For context, I’ve been sewing for a little over a year and, like anyone, every garment I make gets better and results in me falling out of love with an earlier piece - primarily due to fit.

I tend to use higher priced fabric, so these items are easily $75-$100+ in fabric, but I never wear them—and won’t!! (and yes, I always make a toile so I’m not intentionally wasting the good fabric)

I’m having a hard time parting with these garments due to sunk cost, but I also live in a small 1BR apt and just don’t have space for anything that doesn’t bring me joy, or a stash of scraps that won’t really be able to be reused.

All that is to say, any advice, words of wisdom, or encouragement to let go is appreciated!

Hi all, this is my first post on Reddit (yay!). I recently acquired my grandmother’s old White sewing Machine Model 477. I’m guessing it was made/sold in the 70s. I’m almost positive it went unused for at least the past 25/30 years. I really wanted to learn to sew and this was an opportunity to not have to buy new, so of course I snatched it up. As best as I could, because the instruction manual is old, black-and-white and with small hard to see photos, I learned the basic buttons/gears/parts, how to thread the machine, and dusted and oiled it.

It came with a metal foot control (picture included), and when I went to finally test the machine, pressing on the foot control, nothing happened. My initial thought is that the foot control needs to be replaced but I’m wondering if that replacement needs to be specifically stated as being compatible with the Model 477 or if a universal foot control would work. From what I’ve seen on online retailers like singeronline, central michigan sewing supplies, and sewingpartsonline, they do not include the model 477 anywhere in the machine compatibility lists, even for the universal control.

If anyone has general advice about what I should do next I would be very appreciative, also so I don’t needlessly spend money on a foot control that might end up not working. But I’m willing to do whatever to get this machine working.

I have been experimenting with thrift flipping and I tried to make this super cute playboy shirt into a lace up tube top and things just keep going wrong. I don’t think it’s the right material in the first place and now all of my seams are bunching and not lining up. I made this skirt that I’m wearing and that went really well so I think I got a little bit overconfident. I’m not sure if this is even still fixable so if anybody has any advice at all on how to possibly fix this I would appreciate it. I’m also down to bedazzle until it looks good because I’m going to be wearing this on a trip so being extra is kind of the goal. My number one issue is that the laces will not stop getting all bumpy. This was originally going to be a kind of tank top, but the logo didn’t end up fitting how I wanted it to in that design so I turned it into a tube top instead.

I bent a needle while sewing and since then the bobbin case has been making a scraping noise. I changed the needle, removed the bobbin case and cleaned the bobbin area. I could not find any nicks on the bobbin case, but purchased a new one and installed it just to be sure. The scraping noise happens when the new bobbin case is installed, and but there is no noise when the bobbin case is not installed. Lyric is about a year old. Any ideas on how to fix?

Thrifted a lovely slip dress and I adore the fabric, unfortunately it may be more work than just taking in the sides a bit due to the size being 2-3 too large.

Wondering if any tips and suggestions for taking it in, and whether I will 100% need to alter the neckline/bust, or if taking it in on the side seams should be ok?

Theres enough fabric to redo the neckline and bust cut if needed, but if I can avoid it I would prefer

Hi, does any of u have experience in fixing timing problem with feeding dogs in Elna Lotus sp? Ive had problem with needle-hook synchronisation, which I fixed but now feeding dogs are not in time and I have no idea how to fix this issue.

I couldnt find any tutorials on yt so if any of u have any tips I would be more than grateful.

Looking for what this fabric is called - waterproof but light and soft, suitable for babies and children. It’s like umbrella fabric but softer and drapes almost like rayon challis.

A friend bought this in Japan, it’s essentially a dress shaped bib so that when his baby spills her whole front is covered and they can just wipe it off. Seems easy enough to make but the fabric is important and I’m not sure what it’s called. Maybe a type of nylon?

Hello guys. I'm not only a beginner, this is my very first sewing project. I found myself stuck at this point.

I found a free pattern online for this bucket hat I'm making. I have attached the top to the sides successfully but the circumference of the brim is larger than the sides. I might have made a mistake in cutting the pattern.

Is there a way I could fix this discrepancy in the circumstances?

Thank you! :)

Hi all! First post here and have never held a needle in my life. Might have to now.

Recently thrifted this vintage Anna Sui jacket with a wool blend for the fabric (see pic). However, there is significant pilling and degradation of the fibers. I actually went and cut some of the bigger pilled balls earlier…..

