Comments on: Ouch! Sharp Pins & Needles

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 17:45:21 +0000

In reply to Candace. Oh, interesting!

By: Candace

Candace — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 18:06:40 +0000

Speaking of pincushions… Couldn’t understand why my needles, stored in a pincushion, still rusted. Turns out that a pin cushion has to be stuffed with unwashed wool. Unwashed wool has loads of lanolin and will keep your pins and needles nice and shiny and rust free. for ever. (It’s a bit of a challenge to pick out the burrs and sticks before you stuff it inside the cushion. I used a couple dog brushes to ‘card’ the wool.)

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:19:06 +0000

Rayon was the first man-made material in the late Victorian period. Wood pulp was combined with chemicals to make a strong, breathable and durable fabric.

I love it and is not difficult to sew with. However, it *can be* troublesome to cut as it moves and drapes so well. Use a large cutting surface where the fabric won’t drape off the edge. Use pattern weights too.

Rayon is a perfect fabric for the 1940s as is a cotton/linen blend or even linen/rayon blend – all of which can be found in good fabric stores.

For your pattern, a lightweight wool would also work. Line it in a light cotton for comfort.

By: Chelsea Bonilla

Chelsea Bonilla — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:23:06 +0000

I am going to be sewing a 1940s shirt dress, and was hoping you could give me some pointers. Here’s the pattern I bought: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190495102520&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:1123#ht_4560wt_902 but I don’t know what material to use so it drapes nicely. I’ve heard Rayon is difficult to sew with for a beginner, but I’m clueless as to whether lightweight wool would be too heavy for this type of dress. I really want it to be a dark green. Any ideas for fabric selection?