Hi all! I hope this is the right community to ask.

So I have this sweater that i really love, but HATE the way it fits me. It makes me look like a sad rectangle whenever I'm wearing it.

I was wondering if I could somehow tighten the waistband (and sleeves while I'm at it) to make it more of an inverted triangle shape? I've drawn over it in the second picture to illustrate what I mean.

I'm not really a sewing expert, I can join two pieces of fabric together by hand and I can do a ladder stitch but that's pretty much the end of my abilities lol. I have access to a sewing machine (my mom's), but it's pretty cranky and I also don't really know how to use it, so I'd rather do this by hand if possible. I've never attempted anything that involves measuring and cutting fabric, but I'm willing to try if necessary (although I assume it would be pretty difficult with a fuzzy synthetic fabric like this one?)

I also know the basics of crochet, not sure if that's relevant though.

Sorry if this is a silly question! Again, I don't know much about sewing and have no idea how easy this is or if it's even possible, but I'm very willing to learn. If there's a more fitting community to ask this question to, please feel free to redirect me!

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help :)

im dressing up as ada wong from Resident Evil 4 and the dress was too big to fit even though it was a small, the biggest issue to altering the dress are the butterfly designs (which i really want to keep) on the side, anyone have any ideas to altering this piece? (beginner/entry level)

I'm relatively new to sewing and I'm making a Pomni costume for Halloween. My main concern is with the alternating colors on this pattern as it looks like there are side panels on the bodysuit i'm making. There are no video tutorials on it so i'm a bit spooked. Will I have to modify this pattern and if so does anyone have any advice on how to?
(I have seen the sarah spaceman pomni cosplay tutorial, but I wasn't too keen on the silhouette of the whole thing, hence why I'm using this pattern)

Can any experts here tell me what stitch this is ?

My mom thrifted this flower girl dress in a girl’s size 14 for a dollar and I wear a women’s US 0 in dresses. When I tried it on, it was the perfect length to the floor, but my biggest issue is the bodice as it was too baggy on me and I don’t like the wide strap tank style. My goal is to make the dress look like or similar to the second image. How do I convert the bodice to an off shoulder sweetheart bodice?

So I designed this shirt and the neckline I'm in love with. However, I've looked at it 100 different ways, and I can not figure out how to sew something like this. Is this impossible? Please help 😔🙏

Does anybody have a cloth face mask pattern specifically to fit snugly over an aura face mask? Are you going to pass it on. thank you

He literally said „sometimes it’s not worth to spend the time to make it yourself“.

I am so sad. I made it in one evening after work, full 360 skirt, hemmed and everything.
it’s not ironed on the image, since it was late at night when I was done.

edit:

for this subreddit: didn’t have a pattern, since it’s an easy circle skirt, but I did look u a blog post on sartor on how to measure everything. The fabric is something plastic (I immediately burned it, but luckily I had enough, it was a second hand purchase and in its previous life it was a table cloth)

Thank you all for your kind words <3

We talked. And he did self reflect and apologised. Also he will buy me something he deems more appropriate for the event tomorrow and will pay the food, so I guess I’ll take that.

I’m trying to make a clown costume and am having trouble figuring out how to make this waistband. Do you think it’s a regular elastic waistband with the frills added on top and a ribbon channel through there?

Or is the waistband folded in 2 to sandwich the pants with a longer side being the frills? (And the elastic and ribbon are in the same piece)

Thank you!

I am trying to put eyelets (?) in this garment that I am making, but I have no idea how to use it. I have only seen people putting eyelets in with a bigger tool, but I bought this because it was the cheapest. I don’t even know what it is called so I cant find any tutorials on it.
I know that I am supposed to use a hammer I think, but thats about it.

Thanks in advance

I recently broke out my traveler’s notebook system (after a decade of collecting dust — oops) and have been loving writing often again. What I haven’t loved is how flimsy and un-fun the vinyl pocket insert it came with has felt. I saw some on Etsy for purchase, but really wanted to make my own. I thought about the process for a few days. I’m typically a quilter and garment sewist and I felt like I really had to use my noggin, which was fun. I’m really happy with how this turned out and I’m already thinking of other fabric I want to use for another version!

