[NFB-Blind-Crafters] Learning Standard Sewing Blind

Wed May 14 14:43:38 UTC 2025

havent tried that since i dont have that service but my good friend is
great with colors and sewing so i just ask her.
one other thing i would have issues with was losing my needles so i got a
magnetic needle case and i love that.

On Wed, May 14, 2025 at 9:08 AM Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters <
nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Thanks Jolene for sharing your experiences.
>
> I have used AIRA to match thread and fabric bolors, and it’s worked well.
>
> Tracy
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On
> Behalf Of *Jolene Nemeth via NFB-Blind-Crafters
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 14, 2025 8:36 AM
> *To:* List for Blind Crafters and Artists <nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* Jolene Nemeth <radar500 at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Learning Standard Sewing Blind
>
>
>
> hi i do a lot of standard sewing and can tell you about a lot of
> accessibility issues that you need to prepare for. the most important ones
> involve colors and patterns. fabrics often have patterne that need to be
> lined up such as plaids, stripes, or pictures that repeat throughout the
> fabric. i have been sewing for years as someone with low vision and for the
> past 25 years totally blind..
>
> the biggest issue i have is the cutting of parts to make sure the patterns
> are lined up on the fabric and also if it is a directional print, that it
> is going the correct direction for what i am making. i have started to make
> shirts and hoodies over the past few years and this is something i find i
> need to do a lot with those projects.
>
> you shouldnt have to cross this bridge until you start making clothes or
> pillows or things that require fabrics that have prints or patterns on
> them.
>
> color matching thread to fabric can also be a big issue if you are a
> person who cares about this. i rely on someone with eyesight to help me
> match the thread color to the color of the fabric as best they can. then i
> label things so i know what color they are.
>
> if i am just sewing a tear that is on a seam, the repair is pretty easy to
> do. if the tear is in the middle of the article, then there is more chance
> of visibility so i am more picky about matching thread colors.
>
> cutting out patterns is also an issue i have so i often ask for help with
> this part of my sewing projects as well. it just depends on what it is. for
> my shirts i ask for help for sure. i am not a good cutter but can do some
> pattern cutting with a rotary cutter which is basically a round razor blade
> that looks like a mini pizza cutter. i have done this to cut out patterns
> for my teddy bears.
>
> some people find threading their sewing needles to be the mostbasic issue
> with no eyesight. needle threaders can help a lot with this and there are a
> few different kinds. i practiced with a larger hole needle and worked on
> things until i could use the treaders on a smaller hole needle. larger hole
> needles leave larger holes in your fabric and can damage it. also they
> sometimes dont fit through button holes.
>
> these are just a few accessibility issues. there are others but i dont
> want to overwhelm you. thr truth is that you will need some help to get
> started. i have been taught by people who have eyesight so if you wanted to
> take a basic sewing class, that would be great. just be sure to tell them
> which things you need help with. there are also sewing books available in
> accessible format from the various libraries.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, May 14, 2025 at 7:47 AM Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters <
> nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi Ellana.
> I was hoping Ramona would answer, but she's very busy.  Hopefully she'll =
> see your message. =20
> I'm not sure what you mean by standard sewing, but I use sewing to =
> replace buttons, fix holes and do hemming.  I usually do hand sewing.  I =
> have a small sewing machine, but I have to figure out how to thread it, =
> and I just haven't tackled that project. =20
> I did machine sewing a long time ago, and it worked fine.  I had to be =
> careful to go slow and not run over my finger.  I remember someone =
> talking about a magnetic guide that helps blind people stay straight =
> while machine sewing, but I can't remember the details. =20
> The hardest thing to me about sewing clothes is getting a usable =
> pattern.  My mom cut out some for me by pinning construction paper to a =
> regular tissue pattern and then cutting it out.  But I don't have that =
> kind of sighted help anymore.  I've wondered if I could pin paper over a =
> garment I like, then carefully cut it out, leaving a seam allowance.  It =
> should work, but I haven't tried yet.
>
> Does that answer some of your questions?  Do you have more questions?  =
> Maybe other people will chime in.
> I gave a simple hand-sewing class a while back, and could give another, =
> if people are interested.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces at nfbnet.org> On =
> Behalf Of Ellana Crew via NFB-Blind-Crafters
> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2025 1:52 PM
> To: nfb-blind-crafters at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Ellana Crew <eemcrew at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] Learning Standard Sewing Blind
>
> Hi all,
>
> I have been very interested in learning how to do standard sewing for a =
> few y=3D ears, but I=3DE2=3D80=3D99m unsure what kinds of blindness =
> accessibility issues ma=3D y come up. I am particularly interested in =
> learning how to do things like he=3D mming, fixing holes, and eventually =
> maybe making some of my own clothing lik=3D e simple skirts. I have been =
> considering signing up for local sewing classes=3D  in my area, but =
> since I don=3DE2=3D80=3D99t have experience yet, I=3DE2=3D80=3D99m =
> nerv=3D ous about what kind of accessibility issues might crop up.
>
> Does anyone here do standard sewing? If so, what kind of blindness =
> adaptatio=3D ns have you found helpful, or what advice would you give to =
> a new blind pers=3D on wanting to learn? I will be especially curious =
> about techniques used with=3D  sewing machines too.
>
> Thanks,
> Ellana=3D
>
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