It really is such a joy to sew checked fabric isn't it? When the threads themselves are dyed rather than it just being a print, it helps keep your work so perfectly smooth and regular. I bet young children were often given checked fabric to learn to sew on, to get used to stitch lengths, and keeping their seams straight. I bet a checked apron may have been many young girls' first "real" sewing projects, and wouldn't they have been proud! What a joy to wear every day something you made yourself, and know it was valuable and useful.
Sewing this checked fabric was a soothing experience. You bring up a great point about children's sewing projects -- I wonder how many of the checked shirts, aprons, etc that survived the ages were made as a child's or beginner's sewing project!
I'm so glad I found your channel :) The things I've been thinking about sewing you have already made, and I can just watch and learn from you! I love it. Also, I'd be very interested in seeing how you placed your furniture in your apartment, that would be a lovely video!
When I am needing a break in sewing or can’t use my machine, I’m teaching myself to tat lace. It is challenging and I’m not proficient at anything yet to make anything but samples, but one day I hope to trim a chemise or make insertion lace for an Edwardian shirtwaist.
Another method to tension fabric while sewing, that I saw in a very old magazine, is to use a clip that attached the fabric to a table leg. It was shaped like a bird, that would hold the fabric in its beak. But I've had no problem using a scrap strip of fabric wrapped around the table leg and then pinned to the project. Since women often wear jeans today, I can also imagine using a fabric strip wrapped around my leg if no table was handy. The only reason I wouldn't want to pin to my clothing is because I'd be afraid of snagging or pulling a hole, or a warped area into my garment. Maybe that's not a real problem. I haven't actually tried. It's just a fear I would have, especially with anything stretchy or delicate. My cat has snagged holes into my jeans more than once.
Thanks for sharing that tip about the sewing bird and table leg! I've pinned projects to jeans too. I've not had any issues with my clothes warping or stretching, but that may be because I'm hand sewing small things without a lot of tension.
I'm just learning about hand sewing and til now I read that the thimble should be on the dominant hand, you're wearing yours on the 'weaker' hand, why is that? My 2nd question is about leather vs plastic or silver thimbles, is uit all just a matter of preference or does use also play a role? Also, I wanted to know do you have any tips on combating dust, I can only imagine that stocking fabric comes with loads of dust. Thanks for sharing ur vdeo :)
Thanks for your thoughtful questions! I change where I wear my thimble depending on what stitches I'm using and where I'm applying pressure. This might not be the best way to use the thimble, but it works for me, and I recommend trying out different thimbles and different placements to find what works best for you. I personally prefer my silver thimble because it fits my fingers very well; again, the type of thimble is a matter of personal preference and I recommend trying out several to find which feels best. I keep all my fabric in clear plastic bins under my bed, which keeps the fabrics clean and organized. I don't find I have a problem with dust from the fabrics as the fabrics I use aren't the "fluffy" kinds like flannel. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@Pour_La_Victoire Hi, thanks for the answer.I was unsure about it because the channels I've been following til date, always use the silver types so I thought there was some logical reason to it. I just made my own thimble from leather, old suede boots I've been holding unto for a good 7yrs...finally had some purpose lol. II also tend to keep my nails long...the longer the better tbh, so the closed thimble wouldn't work I think. For now I can practice with what I have. I'm still learning to properly back stitch, so yea xD.
This looks like a nice simple project. It seems like every project I have is huge and complicated. I think I’m going to go find some nice blue checked linen and make an apron. Thanks for sharing. I’m a new subscriber. ☮️-Kirsten
Thanks! I hope you enjoy making this apron :) I love doing simple projects or mending in between larger projects -- it's like a palette cleanser and sewing motivator!
