Older Folks and Vaping Back Porch - Part Seven

[Flowersoul]

We use a a type of chalk resin in our bowling arsenal for our hands.

 

[Bobw1951]

Rock climbers often carry chalk bags, too. That's way out of my experience, but I think they use it to keep their hands from getting all slick and sweaty.

Don't athletes use it as well when on the bars, and weight-lifters ??

 

[Janet H]

"talc used for marking cloth and removing grease and, in powder form, as a dry lubricant"...

Rock climbers often carry chalk bags, too. That's way out of my experience, but I think they use it to keep their hands from getting all slick and sweaty.

We use a a type of chalk resin in our bowling arsenal for our hands.

Don't athletes use it as well when on the bars, and weight-lifters ??

Yes, I know about the chalk, but don't know why it's French and especially why you'd need it on your fingers to sew. I used to make a lot of my kids clothes when they were little and have done other things like recovering a chair or making curtains, but never saw the need to put chalk on my fingers. Maybe I should have used it if it would have helped me put in zippers.

 

[3mg Meniere]

Yes, I know about the chalk, but don't know why it's French and especially why you'd need it on your fingers to sew. I used to make a lot of my kids clothes when they were little and have done other things like recovering a chair or making curtains, but never saw the need to put chalk on my fingers. Maybe I should have used it if it would have helped me put in zippers.

If you were working on fine silk, which would pick up finger oils, you might. But such a fabric is so impractical, anyway. Water spots and all that. Not worth it, even as a luxury.

 

[Bea-FL]

@Janet H speaking of putting in zippers you may already know this but in case you don't…ibstead of sewing a zipper in the regular way you stitch the entire length of the seam where the zipper goes but with a loose stitch. Then you place the zipper behind it and stitch as usual. After that you snip the seam and remove the stitches.

I discovered this when my son was little and I made most of his clothes.

 

[DavidOck]

Yes, I know about the chalk, but don't know why it's French

So they can charge a premium price for it, it's imported

 

[Janet H]

@Janet H speaking of putting in zippers you may already know this but in case you don't…ibstead of sewing a zipper in the regular way you stitch the entire length of the seam where the zipper goes but with a loose stitch. Then you place the zipper behind it and stitch as usual. After that you snip the seam and remove the stitches.

I discovered this when my son was little and I made most of his clothes.

Thanks, but through trial and error this is the way I did the last couple zippers. It is better, I just don't like putting zippers in. Geez, it's been a long time since I've sown anything. It used to be cheaper to sew your own clothes, but the cost of fabric these days is crazy.

 

[Semiretired]

I just don't like putting zippers in.

I guess that keeps Mike safe then... My wife has threatened to put a zipper in for almost 30 years, but I won't stay still long enough for her to get a proper fitting...

 

[clnire]

Thanks, but through trial and error this is the way I did the last couple zippers. It is better, I just don't like putting zippers in. Geez, it's been a long time since I've sown anything. It used to be cheaper to sew your own clothes, but the cost of fabric these days is crazy.

Not just fabric, patterns are outrageous! I remember paying, at the most, $1-2 for a pattern. Now they are $10 or more! Been a long time since I even shopped for a pattern because they are so expensive.

 

[yiddleboge6]

don't know why it's French and especially why you'd need it on your fingers to sew

Most likely because France was the center of fashion for centuries... A great many sewing techniques and tools. fabrics and laces came from there. A set of French curve rulers is essential for drafting patterns to sew garments....

French seams are still the nicest way to have a finished seam... And then there is French Heirloom sewing...a method of creating a fine rolled hem on pieces of batiste while joining it to lace insertion at the same time... been there...done that...and you definitely have to keep washing your hands while doing it. The chalk would have helped...

My journey into sculpting started with creating antique reproduction porcelain dolls that required historically correct costuming...

 

[Bea-FL]

You're right. I buy most of my clothes at Walmart these days because buying fabric to make them would cost a lot more. What I still make are house dresses from our old sheets. Lots of good fabric left over and we only buy solid colors.

 

[Bea-FL]

Most likely because France was the center of fashion for centuries... A great many sewing techniques and tools. fabrics and laces came from there. A set of French curve rulers is essential for drafting patterns to sew garments....

French seams are still the nicest way to have a finished seam... And then there is French Heirloom sewing...a method of creating a fine rolled hem on pieces of batiste while joining it to lace insertion at the same time... been there...done that...and you definitely have to keep washing your hands while doing it. The chalk would have helped...

My journey into sculpting started with creating antique reproduction porcelain dolls that required historically correct costuming...

Beautiful work!

 

[MikeE3]

Most likely because France was the center of fashion for centuries... A great many sewing techniques and tools. fabrics and laces came from there. A set of French curve rulers is essential for drafting patterns to sew garments....

French seams are still the nicest way to have a finished seam... And then there is French Heirloom sewing...a method of creating a fine rolled hem on pieces of batiste while joining it to lace insertion at the same time... been there...done that...and you definitely have to keep washing your hands while doing it. The chalk would have helped...

My journey into sculpting started with creating antique reproduction porcelain dolls that required historically correct costuming...

Oh what a doll! I'm just amazed when you post pictures of your past work.

Back to 'French'. I us French Silk Floss and French Tinsel in my fly tying. But I don't think it comes from France. My two favorite vendor's for it are Pearsalls (out of England) and Largatun (our of British Columbia). I'll have to remember the 'chalk' trick when working w/ the silk floss, yep you have to be careful handling it so it doesn't fray. Some tyers of really nice presentation flys wear cotton gloves when handling it to avoid it snagging on the fingers and or getting skin oil transferred to the silk.

