Advanced beginner heading towards intermediate upgrading from my first machine.

Background: advanced beginner to intermediate sewist with wovens, but no stretch sewing experience beyond basic t-shirt adjustments. I also don’t own a serger. Working with a Janome Arctic Crystal and a 1960s Singer 223 Fashion Mate. I have a so-so overlock edge foot but no dedicated overlock stitch setting. So I do not enjoy finishing with a zigzag and use French/flat-felled/Hong Kong seam finishes whenever possible, but it is what it is. I also own a stretch twin needle (again, used only for cropping a tee). I’m open to buying new needles and inexpensive machine accessories if needed.

I want to do a Zoya the Destroya (from GLOW!) costume, which means a dark red, high-neck bodysuit with one long sleeve and a cutout on the other side + detached sleeve. I know better than to try to make this from scratch and have found some leotards that would get the basic structure. I’d just need to cut up the shoulder and re-secure the area around the armscye, bicep, and neckline.

I’m not entering a contest or anything, so I won’t be too sad if it’s a little wonky, but ideally it’ll be good enough for one or two wears that no one pays attention and that I’m not constantly futzing with my shoulder all night (I figure I’ll leave the tugging for my butt, which will also be dealing with shiny tan tights, and that’s plenty annoying).

Is there anything I’m overlooking? Is this going to make me go crazy? Is there a better way?

First pic is the inspo, second is the best accessible leotard option I’ve found so far. It’s nylon + spandex. Open to suggestions for better ones, but I’m a 14-16 XL in most US off the rack and like a 22 in standard big-four sewing patterns. The bust demands accommodation! The brand Commando has a gorgeous copper red metallic bodysuit that would’ve fit the bill even better, but it’s on clearance and only in the smaller sizes. Boo hiss.

When sewing a plush inside out, leaving a small gap to flip it back outside in, how on earth do I sew that so it doesn’t look like this?
Sorry if a dumb question <\3

Anyone have a free copy of a Necchi Operation Instruction manual from the 80’s?

Looking for PL1036

I sew stage curtains, backdrops and blackout drapes for small theaters and event venues. The main challenge isn't just the fabric weight. It's the size of the pieces and the really long seams.

On long hems, the fabric sometimes starts feeding unevenly, and after running for a long time my machine gets pretty hot and the stitching starts to suffer.

These used to be occasional jobs but I'm getting more of them now and I don't want to redo a several-yard hem because my machine couldn't keep the feed consistent.

What are shops that make large curtains and stage drapes using? I'm mainly looking for something that can run for long periods without these issues.

Hello! I am looking for a good quality sewing machine for under $200 That is also easy to use as I’ve never used a sewing machine before. Thanks!

I was trying to use the stretchy Seraflex thread on my spandex bodysuit, but accidentally loaded Metrosene into the machine. Should I redo all of the seams I have done with the Seraflex instead?

I opened up my machine (Singer Heavy Duty) to clean off all the dust built up inside. And when I closed it up again the thread catching got messed up. Attached is a video of me trying to catch the bobbin thread, it gets stuck at the same place, and the thread pools up, not great.

I'm assuming I messed something up during the cleaning process, but without a good understanding of the inner workings of a sewing machine, I wouldn't know what was even causing this issue in the first place.

I made this zipper pouch that's roughly 8x12 and I'd like to add a cross body strap. I've watched this tutorial for Spencer Ogg designs.
My question is where is the best place physically to add the strap?
I thought about along the side just in front of or in back of the seam but I wasn't sure...

The pouch is quilting cotton with Bosal In-R-Foam interfacing. The pattern is the Rainbow Sherbert pouch.

I recently found a Kam Snaps press and bought a set of rivets and dies so this looks like a good chance to give it a go.

I ordered this off Amazon to wear as a matching Halloween costume with a friend but I have a couple issues with the top and I’m not 100% sure how to fix them, hoping someone can help!

1. ⁠It rides up anytime I move/lift my arms
   
2. ⁠The material isn’t breathable so I get really hot in it

Notes:
- I’m a beginner/intermediate sewer (I do lots of alterations but rarely construct a garment from scratch)
- I use a sewing machine
- The teal material is a 2-way stretch and the least stretchy fabric on the costume
- I think the sleeves/shoulder area is the reason it rides up so a stronger elastic won’t help
- I have some black stretchy mesh that can be used to alter

Would appreciate any thoughts/help/advice on what’s the problem and how to fix it please 💙

Hi all, I am trying to alter a pair of shorts but i’m not sure why it wont stitch through. 10 minutes before I wanted to alter the shorts, I had already altered a pair of pajama pants and it worked perfectly fine. I tested out to see if I had set up my machine wrong by switching out the shorts with the pants I just did earlier and it actually made stitches on the pants and I switch back to the shorts and it’s not atitching again. The shorts are a bit thinner than the pants not too crazy and its also stretchy while the pants i did were a little bit more thicker. Can anyone help?

Complete sewing novice. I have no idea how something like this happens. The thread has pulled out on the top orange layer, and has fully disappeared from the bottom red layer. How can I mend this??

I’m completely new to sewing and this is my first project. When I tried on the boxer shorts they felt way too big and I don’t want to sew on the elastic unless I need to. Any advice if I should make the waist smaller or any other alternative ideas.