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About Sharon Vogel
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can answer general sewing questions as well as tailoring, heirloom, menswear, children's wear, craft sewing, quilting and just about any fabric or notion. I can also help with some sewing machine repair and maintenance.

Experience
I started sewing at the age of 3...thanks to my mom and grandmother, and I am now in my fifties. Home economics classes in junior high and high school helped me to finesse my skills.

Education/Credentials
Palmer and Plesch tailoring class Basically, self-taught...give me the instructions and I will figure it out and then make it better!

Awards and Honors
A few blue ribbons at fairs along the way

   

You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Arts and Crafts > Sewing

SubjectDate AskedExpert

Zippers11/7/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: Can you give me tips on replacing winter coat/ ski jacket zippers along with backpack zippers? Also, ...
  A: The following site has a multitude of different zippers. ...
Altering lined slacks11/4/2009Jenna McAuliffe
  Q: I have lost approximately 30 lbs and cannot afford to replace my wardrobe (from a size 12-14 to a ...
  A: Congratulations on your weight loss! As a general rule yes, you would separate the lining from the ...
alterations11/4/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I need to alter a pair of jeans for my mom. They need to be one size smaller. She has lost weight ...
  A: For a one size difference, you could either take up 1/4 inch on each seam or 1/2 inch at either ...
lining draperies11/2/2009Karen Erickson
  Q: The window is 99 x 45. They will be hung on a 1" diameter rod with tabs at the top. How do I line ...
  A: Great to hear back from you. The lining is cut shorter than the decorator fabric. With the lining ...
attaching lace to a veil10/28/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I am making a veil for my friends wedding. I made all my daughter's veils but this one has lace ...
  A: To me, a wedding veil is something that very well might become an heirloom. Which means it could ...
CORSET BACK BRIDAL DRESS10/25/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I found a post of yours going back to 2008 regarding a lace up back that you were putting into your ...
  A: but I was not the one working on the dress. Another reader had written to me for advice on the ...
lining draperies10/24/2009Karen Erickson
  Q: The window is 99 x 45. They will be hung on a 1" diameter rod with tabs at the top. How do I line ...
  A: I am not sure exactly what you are asking regarding this question. I would like to help very much. ...
beginner sewer..maybe??10/21/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I want to learn to so desperately, but unlike yours, my family members were more into knitting, ...
  A: I agree with you that buying an inexpensive portable machine would be beneficial. You can find a ...
Singer 774 that hasn't been used10/21/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I have a Singer 774 machine that was my grandmothers that I got recently. It hasn't been used in ...
  A: Since it has been in the cabinet for over 15 years, I would just clean and oil. If you have the ...
pillows and cording10/21/2009Karen Erickson
  Q: My Bernina sewing machine can't handle the thickness of sewing shirred piping to decorative pillows. ...
  A: Sorry I have been in Kansas teaching at the Original Sewing Expo... If you cannot get this under ...
sewing w/ lace10/19/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I ahve been sewing 20+ years, but not much w/ special occassion fabric. I am making a dress in ...
  A: I would layer the fabrics together, baste around the edges and sew as one. My reason being I ...
invisible zipper10/19/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I have finished a McCall mermaid costume except for the zipper the costume bodice is lined and it ...
  A: First, before I answer, I will tell you, I HATE invisible zippers! Basically, because you do need ...
removing crease from lengthened drapes10/18/2009Karen Erickson
  Q: I need to let the hem down in some drapes to fit the windows better. There are no tags on them, but ...
  A: Good morning.... Hope I can help. Without testing the fabric, you don't know what it is going to ...
pillows and cording10/15/2009Karen Erickson
  Q: My Bernina sewing machine can't handle the thickness of sewing shirred piping to decorative pillows. ...
  A: Wow I hope I can help. We are here to help not only those who want to sew for their home, but also ...
wool coat heming10/15/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I have been sewing for almost 60 years & should know the best stitching to use for a heavy wool ...
  A: I would use a catch stitch to hem a heavy wool coat. It is a matter of personal preference how ...
Card Table Cover10/15/2009Karen Erickson
  Q: I want to make a card table cover for a table that is 33 1/2 inches square. How do I miter the ...
  A: I hope I can help.... You have not explained what you have done or are trying to do so, I have my ...
Less puff?10/12/2009Jenna McAuliffe
  Q: I have a wedding dress that has the shape as this dress listed: ...
  A: It is relatively easy to reduce the puff in that style of dress. You can either simply reduce the ...
Wedding dress alterations10/12/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I just bought a second hand wedding dress as attached, however the dress is a perfect length ...
  A: This is a beautiful dress. Congratulations on a great second hand purchase and on your coming ...
invisible zipper with sheer overlay10/8/2009Jenna McAuliffe
  Q: I am making a wedding dress for my niece(simplicity 3502) and I am stuck on how to use an invisible ...
  A: The sheer overlay should be ept out of the zipper except in the bodice and waistband. In the bodice ...
