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Post by toshtego on Dec 19, 2022 22:05:12 GMT -5
I pulled out an ancient Irish cable knit sweater. Made in 1968, it was a gift. The "cables" are unravelling owing to moth damage. I spent about two hours with a large needle and twine sewing holes. Closing some and reinforcing others. Clumsy looking but I hope to get better at it.
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 19, 2022 22:47:25 GMT -5
I pulled out an ancient Irish cable knit sweater. Made in 1968, it was a gift. The "cables" are unravelling owing to moth damage. I spent about two hours with a large needle and twine sewing holes. Closing some and reinforcing others. Clumsy looking but I hope to get better at it. I have a green Aran sweater that I got in Blarney. I couldn't ever wear it in Houston but I sure wish I had it now. Probably in a box in the attic of the barn. |
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Post by toshtego on Dec 19, 2022 23:06:06 GMT -5
I pulled out an ancient Irish cable knit sweater. Made in 1968, it was a gift. The "cables" are unravelling owing to moth damage. I spent about two hours with a large needle and twine sewing holes. Closing some and reinforcing others. Clumsy looking but I hope to get better at it. I have a green Aran sweater that I got in Blarney. I couldn't ever wear it in Houston but I sure wish I had it now. Probably in a box in the attic of the barn. You might want to dig it out before it is completely eaten. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 20, 2022 0:27:38 GMT -5
I have a green Aran sweater that I got in Blarney. I couldn't ever wear it in Houston but I sure wish I had it now. Probably in a box in the attic of the barn. You might want to dig it out before it is completely eaten. After 38 years it's probably gone already, although it was my habit to seal such items in plastic with a cedar sachet. |
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Mrs. Zarnicky
Junior Member
Posts: 396
First Name: Anichka
Favorite Tobacco: (Country Squire) Hunting Creek, Black Arrow. (Sutliff) Vanilla Custard
Location:
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Post by Mrs. Zarnicky on Dec 20, 2022 10:17:13 GMT -5
Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing? .....
Because they drop all their needles.
Women much better at sewing than men. My husband Chuckles can't mend strait.
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Post by toshtego on Dec 20, 2022 11:29:44 GMT -5
Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing? ..... Because they drop all their needles. Women much better at sewing than men. My husband Chuckles can't mend strait. It takes practice. My stitching and sewing looks terrible but it works to hold garments together. I hope to become neater with experience. |
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Post by toshtego on Jan 7, 2023 12:26:09 GMT -5
I actually darned up an Aran Island cable knit sweater with more holes than a Swiss Cheese. Looks presentable enough. I got better towards the end. On to another sweater if I can find a yarn match. Kind of enjoy this in the hours of darkness. Sitting at my desk. Miles Davis on for company. A nice pipe bowl or two. I never had much in the way of Craft skills.
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Post by urbino on Jan 7, 2023 19:29:53 GMT -5
I actually darned up an Aran Island cable knit sweater with more holes than a Swiss Cheese. Looks presentable enough. I got better towards the end. On to another sweater if I can find a yarn match. Kind of enjoy this in the hours of darkness. Sitting at my desk. Miles Davis on for company. A nice pipe bowl or two. I never had much in the way of Craft skills. Sounds very meditative. |
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Post by trailboss on Jan 7, 2023 20:11:47 GMT -5
My daughter bought my wife a singer sewing machine for Christmas, she has yet to open the box.
