Volume 2 Chapter 34 Let's Make It Possible For The Home Economics Club To Do Sewing Activities And Create Cosplay Costumes
Yesterday, I went shopping with Fumi-chan and it went well.
"Atchan, shopping today was fun. Thank you."
"Oh, I didn't do anything special. I'll make sure to come to Fumi-chan's school cultural festival next Saturday, so please take care of me too."
"Yeah, see you."
"Well then."
And then, we each went back to our own homes.
I think she had a good time, but maybe my taste in swimsuits is a bit old-fashioned.
The next day, Monday after school, I have a Home Economics Club activity.
Well, there will be a break from club activities before the final exams in July, so we won't be able to do much.
For now, let's ask Osaragi-san if she can teach us how to make dresses using a sewing machine starting from tomorrow.
I sent a message to Osaragi-san.
[For tomorrow's club activity, I would like to learn how to make dresses using a sewing machine. What do you think?]
Osaragi-san answered quickly.
[Well, if we only focus on cooking and sweets, the menu will end up being one-sided. So, it might be good to try sewing or crafts soon. Do you have something you want to make in mind?]
[I'd be happy if I could learn to make clothes, if possible.]
[Starting with making clothes or bags from scratch might be hard, so it's better to start with something a bit simpler. For example, small and simple-shaped things like drawstring bags. If you can get the fabric and strings ready, I think it would be relatively easy to make. Also, make sure not to confuse it with the regular cooking room, as we'll be using the adjacent dressing room.]
[Got it. Since I don't expect everything to go smoothly from the beginning, I'll get materials ready so that I can make a few. I'll also contact Saikachi-san.]
[Great, thank you!]
With that, I contacted Saikachi-san.
[Good evening, Saikachi-san. For tomorrow's home economics club activity, we'll be making drawstring bags using a sewing machine. So, please bring medium-sized fabric, around 50 cm x 50 cm, or if you prefer smaller sizes, around 40 cm x 40 cm, and about 2 meters of string for tightening the opening.]
[Got it. I'll get it from the nearby store.]
[If it's this size of cloth, the 100-yen shop should have what we need.]
[Okay, I'll try there first.]
[Alright, see you tomorrow.]
[Yep, see you tomorrow.]
I'll go to the 100-yen shop near the station to get some string and cloth.
If it stops raining, I could ride my bike, but since it's still raining, I'll need to use an umbrella and walk to the 100-yen shop in Somit.
The big supermarkets like Daito are great because they have a wide selection of items.
These days, they have not only daily things but also ingredients for baking and craft materials.
In the craft aisle, they sell yarn, knitting needles, as well as cloth and strings.
The cloth with a pattern that looks just right is about 50 centimeters square (approximately 19.7 inches square).
I picked one with a cute bear and panda pattern.
There's also a chiffon-like cloth that's about 40 centimeters square (approximately 15.7 inches square).
Alright, if I cut it into two pieces, I can create two of them, one measuring 25 centimeters by 50 centimeters (approximately 9.8 inches by 19.7 inches), and the other around 20 centimeters by 40 centimeters (approximately 7.9 inches by 15.7 inches). If I buy two sheets, that should be enough for a good practice.
After that, I just need to get some colored strings. Since one is about 3 meters long (approximately 9.8 feet long), getting two should be fine.
Well, if I have these things, even if there are some mistakes, it should be okay, right? I do hope it turns out well, though.
By the way, I should tell Shinonome-san that tomorrow's home economics club activity will involve sewing.
[Hello, Shinonome-san.]
[Yes, hi.]
[So, for tomorrow's home economics club activity, we're going to make drawstring bags through sewing, and unfortunately, we won't be having any food.]
[Huh? Not making something for me to eat?]
[Yeah, sorry, but we won't be able to eat during the activity.]
[Then, what about the drawstring bag that Hata-pippi makes?]
[Well, I won't be using it, so I'll probably give it to someone.]
[Hmm, then how about I take it?]
[Ah, if I manage to make it well, I'll give it to you.]
[We made a promise.]
[If I can do it well.]
So, the day after school.
After school, we went to the room where we learn about making things with cloth.
"Oh? Today, it's not the usual room?"
Shinonome-san asked, and I nodded before answering.
"Today, we're not cooking; we're sewing."
When I said that, Shinonome-san seemed to understand.
"Well, having a sink and faucet would just be in the way."
"That's right."
And then, Osaragi-san and Utashiro-san were already there.
It seems like they had already prepared the sewing machine and everything.
"Hello, Osaragi-san, Utashiro-san."
I said that, and Osaragi-san replied with a smile.
"Hello, well, there are various preparations. I've checked the operation of the sewing machine, so let's start making it right away."
