HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: sallyh@StarConn.com (Sally Holmes)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: Stabilizer behind buttonholes
Date: 12 Sep 92 03:16:08 GMT
Organization: Starnet-Public Access UNIX--Los Altos, CA  415-949-3133

szakhour@next.com (Sharon Zakhour) writes:

>I have used Solvy as well as Stitch N Tear.  Solvy is almost transparent and  
>whatever doesn't tear away can be dissolved with water.  I got good results  
>when I used it for an applique, but it is less stable than Stitch N Tear which  
>is more like a stiff pellon.  (Solvy is more like a soft plastic wrap.)  I use  
>both products depending on what I am doing.

Solvy is made of starch. It gets stiffer if you iron it 
(but no steam, as it's water soluble!). You can put two or 
more sheets together and iron them and they get quite stiff.

Sally
From: slm@cs.arizona.edu (Sandy Miller)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: tensions on serger
Date: 15 Sep 92 15:07:05 GMT
Organization: U of Arizona, CS Dept, Tucson

I have a BabyLock serger that I bought four or five years ago.  It is a
four/three/two thread model.  So far, I have only used it for four thread
seaming, but now I am interested in trying out some of the fancier stuff.

My problem it that one of the tensions must be set to the tightest setting
(the lower looper) to sew correctly.  This didn't seem quite right to me
when I first got the machine, but since it was doing what I needed it to
do, I didn't worry about it.  According to the manual, the correct setting
for four-thread searging should be somewhere in the middle.

What this means is that now, when I want to try some other stitches that
require that the tension for this looper be tighter, I can't.

Does anyone know if the *range* of tension can be changed?  Is it something
I can do myself, or do I need to take it in to be adjusted?

Thanks for any help,
-sandy
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: rberteig@cco.caltech.edu (Ross Berteig)
Subject: help!
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 02:53:25 GMT

Hi!

Boy, do I love this group!  It's one of my favorites.  Anyway, I have a
question for you all.  I just made a leggings and top set.  I cut out
flowers from the legging material and fused them around the neck and
front of the top, and then decorated them with paint and rhinestones.

I don't remember the name of the fusible I used, but you iron it to the
flowers first, then peel off the back and iron it to the shirt.  My problem
is that after washing (cold water delicate, air-drying on hanger), the
flowers are coming off!!  I'll probably have to machine-stitch around
them to keep the attached to the shirt!  What did I do wrong?  I made
another shirt this way awhile ago, and have had no trouble washing it.
(but it was sweatshirt fabric instead of tshirt fabric)  Is there any
other way I can fix this?  It's so cute and I haven't even worn it yet!

Also, I was the one that posted a couple of months ago about buying a
serger for my sister.  We ended up getting her the White 734D (I think
that's right?).  A bit of a splurge, but what a wonderful machine!
Man, buying a serger is exactly like buying a car!  So much dealing
and bargaining going on.  I think I got a pretty good price though.
And she really loves it!

Thanks everyone!

--Michelle Berteig

rberteig@alumni.caltech.edu  (I use my husband's account)


Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: dillon@world.std.com (John T Dillon)
Subject: Re: Fabriholics Anonymous
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 00:49:28 GMT

I admit it, I to am a Fabriholic, 

  It started innocent enough, a few extra yards "just in case..." here and 
there on various costuming projects.  Then I started in on the heavier 
stuff, velvets, silk, leather Elizabethan's, I couldn't stop.  Now, now I 
am into the heavy stuff, brocades.  

   There is always one that will match better in a Landsknecht outfit, one
that will clash more with a Landsknecht costume or one that will make a 
better renfaire bodice...  I've gone beyond waiting for sales and searching
the remnant piles, the local brocade wholesalers know me by name...  I
know the names of the major patterns and the common street prices in 
most of New England.  I've even cut the backs off sofas and chairs thrown on
the curbside... (good stuff actually)

  Now my collection consumes a quarter of my bedroom, boxes piled four feet
high, projects half finished and others waiting to start.  But always there
is that one fabric that just has to be bought...


  I thought I had it bad...  But then I discovered the glory of POWER TOOLS.


And I thought fabric was expensive.....

