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First time sewing-machine user needs advice

I bought a Brother LS-2020 and some simple cotton fabric to toy with... been practicing for a couple days and have it down okay I suppose.

Due to physical issues a doctor put an external fixator on my left foot, making it impossible to wear socks or shoes... pictures here...

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EXACT MEASUREMENTS I took of the framework are as follows... WIDTH - 9 inches HEIGHT - 6.5 inches DEPTH - 12 inches (includes toes extended past front)

Bottom is square, top is round (halo type as you can see)

Now here is my idea. Because of it getting colder each week as winter progresses, I need to come up with some kind of cover that can be easily removed for access by doctors, home nurse, myself or my fiance who changes my bandages each day, etc etc etc.

I thought of making a cover that is cut like sides of a box... sewing up 3 of the 4 corners and putting some kind of fastener or zipper of 1 side, and having a shoelace sewn into the top edge like a drawstring.

Here are the issues I am running into.....

  1. Should I try making this out of 1 piece of material, or 5 (think of a box... if you slit the 4 corners down and open it up, it's one piece in a sense)

  1. Should I use velcro on the side or a zipper (machine came with a zipper presser foot)

  2. What kind of material should i use, and how much allowance on each side should I leave for a) sewing material and b) room inside the cover

I appreciate anyone who has read this, and thank anyone in advance for any help that can be given concerning this. Ace bandages just isnt an option for the frame is shaped and applied very strange.

Thanks.

PS- please reply in the group. Perhaps others with similar issues could learn from any input given.

Reply to
Major
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Why not take the easy way out and stick your foot and the contraption inside a ready-made drawstring bag, like a small laundry bag? At this stage looks ceases to be an issue, doesn't it? JPBill

Reply to
W.Boyce

Looks like what you need is a sort of giant sock. Needs to be warm, wind proof, washable, and preferably in multiples! I suggest Polar Fleece Windbloc from Malden Mills, with a zip or velcro up the side. For ease of access, you could put one up each side. Measure round the widest part of the frame and add 2"-3" for 'ease' - the extra comfort space you need for getting it on and off without interfering with the frame. Measure loosely from the toes up and add 3" to the length for allowances for hems, and you could fit a drawstring in to close the gap round your leg a bit so it doesn't drop off.

You need to make a sort of boot sock, really, with zips. Here, something like this enlarged to go over the frame:

Scroll down to the Bonza Boot pattern:

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down to pattern 584 here:
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Reply to
Kate Dicey

I have to agree with Kate's approach, but as a nurse, I would prefer a natural, absorbent fiber for the "sack" instead of the polar fleece, which is very warm and soft, but does not breathe very well in my experience.

Another fabric suggestion is to get some soft, inexpensive 100% cotton terry towels. I would merely put a plastic bag over the cloth bag when you are going outside, to keep it from getting wet, and then you could just remove the plastic bag when you are inside.

Using inexpensive terry towels, you can get colours that would blend in with your pant leg, and sort of camoflage your "open reduction with external fixation". These cloth bags would also be very absorbent, and warm.

hth, me

Reply to
me

Windbloc is a breathable performance sports fabric. There are other lighter ones. Tests on many show far greater wicking and breathability than can be had from natural fibres, and they wash and wear beautifully, drying in half the time. The only thing is that you cannot boil wash them...

I think the terry loops might catch on the screws and stuff...

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Something else to consider instead of splitting your pant legs, how about whipping out some long skirts on your new machine? You can keep them very simple and easy to sew and wear.

Reply to
Pogonip

Is the USA office ready for the bloke in a skirt? Well, there's always that marvellous invention, the Utilikilt!

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NAYY

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Reply to
Pogonip

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