat and a Celtic knot on the pillion pad.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/44386_153233071359814_1890024_n.jpg?oh=db559d748c5bb3cd938e5195ea4339d7&oe=57F460B7

And a Blue flame job on a mini trike built from a moped and go cart for the owners son..

 

[goingtoarizona]

Nice thread and projects. I've done a little sewing by hand as neccesary. My wife has a sewing machine but I haven;t seen her use it in 23 years, so we don't know if she knows how to use it. I can probably figure it out, but haven't spent the time. I sew al my work clothes' repairs as the wife will nverget to it.

My mom and grandma both sewed. When I visited my grandma last, she darned several pairs of my socks that were getting thin in the heel. Awesome woman, miss her lots!

 

[Bob Heine]

When I visited my grandma last, she darned several pairs of my socks that were getting thin in the heel. Awesome woman, miss her lots!

I rarely hear of socks being darned anymore. My grandmother darned every pair of socks my grandfather owned. She reinforced the toes and heels as soon as he wore them once (and were freshly scrubbed on a washboard in the kitchen sink). He wore socks that were decades old but looked new (no elastic so held up with garters).

 

[FANTM58]

OK here are a few projects ive done. 1st attemp was the seat for the Honda Odyssey.
then after a few classes at the local trade school on the weeknds, I re stitched my sons
interior on his 70 Camaro.
I purchased a used PFAFF 585 on CL, great walking foot machine!!

 

[bczygan]

Winter is coming soon, so I stopped by JoAnn Fabrics and picked up 4 yards of some navy blue fleece on sale for $2.99/YD. Enough to make 6 nice warm pillowcases. Julie just bought herself (Translation, ME!), a new machine.

Used this YouTube video:

First one off the machine:

Nice and warm and cozy!

If you decide to make some for yourself, don't forget to use a zig-zag stitch, as fleece is kind of stretchy.

Bill

Let's see yours.

 

[nine4gmc]

Bill, That's awesome!

 

[Brian_WK]

Wow. I got a Windows 3.11 or Windows 95 flashback from my teen years when i see thos pillows. Cant find a Google image as referance. Thanks for the good old memories flashback.

Houndstooth is the pattern you are looking for.

Brian

 

[bczygan]

Bill, That's awesome!

Then I noticed that the feather tick on our bed was falling out of the cover it was in. The opening at the end of the cover is 50" wide. So I took 5 buttons off a shirt that was too small for me, learned how to use the buttonhole attachment and how to sew buttons on with the machine. Result is 5 buttons keeping the tick in place.

Bill

 

[Keyblazer]

I'm enjoying this thread... no pun intended!
I'm a rookie, but my mother is, and has been a Seamstress for 70+ years, so I have trodden on a few pins in my time!

Here is my rig...
Its a labeled a Cutsew... but I think its a Consew 206rb under that badge.
Walking foot machine.
Got it from a school program, via CL.



It has a servo motor already, which I am told is an upgrade... note, its a Consew motor!



Swapped the stock pulley for a smaller one with hope of slowing it down, but I still struggle with it being too fast.


Just learning by doing a few small projects, but it has no problem punching thru thick Veggie tanned leather on this test piece!



Or Plastic



This was my first Auto Project... leather shift boot with contrasting stitching to match the interior on my recently sold Alfa.





Then I did a E-Brake boot to match.





Even did a matching edge stitch on the Carpet.


Seating was a kit, but next time, I will take a shot at it!

 

[nine4gmc]

Great job Keyblazer!

Great job with the button Bill!

Thanks for posting guys!

 

[Keyblazer]

Thanks..
I am pretty fearless(or foolish), and will try anything...
Here is the spare Steering wheel off my Airstream Motorhome that I decided to re-trim as a test piece...
I had unbelievably found a NOS wheel, so I had the old one to mess with, and learn from... did I mention I have never done trimming before?

So, test piece, before..
Sunbaked, dry and split.



Decided to take a shot at it with some scrap leather I had to hand as a practice.