I don’t see a lot of sewing in her future.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 8, 2023 1:28:29 GMT -5
My MIL gave the wife hers 38 years ago, it's been used once. That's what Chinese kids are for! 😜😱☠️🤯
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Post by toshtego on Jan 8, 2023 3:30:55 GMT -5
I actually darned up an Aran Island cable knit sweater with more holes than a Swiss Cheese. Looks presentable enough. I got better towards the end. On to another sweater if I can find a yarn match. Kind of enjoy this in the hours of darkness. Sitting at my desk. Miles Davis on for company. A nice pipe bowl or two. I never had much in the way of Craft skills. Sounds very meditative. It has that quality which I enjoy. Most perceptive of you, Urb. |
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Post by toshtego on Jan 8, 2023 3:36:07 GMT -5
My MIL gave the wife hers 38 years ago, it's been used once. That's what Chinese kids are for! 😜😱☠️🤯 The oft encountered problem with sewing done in China is the thread. They are notorious for low quality thread with little tensile strength. Hong Kong tailors in the days of the British Colony were notorious for producing suits which separated at the shoulder. Sleeves would dangle. Trouser seams fail. Too often nowadays I see problems with the workmanship. When I lived in Los Angeles, I visited an Indian (East Indian, as in Rama Krishna) tailor for my suits. We would have a good laugh about that. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 8, 2023 11:35:18 GMT -5
I had a Hong Kong suit back in the late 70s. I got it at a Junior Achievement resale shop and it fit perfectly. It was a beautiful suit, until I outgrew it. I don't think any threads broke. I often just admired the craftsmanship.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 8, 2023 11:39:35 GMT -5
You know that kids have always had to work throughout history. They still do in so many places. I don't know how much intentional cruelty is involved, compared to the need of the families. I always wondered, "if we don't give business to countries that use child labor, will more people suffer?
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Post by trailboss on Jan 8, 2023 12:18:09 GMT -5
I remember my brother’s suit he got in HK on a port call, mid 70’s.
“ Hong Kong Harry” was the name inside the coat.
I remember stuff like this, but forget important stuff.
😕
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Post by toshtego on Jan 8, 2023 14:31:19 GMT -5
I remember my brother’s suit he got in HK on a port call, mid 70’s. “ Hong Kong Harry” was the name inside the coat. I remember stuff like this, but forget important stuff. 😕 Hong Kong was famous for classic tailoring which was done quite well except for that thread issue. |
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Post by trailboss on Jan 8, 2023 20:49:51 GMT -5
I remember my brother’s suit he got in HK on a port call, mid 70’s. “ Hong Kong Harry” was the name inside the coat. I remember stuff like this, but forget important stuff. 😕 Hong Kong was famous for classic tailoring which was done quite well except for that thread issue. I remember the 1970’s greeting…. “Nice threads, Man!” Now I know how that greeting came about. |
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JimK
Junior Member
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light".
Posts: 181 
First Name: Jim
Favorite Pipe: Canadian
Favorite Tobacco: almost any Virginia/Perique blend
Location:
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Post by JimK on Jan 9, 2023 10:44:38 GMT -5
I ordered a suit from an Asian tailor. I hope it's made well. Should arrive late this month or early Feb.
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Post by Goldbrick on Jan 14, 2023 18:54:16 GMT -5
My wife's real farther passed away when she was nine, leaving my Mother-in-law, and six little girls to form a cottage industry of sewing and crafting. There's nothing they can't fix or make from scratch. Sharon's high school graduation gift from me, was a Singer sewing machined.
That machine is long dead, but she still has her moms old-time black Singer, and a feather-weight in the same style, plus two Brother machines, and two more machines, with a cabinet full of attachments that are far above my pay-grade.
When we married, she made her wedding dress, and all the bridesmaid dresses...she has recovered chairs, and footstools, made all the curtains, drapes, and quilts we'll ever need. I can't even begin to list all the alterations she done on my clothes...and after 45 years...I can't sew a stich!