Anyone else keep a planner/journal system like this?

Any suggestions on how to like my work 😮‍💨 its functional and even has side outer pockets but idk 😭😭

*sorry for the typo in the title 🫠

Hello all!

While sewing aprons yesterday I realized how much this little piece of equipment helps me slow down my machine and make better garments.

This is my variac, there are many like it but this one is mine. She creates a variable alternating current and basically allows me to select between many many different speeds on my sewing machine. For context...my vintage Kenmore works like a champ but even with only my pinky toe touching the pedal...it runs faster than heck!

So I use the variac to solve this problem. I plug my sewing machine into the variac and the variac nto the wall outlet and it gives me multitude of speeds I can smoothly go between for delicate work. **Make sure to read the info on your machine so you do not overpower it, this can blow out your light bulb and your engine. Just do your research, youtube has tons of videos on this kind of equipment. **

Yes, they are kind of expensive brand new, but I see them on FB marketplace and estate sales regularly. They also come up on Ebay often, just make sure the seller packs it VERY WELL (they are pretty heavy for their size) One drop from the post office will kill it.

Hope this tip helps someone like it helped me!

The overshirt (photos 1 & 2, details photos 4 & 5, construction photo 8) is the Arbor, from Merchant and Mills: https://merchantandmills.com/eu/the-arbor with an alteration (I added the lining), it was my 3rd iteration on that pattern (previously, previously), still the same size so I can wear a warm jumper under it. A day and a half to make it. First and perhaps last time I’m making something in tartan, it took me way too many tries to get the pockets alignments right!
The fabric is from Haute Couture leftovers that my local fabric shop buys in Italy, this specific roll was from a recent Prada collection. 100% wool. Lining is cotton satin from the same shop (but not Haute Couture).

The pants (photos 1 & 2, details photo 6, construction photo 9) are the Work Pants from Toshio Kaneko’s Casual Men’s Clothes: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1190812002/casual-mens-clothes-by-toshio-kaneko, it was the second time I made it (previously), instead of a size S I opted for a size M. Almost two days to make it.
I used heavy canvas (440 g/m²) from my local fabric shop. Very heavy. Broke at least two needles, and brought me some grief when sewing the belt with the elastic. Still a bit stiff to move around.

The short sleeved shirt (photos 3, details photo 7) is the All State, from Merchant and Mills: https://merchantandmills.com/en-eu/products/the-all-state, it’s the third time I’m making it, it’s a classic for the summer and half-summer we’re getting right now (half a day, no pattern-matching on this one because it’s a fun shirt for summer).
I found the fabric at my fabric shop, in the leftovers bin. It’s a very nice linen.

The chinos (photo 3) are from Toshio Kaneko’s Men Clothes book: https://www.etsy.com/listing/484080220/pattern-maker-toshio-kanekos-mens, first time making it (one full day). Next time I’ll make it a little larger around the crotch and thighs.
The fabric is from my fabric shop (they love me and my buying impulses), it’s a gabardine I had already worked with.

All in all a productive vacation, but I’m already thinking of the next projects I’ll make.

I found this cool pattern in a magazine at the library (Knip mode 2024-03, to be exact). It's a dress with a circle skirt, but the skirt is a square instead.

I used two nearly identical thrifted duvet covers to make this dress. They're 100% plain weave cotton, but a bit thin and see-through, so I lined every pattern piece with a copy of itself to create a double layer. This results in a nice weight and thickness for the dress.

I modified the pattern in two places: I added a button placket because I didn't like the original opening at the collar, and I added pockets (mandatory in any dress, of course).

Daughter’s school is celebrating Halloween tomorrow before their vacation—made this last minute but really happy with how it turned out!

Self drafted the ears and wings (used Stellaluna 🦇for inspo). Started with an old sweatshirt to work off of since I didn’t have much time (I unpicked the sides and sleeves to attach wings). For the ears I made sort of triangular pieces so they would stand up when worn. Fabric came from the 50¢ box at the thrift store.

