Sewing and Quilting

Years ago I used to make almost all my clothing, back when women wore nothing but skirts & blouses and dresses. It just isn't economical to do that any more, and I find the patterns just don't fit the same as the ready mades.

I will stick with quilting and doing some odds and ends repair work and misc. craft sewing.

I think that the cost is a factor in a lot of decisions people make regarding sewing clothes. I agree It is cheaper to buy ready made clothes that make them. I used to like to sew them though, and that is what I was wondering if I had lost.

John

John, I used to make all of my own clothes, as well as my DDs' clothes and even some things for DH. I've completely lost the desire to do that. The DDs got to the point where they wanted the same clothes their friends had (store-bought); as teen-agers, they had to fit in, and I understood that. But I stopped making my own, too, since fabric was harder to find where I lived.

Then I discovered quilting. It satisfies my need to sew and removes the "chore" factor ("I *must* finish this so it can be worn on this-or-that occasion.") I just wasn't getting any joy from making clothes anymore. But, boy, do I enjoy making quilts! LOL. So I've faced facts and given up making clothes altogether. Naturally, this is only my experience and opinion; others may have different viewpoints, and that's what makes the world interesting. ;)

I do, John. No, I don't have that problem. I've sewn since I was 6, and started quilting about 4 years ago. I did put the clothing aside for a little bit while I was getting the hang of quilting...but that wasn't for long.

I often have a few WIPs - some clothing, some quilts. Things get attention depending on what mood I am in.=20

One thing that might help is to 'combine' the two -- for example, today we're snowed in here in Central NY as we got 7" of snow so far (still snowing) and DH hasn't yet plowed the driveway (too busy playing World of Warcraft!!) so I am making a 'crazy quilt' cover for my new Viking serger. I plan to soon start on a quilted vest for myself.

-Irene

probly the 'creative process' in making quilts vs clothing. sure you can buy quilts cheaper than you can make them but not of the high quality you get by making them yourself. also you get the colours you like to use not what someone else decided looked good together. its more of a puzzle making a quilt than clothes. a shirt is a shirt. ..but a quilt might turn out differently than you'd foreseen when you started making it. its the joy of discovery when its finished. welcome to the addiction. now then where is that rehab place again??? cheers, jeanne

lol, Ms Polly O'Esther, i'd think about 10" long X 8" rectangle should work, or there abouts. how about using a 6" block, add 2 x 1" borders top and bottom. then 1" border down each side to frame the block. no more or it will be over her head, eh. i'd birth it too, why worry bout bindings for a doll. i wonder why she didnt just ask for all three in one go tho, lol. let her babysit the gators while you sew. :)) cheers, jeanne

Yes, exactly this happened to me, John. In fact, I was determined to finish off my dressmaking material during this winter, before concentrating totally on quilting (the fabric has been languishing for about five years!).. I did finish one easy pair of trousers; then found that the patterns I had bought for the next two things wouldn't 'work'. So I left it all again. The winter overcoat might be a bit challenging (I have done one before - a long time ago) but the other couple of things were straightforward enough. I have no oomph left to do them. Two of the pieces of fabric I have decided to quilt together and use as a coverlet!! They are two pieces of the same wool mixture fabric. They washed OK when I tried them, so I guess they'll be all right. . In message , John writes

I had thought of that. I have mentioned to my wife that I would be willing to make a coat or something with a quilt based fabric if she wants me to. I have done needlepoint based clothing for her in the past and she loved it, a vest. I still love to make Loud Hawaiian shirts for myself from all of those outrageous pattern fabrics. Then there is the Re-enactment clothes I used to make. So I still probably will still sew, but I think my infatuation is tempered with my new love of quilting.

John

Half the size of a crib quilt, I should think Polly. Given that new-borns are a couple of feet long, and the doll is half that!! . In message , Polly Esther writes

When our children were small, I made almost all of our clothing from our children's summer shorts to my husband's slacks with matching vest and coordinating tie.

I flip from one to the other, maybe even have both (and more) going at the same time. Not in a hurry, mind you, but simply pick up whichever one calls me at the moment. The garment sewing skills will be useful in your quilting and certainly, the precision and creativity of quilting will improve your clothing stitching. My sister is traveling soon to visit her 3 year-old granddaughter. She asked if I would make a nightgown for the Baby Cabbage Patch doll she was taking. Sure. Would I make a matching one for the 3 year-old? I'd love to. Pushing her luck, she asked if I'd make a quilt for the Baby Cabbage Patch doll. Do any of you have the remotest idea what size quilt is appropriate for a 12" doll? Polly O'Esther

I find ready-made clothing is so inexpensive it really doesn't pay for me to make my own clothes, except for those things I want that I can't buy, like a full length bathrobe that actually hits the floor (I'm 5'9"). I have the pattern, I just can't seem to find fabric I like, so I haven't made it yet. My mom made almost all of my clothes growing up, though. In the 70s, if you were overweight, clothing manufacturers also thought you were 5'0". Remember half-sizes, anyone?

I like to switch back and forth between the two. If I've been making quilts (I make art quilts, btw, not traditional) then I like to "take a break" and make an item of clothing or two for a change. After a while I am ready to go back to quilting. I usually have more than one of each type of project going on as well. No boredom here!!!

:-)

Erin

Thank you, Jeanne. Don't need a gator sitter just now. They have full bellies and smell suspiciously of coconut. I think it may be from the suntan lotion the Spring Break touristers are using. Polly

"nzlstar*" lol, Ms Polly O'Esther,

Or chubbies?

And thank you, Patti. I was thinking this size quilt is much more your field than mine. Chances are that the little quilt will be lost in its first half-hour. On the other hand, it could wind up being Very Important. I tossed together a doll for her grandmother about 50 years ago that she cherished. It's still around to remind me that you just never know. Polly

I started sewing my clothing when I was a mite of 5 - both parents taught me how to sew, and it was really the only way to keep a growin child in clothing that fit when 1 was a teacher and 1 decided to start his own boat building business!! I've been sewing clothing ever since, and now I have my own children that i sew for!! I didn't start quilting until 2000...when a fellow teacher at the YMCA told me she was holding a beginner's class and that if I could sew clothing, quilting would be a breeze for me. Well, that's where it started and I'm still doing both (lately more clothing that quilting, but right now I'm trying to get work done on the second stained glass banner and 4 signature quilts for a different family at church). My interest fluctuates greatly. Sometimes I want to do nothing but quilt, and other times I want to only make clothing for the family because , well....I have the fabric and patterns already, I might as well use them before the kids outgrow everything!!

Larisa

12"x15" should cover the CPK nicely. DD has one that my MOther gave her...she hasn't asked me to make anything for the doll yet, but I *do* have patterns...just in case!