Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Today I plan to modify a dress I have to have longer shoulder straps.  I've never sewn anything before.  Any advice?

Replace the entire strap.  Use the old ones as a model for the new one.

But the straps on it are so pretty and soft.  Anything I replace them with would ruin the dress

If they are the adjustable kind, add extensions to the back side.

Yeah I figured adding onto the back rather than the front would look a lot better

Take your time and think things through. It's an absolute pain un sewing things if you get it wrong, especially if you are using a machine.

If in doubt go to a fabric shop, and ask someone to match the material with you. The rest is pretty easy, pin, look, pin look, measure, pin. look. Do it.

I LOVE sewing. made lots of my own clothes, anyone else? I buy patterns and follow them, couldn't go free hand. Sorry NessaJ I didn't mean to steal the thread.

Cindy

Quote from: CindyJames on May 12, 2010, 06:31:55 AM
I didn't mean to steal the thread.

Cindy

Nor the sewing machine or the fabric I'll wager.

One of the definite benefits of my unconventional 1960's openly transgender childhood was that I got made to take the cookery and sewing classes with the other girls at school. I was never much good at it but hey at least I learned the basics.

As Helena says take your time. If you haven't used a machine before then certainly do some test stiches on some spare fabric first. The most tricky thing is to get the tensions set correctly, but if you don't the resultant stitches won't last long.

If you are hand sewing then whilst that can be quiet laborious it often gives better results for a beginner.

Finally, at least in the UK, and I imagine elsewhere too, you can attend day long or weeknend long courses to master the basics. If you think you are going to do a lot of sewing they are well worth it. I've even been on one as a refresher because the machines now are so much more advanced than the old basic singer on which I was taught. These days you practically need an engineering degree to use one properly!

Sometimes I have fun finding out who will cotton on.

BTW I have dropped knots in threads that have never been mentioned.

Keep waiting for the groans

Oh dear know you will have to go back and see the web I have weaved >:-) >:-) >:-)

And I was such a nice girl. Thinking about into a monastery after I had SRS, but I may get into bad habits.

Cindy.

OH BYE THE WAY, I GO TO BED AND JESSICA, KRISTY AND THE CROWD PLAY UP.
Mmmm
Well Ok I just bought my new thong nightie, with the peek a boo boob bits. But I've got a good book to keep me company.
HmmPh


Sorry again Nessaj - it's a sign of love, at least from me,


Hugs Everyone
Cindy

Quote from: CindyJames on May 12, 2010, 07:19:27 AM
... JESSICA, KRISTY AND THE CROWD PLAY UP.

so i'm just "crowd" now? Hmmm - I'll have to up my game then  >:-)

Sorry NessaJ - blame Cindy and the delectable LordKat - if he wasn't so gorgeous none of this would be happening ;)

Still at least it's keeping the thread bumped! :)

Like any kind of building and/or construction, sewing is a lot harder than it looks.

The first question is, what kind of fabric are you working with?  Because that makes a huge mofo difference, like building with wood, vs. concrete.  It's the fabric that determines what can - if anything - be done.

Second, if you have never worked with a machine, then don't.  Like all machines (and it is one of the first really awesome machines at that) a sewing machine allows someone to replace doing something by hand, with the ability to instantly ruin the entire deal.  Working with a sewing machine requires incredibility fine (fine enough that most people seem to fail at it, or need to practice for a long time to get it right) hand-to-eye motor skills, with a foot coordination deal tossed in just for giggles. It takes most people a pretty intense study at the beginning to get the basics right.

It's going to be easier to replace the entire strap with a new one then to extend older, shorter ones though, I know that w/o even looking at the garment.  I doubt that the straps have enough extra material (that is in good usable shape) to just be able to unstitch and restitch them at one point.  Yes, you love the straps, that's were the fun begins.  Start going to fabric stores and work at replacing them.

Hand sewing a strap would be better than with a machine.

Yes Jenny you are like me, just faded into the wallpaper and are now just part of the crowd.

Quote from: rejennyrated on May 12, 2010, 07:15:18 AM
One of the definite benefits of my unconventional 1960's openly transgender childhood was that I got made to take the cookery and sewing classes with the other girls at school. I was never much good at it but hey at least I learned the basics.

Ah the joys of private education...home economics and textiles were standard fair at the place I was packed off too. I can't actually remember being any good at sewing, however, fast forward to the age of 23 and my then G/f is trying to make an outfit on the sewing machine she'd just been given...and failing quite badly, up I step to the (sewing) plate and bang...where the hell did that talent for sewing come from!

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Post Merge: May 12, 2010, 11:32:30 AM

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Oh and before i forget...Jenny and Janet, you could never just be "part of the crowd". hehe

Don't be sorry, threads are communal.
I'm happy to say I didn't ruin my dress and it fits better now :)

Good deal, Nessa.  We do require pictures of course.  ;D

Ah, I am in short supply of cameras right now but I've been meaning to find mine so I could post pictures. 

Quote from: NessaJ on May 12, 2010, 04:46:06 PM
Ah, I am in short supply of cameras right now but I've been meaning to find mine so I could post pictures. 

I use this excuse alot.


Jenny, you are not a crowd.  You just lead the pack and like me got tangled in Cindy's web. Its not so bad, I'm stuck on this web with all you lovely ladies. Now if NessaJ wants to join.....

Did I say that?

I have to say this is one of the many things my mother taught me when I was little & I still love to sew although I no longer have a machine of my own. I would love to see pics of this project of yours NessaJ.

Randi

I uploaded some pictures into an album.  There's one that shows the straps I extended, you can tell the difference between the material but it still looks good I think, and then there's some pictures of me modeling it.  You'll have to excuse the pretty poor quality of the pictures, and I could have looked prettier if I put more than just lip gloss on, but it's the middle of the day and I don't know when my roommate will wake up.  Anyway... here you go
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=album;id=209 (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=album;id=209)

I like it! The color matches very well and the dress looks good on you. Thanks for posting them.

Looks like you did a great job with it Nessa  :)

I've wanted to learn to sew for a long time but am scared to death

I have a circa 1940's Singer sewing machine that just needs a power cord

*also likes antiques*  :icon_chick:

Looks good Nessa, glad you found that camera.

Thanks :)