Questions tagged [clothing]
For questions about creating, mending, altering various types of apparel, or using clothing as part of another project.
35
questions
5
votes
1answer
64 views
“Set-in” vs “Flat” sleeve sewing — is there really a difference?
When sewing for costuming/cosplay, most of the patterns I tend to turn to have a "flat" style sleeve construction; that is, the front and back pieces of the garment are joined at the ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
How to best attach EL wire to clothing mostly-permanantly?
I have some EL wire I used once to make a cool glow suit that ended up looking like buzz lightyear, but now I want to move onto a different project. I've already removed it from the first set, but ...
2
votes
1answer
47 views
What kind of dye or paint for t-shirt design?
I'd like to create a t-shirt with colour blotches on a plain black t-shirt, a bit similar to:
The t-shirt is cotton. Now my question is what type of colour to use. I'm considering synthetic resin ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
How to recreate drawstring effect on this dress on homemade nightie pattern
I have 2m of fabric, and I want to make a cotton nightie with it. I want to create drawstrng shoulders and also a front drawstring that ties losely. I managed to find an image similar to what I would ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I fully bleach a polyester shirt?
I have a shirt that is 95% polyester and 5% spandex. I'd like to completely whiten this shirt. How can I accomplish this?
Related: Fade color in fabric
4
votes
1answer
53 views
Reviving wool from possible moth damage
I tried hard to find a relevant stackexchange site for this question and this seemed closest.
I have a wool winter jacket that has been stored over summer and on pulling it out of the closet I ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
Replace hat strap with something softer [closed]
The rope that came with this hat is irritating to wear with the hat.
I would like something softer.
Can someone help me?
6
votes
2answers
118 views
Permanently mark pin placement for shirt
I have a light blue button shirt with a couple of ribbons that are attached via pins. The placement is very specific and I'd like to mark the exact position of the pins on the shirt. I thought about ...
1
vote
4answers
140 views
Hem pants less expensively
I feel that sewing is a form of craft, so here goes.
I have some jeans that I want to shorten the length of.
I would like to do so without hemming.
3
votes
1answer
82 views
How to make permanent design on my plain white T-shirt?
I want to design, my white T-shirt for my up coming university party. But I want to have permanent designing on it. So what is the best method I can use to get a permanent design. I have already ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
When to add a waist stay?
I'm working on a dress with a strapless bodice and a gathered skirt. I'm designing my own pattern, but for an example it will have a similar shape to this dress.
From browsing online I've seen that "...
4
votes
1answer
152 views
How to make adjustments to a PVC raincoat?
I have a raincoat made of PVC that I’d like to make some adjustments to: adding more buttons or other ways of attachment (it is full-length but it has buttons only to the knee); adding a string at the ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Topstitching the inside AND outside seam of pants
I have cotton cargo pants (from Old Navy, I think) where the outside seam has two topstitches and the inside seam only has one. Even the seam between the left/right halves has a topstitch.
How is ...
5
votes
6answers
952 views
Fabric alternative for leather
I'm planning to sew a costume based on a character who is wearing what appears to be a leather duster. I'm trying to pinpoint what fabric to use, as leather is expensive and I can't afford to buy ...
3
votes
2answers
6k views
How to remove embossing from leather
I just got a pair of Dansko clogs from a clothing swap and was dismayed to realize after closer inspection that they have a flower pattern embossed all over them.
Image from dansko.com
Is there any ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Creative embroidery technique to fix a damaged knitted sleeve
What would be a good darning or embroidery technique for fixing the frayed/missing edges on the sleeves of a machine-knitted cardigan? The cardigan material is 100% wool (see picture below).
I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
133 views
Sequins and pop rivets
I am a sequin naïf.
Sewing sequins on one at a time is laborious. I see that one can use glue but I am sure the sequins shed like mad.
Can one use a pop rivet gun to attach sequins? Are there ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the pros and cons of wearing a robe vs a cloak (sleeves vs sleeveless)?
I'm thinking of buying or sewing a new hooded garment that I would wear both for everyday occasions as well as general cosplay uses.
I'm familiar with wearing a robe (a full-length, hooded garment, ...
