HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: CA.LJL@forsythe.stanford.edu (Leslie Laurent)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Raincoat Fabric Opinions Wanted
Date: 11 Jan 1993 09:21:53 -0800
Organization: Stanford University
NNTP-Posting-Host: morrow.stanford.edu


I need some opinions/advice about fabrics to use for a
raincoat or lightweight traveling coat.

I have no experience with the lightweight gore-tex type fabrics.
Unfortunately I don't have a Frostline catalog and I'm afraid
I won't have time to get the catalog then order the kit and
make the coat before my trip.  So, I plan to get a pattern
and buy the fabric either here in the San Francisco Bay area
or mail order it from somewhere like the Rain Shedd.

First, what types of material would be suitable?  I'll be
traveling for two weeks in Italy and I understand the winter
climate is similar to Northern California.  I think about
35-60 degree ranges ( warmer than that and I'll wear a
sweater)  Something suitable for wear with pants for day
and dresses for night, wrinkle resistant, warm, but a minimum
of weight.

Second, what fabric shops in the Bay Area might carry these
types of fabrics?

Thanks for any help
Leslie
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: hackney@boston.sinet.slb.com (Kirsten Werne)
Subject: Re: Crib Bumper Pads (was Re: 1993 projects)
Reply-To: hackney@boston.sinet.slb.com (Kirsten Werne)
Organization: Schlumberger Technologies CAD/CAM Division
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 19:03:25 GMT

What about buying the "cheap" pre-made bumper pads and covering them??  I am
talking about the bumper pads that are just vinyl covered.  You could then
have a stiff form that was already to crib "specs".  You could even make the
covers removable for washing....just an idea.

Kirsten Werne
From: tigger@satyr.Sylvan.COM (Grace Sylvan)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: serger vs sewing machine
Date: 12 Jan 93 06:46:19 GMT
	<harmet-110193080408@maple.cecer.army.mil>
Followup-To: alt.sewing
Organization: Sylvan Associates

oh, and a sewing machine with a bunch of built in stitches (mine has
12 or something like that - it cost around $200) will have some
stitches that you can finish the edges of easy fraying fabrics with --
it won't be as fast as the serger, or quite as neat, but you can
finish edges - even a zigzag will keep most fabrics from unraveling
very much.
-- 

Tigger (Grace Sylvan)                Mom of Katherine Yelena, 8/8/89,
tigger@satyr.sylvan.com              Corey 1/31/91; we loved him so,
                                     Robin Gregory born 2/28/92

 "It seems to me that our large goal is to find the ways to help our
 children become humane and strong."
 
              - Dr Haim Ginott quoted by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Xref: sparky alt.sewing:3684 rec.crafts.textiles:2476
From: jfarmer@cs.utk.edu (JOHN FARMER)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing,rec.crafts.textiles
Subject: Self Covered Buttons
Date: 6 Jan 1993 17:41:11 GMT
Organization: University of Tennessee, Knoxville - CS Department
NNTP-Posting-Host: duncan.cs.utk.edu
Summary: Looking for old style of button
Keywords: shank buttons old style

Followups to Susan.  I'm just forwarding this for her.  The
machine that she posts from has not recovered from Christmas.  She
can read news, send and reply to mail, just can't post.
			John T.	(Susan's husband)

When I was a child, (mumbledy-five years ago), my mom used to get
self-covered buttons that are different from what is commonly
available now.  The shank was attached to the part you cover, so that
if the button parts came apart, you couldn't loose the covered part
because it was sewed to the garment.  (Of course, you could still loose
the cover itself, I suppose).

Are there types of self-covered buttons still available anywhere?

Thanks
Susan


-- 
From farmer@cs.utk.edu Wed Jan  6 10:52:40 1993
Return-Path: <farmer@cs.utk.edu>
Received: from UTKCS2.CS.UTK.EDU by CS.UTK.EDU with SMTP (5.61++/2.8s-UTK)
	id AA10620; Wed, 6 Jan 93 10:52:39 -0500
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: vusl@athena.cas.vanderbilt.edu (VU Science Library)
Subject: serger vs sewing machine
Organization: Vanderbilt University
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 21:19:35 GMT


My incredibly wonderful husband has just offered to buy me 
a serger for my birthday. I have been reading everyone's advice on new
machines, but I have a question.  Given a limit of $400-$500, should
I ask for a serger or a new sewing machine?

