Irina's stories

Irina's letter, Rostov No. 1

With the consent of the author, the letter has been shortened and divided into fragments for ease of reading. Photos of sewing works of the author are inserted into the letter.

Thank you!

Hello Vera. I ordered your first book by mail. I ordered more by inertia, since all the others in cutting and sewing, which I bought earlier, did not bring the expected effect.

 

The first thing that struck me about your book was the drawings, their consistency and simplicity.

Just what you need!

I felt that the curtain of mystery and incomprehensibility of the cut for me began to rise.

I must say that I have not seen such clarity and clarity of presentation in any book on cutting technique, and over 3 years of my experience I have accumulated a good dozen, if not two.

In some book there was a clear error, in others - an ambiguity of interpretation.

You sit and suffer: what did the author mean anyway?

In your books, on the contrary, everything is simple and clear.

Even for a beginner.

There is inspiration and faith in one's own strengths. Thanks!!!

Wishes

Will you allow me to express wishes for future books?

If possible, give a description not only of the cut and drawings, but also of the sewing technology.

It is ignorance of technology that often fails a novice craftswoman, and handicraft is visible in a sewn thing.

This makes me incredibly upset.

The most important praise for me today is when others cannot determine whether this item was bought in a store or sewn by me with my own hands.

My sewing story

Three years ago, I felt an irresistible desire to sew.

For a year I nurtured this desire, as the impressions from school labor lessons were not the most pleasant.

It was at school that the last time I sat at a sewing machine.

I could not think that I would be drawn to sew!

However, it pulled.

It was morally difficult at work, and sewing became an outlet and a method of psychological relief.

When the decision was made, I went to the courses of cutting and sewing!

This time, sewing and the secrets of tailoring simply fascinated me and pulled me in with my head.

I understood what it means to sew until 2 o'clock in the morning, unable to tear myself away from the skirt, when a pretty little thing turns out of a featureless piece of fabric.

Magic feeling!

The joy of creativity is one of the brightest, given to man by God.

Since then, sitting at the typewriter for me is the best remedy for a bad mood.

My difficulties

There were many difficulties along the way.

I performed the first drawings and cuttings on autopilot under the command of the teacher, trusting her experience and absolutely not understanding what would happen in the end.

She spent a lot of time on mastering the technology - sewing in a secret zipper, processing slots, designing cuffs, stitching a collar, processing a belt with a corsage ribbon, sewing on a lining - everything was a revelation.

There were no mistakes and wasted fabric.

The codpiece became a real torment.

Both male and female.

This detail stubbornly resisted: the nasty wrinkles on the bow brought a lot of disappointment.

And also horizontal folds under the buttocks!

It was not easy to study - I was engaged in two or three things at once, since there was not enough time and energy to do all the homework (practically no one in our group did them 100%).

When the 4-month courses ended, I realized that I only knew the basics and that I was still very far from mastery.

Self-confidence has been greatly shaken.

Hidden pockets, framed pockets, with a leaflet have not yet been mastered.

I'm not talking about aerobatics - a pocket hidden in relief, etc.

However, sewing has not lost all its appeal for me.

After a couple of months, I went to the second stage of training, a 3-month one, knowing full well that I didn’t reach it in any way, but I firmly hoped that the day would come and I would figure it out!

The second stage

It was difficult, but also very interesting.

And around the girls - with "sewing" experience, who "from the hip", not particularly straining, sewed jackets and cardigans for themselves, evening dresses with a breathtaking neckline and stunning drapery!

They came to the courses only to polish their skills and make tailoring more rational.

Needless to say, the beauty of the things they sewed fascinated me, and the desire to sew “like them” only grew stronger?

Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the jackets and dresses of my dreams in your books.

But I was even more pleasantly surprised when I realized that these works are actually easy to sew.

I also liked this very much, because in the depths of my soul it hurt me that I, a person with a higher education, could not understand things that tailors consider elementary.

