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.

Thanks all. She's just quite daunting, though 100% lovely. She knows how to do most things that baffle me (think jam, gardening etc), and I know I'm not going to impress her with this top. And she'll be nice about it. And we'll both know it's a bit slap dash ...

Can I join? I've been sewing for 3 years and largely self taught though YouTube has been my saviour on more than a few occasions.

I tend to make dresses for occasions though I'm about to venture into trousers for the first time ever via my very patient sewing class teacher.

In the meantime I've had an invite to a black tie event in November. I've got this vintage 1950s pattern that I made a lovely summer dress from that I'm thinking of making a darker silk dress from. here if I can link it www.jaycotts.co.uk/products/b5748

Hi everyone. I did no sewing today, but will make myself put the zip in my dress tomorrow with my nifty new invisible zip foot.

EAT, if the fabric for the top isn't thick I'd recommend you do French seams to make it look more professional. My seams are shocking ordinarily, but I made a dress with all enclosed seams and the inside looks mighty pretty.

Does anyone else have a backlog of things they want to make? On my list is a Colette Beignet skirt, Darling Ranges dress, Anna dress, Deer & Doe Anemone skirt and kimono jacket. If only I didn't have to work and could spend more time sewing.

Good idea Thumb .
Meantime, has anyone used poppers - as in a joining device rather than a drug. I got some to use on a top and they come with a plastic clamp that you then hammer. Could NOT make it work, and I'm not sure what I was doing wrong. The metal prongs kept poking out even when it was fixed on the top. And having had to remove one and ruin the fabric in that area, I'm worried about what to do next. Any advice?

I got a bag of poppers for a sleeping bag I made for my 12 month old. I got them to fit the fabric but within a few washes they'd started to come away. I gave in and fitted a zip after that. Sorry of that doesn't help. There were quite a few useful YouTube videos showing how to do it. I think I just got cheap poppers.

I'd suggest YouTube, Eat.

Never done poppers (of any kind )

I have a backlog of patterns, currently the whole wardrobe section of 'Gertie's Book For Better Sewing' whatever it is called. All the things in it look too hard though and I am too scared of them.
I have never used plastic hammer on poppers if I want something to fasten like that I use old fashioned metal sew in press studs.

No popper experience here, except for those cheap little sew on plastic ones which are completely useless.

My zip is on and looks good, the only problem being that it doesn't go up and down very well. I think it's my thick fabric. Oh well, I can force it down enough to wiggle it on over my head. I also have a gapey neckline so am going to google tucks in a moment to see what can be done. This dress has become a bit of a nightmare but I'm determined to finish and wear the bloody thing!

Cheap zips can get stuck thumbcat usually at the waist where there is more fabric.
If you find it bothers you too much swap it out for a better one. Not sure about the neckline.

Where is it gaping at your neckline?

If its at the back, do two tiny little darts, (like on 50s patterns) about 1 1/2 to 2" long but only about 1/4".

If on the front where?

PS can I join?
I'm sewing some autumn/winter clothing and have just made a Lynn Mizono V1410 in a light woolen tweed. I'm also eyeing up V1312 but dont like the bodice. After a bit of digging, I found the skirt on a blog...called a tablecloth skirt! Rundholz lookalike?

Hi Lamb.

The gape was on the front - there was just too much material for it to sit right and I'd already taken some out at the back. I've bodged it by putting a couple of little tucks in at the front neckline and I'll brazen it out as a design feature :)

I finished it today and it doesn't look too bad at all for a botched job.

I like the V1312 pattern.

I like design features it adds interest doesn't it?

I've just done a mock up (not toile) of the skirt part of V 1312. It's a very good idea and will drape very well in the right material. I used material that was far too thick.

My far too thick material is now going to be used for Butterick 6064. I'm now thinking blanket coat but it's not from a blanket!

An exciting development here. I'm going to sign up to a dressmaking workshop at my local college, where you take whatever you're working on and can get help and advice from a tutor. I feel I've come as far as I can on my own with books and the internet and I want to learn how to improve the fit and finish of the things I make. It starts in January and I'm very excited

Thumbcat I just started an evening dressmaking class for exactly that reason.

probably the best bit for me is getting inspiration from all the other sewers. They're all working in different projects which is opening my horizons as to what I might fancy learning next.

After 3 years of only making dresses and skirts I'm now branching out into trousers

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

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?

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 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.

Marking place

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?

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).

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!

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.

Lamb I love both those Mizono dresses.

What length and size did you make 1410 in? What level of difficulty is it?

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