The sewing machine I have is the only one I have done much work with.
(I have used a friend's machine from time to time for small projects).
I have a Singer Featherweight 221-1 (no, it is not for sale!).  It goes 
forward and it goes in reverse.  Most of the time I love it, but there
are times I wish it had a zig-zag and there are times I wish it did 
buttonholes. 

Most of the sewing I do now is clothing for myself.  As I get more 
proficient, the clothes get fancier.  Soon I will want to applique and
embroider.  Assume I will also do sewing for friends and family, 
including children;  and assume an occasional
project such as curtains or slip covers.

Would a serger be better so I can finsih off my edges quickly (something
I can't do well at all now!)?  Or would the versatility of the sewing
machine be preferable?  I would like to do some machine embroidery, is that
out of the question without a top of the line machine?  

If you had a basic machine and were faced with the choice I have (at the
price limit I have) what would you do?  Which would it be easier to live
without?

Thanks for the input!
--
	Carlin Sappenfield - vusl@athena.cas.vanderbilt.edu 
			     sappenc@vuctrvax.bitnet	
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: ann@tessi.com (Ann Makarias)
Subject: a quick courderoy question
Organization: Test Systems Strategies, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 21:11:06 GMT

Question: I know that if I iron directly on the right side, I'll crush the
wales.  But will they recover at the next wash?  In other words, can I
press seams, facings, etc. during construction without being careful about
crushing?  Oh, it's 100% cotton, if that makes a difference.

Ann Makarias
From: HF.MMX@forsythe.stanford.edu (Marilee Marshall)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: 1993 projects:  Mine and Yours
Date: 4 Jan 1993 08:26:31 -0800
Organization: Stanford University
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: morrow.stanford.edu

Since the holidays are over, I completed all the outstanding
projects I had last year, and am in the wonderful position of
looking around for something to start next.  A while ago there was a
posting for tatting a chatelaine.  Somehow I misplaced it.  Would
the kindly soul that described it please send the information to me?
I would be very greatful.

marilee
From: jane@soave.swdc.stratus.com (Jane Beckman)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: How to use hemming foot?
Date: 7 Jan 93 02:51:01 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., San Jose, CA

One of the things I have always found helps is to make sure
your cut edge is *clean* (aren't rotary cutters wonderful?  I
use mine for everything, now!) and always keep your edge
pulled slightly to the left as it feeds.

Curves can, indeed, be done.  The thing I emphasize here is to
work s-l-o-w-l-y.  As a matter of fact, it helps to take it at
a walking pace until you get really good with the thing,
anyway.  A narrow-hem foot is no place to go playing "power
sewer" and zipping things through in record time.  This is the
voice of experience, talking.  My mother patiently explained
all this to me when I was a wee girl in the '60's, and
couldn't get the hem foot on the 1922 Singer (which I still
use for such things, though I use my Riccar Super-Stretch for
most jobs, including using the hemmer foot, now) to work
right.  Okay, so you are only doing a few inches a minute, on
the curves.  It will look very good when you're finished.  And
keep that edge pulled to the left!  This is especially
important on curves.  If the fabric tries to "flatten" into
the foot, slow down, and pull further to the left.
--
  Jilara   [jane@swdc.stratus.com]

"Every now and then, a big rock falls out of the sky, and everyone has 
a *very bad* day."  --from the PBS "Dinosaurs" special.
Newsgroups: alt.sewing,comp.sources.wanted,alt.sources.wanted,misc.wanted
From: jand@htsa.aha.nl (Jan Derriks)
Subject: Picture to Embroidery-pattern conversion program wanted
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 16:45:48 GMT
Organization: Algemene Hogeschool Amsterdam, Polytechnic Institute
Keywords: needlework, embroider


Does anyone know how I can make an embroidery-pattern 
out of a scanned picture (giff, tiff, pbm, jpg... anything ) ?

There *must* be a program *somewhere* to convert colors in a picture
into numbers on a sheet of paper... There are shops where you can
order such a pattern to be made out of a self-made fotograph.

PS: is embroidery-pattern the right word for what I'm looking for ?
    (picture converted into grid with codes for different colored 
     pieces of wire, needed to make 'needlework-paintings' ?)
     If there is a better word for it I can use that for archie-search etc.

TIA, Jan Derriks     (trying to satisfy mother-in-law... HELP!)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: jareed@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Judith Ann Reed)
Subject: Re: 1993 projects: Mine and Yours
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 09:41:20 EST

In article <93011.061320IO11283@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> <IO11283@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> writes:
>    My big hope for '93 is to get into more accessories- HATS!, bags, etc.
>-Jennifer S.

