amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

LaVieBoheme · 08-20-2002, 11:34 AM

I'll love ya forever, I promise!

I'm SO frustrated.. I learned how to use a sewing machine.. great! I went and bought a neat easy pattern to try sewing James some shorts.. bought an awesome patchy material...

Traced the pattern, cut it, pinned it to the fabric.. cut the fabric... now I'm stuck. I can't understand the farking pictures and instructions on how to put them together.. what an idiot! There are only four pieces!!! UGH!

Someone please come over and help me sew my first thing ever?? Please! I'm begging! I'll make a nice lunch or dinner for you!

I wish my mom lived closer.. but alas.. shes in Michigan.. quite a few states away.

She would be able to show me..

*sigh*
Cheryl

mama2sinead2 · 08-20-2002, 11:52 AM

Most elastic pants/shorts have either two ways to sew them. One is where you sew the front and back "U" pieces together. The other is where you sew down the leg of the front pieces and the leg of the back pieces and then sew the "U".

If it's #1 - don't be discouraged. That big "U" is the crotch - NOT a leg! LOL Took me several times tearing it out to realize that this was NOT a leg! After you sew the "U", turn it so that it becomes the crotch and the legs will fall into place. The second method is even simpler. One leg is right side out, the other is wrong side (I'm pretty sure! Doing this from memory!) sew the "U", turn the right side to wrong and sew the waist.

Holler if you need more help! Good luck!

Lynn

CarterNOwensMom · 08-20-2002, 12:11 PM

Aaawww, Cheryl! I think pants are a tough one to start on!

I usually sew the front to back at the sides (out) first, then sew the inside legs together (right front to right back, then left). So then I have the two seperate legs. Then take one leg and turn it inside out, then turn the other right side out, and put that one inside the other with the U lined up. Pin at the crotch seam (pin more if you like), then you can sew up the U. You should now have a pair of shorts.

Did that make ANY sense at all? Wish I could interpret your directions for you!

LaVieBoheme · 08-20-2002, 01:09 PM

Ok.. hmmm.. I think I need to learn more about lingo. *lol* Everything people are telling me is so foreign sounding!

Anyhow, when I said 4 pieces.. I didn't really mean four.. there are three pieces that are doubles.. and then the LONG waistband

So I have those three pieces that are doubled.. I have two that I believe are the leg pieces.. and then this little other piece that I have since learned is a pocket. Its the whole pocket thing that is confusing the heck out of me.. its telling me to sew the right sides, then turn it outside, then inside.. ugh! Its just all confusing! *lol*

I'm going to work on it tonight though, and calling my mom on the phone so she can talk me threw it.. hopefully something will work out and James will actually be able to WEAR these shorts!

Its supposed to be an easy "sew in two hours" kind of pattern.. we'll see! *lol*

Thanks!
Cheryl

tara · 08-20-2002, 01:34 PM

Cheryl, I'd be happy to come over and show you! LMK if you still need help!

Tara

mama2sinead2 · 08-20-2002, 03:29 PM

I'd say skip the pockets ... I always do. I think they're a major PITA and what kid really uses 'em anyway! I love the beautiful batik squares for patchy pockets if I do a pocket but built-in pockets? Can 'em IMHO!

Lynn

CarterNOwensMom · 08-20-2002, 03:45 PM

Oh yeah, skip the pockets. You only have to empty them of nasty little things before you do the wash anyway

LaVieBoheme · 08-20-2002, 06:18 PM

How do I do it without thepockets then? Ugh, maybe I should have just stuck to cross stitch & crochet! *lol*

Natalie · 08-20-2002, 09:53 PM

We could figure out an in-house study session sometime!