It was very difficult even for myself to admit it.

Now I looked at the cut with different eyes: well, how could it not be understood before?

I want!

It happens that you see a beautiful thing on the street, and there is a strong desire to create this beauty with your own hands in your home workshop.

But it’s impossible to convey in words or draw, spatial thinking let us down, but there are more than enough fantasies.

I would like to sew a classic men's drape coat.

And many more things you want.

The more you sew, the more addictive!

As many as two shelves are occupied in the closet with fabrics "for the future" - in the store I simply could not pass by.

Not knowing for sure either the model or the exact consumption of the fabric, how many times I take the fabric “in reserve”.

And successful every time!

A suitable picture immediately “turns up”.

The fabric is also almost enough every time!

And if not, fantasy comes to the rescue. Either you make the sleeve shorter, or you put some kind of frill on the bottom.

Creativity plus savings

For me the main thing in sewing is a sense of creativity, a feeling of flight in the soul, when you contemplate a successfully sewn thing with your own hands.

And when it is still worn with pleasure, the feeling of happiness becomes complete.

So, I sewed shirts for my husband, a fleece jacket, a dressing gown with a “zest” for myself and two customers, a bunch of skirts for the five-year-old daughter of our friends, etc.

The second, no less attractive moment of sewing is the ability to save money.

And, quite a lot!

In Rostov there is a well-known women's clothing store "Alice", where the quality is at the level, and the little things are cute and fashionable, and the price is right, although this is where one is used to dressing.

When compared with the market, it is 2-3 times more expensive, if compared with a fashion boutique, it is 2-3 times cheaper.

I looked there for a nice batnichek (blouse) for a friend. Price 2000 rub.

We went together, bought fabric (artificial silk), accessories (the same buttons) for 300 rubles (my friend has size 44) and - to the point!

Batnik turned out to be quite good. I more or less own the base.

But in the manufacture of original parts, experience was not enough, I had to think and invent it myself.

I don’t know the rules, I acted according to the principle of the Chukchi - “what I see, I sing”, as a result, the view turned out to be decent, minor flaws are noticeable only to a professional.

However, I suspect there is a faster and more practical way to make ruffles and folds, which I laid by hand, basted, stitched for three hours.

What to do. As they say, through thorns to the stars. We are not wizards, we are only learning.

I look forward to your new books!

With all my heart I wish you creative success, female happiness, mutual understanding and support from relatives!

I know how important this is, and how difficult it is for a person engaged in writing.

Please continue!!!

Sincerely, Irina. 26 years old, mum on maternity leave.

Vera Olkhovskaya: Irina's response to letter No. 1.

Hello dear Irina!

I was very pleased to read your letter. Thank you, I'm touched by your attention.

About technology. I plan to post the description of operations on the site for free.

Firstly, if people do not read instructions, then why would they pay money in books for them?

In books, we will reduce instructions to a minimum and reduce the cost of publication.

Secondly, for those who do read, it will be easier to find technology in one place.


Irina's letter, Rostov No. 2

With the consent of the author, the letter has been shortened and divided into fragments for ease of reading. Photos of sewing works of the author are inserted into the letter.

Need photos!

Hello Vera!

I also want to talk about one more thing.

The picture and the real thing often look different in real life.

Especially if you sew not only for yourself, but for your sister or girlfriend, it can be difficult to avoid discrepancies.

If you have the opportunity to put a photo of a real sewn thing in your books under each model, I will be very grateful to you, and a color photo is generally an ideal option.

With such a book, you can accept a crowd of customers and satisfy the most demanding request.

At least open a sewing workshop at home!

I am ready to buy books with color illustrations, even if they cost more.

I must say that before your books, I also purchased more expensive illustrated editions that turned out to be useless.

Of course, if there is a photo, the price of books will skyrocket.

Colored sheets cannot be cheap.

But just because a book is expensive doesn't mean it won't be bought.

