Attending a sewing class

[DrFishnets]

I have just recently joined a sewing class which is part of my mental wellbeing groups that I attend. I haven’t done any sewing in the past but since having an interest in skirts and dresses I am really wanting to make my own and design my own.

I appeared at the sewing class wearing a a dark grey and purple long velvet skirt, ultra sheer black tights, dark red DM boots, a purple French beret and a short leather biker jacket and some of the women in my class complimented me on my style. One woman liked my dark red DM boots.

Anyway, the first day at the sewing class was basically just a chat with the women about MIS and sewing and it was a lovely chat. I am looking forward to designing my own skirts next week and choosing fabrics and colours.

[Mouse]

I have just recently joined a sewing class.....

I think that'll be really good for you. Remember sewing is just like wood working, some hand work and some power tool work. I really like my sewing since you are in control of the garment you eventually wear and wearing what you have made is really special. One thing to note is that the Iron is just as important as the sewing machine. Other tricks are working out what order you sew things in, so that you can construct the garment as you would like.

I guess the easiest skirt to make would be a circle skirt with an elasticated waist, with maybe a drawstring as well.

I wish you a lot of fun and success and maybe you will have something to wear when you visit London at the end of the month... (No pressure)

[DrFishnets]

I guess the easiest skirt to make would be a circle skirt with an elasticated waist, with maybe a drawstring as well.

I remember you mentioning a circle skirt with an elasticated waist when we spoke on WhatsApp. I think that will be the first skirt I’ll make. I’ve just found out that when it comes to skirts with an elasticated waist that I can wear a skirt that’s a size 16 which is a pleasant surprise. I always thought a size 16 would have been too small since I’m size 22 to 24 but apparently not.

If I do get to London at the end of the month and if I finish making my skirt in time I’ll show it off. No promises though as money is tight and I’m suffering severe stress at the moment.

Anyway, thanks for the heads up Mouse. I am looking forward to designing and making my own skirts and dresses.

[Mouse]

I always thought a size 16 would have been too small since I’m size 22 to 24 but apparently not.

The thing to look at is how big the skirt is without the elastic or with a made up skirt, what is the maximum size when fully stretched. Some 16 skirt will stretch up to your size, but some will not. Usually when buying skirts with elastic, they will give you the min and max dimensions that the skirt will accommodate. Of course if you are smaller or the same size as the minimum, then the skirt will tend to go south on you, which is not great for confidence. That is why I like an elasticated waist skirt to also have a draw string, which you can tie to give confidence. My beloved orange skirt has this arrangement.

If I do get to London at the end of the month and if I finish making my skirt in time I’ll show it off. No promises though as money is tight and my anxiety is high at the moment.

Please no worries, there is no pressure to convene at one or both of the meet-ups. These meet-ups are zero pressure events where what you turn up in, is totally down to you, so a pair of jeans is just as good as your latest skirt creation. Also there are members who do not want their photo taken and so that is of course respected. The whole idea is to meet and chat person to person. We all look forward to meeting you and your partner around a drink and something to eat, along with lots of chatting.

[Seb]

Sewing classes sound fun! Nothing like that around where I live, lucky you!

As mouse said, sewing involves a lot of other things and only the last step is sitting down with the machine to stich it all up. Lots of drawing, measuring, cutting, pinning and ironing to do as well.

[Barleymower]

I always thought a size 16 would have been too small since I’m size 22 to 24 but apparently not.

The thing to look at is how big the skirt is without the elastic or with a made up skirt, what is the maximum size when fully stretched. Some 16 skirt will stretch up to your size, but some will not. Usually when buying skirts with elastic, they will give you the min and max dimensions that the skirt will accommodate. Of course if you are smaller or the same size as the minimum, then the skirt will tend to go south on you, which is not great for confidence. That is why I like an elasticated waist skirt to also have a draw string, which you can tie to give confidence. My beloved orange skirt has this arrangement.

If I do get to London at the end of the month and if I finish making my skirt in time I’ll show it off. No promises though as money is tight and my anxiety is high at the moment.

Please no worries, there is no pressure to convene at one or both of the meet-ups. These meet-ups are zero pressure events where what you turn up in, is totally down to you, so a pair of jeans is just as good as your latest skirt creation. Also there are members who do not want their photo taken and so that is of course respected. The whole idea is to meet and chat person to person. We all look forward to meeting you and your partner around a drink and something to eat, along with lots of chatting.

I replace elastic in skirts often, i also shorten the elastic if needed. Its not always possible but mostly its one of the easiest things to do.
I hope you can make it to the meetup Arty.

[DrFishnets]

These meet-ups are zero pressure events where what you turn up in, is totally down to you, so a pair of jeans is just as good as your latest skirt creation. Also there are members who do not want their photo taken and so that is of course respected.

I don’t like wearing jeans or trousers anymore so if I do come down to old London Town I’ll be in full goth mode as in long (hopefully self made) skirt, DM boots, a pair of fishnet tights, black top with purple netted top and black paisley bandanna. My partner has still not decided when she wants to go to London.

[Mouse]

I don’t like wearing jeans or trousers anymore so if I do come down to old London Town I’ll be in full goth mode as in long (hopefully self made) skirt, DM boots, a pair of fishnet tights, black top with purple netted top and black paisley bandanna. My partner has still not decided when she wants to go to London.

That's great, I can't wait to meet one or both of you.

[mr seamstress]

I guess the easiest skirt to make would be a circle skirt with an elasticated waist, with maybe a drawstring as well.

The thing with elastic is need to use proper width. If the width isn't wide there will be problems. Then the length of elastic will be base in part of comfort and rigid enough to hold garment in place. I hope DrFishnets seeks some advice in figuring out which width of elastic be best for him and wish him the best. I personally never ever taken a sewing class and I work for a company made clothing for the military.

[robehickman]

How is this going?

[DrFishnets]

How is this going?

I haven’t started the sewing yet but I’ve made some drawings of what I want my skirt to look like. Last week me and the women at the sewing group went to Blairgowrie to a fabric and craft shop and I bought some fabrics to use on my skirts. I have a lovely dark burgundy red with beige and dark purple bits of fabric to put together.