tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post1435355177154961641..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: The Dreaded Hook and EyeGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-35101273002630779442013-01-19T13:24:49.598-05:002013-01-19T13:24:49.598-05:00One hint I have learned is to put a small dot of f...One hint I have learned is to put a small dot of fabric glue at the placement mark for buttons and snaps. This prevents the little stinkers from slipping around while sewing.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10211601429144971799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-57787533994181958102012-12-07T15:44:54.823-05:002012-12-07T15:44:54.823-05:00sorry, didn't mean to comment anonymously...sorry, didn't mean to comment anonymously...Renatanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-74597770145227857772012-12-07T15:43:25.660-05:002012-12-07T15:43:25.660-05:00My mother always throws away the eyes part of the ...My mother always throws away the eyes part of the hooks and eyes... She says the garment just deserves a thread loop and makes them beautifully. I, well, let's say that I will do them if needed to, but find no pleasure in doing so. I second the bees wax pointer. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16779668513644091055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-48169081942891836052010-07-27T03:06:30.593-04:002010-07-27T03:06:30.593-04:00Add me to the "I hate buttonholes" list....Add me to the "I hate buttonholes" list. <br /><br />As for the hook and eyes, I've never really minded them. I just use satin stitches instead of blanket stitches, it seems to work just as well.lumenatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596199222077135437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-85717189463620840052010-07-26T21:59:57.102-04:002010-07-26T21:59:57.102-04:00I applied to the CA Shakespeare Festival as a stit...I applied to the CA Shakespeare Festival as a stitcher but was deemed unqualified. They hired me as a wardrobe mistress/dresser instead and they let me help the stitchers on easier tasks.<br /><br />Sewing hooks and eyes was considered too highly-skilled for me to do properly. The eyelets must be completely covered with blanket stitches so that the metal doesn't 'flash' under the headlights.<br /><br />How did they achieve blanket stitch nirvana? They used buttonhole twist, which is much thicker than normal thread. The right tool for the task makes everything easier--but my stitches were still not even enough to pass muster.badmomgoodmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11569728075698885020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-38611624607957650932010-07-26T11:43:01.399-04:002010-07-26T11:43:01.399-04:00I hate zippers. Every time I tried putting one on ...I hate zippers. Every time I tried putting one on I end up with a deformed, uneven piece (it looked so good before I put the zipper on!). Maybe I just need more practice and patience.Mar Angelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-57910863942763799062010-07-25T16:24:03.861-04:002010-07-25T16:24:03.861-04:00Oops! I should have added, before you sew them in ...Oops! I should have added, before you sew them in place, because they certainly won't stay permanently in place with glue.Elizabeth of Online Fabric Storehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00514362766500496429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-83308665711822246952010-07-25T16:21:01.848-04:002010-07-25T16:21:01.848-04:00I love to sew by machine, but I hate hand sewing, ...I love to sew by machine, but I hate hand sewing, especially hems. Before she lost most of her sight in one eye, my grandmother used to put my hems in for me. She tried to teach me how to hand sew the blind stitch and although I understand the technique, I haven't had patience enough to master it. Odd, too, because I love to embroider by hand.<br /><br />The worst part about sewing on hooks and eyes is that they slip while you are trying to hold them with one finger. Try sticking them in place with a basting glue stick or basting tape.Elizabeth of Online Fabric Storehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00514362766500496429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-19911040891091062112010-07-24T12:26:41.378-04:002010-07-24T12:26:41.378-04:00I don't mind hooks & eyes. But I do find ...I don't mind hooks & eyes. But I do find it much easier to bring the needle UP in the center of the loops. I also take a few stitches on the neck of the hook to hold it down better. It may not be "correct", but it works for me, and no one sees them anyway. I've used thread loops quite often when fixing the blouse gap between buttons. It helps to stitch over something when making the loops before covering them with blanket stitches.JustGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08948391538309176039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-33152320507711398062010-07-23T14:52:04.628-04:002010-07-23T14:52:04.628-04:00This concept applies to other things...think of al...This concept applies to other things...think of all the auto maintenance jobs involved in car ownership. The one I dread the most? Filling the tires with air. A monkey could do it but I just can't stand it! As for sewing...hand hemming. I pile it up for months, then put in a movie and crank it out in one fell swoop. Once I made a beautiful green skirt - then found another green skirt in my hemming pile I totally forgot I made. Dumb!Twill Jillhttp://www.braverhomesandgardens.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-58944627549269690502010-07-23T12:51:07.251-04:002010-07-23T12:51:07.251-04:00I hate zippers. I'm forcing myself to do garm...I hate zippers. I'm forcing myself to do garmnets with zippers until I can get them right. Maybe try sewing one hook or eye per day until you begin to feel comfortable with the technique.my inner magpienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-71694454198114120792010-07-23T00:14:21.415-04:002010-07-23T00:14:21.415-04:00To help get through the pain of sewing on perfect ...To help get through the pain of sewing on perfect hook and eye closures, I have used a curved needle (like those used for upholstery but thinner) in order to get around the darned little thing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02315066089380246169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-48094360093309693672010-07-22T23:22:33.880-04:002010-07-22T23:22:33.880-04:00To do hand sewing, including hooks and eyes sewn w...To do hand sewing, including hooks and eyes sewn with the blanket stitch, you must run the thread thru beeswax, found at any notions counter; iron the wax into the thread (although I do not always iron it); and the thread will not only be stronger but the threads do not tangle or become uneven with knots and loops. The blanket stitch will look like the picture shown. <br /><br />Also the length of the thread should be shorter rather than too long for more ease and accuracy in stitching. I like to use the thinnest needle I can when doing close work such as hook and eyes.