Can't sew, but need an alternative

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Hi all,

I want to make some pillows (toss) and maybe some pillow cases; but I don't sew, and probably can't thread a needle now with my deformed fingers from arthritis. Does anybody use the iron sew products? Can you give me any tips? The pillows and pillow cases I've seen are WAY too expensive for me, and I think I could design a better pillow for my sofa that's in my price range at the stores. Any advice is SINCERELY appreciated!

Thanks

Windy (the question queen)

-- wendy godfrey (windyz@aol.com), February 27, 2002

Answers

fabric glue,, some are called, "NO SEW", works great

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 27, 2002.

Use "Stitch Witchery" to put the seams together. You place it between the two pieces of fabric and use an iron to heat the seal. If you make an envelope type of pillow cover, you could use stick on velcro to keep the flap closed. You could use a glue gun to attach buttons or other decorations.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), February 27, 2002.

Windy,the above suggestions are excellant. I would add to this "Wonder Under". You will find other products in fabric stores, Walmart, catalogs etc. Modern Sewing machines do have needle threaders that will do it for you, and you can have fun making some things without having to thread a needle. Have Fun, LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 27, 2002.

Great suggestions. Also consider barter/trade. I once made all of the curtains for a friends house (her fabric, picked up at tag/thrift sales) In exchange for her husband doing tree work at my place. We all saved a bundle.

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Duct tape???

-- RedGreen (red@green.com), February 27, 2002.


Ahhh, and my all time FAVORITE "no sew" technique.......STAPLES!!!

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), February 27, 2002.

Glue gun! We made shower curtain, bedskirt and valances.

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), February 27, 2002.

I really don't think the iron-on sealers /hemmers I know would hold for long taking heavy use on heavy fabric. However, cushion covers are easy to sew on a sewing machine - just sew inside out, run straight up the seam, then turn right-way out. There are needle threaders which work well. Once you've sewn two sides of your cushion covers (the other side was a fold), then there are snap-studs you can insert using a hammer on a mandrel - just put the pieces both sides of the cloth, rest on the metal mandrel, then hit. Alternatively, someone mentioned velcro.

Someone also mentioned glue-guns. I'm not acquainted with those, and I'd really appreciate more information, please. Explanations, descriptions? Please? I'm sure if you have them then we must too, but I just haven't seen them.

-- Don Armstrong (from Australia) (darmst@yahoo.com.au), February 28, 2002.


I love glue guns! Made an entire fairy/halloween costume with a glue gun! They don't stand up to washing real well but they do hold heaveir fabrics I made my whole large window seat cushion with it too now that I think about it....

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), February 28, 2002.

Don, Glue Guns are wonderful! I quilt and often use a glue gun to attach decorations on things that will be just hung on the wall. Use it for making Xmas stuff, greeting cards etc. Birdhouse construction. They come in different sizes too. I have a large one for the birdhouse stuff and a smaller one for more delicate projects like the greeting cards, fabric etc. Hope you find them OK. Here they can be found in most any hardware, craft, fabric or notions store. LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 28, 2002.


I highly recommend Stitch Witchery...I just took a hem out of a shirt I put in with this "magic material"- the hem had been in since 1977... hate to think how many times that shirt was laundered and the hem still was in it..

-- Alexa Krain (DrMom5775@aol.com), March 03, 2002.

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