I love whatever I did with the cute bag.

I've been wanting to try sewing something practical, so I made these cushion covers using animal-print fabric. I went with a simple envelope closure at the back, using plain black fabric for the reverse.

The envelope closure was surprisingly satisfying to figure out, and I love how the contrast between the cream printed fabric and black backing turned out. The animal placement is a little chaotic in places, and the corners could definitely use some work, but I'm counting it as a win for my first attempt!

I'd love to hear any tips for getting sharper corners, a neater finish, and a more polished shape next time.

Also, any beginner-friendly sewing projects you'd recommend tackling next?

Making our daughters' trick-or-treat bags this year! One down, one to go. I'm so happy with how this turned out that I had to share before they were both done.

I know the white thread stands out, but I'm so new to this I'd prefer to see what I'm doing over it blending in...the toddlers won't mind

Princess Auto currently has self-healing cutting mats on sale at absurdly low prices.

For example, the 24" x 36" size is $14.99 CAD.

Even at full price, the mats are cheaper than anywhere else I've seen.

I'm hoping to make the matching view 1 set, shown in red on the cover. I have been down a rabbit hole of research trying to find a fabric to use for this project and have mostly ended up giving myself a headache. I need help both finding a suitable fabric and locating an online store that carries it.

The suggested fabrics listed here are not especially helpful - for instance: "Cotton." Given there are millions of different fabrics with cotton in them and they all behave differently, this doesn't give me much to go off of. I have been sewing for years, but there are still many things that elude me and I am always learning! Back in ye olden days of JoAnn's, I would go to the store and feel the fabric and get an idea of its weight and hand to determine its suitability for a project. I was pretty good at that, too! I've made many a lovely project with the right weight and feel, then realized at the end that I can't even recall what type of fabric I used other than its fiber content (for care instructions).

I can tell for this project, I need something with structure, at least, probably with a crisp feel to it, but not too stiff. But trying to search for something online has proven more difficult than I anticipated.

If I was making just the skirt, I would go for a medium bottomweight fabric that drapes nicely but has structure, but when making a matching top and bottom, I'm finding myself stumped. I don't want a jacket to be too heavy! Wool intimidates me still, and the price for this much fabric makes me wince!

The example drawing of the red outfit seems to be a shinier, "dressier" fabric, although it's hard to tell, given it's a drawing and not a photo. One of the fabric suggestions that isn't just a fiber content is faille, but I'm having a hard time finding any of that online. I'm fine with polyester if I'm wearing a cotton blouse underneath.

I would like a "dressier" fabric suitable for cooler weather, that I can wear to places like church. Should I look for a good faille, like the suggestion says? Any places I can find it that won't break the bank? I've checked Fabric Wholesale Direct, and they don't seem to have much of that particular fabric, but they have lots of others that seem similar to me. I am still unfamiliar, however, with all the different fabric types, and I'm not 100% sure if any would work the same as a faille.

Is there a similar type of fabric that will achieve the same look? I just need something crisp and not too bulky that will work for both a skirt and a jacket without being too heavy or stiff. Color is an afterthought - I'll just choose from what's available.

Perhaps I am just overthinking this, but I'm open to suggestions. Particularly different names of fabrics that I can search for, rather than just guessing. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm really stumped, and I want to make a good choice!

Hi!! I’m brand new here (and haven’t sewed a day in my life yet) and I hope this kind of question is okay. I’m very excited but somewhat skeptical about this find. It intrigued me because it’s right in town and I like its vintage look, and when I looked it up I learned that it’s a highly-regarded and widely-beloved model.

I guess I’m wondering if it’s too good to be true. For how good it supposedly is, I’m surprised it didn’t sell at $250 and wasn’t immediately taken at $125. Perhaps the condition? It’s vintage so I don’t mind it looking worn as long as it’s still functional. I’m wondering if there are any red or even yellow flags I’m missing here as someone who knows literally nothing about these things? The description just says “Runs and has working pedal.”

Thanks so much in advance!!

i have this pined but idk how to start without it looking tacky. also this is hand stitching

Im relatively new to sewing but have before just on smaller projects and i was wonder what fabic should i use for a daily use massager bag like the images above? I have asked google but all I'm getting is ai overviews i dont trust or answers I'm just not understanding and i dont know anybody else who can sew. Currently i own three fabics i think could work but they seem too thin and i dont want the bag to tear or deform easily. The three fabrics are a pretty strong but thin denim and two different cotton fabics i got from a charity shop that are commanly used in suits. I could buy more fabic but i want to try use what i have and i dont really know where to get anything persific. Can someone please help me before i do something stupid?

