My sister had a double edged idea...she wanted to make these scarves that snap, sort of like the yoga ones from lululemon, and she wanted to learn to sew.
The sewing lessons went well.
The scarves themselves....well, it's been a lot of trial, and a LOT of error.
Let me just go ahead and say a couple of things about snaps. #1. It totally doesn't work to use lightweight snaps on either leather or faux leather. #2. It also totally doesn't work to try to punch the holes through on a hardwood floor. It worked MUCH better the following day when I did it outside on the concrete patio. It would probably work much better than that if I had use of a snap press, but I don't like to invest in a lot of equipment if I'm not sure if a product is going to sell or not. #3. Leather and my sewing machine hate me right now.
In the end, I really liked the results of the test scarves pictured above, but they were too long. I was so focused on getting the leather and snaps attached, that I made a rookie mistake and didn't test out the length! They definitely work, but need to wrap around 3 times which is just uncomfortable. I tried making a couple of scarves with a real leather trim, but it's thicker than the faux stuff (which actually looks surprisingly good!) and my sewing machine seems to hate. it. so. much. I spent a few hours on Sunday afternoon having my new, ingenious method of attaching the trim just not work SO hard...and then a lot more hours Sunday evening having my bobbin skip and thread break and just general horrible things happen to me, which I solved with wine and aimless internet surfing, throwing things and avoiding the sewing room since then. Healthy coping skills!
As soon as I can face it, I'm going to try my easier method of attaching the trim with the faux leather to see if it's in fact easier. I managed to improve the snap attachment method, so surely I can do the same with the sewing...right? And if not, well.....hey, one of a kinds pictured above!!!!
Wow! That's such a cute idea. When are you going to start selling them? I'm going to need to add you on instagram, haha ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel! I'm hoping to have a few listed in a week or so. I need to make nice with my machine first. :) I'm also hoping to have a meeting to sell some in a local brick and mortar store, so I definitely need to get moving on that reconciliation!!
DeleteI have very similar coping skills. And I LOVE this idea. I'm excited for when you finally nail it.
ReplyDeleteWere you using a leather needle in your machine? I wonder if that would make a difference?
ReplyDeleteI think I was just using a standard needle - since it never broke, I didn't think to change it. It's relatively fresh, so I don't know. It's probable that if contributed to the problems. I also wonder if the thread should be stronger/higher quality. I was just using whatever standard duty thread they sell at Joann's. It's just so frustrating because I started having all these issues at ONCE, and they hadn't happened on the other prototypes OR the first side of the scarf I was working on!
DeleteLooks like scotch tape on the bottom of the presser foot might help too: http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/10/tips-for-sewing-with-leather/
DeleteI'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who throws things when my sewing projects don't work out :) I really like the idea of the snaps on the scarves.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of these scarves! Cool idea.
ReplyDelete