Watching you sew I am struck with how many different ways there are to sew! This is in no way a critique, because obviously anything that works, works. But I thought I would share how I would do the same hem you're doing. I usually sew with the seam on the left, and the fabric on the right, vertically. Usually I sew downwards, but sometimes I've done upwards too. (I try everything, sewing in all directions). I tension the fabric by folding it over my middle finger, while my other fingers grasp the hem above and below, or folding it over my first finger while the whole work is wrapped/held to the back. The advantage of this is that I don't need to pin it to anything for tension, so that works better if I'm sewing in a public place where that might be awkward. (I often take a hand project to keep busy in waiting rooms etc.) I don't know whether there is one "right" way to sew, really. Anything that does the job is good enough for me. I've been hand-sewing for fifteen years, and have never once had a popped seam on any project. I use the running back stitch for 90% of my work, which is usually simple stuff like pillowcases. I use a backstitch to sew knits, like a t-shirt. I enjoy mending/darning/patching old clothes to extend their life, and pride myself on being nearly invisible in my repairs. I have hand-sewed a couple of hexagon quilts, and some rag dolls and doll clothes. I've never made much historical clothing, but often wished I did because I would so enjoy making cloth buttons and buttonholes, which seem to be things most people despise. Then again, I've seen people be hyper-critical of their own work making buttonholes, and wonder what all the fuss is for. Imperfections are rarely visible to anyone but the maker.
Thank you for sharing your method of handsewing, I think I will give your method a try with my next handsewing project. I'm self taught, so I just had to figure out through lots of trial and error what "felt" best. I've never tried sewing knits with a backstitch (I rarely sew knits at all after several failed attempts, and I generally like the drape of wovens better), but most of my handsewn historic wardrobe is sewed with a spaced backstitch which has held up really well! I've seen some original, historical garments with messy looking buttonholes, unfinished and fraying seams, hooks and eyes sloppily sewed on, etc. I think the desire to have our sewing look "perfect" is a relatively modern concept. I personally don't mind a slanted buttonhole or less than perfectly even stitching. I think it's important for makers to extend grace towards themselves, and to resist feeling held down by the "flaws" that they see.
@@Pour_La_Victoire Yes! Well said! I don't know if people are perfectionist because they're afraid Victorian ghosts will haunt them for being less. I say be imperfect so when you haunt Gen Future they can feel reassured that they are okay and can do good things too, even if they're imperfect.
Hi... I’m trying to make a gathered skirt, but I don’t have a sewing machine and I watched your video and think that this might be the best way for me to go about doing the waistband.. you said you did two parallel threads for the gathers? Do you use a heavier thread? My fear is the thread snapping and gathers coming undone
Hi! Yes, I normally make gathers by sewing two parallel lines of stitching. I usually use the same thread that I've used in the rest of the project, as the threads get encased in the waistband which "holds" the gathers in place. I've made several gathered skirts like this and they've held up for years (but I also don't put them in the washing machine or dryer, just spot clean when necessary). If you're sewing linen fabric with linen thread, you can strengthen the threads with beeswax as shown in the video. Otherwise, your regular all purpose thread should do just fine given that the gathering threads get covered by the waistband.
Thanks! Yes, I roll up the waxed threads, place them inside a napkin or paper towel, and press with an iron for 30-60 seconds. It "sets" the wax and makes the thread easier to sew with!
Thank you, sorry about the music - I'm still learning how to make these videos! I'd be happy to clarify any instructions - just let me know where in the video they were difficult to hear.
I ended up turning off the sound as the music was too loud and made your narration difficult to hear. The sewing part was fascinating and hypnotic to watch!
I see that you're using pins to sew. Again, I am definitely not critisizing, but I'd like to talk about why I don't use pins that way. Maybe I'm odd, but I really hate working around pins and feeling them scratch my fingers etc. And if I'm sewing a long project that will be carried to multiple locations, I'm always afraid that pins will fall out or scratch other things. So for me the rule is "Pin to baste. Baste to sew." Pinning to sew makes a lot of sense when you're using a sewing machine, because everything goes so fast. But it's especially useful for hand-sewn projects. Even for machine sewn projects sometimes I like it, for how securely and flexibly it holds things. Pins, to me, are sneaky devils. I only put pins in long enough to hold the project while I baste it. I like to use red, or another contrasting thread, to baste with so it is easy to see to remove. I make the biggest basting stitches I can, since any stitches I use will certainly be closer spaced than any pins I used, so I'm confident basting holds things better. So basting goes very quickly. Then I can sew at leisure and feel safe that my work won't move, won't poke me, and won't drop pins anywhere. Of course, not all projects need pinning or basting. The bigger/more complicated projects definitely do benefit from it. Obviously it's valuable for test-fitting clothes on anyone who hates the risk of pins poking them. I was notorious about that as a child, and could not stand still for my mother to pin clothes for me. Every little poke or scratch left me near tears because I just could not stand it. Along those same lines, tailor's tacks are another trick my mother never knew about. It's like pins made of thread. Instead of basting a whole seam, you just pinch and whip three or four big, quick stitches on top of each other, leaving loose thread tails dangling. Very easy to remove with a snip, stays as long as you need it to, and while test-fitting you can move freely (with no risk of getting poked) to be sure your fit works with the range of motion you need. Maybe you talked about basting or tailor's tacks in other videos, and if so I apologize for being redundant. But forty years ago my mother, who had sewn all her life, didn't know these tricks, and I still don't often see them talked about today. So I thought I'd mention them in passing.