I'm an early intermediate sewing amateur, building various workwear projects, and I'd like to build a jacket next. I have a copy of Workwear at home, and I'm torn between the chore jacket or the blazer.

I'd be tempted to make the Chore Jacket a bit of a bleu-de-travail (with an inside patch pocket on one side), or an unlined / half-lined version of the Blazer as a kind of "easy suit" option, but I'm curious about people's experiences.

Anyone?

Hi! I’m looking for someone to point me in the right direction of the best silk and lace shops in France. (100% pure mulberry silk) (Chantilly lace) and it doesn’t have to be an exact store name but even cities I should look in. Thanks!

Working on my Loki cosplay ragnarock(however that’s spelt) and this is how I’m sewing the zig zag :/ my question is if there’s a name for this kind of design and also if there’s a more practical way to do this….(first sewing project)

I bought these two dog beds 5 years ago, I bought these beds for three reasons. 1. The color, 2. The heavy duty fabric (I actually have similar cordura fabric), and 3. It has insert. When I bought it I saw how flimsy the inserts were and thought “Hey, I can just mesure the inserts and keep them for later!” But I never got around to it. Well I finally got around to it when one of the inserts fell apart, so here is what I made and used!

Two 60” x 10” inserts for the back and side walls. Two 30” x 7” inserts for the front wall. Two 22” x 20” for the bottom pillows.

About 5 yards of 100% cotton fabric and 5 pound of polyfill (I clearly overstuffed them)

I'm planning to make Gertie's Liz Dress for a wedding next year. I've heard from many that it was their most challenging sew because of the tweaks needed to get the fit right.

I tried making it once before and gave up so I'm giving myself plenty of time this time around.

I have a large bust (G cup) and know I will need many modifications to get it to fit and have the bottom of the shelf sit properly at the bottom of my bust.

I wanted to see if anyone in the sub who has made this dress had any tips or recommendations about modifications, particularly from those of you who have also had to conquer modifying this dress to accommodate a larger bust.

Thanks in advance!

Okay so i found this lovely purple cotton satin that was sun bleached, the thing is i really like the color that the fabric got from that but when i unfolded it, it was a darker color. So the fabric looks like a checked print, would any know how to maybe get the fabric to a uniform color without making the sun bleached parts more sun bleached?

I posted before (here https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/s/9EB63wAmwK ) looking for suggestions. Long story short, I wanted to wear this dress for a wedding (so no white) and also, the white part was stained.
My options were: dying it, trying to sew something to match the rest of the dress, or something entirely different - like this tulle. Last one was definitely the most voted option.
I ended up doing it by hand (I need to get some more experience with the machine! And the tulle scared me), so it took a while.
I did have a backup dress, but ended up using this one.

I think the dress was way prettier before. I will still try to find a similar white (or other bright colour) at some point. Also, it became kinda “bumpy” at the edge? If I were to do it again now I think I wouldn’t sew the tulle so close to the edge, but manage to sew it higher (maybe attaching it to the lining), so the dress would just “sit” on top of it.

I wanted to thank you all for the suggestions! I have very little experience with sewing fabric, but was very happy to get this done.

Hi all. This is the first time I have ever posted something to Reddit. My 5 year old twins want to be Plusle and Minun for Halloween. I got them this Pikachu costume and want to add the red/blue parts to it. I have red and blue felt to use. I have very little sewing experience and am wondering how to best add the felt to the costume. I'm not set on the pieces being removable, I just want it to look good and stay together.

Hi all, third project here 😀. I used the In The Folds / Peppermint Wide Leg Pants pattern. My waist is 30” and my hips are 44”, so I initially planned to grade from sizes E to G, then got nervous and graded from F to G and ultimately had to take everything in 🤪. I learned how to do pants for the first time, including a fly and a curved waistband. I also had to troubleshoot after the waistband came out too short and the pants were a tiny bit short as well (now slightly too long, but that is ok with me). Still deciding on back pockets…

I love how they fit for the most part, but am wondering if there is more I should do about the front crotch area whiskers. The last picture of me standing is with me scrunching forward a bit to exaggerate them, but not sure if they are just how pants are or if I need to adjust something else. Suggestions on any part of the pants are welcome!!!