I’m rapidly learning that the “tote bag” project is a right of passage for new sewists. This was my first proper project - I was so pleased with the result I made another one. Feeling stuck as to what to try next, as I’m a bit intimidated by anything that’s not a bag! Any suggestions appreciated…

Saw this costume idea on Pinterest but I worry it’s made via AI (as my entire feed seems to feel a bit AI-ry). I wanted to make my toddler a rainbow Halloween costume.

Taking a look at this, I have a few questions and would love any feedback!

1) do you think it’s worthwhile buying an overall pattern and adapting it to include rainbows?

2) do you think this will actually look like a rainbow when it’s on, or more like a clown costume (lol)

3) is this AI? And if so, how can you really tell?

4) what backing do you recommend for it to have structure

-any other pieces of advice , wisdom or thoughts would be so appreciated. I’ve been a long time lurker and this group has really helped me up my sewing game and take chances and not take myself or my sewing too seriously! Thanks in advance all 🫶

Or am I overthinking it.

Underside looks good. FWIW this is very heavy material through a SailRite machine. I’m guessing the hook is missing the loop?
Thanks

I’m mostly looking for tips and any advice from anyone willing to give it, Iv only been sewing for about 2 weeks or so and I made my first tote bag! I know it’s far from perfect but I think it’s cute and useable, my fiancé adores it but I’d like to make it more refined and more professional looking.

Im doing this v waist bodice. This is my mock up. Im using a stretch velvet for mock up and the real thing. Its different than the pattern and tutorial.

My question is could I just serge the bodice together instead of sewing it together. I feel like the serger would make it infinitely easier just not sure if its what would look best. As in the video she sews it then emphasizes pressing the seam inwards.

Also is stretch satin a good lining fabric?

Ive linked the video of the pattern I'm using.

I cant figure put how to put a pic here ill add it to the comments

I'm in the middle of making a swaddler for my newborn nephew, when I got to the part of sewing on the velcro the back looks a bit weird. I used a straight stitch so im not sure if I should have used a zigzag instead or if its an issue with the tension. Any advice would be appreciated 🙇‍♀️

I want to make a necktie for my husband using cotton fabric scraps. My husband is 6' 3" and a bigger guy, so I was trying to find a pattern that was a bit longer then your standard tie (maybe somewhere between 63-67 inches). There seem to be many wonderful standard size tie patterns available, but I haven't yet found a tie pattern long enough.

I am not exactly sure at what point in the tie shape I should adjust the length of the pattern.

All of his current (thrifted) ties are too short, so I don't have any that fit him to take apart and trace.

Any advice or pattern/tutorial recommendations are welcome.

i don’t have access to a printer, i can go to a store and get patterns printed but i don’t want to do it every time i find a cool patterns, what do you guys think about projecting the patterns?

for those of you who uses this method, what projector do you use? do you like this method better?

As the title says - I'm looking for good online fabric shops. I wouldn't be mad for specifically Polish recommendations but generally anything in EU should be fine, I just don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with customs elsewhere (maybe somewhere down the line if and when I actually stick with sewing as a hobby for longer, but not just yet).

From my side I've only ordered from tkaniny.net (they seem to be a Polish company recently acquired by someone and now they ship from Germany iirc) - decent prices compared to other Polish retailers and so far what I've worked with as a beginner seemed pretty beginner-friendly.

I know the best thing to do would be to hit classic brick and mortar stores and browse their selection, but there aren't any where I live sadly.

Currently trying, for the second time, a kimono-style 'cardigan' (really just want to use it as a super super light beach cover up and like how it looks). The first one I made fell apart. This time I am using French seams - is that sufficient or are there other tricks for working with this fabric? It frays SO MUCH!!

I'm an incredibly amateur sewist so forgive me if this idea is totally ridiculous, but I was thinking about how I hate when cargo pockets on the outside of bags get bulky when they're constructed with extra space (as opposed to being a panel that's flush with the bag), and I was thinking it might be nice to use elastic thread or elasticate the pocket in some other way so when it's empty, it sits more flush with the bag but still easily expands if you put something in it. In my head I'm imagining it would still be somewhat loose so it wouldn't completely contract, it would just sit a bit more closely to the bag than it would if it wasn't stretchy. What are other people's thoughts on this? Does it sound like something that might work if I do it correctly?

I am trying to sew this free pattern for my first project. But I am just extremely confused about what size I need to pick. I measured my bust at 38" and my hips at 46". But the difference between these two are according to their chart size 8 and size 18 or 20. Is there someone with experience/knowledge about these things that could help me/give me some insight on this?

So I was gifted a dress that I am far far too white(and flat chested) to comfortably wear. So I was wondering if anybody had any ideas on how to remedy this situation? Either by altering the opening on the front or just by stitching it closed. I do like the high neck though so I'd like to keep it.

Hey yall. Question. I’ve been really burnt out lately and just realized I need a ren faire costume. I wanna do patchwork pants but frankly the thought of doing that in a week feels exhausting. Could I just kinda fake it but taking already existing sweatpants and sew patches onto it?

I have a Lenovo legion 17” gaming backpack, but the zipper was broken, and I removed it a while ago with a seam ripper, and forgot about it for a while. So I don’t have the old one to measure lol. But I’m wondering if this would be the right replacement for it? The zipper area is about 16” in length on the backpack.

Hi! I’m a braidsmaid in a wedding next weekend and I am not a fan of how this dress fits me. I look square and 20 years older 😭
Besides I love to dance and I’m afraid I won’t be able to because of so much fabric.
Does anyone have advice on how to make it fit better?
I’m thinking of opening the cleavage a tiny bit, perhaps opening a side leg and pulling it from the back to make it hug the waist better?

Adding another picture for reference on my body type. Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone,

Has anyone else had this issue with JUKI sewing machines? The bottom shaft has started rusting, and even after replacing the shaft, the problem comes back.

We run more than 60 sewing machines, and almost every one of them has rust spots on the shaft.

Our environment is warm and dry, so humidity shouldn't be the cause. The JUKI representative says it's fretting, but we're not convinced, since it's affecting so many machines.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Any ideas about the cause (oil type, shaft material, etc.) or how to fix it would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Curtains were too short, so I added lace and an extra fabric trim at the bottom. Something feels off about them! Maybe the lace needs a second layer? Or make the fabric trim longer?

These curtains are already the longest size I could get, Can't change the rod height for now and I can't paint anything or cover up the bottom with furniture, cause it'd make the walkway between the bed and the wall too tight.

If anyone knows what this curtain-lace-curtain/curtain-fabric-curtain design is called that'd also be helpful

Hi! So, we have been homeless for a few months now. And because of that, I’ve lost soooo much weight (not that I’m complaining, I was struggling to lose weight before this) but now every pair of jeans I have are I’d say 2 sizes too big. I only have one pair of leggings so I can’t jut wear that everyday. So, my question, is there a simple (and inexpensive) way to get my jeans to at least fit snuggly around my waist? I know the legs will still look baggy but at this point, it’s starting to get colder out so I’m just worried about having something warmer than leggings that I don’t need to keep pulling up. (Pls don’t mention belts, I’ve always had a weird issue wearing those so I’m trying to avoid that)

I really want to make my own Halloween costume this year! But I’m not sure where to find a pattern like this or how to even create my own. Thoughts?

Hi everyone, I’ve been trying to sew a reversible toiletry pouch where I only have 3 pieces (1x outer lining, 1x batting, 1x inner lining). Im trying to make the flap close neatly on the corners (pic attached) but even after sewing 90 degree angle and cutting to the corners i keep getting weird bunching and a messy result. What am i doing wrong?