Sewing Advice?

[arian-diana.livejournal.com]

I suck at sewing. Yes, I do. I admit this freely. I hated it in junior high Home Ec. and didn't pay much attention to the teachers (I managed to finish my pillow, but not my jumper). For most of my adult life I wasn't interested in learning how to sew.
Last year though I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas and got one. I like the sewing machine and I've used it a few times. Nothing spectacular has come from it, mind you, but I've not sewn my fingers together either.

What I need is instruction on how to make things and some inspiring ideas. Classes would be nice, but that's not possible for me at this time. Neither is having someone come show me how to sew. Therefore, I need books.

Can anyone recommend any good books on learning how to sew? I'm not expecting to up and make a fancy wedding dress or anything. I'd be happy with simple stuff like pajama pants, purses, etc...

Thank you!

Je n'aime pas

[azure-divinity.livejournal.com]

Lately I've been finding a lot of awesome pants at my local thrift store in really cool patterns like blue leopard print, tiger stripes, etc, but almost all of them seem to have the same problem: They're very high-waisted, something that I just can't stand. Does anyone have any advice on how I could go about converting them to sit lower on the hips?

Sumo!

[lilsayermonster.livejournal.com]

I just found this pattern for a sumo wrestler doll. How awesome is that. If I do a good job on him, I will post pictures, but in the meantime I wanted to share the link.

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~eq5k-mgry/work3e.htm

(no subject)

[iconartist.livejournal.com]

Do any of you fellow crafters know of any heat safe paint or enamel that would be suitable for repainting a vintage metal gooseneck desk lamp?

Wire tree

[http://users.livejournal.com/_delicateterror/]

( Black and white )

Rainbow Tote

[bluem0nkey.livejournal.com]

( Kitchi Manitou, the great spirit, created the universe, earth and all life. Animals were given powers, plants could heal, and humans could dream. )

last wire tree for a while

[http://users.livejournal.com/_delicateterror/]

( candy cane )

bunny!

[woah-the-kettle.livejournal.com]

hey, i'm new, and heres a bunny.

( Read more... )

(no subject)

[mustbe-monsters.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know where I can get a lot of really cheap glue on rhinstones? I went to AC Moore today and it was like $3 for two dozen.
My friends and I are making Pimp cups haha.

(no subject)

[choco-chippie.livejournal.com]

When I saw these crystal band aids, my first thought was that people who want bling on everything have seriously gotten carried away (and the people who buy them for 10 euros for 3 bandages are insane). But then shortly after that I found myself affixing tiny jewels to fabric band aids because a) now that the school year has kicked off, I found myself once again with an inordinate amount of papercuts and b) I was bored and had jewels, band aids and glue nearby.

(no subject)

[coexist-love.livejournal.com]

hey guys...I am a newbie here that was planning to show you some of the work that I'd done but time ran away from me today.

Anyway, my question is that I've been getting into beading lately. Like stringing and designing bracelets and necklaces. I am not really into the entire making your own beads thing. But my question is does anyone know a good wholesaler for bead. I am particualrly interested in Swarovski Crystals (or substitute for them), findings of any kind (including clasps, chandelier earing hardware, chain, crimp beads), semi-precious beads, and glass beads.

Also if anyone has any tips or sites that have good tips that would be excellent as well.

Thanks in advance.