I've seen others make things that looked great and with which they seemed very proud. However, I have not ever been totally pleased with everything I have sewn, usually because of the fabrics chosen. Now, I'm steering clear of a lot of bad fabrics, about which my WW II sewing-factory grandmother taught me as a young woman, before she passed away:
Bulky, itchy, bold, bright, cheap printed, metallic, fringed, vinyl, leather, velvet, corduroy, satin, sequined/studded/beaded, silk, fake fur, knit stretchy, rayon, smelly dyes, flimsy wrinkle-prone imports, and fabrics that have to be hand-washed or must have especially gentle handling and soaps or dry cleaning.
Instead, I have for forty years concentrated on the most washable, smoothest textures, moderately tight weaves, poly blends, medium colors, solids or texture on texture, made in America, light weight, year-round usage, breathable, quick drying, nothing see-through, woven patterns on both sides, resisting fad fabrics from overpriced fabric stores in favor of these features in the clothing I already have chosen, found or have been given, proven, enjoy, can trust, have safely stored. Taking her advice over the years, and for this knowledge, I am very grateful.
Life is too short to gamble, experiment, or to pay for dry cleaning, repairing, and gasoline hunting for fabrics and fads that fade all too soon, and don't flatter most of me anyway. It makes being of lower income and a frugal resolve easier to accept and manage. Most of my clothing has lasted over thirty years with this advice. God bless those who love us. By Lynda from TX
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