Sunday, December 01, 2024

Tinker Workshop - Bampot house - December 19 2024 - Toronto

 

 As a heads up, I will be facilitating at the Tinker workshop again, for sewing assistance, visible mending, mending suggestions, and other fiber related things.

Have a torn fabric item that you want to fix that you need a bit of guidance?

Have a home sewing pattern you are stumped on by the instructions?

Have a hole in your sock?

Come on down and I will help you out

Limited amount of seats available, and please be sure to register at the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPGgh8gufVqdJU6UtX-Ozfjkn-8u_noP9jIJs-P15R8zsdeg/viewform

I'll see you there!

Making a handstitched soup bowl cosy - last minute handmade gift idea

 

 

Come on in and grab your bowl of soup.   


Need something to keep your bowl warm, and your fingers insulated from the heat?   This might be the perfect household item to do just that.  


You might also be able to make one for a friend or family member! 


This project only took me 2 days to make, while filming, but if this is your first time, or if you make one that has more top stitching, you may need more time to make it.


Above is the pattern

Please note that you may need to adjust the darts for length, and width, as well as the size of the fabric, for the size of your bowl.


 

How to use a modern domestic sewing machine 101 - Machine parts ID and threading

 Now....before anyone says anything, I bought this machine with my own money, and zero sponsorships from Singer sewing company.

I only heard about the pitfalls of this machine after I bought it, and only mentioned a few things in the video as to why I bought it.

Your machine may be better than this one, but most modern domestic machines thread in the same way, which is what I'm trying to showcase, not this specific brand and model. 

In fact, you'll notice that I semi de-badged this machine. 

With that said, I think some of you out there may find this video helpful, with even non-Singer branded machines.

 

 

 
 
 
As for reviews, you know a sewing machine is sturdy by the feel and "drive" of it in a way.  This specific make and model feels about as cheaply made as the Singer Esteem II that was given to me, that you may have seen in other videos.
 
I also have a Singer branded serger that "does the job"
 
However, if I had the space, and money to get industrial machines, I probably would, but being in an apartment, I can't afford that kind of space, so home sewing machines will have to do.
 
The one that really feels the most sturdy, is my vintage 1937 Singer 99k machine.  It still needs a bit of repair, and looking at the springs to get the tension discs to de-tension when I lift the presser foot, but it still works all the same.
 

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Making a Patchwork Witch Hat - Part 2 - Light - Halloween

 
 
 
It's that time again!
 
It's October! 
 
When the sky starts to get a bit more rainy, the leaves begin to turn color, and the ghosties, ghouls, and goblins start coming out to play. 
 
This month, we'll be doing a make-a-long in the form of a Witch Hat! You can sew this by machine, or by hand. By machine is ideal.
 
This video goes through the addendum to the materials list, and the "light" version of this hat.
 
(Also, don't at me cause in the video I spelled addendum wrong.  It was 4am when I finished editing this video.  I think we need to live with a few imperfections)
 
We have some cottagecore vibes and construction instructions for you, for those early fall and first half of October vibes. 
 
So, grab your cozy drink of choice, grab your scraps, and let's get stitching!

 

Tuesday, October 01, 2024

Making a Patchwork Witch Hat - Part 1 - Halloween!

 

 

It's that time of year! My favourite time of year, so lets get spooky with this kooky scrappy patchwork hat!

This is part 1 of 2. 

Part 1 being the basic supplies and sorting out the math you'll need to make this hat!

I've also confirmed that the Excel spreadsheet link works, as I used it for this project, which is courtesy of hellowsewing.com at the link below, which will go directly to the spreadsheet download.

I'll see if I can make a copy of the math, but as a google sheets version for ease of access.

I'm still waiting for more material to come in, which shouldn't take too long historically speaking from the store I bought them from. But...I'll be filming a bit of the process while waiting for it to come in so I can get part 2 out ASAP!

You can hand sew this, or use a machine. Totally up to you.

I hope you'll join me on this sewing adventure!

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Changes and updates - Visible Mending - Tinker Toronto - Millinery video

Some of you who have been to this blog before, may notice some changes.  I've decided to remove the older content, as it would be irrelevant for use anymore, because most of the links are outdated, I don't use certain sites anymore, or for other reasons. 

With that said, I am trying to work on newer content, and I'm continually updating my YouTube, for more tutorials and content.  

I have several projects on the go, but these things will take time to create, and publish.  

 In the meantime, I suggest going to check out my YouTube Channel or my Instagram for additional content, which is where I post the most frequently.

 


As an update, on September 19 (2024) I had visited Bampot House of Tea and Board Games, for a night of teaching people how to mend their clothes, through means of "visible mending".  I even managed to finish a patch on my own Threadbanger T-shirt.  

