I know all the "CUTIES" here embroider however; do you also sew or make garments? TIA

I learned to sew on my mothers treadle machine when I was 6 in jr. high I took sewing and every year after that till I graduated. Been sewing, crocheting and now embroidering. Keeps me busy. Hubby built me a sewing room so I have my own space. I made all the cloths when my kids were small evern the fitted sheets for the crib. I just love to make things.

I've been sewing on/off since home ec in jr. high. Living in Massachusetts and its wonderful winters, I mostly sew hats,scarves, jackets, baby buntings out of polarfleece - so I was very, very sad when Malden Mills closed down and their fleece is only available online and of course I hate to pay shipping and would prefer to see and feel what I'm buying. I am a newbie to embroidery and absolutely love it, just need more classes and ideas. Oh yeah, and then there's my serger, who I am terrified of and even though it's 20 years old, it brand new - I think maybe some day (hopefully soon-LOL) I would like to trade up to the fancy ones that do so, so much. That's in a nut shell.

I have been sewing since my first 4H class when I was 10 years old. I have an AA degree in apparel design. I love to sew garments and crafty things. I make clothes for my family and I always make costumes for Halloween. I also do other crafts like knitting, crochet, anything with glue and whatever I just want to try. I have worked in clothing stores doing alterations (not really fun). I made my sister's wedding veil which included sewing, hot glue, and machine embroidery. I also put the silk flowers together and created my wedding bouquets. I think of all of the crafts as a connecting art. When I get an idea for a project I obsess about it until I figure out all of the details.

I have been sewing since I was in 3rd grade. I have also been teaching 4Hers how to sew for twenty years. I especially love doing weddings and dresses for my GD. All my kids know how to sew from being in the 4H program. My son actually won the 4-H State Days competition at Penn State, winning over a class of about 60 others all girls.

Yes, I've sewn as long as I can remember. My first experience with a needle was at about 3 or 4 years old. My parents used to embroider together and were working on an elaborate tablecloth with peacocks on it. I wanted to help, so my mom gave me a hankie; she ironed on a stamped cross stitch of a scottie dog and penciled in a border, showed me what to do and I've never stopped. I could embroider before I could write my name. When my children were young I made all their clothes, everything from bra's to prom and wedding gowns. I've recently started learning to quilt, and am loving it. I was searching through some of my old iron-on embroidery transfers last week (to digitize) and found the peacocks and scottie dog. My mom saved them all those years.

I also sew mostly for other people. It seems when something needs made that doesn't have a pattern they call me and I figure it out. I would prefer to use a pattern. I sew for my four grandchildren. I make clothes and other items for them. I am so happy to see all the sewers that responded to your question. Mona

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

Thanks Mona for sharing your info ;0 I actually would not have known all the sewers that are in here. I bet the GC love to wear their new outfits. Continue to be creative ;D *2U

My grandmother started teaching me how to sew when I was to small to reach her treadle foot. I made my doll blankets. That is why my avitar is a picture of her treadle sewing machine - in her honor. She left me her machine when she passed away several years ago. I have made my clothes, boys and DH shirts and suits, quilt, and now machine embroidery.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

WOW I remember playing on a treadle sewing machine but I could never figure it out until this day ;S It's nice honoring her machine. You have given me an idea for my GM machine ;0 Continue to be creative ;D *2U

I've been sewing since 7 yrs old...and I'll be 47 this year, so that a while, too! I started out by pulling scraps from my moms wastebasket while she sewed....I made clothes for my barbies! he he I have also been doing craft shows since highschool age.....doll clothes, baby clothes and baby stuff. When my sister started having girls (3 in 5yrs!) I decided it was time for me to buy my first embroidery machine....the Rose. I've worked up to now owning 3 Vikings...I love that "fleet" of machines up in my sewing room! Besides sewn goods, I also make soap, lotion, candles, lip balm and other bath/body stuff, but mostly take these things to the Farmers Market on Saturdays. I've always wanted to get into photography, so just bought a new Canon XSi EOS Rebel, 450D. Someday, I'd like to make $$ on that. I own my own cleaning service for my "full time" work...but I actually have lots of time through the day to work with my other stuff! See what "starting to sew at seven" did to me!?!?! ha ha Here's a Smilebox of a show about a year ago....I actually had another two tables in that show with embroidery stuff that I didn't get pictures of, so it's mostly soap/candle stuff.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

Thanks for sharing your info ;0 WOW nice craft show set up ;) I see that you are a very busy woman. How is lip balm made? Continue to be creative ;D *2U

by kkcogle 29 Mar 2009

I use my own formulas, mine for lipbalm includes beeswax, coconut oil, shea, vitamin E and flavoring. Then after melted and blended together, it's poured into the lip balm tubes, let harden and then label. I do my own label as well. It's a big seller for me.

by lesflowell 29 Mar 2009

my goodness what a full table it must take ages to set up hehehe

I started sewing (by hand) when I was about 6 y.o. I used to draw beautiful clothes, then try to make them for my dolls. By the time i was 10 I was designing and making my own clothes and my first job (at 15) was in a milinery workshop where I learnt to use all the different machines.

