Sewing Lessons & FAQ

[Lady Day]

Kamikat - I think the fabric's fantastic and could be used as a dress or anything, really. The only thing I would do is add a solid color to break it up a bit, whether it be in the waist, collar, wherever. That way it creates sections for the eye to focus on without feeling overwhelmed.

I would say the opposite of this

Use it as an accent fabric, for say, a princess seamed blouse, or the yoke on something. I think it looses its punch if there is too much of it seen at one time.

LD

 

[JupitersDarling]

Eva Dress just added one though haven't heard any reviews yet: http://www.evadress.com/108.html

I know I've seen pics of that dress made up in the last few days...

ah! Here it is! On the sewretro blog:

Evadress 108

 

[Jenniferose7]

Thanks JupitersDarling! That may just end up on my "to do" list. That's a great blog BTW.

 

[kerry]

Which pattern?

I have a wedding to go to in 2 and a half weeks. I want to make up some thing new to wear but can't decide between 3 patterns I have. i wondered if anyone has made any of them and therefore can give me tips on sizing, pros and cons. The first is the 1940s swing dress that I have made before, fits well and is relatively easy to make..http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/swinghelp.htm

The second is http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v2885-products-7074.php?page_id=850

third is http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1011-products-8941.php?page_id=1156

Hope you don't mind me asking, also hope I've posted in the right thread, I haven't been on here for a long time.
Kerry x

 

[Lady Day]

Since they are all repos, check sewingpatternreview.com, they might have reviews of the pattern.

I adore the suit, and think youd look super cute, but Ive heard those suits are way complicated. As a second choice, Id go for the first pattern you listed.

Good luck,
LD

 

[kamikat]

Since you have a deadline, it might be better to go with the S&S pattern, since you've made it before. It will lessen the chance of messing up with only a couple days left.

 

[MJrules]

What to charge for repairs and alterations?

(I'm not sure if this is the right place to post, so please feel free to move)

Hi girls! I've been interning at a vintage clothing store and my boss has offered to pay me for take-home work. Just basic mending and alterations e.g shortening torn hems, securing sequins, etc. For those of you who are familiar with this, I was wondering what are some base prices to charge? As a starting point, I have to replace a stretched out elastic for a gathered, peasant top. What would one of you charge for this?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Lady Day]

Charge by the hour, period.
Whatever you decide, charge by the hour.

Did I mention charge by the hour?
I have a feeling this person may know what they are asking you to do, but hope you dont. Treat this like a second job, document what you repair, how you do it, and how long. Go to a normal alteration place and see what they charge. You might want to discount that by like 20%, but I wouldnt do more of a discount than that.

LD

 

[Lauren]

ditto. And however long you think it will take you, double that, cause nothing ever goes as planned, and you never really realize how long things take until you do them for someone else. I still undercut myself.

 

[SayCici]

kerry, I vote for the S&S pattern too. I like them all, especially the last dress, but I think the first would be the most fun to wear to a wedding and dance in.

 

[kamikat]

I agree with LD and Lauren. People tend to think that by getting a hobby seamstress to do something, they can get it cheap. The industry standard (at least back when I was in the biz) was 3x the federal minimum wage, which would be $21.75 per hour. If you don't feel comfortable charging this, at the very least, charge your boss your regular wage.

 

[MJrules]

Oh thank you all for your input!

Kamikat, you're right, I don't think I could ask for $21.75, minimum wage here in SF is $9.79.
Lauren, yes, it's horrible how a project can be so simple in my head but usually ends up with me seam-ripping at 3am...
LD, so let me get this straight...charge by the hour was it? Hahah.

I'm still a little in the dark here. My neighborhood dry cleaners charges $10 to replace a zipper, does that seem reasonable? Now do I combine that with my hourly wage, to make $19.79, or just charge either/or?

I'm very new to this so I'm sorry for all the questions!

 

[Lady Day]

You are in SF? Please dont tell me you are interning at Le Rosa, or is it that place across the street, I forget their name...

Either way, no less than $15 an hour.

*pssst* if you are at Le Rosa, is that red blackface bakelite bellboy brooch still in the display case? I SO want that thing!

LD

 

[MJrules]

You are in SF? Please dont tell me you are interning at Le Rosa, or is it that place across the street, I forget their name...

Either way, no less than $15 an hour.

*pssst* if you are at Le Rosa, is that red blackface bakelite bellboy brooch still in the display case? I SO want that thing!

LD

Haha, I was actually too nervous to go into La Rosa, did I avoid disaster? Ok, $15 an hour it is! I really appreciate your help LD.

 

[Lady Day]

No prob, but check on that brooch for me

LD

 

[kerry]

Thanks ladies. Swing dress pattern it is then

 

[kamikat]

I'm still a little in the dark here. My neighborhood dry cleaners charges $10 to replace a zipper, does that seem reasonable? Now do I combine that with my hourly wage, to make $19.79, or just charge either/or?

I'm very new to this so I'm sorry for all the questions!

This gets at the crux of the matter. There are shops all over town that are willing to take $10 for replacing a zipper. In my area, it's generally because the workers are immigrants and willing to work for much less. You need to decide if you feel your time is worth less than minimum wage. It takes me more than 1 hour to take out the old zipper and put in a new zipper. Maybe I'm slow, but getting paid $10 for 1.5-2hr work isn't worth my time. Are you in need of extra cash so badly that you'll accept not getting paid your worth? Maybe you are, maybe you aren't, only you know that. If you aren't, tell him that the drycleaner charges $10. This is exactly why I got out of the business of sewing professionally.

 

[CherryRed]

Check out this fabric I came across while browsing online today! lol

 

[Lady Day]

"Honey, you look tops!"
That is exceptional!

LD

 

[23SkidooWithYou]

"...she must be throwing Harry's money around."

Oh the horror!

So adorable, CherryRed. Did you get some to stash for a project?