OT: High cost of sewing: UPDATE!

[moderator]

Skittl, Could you do hand-quilting, or knot quilting? Those are both maybe more casual than you want. That's probably what I will do since mine is a casual design.

(Yes, sorry for going OT! [img]redface.gif[/img] )

[dianasmama]

hey no problem going OT to talk about quilts! I'm also a quilter and for quite awhile I thought about getting a long arm machine or at least some of the cheaper models. I'm glad I didn't now, our new house wouldn't be big enough to put it in place.

I have all the fabric actually to make Diana a very beautiful bug and flower type quilt, but since I'll need it to be full size, I also don't want to try and push it through my machine. A trick would be to do it in pieces, quilt larger squares, and then put them together wrong sides together, leaving a raw edge on the front that you can clip and let it fray. It wouldn't work on a very fancy style quilt, but if it was more casual or fun, it would look quite cute. I've done a raw edge Dresden plate which is really neat and took at blue ribbon at a local quilt show. I really love to quilt, or let me say, buy the fabric, cut and piece. Just not the actual quilting part. I couldn't tell you how many finished quilt tops I have laying around waiting to be layered and quilted. By then, I've had my fun and ready to move onto something else.

At some point, I really need to finish my project and make an album of all my quilts. Just last night I packed up my "Diana" quilt. It's a pixel image quilt done from her 3 year old Christmas pic. I took a class where the lady took my picture and did a pixel image on her computer that was 50 x 71 pixels. I think it involved 40 colors, thus 40 different patterns of fabric, and all sewed down to 1" squares. The entire quilt top is pieced and I've started to quilt it, but of course, never finished it. You have to stand back and view it from a distance, but you can clearly see that it's her. That one really should be on my top of my list to finish projects after we get settled in.

Quilting is very expensive. Another reason why when I look at the quilts that PB or other places sell and they want $150 or more, I know they are worth it.

Ok, so you all are talking me into getting the sheers afterall! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Laurie

[moderator]

Laurie, the "Diana" quilt sounds so neat! Please share photos when/if you finish that project! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Yesterday/today I lucked out--my mom bought too much fabric (two kinds) for a project, and I was able to squeeze two My Twinn Cuddly doll dresses and a pair of bloomers out of the extra material. I love it when stuff like that happens! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[dollie45]

I have really enjoyed reading everyone's messages on the sheers plus the quilting and sewing. I love to sew and make pieced quilt tops. The quilts are what promted my interst in American Girl Dolls. I thought it would be neat to have a historical doll to display with one of my quilts and after searching the internet, I purchased Felicity. It has been the neatest purchase any grandmother could make and I have not regretted it one bit.I do so love these dolls and enjoy this message board. You girls have some really neat ideas and thoughts to share. Back to the original topic, I say purchase the sheers. You won't regret it.
Carol

[dornroeschen]

Yes, sewing nowadays is for the simple pleasure of sewing and to have a unique piece of clothing or decoration. By the time you buy the fabric, thread, buttons, zip and whatever else you need, it costs much more than if you go to a shop and buy the finished product - unless it's some Haute Couture/Designer piece.

When I went to Fashion College at the age of 14 the main reason apart of my dream of becoming a costume designer (for theater or film) to sew clothes for myself as at that time I was already 5'11" and clothes that weren't too short were almost impossible to find. My mum also thought it's a good idea if bad times come, people will need clothes, you can sew from home and can make a little money on the side. Well, luckily so far the bad times haven't come. Clothes are now cut even with taller people in mind and in fact the prices on garments have dropped dramatically unless you prefer certain labels or special designers.

Time is also a major factor when it comes to sewing. I really only sew nowadays when I want something really special be it in clothing or curtains. Then I don't look for the 'I can make it cheaper'-factor but the uniqueness of the piece. Like some of you, I've bought the fabrics, I've got the plans to make things, but they're still just plans.

Just the other day my sister and I were talking about how it's all changed with sewing. When we were both still at college, there were so many fabric stores in Vienna too. We had a nice choice, now there are hardly any. The same with haberdashery stores.

Laurie, your story about the Christening gowns reminds me of my little black dress I made for some Award/Fashion show my old company hosted together with some Austrian Woman's magazine. I bought the black velvet for hardly any money, but each of the strass buttons cost a fortune. However, it looked great!

If you really like these sheers - I think they're really cute and I would go for them right away - get them! As you said before, you won't be able to make them cheaper than what they are if you add up all the bits and pieces you need plus the most expensive part: your time!

Regarding all the quilters here: I find it amazing how you have the patience to do hand quilting, or how to get them into your machines and make the most amazing stitches there too. I've been dreaming of making my own quilts but I guess I will just have a patchwork plaid instead. While at Cape Cod we came across this Amish Quilt store and had a look around. Every single one of them was so beautiful, and considering they are handmade - don't know if they use mechanical sewing machines - I thought they were worth every single penny or rather cent.

[dianasmama]

Well Ladies, just wanted to let you all know that after this thread, I took your advise and just bought the two panels of sheers that I wanted!

Yesterday, I stopped in PBKids again, just to see if anything was on sale....you guessed it... those same sheers were now $20 off each panel. I had my original receipt with me, but they only give price adjustments within two weeks, so I had to re-buy and then return, but for $40 it was worth it. Actually, the clerk did it all in the same transaction because I told her I live 50 minutes away and had the original receipt right there. At first she rolled her eyes, but I told her...all I have to do is walk out the door and walk back in...so she did it. Seemed silly to me, but that's the policy.

Hey, I saved $40! (so of course I had to buy some cute little bathtub floor rubber thingies too!) [img]redface.gif[/img]

Laurie