I've made just about everything over the last 54 years, including my husband and sons' clothes, home wares, handbags, saddlery and horse tack.... you name it, I've probably made it.

When I first got married I was a machinist in an exclusive baby wear factory, then for a while I used to make bikini's and school uniforms (at home) for a factory, but that was very boring and the pay was lousy for the hours I was putting in.

I've always drafted my own patterns so there's nothing I can't create, if I put my mind to it.

I've been lazy the last 20 years and only made things when I couldn't buy them somewhere, But I was working full time. LOL! I did make all the curtains for my home before I moved here with DH.

My Elna Supermatic is 41 years old and still my favourite machine to use. My overlocker is a Godsend that I would never part with and my two embroidery machines are time wasters as I can't leave them once I start stitching a design, I just have to sit and watch it. LOL!

I embroider, crochet, do macrame, tatting, make porcelain dolls and their clothes, create reborn baby dolls (including rooting their hair). I love doing ceramics and air brushing, photography and computer graphics and greetings cards, but I think everyone knows, my latest love is digitising, because it combines all the things I love. Art, computers and sewing.

The thought of all those hobbies, (I never find enough time to do), has made me feel really tired so I think I must go to bed now. LOL!!!
hugs n roses, M

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

WOW Meg, what a resume ;0 Time always seems to get away...LOL I've always wanted to learn macrame. Continue to be creative ;D *2U

I have done alot of sewing in my days from a friends Wedding Dress to all my Mom's clothes before she passed away. I must have been pretty good at it because my Mom always thought she had to buy her clothes from the most expensive shops in town! I make almost all my clothes now but that is about all! Actually, the last thing that I put together was my DIL to be wedding hankie. I made 2 then put embroidery on them and was going to let her have her pick. Her pick was both of them. One had roses on it and the other has doves and wedding rings. I bought 2 hankies but got them home and they were half made so I went and bought some off white material to match her dress. That was last September. Being 62 and cripple with arthritis has made me a tad lazy when it comes to sewing. I do not mind the sewing but standing up and laying out the pattern and then cutting ot out kills my back. I just can not lean over the table like I used to do. Where there is a will, there is a way! If I have to do it, I can. Linda in Ga

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

Thanks for sharing your info Linda. I pray that you regain your strength in your body for the hobby you so LOVE. God is able! ;0 I know the hankies were darling. I pray that you remain encouraged at ALL times ;D *2U

I have been a sewer for years. I made all my daughter's clothes when she was little,and now I do things for my granddaughter. I started machine embroidery in december 07,and I love it. My first machine embroidery job was 149 hoodies.I had to embroider a hockey logo on them. What a task for my first job , but I got through it ok. The pay was nice too. I also like to knit,but only in the winter.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

The grands love grammies...LOL WOW what a job you had with the hockey logo but the pay always makes the smile brighter ;0 Continue to be creative ;D *2U

I sew also, every year when my dh does his annual spring concert I make him a vest with matching bow tie for his white tux and I make myself a new sequin gown to m.c. the concert with. I also make him those really neat hawaiian shirts and myself most anything I want. I learned in 7th grade (long long time ago) and have never given it up.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

WOW BM you got it going on ;0 I bet that sequin gown was a hit. Continue to be creative ;D *2U

Not a great sewer. I try though. Now only for the 10Grands :)

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

WOW 10 Grands, oh yea your a busy one...LOL ;D *2U

by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

WOW 10 Grands, oh yea your a busy one...LOL ;D *2U

I have 2 boys who long out grew the desire to wear what I would sew for them. I have a couple of nieces that I loved to sew for, cute dresses -too bad b4 my emb.machine and doll clothes. Now I quilt, household projects and make sorority gifts for friends and family.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

Thanks for sharing your info ;0 I bet your friends and family enjoy their gifts ;) Enjoy being creative ;D *2U

I use to make all 4 of my little girls dresses when they were younger. Now I sew occasionally for myself but spend more time embroidering than anything else. *4U