 I did one of those floppy hats with the front pinned up and a fabric flower
 attached to it for my 2 year old, recently. Took all of about 3 hours, and
 it came out absolutely adorable - now all the rest of the females in the 
 family want one too! There are several interesting hat patterns out there
 now, and hats are one of those things we are hesitant to waste money
 *buying*, but if you can *make* one for almost free, well then...! (great
 rationale, eh?!) Anyway, it was interesting to make, and not very hard, so
 I am looking forward to doing more. I've lately come of the opinion that hats
 are an overlooked accessory - women in the past wore all these wonderfully
 glamourous, or frivolous, or elegant creations, and seemed to take such
 pleasure in them - I think they are long overdue for a serious comeback!!!!

 Judith Reed
 jareed@mailbox.syr.edu
 jareed@rodan.syr.edu  
	      
Newsgroups: alt.sewing,comp.sources.wanted,alt.sources.wanted,rec.crafts.textiles,misc.wantedalt.sewalt.sewing
From: motto@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (mary.rita.otto)
Subject: Re: Picture to Embroidery-pattern conversion program wanted
Organization: AT&T
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 19:57:34 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.165640.787@ab.wvnet.edu> myers@ab.wvnet.edu writes:

[Jan Derriks' original post trimmed to :]
>>Does anyone know how I can make an embroidery-pattern 
>>out of a scanned picture (giff, tiff, pbm, jpg... anything ) ?
>>There *must* be a program *somewhere* to convert colors in a picture
>>into numbers on a sheet of paper... There are shops where you can
>>order such a pattern to be made out of a self-made fotograph.
>
Roger replies with this (again, trimmed):
>There is a way to do mostly what you want to do if you have access to a laser
>printer with a Cannon engine and several hundred dollars.  Read on, it is very
>interesting and you might like it.  On another obscure newsgroup called
>COMP.LANG.POSTSCRIPT some one wanted to make iron-ons for T-shirts on his
>laser printer and the messages below were posted.  The company is called Black
>Lightning.  It has found a way to put sublimation dyes into laser printer

Roger, I wonder if you read what Jan wrote.  Where is the part of the
laser printing process that produces the requested "numbers on a sheet of
paper"?  I realize that you probably couldn't tell from experience that
Danish counted thread embroidery is done on unmarked fabric from a graph,
but what Jan wrote was some clue that an iron-on wasn't what he was looking
for.  (And in Denmark, Jan is a man's name -- a friend's parents just about
caused a scandal when they named her while temporarily living there, and
were forced by the authorities to give her a feminine middle name, "Tinka").

Your post was a nice tour de force on the products of Black Lightning.  I'm
currently waiting for my first cartridge to arrive from them; and I plan
to post my opinion of the product.

And for everyone who was wondering if I was going to entertain them with
a public response to Jan's post -- Jan and I exchanged information via
email, and he distributed his accumulated knowledge among the email
correspondents, including the assistance I provided to him.  I found
this greatly preferable to publishing far and wide information which
may lead to decreased sustenance for the art of designing needlework
patterns.

Mary Otto


Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: harmet@bambi.cecer.army.mil (Laura Harmet)
Subject: Re: antique lace
Followup-To: alt.sewing
Organization: None
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 22:47:09 GMT

Ohhhh, I am so jealous.  This sounds like lace insertion to me too, and I 
agree that you should wear it.  But if you're not into wearing lacy frilly
stuff, another good thing to make out of it are pillows for your bed. 
Study
up on doing heirloom sewing techniques.  Use a variety of techniques on the
pillows like puffing, lace insertion,  and pintucking.  If you have a
machine
which does fancy stitches you could embroider an insertion of your own to 
add some color.  It would be really interesting to have a bunch of similar
but different pillows on your bed.  Similar in the lacy style, but each
having it's own heirloom design.

Laura
From: kellee@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Kellee Noonan)
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 15:16:13 GMT
Subject: Re: Picture to Embroidery-pattern conversion program wanted
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: alt.sewing

I have no idea if these people do actually what you need, or if their
work is good because I never used this info, but I had it in my files
(I got it from a magazine somewhere). If you try it or look into it,
maybe you can post a review.

"Convert patterns and match floss colors, two skill levels available-

Photo Pattern Company
PO Box 1525
Poulsbo, WA 98370
(206) 779-2437

Free brochure and price list available
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: ann@tessi.com (Ann Makarias)
Subject: antique lace
Organization: Test Systems Strategies, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 21:29:36 GMT

Here's an exciting find!

