https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 06 May 2026 03:24:42 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177795 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:54:32 +0000 Anonymous 177795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That Hello Kitty machine is just too cute! It would make me smile every time I looked at it. Good luck, Maya. I've often shortened tank straps by hand and it's not too hard. Practice making small stitches once you get the hang of it with large ones. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177787 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:46:36 +0000 Maya 177787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Holy cow Kristine, what a fantastic effort! Thank you so much! That was more helpful than you could know. You should have a job writing out sewing manuals. Your instructions were very easy to follow and clear. I'm going to practice this weekend and I will update everyone with the results.</p> <p>In the meantime, I'm thinking of spending the $100+ on this...</p> <p><a href="http://www.target.com/Hello-Kitty-Sewing-Machine-Green/dp/B000B8WSJ2" rel="nofollow">http://www.target.com/Hello-Ki.....B000B8WSJ2</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177727 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:17:19 +0000 Kristine 177727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How are you doing Maya, have you tried sewing it? You could also try hem tape, which is done with ironing. </p> <p>If you want to try sewing, you'll need some white or light thread and a sewing needle. You might find it easier to work with a fairly large needle, they tend to have large thread holes. Unwind about 2-3' of thread (much more will tangle). Cut the thread off the spool. When threading the needle it helps to use the newly cut end.</p> <p>Now thread the needle. Try closing one eye and holding the needle up to a light if you have trouble. Hold your finger close to the end of the thread with just a bit sticking out and put it through the hole. Once you get it through pull about 6-8" through the needle. No need to knot it, just keep your eye on it while you're sewing so the thread doesn't fall out of the needle. </p> <p>Now, if you've marked your shoulder seams with a pin you're ready to start sewing.<br /> Keep the pin in while you sew, just watch your fingers. Remember to have the excess fabric (seam) inside the shirt. Now flip the shirt inside out to begin sewing. </p> <p>Start on the inside end of the seam (which would be towards your neck) and have the front of the shirt facing you. Insert the needle through both pieces of fabric, away from you, close to the edge. Pull nearly all the way through but leave a tail of thread hanging (about 3-4"). </p> <p>Now bring the needle back toward you and come back through both pieces of fabric a small distance away from the first entry point (smaller is generally better, but 1/4-1/2" will be fine to start). Keep doing this working your way slowly down the seam. It may be easier for you if you flip the fabric for each stitch so you can see what you're doing. </p> <p>Since this is a shoulder seam, when you get to the end throw an extra stitch or two on the end to stabilize it and then work your way back down the fabric. Make your last stitch so that the thread matches up to the tail you left when you started. Cut the thread from your needle, leaving a few inches. Tie those two tails together (knot firmly but don't pull the thread too much or if will bunch up the fabric). Trim the excess thread but leave a bit (1/2") so it doesn't unravel.</p> <p>When you're happy with the result you can trim the fabric from inside the seam, but I would take your time with this step. Knit stretchy fabric and shoulder seams aren't the easiest to sew so if you want to practice seams, you might try a slightly stiff cotton or something like that. Hemming pants or skirts is actually fairly easy once you get the hang of it. </p> <p>I hope that helps! Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177654 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:27:30 +0000 kaycee 177654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Getting a neat and strong finish on your shoulder seams with hand sewing will not be easy. Since you have a reasonable amount of excess fabric to play with would you consider other options like knotting the shoulders or pleating the fabric forward and securing the fabric with a large button? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177495 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:43:44 +0000 Lisa 177495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am another can't sew on a button person so I have no tips for that but I wanted to stop by and wish you good luck with modifying this tank! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177476 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:53:33 +0000 stringy 177476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some hand-sewing videos: </p> <p><a href="http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-hand-sew-stitches-228379/" rel="nofollow">http://www.wonderhowto.com/how.....es-228379/</a></p> <p>I think straps on a sleeveless top will be ok to handsew. I do that sort of thing on and off and they survive quite well as long as you've got a high-quality thread and are sure to secure the ends of the thread. </p> <p>If you're keen to do a lot of home modifications and repairs, definitely get a secondhand machine and just get it serviced to make it good as new. New machines are very nice, but they're not that different from the ones in the 90s, just with more special features. But all you need to get started is straight stitch, zig-zag and a buttonhole setting. There are so many tutorials and message boards online that will help you figure it all out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177469 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:22:17 +0000 Traci 177469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've found hand sewing to be very fragile. It might be okay for a hem, but a shoulder is going to be under a good deal of stress. This job calls for a machine. You certainly don't want to risk your stitches failing while you're wearing the garment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177443 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:14:44 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 177443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A sewing class would be a great idea! Sewing was the only subject I ever failed at school, but they only reason I took it was so I could also do cooking!