How many like me?

The first letter was not easy to write: for the first time I overcame the barrier of the layman "keep your head down" and "who needs it."

I was prompted by your appeal “write to the author” and the confidence that my letter will be needed.

And how many women in Russia and Ukraine who think the same as me?

And how I need photos, technology, details ...

They are not accustomed to expressing their thoughts "in public" or are simply busy with daily activities.

In addition, the correspondence takes a lot of time.

I wrote this letter for 4 days - as business allowed, and you need to concentrate, express a lot, etc.

I recently mastered speed typing on the keyboard and now I am practicing it.

And how many women don't have access to a computer, can't type, or don't have Internet access?

I think if they could, they would also write like me.

Personally, my husband helped me send a letter by e-mail.

That is, there are dozens and hundreds of times more women who think and feel like me than women who wrote to you about it.

Need evening dresses and without photos here nowhere

When I come to a fabric store on Sunday (not the largest), I have to stand in line for 20 minutes - 4-5 people pay for fabrics.

And in total there are 10-15 people crowding in the store, who chooses, who buys.

And in a nearby, larger store, this is the situation even on a weekday - you won’t be able to pick up threads to match the tone or buy a quick zipper.

And all this sewing fraternity begins its business with the choice of a model.

There are all kinds of fashion magazines here.

So imagine your photo book being both a fashion magazine and a sewing guide at the same time.

Sweetie

It is very convenient if you sew not only for yourself, but for someone else.

Rather than explain on your fingers or try to draw, it’s better to open the book and point your finger at the customer - do you want this?

What about this? And what do you like more? See how beautifully the folds lie. Is it the same length or a little more? Etc.

It's just not possible to draw it.

Especially if the artist from the tailor is mediocre.

Professional tailors will borrow a book for a photo.

Evening dresses for prom are, in my opinion, the most relevant topic.

My acquaintances tailors had an emergency in May-June.

I remember once I went to visit a good friend.

They live, to put it mildly, not richly.

Save on everything you can.

I saw the remains of the wallpaper and asked to give it back.

- Why do you want it? - For a cut. - Oh, do you sew? - Yes. – I also sewed, went to courses.

I was amazed and couldn't resist asking.

- Marina, why don't you sew then, because it's very economical?

The hostess is wonderful.

Moreover, she had a 5-year-old daughter.

The friend replied: “You know, the drawing is one thing, but when you sew it, it’s completely different, and I quit. Disappointed."

Who sews after the course?

When I went to sewing courses for the first step, there were 18 of us in the group.

11 people came to the second stage.

Among them, those who sewed, there were 5 people, they simply improved their cut, and did not study.

All the rest were "raw".

A girl of about 19 years old, then me, then mothers-housewives, then 40-year-old women, and, finally, pensioners.

All with the most serious intentions - some to sheathe the family and close relatives from head to toe, some - to earn a living by sewing after retirement, etc.

We all exchanged phone numbers at the end of the course.

So, those who continued to sew after the courses out of 10 beginners turned out to be 2 people - me and a pensioner who sewed an artificial fur coat for a neighbor of a non-standard figure.

I was surprised why everyone was so on fire and eager to fight, but how did the courses end, did they abandon sewing?

Among all other reasons - mother's laziness, lack of motivation, lack of organization, no natural inclination to sew, busyness with family and home

I would like to name one more - the one that Marina said about - in the picture one thing, in fact another.

ВEra Olkhovskaya: Irina's response to letter No. 2.

Hello Irina!

The placement of photographs in books was discussed with the publisher more than once, but they decided that it would not be profitable: the price would skyrocket, circulation would fall.

Our readers are mostly people with a very modest income.

Therefore, it was decided to post photos on the site.

There are not many of them yet, but I will add new models soon.

True, I simply won’t have time to send off everything described in the books.

And it’s not necessary, probably, the styles quickly become obsolete.