Over the holidays, I was raiding my mother's sewing notions, tools, and
patterns (with her permission; she doesn't sew anymore) and I found
(along with the mustard-colored wide rick-rack and red-white-and-blue
pom-pom trim) some antique lace in a box that she had inherited from _her_
mother.  It is really beautiful!  There is one piece, nearly 5 yards long,
that is flat along both edges -- meant to be inserted between two pieces of
fabric, I`m sure.  It is about 2 1/2 inches wide and has oval-shaped
medalions along its length.  The other piece, which has matching medalions,
is about 3 1/2 yards long and has one scalloped edge.  It`s about 3 inches
wide.

I estimate that this lace dates from the late 1930's (but as you can see,
I'm no expert).  It is obviously machine made but very delicate.  It feels
like cotton, or maybe linen.

I have two questions.  First, the lace is in excellent condition (no rips
or rotted areas) but it is a little discolored: light tan with some darker
spots.  How should I clean it or should I not try?

Second, I really like the lace and I would like to make it into something
useful.  But on the other hand, I hesitate to make it into a garment for
fear it isn't durable enough.  Any suggestions for projects or sewing tips?
My cousin has suggested sewing the lace panels together with matching linen
and making a table runner -- I guess there is enough for my smallish table,
if I were convinced that it was handwashable.  Any other ideas?  And does
anyone know what this type of lace was typically used for?

Ann Makarias
From: close@lunch.wpd.sgi.com (Diane Barlow Close)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: Looking for pattern: pants with gusset
Date: 8 Jan 93 20:19:12 GMT
Reply-To: close@lunch.wpd.sgi.com (Diane Barlow Close)
Organization: Self employed, eh.
NNTP-Posting-Host: lunch.wpd.sgi.com
Originator: close@lunch.wpd.sgi.com

dawn@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Dawn Owens-Nicholson) writes:
>In about October 1992, I was looking through pattern books, and I saw
>an interesting pattern for a pair of pants with a diamond-shaped
>gusset at the crotch.

In case anyone else might be interested in this same pattern, I'll
post my info:  it sounds like Simplicity 8747.  It's been around for
quite a while and it might have been recently discontinued.  Mine is a
size 12 pattern from 1988.

-- 
Diane Barlow Close
	close@lunch.wpd.sgi.com 
	I'm at lunch today.  :-)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
From: wentzell@ace.acadiau.ca (LEEANN WENTZELL)
Subject: Re: Crib Bumper Pads (was Re: 1993 projects)
Organization: Acadia University
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 13:13:32 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.160441.28060@cbnewsk.cb.att.com> mnj@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (madhuri.jarwala) writes:
>From: mnj@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (madhuri.jarwala)
>Subject: Crib Bumper Pads (was Re: 1993 projects)
>Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 16:04:41 GMT

>Coming to my question, has anybody made bumper pads for the crib? I 
>bought a book yesterday "PS I love you" which has instructions to
>make bumper pads. But they use foam which will not be washable. I
>guess I could use polyfill; but will it be too soft then? Any ideas,
>suggestions? I could buy bumper pads in the store and cover them. But
>they are about $40 and I bet I can make mine "free" from the fabric
>I alredy have ;-)
>Are there any safty issues? In that case, am I better off buying in
>the store?

I used polyfill for my bumpers. They were fine for about six months, until 
my daughter started moving around alot in her crib. They then became very 
squashed down in the middle because she sleeps up against them at night. I 
finally abandoned them when she was about 18 months because they looked so 
horrible. My sister had a similar experience with store-bought pads. If/when 
I have another, I'll use foam cut to the proper size. I don't see why this 
wouldn't be washable. It might take awhile to dry, though :-). Actually, I 
think I only washed my bumpers once. They really didn't get dirty, being off 
to the side. And they were plain white with eyelet trim, so it would have 
showed if they had.

Lee Ann Wentzell                          "...foodless toads in 
Biology Department                        voluptuous chambers panting
Acadia University                         crawled..."
Wolfville, NS, CAN              P. B. Shelley - Prometheus Unbound
From: gbr@bisco.kodak.com (Bruce Rodgers)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Wanted: Source for bulk ZIPPER materials
Date: 6 Jan 93 18:58:11 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Eastman Kodak
Originator: gbr@bisco

Hello,

This is my first post to this group, so bear with me...  :-)

I am looking for a source from which to purchase bulk continuous zipper 
material and slides.  I'd prefer Talon, but will consider all makes..
I live in Upstate Western NY;  local or (more likely) mailorder leads are 
welcomed!

