Comments on: Tax Season Tips to Help You Improve Your Sewing

By: Diana Bass

Diana Bass — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 11:17:47 +0000

Form filling and costume making.
1) Do a rough without using up the stuff you want for the final form.
2) Copy the paperwork/pattern don’t destroy it for one use.
3) Try not to make it more complicated than you can manage by working in small steps.
4) Have water by you in a container that is difficult to spill, avoids dehydration and distraction.
5) If you can’t find the vital piece that was here a minute ago. Stop, stretch, take an air break, not snack, not errand, just a bit of fresh air. Then walk back into the room and look around slower without panic for a better chance of finding whatever it was.
6) When you stop to eat actually stop and move away from your work.

By: Sally Hart

Sally Hart — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:35:06 +0000

#6-Take a break. I am not a costumer yet. I was getting back into sewing after 25 years away-job and kids sure interfere with hobbies! I was visiting my sister and brought along projects. Trying to put a tunic together one night and the top facing was not going in. I kept stretching it at the ironing board and it just would not fit. Finally I gave up and said let’s get our glass of wine and go out on the deck. Best move I made. The next morning with new eyes I saw that I was trying to sew the top of the neckline to the seam where the bottom of the neck facing was supposed to go. Upside down! I now teach basic sewing at JoAnn Fabrics and share this story as a don’t rush your project and if it is not working, step away, take a break, come back tomorrow and things will work out better.

By: Alison

Alison — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 19:55:49 +0000

In reply to Varika. I totally agree with this. I do a "dry run" for my husband and I the weekend before an event we're planning on going to. If everything, including all the fiddly bits (watch chains, gloves, etc) aren't ready to wear at that point, step 1 is to look for existing fiddly bits to use temporarily. If that doesn't work, we immediately move to plan B of another already existing outfit. I did way too any later nighters, down to the wire sewing when I was younger.

By: Tracey Gorin

Tracey Gorin — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:16:02 +0000

Fantastic! Definitely clever and true for us all.

By: Varika

Varika — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:44:04 +0000

I have one, actually! “Don’t count on it until you have it.” Don’t spend any money you can’t afford on your regular paycheck until you actually have your return in hand. Likewise, don’t plan on wearing that costume to the reenactment dinner if you haven’t finished making it. I learned THAT one the hard way! I still haven’t finished the edges of the pirate bodice I made for my 30th birthday…and I’m 35! I was seriously late getting to the hotel, and I had to take my sewing machine with me, and it was a MESS. Ever since, I’ve gone, “I have a small but adequate wardrobe. If the new project is not done enough to wear as-is at least a week in advance, I AM NOT WEARING IT.” My projects have been SO much less stress ever since…