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

[IDontMindMarmite]

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.

@Momsincharge, if you are really concerned what about doing dress buttons with large studs underneath? It was the suggested method on a cape coat I made recently. My hand stitching isn't great so I'd be dreading it too

@StatisticallyChallenged
You are making me think that oversized snaps might be a funky touch.

That's what I'm thinking, @statisticallychallenged - and the sleeve is quite gathered so it's a recipe for awkward puckers and snapped stitches. I'll do the bottom band as that's easier and it does look nice when it's done.

@Momsincharge that's a beautiful jacket. I'd be v v v nervous about hacking buttonholes into it too. What about some sort of leather strap feature as fasteners? Like this sort of thing....

Probably the most difficult to photograph FO I've made, to date.

And that coat is so lovely that it's reminded me I've been wanting a nice, proper wool coat for a while nut never seen anything of a quality I'm happy with for the price. I'm wondering if my machine could cope with it.

@Halsall
That’s another good idea. Lots to think about...and browse the internet for!

@PickAChew
Sewing Harris Tweed is easy. It’s very well behaved. Easier than the knit you are working with now, I’d say. A very basic sewing machine will do.
Here is a link to an online Harris Tweed supplier:
harristweedhebrides.myshopify.com/collections/harris-tweed-fabric-and-cloth/

@PickAChew

They're well contained, today *@iggly* - rolled them up and stuffed them in my best bra for a try on 😁 all my others are in the wash

😂

@Momsincharge

I finished this in the first lockdown. It’s just sitting in the closet because I am afraid to do the button holes!

That looks lovely!

Can you put “show buttons” on the front then have hidden hook type things?

They're lovely fabrics. I wish my coat tastes were more simple - I love a swishy, full skirted coat by they're terribly fabric hungry. The pattern I'm eyeing up just now needs about 5m!

I'd best hide my credit card @Momsincharge because some of those are gorgeous. I'd been admiring some of the wools that merchant and mills have, earlier.

I've just discovered the cloth atelier website, this evening and may have purchased a couple more patterns that I'd been contemplating and some lovely hand printed fabric.

And I've realised that my taste in fabric is as expensive as my taste in yarn. I can live with that, though. I started sewing again partly because I don't see much in the way of ready made clothes in fabrics I like at a price I like.

@StatisticallyChallenged
If you live around London, a trip to Goldhawk Road might be in order. It’s a good place to find fabrics at Good prices. It’s the sam stop as Westfield

...same tube stop as the Westfield in Hammersmith.

Sadly I'm at t'other end of the country, up in Scotland

I love Fabworks for wools, had some lovely ones from them

Ooooh, just had a look around Fabworks. Very dangerous. Fabric stash could grow and grow...

Another Scotland sewer. Dunfermline has an excellent sewing shop. The Sew Studio. They do dressmaking classes too

Just made a long sleeved tshirt on my overlocker. New sewing machine arrives tomorrow. Very excited

Tshirt

Ohhh, some gorgeous colours there 😍

Gorgeous tweed jacket and that sweat shirt has a more regular neckline than mine. I always mess up when joining the circle

@2Rebecca

Just made a long sleeved tshirt on my overlocker. New sewing machine arrives tomorrow. Very excited

Cross Post! That's very cheerful. It's a bit small on my phone - is it a leaf pattern or just abstract?

@2Rebecca

Gorgeous tweed jacket and that sweat shirt has a more regular neckline than mine. I always mess up when joining the circle

The pattern I used has notches to mark all the seam allowances - I ended up with a few corners to snip, including at the shoulder darts but it all matched up very nicely. Plus, it's linen, so much more stable than Jersey. Only one lot of stretch to deal with, despite the linen wobble.

The pattern is based on leaves and petals but abstract. I've never sewn with linen.

@2Rebecca

The pattern is based on leaves and petals but abstract. I've never sewn with linen.

It's really easy. It frays a lot so you can't faff with it and you have to check you haven't distorted it when you cut, as it can move a lot, but it goes together really easily. It benefits from the pressing I was taught at school, though - press the seam open then press it down.

My student summer job was probably pretty unique. I worked for a menswear hire firm, pressing and making quick adjustments.