I know nothing about costuming or sewing, and I don't have a lot of space to do it. Help me get set up and learning how to put together basic clothing/costumes in my apartment! [more inside]
posted by gchucky on Dec 28, 2012 - 17 answers

I would like to buy a good book on how to sew. I don't mean a beginner's instructional book, since I can already sew quite well, but a comprehensive reference book that covers everything from the basics to advanced tailoring and couture techniques. I want a sewing book that is the equivalent of Vogue Knitting, which is revered among knitters as the knitter's Bible. I've come across Vogue Sewing, and Power Sewing by Sandra Betzina. Would you recommend either one of these as the best choice, or do you know of another book you think is better?
posted by orange swan on Sep 21, 2012 - 10 answers

Is there a community web site for sewers that is comparable to what Ravelry is for knitters? This means, in case you're not familiar with Ravelry, that I can use it to document my sewing projects, look at other people's sewing projects, search for patterns (or pattern reviews), and share information with other sewers in the forums.
posted by orange swan on Aug 29, 2012 - 10 answers

AskMe sewers! That's as in ("sewing," not as in sewage). I found a piece of fabric I'd like to make a simple tube-style dress out of, sewing in a back seam to join the fabric and then sewing in elastic above the bust. I have two kinds of elastic on hand. Should I use the flat 3/4 inch specifically "non-roll" kind, which seems kind of wide and bulky, or the flat 3/8" braided one? [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Jul 3, 2012 - 12 answers

Is there a simpler way to sew a hem than how I'm doing it now? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library on Mar 9, 2012 - 16 answers

DIY Holiday Gifts: I love sewing easy projects with fleece, but hate how all the patterns out there are stuck in the 80s. Help me find some more hip, updated and/or useful patterns! [more inside]
posted by Kindlekat on Nov 28, 2011 - 17 answers

I'm looking for a supplier of sewing notions. [more inside]
posted by wwartorff on Sep 21, 2010 - 6 answers

Now that I'm freshly unemployed, I'm thinking about teaching sewing lessons out of my apartment. I'm in Seattle, and my target demographic would likely be young adults on the hipster spectrum, like myself, and perhaps kids 8 and above. What do I need to consider about 1. the business side of an enterprise like that (bookkeeping, taxes, advertising, setting prices, etc.), 2. keeping things safe and pleasant while inviting basically strangers into my home. Bonus item 3. what would you want your lessons to be like if you were my student? [more inside]
posted by doift on May 21, 2010 - 14 answers

I've volunteered to help teach 10-12 year olds how to sew. We have limited supplies (only three machines for 15+ students), so I was wondering what suggestions you had for: a) teaching the very basics to youngsters in a safe and fun way (not too frustrating and not too bloody) b) working with limited resources [more inside]
posted by chara on Sep 10, 2008 - 6 answers

When using my sewing machine, large loops and tangles of thread are generated on the bottom side of the fabric. What am I doing wrong and what do I need to do to remedy the problem?
posted by kc0dxh on Apr 12, 2005 - 15 answers