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Arts and crafts

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

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.

OP posts:
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Momsincharge · 06/12/2020 12:15

@StatisticallyChallenged
That’s a dress any little girl would feel special in. My DDs would have loved it.
I think in toddler clothes I wouldn’t stress much about imperfections. The children will never notice or care about those little details.

PickAChew · 06/12/2020 12:49

Definitely worth the effort - and both pretty and comfortable.

PickAChew · 06/12/2020 12:53

And I stick with the pedal as I have to take a hand away from what I'm sewing to press the start/stop button and my dexterity and coordination are not great. I mean, I sometime stare at wha I'm doing wondering why it's still stitching when I want it to stop before I twig that it's not down to mind power and I actually have to do something with my foot. Asking my hands to do more than they already are is asking for trouble!

IDontMindMarmite · 06/12/2020 15:23

Hello hello, that is such a sweet little dress. You'd never know it was giving you a hard time!

I'm such a rookie...I have a long sleeved jumper/top that i've taken in at the sides by creating a new seam in a nice curved line from top to bottom. Unfortunately, I now have excess material at the armpit. What would you knowledgeable ladies do with that?

OP posts:
PickAChew · 06/12/2020 16:31

Tracing off the pattern pieces for this - all 3 of them - and it's doing my head in!
sewalign.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/basic-blouses-nani-iro-sewing-studio-book/

StatisticallyChallenged · 06/12/2020 16:59

I have a couple of books with the patterns in them, tracing them is deathly dull isn't it!

also deathly dull - catchin up on the ironing for all the stuff you've sewn!

Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
StatisticallyChallenged · 06/12/2020 17:03

A few more wee things for little DD. The spikes was really hard to photograph (was trying to show a friend ) - it's an a-line hooded dress, with dino spikes on the hood

Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
PickAChew · 06/12/2020 17:33

I love the baubles. I threatened to cover Ds2 in baubles, this morning, as he was dressed all in green:o

Haggisfish · 06/12/2020 22:14

Loving these pieces-they are all so lovely. I’m determined to do some over Xmas.

2Rebecca · 07/12/2020 09:24

Nice blouses. I am lazy about tracing. I like paper patterns I just cut out. Doing palazzo trousers now my new machine is here

PickAChew · 07/12/2020 09:48

I trace off paper patterns because I always have to lengthen bodies, shorten arms or compensate for my lack of waist. If it's a pattern I reckon I will use a lot, it helps it to last longer, too.

kittykarate · 07/12/2020 11:01

I always trace off patterns so I can grade between sizes on bust & waist. Adds another couple of hours to the making of a garment though.

HooliganHeart · 07/12/2020 17:00

I'll be the noob around here but hiya guys & dolls. Just an auld guy that finds sewing (whatever I am told to make) rather relaxing. Picked up a sewing machine (or two) about 4 years ago to play with and been enjoying them since. Will post up a pic or two at some point but for now, will lurk and find my way around the site.

PickAChew · 07/12/2020 19:31

@Momsincharge

I finished this in the first lockdown. It’s just sitting in the closet because I am afraid to do the button holes! Blush
I thought of you while reading this blog post. The drafting stuff is pretty mind warping tome but she makes the coat with welted buttonholes which would look great on yours, if you have any bits of fabric left over. There's some pretty good pictures of how she achieved that. www.theshapesoffabric.com/2020/02/12/about-making-my-winter-coat/
PickAChew · 07/12/2020 19:32

And welcome, @hooliganheart - look forward to seeing some of your projects.

Didkdt · 08/12/2020 14:17

@Momsincharge

I finished this in the first lockdown. It’s just sitting in the closet because I am afraid to do the button holes! Blush
This is my favourite description of constructing button holes manually i find watching it very therapeutic and she makes it look much easier than going to war with my machine
forgetthehousework · 08/12/2020 14:53

My fabric order has just arrived and is as good as I thought it would be.
Amongst other things there's a beautiful olive green wool which will make a lovely (warm) skirt and coat.
Happy days are here again Smile

PickAChew · 08/12/2020 15:33

I'm waiting for fabric orders. Damn the Christmas Post.

Currently pissed off that I've run out of bobbin thread with all of one sleeve left to hem😭

StatisticallyChallenged · 08/12/2020 16:00

Ah race the bobbin. I played race the overlocker cone the other week...that was nerve wracking

I have an order coming from tfg tonight but I'm tempted to order something luxuriously and unnecessary cos I've had a crap day. The alternative is Cake

PickAChew · 08/12/2020 17:01

Too much cake and you need more fabric!

This was another black top and I found a leftover dark grey bobbin. The inside is already a total dog's dinner, anyhow!

rosegoldwatcher · 08/12/2020 20:25

Just appeared on my FB - Celebrity Sewing Bee!

The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special, Boxing Day, 7.45pm.
The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity New Year Special, New Year's Eve, 8pm.

PickAChew · 08/12/2020 20:44

Ooh, that'll be fun!

NothingIsWrong · 08/12/2020 21:00

I've just made my first pair of pants. I have no hips at all to speak of, so it's also the first pattern I've graded between sizes. Large round the waist and medium at the hip. Extremely simple grading but I'm a bit proud of myself :-)

NothingIsWrong · 08/12/2020 21:02

Next pair I'm going to try and work out how to make them longer as this pair don't reach my natural waist as I've got a long waist to crotch length. That looks a bit more complicated but I'm sure it can't be that hard.

StatisticallyChallenged · 08/12/2020 21:40

I've got a pants pattern I keep meaning to try. And a scrap pile that really would be perfect for it!

Whipped up a couple of dresses for big DD and a t-shirt for DH. I'm still trying to perfect his fit but I think I've got it now and at least it will form a solid basis for anything else I make him.

I'm now browsing pound-a-metre rather than the more expensive stuff. Although I may wander to them later...