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

Thanks for sharing your info ;0 Does any of your daughters sew? ;D *2U

I sew too - not nearly as well as Soi or Maria... I had home ec, but goodness I don't remember anything. I graduated in 1987, so I've slept since then. lol... I have had to learn everything all over again.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

I remember the last time I made something it was like I was sewing in slow motion ;0 I had to become familiar with everything again but instinct kicked back in and I started rolling ;) Enjoy being creative ;D *2U

Oh yes!! I sew,I quilt. I cross stitch,I embroider both by hand and machine.Unfortunitly I also clean house and do laundry. LOL

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

Thanking for sharing your info...do you do house calls for house cleaning and laundry...LOL With my chores out of the way I could really stay online more...LOL LOL LOL ;D *2U

I also had Home Ec (2 years) and since then have done some sewing but not as much as I will like too. I did not do any sewing at all for about 9 years, even gave my sewing machine to my mother in law. About a year and a half my husband bougth me the my first embroidery/sewing machine I and I am slowly dusting off my brain and getting back to it.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

My machine use to be like my Master Card..."Don't leave home without it". When I visit NYC I am trying to figure out which friends machine I will be using ;0 You will be flowing in sewing before you know it...LOL ;D *2U

Yes I do other sewing as well Have even made hubby's suits a few years ago Now I sew for grandkids

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

I bet the GK love to wear their new outfits ;D *2U

I have been sewing for many years, I used to make all my daughters clothes when they were young. I mostly embroider now, and I also knit, crochet, hand embroider also. However I do not like to do alterations of any kind. I do make some of my clothes.

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

Thanks for sharing your info. I learned the basic of crocheting but couldn't do nothing fancy...LOL Enjoy your hobbies being creative ;D *2U

hi, i like to do stitchery and hand applique and at the moment am doing a hexagon quilt using paper piecing and loving every bit of it as i am new at sewing i am not all that good at hand sewing but as i said i really enjoy it. it is someting i can take with me to quilting nite on tuesday nites or can take it any where. while dh was in hospital for 2 weeks i sat there and did quite a lot. cheers mcgraw

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by mad14kt 29 Mar 2009

WOW, thanks for sharing this info. My mother use to quilt. She tried to teach me but I never could get patience for it...LOL Continue to enjoy your hobbies being creative ;D *2U

I have been sewing since my 4-H days and Home Ec. I have done a variety of clothes, quilts, table linens. and now I am making things for my first grandchild and using embroidery for all my crafty items I sew.

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

Thanks...I bet you are a busy lady with your 1st GC. Happy creating ;D *2U

by read180 28 Mar 2009

I forgot to mention that my grandchild is to arrive in July. Son and daughter in-law are expecting a little boy and they have named him Nathaniel. Mom has been diabetic since five so the drs. are watching her and baby very carefully. I also am crocheting baby bootties, baby hat and and blanket for Nathaniels Baptism. I am making stoles for my 14 confirmation students and table place mats for the first communion students.

Yes I have done sewing for many years. Jackets, skirts, kids clothes, dresses and at one stage underwear...the sexy type of course. These days my poor overlocker(serger) doesn`t get that much use since getting my embroidery machine, and my sewing machine only gets used to sew my doily`s together...I am pretty famous for unpicking when I make a mistake..I can sit for hours unpicking....

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

Thanks for sharing. Unpicking is no friend of mine...LOL ;D *2U

by nonna57 29 Mar 2009

I call ir Reverse sewing.... :)

by michelej 29 Mar 2009

lol, now I like that!!!!! Hmm, I do alot of reverse sewing.....Don`t really like it but don`t like to throw it out......

Yeah, Kinda sorta! I make most all of my own clothes, Plus embroider, do quilts, crochet, knit, do cake decorating, like I said, Kinda sorta! Hahaha! But I do have a cutting room and a sewing room, and I really appreciate that! Of course,I am usually the last to get things done for, everyone else's things come first. LOL **

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

WOW you have a lot of hobbies going on, FIESTA! Is your cutting and sewing room together or seperate? TIA ;D *2U

I do some sewing and add embroidery - mostly baby and dolls clothing. I love making (sewing) gifts of all kinds and then adding embroidery, I also do pillows and wedding pillows and garters,table cloths and napkins.

Yvonne

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

Thanks Yvonne nice ideas you have ;D *2U

Do some sewing and add some embroidery but not a lot...

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

Thanks...sounds like you are creating along ;D *2U

At one time I sewed many things, now that the patterns have changed to multi., what I try never fits, so I do not buy patterns much anymore, or do much garment sewing. I have talked to many people that think the same way. H&*.