I nodded and said.
"Oh, yes, thank you very much. It's quite a professional sewing machine, isn't it?"
I said that, and Utashiro-san responded.
"Yes, this is an industrial sewing machine."
"Oh, is that so?"
Then, Osaragi-san also spoke.
"While we have domestic sewing machines available, industrial sewing machines are specialized for straight stitching, emphasizing the strength and neatness of the seams. However, for sewing canvas bags like these, this one is preferable."
"I see."
When I mentioned that, Saikachi-san seemed a little uneasy.
"But, isn't it more challenging to use compared to domestic sewing machines?"
In response to that, Osaragi-san said,
"Not at all. In fact, there's hardly any need for thread adjustments, and the stitches are very beautiful. While it can't handle tasks like attaching buttons, the machine is more than sufficient for straight stitching. Moreover, it can smoothly sew fabrics ranging from thin to thick, even tensioned knit fabrics, with just a slight adjustment. This is where the clear difference with domestic sewing machines lies. Of course, domestic machines have the advantage of being able to do various embroideries and decorative stitching."
Saikachi-san, who felt better upon hearing that, said,
"Okay, using a big sewing machine instead of a small one does seem better in many ways."
After that, we quickly started making bags with drawstrings.
"It's handy to have things like a measuring tool in the dressing room."
I mentioned, and Saikachi-san agreed with a nod.
"Yeah, you're right."
And Osaragi-san said.
"There are different ways to make these bags, but let's go for the simplest type this time – no lining, no extra fabric, and just one string."
"Got it."
I nod in response, and Saikachi-san also nods.
"Okay."
At our words, Shinonome-san said, watching us.
"Hmm, which one do you think is easier, cooking or sewing?"
Utashiro-san heard this and said.
"It depends on what you're sewing and personal preferences, but I feel like sewing is easier."
Shinonome-san seemed impressed by that and commented.
"Hmm, really?"
Osaragi-san said,
"Well, let's get the needle and thread ready for using the sewing machine. Hata-kun, it might be quicker for you to check the instruction manual, so please take a look at it."
"Okay."
After checking the manual and making sure the power plug was unplugged, I set up the needle and tried to thread both upper and lower threads.
Osaragi-san, who seemed to be observing, commented,
"It looks like guys are better at this kind of work."
Indeed, Saikachi-san struggled a bit with the setup, but eventually, she finished setting up too.
"Now, let's cut the fabric you brought in half."
We nodded in response to Osaragi-san's instructions.
""Yes.""
We used fabric scissors to cut the fabric in half.
"The next step is to finish the edges of the fabric. Let's use the overlock machine to sew the three sides, leaving the opening. The overlock machine already has the thread set, so please use that."
Because a sewing machine can do "overcasting," it is definitely better for finishing the edges.
We used the sewing machine to sew the edges of the fabric we cut earlier.
"Yes, it's okay like that."
"Setting up the sewing machine is a little troublesome, but once you start sewing, it is much easier and neater than sewing by hand."
When I said that, Saikachi-san nodded slightly and said,
"Indeed, sewing with a machine is not that difficult."
To make the opening for the drawstring, first fold the top side of the fabric by about 1 centimeter (approximately 0.39 inches), then fold the folded area with an iron, and after that, iron about 2 centimeters (approximately 0.79 inches) and sew it on.
Additionally, fold the front side inward and fold it in half to create a bag shape. Mark the fold with an iron, and sew the ends of the part that will become the bag together.
Then, thread the string through the drawstring opening using the drawstring.
"Wow, it turned out better than I expected."
When I said that, Shinonome-san laughed with a mischievous smile and approached.
"It's good, it's good. Hata-pippi, you're going to give that to me as promised, right?"
"Ah, I made this for sewing practice, so I don't plan to use it myself."
When I gave the bag with strings to Shinonome-san, Saikachi-san seemed a little sad.
"Ah, Osaragi-san, is the technique for making a bag with two strings for a lunch box almost the same?"
When I asked that, Osaragi-san nodded and said,
"Yes, if you put the strings in two places on the left and right, the process is the same, right?"
"Okay, I understand. Thank you."
I tried sewing the strings using the same method as before, so they would come out from both sides of the sewing machine.
"Hmm, is this okay? I made another one for practice, but I won't use it. If you want, Saikachi-san, you can have it."
"Uh, ah, yes, thank you."
Sewing a bag with strings using a sewing machine went relatively well.
I had never used a sewing machine before, but when I worked at a cosplay brothel, I fixed buttons and hooks that had come off costumes, and repaired broken zippers, so I had some experience with sewing.
When you're fixing a zipper, it would have been much easier if you had a sewing machine, but well, there's no point in saying that now.
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