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Thread: How many yards?

  1. #1
    Senior Member stefprez's Avatar
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    How many yards?

    First off, someone tell me if I'm getting in over my head. I don't own a sewing machine yet, and have never sewn a stitch, but that should be changing very soon. I am looking to start purchasing some fabric, more or less as motivation to make sure I don't put this off too long.

    I'd like to start off with some basic projects after I get my stitching skills to a decent enough level. I'm thinking stuff sacks, snake skins, gathered end hammock, and hopefully a basic Climashield UQ.

    For the stuff sacks, I'm thinking that will mostly be scrap material. Snake skins should be a couple yards of bug netting. Gathered end hammock would be ~4 yards of ripstop, and probably 2.5 yards for the UQ.

    Are my estimates in the ballpark? I was probably going to order 10 yards or so, just to have some buffer.

    Also, if I wanted to make a bug net for a DIY hammock, what directions would you recommend I use, and how many yards of the fabric do you think I'd need? Thanks!

  2. #2
    Senior Member WarmSoda's Avatar
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    You are definitely in the ballpark. Start with a stuff sack, then the Gathered end hammock (my first one I didn't sew a stitch). If you get the bug and enjoy it, then think about tackling the more complicated projects. Remember, you don't need to buy all 10 yards at the same time.

    As for your machine, you can save some money and buy a bare bones model, or a used machine. I picked up a used machine for $10 at a yard sale, and all it needed was a little oil, and I still use it to this day.

    BTW, bug netting can be a real pain to sew.

  3. #3
    Senior Member stefprez's Avatar
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    Thanks WarmSoda! Looking forward to this.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    How many yards? Sheesh.. that's a loaded question. It reminds me of the bumper sticker I saw at one point "She who dies with the most fabric wins." Change the gender if you want. There are folks around the forum who could stock a small fabric store with what they have for their own use. Then there a folks who just keep a few scraps around to practice with until they decide what they want to do and how to do it.

    As far as a machine goes... some people have found my posted guidelines in my sig to be helpful. My "We Don't Sew..." series was intended for folks totally new to the concept of making their own gear from fabric. That has also been found helpful by some folks.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  5. #5
    Senior Member stefprez's Avatar
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    Your videos have been very helpful for mentally preparing! Thanks a lot Rev. I will definitely be watching them again once I have a machine in my possession.

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