heming10/8/2009Jenna McAuliffe
  Q: I'M HEMING A DRESS WITH A SLIT ON THE BACK HOW DO I RAISE THE HEM AND STILL PUT THE SLIT BACK OR CAN ...
  A: Raising the split on your skirt depends on how it is done in the first place. If the split is a ...
Tiered Skirts?10/6/2009Jenna McAuliffe
  Q: Jenna I was wondering if you could give me some tips on the geometry of a tiered skirt, especially ...
  A: There is not really any set formula for the length of your layers - really it's a matter of what you ...
Altering crotch of ladies pants10/3/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I have a pair of pants that the crotch is too long. The pants have an elastic waste band. How do I ...
  A: You can take up the crotch seam. Put the pants on wrong side out and pin up the crotch seam enough ...
basement windows10/3/2009Jennifer Thoden
  Q: I want to make window treatments for two basement windows. Each window is in an 5.5ft. alcove. ...
  A: I see your design dilemma! I would install a dust board from wall to wall. A dust board is a 1" x ...
drapery/grommets10/3/2009Karen Erickson
  Q: What is a good source for grommets that will reliably stay in place? I am making draperies for a ...
  A: Sorry for the delay. I have been on the road teaching and am in my office for 2 days and then off ...
Work Pants/Slacks10/2/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I am in the process of altering all of my work pants/slacks instead of buying all new ones. I'm a ...
  A: 1. No, you do not need to remove the hem before altering. After you have taken the pants up, check ...
Needle v. thread10/1/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I just got the Singer Simple 2263. I initially had issues with very loose bobbin winding but the ...
  A: It sounds as if the thread is getting caught somewhere before getting to the tension disk and lever ...
Work Pants/Slacks10/1/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I am in the process of altering all of my work pants/slacks instead of buying all new ones. I'm a ...
  A: Congratulations on the weight loss! Now, on to the pants! I find it easier to fit a garment when ...
Football Jersey9/30/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: Sharon- My husband has an authentic football jersey, but the sleeves are very loose. He also has ...
  A: You can find ribbed knit fabric in your local fabric store or online to match one of the colors in ...
Wedding Dress alteration9/30/2009Jenna McAuliffe
  Q: I recently bought a wedding dress online...the dress was my size and since it was cheap, i just went ...
  A: The links you gave me didn't show the images on the website, but I had a good look and got a pretty ...
can I alter a king size comforter to full size9/30/2009Jennifer Thoden
  Q: can I alter a king size comforter and bedskirt to a full size
  A: It's always easier to go down a size than to get bigger... but I think the challenge here is that ...
wool jacket9/29/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I've purchased a herringbone tweed loose woven wool for a lined Jacket. It ravels very easily and ...
  A: There is a product made by Sulky that is an iron on, tear away stabilizer. It is generally used for ...
Singer 201K - can't raise thread :(9/29/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I have a Singer 201k (hand crank) which I have just inherited but I am having problems starting to ...
  A: The problem probably lies in the tension setting. Somewhere on the head of the machine is a tension ...
zipper installation9/26/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I am making a "Snow White" costume for my grandaughter, want a perfect fit I usually just use ...
  A: Coats and Clark zipper packages have the instructions for putting in centered and lapped zippers. ...
Bobbin eating thread!!9/25/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: Help! I am becoming increasingly frustrated with my Simplicity sewing machine because it always eats ...
  A: Lol! Before we send it on to its "just reward" (hehe), you could try taking it to the repair shop. ...
Widening Sleeve9/25/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I would like to know the best way to widen a sleeve. I have already cut the fabric and in fact have ...
  A: I would decide how much wider I want the sleeve to be at the hem. Using the tissue pattern piece, ...
Menswear9/24/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: ) For a long time now I've tried finding these vintage men's shirts. I believe the era is ...
  A: So now you're thinking about a suit...hmmm? Actually, menswear fabrics have not changed much. Wool ...
Menswear9/24/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: ) For a long time now I've tried finding these vintage men's shirts. I believe the era is ...
  A: Tom, Aren't all those patterns neato keeno? lol Sorry, being silly. I am such a sewing nut that I ...
Menswear9/23/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: ) For a long time now I've tried finding these vintage men's shirts. I believe the era is ...
  A: I found a website with some great patterns for you. www.patternsoftime.com Of course they have ...
Singer 626 Touch & Sew bobbin tension9/21/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I recently purchased a used Singer 626 Touch & Sew. Right away we had to replace a gear and then it ...
  A: That feed dog may need some adjustment as it may be feeding the fabric through faster on one side ...
Singer 626 Touch & Sew bobbin tension9/20/2009Sharon Vogel
  Q: I recently purchased a used Singer 626 Touch & Sew. Right away we had to replace a gear and then it ...
  A: The screw can be adjusted. Turn right to tighten and left to loosen. But I am not sure that is ...

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Questions by
Active Experts:
Claudia BuchananJennifer ThodenKaren Erickson
Sharon VogelJenna McAuliffe 

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