Any (hobby)tailors on board?

[alice24]

Some questions for you

• are there resources for patterns of the 20´s and early 30´s, especially for beadwork/trimming etc.?
• do you work with an overlock machine? Was it worth its money?

Before the CAF renovation, I remember a huge number of art&craft groups here, so maybe I will have luck with this questions …

 

[pianistclare]

@Xanthippe_Voorhees

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

@pianistclare Here to serve

You mention beadwork and trimming. Are you looking for clothing or for adornment work (pillowcase tatting, tablecloths, etc)

Yes.

I just got a (used) serger. I don’t think you have Craig’s list in Germany, but you must have buy used sites.

Do you understand the difference between traditional sewing machines and overlocks? Their functions are quite different and you need both for many projects.

Overlock/serger are for seams that you want to be incredibly secure and are otherwise difficult to manage. Furniture coverings, clothing (especially stretchy material/knits) and anything where a raw edge is preferable to a seam or rolled hem—like a purse or a fleece blanket. For instance, I used my serger to make reusable present bags. A small, well concealed raw edge is far more preferable than a bulky rollover hem.

That said, sergers are tricky and can be a bit dangerous because of the blade, all the treads and the general “action” of the machine.

A traditional sewing machine will still be needed for small seams, as on patchwork…and for finishing tucks on large pieces.

I also have an embroidery machine which I LOVE TO DEATH. By far the favorite of my 4 sewing devices and the only one that I coughed up more than $80 for. ( I have a Citra 1970 Kenmore sewing machine I got for free on the side of the road, a 2010ish singer serger that I got for $60 used, a cheap and portable Brother straight sew with 20 stitches, and my $350 (refurb) Brother embroidery machine. The Kenmore has been retired since I don’t often need a non-surge heavy-duty machine but the other 3 are in constant use.

I’m going to go off on a tangent and gush about the embroidery machine since you asked about trimming. You can do lacework on embroidery machines and it comes out SOOO amazing. As if it was done by a fine crafter. You can inscribe words on anything. I actually keep a set of nice washcloths and pillowcases aside for emergency gifting. A few pushes of the buttons and I can put a logo/picture, a name/monogram or message and any kind of border and have a gift that looks like a million dollars.

 

[alice24]

Oh thank you very much, this is helpful!

-to the beadwork: I search mainly instructions and patterns for clothing, like sheer over-fabrics of flapper dresses or (bridal) mantilla trims.

I know the differences in function, but I´ve worked on many projects in the last years only with my “normal” sewing machine, which is now finally dead and I´m thinking of buying a) an overlock machine and an ordinary sewing machine, or b) a combinated machine.
I´ve read online that many people seem to own those 2-in1 machines and still not use the overlock machine for “only” sewing without cutting, and I wonder if this is caused by a more complicated use or less space for arms and fabric (the machines look a way smaller and a bit narrow to use for me).
I never needed one, as I made mainly historical clothing completely by hand or non-elastic heavy coats and dresses that had a trim on its ends. Now I need to make a bridal gown for a friend and the purchase seems useful as I don´t see myself doing this all by my hands (bad, bad memories coming up to my mind )
Now I saw an used overlock machine on ebay (not a high end model, a beginner machine) for, I think in Dollar ca 80$, and thought of buying it. Not sure if those cheaper machines are useful for more than hobby use, as I have to work with it in the next weeks daily.
An embroidery machine is a far, sweet dream If I will find one for a really good price I will go for it, but unfortunately I found only used brothers for at least 600. Does yours have an USB port for free designed patterns?
(Now I´m watcing embroidery machine youtube videos. Bad decision.)

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Oh thank you very much, this is helpful!

-to the beadwork: I search mainly instructions and patterns for clothing, like sheer over-fabrics of flapper dresses or (bridal) mantilla trims.

I know the differences in function, but I´ve worked on many projects in the last years only with my “normal” sewing machine, which is now finally dead and I´m thinking of buying a) an overlock machine and an ordinary sewing machine, or b) a combinated machine.
I´ve read online that many people seem to own those 2-in1 machines and still not use the overlock machine for “only” sewing without cutting, and I wonder if this is caused by a more complicated use or less space for arms and fabric (the machines look a way smaller and a bit narrow to use for me).
I never needed one, as I made mainly historical clothing completely by hand or non-elastic heavy coats and dresses that had a trim on its ends. Now I need to make a bridal gown for a friend and the purchase seems useful as I don´t see myself doing this all by my hands (bad, bad memories coming up to my mind )
Now I saw an used overlock machine on ebay (not a high end model, a beginner machine) for, I think in Dollar ca 80$, and thought of buying it. Not sure if those cheaper machines are useful for more than hobby use, as I have to work with it in the next weeks daily.
An embroidery machine is a far, sweet dream If I will find one for a really good price I will go for it, but unfortunately I found only used brothers for at least 600. Does yours have an USB port for free designed patterns?
(Now I´m watcing embroidery machine youtube videos. Bad decision.)

There are websites dedicated to vintage McCalls patterns. They would be a great go-to for that sort of thing.

Yeah, don’t do 2 in 1’s. It’s asking for trouble.

You’re better off getting a used overlock and a used or cheap light sewing machine. I do not recommend trying to go without one…the overlocks are just not created for some of the finer work it sounds like you will need. That said, it sounds like you will benefit tremendously from an overlock. Since it would be doing the “heavy lifting” a cheap straight stitcher with even a half dozen stitches would be more than enough.

I have a Brother PE 770. Watch Ebay. There are quite a few stores that will “save up” get a few dozen machines, referb them all and then sell them at a steep discount. That’s how I got mine for $350. I think I watched for about 3 months or so?

Mine does have a USB port. I actually found the PE design software (about 4 versions behind, but still hundreds retail) at the library. There are relatively low cost (under $50) alternatives that people have made for designing your own stuff. And tons of free and cheap patterns online.

 

[alice24]

Thanks alot for this advice. I found an overlock machine from medion (model nr. 16600 -maybe you know it?) and a cheap but good sewing machine. I should go for both for ca 200 $. I´m watching an embroidery machine from brother for 275 (model Brother ACe I u. E) and will wait until the bride decides on the details for her dress - If it´s useful I think of buying it. I will use it in the next years more as I plan to do more sewing jobs.
I checked out Mc Calls but they are - at my last checkout - very limited with 20´s and early 30´s, but great for victorian and 50´s stuff, but thank you. Maybe the sites were not that good (not an official site, but general pattern shops).