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Thread: How hard is it to sew?

  1. #1
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default How hard is it to sew?

    Ive been having a hell of a time finding duvet covers/pillows I like so Ive decided Im going to buy a sewing machine, go to th fabric store and make my own damn linens.

    My question is - is it worth it for a novice? I figured its all straight lines and shouldnt be too hard... maybe Im kidding myself? Id be making a duvet cover, pillows and curtains.

    I dont understand about the duvet - its very big and fabric only comes so wide - ya know? So how do I make it look nice without seams down the middle?

    Oh, and whats a good sewing maching for a novice?

  2. #2
    God/dess
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    I've made kitchen curtains before. That was easy and fun. Don't know about a duvet cover...good luck with that lol

  3. #3
    Lola Rose
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    you need to buy decorator fabrics, they come in much wider widths. There's a store by me that sells fabrics meant for home decor. google it in your area!

    And a sewing machine will be more expensive then a seamstress. But if you intend to learn to sew and make other things as well, it's well worth the expense. Buy some practice material first, and read the manual!

  4. #4
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    Decorator fabrics - good to know... googling now...

    whoa cool - look towards the bottom - Duvet covers are the feature project! lol - it was meant to be!

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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    I made my duvet cover, but I made it out of sheets I liked. It's not as sturdy, buy they're wide enough. I sew it so it ties/velcros at one end. I can't stand shoving a blanket in the middle of a cover.

    I've made pillow cases, too. It's fun to be able to make a whole bunch in fabrics you like but can't find-mine are purple satin.

    It IS pretty much sewing in a line. A little frustrating at some parts, depending on fabric-the corners for one. I recommend a book like the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. There should be a whole section on home decor sewing at the back.
    Last edited by RoseLeigh; 05-12-2008 at 09:59 PM.

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    Featured Member aussiebelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    I made a duvet cover and pillow cases just from copying another set I had at home.

    It's really easy because it's all straight sewing.

    The only problem is that it is hard to find material that is big enough to be the size of the duvet cover width ways, so I doubled the material and sewed two pieces together, so there was a join in the middle. It actually is hardly noticeable once it's all sewn though.
    Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

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    Featured Member aussiebelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    Oh and I have a Janome sewing machine. It's really easy to use and does pretty much everything I need it for. The overlocking stitch is a bit dodgy though, but good enough to make pretty much anything I want to. (Eventually I'll buy a nice overlocker though )
    Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

  8. #8
    Lola Rose
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    oh, chains often don't have a great selection of decor fabrics, but a specialty store will have tons and tons of them.

  9. #9
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    A found a couple of wholesale bulk fabric stores open to the public... Ill try those...

  10. #10
    MsQwerty
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    I just have a cheap end of the range Janome, it does all the basics and is very easy to use.
    I dont think making a duvet cover would be too hard at all. I made all sorts of stuff for my son without any lessons and no major mistakes, its just a matter of piecing everything together the right way around (-:

  11. #11
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    It's not hard to sew.

    It IS hard to sew in a relatively straight line using patterns.

    Just kidding. Those covers are actually pretty easy to make.

  12. #12
    God/dess lestat1's Avatar
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    Really freaking hard! Without Mom I'd have a lot of shirts missing buttons. :/
    Quote Originally Posted by _Avery_ View Post
    omg, why is it so huge?!! lol lol

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    Featured Member iseestars's Avatar
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    Simple things like those shouldn't be that hard for a beginner. My mom sews curtains and pillows all the time. If it does get too complicated though, there are some people who teach sewing and personally work with you on your project. I did that in high school and made a shirt and a skirt, which came out really good and always had someone there to help me.

  14. #14
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    I was gonna say 'it depends on what you wanna sew' but honestly duvet covers and pillowcases are fucking EASY. Plain cotton, cotton thread, no worry about adjusting tension, straight lines, no pin tucking, no darts, no pockets, no zippers (I'd use snaps on the duvet), no fucking hassles other than it's large.


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  15. #15
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    Also: you need to go to a specialty store that deals in wider fabrics for the duvet cover. Or, what you could do it use two fabrics and sew one fabric as the centre and use the other fabric as the sides so the seams actually become a part of it like a 'runner'


    Look like a woman
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  16. #16
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    ^^ SNAPS!! Thats such a great idea!

  17. #17
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    You shouldn't have any trouble at all. Just make sure to measure 3 or 4 times before you cut anything. I made my curtains in my den and everyone assumes they are designer....and Martha Stewart I am not.

  18. #18
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    Default Re: How hard is it to sew?

    i have always wanted to learn to sew!

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