Hello. I have just signed on to this list, although I have been reading it for some time. I am now interested in making fine quality clothes for myself and my husband. Years ago, I made all my own clothes because I am less than five feet tall, and few were available in adult styles. When the children were growing up I sewed for them- many Frostline Kits of down jackets, sleeping bags, tents, on a Singer Featherweight no less. By that time, petites were on the market, and I was busy teaching and working on many groups and committees, so I bought my clothing for years. Now I am retired, and I have the yen to sew again. Since I do fine needlework and am a member of The American Needlepoint Guild, machine embroidery is not for me, so I bought a basic Viking, and I am collecting the feet and such as I go along, but, sewing has changed in the years I was out of it! There is so much to learn, so I am hoping to learn from you all. I have already picked up some new ideas. I am interested in quality, not quantity.
My name is really spelled Margaret-Ann, but the registration wouldn’t accept it. There must be others, because they listed me as 7. Hi to my name sharers
Replies
Hi MargaretAnn,
What a memory your mention of FrostLine kits brought up. When I was 16 I made a FrostLine nylon down navy jacket for a friend. Amazing what I would try, and still do!
I'm into tailoring and just love the challenge of adding a unique feature to classic clothes. I try to challenge myself with every new garment. I'm not into machine embroidery, either, although I really love what others do, the expense of the machines, threads etc is beyond my means at the moment.
My last jacket was a sky blue wool crepe with a diamond shaped bound buttonhole, using the organza method. It came out well, but I sure fretted before I cut into the front of that jacket!!!
Welcome, and would love to hear about your projects.
Becks, NYC
Frostline brings back memories for me, too! I think all I ever made was down booties (I still have them, and come to think of it, I should bring them to this very cool office and keep them under my desk), but I remember my sister making a complicated mountain parka. And my husband, many years before I met him, used the kits for outdoor gear. Which makes me wonder why I'm always hemming his pants. Surely whacking a couple of inches off a pair of khakis is easier than making a down parka?!
Carol
Hi to all,
My name is Sue Hayden and have loved sewing since I made my first skirt in 4th grade with the help from my mom. That was many years ago as now I am a grandmother. I grew in Edmonds, WA. Married a Cdn. fellow at the age of 19 and I have lived in British Columbia, Canada ever since.
I was recently laid off and am now taking the time to enjoy getting back into my sewing. I would love to purchase one of those fancy embroidery machines and play all day but for now will have to wait to buy one. So I am teaching myself to do the free motion embroidery. Having fun at it.
I am also planning to take a few a of the courses held in the area to add to my sewing knowledge. First one will be bra making as I just hate paying so much for so little material.
I have never thought to sew using down material and have never seen it at any of the many fabric stores I have gone to. Is it difficult to work with and do you have to get it as special stores such as outdoor suppliers?
Dear Shayden
Frostline Kits had the pattern, the fabric, all the special notions needed, and down in little packets that were inserted in the garment after it was made. I no longer need the heavy duty outerwear, but I hear that the kits are being revived. I called the telephone number on the web site, but it hasn't come yet. They were of excellent quality.
Margaret-Ann
My brother made himself a down jacket with a Frostline kit, outgrew it and made himself a down coat with a Frostline kit--all while in his teens. And he never sewed anything else. The down in Frostline kits was incased in polyvinylalcohol, a water-soluble plastic. You'd sew the kit, slip the tube of down into the pocket, sew the pocket shut and when it was all done, wash the jacket with a canvas sneaker. The PVA dissolved, the shoe fluffed and distributed the down and there you were! I made a front-or-back babycarrier with nursing slits from a Frostlne kit, too. That baby is 21 now.
And all of this was done on a Featherweight. I saw your post, Margaret-Ann, and I thought, "comrade!"
Hi Carol, No.......hemming pants is the worst job ever. So unrewarding, but necessary. Everyone admires the down parka you make but no one ever mentions the right length pants on a husband. And there's always more pant leg than hem witdh. Whay is that? Actually, now that I think about, no one mentions the wrong length either. Now that I think about it, I do remember an occasion when it was very obviously the wrong length. At a college freshman orientation, the new students were playing a pick-up game of soccer. One of the students was wearing baggy nylon sweats...very stylish but too big at the waist and way too long. He played holding up his pant legs which interferred with his stride dreadfully. He sure looked funny, slipping and sliding, up and down the field....and didn't seem to mind a bit. Fashion slave?? Do you think? rjf
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