</p> <p>Maya - I thought you could bake - so how come you say you can't cook?</p> <p>I can do buttons and that is it - so my solution is to have a friend who is really good at sewing (she makes wedding dresses), I would take up Anne's offer or I am sure there is something on video jug somewhere... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177419 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:45:20 +0000 taylor 177419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kim is right....sewing booth...hair color/cutting booth...knitting booth...jewelery making...bra fitting booth......etc:)</p> <p>I think it would be great if you purchased a little machine for straight seams like this and do these yourself:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177416 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:40:43 +0000 medusa 177416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, could you take a sewing class? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177408 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:32:40 +0000 Kate 177408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with going back and doing it twice. The biggest difference between sewing with a machine and by hand is that the machine uses two different threads simultaneously (or more), but when you do it by hand you only use one thread. The result is that the machine sewing is much stronger and more resilient to small tears in one of the threads. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177402 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:14:51 +0000 Steph 177402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sveta makes a good point. In fact, once you do it once, I would go back and stitch the same thing again, so it is reinforced. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177401 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:14:24 +0000 Queen Mum 177401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think we need to include a basic sewing class in the worldwide YLF convention </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177400 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:13:13 +0000 Sveta 177400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, just wanted to warn you: if you sew this by hand be careful with washing in the wash machine: hand stitches are not as strong and can come undone during the wash. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177398 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:10:24 +0000 Steph 177398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I don't think this should take more than a half hour to sew (and probably more like ten minutes). I don't know if the tutorial told you everything you want to know, but you want to pass the thread through the eye of the needle, making the length of the doubled thread about the length of your wrist to your elbow. Knot the thread. There are two ways you can stitch it together. You could do as Ann suggested and leave the fabric intact until after you are done sewing. However, I think that what I would do is first pin the fabric and make sure it is the right length, then when you are confident in the length, cut all but about 1/4 of an inch of the excess fabric. Then start at one end of the strap and insert your needle--you want your two "wrong" sides to be facing out and the two right sides (the part you want showing when you wear it) will be facing each other. So pass the needle through, so the knot will be on the wrong side of the fabric, and then just pass the needle back (moving slightly over, toward the other end of the strap). Just do it over and over until you get to the opposite end of the strap. It shouldn't take long at all.</p> <p>I didn't look at Katja's video, but this one might help: <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_4940666_basic-running-stitch.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ehow.com/video_4940.....titch.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177394 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:58:53 +0000 JennyK (NC) 177394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>here's another little trick. Try on the tank inside-out. Then you can pinch it up at the shoulder seam more easily to pin it. It is very helpful at this point to have someone help you. Ideally you want to have someone pin it while you are standing still, arms down to be sure you get the right amount pinned.</p> <p>Sew the seam as tightly as you can. You don't want to have a clothing malfunction on the subway!</p> <p>A little hand sewing machine as Angie suggested might be a good investment! You can get a nice little one for like US$20 and a cheapy for about $10-12. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177392 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:56:12 +0000 Maya 177392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I looked up hand sewing machine on Amazon and they all seemed to get universally negative reviews. I don't mind learning. I can't cook, knit, or do pretty much anything domestic. Must start somewhere... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177378 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:37:26 +0000 Maya 177378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question Kristen:</p> <p>1) I don't like being hot!</p> <p>2) it just isn't flattering. It's not like the fit is off just by a hair. It really looks bad. There is just way too much fabric bunching and gaping. We're talking 6" of fabric being lopped off. I have to size up a lot for my bust but my arms are quite skinny so it creates a rather glaring discrepancy.