Does anyone have any tips for just basic hemming? I have a pair of jeans (or more), some trousers, and a skirt that all need hemming. Not sure if there are any handy dandy tricks anyone uses to make it even easier.

I'm so excited. :D My best friend bought one of my knitted scarves and now my cousin wants to buy one from me too.

Congrats, Sora! :)

Originally Posted by Cherry Who?

Does anyone have any tips for just basic hemming? I have a pair of jeans (or more), some trousers, and a skirt that all need hemming. Not sure if there are any handy dandy tricks anyone uses to make it even easier.

Hmm, I don't know about handy dandy tips, but hemming isn't all that complicated. Just take the time to carefully pin everything beforehand and try it on so that you know its the right length. And above all else, leave yourself some extra fabric in case of error! When you sew the hem in place, don't just cut off all the excess fabric - Keep at least 2 inches, if possible. No one will notice it inside your clothes, but it'll always be there in case you want to change the hem again in the future. :yes:

I can't vouch for any of these tutorials, but eHow has always been good to me: Hemming links

Originally Posted by Sora

I'm so excited. :D My best friend bought one of my knitted scarves and now my cousin wants to buy one from me too.

That's exciting!l If you can start a new trend, then everyone will know where they can buy a scarf. :lol:

I love knitting, and just recently I have taught myself how to crochet but I don't know very many things yet for crocheting.

Don't know if this would be of any use to you, Cherry :)

The Pretty Poppy: How to hem jeans using the original hem..the best way!!

Welcome, DJ Dead :)


Have you guys seen this website? It's got some pretty spiffy patterns. Wooly Thoughts: Mathematics through Knitting and Crochet

I like the Double Vision project, tempted to try that one on a smaller scale:

10 colors of yarn, two at a time, produced that much variety - cool!

Cherry♥~~i use hemming tape and iron the hem.
then i don't have to worry about pins and such.

That Double Vision pattern is awesome, I wonder what it would look like in a scarf

i think it would be adorable, Sora♥.

I think it could be really neat in a scarf. If you took a lesser number of colors (say, 4) and zig-zagged the pattern a bit so you retain the fade effect, I bet it would look amazing. :love:

Does anyone know how to do a 3 single crochet into the next stitch? I think the way that I am doing it is completely wrong

D.J. Dead: It'd just be like a double crochet (2), just with a third one, right? So 3 single crochets all in the same stitch. If I read that right. :lol:

That Double Vision project is a really cool concept. It's like making plaid while concentrating on the overall effect. I've seen a couple designs like that where the person crochets a ton of different chains and then sews and weaves them together into the final afghan. I'll have to see if I can dig one of those project pages up. :yes:

@Sora: Hmmm I will have to try that! Thank you :)

I'm starting to learn to knit, but I'm having trouble getting the hang of the purl stitch. Anyone have some tips?

Have you tried watching some youtube videos? There are a lot of good tutorials out there! That's where I turn if I need knitting help, since sometimes a visual reference is better than reading instructions. Search around and you might find a channel that suits you. :yes:

And does anyone have any favorite DIY websites that you'd like to have listed on the front page? I've been tracking a couple down, but I'm sure we could get a good reference library together if everyone pitched in.

i have some stashed somewhere.
i'll dig them up and see if they still are around, Knerd♥.

How about...

Daily source of DIY craft projects and inspiration, patterns, how-tos @Craftzine.com blog
MAKE | DIY projects, how-tos, and inspiration from the workshops and minds of geeks, makers, and hackers @ Make: magazine (left crafts-y, but may still be appropriate)
Mod Podge Rocks!

I have a lot of other craft-y blogs, but I'm not sure how useful they'd be. xD;

Originally Posted by Knerd

Have you tried watching some youtube videos? There are a lot of good tutorials out there! That's where I turn if I need knitting help, since sometimes a visual reference is better than reading instructions. Search around and you might find a channel that suits you. :yes:

And does anyone have any favorite DIY websites that you'd like to have listed on the front page? I've been tracking a couple down, but I'm sure we could get a good reference library together if everyone pitched in.

I haven't tried that yet. I'll have to see about looking some up when I have time.

*drags in her sewing machine* This could be cozy.

so my son Jacob and I have stared on a project but couldn't finish it because the material didn't fit under my pressure foot on my sewing machine. i think it might be eaiser to hand sew, but i dont know how! i've been afraid to get it back out cuz i know i'll just get upset at it. we are trying to make a Terry Cat plush, using towel material. it's pretty hard for me. :(

It's too hot to do any kind of sewing/yarn-craft. Yesterday it went to 102 and the soap bars in both bathrooms melted onto their holders.

Originally Posted by llonka

so my son Jacob and I have stared on a project but couldn't finish it because the material didn't fit under my pressure foot on my sewing machine. i think it might be eaiser to hand sew, but i dont know how! i've been afraid to get it back out cuz i know i'll just get upset at it. we are trying to make a Terry Cat plush, using towel material. it's pretty hard for me. :(

There are many different kinds of sewing machine feet out there, I'm sure you could find one that's meant for thicker material. Try going into a local fabric store and asking the workers! It's pretty much guaranteed that every craft store has a kindly old lady who has sewed all her life and loves talking about it. Find your lady and I bet she'd have a wonderful time showing you all the different machine additions and options.

Originally Posted by Knerd

There are many different kinds of sewing machine feet out there, I'm sure you could find one that's meant for thicker material. Try going into a local fabric store and asking the workers! It's pretty much guaranteed that every craft store has a kindly old lady who has sewed all her life and loves talking about it. Find your lady and I bet she'd have a wonderful time showing you all the different machine additions and options.

thank you Knerd! i think the only store we have would be Walmart. :( we did have a fabric store kind of thing but i think they went out of business. hmm maybe i could my neighbor's mother, she owns a sewing machine repair shop. worth a shot right?