I stripped off the old leather and took pics and made notes..




Polished the spokes, then sprayed clear on them..


Using the old cover, I decided to go all out and do a 2 tone...
I stitched the colors together, but later learned I need to "Skive" or thin the leather on the fold over/joint to stop it showing a bump..
Then used the machine to punch holes for the lacing/stitching..



Rough assembled..




Then I began...
I need to work on consistency, but it is all about practice!
Looked ok...


I stopped here because I proved to myself I could do it, and had learned a lot!

 

[Keyblazer]

So, I am in need of input, because as normal, I bit off a chunk, rather than nibbling at it.

I have just become the owner of 210+sqft of furniture grade 3 to 4 oz leather(4 full skins).
3 skins are Dark Brown, and one is beige/pecan colored.
Price was VERY right...

The plan is to use this leather to re-trim the interior of my old Airstream Motorhome. Dark Brown for bolsters and sides, and the lighter color for contrasting center panels.
Items to be re-trimmed are:
A/ 2x P38 Range Rover seats for driver and passenger.


B/ 1x 3 seat Jack knife sofa(solid backreat, but 3 separated seat cushions).
C/ 2x Dinette seats and backrests(2 base cushions and 2 backrests)


My idea is to take the current leather off the Range Rover seats and use them as patterns... Is that the right way to do it?

I can probably pattern the sofa and Dinette without too much trouble.

Trying to visualize the design,.
No piping... adjoining dark brown panels would be french stitched, like the bolster areas

Was thinking about diamond quilting the center panels... as I am adding some Aluminum quilting to the kitchen... maybe too much?

Thoughts, ideas, advice?

 

[Outlawmws]

That's good progress KB!

 

[nine4gmc]

Take one of the range rover seats cover completely off and leave the other one on the seat, use the one you took off as a pattern and the one that's on the seat as a reference of where each panel should go and fit. They are usually mirror opposites so you will have to flip the pattern over for one set of covers.

 

[gtabasso]

A man who can sew is ****! When I was 25, my boyfriend made me a floor-length black velvet long-sleeved gown with silver trim. It was amazing.

 

[Shootinok]

well I'll probably get flamed for it, but what the heck, I'll admit it.
I ruined a good shirt last year dying some leather and decided I needed an apron.
I wanted to learn to sew and this was as good an excuse as any so I hit craigslist.
bought an old cheap machine and made my apron.
Tried to make it manly at least I got the belts from goodwill

 

[FigureItOut]

well I'll probably get flamed for it, but what the heck, I'll admit it.
I ruined a good shirt last year dying some leather and decided I needed an apron.
I wanted to learn to sew and this was as good an excuse as any so I hit craigslist.
bought an old cheap machine and made my apron.
Tried to make it manly at least [emoji14] I got the belts from goodwill

That's cool. I made an apron also and use it all the time. It's a perfect fit of course. I think I posted it, no flaming, ha ha.

 

[Craptain]

well I'll probably get flamed for it, but what the heck, I'll admit it.
I ruined a good shirt last year dying some leather and decided I needed an apron.
I wanted to learn to sew and this was as good an excuse as any so I hit craigslist.
bought an old cheap machine and made my apron.

Why would you get flamed? This is exactly what this thread is about. In case you didn't notice most of the contributors are male and use our sewing machines.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[Keyblazer]

Take one of the range rover seats cover completely off and leave the other one on the seat, use the one you took off as a pattern and the one that's on the seat as a reference of where each panel should go and fit. They are usually mirror opposites so you will have to flip the pattern over for one set of covers.

Awesome info!

Can anyone comment on what type of foot/feet I should have for my machine before I embark on my project?
This is the only one I have...


Also, this speed issue I have...
Watching Youtube of trimmers sewing and their machines crawl along.
Mine is hypersensitive to "throttle"...
Would this style of speed reducer work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Speed-Reduc...440712?hash=item28256ab008:g:Y3QAAOSwcUBYPcTY

 

[nine4gmc]

That looks like a zipper foot, good for getting close to edges. I have heard of people that use that type of foot 90% of the time but I use a standard foot most of the time. Ebay has deals on feet, I have both left and right zipper feet, many sizes of welt feet for sewing piping, edge guide feet etc.