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 14, 2023 20:48:48 GMT -5
My wife can sew a little, but she doesn't want to. One of my 5 sisters sewed clothes for everyone. My grandmother and an aunt sewed everything, mostly quilts and kids clothes. It seems like it's going the way of everything else. Everyone I knew that could sew seriously is long gone.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Jan 14, 2023 21:47:00 GMT -5
 My wife sews, made boat tops, small Evil Kinevel coat for my small boy when he raced Honda 50 motorcycles, drapes, you name it. Started collecting Singer machines, just gave my Oldest Son 3 machines, one who was advertised to be able to sew 2 yardsticks together. Last week he tried it out and would not see the thick material he wanted to make gun and ammo bags. Later he texted me that the webbing was the fault, it had cotton in it and made the needle bend, he changed the webbing and sewed 4 thicknes of material and he said it sewed like going thru butter. Its gear driven and I wasn't surprised. Oh by the way she made drapes and Cornice Boards for our 100 yr old house, I hit the jackpot on my wife, she got a dud.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 14, 2023 21:49:09 GMT -5
I hit the jackpot on my wife, she got a DUDE . I fixed it for you. 😉 |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Jan 14, 2023 21:53:39 GMT -5
Thanks Ron but I'm really a dud.
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JimK
Junior Member
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light".
Posts: 181
First Name: Jim
Favorite Pipe: Canadian
Favorite Tobacco: almost any Virginia/Perique blend
Location:
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Post by JimK on Jan 30, 2023 10:55:53 GMT -5
Back during my misspent youth, I got into Civil War reenacting. The reenacting hobby of any time period requires a lot of maintenance, especially of clothing, not the least of which is sewing on buttons. Fortunately, my mom taught me that skill as I was preparing to leave for college.
As I got more involved in reenacting, certain items had to be replaced, shirts mostly. And finally my wife said to me that she had sewn the last of my shirts. This was, she informed me, my hobby. Do your own sewing.
Stepping back long enough to take a breath, and let that statement soak in, I said "OK. Will you teach me?" So (sew) it began.
Over the winter of 2021/22 I sewed an 18th century French style overcoat completely by hand, just to see if I could do it. I'll never do that again. Not because it's tedious. Not because I did a horrible job (I didn't.) But because it isn't necessary. All the seams are internal, and hidden. Although I would do the buttonholes by hand again. I got pretty good at that.
Sometimes I think the hardest part is not the actual cutting of fabric and fitting the pieces together, it's reading and understanding the instructions on the pattern itself. I have two patterns that are holding me up. One is a German pattern wherein I must draft my own seam allowance. The other snag that I needed advanced help with is that Europeans have a different sizing guide than Americans.
The other pattern is a Simplicity shirt. I'm used to making 18th century shirts which require no pattern as they are constructed from squares and rectangles of fabric. All you need are a few simple measurements, and you're off to the races.
This is where smoking a pipe is a blessing, and a comfort. When I've had all I can take, it's so nice to sit on the porch with a bowl and my tobac de jour.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Jan 30, 2023 11:01:51 GMT -5
 Trying to see if I can post the picture! |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Jan 30, 2023 11:03:45 GMT -5
 Fixed his backpack to include tripod when hunting coyotes.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Jan 30, 2023 11:05:11 GMT -5
Mother gave him her collection of Singer machines. He's personalizing his gun equipment carryalls.
