Hello, I would love to see how to place and sew the binding for the zip fly 😊

Well, I am now the owner of an e350. I have been influenced! My vintage White Jeans Machine has started acting up and getting a machine repaired in my area is a many-month process due to a shortage of qualified repair people. I also have a Janome HD3000, but I like to have two working machines. When I saw your video I knew this could be the secondary machine I was looking for. So glad I watched your review. So far, I am loving the e350. So quiet, so much speed control (I mean, this thing will crawl if you want it to), beautiful stitching! Thanks for your review, and you can tell them you made at least one sale! ETA: I was astonished to find that when I wanted to baste and turned the stitch length to 4, and it clicked into place, it actually gathered the fabric for me! It seems to be the furthest left position. Don't know if you've encountered that yet, but it worked perfectly.

Thanks for your introduction🥰

This was a very fun video, loved the format and the recommendations. Would definitely love to see a complete wardrobe video!

Great video! I've sewn on lots of Brother and Bernina machines, but when we moved to Portugal I had less cheaper options. The Singer is noticeably louder! That is the first thing I noticed when I first got mine, which was a disappointment. I was surprised that so many people have this machine, but don't talk about how loud it is. Maybe since it's usually a first machine for some and they don't know any different? I've had a similar experience with getting through thick spots on projects too. Very interesting to see a new machine.

So interesting... I upgraded from a heavy duty Singer 5523 to a Janome qdc5060 (it had a decent reduction on Amazon Warehouse) and it's great but I'm still not satisfied by all the functions and miss some functions from my Singer. It's so hard to get everything just right in one machine! The main thing I miss is a skinny sewing plate for cuffs etc. The qdc5060 is a chunkster!! Would love to know how the Feiyue is size wise in this area?

Thank you! I have knitted 3 hats but need to branch out. A cowl then a sweater. How did you learn to knit? How did you learn to fix mistakes?

Do either of these machine have a presser foot pressure adjustment? My old Kenmore did which help with sewing heavier fabric. The Janome I bought a year and a half ago does not. Also, the Janome has several button hole options, but I am not impressed with how any of them stitch out. I don't need a fancy machine with fancy buttonholes, just a reliable one! I actually have considered the Singer Heavy Duty, especially when it has been on sale at Joanne's. Thanks for the reviews, Rebecca.

I went to a sewing class with my no-brand name machine which was labeled ad "heavy duty". It struggled sewing through heavy materials, which surprised me. I was told that heavy duty only means thats it's a sturdy metal machine that could withstand use in schools, not that it has anything to do with its sewing abilities. I guess I got bad info there?

As a relatively inexperienced sewer, this kind of video is so helpful! Thanks for the great content!

Ooo, that was noticeably quieter! Looking forward to seeing what heavy duty project you put it to the test with! I love all of your jeans/ pants making videos.

They look great! What fabric weight do you recommend for these?

Great video Rebecca. Ive knitted for more decades than I should admit to, and I love the way you've approached this content. Quick wins to start with and a progression of complexity combined with the opportunity a consolidate some core skills. Have you thought about the possibility of a followup video on reading one the patterns mentioned? Like sewing there are key terms (that I feel can be off putting for a beginner) that once you know them makes it less daunting to read a knitting pattern. Or tips , like looking at the glossary which explain the abbreviation and the process and even some suggested KZbinrs who take you through different stitches (or basic combinations of knit and purl stitches). Also these patterns are great 'palette cleansers ' after knitting a more complex pattern or even if you've had bilateral hand surgery and still haven't gone back to knitting (don't ask me how I know!).

Thank you so much for this! So inspiring.

Also want to try circular needles

Great, straightforward video. I sew mostly but also like knitting, because I can knit in the evening sitting with my family. I find for sewing one needs a more dedicated space and a decent block of time. Knitting is less antisocial 😅 I'll definetely check out the video about wool. I would love to see a video about the different weights etc as I am not familiar with the terminology and when experienced knitters use those terms I am kind of lost😊

Great suggestions and ideas. When you used different yarn for the essential sweater did you change anything else ? Needle size stitch count? How did changing yarns affect size? As always thanks for another great video! I’m inspired 😊

Hi Rebecca, I love this thank you so much! I am an intermediate sewist and wannabe, slightly intimidated knitter. I am tempted to actually go through these one by one like a knitting course 😄 Could you possibly talk to us about blocking next?

Looking for ethical wool , it’s important to check if mulesing is involved , it is a controversial practice .

Purl soho are such a wonderful and generous company , they have a wool vest ( gilet ) pattern ,free too .I’ve made it several times and it’s fine for beginners .

you know that old school trick where you wear the jeans in a hot tub then wear them, and they fit perfectly? Is that still a thing?

Thanks that was a very interesting and informative video. I don't know if in the USA you have access to Drops yarns but they have several 100% wool yarns which I use all the time. Their alpaca yarns are especially beautiful. There are often offers on the yarns so at the moment I am knitting with Karisma a DK and it is on sale at the moment for £1.60 for 50grms. For people in the UK Wool Warehouse sell Drops yarns on line.

Love your style!