I'm currently making samples for a new book.

Some are ready and soon you will see the photo.

Dear Irina! There are probably many women like you.

I agree, not everyone can write an email.

But many have a computer at home with their children or husband, often with neighbors who know each other in computer clubs, finally.

A few years ago I didn't have Internet access at home and I went to work in a computer club.

I often saw people of retirement age there, typing with one finger and asking many naive questions to the administrator.

So, the main desire is to learn a new way of communication.

Now about those who sew after the courses.

According to my statistics, after the courses, about 20% sew professionally, that is, vocational schools enter, graduate and work.

After college, after a few years, 15-20% also remain in the profession, but about 70% of the total number of those who have completed their studies sew for themselves and their loved ones.

You, Irina, give very weighty reasons for people leaving the profession, but you are silent about the sewing crisis that began with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The work of tailors has ceased to be valued.

Customers often come to the tailor to sew if it is economically viable.

And, in my opinion, this is the main point.

Irina's letter, Rostov No. 3

With the consent of the author, the letter has been shortened and divided into fragments for ease of reading. Photos of sewing works of the author are inserted into the letters.

Hello Vera!

As for the site, I liked the idea very, very much.

I think that in terms of information exchange, the site will give a lot, a lot.

About your competitors

There is a well-known Italian fashion magazine Murphy in Rostov.

Famous among those who sew.

There are about 200 models in it, only drawings, not even photographs, and not a single pattern - only the article and price are below.

You send a letter somewhere - a model number and a postal order of money, and they send you a pattern.

That's what women go to for a pretty picture.

True, we didn’t send letters at the writing courses, but took pictures as sketches when the modeling took place.

Several people in the group bought the magazine.

I also got the idea.

Not only did it cost 700 rubles (for a magazine this is very, very much, for comparison, a “burda” then cost 60 rubles), but I still could not get it.

I had to make photocopies and color scans from my friends magazines.

Some Murphy models were found on the Internet, but somewhere in the 10th part.

A good find in this regard was the catalogs of ready-made clothes "Otto", "Quelli" and "Apart".

They were sent to my mother and grandmother a couple of times for free by mail as advertising.

They are cheap, but there are many successful models.

Inspires well.

Only here it happens, the model itself likes, or rather, the style - neckline, folds, etc., but the fabric itself or the color - well, just not yours.

At one time I tried to sew according to the “burda fashion”.

It didn't work.

Firstly, the models themselves did not impress me.

The question arose - how to find a woman who would agree to wear it.

But it's just a mismatch of tastes.

Who likes it, who doesn't, you can't find fault here.

Don't like it, don't.

Then, the proposed patterns - circle your desired size, you don’t need to build it yourself.

At first glance, it's convenient.

But what if the bottom is 46 in size (hips), and the top (shoulders, chest) is 48?

There will be no perfect fit.

I chose one pants for myself, it seems that all measurements are within the same size, it should turn out ...

Not with my talents.

It looks like everything was wrapped correctly.

The model had a beautiful curly belt.

I could not assemble it - some detail is missing.

Which one, I can't figure out.

I circled the pattern again, but did not find it.

Detail "finished".

A new question has arisen.

How to put it all together.

As a result, I went to the teacher not an additional lesson.

She also puffed over her belt.

For 15 minutes I looked at this miracle of tailoring, although I usually solved my "universal problems" on the fly.

Since a person with such experience did not solve the problem, then I even more so.

And I stopped sewing from the magazine.

About technology: the most stupid question is the one that is not asked

It's a little embarrassing for not "catching up" with things that others know by heart.

But in life I realized that the most stupid question is the one that is not asked.

For whom this is a matter of technology simply does not exist, but brings someone to white heat.

Or to the point of quitting sewing.

It's embarrassing to admit this.

Thank you for your description of the codpiece, but I did not understand.

I do skip ironing quite often.

Out of ignorance or faster, you want to get the result, you sew quickly, quickly.