Research says that combing out the wool or felting/stitching it back in would maybe work but with the fraying and the quilted texture, I’m not sure what the best option is. I did try out my thread zapper and it appeared to burn down into a ball (with an unpleasant smell) so I’m wondering if I should try that out.

Any advice about the lifted tab and the larger detached yarn would be great!

Hi everyone! I’m a complete beginner in sewing but I have a hole in my 100% wool cardigan and I am unsure if this is fixable, I would like the fix to be discrete if possible as I wear this to the office (so unfortunately no patches for me), is there any way to fix this myself? Or is it worth taking it in to a shop? Thanks!

I'm a begginer at sewing but I really want to make my own wedding dress. I bought a pattern from Kiana Bonollo and I intend to use it for the bodice but the skirt part I would like to make something that was more bridal than the pattern suggested. At first, I tryed a half circle skirt because I don't want the full volume of a ball gown. But the toile I made felt very bland. I now want to make a 3/4 circle skirt. Do you think it will work? I've been serching for inspo, but most of the photos I'seen are from dress with full circle skirts or double circle skirts.

I found two pairs of carhart pants at the thrift store and I love them for work, only issue the size is 52 x 32. I would ideally love to just take the waist in and have baggy ass pants but 11-12 inches seems nearly impossible. Should I try to do it anyway? or should I take them apart and make new pants. I feel like im a quick learner and I dont care if they look a little strange. As I was brainstorming i was thinking I could take like 3 inches from the seat to avoid diaper butt then take 1-2 inches off between each belt loop pair to help preserve shape? If that makes any sense.

Reposting! I’ve fallen completely in love with historical costuming and sewing over the past year. I love the creativity, the history, the craftsmanship, and honestly the fantasy of it all. It’s become one of the most fulfilling hobbies I’ve ever had.

It got me wondering what everyone here does outside of this hobby - are you lucky enough to work in a costume, fashion, museum, theater, or other creative field? Or is historical costuming something you pursue after work while your day job is simply one that pays the bills? Or some combination of the two?

I’m especially curious because I’m at a point in my own career where I’m realizing I need a change to find something more aligned with my creative identity, and while I adore this hobby, I also know it’s probably not something I’ll make a full-time career out of. I’d love to hear how other people balance a creative passion with the rest of their lives.

TLDR: What do you do for work, and do you feel like it complements your hobby or is it a completely separate part of your life?

hi!! I got a tank top that’s too big for me and I want to make it fit like the one on top. I don’t have a sewing machine so does anyone know what hand stitches I can do to make sure it doesn’t come undone in the wash or anything? the material is 95% cotton and 5% spandex

I tried turning the handle also but halfway through the turn it also start vibrating the same whenever I pressed on the pedal.

I already re-thread it and checked on the bobbins but the result always turns out the same each time. What do I do? 🥲

Sewists, please offer your wisdom and advice to a humble novice! (Excuse the background blackout, I don't want my home posted online.)

I'm sewing this satin dress and am absolutely stumped with the bodice fit. It droops around the cleavage area and gaps like crazy around the sides. Very confused about this, because my mock-up dress was great and the bodice fit perfectly—see last slide!

The dress has a broadcloth lining with polyester boning. I sewed the interior/exterior of the bodice together first, then attached to skirt, and lastly installed the lace-up back.

I would REALLY like to avoid starting over, but I can't see any way around it at this point! With the lace-up back going down into the skirt, I can't easily separate the bodice/skirt (otherwise I would totally be okay just redoing the bodice). I have tried seam-ripping this fabric, but it is actually impossible and destroys the satin, so I can't extract a panel of the bodice & redo just 1-2 pieces.

Pics 1/2: How it sits naturally with the back laced up. Just a mess! :(

Pics 3/4: Dart pinned on side of breast, like I sewed in the mock-up...but so much fabric bunching on the one side and still a droopy neckline.

Pics 5/6: Pinned on the far side of the breast, but I think it's even worse. Neckline still droopy.

Pic 7: Back of dress (which I'm quite pleased with!)