Since Threadbanger has sadly disbanded (they have their reasons for no longer continuing, and please respect their privacy) I want to keep wearing the tees I bought as long as possible. 

I'm still creating videos with the spirit of Threadbanger in mind as best I can, and I want to keep making more content for those of you to follow along at home, in the spirit of DIY.

I also now have a Linktree, where you can find free patterns I'm working on, which I only have one available at the moment, but again in the spirit of DIY, a lot of it is "do it yourself" as the format may leave a few people scratching their heads.

I also have been taking classes at George Brown College, to bolster what I know in the realm of sewing, and have even completed my Millinery certificate!  That's hat making for those who don't know the term.

 


With that said, if you like my videos, please go to my channel, like, subscribe and comment, and pass the info along to friends, or family, as it really helps to boost the algorithm to let Youtube know you want to see more.  It also helps me with a bit of a serotonin bump, knowing that you like what you see, find it useful, and want to see more.

I also have a Ko-Fi page in which you can donate to help keep me caffeinated, or to help me get supplies to showcase more builds and more DIY tutorials, since sewing with a camera in my lap gets really awkward, and could really use better audio equipment, as well as fabrics to make things to show you how it's done.  Especially if you like hats, cosplay or just want to learn how to sew.

If you want to donate, please scan the QR code below:

 
I'm also writing a small e-zine on how to do sewing in general, with techniques, tools, ideas, but it's slow going, so it might be a while as I'm hand writing it, but I also plan on making a typed up version for people who need it, which will eventually be available on my Ko-Fi page as well.

In the meantime, I'm working on more school, as well as a new video, so stay tuned!

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Making Opus Elenae's Londinium Hood - Time to get Medieval! - Pattern link available!

 It's time to get Medieval, with the Londinium Hood pattern by  Opus Elenae  

 Their Ko-Fi page can be found at the link below, along with the pattern: 

https://ko-fi.com/s/ec44c3c4d8 

Keep in mind I finished this hood in 2022 as part of a challenge to finish a historybounding piece, to help keep me warm in the winter.

 Please also note that I paid for this pattern with my own money, and is not sponsored.

 

 
 
Happy Historybounding!

See how to make this GIANT HAT! - Things I learned at college

 Join me in seeing the process of how to make this GIANT HAT! 

I need a broad brimmed hat to keep the sun off in the summer, and this dark brown felt hat certainly does the job! 

You can style a broad hat like this many ways, adding flowers, greebles, and it certainly gives some Cad Bane vibes (Star wars for you cosplayers out there) I know this is a fast one, but it gives you a peek into the process.

Happy hat making!

Fallout Games and TV series cosplay - Vault Suit using 1940s fashion

Hello Vault Dwellers!

I'm here to bring you this sewing mini series, loosely based on the Fallout video game franchise, in a two part series of making, and drafting my own cosplay based on the Fallout series of games, but more inspired in the styles of a Siren Suit from the 1940s. 

 So, Grab your Nuka Cola, and come with me on this sewing and pattern drafting adventure! In this video there are a few sewing tips, including some info for first time serger users.

 

Teaser project trailer:

 
 
 
Part 1: Drafting, Game design from Fallout 4 vs Siren Suit design, Design elements
 
 
 

 
Part 2: Construction and reveal with cinematic ending
 
 
 
 
 

Time to Crawl out Through the Fallout, and everything will be Okey Dokey!

Walkaway Dress - Bias Tape Tutorial - Defining Slow Fashion with help of the Internet

This is the reveal of the final length of time it took me to complete the Walkaway Dress Time Challenge, as well as discussing what is Fast Fashion, and defining Slow Fashion, with the help of Denizens of the Internet. 

 Also included is a Bias Tape Tutorial, so you can make some at home, for when you need bias tape for your next project 

 Thank you to Stephanie Canada at Backroom Finds for issuing the Walkaway Dress Challenge! 

Also thank you to Stitch, Mari, and Jasper's Grimoire as well as anyone else who shared their thoughts on defining what they feel Slow Fashion is all about!

 

 
 
Happy Sewing!

How to fix your sewing machine PT 2 - cleaning and oiling

 Does your machine need a bit of cleaning out?  Here's how!

 
 
 
If this video helped you out, please visit my YouTube channel and comment if it did!

How to fix your sewing machine - Pt 1 - Tension problems - Including needle types, and bobbin types

 Here's an overview of how to solve your tension issues on most modern machines.


 I hope this helps some of you out there.

Please comment on the video on YouTube if this tutorial helped you out!



Halloween Patchwork - From Pants to Skirt

 

Just an upcycling project this time, that's a shorter video.  Enjoy!