Thank you for your straight forward descriptions of why you won’t sew some patterns again. I loved that you gave alternatives. The pictures/line drawings are helpful but not necessarily accurate for each body shape. Most patterns are drafted for a 5’5” height so I can see why some of the patterns are too short for you. I’m enjoying your videos, thank you.

The Pocket skirt by Elbe, in Peppermint Magazine

cute!

Thank you for all of your time and energy you put into these videos! I look forward to them. 10 capsules from your closet would be great to see!

A thoughtful collection of patterns! I thought it was good that you included more formal trousers as well as the dress which can double as a pinafore, and a simple but very wearable skirt!

🥡

Great list of patterns Rebecca!!!💖💖💖 Thank you 🧵🧵🧵

Yes! Outfits!!

I'm currently making my first capsule wardrobe. I don't need sweaters, jackets or coats in my climate, so I would add a shirt dress which can also be worn open as a duster. I have The Assembly Line Shirt Dress pattern but haven't made it yet. I would also add my two most made patterns, the Rue Blouse and Clo Bias Skirt, both from Soften Studio. Quick to make, require few to no fit adjustments, and are versatile pieces that look elegant.

Great list of basic patterns. The only downside of the Nano Iro book is that it is only for smaller sizes. It has beautiful patterns and fabrics, though. I think I would go with Helen's Closet for the tanks dress as I have made a few of her patterns, and I can get them to fit me well. Thanks, Rebecca! Yes, I would enjoy a video of a 10 item capsule from your handmade wardrobe.

Thank you, Rebecca. I enjoyed your selection of patterns. Choosing a tank dress as a basic was inspired. You have a thoughtful foundation for others to build upon. Great podcast!

I really enjoyed this! Thank you. Im getting back into sewing after a 3 year break since having my son and I always enjoy your pattern recommendations.

What yarn??? It looks great!

Cheap quilting cotton is garbage. Buy your quilting cotton fabric from a quilting specialty store and you will have great cotton fabric. Cheap fabric and notions equal a cheap looking garment no matter the sewist’s skill.

The time it takes to sew a garment should also be taken into consideration when choosing a fabric for a project. It will take the same time, but the outcome is different as you wear and wash the garment.

Bernadette Banner had a guest on her channel where they just covered the art of ironing. After viewing that lovely video I was truly a convert and yes it makes such a difference to press every seam intentionally.

Great tips, and I'd like to add a distinction between inexpensive vs high quality because expensive doesn't necessarily guarantee high/good quality and I got burned so many times in the beginning, I'd buy expensive notions thinking they'll be high quality and inexpensive meant low quality. I now know how to spot good quality at a price point I am comfortable with, finally 🥳!

I know it has been a while but I would throw Berroco Lanas and Lanas Light out there. I haven't had my sweater for too too long but it's looking and feeling good so far.

Intermediate sewist

I just want to take the time to defend quilting cottons: Craft store quilting cottons can still be a suitable choice for a project! You just need to be mindful of the project. They're perfect or garments that stand away from the body and are not in the way of movement.. Full circle skirts, unfitted tops, and if you're using them for a project with a sleeve, it's best that they are short sleeves. Now quilt store cottons? More often than not they are apparel weight cottons with a fun print! However since they are closer to apparel weight cottons, definitely expect apparel fabric prices. But you get the joy of being able to create more varied garments while still enjoying the ease of cotton!

Just found your channel and really appreciate these tips! I’ve been sewing over a year and slowly moving into garments. These are great, thank you!

Great tips, especially the point about ironing. I always tell new sewists that sewing clothes is about 50% ironing. If I may add: if you're using a commercial pattern, pick a simple pattern that will be flattering for your shape. Take accurate measurements of your body and DO NOT get hung up on the number of your size, sew for your pattern size, not your RTW (ready to wear) size. Read the entire pattern through before you even start and do not skip steps. If it says to understitch, then do it. Change your sewing needle often, it really does make a difference. I loved how you said not to rush and I couldn't agree more, but also do not put off the next step because you're unsure of what to do. Finish your projects! For hand sewing needles, I prefer Bohin needles. For thread, I prefer Gütermann and will go out of my way to use that over C&C. Oh, do not use your fabric scissors for anything but fabric. Sorry to add so much but I've been sewing for over 30 years and I know that once a person starts to sew, they'll never stop. It's too great. Love your sweater.

This video has been a great reminder! I am not new to sewing but I am learning to slow it down a bit. I make fewer mistakes when I'm not rushing through a project. I take more time reading the fabric labels including the fabric care. Thank you for sharing this.

What a beautiful sweater vest! I can't wait to try it on.

Do you have recommendations for choosing interfacing? I've had a couple of examples where I wasn't pleased with the results. One was on the Closet Core Cielo shirt which I sewed with linen. The interfacing on the neck facing just doesn't lie smooth. It makes the neck area look a little rippled - I think there is a term for that. The other example is with pants that are elasticated in the back waistband but not the front. I am wondering if a heavier interfacing would work better for the front, as the waistband gets wrinkles in it while wearing.

Is it the quilting cotton or where you buy it. I haven’t been impressed with Joann fabrics. Period. Quilting fabric for garment sewing gets a bad wrap. Quilting cotton sold at quilting shop is usually of higher quality.