I normally use few pins, baste, or just pin down the next 2-3 inches of the project. I think in this video I pinned everything down because I wanted to get settled in bed to sew the whole thing 😁 whenever I sew in bed, on my rug, on my couch, etc, I always monitor for lost pins and sweep the area with a magnet in case a straggler is hidden somewhere 🙂
It really is such a joy to sew checked fabric isn't it? When the threads themselves are dyed rather than it just being a print, it helps keep your work so perfectly smooth and regular. I bet young children were often given checked fabric to learn to sew on, to get used to stitch lengths, and keeping their seams straight. I bet a checked apron may have been many young girls' first "real" sewing projects, and wouldn't they have been proud! What a joy to wear every day something you made yourself, and know it was valuable and useful.
Sewing this checked fabric was a soothing experience. You bring up a great point about children's sewing projects -- I wonder how many of the checked shirts, aprons, etc that survived the ages were made as a child's or beginner's sewing project!
It is true
It is true
It wouldn't surprise me. Checked dish towels were one of the first weaving projects for Scandinavian girls to contribute to their marriage chest.
I'm so glad I found your channel :) The things I've been thinking about sewing you have already made, and I can just watch and learn from you! I love it. Also, I'd be very interested in seeing how you placed your furniture in your apartment, that would be a lovely video!
I'm so glad my videos are helpful 😊I do have a video showing my furniture layout in that apartment, enjoy!
Wonderful project :) Especially the part about the gathers was really helpful to see in such detail
Thank you, I'm glad it was helpful! 😊
Lovely great tutorial inspiring me to make apron
Thank you, I hope you try making your own apron, they're so fun and rewarding!
When I am needing a break in sewing or can’t use my machine, I’m teaching myself to tat lace. It is challenging and I’m not proficient at anything yet to make anything but samples, but one day I hope to trim a chemise or make insertion lace for an Edwardian shirtwaist.
I really loved this video- I’m working on an apron right now and yours turned out beautifully!
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with your apron ❤
Lovely project. :)
I wish the music was a little softer when you're talking.
Thanks! Unfortunately, I was still in the process of learning how to add music to videos when I made this, and I know now I could've done better :)
Lovely video!!! Definitely do a bedroom/apartment tour. Show us more Karina the foster cat!!
Thank you! She loves the camera so I'm sure she'll be happy to make a special guest appearance :)
Another method to tension fabric while sewing, that I saw in a very old magazine, is to use a clip that attached the fabric to a table leg. It was shaped like a bird, that would hold the fabric in its beak. But I've had no problem using a scrap strip of fabric wrapped around the table leg and then pinned to the project. Since women often wear jeans today, I can also imagine using a fabric strip wrapped around my leg if no table was handy. The only reason I wouldn't want to pin to my clothing is because I'd be afraid of snagging or pulling a hole, or a warped area into my garment.
Maybe that's not a real problem. I haven't actually tried. It's just a fear I would have, especially with anything stretchy or delicate. My cat has snagged holes into my jeans more than once.
Thanks for sharing that tip about the sewing bird and table leg! I've pinned projects to jeans too. I've not had any issues with my clothes warping or stretching, but that may be because I'm hand sewing small things without a lot of tension.
