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Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...

967 replies

IDontMindMarmite · 15/11/2020 09:05

Now I know when the Sewing Bee is on, there are loads of super talented ladies who would be a gold mine of information! It'd be great if we could gather. Maybe even have a section to ourselves in "In the club". If this thread doesn't die a death anyway. Please say I if you are in favour!

So over lockdown the sequel, I thought i'd actually get my sewing machine out. I sound like someone who has a clue - I don't. I was gifted a sewing machine years ago. I've made two pairs of curtain tie backs since. I've been to a class or two (made a cushion under supervision! And a canvas bag) but can't say i've truly got the hang. It's getting my head round the machine more than anything. It scares me!

Now though, i've decided to tackle mal fitting clothing. I've put darts in DH's shirts using youtube tutorials. I'd like to adjust some of my tops but would love someone to ask - do you only dart shirts? Youtube tutorials for tops like I have do a different method where you pin and sew a new side seam. Also, can I just use pinking shears to trim the excess fabric instead of doing a final zigzag stitch or is that too lazy?

Any general chat welcomed.

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PickAChew · 21/11/2020 22:51

This is a great blog post about overcasting stitches
fancycollective.com/blogs/sew-easy/6-ways-to-overcast-with-your-sewing-machine

PickAChew · 21/11/2020 22:55

Annoyingly, it's the blind hem foot that I'm missing.

MoonlightInVermont · 22/11/2020 01:09

On the subject of feet, I’ve been dithering for a long time about whether to buy a walking foot - I get on ok without one, but suspect life might be a bit easier with. I’ve just bought one from the Singer Outlet site in a Black Friday deal which includes several other feet for little more than the cost of the walking foot. I do like buying kit ...

IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 07:47

Thank you @PickAChew, that's really helpful.

Love this thread, i'm learning loads Smile

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PickAChew · 22/11/2020 09:05

So am I!

Made a start on the bottoms, last night. Ds2 (autistic) kept coming in and turning the ceiling spots off. The Jersey is an intense blue and I ended up having to use masking tape to mark the wrong sides of all the pieces because it was really hard to see them properly with just the lamps on. I shall stick with daylight for those and all the other dark projects I have planned, I think!

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 15:47

They're beginning to look a lot like trousers.

Starting to get dark, now, though, so I shall tackle the waistband and work out what to use for a waist tie, another day.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 15:47

Oops!

Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
seizethecuttlefish · 22/11/2020 15:59

@MoonlightInVermont beware, it's a gateway foot lol. I loved mine and ended up buying loads of bits n bobs, culminating in a serger!

MoonlightInVermont · 22/11/2020 17:02

Thanks for the warning, @seizethecuttlefish! I think I'll resist the lure of buying a serger, but I'm looking forward to some more adventurous quilting and might try to get to grips with rolled hems etc thanks to the other new feet.

IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 18:42

I hit a road bump as I need a ballpoint needle and more bobbin reels.I will order online but can't for the life of me figure out what size bobbin I need to buy and I can't pop along to Hobbycraft or anywhere else to size them up and they all look the same online. Gah.

Gorgeous colour @PickAChew

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PickAChew · 22/11/2020 18:48

What machine do you have, @idontmindmarmite?

I've just restocked ballpoint needles from the evil amazon. Managed to get a pack of all size 80, since that's the size I'm burning through, though I'm wondering if I should have tried a thicker needle for that blue Jersey, as it's pretty dense.

IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 19:01

It's an Elna 2100.

How do you know when you've used up a needle?

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PickAChew · 22/11/2020 19:11

I the case of the last one because it just wasn't sewing right - pigs ear of top stitching a neckband. It was an ancient set of tootal branded needles so may have been past its best, anyhow.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 19:15

Ref nos here if they're useful www.elna.com/en-gb/model_sewing_explore-220_accessories.php

IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 19:27

Thanks but that's not bringing me any luck either sadly

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IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 19:29

Hang on, might have found them now. Why aren't bobbins a standard size though?!

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MoonlightInVermont · 22/11/2020 19:35

I try to avoid the dreaded south American river and have bought what I hope are genuine Singer needles on Ebay - there are lots of sewing suppliers there. I don't always follow it, but the advice I got from my aunt, who was a great needlewoman, was to change needles after a full day's sewing, because blunt needles will misbehave.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 20:00

The bobbins for my current brother are about 1mm slimmer than my old one. I ended up buying all new bobbins in case they'd got mixed up before I realised.

BitOfFun · 22/11/2020 20:00

Moonlight, buying kit and fabric is almost a separate hobby really, isn't it? Grin I've got SO MUCH fabric now that I'm genuinely at a loss how to use it all up (I haven't got years and years to live, what with Stage 4 breast cancer, unfortunately), but I can't bear to part with it yet!

IDontMindMarmite · 22/11/2020 20:06

Would the machine know they were 1mm different?

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PickAChew · 22/11/2020 20:12

It's the newer ones that are slimmer so since this one is all automatic, I wouldn't risk it in case something jammed.

MoonlightInVermont · 22/11/2020 20:12

Oh, BitOfFun, I'm so sorry. You're quite right that acquiring fabric and kit can be a hobby in itself. One reason I have so much fabric is that I've had several donations from friends who've been decluttering. At the start of lockdown in March, I gave quite a lot away - lots of people locally wanted to make bunting to jazz up the gardens they were suddenly spending so much time in.

Our sewing group owns several machines and they quickly complain if you don't use the correct bobbin - it's been a revelation to see how many types there are.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 20:15

I'm like that with yarn. Ended up getting rid of all but my hand dyed and merino when we moved.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 20:22

And yes, I shall have to stock up on needles when I next do an order from somewhere like sew essential. I'm OK for standard ones as MIL had loads in her various cupboards and drawers, when she passed away.

Allgirlskidsanddogs · 22/11/2020 21:01

Please can I join?

Sewing at school almost put me off for life.

I restarted sewing a couple of years into motherhood, dabbled for a while and then just over 2 years ago I bought a pdf sewing pattern (Beachcomber by MBJM), started sewing myself a T-shirt and haven’t looked back! Now about 1/2 of what my daughters and I wear is Mummymade, almost all stretch fabrics.

I finally got to grips with my overlocker (after it sat in its box for 7 years!) and last summer I bought a Coverstitch. I also seem to have become Wardrobe Mistress for our school’s Nativity.

I’m probably an advanced beginner and totally intimidated by buttonholes!

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