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

Thanks...Pattern selections has changed a lot to me. I can't find much of what I was LQQKing for. I do have some of my favorites from years back that I modify from time to time. I have some fabric that is waiting to be sewed. Happy creations ;D *2U

by dlmds 28 Mar 2009

Where do you find patterns that fit the way they used to?? We really need some American made. I am one that is trying to buy more American made products. H&*.

by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

I buy the patterns I like and make the alterations needed. I try to get them larger if the cut is small and work it down to my measurements. I buy my patterns at Hancock & Joann Fabric Stores ;D HTH

For sure I even make my own nickers and singlets If you can wear it i make it. And every thing else that can be stitched. What about you.

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

Thanks...been sewing over 30+ yrs. I use to make my cousins and I matching outfits growing up. In college I made 90% of my clothes. I have also made jackets for my DH. My only complaint is I don't have nowhere to cut out my garments like I use too. That space is currently housing my heavy duty sewing machine. In 1997 I decided to get my 1st embroidery machine in memory of my mother. She was a seamtess. My GM handed down her New Home antique sewing machine to me. It still sews like a charm just need a tune up ;0 There are a line of seamtess in my family ;D *2U

oh the memories you brought up! I also had Home Ec and sewed a lot... until I got married. Then I joined my husband here in Germany and in our tiny flat I have no place were to open the fabric :( so I have a cupboard full of lovely material waiting to be sewn in nice clothes when we move to a bigger flat and I get my own sewing room (which will be next summer Thank God) till then I am happy with small embroidered projects I can make in our living room turned sewing room/office. And oh I also HATE alterations and mending too! *4 all of you

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

I have a small sewing room and I keep reminding myself I must be content until I get my "DREAM" one soon ;0 I dislike alterations and mending too ;D *2U

Oh yea, I make just about anything that can be made with fabric and thread. I have made most of my own clothes since that 7th grade Home Ec. class. Including bathing suits. I made custom swimwear for about 10 years til the carpel tunnel got my knuckles from working with the elastic. I have 3 sons and made a lot of their clothes. Now I have 8 grandkids who love to wear Gramma's originals!! It's a point of pride to see them wearing my stuff.BTW I HATE doing alterations. I'd rather start over from scratch. At this very moment I am making a quilted laptop case for my boss.

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

WOW! you have a lot of yrs in there. Sewing relaxs my mind. It's like taking a bath, I get carried away...LOL ;D *2U

by maryjo 28 Mar 2009

I have told my DH for years that it is cheaper to let me have my TOYS than it would be to pay for therapy. With three very active boys, I needed an outlet. My machines filled the bill.

Oh yes, and I would think most of the cuties are also good dressmakers. I used to be only a dress designer and maker, but when it got too much, I decided to quit the dressmaking, and buy a embroidery machine. The rest is history. Used to make any thing from kiddies, to wedding dresses. Now I just do that for myself, family and friends. How about you yourself?

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by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

Thanks Marietta, been sewing over 30+ yrs. I use to make my cousins and I matching outfits growing up. In college I made 90% of my clothes. I have also made jackets for my DH. My only complaint is I don't have nowhere to cut out my garments like I use too. That space is currently housing my heavy duty sewing machine. In 1997 I decided to get my 1st embroidery machine in memory of my mother. She was a seamtess. My GM handed down her New Home antique sewing machine to me. It still sews like a charm just need a tune up ;0 There are a line of seamtess in my family ;D *2U

I have a sewing and alterations business and am right now up to my neck in prom dresses to alter.Pam Hood

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by marietta 28 Mar 2009

Oh boy !! I know that feeling. Good luck.

by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

WOW! hats off to you. One of my friends have a alteration business and I have something waiting to be altered by her as I speak...YUCK. I sew but "NO" alterations...LOL ;D *2U

I have been sewing since I took Home Ec.(remember that class) in 7th grade ..... which was about 200 years ago. LOL We were pretty poor and it was revelation. I pretty much made my dresses after that until I could afford to buy my own clothes. I still sew - I love pretty material!!!!!!!

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by marietta 28 Mar 2009

Is it not funny, how all of us can not walk past pretty material? LOL

by mad14kt 28 Mar 2009

I am a recovering fabricholic. No one could beat me fabric shopping. When I lived in NYC, every lunch break was spent at the fabric store. Every time I would pass it, it would call me back for a conversation...LOL therefore I had to buy it. I am much better today but I'll let you know if it comes back when I get my "DREAM" sewing room...LOL ;D *2U