Edit: thank you all so much for the answers especially the person who brought me to r/baglab that was really helpful

I got this machine free from my boufriends gpa for free im wpmdering if its good

Found this amazing vintage leather coat. Seems to be from the 70's. 6" tear on the seam at the elbow. Lining throughout.

Any tips helpful!

First day playing with my machine — I’m thinking it’s a tension issue? Big loops on the right side was my first attempt of straight stitch. The left two rows were my attempts of zig zag stitch. I’ve already rethreaded it and have adjusted stitch length and tension. What am I doing wrong?

I think its melted synthetic fibers but I honestly dont even remember anymore. I already tried using EZ Off Iron Cleaner several times and that didn't work, and I've tried scraping it off with a razor blade. What else can I try?

I’m gonna do a passion project where I’m making plushies based on the Lords in Black dolls from the Hatchetfield series by Team Starkid Productions. I’m designing the plushies and pattern myself, the first image is my first prototype sketch and the second image is my main inspiration (which are the official dolls seen on stage). Is this a solid first attempt? I’m struggling to find similar patterns, if anyone has any references that would be amazing :))

hi, I just learned how to sew three months ago. This seam on the knee of my jeans had like three or four stitches that came undone on the end.

the rest of the stitches are still intact and I'd like to fix it as easily as possible. the loose thread does have a loop going over it. do I have to cut that loop? What do I do to redo those last stitches so that the rest don't come undone?

I don't have a machine but I do have thread if I need it. is it possible for me to just pickup the same loose thread and put those stitches back in their holes?

I learned how to sew on a machine I borrowed so I'm new to hand sewing (only even done just one ladder stitch to repair a plush lol)

the last Photo is how the seams look on the other leg that does not have any stitches loose and is still complete

I keep getting holes in the knees of all my pants, but I don’t know how to fix it. What do I need to fix it and how do I do it?

We need to reupholster our RV sofa, dinette, and driver/passenger chairs. Which machine can be bought for around $500 to do it successfully?

* My wife has decent experience on her Brother machine making pillows, dresses, and craft items. But upholstery vinyl will be thicker fabric.

* We will be using Ultraleather which we already purchased. She also said she'll need to use Tex 70 thread.

* We will need to do some top stitching, plus we see at most 3 seam intersections (6 layers, I suppose).

* She just tried a simple seam as a test on her Brother machine with 2 pieces of Ultraleather with Tex 50 on the top and 30 on the bottom and it got tangled and didn't work.

Thank you!!

Hey guys! I got this dress second hand for my rehearsal dinner and it fits nicely other than it being too long, I’d like to make the shoulder straps shorter. What tips do you have to alter a garment with multiple layers like this?

guess who’s back 🤪 good news: i practiced sewing the construction this weekend and it turned out very well!! bad news: the garment was too small due to some measurement mistakes. to save myself from a headache, i decided to clone a swimsuit of mine and basically eyeballed the details of my costume onto it. i haven’t drafted the seam allowance yet, but id love some advice on if i need to alter anything or not

i've never used it and have no idea what it's for. it came w my baby lock zest machine

Asking as someone who has no clue on sewing other than fixing a button or an open seam. What's the best option for reinforcing these areas in a colourful way and maintaining the chequered pattern?

I came across a singer model 347 and was wondering if it’s worth it at all to restore or just leave as a showpiece or is it just a bin job..

I’ve been sewing for a couple years and am looking into getting my first serger/overlock. The fabrics I use range from 12 oz. heavy wax duck canvas, 14 oz. canvas, occasional tech fabrics, random upholstery bolts.

I primarily make thicker bags with my sailrite LSZ (WorkerBee servo motor) and find myself topping out on walking foot clearance often with all the bias binding and hems used to cover raw edges. Hoping a serger will help with this! I’d also like to make and alter some shirts and pants with said serger.

If my terminology is all wrong it’s because I’m stubbornly self-taught and generally confused! Ideally looking to spend under or around $1,000 USD. Am open to slightly more expensive recommendations as I don’t mind waiting around for a deal and marketplace in my area is active. Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this -

I got this jean jacket for cheap. Looks great on me, so I'd like to keep it, but it's a bit tight in the arms. Like, arms hanging it's fine, but lifting up the arms starts to pinch a little at the biceps - Just not the most comfortable.

Is there something I can do about this? I had a jean jacket prior which had sleeves that were too baggy. It was easy enough to slice along the seam and strategically pull them in, but on this one where things are a bit too tight, I dunno... I am the most amateur of amateurs - Like, literally a guy with a needle and thread who's terrified of actual sewing machines - but I've got access to a thimble... Ha.

Thnx.