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.

One of the reviews mentions pjs and another facemasks. Maybe more of a summer weight pj?

I have to admit my overlocker was a game changer for me especially for stretch fabrics. Everything just looks so much better finished and goes together so easily. That said a knit foot, a ballpoint needle and the right stretch stitches will help a lot on your normal machine

@StatisticallyChallenged

Now that it's past the crazy Christmas sewing for everyone else period - what's everyone got on their sewing to do list?

I seem to be collecting coat fabrics which is funny since we're, you know, not going out! But hey!

I'm currently thinking:
-Charm patterns princess coat. I have some lovely yorkshire wool this one which I think I will make in to a long version, not decided whether to go tailored sleeves or flared yet. I also have some olivey green wool (much cheaper, from pound a metre) which I might use for a different version of this coat

• I think I'm going to try and copy the alexander McQueen skirt in the photo below. Thinking just a fairly full a-line in 2 layers, possibly with an extra bit of fullness in the black at the shortest part to enhance the shape. I have some of this for the bottom and a black wool for the top
• going to have a go at the long belted jacket version of this how to do fashion jacket in this wool blend

-a Twig and tale forester jacket for DH in pale grey melton

I also have a pile of "easier" fabrics to play with - so a few nice jersey tops, leggings, comfy dresses etc. I've got some lovely off white alpine fleece backed sweatshirting which will be a sweater with a cat face...lots to keep me busy! I made big DD some PJs for christmas from cotton lycra which have been declared the comfiest garments in the world so I need to run up a couple more pairs for her.

I have this in both jersey and waterproof so at some point I need to find a raincoat pattern, or edit a normal coat pattern to add a hood. Not sure yet

Yes, I really like colourful clothes, and I'm not buying any more fabric until I've sewn some up. Projects for me got backburnered in the run up to xmas so I've built a bit of a stash

I’m going to make a floor cushion, a wool coat (the Sapporo but in black this time) and a jersey jumper for me

Oh and might try and make a backpack!

@StatisticallyChallenged

One of the reviews mentions pjs and another facemasks. Maybe more of a summer weight pj?

I have to admit my overlocker was a game changer for me especially for stretch fabrics. Everything just looks so much better finished and goes together so easily. That said a knit foot, a ballpoint needle and the right stretch stitches will help a lot on your normal machine

Yes this is why I want an overlocker - I just don’t get the best finish with jersey and nearly gave up sewing because I started with stretch fabrics 😬

@StatisticallyChallenged, yes the thought did occur to me; it's the 3 metres for £10 olive green. I bought 2 lots as the Victorian skirts take quite a bit of fabric (actually I chose, DH bought as part of my Christmas present). It feels lovely and will be nice and warm I think. I may have a go laying the pattern on tomorrow, although I have a feeling I will have to piece it to get the right width.

Big skirts can be very fabric hungry can't they! Mine was the premium blended wool melton, seems to be sold out now. It was only £20 for the 5m so pretty good for trialling the coat before attacking my expensive pink stuff. DH, after buying me presents already, decided to buy every metre of fabric on my wishlist. I hadn't gone bonkers but there was 5m of the pink Yorkshire wool I linked upthread and I think 3m of 3 other fabrics. Crazy fool but I'm not complaining!

I looked at the Sapporo earlier - it looks lovely. I can't carry off that shape unfortunately, too much boobage. I can easily look like a galleon in full sail in float-off-the-boob dresses 😆

I am ici!!! I make only crappy bags or scarves. But I love to tinker with my machine. Ooh and I made a bag for the wrapping paper to go in. I am totally and utterly dispensible in the haberdashery department.

How much do you think you'd have to spend to get a decent new overlocker? I'm seeing a wide variation in price.

The entry level is the Brother 1034 kind of price. I just upgraded to a Janome at the £480 ish mark and there are a few there. Mine is the one on GBSB. Then for air threading you are looking at £1000 or so.

Mine is the brother 4234d which is about £400. It is very easy to thread, not as good as air threading but easy enough. I love it, I'm glad I went up a bit from entry level as so far it's taken everything I've thrown at it

Cotton Jersey is great for Jammies though there is no indication of what the fabric content of that "water stork" fabric is, which would bother me.

That's a good point PickAChew - I tend to assume if it's not stated it's poly

I agree.

So you guys are a terrible influence . I've found a Singer overlocker on facebook marketplace that looks exactly like this one and around £100. Can anyone more knowledgeable than me comment on whether this seems like a good deal?

I'm not familiar with other brands, is Jaguar a good one?

DD and I are making this (cushion cover, next step is to iron on the Bondaweb)

@StatisticallyChallenged

Big skirts can be very fabric hungry can't they! Mine was the premium blended wool melton, seems to be sold out now. It was only £20 for the 5m so pretty good for trialling the coat before attacking my expensive pink stuff. DH, after buying me presents already, decided to buy every metre of fabric on my wishlist. I hadn't gone bonkers but there was 5m of the pink Yorkshire wool I linked upthread and I think 3m of 3 other fabrics. Crazy fool but I'm not complaining!

I looked at the Sapporo earlier - it looks lovely. I can't carry off that shape unfortunately, too much boobage. I can easily look like a galleon in full sail in float-off-the-boob dresses 😆

I'm not sure there's enough space in the house for every metre of fabric on my wishlist

I have been busy altering the collar of a bought faux fur coat. I've had it for years but rarely wear it as, although I love it, I always get a splitting headache whenever I wear it, because the neck line is very stiff and seems to dig into a couple of pressure points on my shoulders. I was going to throw it out but thought I'd have a look and see if I could take out whatever the stiffening was first.

Fellow mnetters, there is no stiffening. Instead the collar has facings, collar band, neck facing ..... I counted six layers of thick faux fur! And I can't actually see the stitching on most of it as it is buried in the pile. So I've taken off the collar altogether which has reduced the bulk completely, and will wear it with a scarf round my neck instead.
No more coat induced headaches I hope

I'm not sure there's enough space in the house for every metre of fabric on my wishlist

That was only a small selection of the mental wishlist which made it to amazon. Going to need to get sewing though as I'm all out of storage space again

Well, i'm off to collect this overlocker!

Yey! Good luch

Got a bargain I think!

Where does everyone buy their fabrics? I'm gonna have a browse for pj fabric.

Miner a are advertising a big sake but it seems to be mostly synthetics and felt .

Should say Minerva.

Thanks, I have 6 fabrics in my basket now. None in sale

I love jelly fabrics for Jersey.

And I've only gone and ordered myself a new machine. The model down from the exact one I'd been lusting over but it still does everything I want and includes an extension table and walking foot.

Congratulations on your new purchase PickAChew!

I ordered a couple of samples from Minerva.