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

Good tip tolliver, thank you.

Today I have finally finished my toille for my jeans and been brave enough to cut them out and mark stitch it all. Also prepped it so I should be able to sit at the machine tomorrow and get quite a few different stages done at the same time.

Tip for mark stitching - always use white cotton, especially on light coloured fabric, sometimes coloured thread can leave a residue of colour behind.

And when basting / tacking, never put a knot in the end, just secure with a few close stitches, then when you need to take the basting out, it's a lot easier.

I always find it easier to knot it when basting than backtacking. I can find the end and just snip it and pull rather than having unpick.
always use a very contrasting thread in polyester. never thought about colour residue.

think you might have just blown everything I've always done

It works if you have good quality basting thread which needs to be more 'hairy' so that the fibres hold in the fabric better. I've just been using some really awful very old stuff which I think I must have had at school, but I'm going to have to get some better thread and chuck this reel (which really goes against my wasting instincts!) as it's so bad!

ah
I only ever baste zips.
(not invisible ones)

I'm also not allowed to pin. (well, I am, but not when Carol's around)

New fan here! I just had to announce that my Janome 525 arrived today and I love it! Glad I went for it after seeing the recommendations which came after the show

So far I have darned, quilted, made a cushion and started a bedspread... Happy days!!

Stupid question alert again.

I thought basting was what you did to turkey.

Seriously though, what is it? And what's backtacking? Is it just when you tack stuff loosely to hold it in place?

Basting is using really big, loose, stitches to hold pieces together while you sew them properly I think
It might be the big stitch setting on the machine, and tacking is big stitches done by hand

back tacking is when you start and end your stitching by running the machine backwards for a couple of stitches. it makes your ends secure.

basting can also be done by hand. it's easier to remove than machine basting.

piffle - that's a beauty :)
my overlocker is a janome.

Thank you. I love it when I learn the rearms for stuff I already do. It makes me feel a bit more like I know what I'm doing. Haha.

Rearms = real terms.

Unique... It is indeed! I am a novice and it is great to learn on, super simple instructions etc

after faffing about with my machine just now, I want a new machine :(

I know there's nothing wrong with my machine (am using several different types of fabrics and stuff so have to keep changing the tension - elastic is not my friend) and I'm getting annoyed.
I wish there was a machine that did autonatic tension.

Can I join in, im very much a novice, ive just bought a sewing machine (old one off eBay) and im off to abakhan today
Ive no idea what to make, with this gorgeous weather though im thinking a summer dress or a large bag.
Does anybody know of any beginner classes in the Staffordshire area?

excellent stuff, come on in

fabricland has got some pre-shirred fabric for making quick dresses. good for a neginner :)

'Nother question. What's pre-shirred? Thanks for still putting up with me.

I would presume it already has elastic through it and is all rippled like the top of a maxi dress.

it's got a few rows of shirring elastic sewn in.
www.fabricland.co.uk/
go to shirred fabric in the menu.

Shirring is when you sew rows with elastic thread to pull the material together (looks a little like smocking but is easier and quicker). You'd often use it for the bodice of a child's dress (they did one like that on this season of Sewing Bee) or on a sundress for a not-too-busty adult. Pre-shirred is a length of fabric where they've done that sewing with elastic thread for you in several rows along one edge, so all you really need to do to make a sundress is measure how much you need, sew the side seam and add straps.

Thanks. Yes I remember that. Gosh they like to make things easy sometimes. It's great.

Well, I've finished my jeans apart from the button and hole (which I've got to get tomorrow), then I'll hand work the buttonhole.

However, although they're ok, they still don't fit brilliantly (I am such a funny shape!). I really do need to go on a fitting and alteration course - does anyone know if there are any around? I can fit other people, but I can't do it on myself for toffee!

Well ive bought my fabric, cut and pinned it all, started to use my machine and managed to break the only 3 needles I'd got. Dh has now fixed my machine but ive got to wait until tomorrow before I can get any more needles

Bother desperate - that's really frustrating. Glad your DH has managed to fix it though. At least you can get on tomorrow.