But the same scheme was approximately given to me in the courses, moreover, this sheet is pasted into the notebook in the most visible place, and I refer to it every time.

And every time I don't get it.

The phrases contain ambiguity of interpretation.

And personally I need drawings.

In short, I need guidance on the principle - "for those who are in the tank."

My visual perception is good, but spatial thinking let me down.

Moreover, at some sewing knots, I frankly began to “wedge”, so that even the teacher was surprised.

At first I wondered how I could not understand this, then - how did I sew it all the same, and third - how could this something that I sewn look decent.

The woman who sat with me at the same desk in the courses said about the codpiece: You know, out of fright, I somehow immediately sewed it in the same evening as we went through it in class.

And now (two weeks later) I don't remember.

It didn't hit me alone.

But me - somehow especially, I perceive new information for a long time.

Many quite decent things are sewn "out of fear."

But there is no such feeling – if you pull one thread, it will be this, you will pull another, it will be something.

There is no certainty that you can do it, you own it, there is no automatism.

And when you have to do the same operation in a new product, you take the old one as a model.

Weak without prompting.

About equipment

The description of production possibilities is also interesting to me.

Not only because you can "be smart" in front of friends

(Tell them “sleeve blowout” or “round or triangular needle” and they look at you with round eyes, like a professional, and authority increases).

I remember how in the first year I sewed a Lycra skirt with an ordinary needle and was at a loss, why the machine does not knit a line, is it really broken?

I suffered for a long time when I hemmed the bottom of my trousers.

First, he gets off with a trouser braid, and then he wraps himself inside and goes with a hidden hand stitch - the fibers of the fabric are captured.

It didn’t work out for me for a long time - sometimes I don’t grab the needle enough, sometimes I’m too strong and there are dents on my face - retractions are visible.

I went with these trousers to the teacher for an additional lesson.

She said that there is a special machine at the factory that sews the bottom - the needle is in the shape of a hook and enters at a given depth, which is why it turns out so neatly with store trousers.

I immediately felt better.

The feeling that “hands are attached to the wrong place” disappeared.

What special devices are needed - I know!

Not enough skills

When the courses passed the technology of the jacket (jumped over the tops), they showed special pads - to iron the sleeve, one round, the other in the form of a rounded cone, and so on.

And it is very important to glue the shelf - with a bead and without wrinkles.

And much more.

Therefore, I then decided that I would not sew a jacket - I definitely would not have enough skills.

But as for other outerwear, not everything is so simple.

Please do not take this as a confrontation, but let me share my impressions!

The girls sewed coats for themselves.

The teacher told in detail about a leather jacket and a special foot with a wheel for leather, although she herself sewed this jacket on a regular janoma.

In the early 90s, this jacket was at the height of fashion.

In extra classes, I saw girls sewing coats for themselves.

The main requirement is that the fabric should fit under the foot in thickness.

There were craftsmen who even sewed artificial sheepskin coats for themselves.

I went to the store to look - a meter of artificial leather for a sheepskin coat then cost 900 rubles.

Perfect for outerwear.

If only the skill and skills were necessary.

As for the coat, of course, how it will not work in production is not even a question.

Yes, and to "Versace" and "Armani" as to the moon.

But who said that you can’t try, and that I won’t be able to sew something like that in a Moscow basement with the hands of hardworking Vietnamese women, Korean women and Chinese women?

Of course, it will not be a classic men's coat, but a “classic” coat or a la Moscow cellar.

I really want to try!..

And here the question is how to give an allowance for freedom, how to build a two-seam male sleeve.

And so on. I would like to see the answers to the section of the site "for advanced" or simply "whoever itches, does not sit still."

Vera Olkhovskaya: Irina's response to letter No. 3.

Hello Irina! There is already a section of questions and answers for those “who are itching to sit still” (What and how?).

The answers are "laid out" and can be copied. Your questions are also included.