The speed reducer you posted will physically work, it is just a jackshaft that mounts under your table and you'd have a belt go from the motor to the jackshaft and one from the jackshaft to the machine. You could make one a whole lot cheaper or, read below.

Get a better pic of your motor full shot, I think you have a Consew servo clutch motor, not a real servo motor that speed can be adjusted. If it's a clutch motor, you have to "slip" the clutch to sew slow by barely peddling the peddle while the motor hums along slowly. If your motor is NOT adjustable, you may want to find an adjustable servo motor. I have a Sewquiet 6000 like the link below, it is adjustable from 1 stitch per minute up to 3300 or so.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reliable-Co...486465?hash=item210b1ec441:g:ayQAAOSwImRYLb72

 

[Keyblazer]

Ah-Ha!
Yes, the CSM400 is a true servo motor...
400w, 1/2hp.

On looking at the specs I find it has an adjustable speed pot on the motor end.... and I just looked and it was all the way to the H mark

http://www.consew.com/Files/112347/PDF/Motors-ServoCSM550.pdf

 

[Keyblazer]

A man who can sew is ****! When I was 25, my boyfriend made me a floor-length black velvet long-sleeved gown with silver trim. It was amazing.

Which is why one of my first projects was a little travel pouch for my GF's flight headphones... I put a silk liner in this Sow's ear later...

 

[nine4gmc]

Ah-Ha!
Yes, the CSM400 is a true servo motor...
400w, 1/2hp.

On looking at the specs I find it has an adjustable speed pot on the motor end.... and I just looked and it was all the way to the H mark

http://www.consew.com/Files/112347/PDF/Motors-ServoCSM550.pdf

Awesome, you are in business now!

 

[nine4gmc]

Here is the foot I use mostly: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WALKING-REG...589427?hash=item3d2816d2b3:g:Y48AAOSwNRdX-cCJ

and here are lots of other feet that should fit your machine: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=consew+206+foot&_sop=12

 

[nine4gmc]

Shootingok, great job on the apron! Awesome you took it upon yourself to find a sewing machine and learn to use it. Thanks for posting!!

 

[Keyblazer]

I agree, that Apron is sweet!

Thanks for the input, Nine!

I had looked at the different feet, but was not sure on what to buy... and if the feet should be serrated or not.
Looked at Piping/Welt feet too, but just dont know what I should have in the toolbox!
I did buy a couple of sets of different needles, and a new tensioner, and also the spinning thread pickup thingy below the table... mine was badly worn...

 

[Shootinok]

Thanks nine !
I meant for making an apron Craptain

 

[Craptain]

Thanks nine !
I meant for making an apron Craptain

My comment still stands. As you may have noticed ANY project is fair game.
Aprons are protective gear and as such are appropriate for manufacture.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[Capt Chrysler]

well I'll probably get flamed for it, but what the heck, I'll admit it.
I ruined a good shirt last year dying some leather and decided I needed an apron.
I wanted to learn to sew and this was as good an excuse as any so I hit craigslist.
bought an old cheap machine and made my apron.
Tried to make it manly at least I got the belts from goodwill

Heck, I had to take sewing in HS. It was part of a new class called Adult Living.

Capt. Chrysler

 

[ishiboo]

Wish I had this talent! I have a Sailrite Ultrafeed LS1 which is a modified Chinese walking foot machine. I bought with the idea I would be redoing my own boat cushions... nope. Sold that boat and bought a newer one

So far I really just have used it for the occasional nylon strap modification, I keep wanting to sell it but then I don't...

 

[Keyblazer]

Ha...
Talent comes with experience and graft Brother...
My Training Manager, when I was an Apprentice had a phrase..
"A man that never made a mistake, never learned anything!!"
Applies to ladies too...