6
votes
5answers
750 views
Efficient cutting and preparation of fabric for sewing clothing
My questions:
Is there an 'ideal' size to cut / store fabric for making clothes?
Do other sewers have an efficient system in place for cutting / preparing their fabric for future sewing projects?
...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
How to cut a stitched leather belt without it unraveling?
I am talking about the belts with stitches along its edges. I read that if I cut it to shorten it at the buckle end, the threads will come loose. What do I do to prevent this?
The following is a ...
6
votes
2answers
364 views
Does this type of hemming have a name, and is it fixable by hand?
Both sleeve ends of a jacket end in this type of stitching, which after a decade, is starting to come apart. The jacket itself is Tyrolean, made of loden, which is a type of melton wool. I don't know ...
8
votes
1answer
4k views
How to do iron-on transfers on a softshell jacket
I recently learned about the existence of iron-on transfer papers, and how it allows someone to transfer a print onto cotton fabrics with any custom design a person can print from their inkjet ...
5
votes
3answers
631 views
How can I attach a large satin applique to a skirt?
I'm making a skirt, and I'd like to attach an applique of a thin satiny fabric to the thicker base fabric. It's going to be in the shape of a city skyline, with the satiny stuff as the buildings. It's ...
4
votes
2answers
686 views
What material is this jacket made of?
You can see it clearly if you zoom on the torn sleeve.
It doesn't look like gabardine or corduroy to me, so I'm a bit confused.
(The screenshot is from 2015's TomorrowLand, in case that helps.)
6
votes
2answers
215 views
What wire other than 1.6 mm stainless will work for chain mail?
I've been making butted maille out if 1.6mm stainless steel wire. Cutting the rings myself. This stuff is strong and heavy! It looks and feels great! The wire is a little pricey at 11quid per 30ms. I ...
10
votes
4answers
9k views
What materials can be used to fill a puffy jacket?
I have this jacket pattern. In case it's relevant, I'll be making it in a medium weight twill. I'm also adding a lightweight silky lining to give it a nice finish and make it easy to put on.
In ...
9
votes
2answers
3k views
How can I trace a pattern from a top with darts?
I have a RTW (ready-to-wear, aka store-bought) dress which fits me well, and I'd like to sew a copy of it. I've done this before with loosely fitted tops, like t-shirts which only have minimal shaping,...
4
votes
4answers
459 views
How can I make yarn from an old t-shirt and does the material matter?
So my wife tells me that I have too many t-shirts (she is not wrong) as I don't wear them all fast enough before they get washed. Since I wear my favorites more often some just never see action.
...
9
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I add an internal pocket to pants that don't have one?
I've got a number of pants and shorts that I'd love to be able to carry my phone in, especially a couple of running shorts. But, they were (inconsiderately!) designed with no pockets.
In the case of ...
5
votes
1answer
782 views
Can I patch up a straw hat?
I have an old straw hat that suits me really well. However, after years of use the front of the crown is worn out. It's a little hard to see in the photo below, but a hole has developed that I could ...
7
votes
2answers
148 views
How can I splice the tail of my tie and have it not look terrible?
I was making some clip on ties for work for me to wear on casual Fridays. I could not wear regular ties with t-shirts as that would just look odd. I picked up some second hand ties to make into clip ...
9
votes
4answers
593 views
How can I affix keyboard keys to a suit jacket?
I have been collecting used keyboards for a while. Mostly to get the plastic circuit map underneath for making wallets and what not. Recently I ran into this picture of a suit made of keyboard keys:
...
6
votes
1answer
114 views
What stitches are strong for clothing seams when done by hand?
As discussed in the question about What kind of stitch makes up t-shirt seams on commercial grade clothing? we can now identify the overlock stitch. A cursory look at the Wiki for that stitch shows ...
11
votes
1answer
223 views
How can I finish stitching those last few inches?
I am a gifted amateur when it comes to sewing - at least with a blanket stitch. Never touched a sewing machine in my life and do it all by hand.
My kids are naturally rough with toys and their clothes....
15
votes
2answers
271 views
Durable T-shirt design methods
I would like to compare the durability of different methods for designing T-shirts (printing/drawing), where I would like to restrict myself to print methods that can be achieved at home (with a ...