John Dillon


 
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: nancy@world.std.com (Nancy C Reynolds)
Subject: Keeping stuff we make (was Fabricholics Anonymous) vs. giving away/     
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 21:14:40 GMT

Barb@ufycorp.unify.com wondered if people are like her, not keeping much
that they make, but giving it away instead.  I used to be like this, but I
now say, with rare exception, NO MORE!  I have made some very creative
things for my "best" girlfriend, including paintings, Christmas stockings,
a game for her 30th birthday (all about her life), a stitched, stuffed
cloth Christmas tree *with real lights* (with wires even hidden) and hooks
for her to put up ornaments herself (which I supplied), etc.  She gave
away the Christmas tree, put away the game (at least I've never seen it in
her home), and I kept my tongue.  But when I saw my painting, in her
*laundry* room, I just snapped.  I decided I would no longer make anything
for her or for anyone else unless I was unusually sure she or someone else
would like it.  I *am* making a cross stitch lightswitch cover for her
baby, due in 6 weeks, but only after I asked my friend if she'd like one
and if the design and colors would be OK.  This turned out to be a good
question because one item I'd considered making was a birth record. 
However, she said she wants to make it herself.  Although I was very
mildly disappointed, I was *much* happier that we decided on something
that I'll like making *and *she'll like getting. 

Anyway, after giving away things for years and being quite disappointed
with people's reactions, I now make things for me and occasionally my
husband.  I looked around at my bare walls (no kidding) and realized that
I had neglected *my* home.  No more.  In the past year, I have finished 7
cross stitch projects and they are all in *my* home!  It is nice, finally,
to see some things going on the walls.  Of the 14 cross stitch projects I
have waiting to be done, only one is for someone besides my husband or
me--that lightswitch cover, which is small.  Gee, just remembered--I did
finished 8 cross stitch projects this year.  One was a card for a
bride-to-be.  In addition to the message and flowers, I put her and her
then-fiance's initials.  She seemed only to like it to a "polite" extent. 
Fortunately, it was small and "only" took me 3 days (very short amount of
time for a cross stitch project).

If I sound bitter, you read this right.  I've decided that a lot of women
are taught to do for other people and for themselves last, if at all.  I
bought into this for a *long* time and finally decided there had to be
room for me, too. 

How much do other people

1) finish projects 

2) do projects for themselves vs. for other people?

The next friend who *wants* a cross stitch picture or clothes from me gets
it with a smile, but otherwise *forget* it!

--Nancy Reynolds

Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: vusl@athena.cas.vanderbilt.edu (VU Science Library)
Subject: Re: giving handmade gifts
Organization: Vanderbilt University Mathematics Department
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 16:03:56 GMT

Marina writes:
>The person who always buys gifts
>will never know the true meaning of "it is as much fun to give as it
>is to receive".

I must object to this.  Some of us are born shoppers.  For some of us, the
thrill of scouring the shops to find the perfect item for someone we love, is
what the spirit of giving is all about.

I will use my husband as my example.  I crocheted him a scarf this past 
autumn, in a color I knew he would like.  He enjoyed it and used it as I
knew he would.  But that is the ONLY handmade item I have ever given him,
because, in general, he DOES NOT LIKE handmade items.  He can recognize the
work that has gone into a piece, but that doesn't mean he wants it around him!
At first, this attitude hurt my feelings.  Not only can I not give him
these things, but he does not value my grandmother's quilts which I have.
Now, I recognize that it is a matter of taste and come gift giving time I
trot off to the store to try to find that perfect present which I know he
will enjoy.  

Carlin
--
	Carlin Sappenfield - vusl@athena.cas.vanderbilt.edu
From: bekowski@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us (Rebecca Churchbells Bekowski)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: underlining rayon challis revisited
Date: Fri, 04 Sep 92 14:15:35 PDT
Reply-To: bekowski@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us (Rebecca Churchbells Bekowski)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Cruzio Community Networking Service


Remember the discussion a while back about sewing with
rayon challis?  Well, I just finished the dress and I'm 
soooo happy with it.  I thought I'd share my results.

