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I am in the process of mending and putting in new elastic into my clothes. Who else is into hand sewing?
Where did you learn the skill?
I am learning as I go with it and I really like it alot. I have a basket with what I need by where I sit and read so it is always handy. Right now I am working on a waist band.
With these skill down good one could be really useful when a need for clothing without power is needed.
Abinadi
I took sewing classes when I was 18 and it was really helpful, plus did lots of experiments!
Years ago I was bedridden for 6 wks and I sewed a pioneer dress completely by hand. It was a TON of work! I knew then that if I'd lived in real pioneer times, I'd be in BIG trouble.
That's one reason I insisted dh buy me a treadle sewing machine. It's an old Singer that will run with either electric or foot treadle.
Have you got some tricks to sew elastic into a waist band. I have been sewing the waist band in...the big trick is getting the elastic sewn into the fabric so it stretches with the fabric and doesn't slide around. I have two more waist bands to replace the elastic in and some are stitched 3 threads deep to rip out and redo by hand.
How long did it take you to make a prairie dress??? What did you learn as you were sewing it by hand?
Abinadi
I'm trying to picture what you are trying to accomplish and it's just not coming to me. For me the easiest thing would be to sew a casing and thread the elastic through. If you are trying to attach the elastic directly to the fabric, I would pin it (just like you do when machine sewing, marking the 4 quarters) and do a basting stitch, then come back and do a button hole stitch--maybe? I'm not sure since I'm not sure the effect you are working for.
My pioneer dress had no elastic--very "authentic" pattern--tied in the back instead of buttons or zippers. I don't remember how long it took--those 6 wks of being in bed lasted an eternity.
Probably the most important thing I learned was to take small stitches and use a thimble. :wink (3):
an overlocker would be ideal to do the above job. otherwise I would do exactly as the post says over here!