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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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Iggly · 19/12/2020 18:57

@PickAChew

I love fiddly things to build. I'm the same with knitting. I love lace and cables (though avoid them because they hurt my hands) and 3D structural knitting like socks.
I secreted love it really because I’m learning with every project.

But I might try classes in the new year. I’m self taught so suspect I make silly mistakes.

PickAChew · 19/12/2020 18:59

@IDontMindMarmite

Someone thinks I'm done with my alterations today.
Aww but who could resist those eyes?
PickAChew · 19/12/2020 19:12

@iggly I learned to sew, growing up from my mum who learned to sew, growing up and from lessons at school (rotated with woodwork, metalwork, home economics which I hated despite loving cooking and technical drawing) and pushed myself to try new things, when I had a loan of a machine, as a student, but I've found the Internet an amazing resource since coming back to dressmaking and I think there is always something new to learn.

I haven't kept anything, really, from 25years or so ago but I have kept this, which was amazingly proud of, at the time, made with a remnant of rose & hubble crepe de chine that I picked up for £13! It's a really good crepe and I'd wear it now if it wasn't polyester because it was made in the 90s and massive! It's loud but I loved that!

Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
Iggly · 19/12/2020 20:10

That’s looks amazing!

I’ve only done a small amount of sewing in secondary school, I remember making little purses with needle and thread as I loved it. After asking DH for a sewing machine for years, his mum gave me her old one and I’m barely off it now. YouTube and blogs have been a godsend.

The best bit is my daughter loves to have a go as well and I hope I pass that love on. Even my DS likes to have a dabble 😂

PickAChew · 19/12/2020 21:25

Ds2 has gone from suspicious of my machine to slightly too interested!

I've moved all my sewing stuff out of the dining room for the Christmas holidays and had a good spring clean (so much dust and bits of thread!) it looks bare.

Halsall · 19/12/2020 22:38

I'm amazed now at the thought of what I used to make as a teenager - jeans and everything. I had a Saturday job in a bonkers fabric shop and could buy enormous amounts of fabric at rock-bottom prices. And I did!

Has anyone bought fabric from Croft Mill? I have, a few times, and they've been really good. Not necessarily the cheapest but they've got some lovely stuff.

PickAChew · 19/12/2020 23:31

I've been tempted by some of their stuff but it's turned out to be out of stock.

Halsall · 19/12/2020 23:33

Yes, PickAChew I noticed that a lot of their jersey and cottons are out of stock, but I'm very tempted by some of the cotton prints....

Herdwick · 19/12/2020 23:42

So how important do we think it is to get the button holes on the right hand side of a women's jacket?

Fucks sake. Bounded effing button holes and I've done them on the wrong side. I had it wrong side up on the dress form after basting on some twill tape and just didnt think.

Leave them or do them again on the right side and just sew the buttons over the ones I've done on the left?

Bounded button holes. Bounded!!!

Iggly · 20/12/2020 07:51

@Herdwick

So how important do we think it is to get the button holes on the right hand side of a women's jacket?

Fucks sake. Bounded effing button holes and I've done them on the wrong side. I had it wrong side up on the dress form after basting on some twill tape and just didnt think.

Leave them or do them again on the right side and just sew the buttons over the ones I've done on the left?

Bounded button holes. Bounded!!!

I would say it matters not a jot!
IDontMindMarmite · 20/12/2020 08:17

I agree

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PickAChew · 20/12/2020 08:47

Not at all. Landsend clothes used to have their buttons on the opposite side, anyhow.

Herdwick · 20/12/2020 09:02

@PickAChew

Not at all. Landsend clothes used to have their buttons on the opposite side, anyhow.
That makes me feel better.

I always make some kind of silly mistake like that. I think it's due to having to sew in the evening once children are completely asleep. I set off at 9pm thinking 'I'll just do an hour, maybe an hour and half' and I'm still there at midnight wondering how I've achieved so little in 3 hours.

I've got welt pockets to do if I get chance today and then after that it's hopefully mainly sewing seams together for a bit. I hadn't realised just how many parts and steps there would be to making a fairly simple coat! Everything needs interfacing and lining.

HalleLouja · 20/12/2020 09:24

@Halsall

I'm amazed now at the thought of what I used to make as a teenager - jeans and everything. I had a Saturday job in a bonkers fabric shop and could buy enormous amounts of fabric at rock-bottom prices. And I did!

Has anyone bought fabric from Croft Mill? I have, a few times, and they've been really good. Not necessarily the cheapest but they've got some lovely stuff.

I bought some lovely thin denim from there with gold leaves. May be my favourite fabric ever.
Herdwick · 20/12/2020 09:43

Is anyone else a frequent Minerva user?

