Sewing: what do you have the most difficulty with?

Dear community,
which part of sewing gives you the most trouble?

It’s not so much about difficulties, but things I really don’t like doing include, for example, piping—and/or welt pockets on jackets and pants; I hate that, even though we practiced it ad nauseam during our training.

Best regards, Inge

It’s not so much the sewing itself, but all the prep work that’s a bit of a hassle. Sewing is quite a big undertaking. When I want to crochet or knit something, I just grab the right needles and yarn and get started.
Depending on what I’m sewing, it takes me forever just to get started before the first needle even touches the fabric. There’s washing, ironing, and cutting to do, and maybe even adding interfacing or something else first—I often just don’t feel like doing all that.

I usually try to avoid sewing as much as possible.

But this time, I have no choice, because someone wants a small curtain made from different fabric pieces.
I’m sewing it under the motto “not pretty, but rare.”

Luckily, I just have to sew in a straight line.

Things can get tricky once you’re working with 4–6 layers of fabric.
I always noticed that when sewing bags out of FAUX LEATHER.
Even the most experienced sewing machine groans at that 👜 

 

I tend to steer clear of sewing too and only take the sewing machine out of the closet in an emergency. I actually had a few projects I wanted to “tackle”—but for some reason, I just don’t feel like it right now. I’d rather make a few little things or do some crocheting—it’s too warm for me right now to tackle bigger, more involved projects or anything that takes a lot of effort. And since sewing always involves first making space for the supplies and the machine, and then having to clean everything up afterward—I’m waiting for cooler weather. 😇

That’s true—when I also had to set everything up and put it away again, I felt even less like sewing. But now I have a little sewing room, my machine is always ready to go, and all my supplies are within easy reach—that really makes a big difference.

“Difficulties” isn’t quite the right word. But I really don’t like doing alterations or mending for others. Anything that breaks somehow ends up on my desk. And since I don’t feel like doing it, it just sits there. And sits, and sits. It’s much more exciting and interesting to work on my own sewing projects. But there’s no getting around it.

Best regards, Ina

 

I know that feeling too: “Can you just quickly sew the zipper in for me?”
Then you end up having to rip out half the pants, and it doesn’t just take “a quick minute.”

So, as I said, I only sew when it’s absolutely necessary—and only for family. Once, a neighbor asked me if I could reattach the collar on a shirt—I turned her down because 1. I’m no expert seamstress, and 2. I didn’t want to have to make it again if I messed it up. And “just a quick fix” definitely isn’t my thing. ;-)
Besides, that kind of thing is really more for professional tailors or alteration shops.

When someone asks me, “Can you just quickly…?” I always say, “Sure, go to the bathroom, yes, but sew? No”—because that costs me my time and electricity, etc., and none of you want to pay anything. That always stopped them, and since then I hardly ever get asked anymore.

Best, Inge

It’s also okay to say no if you don’t feel like doing (unpleasant) sewing projects.
I only do simple sewing projects for my daughter.
Everything else goes to our tailor.

I sewed myself a skirt out of a truly beautiful, thin silk fabric with texture—never again! I’m almost at my wits’ end. Because of the texture, I couldn’t iron the hems to pre-set them, etc., and the fabric kept slipping all over the place. I’ve never used so many clips and pins in my entire sewing career!  

Hi, it takes a lot of willpower for me to actually cut into those beautiful fabrics every time 🤣. Best wishes, Anja

I know exactly what you mean. I check everything a million times before making the first cut. 

When my husband needs his jeans mended yet again. So much fabric that barely fits, resists being worked with, and then you have to force it back and forth. 🤢

Actually managing to get a nice hem. Something’s always crooked or messed up.
I always think, “Hemming is so simple—why can’t I get it right?” 🤔

Yesterday I wanted to take a scientific and logical approach to sewing the cover for the knee pillow (the 4th one), to finally understand what I’m doing.
It worked out better than when I just started cutting the first time.
When I overthink things, I end up making mistakes. ☹️
I fiddled with it, but then—losing focus—I sewed the hem on the outside 😶‍🌫️.

And with the embroidery machine, things looked really bad the other day because I managed to insert the inner part of the embroidery hoop the wrong way. Ugh.

And I’m surprised every time that I’m still surprised by how long everything always takes. 🤔🕰🧒👩👩‍🦳

For me, it’s the corners of the pockets—no matter how I pin them, something always slips out of place. But oh well, that’s just how it is.

Is sewing going well for you right now?

I’d like to sew a memorial pillow for my neighbors out of coarse curtain fabric. 

I’m not sure if it’ll fray, even with the serger. 

I’ve made a few sewing mistakes and now I just don’t feel like it anymore.