Anyone else going to join me on the Sewing Bee watch?

[flubba]

A bit excited about it

:o

LetUsPrey, you might like this:
flossieteacakes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/three-bears-sleeping-bag-pdf-pattern.html
I recently made one for DD's teddy.

LetUsPrey Sometimes making smaller things is actually much more fiddly. How old is your DS? (Apologies if you've said and I've missed it.) What about him making himself some shorts? A quick google search has brought these up, they look quite straight forward.

Thanks for the replies . Not had a proper look or caught up on the thread - just watching Doctor Who. DS1 is 11.

Ah, ok. Might not be thrilled by the shorts then! Maybe some kind of pouch for an electronic device to live in? The link LaFlaneur posted could be adapted, you could add velcro or a button fastening.

That's a good idea. I hadn't thought of him making "things" rather than clothes.

Love the teddy sleeping bags too.

Thanks

I made my 12 yr old nephew a butchers style apron as a gift, if he cooks that might be something for him to try making.

See www.makeit-loveit.com for a simple gadget cosy. One of the first things I made.

I'm loving Sewing Bee and this thread and feeling really inspired to push myself more... I make a mean pillowcase, and I'm happy making nightwear for the DCs but I really want to try making a fitted dress or skirt for myself!

Is he too young for dressing up or does he have a younger sibling to make for...a native American costume in fake suede is the easiest thing ever and fringing and braiding makes it fun and effective.

If you're going to use quilting cotton for a skirt I think it needs to be something quite structured quilting cotton is fairly stiff and doesn't drape much. Unless you're planning to do a circle skirt with a vast poofy petticoat underneath I don't think it would be a great choice. An A-line skirt, though, I could see working although you might want to line it.

That makes sense. I had initially assumed the issue was that quilting cotton is too thin, but I can see what you mean about it being stiff, too.

I shall have a good think. Thanks!

Sorry, shouldn't really be banging on on this thread!

It is a bit thin compared with bottom-weight fabrics, but to an extent you can get round that by lining and/or underlining it -- you can't make it drape any significantly better than it does already, though.

Here is a good tutorial on attaching bias binding.

Thanks Soupa another good idea. He is a bit old for dressing up although that doesn't stop his LARPing 21 year old cousin! DS2 might be a willing victim model though.

LRD - I don't think you're banging on at all. (I always enjoy reading your posts anyway). There are so many talented people on this thread and it's lovely to see them sharing their knowledge!

There endeth the Soppy Sunday Session.

LRD I think this is the perfect thread for it. I've asked loads of stupid questions as a complete novice. At least yours have some basis in knowledge.

I have another question. What s bias binding for? Is it so you don't have a hem?

I used it to hide the raw edges of the hem and waistband without having to turn the fabric up, which I hate.
Now, I don't know if that's right, I'm not in any way trained, all self taught.

Thanks YoniliaHoax. Isn't it more work though? Is it about the finish?

You can bias bind a hem (although for a straight hem the binding wouldn't need to be bias) but you're more likely to use it on a neckline or round armholes armholes on something sleeveless. It's on the bias so it stretches and you can put it round curved opening, which is way easier than turning over a double hem round a neckline (obviously for some styles you'd line or face it instead). So basically "going round the edge of something curved".

Oh I get it. I actually did that when making the blouse for dd's Heidi outfit. I just didn't know that's what it was.

Oh, good, I shall continue to bang on then, and the proper sewing people can tell us when they're fed up and want to perv on discuss Patrick again.

I have been reading sewing blogs and it is amazing what some people out there can do! Just look at this woman: www.juliabobbin.com/

Her blog is horrible to search (sorry, but, well, it is!), but her dresses are fucking amazing.

yy bias binding is good for hems.
I once made a scooter skirt (the proper name for a skort , so called because itlooks like a skirt but is really shorts so better for using when you're riding your scooter)., and use bias binding round the leg hems and the hems of thevfront flap.

my best tip ever is to use ribbon as a waistband.
you get a really wide ribbon and sew it around, right side and wrong side, encasing the raw edges.
it's light and easy to turn under at your opening, it less faffy and it looks stylish.

Just marking my place.

Also, why on earth did they tell them to make trousers that way? Tis a terribly difficult way to sew trousers.

WillReadLaterTiggaxx

I think that's the official way to do it.
I was taught that way at college
I prefer that way too.
I never used to do the leg inside leg, but it does help with linjng up the seams.

Trousers are very difficult.
I like the tutorials on Colette.
there's loads on waistbands and things.
Also Sewaholic - she has sew alongs with everything explained.
On phone, so just google them.

I keep thinking I want to do a proper clothes sewing course, but never have the time.

Some trousers are easy I make a pair of wide leg ones with darts at the top and no waistband or pockets. They are super flattering especially in decent fabric and take hardly any time.

Here's (a rather taciturn) Mark...