I quite like their new website and the blog function, it would be great if it really took off as a sewing resource. I particularly like that it shows what other people have made with the fabrics.

Although I do spend hours googling pattern reviews and images of stuff that people have made as I struggle to visualise it from the drawings on the packet so perhaps I might find it more useful than others.

Notstayingup · 20/12/2020 10:23

Can I join? Just started sewing really, I have just done and online course from my local council and made a skirt with an invisible zip and have made 2 Tilly and the buttons stretch dresses on my overlocker (all the gear and no idea!) I am really tall (and fat) so keen to make things that fit me in 2021 - lots of great knowledge on here and lovely to be inspired by your makes!

Herdwick · 20/12/2020 10:35

@Notstayingup

Can I join? Just started sewing really, I have just done and online course from my local council and made a skirt with an invisible zip and have made 2 Tilly and the buttons stretch dresses on my overlocker (all the gear and no idea!) I am really tall (and fat) so keen to make things that fit me in 2021 - lots of great knowledge on here and lovely to be inspired by your makes!
Welcome!

I highly recommend a pattern drafting course or good book if high street shops often don't meet your clothing requirements, as I've found that often patterns work on similar assumptions to shop bought clothes and can need a lot of adjustments if you aren't 5ft 7 and a B cup. Although Tilly and The Buttons is a great place to start.

I have a trouser block and a bodice block that I've drafted to my exact measurements and I use them to measure against patterns to see where I'm likely to need to make adjustments, usually I need to widen the shoulders, do a full bust / bum adjustment and grade down and shorten the waist.

Do you have a sewing machine as well as an overlocker?

IDontMindMarmite · 20/12/2020 12:38

Welcome welcome.
It is my intention to use the double overlock stitch in my sewing machine for the first time today. Wish me luck.

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Notstayingup · 20/12/2020 16:33

@Herdwick yes I have a sewing machine too, although I find it much more tricky that the overlocker. I’d love to do a pattern course, it’s so tricky at the minute with everything distance learning, but hopefully next year I’ll get to do one.
I found that I need to do major adjustments to any patterns I’ve tried (added 7 inches to the TaTB dresses - 4 above the waist, 3 below - 6,1) trousers are the holy grail, am starting a trouser course in jan too, so hopefully that’ll help. Am not a natural at all, but am enjoying the challenge!

IDontMindMarmite · 20/12/2020 16:35

Well, I finished my first alterations project, 4 tops, today. It went ok, i've learned a lot and feel more comfortable with the machine now. Like I don't need to refer to the manual to load a bobbin and thread the machine up. Next project will be DH's tops that need altering. (we've both lost weight and none of our clothes fit us anymore Hmm)

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Iggly · 21/12/2020 22:22

I think altering is hard! Hope it goes well @IDontMindMarmite

I’m mid way through Dx’s shirt dress
I think I should have made the collar and neckband first then attached but I did it as per instructions. I’ve sewn this before and made similar mistakes but the fabric carries the dress

I need to work on sewing in straight lines. Not sure what it is but I make silly mistakes! (Excuse the white basting stitches by the way!!)

Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
PickAChew · 21/12/2020 22:51

Sewing in straight lines is hard because the fabric and machine always have other ideas. When I upgrade I'll be also looking out for an extension table because quite a bit of my frustration has been gravity related. I can get one for my current machine but don't really want to invest in it.
The speed limiter has helped me to not do too much sewing like I'm drunk, though plodding through a massive curved hem at 3 stitches a second is hard on the 'thritic old shoulders - particularly last week when one was inflamed by my flu jab.

It's looking good, BTW. Hopefully ready for Christmas?

I hoped to get to the Range, this morning, for some notions for the new year, but the traffic on that side of town was insane, so I gave up. Hopefully we get some extra time after Christmas before we're all tier 4 so we can do that darlo trip. I'd have stopped off at one of the quilting shops in town for the thread I needed but it's not open Mondays.

IDontMindMarmite · 22/12/2020 11:18

Anyone been inspired by The Queen's Gambit? I saw this copycat dress. The original just hangs so perfectly, it's gotta be really hard to replicate that. Plus the copycat pockets are fake. I wonder if the original dress' pockets were real. There were such beautiful outfits on that show.

Any sewing aficionados? I need a stitch and bitch...
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PickAChew · 22/12/2020 12:32

I didn't watch it but spotted a blog of possible copycat patterns, recently. The original dress looks like a heavy and fine crepe and is probably lined.

PickAChew · 22/12/2020 12:36

This one. Though some would need a fair bit of tweaking thefoldline.com/2020/12/05/the-queens-gambit-sewing-pattern-picks/