If you are going to continue to sew (you probably will, I'm 71 and still love it since I was young!) you should probably invest in a foldable cutting table available at Joann Fabrics. Also an office chair that has adjustable height. Also you need to move the sewing machine closer to you, almost on the edge of the table. All of this will help your back.
This is funny, because this video popped up in my suggested and I've watched two minutes before coming here to comment how much I love that chair! It's gorgeous! But, you're correct; in my fifties is all about my back. Ironing on the floor?? Way in the past!!😊😊
Loved this. I feel so much closer to God when I am working with my hands. I thank Jesus for the ability to sew every time I sit down at my machine. God bless! ❤
You are such an inspiration - you are a mum grabbing special time for yourself and that is why i so admire you - i am a 61y old grandma who has just got bitten with this beautiful sewing life and yes for me it is a life as like you i don’t have to navigate family my husband has his own hobbies and we just give ourselves the freedom now to fly. I have the luxury of cutting on our kitchen island bench and that so so saves my back but then again i have the luxury of only us and time. Thank you for your amazing vids and inspirational talent ❤
What a beautiful episode! I am 68 years young and my grandmother taught me to sew…a skill I still enjoy to this day! I loved your comment that we each have gifts and that yours is using your hands. I love to smock, knit, quilt and sew…all enjoyable creative outlets for me. Continue to draw enjoyment from your sewing!
I have loved sewing for years. I can choose exactly what color and fabric I want, the neckline, the button placement, the sleeve length. I sometimes end up not liking it but 9/10 I am happy with how it turns out. As you can you need to invest in 1. Ironing board 2. cutting table (foldable ones are not too expensive) 3. cabinetry for that wall to store all your tools and fabric 4. better chair? Start by watching your own video. Your back is bent way over most of the time. Move the machine closer to the edge. They sell wedges to put under the machine to tilt it toward you so you don't have to bend forward. Have fun. It's so good for you and for your children to see you making your clothes.
Great job and great work!! Sewing is fun, creative, frustrating and joyous all at once! If a 70-yo lady with a bad back can offer any encouragement or advice is to move your cutting up to table height. It will save you major pain! Keep up the good work!
To add to the recommended table height, I had a second table to use for laying out my pattern, cutting it out and ironing as I went. Add bed risers to your table legs and you will have better height to work on saving your back. Trust me. I am 70 y.o. and have been sewing since I was 18. Self taught and loved the journey. Learn more and more as you go along trying new things. RU-vid wasn't around in my early days but it is my best tool to learn. You are doing great, just keep loving the process.
Just wanted to chime in about the cutting table height. It makes a huge difference! Since I don’t have space for a special table, I’ve moved to tracing & cutting at the kitchen table. It is incredible how much better my back feels! And I feel like my cuts are more precise. The only downside is that I need to clear the table first.
Hello, I sewed a lot in my teens and twenties. I am older now and still sew some. I am thinking of sewing a simple vest. I Just watched your video making the sleeveless linen shell or shirt, very nice. The wrap tops I purchased and now wear are to be tied like you start to do at 19.23 in the video. The left front pulled across your body to right and then the tie goes through the opening. Then the right front is pulled across your body and finally tied at the left. I will say the ties on my tops seem a little shorter, so you may consider adjusting yours if it seems like a good idea. Hope this helps. Keep sewing and I will keep watching!
Thank you so much! I think I just realized how to tie the wrap top like you just mentioned, who knew it could be so complicated for me to understand lol!!
I just found your channel and this was such a lovely video. I made a handful of garments early in my sewing (2016-2017) but haven’t made any in recent years. Most of my sewing after I started having kids was quilting and doll making. I’ve been itching to make my own clothes because my body changed so much after kids, and it’s so hard to find linen or cotton clothes that are affordable or fit well. You’ve inspired me to get some of my patterns printed out and my stash linen washed! Love the tops you made! I’m looking forward to watching your other videos 😊
I encourage you to just start! I stopped sewing for many years while building my photography business and when I finally returned to sewing it was like I found myself again. It's nice to have a little project going at all times, even if it's really slow progress : )
aw that's so sweet! Oliver & S has some really great patterns for young children that I find to be very educational as well. I especially love the Apple Picking Dress which I made for my daughter when she was three and oh my was she cute! Have fun!
I am 66 and have been making my own clothes since I was 11. I started out cutting on the floor. My family, from my parents and sisters, to husband and children all quickly learned how to maneuver around my fabric. I eventually moved to the dining table. Now I have large table that my husband added leg stands to, so that I'm not bending over. But our kitchen island is my favourite place to cut out my creations. I would suggest an ironing board, much safer than on the floor. When my kids were young, my sewing table was always in the living room. We were able to be together. They didn't pay much attention to what I was making. I often would be working on a birthday/Christmas gift for them and they would be totally surprised. I do have that wrap top pattern and some lovely lightweight cotton fabric that be perfect for it, must make it soon. I look forward to seeing what you sew next. I do have one question about your filming. Do you have someone filming you?
Reading your comment felt like a cozy novel, I love that sewing has been a part of your life in this way. I am filming everything myself, I’m also a professional photographer so I have little experience with the camera ; ) Although this is the first time I’ve turned it on myself!