I made Vogue pattern 8293 , very easy - vogue sport.
I underlined the bodice with very lightweight cotton-poly
batiste (sheer mist if that means anything to anybody)
and I was amazed at how well the batiste worked "with"
the fashion fabric.  I also stay stitched all the pieces 
of the skirt along the top.  When I sewed it all together
it hung really straight, imagine that!  In addition,
underlining the bodice seemed to lend a great deal of
overall integrity to the garment.

As a side note, I'd gone to the Sewing Workshop and received
instruction regarding how to fit Vogue patterns, so on
top of everything else it fits really well!!

I've decided that underlining is a really useful technique
in constructing garments and if anyone has any pointers
on how to select underlining fabrics that will "work"
with the fashion fabric I'd love to hear them.  My main
trouble with underlining , so far, is getting fabrics
that make a really harmonious marriage...

Thanks for everyone's helpful ideas on this!

- rebecca -

Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: shannah@netcom.com (Teri Miller)
Subject: Re:  Giving handmade gifts to friends
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 92 03:35:24 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 


I'm not including anyone's text, since I have mostly general comments and
not a reply, per se.

I think that the whole issue of having gifts appreciated depends a lot
on who one gives the gift to.  Some people are trying to go for a certain
look in their homes, and if I give them a handmade gift, it had better go
with what they have or they will get rid of it.  Others feel more strongly
about having things that have sentimental value.  

Personally, I care more about having things around me with sentimental
value.  I solve the problem of differing styles by having different styles
in different rooms, so that any particular piece can find a home somewhere.
I have a lace-and-frills room, a very plain modern room, a room with a
flavor of Japan.  Each is in different colors, too.  It helps that I don't
mind the eclectic - actually prefer it.

In terms of the things I give away, I do tend to do some research before
I begin.  Most of the things I have given have been appreciated.  Some
almost too much so - I made a baby quilt for one child, and her mom has
it hanging on the wall so it won't get dirty.  I have mixed emotions
about that: on the one hand it feels good that she appreciates all the
work I put into it, but on the other hand, it *was* made for the child
to play with....

I do have to go along with those who say that once a gift is given, the
recipient can do whatever they want with it.  I try to keep that in mind
when I give a gift.  There have been times when a gift has turned out to
be completely unsuitable (like the California Poppy window in oranges,
which clashed terribly with my mother-in-law's newly decorated pink
bedroom...) and I urge the recipient to give it away if they wish.

I've actually found the biggest problem to be that of people feeling 
they "owe me one" for the things I've made.  I made a quilt for the wedding
of two dear friends, and they got this sort of glazed look when they saw
it.  I urged them to give it away if it wasn't suitable (I had no idea
what they'd like, and making a quilt gave me the most pleasure) but they
insisted it was absolutely beautiful.  Well, maybe so, but I almost never
see them anymore, and generally when we see each other we go out, not to
their house.  They also insist on paying for whatever we go do, even
though I make a perfectly good salary.  I honestly wish I had never finished
the quilt.  Hell, I wouldn't care if I discovered they'd given it to
the dog to sleep on - it would just be nice to not feel I had killed the
relationship with that gift....
From: jareed@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Judith Ann Reed)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: sewing machine problem
Date: 11 Sep 92 20:45:11 GMT
Organization: Syracuse University

Greetings. I've been really inspired reading this group, lately, but I think
that may be a mixed blessing! I'm starting to change from a very casual sewer
into a much more critical seamstress, reading SewNews, taping "SEWING WITH
NANCY" programs I dont have time to watch, subscribing to notions catalogs,
thinking about going to thrift stores to collect fabric, etc. etc. - I 
am getting worried!

At any rate, I have a Singer Stylist Special Zig-Zag Model 418, that I 
bought refurbished at SoFro, and it has a strange problem that I hope
someone can diagnose. Every now and then, more frequently on soft or
stretchy fabrics than firm ones, it pulls a large loop of top thread 
underneath the fabric and gets jammed. When this happens, you can force it
and it will eventually rip and sew on, or you must stop, break it loose, and
then continue. Seam before and after the loop seems normal, but these loops
are about 1.5 inches long, and get caught in the seam, or in the 
bobbin assembly, and make an awful mess on a seam. Has anyone else
seen anything similar? Anyone have this machine, and have any special
tips? I like it a lot, and really can't afford a new one, but I also
can't afford $75+ to take it in for repairs. This particular problem began
after I had it repaired when an arm of some kind wore out, and I had it 
repaired, but at the time I was not sewing much, and it has been far too
long to pursue the repair shop to make it right, I think. Any suggestions for
what to do about this problem? Top and bottom tension seem fine.