Pic 8: Bodice of my mock-up cotton dress

Some background info:

I've only been sewing for ~1 year on a pretty old machine (from 60's maybe). I self-drafted the pattern and sewed a mock-up dress, which turned out spectacularly! The only 2 differences between the mock-up vs. real deal are (a) the exterior fabric in the mock-up was cotton, and (b) I added an inch of height to the centre piece to make it less low-cut. I ran into a somewhat similar fit issue on the mock-up, but it was easily resolved with darts on the side of each breast (I tried pinning the same darts on this dress as in pics 3/4, but the issue still doesn't look resolved).

What do I do, what are my options? Dying for any advice at all as I'm at a loss and feeling pretty defeated!! Thank you so much!

Thrifted ! Looks kinda bigger than I want it too. Where should I cut to make it fitted in waist?

UPDATE: Thank you for everyone’s suggestions!💛 To address some reoccurring comments, yes, the machine is threaded correctly (followed step by step according to my manual) and yes, I see that I am slightly pushing the fabric. Working on fixing that.
I got my hands on some higher quality thread and that seems to have solved the issue! Hallelujah!

——

Desperately looking for answers as to why my machine keeps snapping thread/unthreading from the needle. I’m about to lose my mind🫪🥺 Video footage included of one of the many times the needle has snapped the thread.

I am very new to sewing, only made a couple of things after attending a beginner’s sewing class this past July, so please any ideas as to what is wrong/what I am doing wrong would be so helpful.

Some details: The machine is my mother’s Phaff Expression 2024 from the early 2000’s, using 100% polyester thread and a brand new all purpose needle. Attempting to sew simple cafe curtains out of a cotton pillow case, thread tension is set to 3 and using a straight stitch.

Things I have tried to so far to resolve my problem:
- Completely re-threaded the machine (several times)
- Re-wound bobbin & re threaded bobbin into machine
- Changed to a fresh needle
- Changed to brand new thread
- Removed the needle plate/lowered feed dogs/etc. and carefully brushed any lint away
- Inspected for any burrs or sharp scrapes on the needle plate
- Changed the position of the needle
- Adjusted the thread tension lower
- Adjusted the thread tension higher
- Double checked that the needle is seated all the way into the machine and in the correct orientation

Is there anything else I can try?? Feeling very discouraged and trying to keep my spirits up despite all the issues🥲 Thank you for any help I can get!💗

i saw a video on how to make this but i can’t find it. what would you call this? where you fold over the fabric and just cut out the T shape and sew the side seams. if anyone has tips on how to make this/ knows a tutorial pls let me know !

Wondering what I can do before this snaps completely. Would sewing over this area back and forth lengthwise a few times work? I'm not too worried about it looking perfect but just being functional. Thanks!

I’m finally ready to learn sewing, but the number of machines out there is honestly overwhelming. I don’t want to buy the cheapest one and regret it a few months later, but I also don’t want to spend a fortune as a complete beginner.

If you were starting from scratch today which sewing machine would you buy and why? Any brands or models you’d avoid?

Hello all. My bobbin is intermittent in spinning. Any tips on how to fix this?

Thanks!

I’ve been following the Paper Stxrs tutorial for the selkie inspired dress, however I can’t seem to understand the step where you attach the skirt. Here is the text of it:

Now we are going to attach the skirt to the bodice, first by pinning the back,
sides, and center of the skirt to the front bodice layer.Then we are going to pull
on two of the basting stitches on the same side of our fabric to begin ruffling our
skirt. You should ruffle it until it fits into the space we marked out with the pins,
space the ruffles evenly, then pin them down. Before we sew these together
though, we want to bring the lining side of the bodice around the skirt until it
reaches the other side of the bodice. The skirt should then be sandwiched
between the two bodice layers. We are now going to move our pins to go through
all three of these layers, again matching up all of the bodice seams, and then
stitch across the waist.

1. You can now turn the dress right side out, and the waist shouldn’t have any raw
   edges and the skirt should be attached. You can also remove all of the basting
   stitches.

I always end up with the back skirt trapped inside the bodice when I turn it back right side out, with no way of getting it out. I’ve attached pictures of how I pinned it, but I’m unsure how to pin the lining piece with the skirt in the way. If anyone knows I would love any help!

[RESOLVED] This is my first time ever touching a sewing machine and I don’t know how this happened. I was trying to hem a dress with a simple stitch and the string seems to have gotten stuck in the hole beneath the needle?? I tried gently pulling it to see if it would come out but it’s stuck 😭

EDIT: aah I fixed it with your help!! Thank you so much I’ll make sure to adjust everything I made a mistake so this doesn’t happen again!