The unmanliest question of the day (Sewing Content)

[ADbassman]

This is probably the last place anybody would look for sewing advice, but I figured I'd give it a shot.

For some strange reason, the thought crossed my mind that I'd attempt to design and create some of my own clothes. I'm led to believe this isn't as easy as it sounds. I know next to nothing about sewing or textiles. Where is a good place to start looking and what sort of advice do you have to offer?


Here's my man card, just so we can get that out of the way.

[James Hart]

I own a sewing machine.
I've made drapes for my Bathroom and Kitchen.
I've done alterations on my wife's and my own cloths.

Sewing isn't hard if you have patience and an eye for detail. Don't cheap out on the machine. For the physical task of sewing... call your local craft shop or community continuing education place.... plus most shops have patterns of varying difficulty. If you have the ability you could just wing it like me with a book or 2 and some practice.

as far as the man card... I've had more than a couple Women let me know that they thought it was hot that I know how to do things Own the situation

[Relic]

practice practice practice...and a boatload of patience because it's very tricky at first to get right.
I do all sorts of living history/reenactments and such. I found that it's far more economical to buy $100 worth of material and make what you would pay $350 to buy. From doing that, I've also learned how to do alterations and such on mine and my kid's everyday clothes. Mrs Relic likes it. Rule #1 - NO man card is ever lost if it gets you "lucky"

[FL Knifemaker]

The Man Card commitee is watching this thread

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

The Man Card commitee is watching this thread

I'm a married guy from Jersey that can break and build things with similar ease... I've got your friggin man card right here buddy

[KsToaDangr]

Originally Posted by Relic

Rule #1 - NO man card is ever lost if it gets you "lucky"

+1 to that. I've been making alterations to my own clothes since I was in high school, and a lot of women have loved that fact. Mostly it started because anytime I would tear a hole in something I was wearing, it was just a lot cheaper to fix it than buy a new one, and since I've been supporting myself since I was 16, money was a big deal back then. Now that I'm a single parent, money is an even bigger deal. Thrift store clothes + a little bit of sewing = good, unique clothing that doesn't break the bank.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by James Hart

I'm a married guy from Jersey that can break and build things with similar ease... I've got your friggin man card right here buddy

Whoaaa!!


I have an air powered sewing machine for leather. After sewing through the bone on my index finger in 3 places, I quit using it. I'd rather pay a pro leather guy that knows what he's doing

[René_Julien]

There is nothing unmanly about making clothes.

My mother was a tailor (srry, english not my first tongue, female tailor is tailoress?? to lazy to look up)
anyway: she taught me everything about making clothes.
And it is useful knowledge.

My father teached me a lot about mechanics.

And I had the luck of getting music & clarinet lessons from a professional clarinetist since I was 9.

I could have made a career of either of the three.
I ended up becoming a mechanic. Even run a motorcycle dealership.

I would've also be happy to go through life as a tailor or professional musician.

My point is: there is nothing unmanly about tailoring.
It is a fine skill... too bad it isn't so useful anymore in modern times.


Sorry I can't help out the OP much. I'm not familiar with the english jargon when it comes to tailoring.

Look around (on the net) and you'll find useful tutorials.
You can do everything if you set your mind to it.
Good luck.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Whoaaa!!


I have an air powered sewing machine for leather. After sewing through the bone on my index finger in 3 places, I quit using it. I'd rather pay a pro leather guy that knows what he's doing

So then the Man Card Commitee is watching less for MC rule violation & more for blood-spurting injury gawking? Approved- carry on.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by bassteban

So then the Man Card Commitee is watching less for MC rule violation & more for blood-spurting injury gawking? Approved- carry on.

Ha!! No blood spurted at all. The waxed thread sealed the holes right up. Digging all the thread out was great fun Actually, there's probably some still inside

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Ha!! No blood spurted at all. The waxed thread sealed the holes right up. Digging all the thread out was great fun Actually, there's probably some still inside

I chuckled.

[Mark Wilson]

Originally Posted by James Hart

I'm a married guy from Jersey that can break and build things with similar ease... I've got your friggin man card right here buddy

LMAO.

[username n/a]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Actually, there's probably some still inside

That's what she said!!!

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Whoaaa!!


I have an air powered sewing machine for leather. After sewing through the bone on my index finger in 3 places, I quit using it. I'd rather pay a pro leather guy that knows what he's doing

I dated a girl that worked in a textile / clothing factory... some of those industrial sewing machines are outright scary!

I'm glad you survived it.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by James Hart

I dated a girl that worked in a textile / clothing factory... some of those industrial sewing machines are outright scary!

I'm glad you survived it.

I've worked with machinery since I was a kid and have been a machinist all my life. Now I work with razor sharp knives on a daily basis. That was the worst accident I have had!! Sewing machines and farm machinery scare me!!!

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Sewing machines and farm machinery scare me!!!

+1 I worked Dairy for a summer and have thrown hay bales more seasons in my youth than I wish on anyone!

[MakiSupaStar]

Whoa, what have I stumbled upon here? [Backing away slowly]

[Fontaine]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

The Man Card commitee is watching this thread

and is not impressed.

[Pilgrim]

Hey, every guy should know how to:

- Sew on buttons and mend small tears
- Iron a shirt
- Iron a pair of slacks

Those are not gender-specific activities. I personally don't have enough sewing skills to make anything wearable, but I respect those who do.

[Arsenal_Fierce]

Originally Posted by James Hart

Sewing isn't hard if you have patience and an eye for detail. Don't cheap out on the machine. For the physical task of sewing... call your local craft shop or community continuing education place.... plus most shops have patterns of varying difficulty. If you have the ability you could just wing it like me with a book or 2 and some practice.

+1. See if there are any intro sewing classes available. I learned by taking clothing classes back in high school (and yes, there were guys in those classes too). If you learn how to use sewing patterns, you can start out with the easier ones like Butterick's See and Sew or Simplicity's Sewing for Dummies. Most patterns list the difficulty on the envelope, so you can work your way up as you get the hang of them.

As far as books, I swear by Vogue Sewing (I actually have an older edition). I also have How To Make Sewing Patterns, which looks very informative based on some preliminary flip-throughs (I wanted it based on all the positive reviews), but I haven't actually used it yet.