Thanks for whatever help you can offer!

Judith Reed
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: psburns@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (MAUREEN BURNS)
Subject: Re: How to sew with metallic thread
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date:  8 Sep 1992 09:28 EST  

In article <1992Sep5.232710.10304@StarConn.com>, sallyh@StarConn.com (Sally Holmes) writes...
>Marina.Salume@Corp.Sun.COM (Marina Salume) writes:

>Try using a 90/14 stretch needle, and a little Sewers Aid on the spool of
> 
>Sally Holmes
>sallyh@starconn.com


What's Sewer's Aid?  I've seen it in Nancy's Notions, and I know that it
advertised as something to make sewing easier, but exactly how does a 
single drop of something on an entire spool make sewing easier?  

Maureen

Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: msp2@hera.uucp (22321-seda-poulin)
Subject: Pfaff Mail Order places
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 92 17:11:13 GMT

I would like to buy a Pfaff sewing machine via a mail order company.
I looked at Sew News and found only two places that mail order sewing
machines (one in Texas and another in Vermont) but they don't stock
in Pfaff machines.  Can anyone recommend a mail order place where
I might be able to pick up a Pfaff sewing machine?
						Marta Seda-Poulin
						msp2@cc.bellcore.com
						(msp2@hera.cc.bellcore.com,
						if the above doesn't work)
From: rrah@troi.cc.rochester.edu (Runa Rahman)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: Fabriholics Anonymous
Date: 15 Sep 92 17:42:02 GMT
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

In article <1992Sep14.180444.17693@pbs.org> jlecher@pbs.org writes:
>
>Have you ever looked at a bolt of cloth that just screamed 'I AM A BLOUSE!'
>at you, and felt compelled to buy at least 3 yards because you didn't
>know what style of blouse it was yelling about, and you wanted to make
>sure you had enough?
>
>Jane

My God, and I thought I was the only one who purchases fabric without a 
specific project in mind.

Actually, most of the time I DO have a specific project in mind, but by the
time I actually get round to using the cloth, I change my mind and end up
having either too much or too little... sigh!

Runa
From: szakhour@next.com (Sharon Zakhour)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: Stabilizer behind buttonholes
Date: 11 Sep 92 00:02:28 GMT
Reply-To: szakhour@next.com (Sharon Zakhour)

> It gives me a stiffer surface for my machine satin stitch and the results
> are wonderful.  There are other products that can be used, but I've still
> not used up my Stitch 'n Tear yet so I haven't tried anything else. For
> example, if you don't want the little white hairs, there's a water-soluable
> stabilizer called Solvy that I haven't tried but that many people like a
> lot.
> 

I have used Solvy as well as Stitch N Tear.  Solvy is almost transparent and  
whatever doesn't tear away can be dissolved with water.  I got good results  
when I used it for an applique, but it is less stable than Stitch N Tear which  
is more like a stiff pellon.  (Solvy is more like a soft plastic wrap.)  I use  
both products depending on what I am doing.

Sharon Zakhour
sharon@next.com
From: wb9omc@dynamo.ecn.purdue.edu (Duane P Mantick)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Star Trek Uniform stuff
Keywords: patterns and parts
Date: 15 Sep 92 19:47:45 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network


Several people emailed me inquiring about addresses for Star Trek
uniform materials and supplies.  Here is what I could find, dug up out of
ancient dust in my apartment:   :-)  :-)

Star Tech
PO Box 456
Dunlap, TN 37327

They carry patches, jewelry, props, badges, emblems, insignia and one
piece of hardware that is indispensible for the "Wrath of Khan"
style movie uniform,  the silver turn clasp used on the tab over the
right shoulder.  The last catalog I bought from them was one buck.