</p> <p>Kate, I don't think it would take that long. It's just two straps, so maybe two inches of fabric total. Am I being naive?</p> <p>Angie, I have no idea what a hand sewing machine is but I will investigate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177377 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:35:58 +0000 Angie 177377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can you get a hand sewing machine? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177375 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:35:07 +0000 Kate 177375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, sewing it by hand will take a lot of time, so be prepared! good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177374 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:34:52 +0000 Kristen 177374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Why sew at all? I just double-layer tanks if one is showing too much armhole or cleavage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177371 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:27:15 +0000 Maya 177371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Anne, you are a sweetie pie. Thanks for the offer. But this problem isn't going to end with this top and well...I'm sure you don't want to start a new non-profit alterations business just for me :p It's best that I become self sufficient!</p> <p>Katja, thanks for that link! Soooo....sewing is as straightforward as I expected. I guess it's just a question of being neat and tidy... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177367 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:19:25 +0000 Anonymous 177367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you want, mark where they need to be sewn, pop the top into a padded envelope and send it my way. I'll alter it for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177363 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:16:59 +0000 Katja 177363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Sew./" rel="nofollow">http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Sew./</a></p> <p>I suppose I should be grateful for my German school education: sewing, knitting, crocheting, smocking, embroidering, <strong>and</strong> how to play both recorder and glockenspiel! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177362 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:15:52 +0000 Maya 177362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I know what you meant April. I just meant that I don't know how to sew, so sewing that new seam poses a problem :p</p> <p>The sewing impaired leading the sewing impaired... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177360 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:14:23 +0000 April 177360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I meant "sew first, before cutting any fabric." Sew the new seam in the new spot, and *then* trim the extra loop of fabric that has resulted. I have an idea that this will give you a neater new seam.</p> <p>(I also have an idea that all the seamstresses among us are having a roaring good laugh over this explanation. Oh Ladies of the Needle -- please correct me if I'm steering Maya off a cliff...) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177357 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:07:47 +0000 Maya 177357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah but April...that's where it falls apart! I don't know what "sew first" means. I put the thread through the needle and then what? :p I am even more of an ignoramus than you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177355 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:05:42 +0000 April 177355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya -- I don't sew, so it might be easiest to hear the explanation of a fellow ignoramus. ;)</p> <p>I think what you want to do is pinch the extra fabric on top of your shoulder, where there is probably a seam anyway, and stick a straight pin in it to mark the spot. (You'll want to push the extra fabric downward rather than upward, so that when viewed from the side, the extra strap fabric forms a teardrop shape and not a lightbulb shape -- does that make any sense at all?) Do the other shoulder the same way so the strap lengths match. Sew first, then trim off the additional fabric. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-need-to-learn-how-to-do-this-myself#post-177348 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:57:05 +0000 Maya 177348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I got my kitty tank today! </p> <p><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&#038;itemCount=80&#038;startValue=321&#038;selectedProductColor=&#038;sortby=&#038;id=18073262&#038;parentid=SALE_W_CLOTHING&#038;sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,price&#038;navCount=364&#038;navAction=poppushpush&#038;color=&#038;pushId=SALE_W_CLOTHING&#038;popId=SALE_W&#038;prepushId=&#038;selectedProductSize=" rel="nofollow">http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....oductSize=</a></p> <p>It is even more adorably cute in person.</p> <p>However, as always, it is too long from shoulder to bust. The arm holes are big and gappy and there is way too much cleavage. This happens to me, as I have mentioned repeatedly, with just about all sleeveless tops. And I'm SICK OF IT! While some tops might require professional intervention, I think most of them can be done at home. The glaring problem is that I can barely sew a button on and I don't have a granny who can teach me or anything. I'm on my own.</p> <p>Since this tank was cheap and I can easily get a new one if I mess up, I figure it's a good piece to experiment with. All I want to do is cut the excess fabric from the straps and sew them back up. I don't have a sewing machine so it would have to be hand sewn. Where do I even begin? Is there an online reference? I know we have some sewing talent here but I understand it might not be easy to explain...</p> <p>Many thanks! </p>