is there a general chatty dressmaking thread?

[SpiderTracker]

Hello,
I was just wondering if there was a general chatty dressmaking thread? A place to talk about what's on your sewing table and to compare projects ask for advice on patterns fabric etc. With the children going back to school and my youngest starting full time I shall be sewing much more and thought it might nice to have somewhere to chat.
I shall start, currently on my sewing table is a cotton blouse, and I am debating whether to leave the sleeves off.

[lucysmam]

Funny you should mention Frozen stuff Lamb, I'm currently working on two Anna Coronation dresses for friends' dd's for Christmas...just waiting for my olive green fabric to turn up because town has little to offer in the way of fabric

I'm hoping they'll be quick since I've already done two for my own girls.

After those...I have a loooooong loooong line of Elsa's to make as well!

Then maybe something for me

[have4goneinsane]

feeling very pleased with myself at the moment - in our part of the world it is coming into summer and I desperately need some work tops that actually fit, so in the last 3 weeks I have made 3 tops based on the Colette Sorbetto pattern and one short sleeved blouse from the Simplicity 2447 pattern

still slightly "squeeeee" about the blouse - I have never made anything that complicated or needing such precise-ness before and it really fits!

have also been sewing cosmetics bags for people for Christmas using a really easy pattern prettymodern.typepad.com/its_a_pretty_modern_life/2009/08/zippered-box-pouch-pattern-and-tutorial-fully-lined-with-photos.html

kids are now malnourished and house covered in scraps of fabrics, but I've been enjoying myself!

[Lambstales]

Hello, there lucysmam. It all went a bit quiet for a while but I'm sure people are busy planning some sewing. Tell all!
Or beavering away on their machines for Christmas goodies. We want to see!
Just don't ask me about 'Frozen' stuff

[lucysmam]

I'm just placemarking tonight, have just started dressmaking after more than ten years of not making anything so hopefully you lot will be full of helpful tips and tricks for me to pick up

[Lambstales]

V1410

[Lambstales]

One other tip ...practise sewing the button hole on lots of scraps, made up to the same thickness ;)
I used a vintage button and velvet ribbon.

[Lambstales]

BeCool
The Mizono V1410 comes out very long. I think I chopped at least two inches off the bottom. I sewed the buttons on for one hitch up but couldn't envisage wearing it higher.
To sew it is very easy The cutting space is the problem!
I personally don't like the way that Vogue tells you how to finish the neck and arm holes. It's cheap. I bias binded both holes with home made tartan binding. You could easily use any bought bias.
I've got this pattern earmarked for linen (next year).

[have4goneinsane]

Cap sleeves that don't go all the way round the armhole are surprisingly easy, basically you cut a semi-circle-type shape and elongate it or shorten it according to how gathered and how long you want the sleeve to be. Hem the curved side, attach the straight side to the armhole, gathering as necessary.

Hope that makes sense - I worked it out on a dress for my daughter last year.

[Spidertracker]

Not sure to be honest, I have never done it.
I would probably try and use sleeves from another pattern and adjust them rather than draft new ones.

[SunnyL]

has anyone here ever drafted their own cap sleeve? I have a sleeveless dress bodice but I want to add a cap sleeve and not sure what is the best way to do it.

[Spidertracker]

I have The Sewing Book too, and Dressmaking. I think her instructions are really clear although the books do have a lot of the same or at least very similar content.

[Idontseeanysontarans]

You have to send off for most of them but the pattern I'm doing now came with the magazine.
I've got The Sewing Book by Alison Smith which is pretty easy to follow and I know that Tilly has a sleeve tutorial on her site so I'm going to bite the bullet!

[Spidertracker]

You are more than welcome here.
My mum used to use prima patterns years ago, I didn't know they still made them, are they still in the middle of the magazine?
I was always nervous of sleeves too, but once I tried I found it much easier than I had built it up to be.
I tend to pin the gathers, then hand tack them, then machine baste and check before the final stitch. I could probably machine baste straight from the pins but I am not quick enough at pulling them out.

[Idontseeanysontarans]

Howdy
Just been directed here from AIBU of all places!
I'm mainly up cycling old clothes and have made a couple of simple shift dresses for DD2 from a Prima pattern. I've just cut a pattern for a tunic dress for me from another Prima one, got to choose some fabric now from the dressmakers shop in the village when she bothers to open up. The recommended fabric is cotton or poly cotton but I'm thinking it'll look nice in a jersey type fabric for Autumn and Winter.
Bit nervous about the sleeves. Never done sleeves before!

[Thumbcat]

Oh dear spider

If you're reading blog lady, the gathers on your sleeves are great, and I've made a dress in that fabric too

[BeCool]

Lamb I love both those Mizono dresses.
What length and size did you make 1410 in? What level of difficulty is it?

[Spidertracker]

I only ever fabric shop at the market. I don't like using expensive fabric to end up with something I'll never wear.

On another note, I think I might have upset the lady who's blog I linked to, although she has gone with the its ok to be mean i don't care line. Judging by her latest post in my reader anyway, It didn't occur to me that it would show her end people had been linking from here.

[SunnyL]

my plan for yesterday was to head to goldhawk road but my meetings overoverran by hours and hours and hours or so it felt like

today I only had just enough time for a quick mooch round soho. freaking hell it's expensive. Lovely but expensive. One shop was selling lace for 130 quid a metre.

Back to my old friend eBay I think!

[Thumbcat]

I've never been fabric shopping in London, but would imagine Soho would be pricey. Do you have time to go to Goldhawk Road in Shepherd's Bush? I've never been, but that seems to be the fabric Mecca for sewers.

Has anyone been fabric shopping in Walthamstow? I've heard the market is very good. I'm not too far away so will check it out one weekend (when I actually have some money to spend).

[SunnyL]

hi folks. I'm in London with work and had hoped to go fabric shopping today but my meetings ran over. I might have time to target Soho tomorrow - does anyone have any idea how pricey they are? will I need a 2nd mortgage?

[OneSkinnyChip]

Marking place

[bluejeansandbabies]

sirzy
I really like the DK book Dressmaking by Alison Smith. For Basic patterns, I like the look of the Tilly site and book but I have found her patterns need a lot of fitting.
For patterns in general I order them from Jaycotts, I tend to stock up when they have a brand half price.
I have never taken I sewing lesson I was taught by my mum and nan. I still ask mums advice when I need it. She can make anything.

[Thumbcat]

I started off with the Miette skirt on the Tilly and the Buttons website. Lots of good advice on there about starting to sew clothes.

[Sirzy]

I am currently a crochter/knitter but looking to start dressmaking. Where do you get your patterns from and any advice for simple things to start with?

[Thumbcat]

Ooh exciting stuff Sunny! I would definitely need back up to attempt trousers. Good luck with them!