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Post by toshtego on Jan 30, 2023 11:46:19 GMT -5
Back during my misspent youth, I got into Civil War reenacting. The reenacting hobby of any time period requires a lot of maintenance, especially of clothing, not the least of which is sewing on buttons. Fortunately, my mom taught me that skill as I was preparing to leave for college. As I got more involved in reenacting, certain items had to be replaced, shirts mostly. And finally my wife said to me that she had sewn the last of my shirts. This was, she informed me, my hobby. Do your own sewing. Stepping back long enough to take a breath, and let that statement soak in, I said "OK. Will you teach me?" So (sew) it began. Over the winter of 2021/22 I sewed an 18th century French style overcoat completely by hand, just to see if I could do it. I'll never do that again. Not because it's tedious. Not because I did a horrible job (I didn't.) But because it isn't necessary. All the seams are internal, and hidden. Although I would do the buttonholes by hand again. I got pretty good at that. Sometimes I think the hardest part is not the actual cutting of fabric and fitting the pieces together, it's reading and understanding the instructions on the pattern itself. I have two patterns that are holding me up. One is a German pattern wherein I must draft my own seam allowance. The other snag that I needed advanced help with is that Europeans have a different sizing guide than Americans. The other pattern is a Simplicity shirt. I'm used to making 18th century shirts which require no pattern as they are constructed from squares and rectangles of fabric. All you need are a few simple measurements, and you're off to the races. This is where smoking a pipe is a blessing, and a comfort. When I've had all I can take, it's so nice to sit on the porch with a bowl and my tobac de jour.That is the truth. This time of year, sitting by the woodstove in my old leather chair with pipe. You have advanced sewing skills. I wish my old mother had shown me more of sewing before I left home. As I mentioned, this is a vital skill for a man. Like cooking. Sure, women can do it for you but a man has to be self sufficient before seeking the aid and comfort of women folk. Just my opinion. |
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Post by toshtego on Jan 30, 2023 11:47:06 GMT -5
Thanks Ron but I'm really a dud. I respectfully disagree with that statement. |
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JimK
Junior Member
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light".
Posts: 181
First Name: Jim
Favorite Pipe: Canadian
Favorite Tobacco: almost any Virginia/Perique blend
Location:
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Post by JimK on Feb 2, 2023 0:49:22 GMT -5
Back during my misspent youth, I got into Civil War reenacting. The reenacting hobby of any time period requires a lot of maintenance, especially of clothing, not the least of which is sewing on buttons. Fortunately, my mom taught me that skill as I was preparing to leave for college. As I got more involved in reenacting, certain items had to be replaced, shirts mostly. And finally my wife said to me that she had sewn the last of my shirts. This was, she informed me, my hobby. Do your own sewing. Stepping back long enough to take a breath, and let that statement soak in, I said "OK. Will you teach me?" So (sew) it began. Over the winter of 2021/22 I sewed an 18th century French style overcoat completely by hand, just to see if I could do it. I'll never do that again. Not because it's tedious. Not because I did a horrible job (I didn't.) But because it isn't necessary. All the seams are internal, and hidden. Although I would do the buttonholes by hand again. I got pretty good at that. Sometimes I think the hardest part is not the actual cutting of fabric and fitting the pieces together, it's reading and understanding the instructions on the pattern itself. I have two patterns that are holding me up. One is a German pattern wherein I must draft my own seam allowance. The other snag that I needed advanced help with is that Europeans have a different sizing guide than Americans. The other pattern is a Simplicity shirt. I'm used to making 18th century shirts which require no pattern as they are constructed from squares and rectangles of fabric. All you need are a few simple measurements, and you're off to the races. This is where smoking a pipe is a blessing, and a comfort. When I've had all I can take, it's so nice to sit on the porch with a bowl and my tobac de jour.That is the truth. This time of year, sitting by the woodstove in my old leather chair with pipe. You have advanced sewing skills. I wish my old mother had shown me more of sewing before I left home. As I mentioned, this is a vital skill for a man. Like cooking. Sure, women can do it for you but a man has to be self sufficient before seeking the aid and comfort of women folk. Just my opinion. Thank you, Sir. And I think your observation about basic homemaking skills e.g. sewing, cooking and so forth are right on the money. |
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My wife sews, made boat tops, small Evil Kinevel coat for my small boy when he raced Honda 50 motorcycles, drapes, you name it. Started collecting Singer machines, just gave my Oldest Son 3 machines, one who was advertised to be able to sew 2 yardsticks together. Last week he tried it out and would not see the thick material he wanted to make gun and ammo bags. Later he texted me that the webbing was the fault, it had cotton in it and made the needle bend, he changed the webbing and sewed 4 thicknes of material and he said it sewed like going thru butter. Its gear driven and I wasn't surprised. Oh by the way she made drapes and Cornice Boards for our 100 yr old house, I hit the jackpot on my wife, she got a dud.