Hi,

I want to embellish a jacket I'm making by sewing on several small, lightweight, metal shapes and pieces of chain that should all look kind of weathered.  I have no experience working with metals and was hoping for your expertise!!

Is the best way to do this to buy sheet metal and cut out the shapes I want (probably oblong triangles), and then drill holes in the corners?  Is that too ambitious for someone with no experience and not a lot of time or money?  Do they sell shapes like that already?  I haven't found ANY online, but I'm not entirely sure what to search for.

Also, if I do buy sheet metal, what gauge is light weight enough to not weigh down the garment, but also sturdy enough to not just bend or crease?  What kind of metal should I use?  What tools will I need to cut the shapes and drill the wholes? How can I grunge up what I expect will be shiny sheet metal? Where do I even find sheet metal?

Sorry for so many questions, but I'm going to NYC on Friday to try and buy supplies and don't even know where to start!! If you know of any good metal supply stores in NYC that would be a big help as well!

Thanks!!!

Hi all,

I want to recreate a t-shirt my boyfriend had when he was a kid as his (delayed obviously) christmas present!  What is the best method of getting this image http://www.the-isb.com/images/Snorlax.jpg onto a soft medium blue colored t-shirt?  I have fabric paint from utrecht that can be used for screenprinting, and I was thinking of either stenciling/ghetto screenprinting the black outline on and painting the color in by hand, ironing on the black outline with iron transfer printer paper and painting in the color by hand or just doing the whole thing iron-on in color, but which method will look best on a non-white tee??

Also a side note, is there some funny saying i can iron on or print on the tee under the picture?  I feel like it needs something else but I can't think of anything!  I want to make fun of his obsession but i still want him to wear it even though hes a college student and not 8 any more!

Thanks so much!

I have never done piping before, and I left this big skirt project to the last minute and forgot to by cord to use to make the piping!!!  Is it possible to use yarn or is there a way to create a similar piping affect just using the fabric without the cord?  THANKS!!!  Please, any advice, links, tutes, other sewing reources, words of encouragement, im DESPERATE b/c the piping is in my original design and i'll lose loads of points if i dont have something like it.

the grad dress is incredible!!! i love ittttt!  have fun in hawaii!

thats a brillliant idea! unfortunately i think it would take me about ten years to photograph all my clothes.  it totally reminded me of clueless too

Would anyone be interested in a swap where we send secret agent or spy themed stuff?
Or, it could also be a Chuck swap, based on the TV show which will be coming back TOMORROW! yay

It would be cool if it was a secret swap where you didn't know who had you and you have to stalk your partner to find out about them instead of PMing them...

both are gorgeous, the skirt looks kind of like one I saw in a store and desperately wanted but yours is MUCH prettier and more interesting fabric and pockets.  Im madly in love with the dress as well

I lovee the design! the stripes are great and i really like the sleeves being different colors too

not only is this an awesome idea but its beautiful!

I love em both!!  i dont think the 2nd needs a belt, it looks great without it!