<br /><br />Really, waxed thread is absolutely worth it!Doreennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-64338844826157314022010-07-22T20:52:26.110-04:002010-07-22T20:52:26.110-04:00Personally, I find thread chains even worse. . . ....Personally, I find thread chains even worse. . . .<br /><br />DrsueAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-69763299740284921082010-07-22T19:33:42.632-04:002010-07-22T19:33:42.632-04:00I also dread the hook and eye! That's probably...I also dread the hook and eye! That's probably my least favourite task.. plus it's the one step you can technically skip and still wear the garment! I'm glad you posted that tidy little diagram though, it's a reminder to be more tidy when sewing mine on :)<br />Your navy dress sounds so pretty, can't wait to see it!Tasiahttp://sewaholic.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-650421365837263042010-07-22T17:54:55.200-04:002010-07-22T17:54:55.200-04:00I really hate filling the bobbin with thread, ugh,...I really hate filling the bobbin with thread, ugh, especially in the middle of project! Isn't that the worst when you are in sewing zen and your bobbin runs out?! ARGH!honeybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09649111317528918305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-58701418138850229622010-07-22T17:11:34.145-04:002010-07-22T17:11:34.145-04:00I hate transferring pattern marks to the fabric an...I hate transferring pattern marks to the fabric and cutting out the fabric--let's get to the sewing already!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15545982160191630967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-62844310987557122032010-07-22T16:43:15.257-04:002010-07-22T16:43:15.257-04:00ha ha! I had to comment because I made two dresses...ha ha! I had to comment because I made two dresses last winter that still need the hooks and eyes sewing onto them - each time I wore them I had to wear a jacket or cardigan over them so that you wouldn't be able to see!zoëhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08114871705996108236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-87959281720236155782010-07-22T15:46:09.997-04:002010-07-22T15:46:09.997-04:00I always use a thread chaininstead of an eye. As s...I always use a thread chaininstead of an eye. As someone else said, the thread matches the dress so it's less obvious. Another advantage is that you have a little more lee-way with the position as the chain will "swing" round to meet the hook - so you don't need to worry so much about getting it spot-on. I also sometimes put the hook upside down (ie the hook facing outwards instead of inwards. If it's hidden properly (and if you make alonger chain for the eye, you can hide a hook very thoroughly) this doesn't show. The advantage of this is that the hook doesn't rub against the skin. So if I think a hook is in a bad position, I always do it this way.Isobelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-59129227597813407432010-07-22T15:44:30.202-04:002010-07-22T15:44:30.202-04:00I just don't like the whole cutting the fabric...I just don't like the whole cutting the fabric business. It's so tiring: moving things to get enough free space on the ground. Placing all the pieces, tracing them with tailors chalk, marking the seam allowances, cutting, tracing the markings to the other side if the fabric was folded, cleaning the mess up that I made. Ugh.<br /><br />And I don't like ripping seams and doing them over again. It always takes so much more time to correct a mistake than to make it.christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18084668122322535968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-43489474786676026832010-07-22T15:25:33.872-04:002010-07-22T15:25:33.872-04:00that's funny - i was just finishing a dress la...that's funny - i was just finishing a dress last night and thinking about how much i hate sewing hooks & eyes. i think i just hate the idea of sewing shit by hand... i also try to weasel out of sewing snaps, tacking down the end of my zipper tape, tacking down facings, sewing those hanger-loop things (i have a strapless dress i made, oh, a month ago - still laying on the back of my chair because i can't be arsed to sew loops in it to hang!).<br /><br />interestingly, i prefer to sew the majority of my hems invisibly by hand, as i think it looks more professional/neat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-84311238458691413512010-07-22T15:23:36.440-04:002010-07-22T15:23:36.440-04:00I have a skirt I made in college (over 10 years ag...I have a skirt I made in college (over 10 years ago) that I still wear. But I never got around to sewing the hook and tab on the waistband. I've been using a safety pin. It's really pathetic since it would take all of 10 minutes to add the hook.<br /><br />I have to admit that I never actually hook the hook and eye at the top of a zipper. I'm a lazy dresser that way.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08848789612409874592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-3974191548056919292010-07-22T13:55:04.985-04:002010-07-22T13:55:04.985-04:00Mine are definitely of the inferior variety. I ha...Mine are definitely of the inferior variety. I have yet to master that neat and clean blanket stitch and I've been sewing a lot more years than you have. Thread chains are much nicer and less obtrusive than the metal sort. Like anything else, it take doing lots of them to do it really well.Nancy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02235347323004026695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54209738146618251672010-07-22T13:50:29.542-04:002010-07-22T13:50:29.542-04:00I will have to confess that I rarely use a hook an...I will have to confess that I rarely use a hook and eye - only if the item in question has a zipper that is too short. I hate sewing them on. I don't mind handsewing in general, but I'm not a fan of slip-stitching lining to anything in general, especially the zipper tape. I know there's a way to do it all by machine, but I can't work my head around the technique.<br /><br />Even more than that, I hate cutting - it always causes me so much stress! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-63468590002516470592010-07-22T13:41:49.994-04:002010-07-22T13:41:49.994-04:00I don't mind sewing hooks and eyes. I secure t...I don't mind sewing hooks and eyes. I secure them exactly the way that picture suggest and they're held on nice and sturdy. To do this with as little aggravation, I find a strong thread (silk, button thread, or sulky) and cut a generous length - not too much to tangle, but enough to be able to maneuver the needle through. Then I go for my cache of needles and choose the smallest curved needle I own. The curved needle is very helpful for getting in the little space you're left to secure the closure.♥Mistress Rivkah♥https://www.blogger.com/profile/03293351481021626994noreply@blogger.com