I'm just learning about hand sewing and til now I read that the thimble should be on the dominant hand, you're wearing yours on the 'weaker' hand, why is that? My 2nd question is about leather vs plastic or silver thimbles, is uit all just a matter of preference or does use also play a role? Also, I wanted to know do you have any tips on combating dust, I can only imagine that stocking fabric comes with loads of dust. Thanks for sharing ur vdeo :)
Thanks for your thoughtful questions! I change where I wear my thimble depending on what stitches I'm using and where I'm applying pressure. This might not be the best way to use the thimble, but it works for me, and I recommend trying out different thimbles and different placements to find what works best for you. I personally prefer my silver thimble because it fits my fingers very well; again, the type of thimble is a matter of personal preference and I recommend trying out several to find which feels best. I keep all my fabric in clear plastic bins under my bed, which keeps the fabrics clean and organized. I don't find I have a problem with dust from the fabrics as the fabrics I use aren't the "fluffy" kinds like flannel. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@Pour_La_Victoire Hi, thanks for the answer.I was unsure about it because the channels I've been following til date, always use the silver types so I thought there was some logical reason to it. I just made my own thimble from leather, old suede boots I've been holding unto for a good 7yrs...finally had some purpose lol. II also tend to keep my nails long...the longer the better tbh, so the closed thimble wouldn't work I think. For now I can practice with what I have. I'm still learning to properly back stitch, so yea xD.
Just found your channel a couple of videos ago and I quite enjoy watching you create.
Thank you very much, I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
This looks like a nice simple project. It seems like every project I have is huge and complicated. I think I’m going to go find some nice blue checked linen and make an apron. Thanks for sharing. I’m a new subscriber. ☮️-Kirsten
Thanks! I hope you enjoy making this apron :) I love doing simple projects or mending in between larger projects -- it's like a palette cleanser and sewing motivator!
Watching you sew I am struck with how many different ways there are to sew! This is in no way a critique, because obviously anything that works, works. But I thought I would share how I would do the same hem you're doing. I usually sew with the seam on the left, and the fabric on the right, vertically. Usually I sew downwards, but sometimes I've done upwards too. (I try everything, sewing in all directions). I tension the fabric by folding it over my middle finger, while my other fingers grasp the hem above and below, or folding it over my first finger while the whole work is wrapped/held to the back. The advantage of this is that I don't need to pin it to anything for tension, so that works better if I'm sewing in a public place where that might be awkward. (I often take a hand project to keep busy in waiting rooms etc.)
I don't know whether there is one "right" way to sew, really. Anything that does the job is good enough for me. I've been hand-sewing for fifteen years, and have never once had a popped seam on any project. I use the running back stitch for 90% of my work, which is usually simple stuff like pillowcases. I use a backstitch to sew knits, like a t-shirt. I enjoy mending/darning/patching old clothes to extend their life, and pride myself on being nearly invisible in my repairs. I have hand-sewed a couple of hexagon quilts, and some rag dolls and doll clothes.
I've never made much historical clothing, but often wished I did because I would so enjoy making cloth buttons and buttonholes, which seem to be things most people despise. Then again, I've seen people be hyper-critical of their own work making buttonholes, and wonder what all the fuss is for. Imperfections are rarely visible to anyone but the maker.
Thank you for sharing your method of handsewing, I think I will give your method a try with my next handsewing project. I'm self taught, so I just had to figure out through lots of trial and error what "felt" best. I've never tried sewing knits with a backstitch (I rarely sew knits at all after several failed attempts, and I generally like the drape of wovens better), but most of my handsewn historic wardrobe is sewed with a spaced backstitch which has held up really well!
I've seen some original, historical garments with messy looking buttonholes, unfinished and fraying seams, hooks and eyes sloppily sewed on, etc. I think the desire to have our sewing look "perfect" is a relatively modern concept. I personally don't mind a slanted buttonhole or less than perfectly even stitching. I think it's important for makers to extend grace towards themselves, and to resist feeling held down by the "flaws" that they see.
@@Pour_La_Victoire Yes! Well said!
I don't know if people are perfectionist because they're afraid Victorian ghosts will haunt them for being less. I say be imperfect so when you haunt Gen Future they can feel reassured that they are okay and can do good things too, even if they're imperfect.
I just found your channel and I’m loving it... Subscribed 😉
Thank you, so glad you're enjoying it!
WOW 😳😲
I love the outfit you are wearing in this video...would love to see the different pieces and how they are worn?
Thank you! You can see the pieces I'm wearing under the apron in more detail in this video: th-cam.com/video/WKwgWMvf-Oc/w-d-xo.html
@@Pour_La_Victoire Thank you for the link.
