Susan's Place Transgender Resources

About three years ago I was dead broke and my only backpack ->-bleeped-<- the bed. I remembered being a kid and ->-bleeped-<-ing around with my mom's sewing machine so I decided "to hell with it, if I'm gonna be into punk I'm gonna just make a damn bag". Six hours, three George Carlin CD's and countless expletives later I crafted this pretty damn sweet plaid messenger bag. And from that point on was hooked. I've made a lot since then, but fell out of it (along with a lot of things) when my life crashed about a year ago. Recently, I've been trying to get back to my old self, trying to get back to actually being productive and I've really been craving that massive sense of accomplishment of making something.

So does anyone know of any sites that have good diy ideas for guys? Could be clothes, could be hats or whatever honestly. I'm just really wanting to make something, preferably something that won't have to wait in my closet until I've got the money to get an Etsy account up and running.

So I don't know about a site just for guys but I am a big fan of DIY and I can for sure recommend the sites below.


http://www.instructables.com/ (http://www.instructables.com/)

http://www.threadbanger.com/ (http://www.threadbanger.com/)

:D

I was just at the fabric store today and lamenting the fact that there's so few sewing patterns for men.  A couple of formal pieces, pair of pajamas, a set of scrubs, a few costumes and that's pretty much it.

A couple of blogs of guys that sew:
http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com (http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com)
http://www.briansews.com/ (http://www.briansews.com/)

If I find any online projects, I'll let you know.

That's a brilliant idea.

I don't know if you're commercial or anything, but you might be able to sell some stuff. Not to get rich, but make a small amount.

One thing that might be useful and attractive is buying woolen jumpers and embrodering words on them. I use to do that. I had one with the words, This is my Favourite sweater and I wear it all the time. Another had, School is better than play. (I was working with kids at the time).

Embrodery may sound difficult but provided you don't over streach yourself, it's actually really easy. On wool, it's best to buy a bodkin. Demim jeans also can look pretty cool with stuff on them. Small designs rather than too elaborate. Flowers are a bit 1960s. But the TG logo would be interesting for example.

Oh I forgot all about instructables! I'll head over there right quick. I was on Threadbanger for a few years but like I said fell out of it bigtime, and I'm still waiting for my email to get verified on the new account I just made.

I'm not commercial but I would like to eventually set up an etsy when I've got the money, there's a great skirt I made for my girlfriend (and she never wore it) I'd love to sell someday.

I would like to pick up an embroidery machine eventually, too...I've been meaning to pick up freezer paper and start stenciling designs onto some of my jeans, I just found a great tutorial for that (and bleaching) earlier. Thanks all of yous guise for the responses! I don't even need a full-out tutorial, I just need ideas or inspiration or effin' something.

I didn't use an embrodery machine. Much more fun free hand

Oh damn, major props to you then! I'll have to ask my mom about it sometime, I know she's got embroidery floss floatin' around.

I don't know if you are just looking for sewing ideas, but I'd suggest knitting.  It's a lot of fun, and there are many patterns out there for gender neutral things.

As for sewing, I'm in the middle of making something a lot like this for belly dancing.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblackswantribe.com.au%2Ftoranbelt2.jpg&hash=ce378f2751671185c5ccd1b6513699d856625841)

That's awesome. I haven't branched out of scarves yet, I like making them 'cause they're mindless, keep me from chain smoking and I like giving em to people. My mom's got a pattern for beanies but I've been really apprehensive, I lose my concentration so easily I'd probably end up with a massive vaguely-round knot of yarn.

I would love to be able to sew better. So far I made a pair of pull on shorts, a small bag, curtains, a lot of pillow cases and a bunch of hemmed pants  :P

I even have a Bernina sewing machine (it's not one of the tricked out ones but the f**cker still cost over $700).

I think I could pull off slightly more complicated patterns of just regular clothes but I'm definitely not to the level of certain things.

I would just get regular patterns - like from http://www.kwiksew.com (http://www.kwiksew.com) and use that as a base, but buy cool fabric or get other embellishment (patches, embroidery, cool buttons, etc.)

With respect, the problem people have with any sort of neddle work is, they try to run before they can walk.

The basic principals must be stuck to. Once you've got the hang of those, the rest just comes. But few people can produce the sort of things that professional taylors do. Stick to what you can resonably manage. Disappointment is a killer.

A set of sharp needles. Needles must be sharp. You need a number of different sizes. Keep them in a small pin cushion. Tacking pins are generally sold in huge packs. You won't need more than about 20.

A selection of good quality thread. Cheap thread, such as is sold in variety packs just breaks. Thread needs to be stored correctly. It shouldn't be damp or too warm. Cotton is best, but cotton is organic and like all organic things, need to be treated carefully.

Several pairs of very sharp sissors. I suggest 3 pairs. A long pair, a medium and a small pair. They must be replaced when they get blunt.

Several good thimbles.

A good light.

Make stiches small. If you're in a rush, find something else to do.

I've got an embroidery machine, got it last year.  And this last month I finally had enough money to get a memory card for it, so I could transfer designs to it from my computer.   The thread and stabilizer for the projects can get pretty expensive though.

I'm also thinking of getting back into the SCA so am planning on sewing some medieval garb soon (this time men's).  Probably will start out with a basic T-tunic.

I'm planning to make myself a hat like this one http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2009/07/bush-hat.html (http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2009/07/bush-hat.html) at some point soon.  And I really want to crochet myself a sweater vest. 

Very good to know spacial, I should be getting hold of some money soon so I might be taking a trip up to AC Moore's to pick some of this stuff up.

I made hats over the weekend XD I hocked two old sweaters into four hats and four pairs of fingerless gloves. Best part two of the sets came from one of my little cousin's old sweaters from when she was 5-6, and I'm definitely gonna give them to her for Christmas. 'Cause I'm awesome and she's been begging me to make something with her old clothes for a while now.

You said you were into punk, you can make your own patches as well. make a stencil out of a piece of thin cartboard and print in on a piece of cloth using fabricpaint and a piece of a mattres or a sponge you can put them on holes in your clothes. You can also just find other punks (crusties are best) in your city, they are realy crafty and can make anything. If you're into bikes as well I can recomand the chainbreaker zine, it has handy instructions about bike fixing and customizing.

I've got a crapload of patches I made throughout college still hiding in a drawer somewhere, ever since I swore off my denim for stupid reasons. I might have to resurrect it sometime though, now that you've reminded me of it's awesomeness... Crusties, in Binghamton? Hell I'd be lucky if I could find any kind of punk here. All we've got are scene kids and college hipsters, at least that I've ever seen (granted I really only go out on necessity).