Intergalactic Trading Company
PO box 1516
Longwood, FL 32750
phone (407) 831-8344

TONS of stuff as with Star Tech but also uniform patterns for the original
series, the movies and Next Generation, hats, mugs, posters, soundtracks,
books, videos, magazines, blueprints, models, toys, artwork, etc.

=============

Of the two, I *have* dealt with Intergalactic and haven't been disappointed.
The merchandise was good and delivery was fairly quick.  BTW, the
Intergalactic catalog is two bucks....it is also about twice as thick.  :-)

I could NOT find the address for Lincoln Enterprises, sorry.

Duane
From: hartley@centerline.com (Timm Hartley)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Help with appliques
Followup-To: alt.sewing
Date: 11 Sep 1992 14:25:10 GMT
Organization: CenterLine Software
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: 140.239.12.122

I realize that there was a discussion going around about iron on appliques,
my question is what is the best way to go about taking a design, such as a
flower from a floral print.I know that I need to overcast the edges the
fabric I'm using frays like CRAZY. I purchased some of the iron on peel off
stuff, but should I overcast the outline before I cut it out? Or should I
go ahead and iron it on and then overcast it on the garment? I want it to
be durable. It's going on a little girls knit top. Also, I'm using a woven
fabric for the applique and its being put on a knit fabric, should I use a
piece of interfacing on the back of the knit for a stabilizer? Have I asked
enough questions?  :-}

I've been sewing for 12-13 years, but its always been boy-stuff for me or
my nephews, not much of this kind of stuff involved, but now that I have a
niece, the top has to have a flower that matches the floral on the overalls
I made that matches the floral in baseball hat that I made.  How often do
you have a 1st b-day???????

       Timm Hartley I Production Assistant
CenterLine Software I hartley@centerline.com
      10 Fawcett St I "Back off man! Don't 
Cambridge, MA 02138 I make me use this!!"
                         -Ren Hoek-
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: motto@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (mary.rita.otto)
Subject: Re: Fabriholics Anonymous
Organization: AT&T
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 01:21:26 GMT


I have to confess.

I bought the White Powerlock serger on Sunday.

This may be the last you ever hear from me ... for a while.

Mary Otto
From: buglady@silver.lcs.mit.edu (Aliza R. Panitz)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: Getting gum out of clothes
Date: 8 Sep 92 21:09:59 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: MIT Laboratory for Computer Science

>In article <Btq41G.A43@acsu.buffalo.edu>, birgenom@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (T.B. Shows/ Maureen Sion) writes:
> 
> Hi! Does anyone know how to get gum out of clothes?

We used to always use peanut butter.

Spread peanut butter heavily over the gum, and allow it to sit for an
hour or two (or was it longer?)  Apparently the oil in the peanut butter
would dissolve the gum.

Scrape off the P-B, and most or all of the gum will come with it.  Then
wash normally.  

 - Aliza
From: bpjcmjr@coos.dartmouth.edu (Patricia A. Crossett)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Manuals for older sergers?
Date: 14 Sep 92 20:08:24 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Originator: bpjcmjr@coos.dartmouth.edu

When my mother died I became the owner of her White serger.  There was
no manual with the machine. Does anyone have an address for the White
company which I might use to order a user's guide?

Thanks a lot.  This machine has been sitting mostly unused for five
years since I have been afraid I would ruin it without instructions
and the repair man who cleaned it etc would only give me instructions if
I sat down the moment I came to pick it up, or else be subject to a $10 per
half hour of instruction fee.  I did not have the time nor the money at that
time and he has since gone out of business.

Pattie
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From:  ()
Subject: Support Group for the Sewing-Impaired
Organization: Public Macs, Academic Computing, Yale University
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1992 07:01:36 GMT

Recently, while I was experimenting with a daring new cross-stich, I met
the misfortune of lacerating the skin on my right thumb quite dreadfully.
The blood stains have transported my carpet beyond a state of repair, and I
am thusly rather apprehensive in all attempts to re-enter my previous
sewing-dominated lifestyle. I am sure that there must be a myriad of
afficionados of this mesmerizing hobby that suffer from the fear,
alienation, and chronic depression that oppresses my each moment. I am
desperate for moral support, so please, my compatriots offer me any words
of empathy that may help bring me through such a dramatic time. 

Desperately,
Frank