Some times RU-vid sends something good my way and today that was this. I certainly relate to you feeling like you “need” to make. Yes, sometimes it is frustrating, some days it is hard, most days it is wonderful. Keep up the good work. I join those who suggest that as soon as it fits the budget, get a cutting table. They are higher than a regular table (about waist high) and will get you off the floor, which will help with at least some of the pain and frustration of cutting fabric. Is the gold top you wear when you share your frustration with having rushed the process, a pattern or was it ready to wear? I love it and would love to make one like it. Those sleeves! Happy making!
I love your comment, thank you for watching my video and commenting : ) I agree I need to figure out a better cutting table situation. That gold top was ready to wear from Madewell, but I bought it on thred up, so I don't think they make this one anymore sadly! I bet you could find a similar pattern though and look around for some gorgeous golden fabric...
@@christinesnotebook I really just need to learn how to draft various sleeve options. I have good woven and knit top patterns so I just need to figure out how to replicate that sleeve (and others that I see). We never quit learning.
I just discovered your channel through this video. I hope you grow super fast because I love the concepts and videography of all your videos, and you deserve views!
Pull your sewing machine closer to the edge of your table. It will be less strain on your back if you don’t lean over as much. Keep sewing! It’s a wonderful hobby to have. You’ll use sewing the rest of your life.
This is such a wonderful video. You have really encouraged me. Thanks for sharing it with the world. I'm learning patience with the process too. Greetings to you from a newbie sewist in Kingston, Jamaica. 🙂
I just did the same projects and have the same problem with the wrap top. 😂😂😂😂I made two and the second didn’t go very well. 😂😂😂😂 but I loved them. It’s nice seeing more people sewing their own clothes. Thanks for the sharing and inspiration 😊
If you mount a rod to the wall and buy some of the curtain hooks that squeeze open via a clip on one side, you can clip your sturdy paper patterns to it. They will hang on an angle but will be organized and easy to access.
Great video. A serger makes all the difference in the world. If you get into making a lot of clothes, research projectors for your patterns. No printing out and all patterns are on my computer. One last thing, I noticed you are a lefty. I would suggest you move your blade on your rotary to the other side. Makes all the difference in the world. And us Lefties have it hard enough as it is 😉
Oh wow, THANK YOU! I have had issues with my cutting tools being a lefty, the struggle is real. My scissors are also made for right handed folks, oops! I'll try that on my rotary cutter. How complicated it is to set up the projector,? I've heard of this before and definitely intrigued...
If you use a cutting table it will be a lot less stress on your back and more ergonomically correct. You can use a dining table if you don’t have a dedicated cutting table.
Christine I feel the same way about sewing. I also am self taught with RU-vid assistance 😏. I would like to ask if you made the top you were wearing in the second half of your video when you were making the wrap top.
Wrap top: I've made it...I found the opening on the side wonky too. but it looks good on you and I think it will fit your lifestyle. Fiddle with the opening and the wrap ties- once you get it "right" it would be worth repeating. Also, not homemade clothing-custom made clothing
I can't tell from the video, but it seems you didn't put the strap through the "hole part" correctly in the end. The one side will go through the hole and "continue" to wrap around the front. Not then "cross in the back". Again, it's tough for me to tell from the video, so forgive me if I'm wrong about what it looked like you did, but it seemed like that's what you might have done. Great job in the end, the linen fabric looks really nice for the top. Also for your "hurting back"... I've been sewing for nearly 40 years so IF...IF at all possible, have a large table (set up on blocks or something - that will make it nearly counter height) that you can cut your fabric out on and not use the floor, so you can stand there and cut things out - this will save you a lot of pain. It then also gives you a place "under the counter/table" to store fabric and notions. Best of luck on your sewing journey.
My friend saw my tank then had me rip apart a long full silk skirt and make her a dress using the tank pattern. I found my back quit hurting once I started using an office chair and lowering the seat so I’m not hunched over.
For your back ache, I am wondeing if you sewing table is too high? Can you lower the height so that you are not reaching up so much? The other thing you could do is move the sewing machine closer to the edge of the table so you are not over reaching while sewing. At one of our Irish patchwork society meetings, we had a physiotherapist come talk about sewing ergonomics and the importance of good posture. Your chair should support your lower back so try to sit back into the chair. Relax your shoulders, keep your upper arms at your sides, bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle. Measure from the bottom of your elbow to the floor. This is how high the sewing surface of your sewing machine (or where the needle hits the feed dog area) should be. Love your video, thank you.
Thank you so much! I did make that top with the puffed sleeve as well, it is the Milla blouse by Slow Morning Studio: slowmorning.studio/shop/p/milla-blouse-dress
I sew for myself because I can’t find clothes to fit in the stores. I’m tall with long legs plus I’m plus size. It’s impossible to find anything to fit! Also I can make clothes out of fabric that I love!
It's so great being able to customize! I bet you've made so many great staples since it was more of a necessity for you, I feel like the best creativity is born from a problem that needs solving.
Are you talking abut the first top in the video? That one is the Milla Blouse by Slow Morning Studio : ) The yellow one that others have commented about is from Madewell via thred up.
After the first time of figuring it out it was ok! I’ve just never seen a wrap top that actually wraps like this, I think I would have preferred a half wrap so it’s actually sewed in place : )
