the Sewing Bee watch part II (it might be over, but we're still sewing)

[UniqueAndAmazing]

I thought I'd better start a new thread so that we don't lose it!

Original part here...

Background - flubba got excited by The Great British Sewing Bee and we all piled in too

You don't know the half of it...

My mum being mad, I mean. Just realised how odd that looked written down.

my mum's a total loon

I trace the patterns now, but we always cut the patterns at school.

Thank you unique

no probs, I hope it helps :)

Well, this evening I have finally turned up the sleeves of a jacket I bought about three years ago and haven't worn! It's been sitting on my dummy in the 'spare room' more commonly called the dumping ground all that time and has got rather dusty but once I've washed it tomorrow it will at last be wearable!

Why did it take me so long to get around to it? It took less than 2 hours to do including felling the linings back in. I really must not procrastinate!

I made a dress last night!!

I still didn't use a pattern and it's not perfect but it's wearable. I'm so thrilled. A real, proper dress. Ha!

I like the Made by Dana website. I made a skirt for DD (which she didn't like) and am going to make some shorts from there.

No-one (including me) has posted on here for a while but...

...after much fabric and pattern buying, I have finally started work on my first item of clothing - a tunic top.

Hope everyone is still sewing.

Just worked up courage to start sewing again at 42y - used to sew quite a bit as a teenager, incl dressmaking. Never really learnt how to do things properly, though!

I visited Abakhan in Stoke-on-trent today and have had a great time. They sell fabrics by the metre as usual, but have huge amounts of large offcuts at brilliant prices. I bought a pattern for an extremely simple long sleeveless summer dress with a swishy skirt (no zips!), three lots of 3 metres of pure linen in French blue, choc brown and terracotta. Matching thread, interfacing - total £40!

Will report back when I have started...

Abakhan sounds amazing!!

Looking forward to seeing how we each get on with our projects.

It is amazing, Helles. Lots of rummaging through fabric needed in the offcuts but very worth it. I have driven past the shop for years not bothering to go in as looks v nondescript from outside, but huge once you get in. They also sell patterns, yarn, craft stuff, and any bit of haberdashery you could possibly want. Free demonstrations, and classes in other branches too.
Very old-fashioned in a lovely way, and staff who all know what they are talking about. Patient with questions such as: can you tell me where the lightweight fusible interlining is, please, and what I do with it?!

An update from me too!

I'm still teaching I have 6 regulars and once the summer holidays are past I'm looking to expand by organising workshops. I've bought another 2 machines for this and can't wait to get started!

I've started up a sewing business now, to fill in the gap when I close the shop.

I'm selling cloth nappies, and making stuff too.

I set up a facebook page and a website, and sent off some homemade clothes to some testers (all costing me money- just to get honest feedback)
they were all really positive about them, so it looks good so far.

And I bought a Loop Turner!
It just arrived.
I mainly want it to thread elastic into waistbands of toddler trousers - though it'd be more efficient than hunting for safety pins and forcing them through...

Look! Look!

The Great British Sewing Bee - Christmas Special

Is that going to clash with Strictly?

Oh no, panic over. It dove-tails nicely with Strictly. Not surprising really as I'm pretty sure the Sewing Bee audience is a subset of the Strictly audience.

I'm surprisingly thrilled by this. Thanks AnAdventure

Oooooh! I shall have to watch it on iPlayer when I'm home from my parents' house with no children :)

Hang on - it's today! I didn't realise.

May still watch it with no children about to spoil it though :)

Love it! I watch it and pretend I have the time and skill to emulate them all. The Christmas house ...

Time, skill and that wonderful sewing room :)

Yes, I just want to stroke all the materials. [can we have a saddo emoticon?]

I want to be able to sit around a table with Patrick like minded friends and craft and chat. [sigh]