Hi... I’m trying to make a gathered skirt, but I don’t have a sewing machine and I watched your video and think that this might be the best way for me to go about doing the waistband.. you said you did two parallel threads for the gathers? Do you use a heavier thread? My fear is the thread snapping and gathers coming undone
Hi! Yes, I normally make gathers by sewing two parallel lines of stitching. I usually use the same thread that I've used in the rest of the project, as the threads get encased in the waistband which "holds" the gathers in place. I've made several gathered skirts like this and they've held up for years (but I also don't put them in the washing machine or dryer, just spot clean when necessary). If you're sewing linen fabric with linen thread, you can strengthen the threads with beeswax as shown in the video. Otherwise, your regular all purpose thread should do just fine given that the gathering threads get covered by the waistband.
@@Pour_La_Victoire great that makes me feel a little bit better thanks for the response 😁
I love the music in this video. It sounds like it should be in a Disney film like Beauty and the Beast.
This video is amazing!! Do you have to "set" the beeswax to the thread? I've never see anyone set it before!
Thanks! Yes, I roll up the waxed threads, place them inside a napkin or paper towel, and press with an iron for 30-60 seconds. It "sets" the wax and makes the thread easier to sew with!
I'm new to hand sewing and love your videos. Is the cushion you use to pin your sewing to a tailor's ham or is it called something else?
You certainly can use a tailor's ham, but in the video I'm either pinning my sewing to my ironing board cover or to my socks/pants 🙂
What is the width of the tape? Thanks for the video.
The twill tape is half an inch wide :)
@@Pour_La_Victoire Thanks
I love they video but some of the music is too loud and I can't hear your instructions.
Thank you, sorry about the music - I'm still learning how to make these videos! I'd be happy to clarify any instructions - just let me know where in the video they were difficult to hear.
I ended up turning off the sound as the music was too loud and made your narration difficult to hear. The sewing part was fascinating and hypnotic to watch!
So sorry about the sound -- this is an early video and I still had a lot to learn regarding editing. Glad you enjoyed the sewing!
I see that you're using pins to sew. Again, I am definitely not critisizing, but I'd like to talk about why I don't use pins that way. Maybe I'm odd, but I really hate working around pins and feeling them scratch my fingers etc. And if I'm sewing a long project that will be carried to multiple locations, I'm always afraid that pins will fall out or scratch other things. So for me the rule is "Pin to baste. Baste to sew."
Pinning to sew makes a lot of sense when you're using a sewing machine, because everything goes so fast. But it's especially useful for hand-sewn projects. Even for machine sewn projects sometimes I like it, for how securely and flexibly it holds things. Pins, to me, are sneaky devils.
I only put pins in long enough to hold the project while I baste it. I like to use red, or another contrasting thread, to baste with so it is easy to see to remove. I make the biggest basting stitches I can, since any stitches I use will certainly be closer spaced than any pins I used, so I'm confident basting holds things better. So basting goes very quickly. Then I can sew at leisure and feel safe that my work won't move, won't poke me, and won't drop pins anywhere.
Of course, not all projects need pinning or basting. The bigger/more complicated projects definitely do benefit from it. Obviously it's valuable for test-fitting clothes on anyone who hates the risk of pins poking them. I was notorious about that as a child, and could not stand still for my mother to pin clothes for me. Every little poke or scratch left me near tears because I just could not stand it.
Along those same lines, tailor's tacks are another trick my mother never knew about. It's like pins made of thread. Instead of basting a whole seam, you just pinch and whip three or four big, quick stitches on top of each other, leaving loose thread tails dangling. Very easy to remove with a snip, stays as long as you need it to, and while test-fitting you can move freely (with no risk of getting poked) to be sure your fit works with the range of motion you need.
Maybe you talked about basting or tailor's tacks in other videos, and if so I apologize for being redundant. But forty years ago my mother, who had sewn all her life, didn't know these tricks, and I still don't often see them talked about today. So I thought I'd mention them in passing.
I normally use few pins, baste, or just pin down the next 2-3 inches of the project. I think in this video I pinned everything down because I wanted to get settled in bed to sew the whole thing 😁 whenever I sew in bed, on my rug, on my couch, etc, I always monitor for lost pins and sweep the area with a magnet in case a straggler is hidden somewhere 🙂
Great video, but the music was to loud.
So sorry about that!