 

[yiddleboge6]

If you were working on fine silk, which would pick up finger oils, you might. But such a fabric is so impractical, anyway. Water spots and all that. Not worth it, even as a luxury.

Ah! the luxury of silk.....no other fabric feels as sensuous and wonderful against ones bare skin as silk... Granted silk taffeta and satin are difficult to care for, but there are other silks that are quite washable...and worth it...

 

[DavidOck]

Uh huh, silkies

 

[3mg Meniere]

Not just fabric, patterns are outrageous! I remember paying, at the most, $1-2 for a pattern. Now they are $10 or more! Been a long time since I even shopped for a pattern because they are so expensive.

The trick to that is to buy a pattern and re-use it in many different variations. Get your money's worth out of a single pattern. I bet I can make four shirts with the current pattern, and no-one knows the difference. I decided to quit fooling around with button-holes, and got https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01435LTUW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@Janet H speaking of putting in zippers you may already know this but in case you don't…ibstead of sewing a zipper in the regular way you stitch the entire length of the seam where the zipper goes but with a loose stitch. Then you place the zipper behind it and stitch as usual. After that you snip the seam and remove the stitches.

I discovered this when my son was little and I made most of his clothes.

I tried that, and found that zipper coverage was inadequate. When Mom was alive, I would make something and leave the zipper for her. She threatened to start charging me for the service.

French seams are still the nicest way to have a finished seam... And then there is French Heirloom sewing...a method of creating a fine rolled hem on pieces of batiste while joining it to lace insertion at the same time... been there...done that...and you definitely have to keep washing your hands while doing it. The chalk would have helped...

My journey into sculpting started with creating antique reproduction porcelain dolls that required historically correct costuming...

My mother made doll-house dolls for a while. Even had a kiln. Did an extensive Little House on the Prairie series for a Laura Ingalls Wilder tourist spot (Willow Lake SD). Not as detailed as the larger dolls can be. My sister wants

me to make this doll, and dress her with pieces from her wedding dress. I have the fabric for the body, but snipped off a piece with the outline and features of the face in pale orange pencil for one of her daughters to paint, since I am no good at embroidery. Still busy with an order of memorial teddy bears. Customer picked up eleven and paid me. Seven more to go.https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoW-OTQeXOsRj0zXbSjYUt0Fz6rn

 

[clnire]

Most likely because France was the center of fashion for centuries... A great many sewing techniques and tools. fabrics and laces came from there. A set of French curve rulers is essential for drafting patterns to sew garments....

French seams are still the nicest way to have a finished seam... And then there is French Heirloom sewing...a method of creating a fine rolled hem on pieces of batiste while joining it to lace insertion at the same time... been there...done that...and you definitely have to keep washing your hands while doing it. The chalk would have helped...

My journey into sculpting started with creating antique reproduction porcelain dolls that required historically correct costuming...

I just love pictures of your dolls yiddle!

@3mg Meniere, I agree, but all I seem to have time to sew lately is our nylon and paracord dog leads and collars.. My thumb is healing, but I will never be able to do production braiding again. The injury affects the arthritis already diagnosed in my thumbs. No carpal tunnel, arthritis. I do have an excellent braider, and I can sew! Left handed scissors are a wonderful thing, too. I will be able to do some braiding, like special orders at shows, but no hours of braiding like I used to do. That's life!

 

[3mg Meniere]

I just love pictures of your dolls yiddle!

@3mg Meniere, I agree, but all I seem to have time to sew lately is our nylon and paracord dog leads and collars.. My thumb is healing, but I will never be able to do production braiding again. The injury affects the arthritis already diagnosed in my thumbs. No carpal tunnel, arthritis. I do have an excellent braider, and I can sew! Left handed scissors are a wonderful thing, too. I will be able to do some braiding, like special orders at shows, but no hours of braiding like I used to do. That's life!

My thumbs have been hurting lately. Working with them too much, particularly stuffing those bears. Tried to vary my activities, which helped. However, a neighbor and I were discussing arthritis yesterday, and we are trying tumeric capsules. I want to know her report, because I have had very little pain today. First time in a week or so. I am already taking glucosamine and chondroitin, which took care of the arthritis in my hips. I use spring-loaded scissors, and that helps a lot. Also got out Mom's electric scissors, but that requires more thumb action.

 

[Bea-FL]

I've done the same thing for years too…re-use patterns by altering this and that. Haven't bought any in at least 20 years. Also when I have something that fits really well I make a pattern out of it. I did that with my favorite bag too.

But not with jeans. When it comes to jeans I found out years ago that Walmart's brand, men's jeans fit me just right so I just buy them.

 

[3mg Meniere]

I've done the same thing for years too…re-use patterns by altering this and that. Haven't bought any in at least 20 years. Also when I have something that fits really well I make a pattern out of it. I did that with my favorite bag too.

But not with jeans. When it comes to jeans I found out years ago that Walmart's brand, men's jeans fit me just right so I just buy them.

I am sewing for myself for the first time in years. I recently gave up on the uniform I have used for years, jeans and t-shirts. Switching to leggings and long tops. Jeans bind so bad at my waist (adding to pain in my back), and leggings help with diminished sensation in my lower legs. I can still use my t-shirts with long tops open at the front, though.

I found you at DP.