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Bruce Rodgers

rodgers@kodak.com
- OR -
gbr@bisco.kodak.com
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Hats!
From: kristen@telerama.pgh.pa.us (Kristen McQuillin)
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 02:33:31 GMT
Organization: Telerama
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

I love hats, and heartily agree that they need to make a comeback. I
collected vintage hats many years ago, and although I've parted with a
great deal of my collection, there are still a few cherished favorites
I wear now and then.

Making hats is fun. I started making hats when I was a costumer in
college. If you are interested in millinery, I suggest _From the Neck
Up_ as an excellent primer. It covers all the basics and goes into
restoration and trimming, as well. It also includes patterns for many
hats in different time periods and is full of period drawings of
people wearing hats -- lots of etchings from Godey's, I believe.

_From the Neck Up_ is available by mail order from Madhatter Press,
P.O. Box 7480, Minneapolis, MN 55407. They don't have a phone number
listed here, but I think I saw an ad in the back of Threads this
month.

Gee, I think I'll wear a hat tomorrow! I wish I had this one with the
pile of flowers on top...no, no, THIS one with the ruching inside...or
maybe this one with the ribbon band...or...
From: alanj@endeavor18.tek.com (Alan Jeddeloh)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: Crib Bumper Pads (was Re: 1993 projects)
Date: 7 Jan 93 16:50:35 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Tektronix, Inc.

In article <1993Jan7.160441.28060@cbnewsk.cb.att.com> mnj@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (madhuri.jarwala) writes:
>Coming to my question, has anybody made bumper pads for the crib? I 
>bought a book yesterday "PS I love you" which has instructions to
>make bumper pads. But they use foam which will not be washable. I
>guess I could use polyfill; but will it be too soft then? Any ideas,
>suggestions? I could buy bumper pads in the store and cover them. But
>they are about $40 and I bet I can make mine "free" from the fabric
>I alredy have ;-)
>Are there any safty issues? In that case, am I better off buying in
>the store?

My wife has made two sets of bumper pads, both made from kits sold by Daisy
Kingdom, which is a local sewing "superstore".

In the first set she used standard batting for fill.  These turned out to be
too "floppy" and the pads would never stay up.  On the second set she used
a special, stiffer batting.  These worked much better.

A major safety issue is the ties.  I know of one case where the baby strangled
on the crib bumper ties!  Keep the ties quite short, 5 inches or so.  Also,
pick a ribbon for the ties that will hold a knot.  Most of the satiny ribbons
untie themselve spontaneously :-)  My wife used about 3" ties and simply tacked
velcro(R) to the ends.

If/When a third one arrives, she'll end up making a third set -- Seems Laura
(our 15 mo old) became very attached to her bumpers and they became her
"lovies" (aka "blankies", aka "friends"), so my wife chopped the bumpers into
about 6 pieces so we always have a few clean "friends" in reserve.

--
    Alan Jeddeloh      W:(503) 685-2991  H:(503) 292-9740
    Tektronix, Inc.; D/S 60-850; PO Box 1000; Wilsonville, OR 97070
    Alan.Jeddeloh@tek.com 
    You can put the children to bed, but you can't make them sleep!
From: tigger@satyr.Sylvan.COM (Grace Sylvan)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: serger vs sewing machine
Date: 12 Jan 93 06:43:37 GMT
	<harmet-110193080408@maple.cecer.army.mil>
Followup-To: alt.sewing
Organization: Sylvan Associates

I wanted to add - I agree. It sounds like you should get a nice sewing
machine, and wait on the serger. A good sewing machine should have
some stretch stitches that will let you do some work with knits - I've
known people to be very successful with knits w/o a serger, but I
wasn't one of them. But the serger basically does one or two things
very very well.

Then again, it might depend on what you want to do more - applique or
work with lots of knits. Bring some samples of fabrics you want to
work with to test at the shops, so you can see how the sewing machine
handles the kinds of projects you have in mind.

Good luck! Have fun machine shopping.
-- 

Tigger (Grace Sylvan)                Mom of Katherine Yelena, 8/8/89,
tigger@satyr.sylvan.com              Corey 1/31/91; we loved him so,
                                     Robin Gregory born 2/28/92

 "It seems to me that our large goal is to find the ways to help our
 children become humane and strong."
 
              - Dr Haim Ginott quoted by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Newsgroups: alt.sewing