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.

@StatisticallyChallenged that set up is adorable!

I don't have a space. Just the kitchen table as and when. I wouldn't fancy spending more time in my 'office' (impromptu set up due to covid), but it might be nice to find a box or something slightly attractive for my machines as they are just shoved next to a bookcase on the floor.

My old machine is just in its bag in my bedroom and I haven't worked out where to stash my new one, yet. It's currently on the table in the everything room that dh works in most of the week.

@StatisticallyChallenged

My sewing space is also my office.

We have two sit stand desks which are back to back (basically making a big almost square table. This has my 90 x 120cm cutting mat on it, and my projector. The monitors for work are on swivel arms attached to the wall side of the desks so they just swivel out the way.

All (well, apart from the floor pile...shhh) of my fabric is folded on billy bookcases.

There's a built in cupboard in the room which is my actual sewing space - I take the machines out if I'm doing something big like curtains but for day to day sewing it works really well. I have IKEA pinboard on the walls and doors which holds all the odds and ends.

Looks great!!

Thanks guys.

I think I’m going to rearrange and sort the study. All the furniture in there is something rejected or no longer used in other rooms, so it doesn’t really fit. Plus there’s an armchair in there and it feels so cramped. I’m tempted to put laminate floor down so I can cut stuff out on the floor without coming downstairs to use the wooden floor there.

Our house has loads of space, it’s just a case of working out how to use it properly!!

If you have the space it's definitely worth trying to carve out a dedicated sewing space even if it is a cupboard. We moved here in August and it think I've sewn more since we moved than in the last 4 years. I didn't realise how much having to take the machines out, clear the dining table, then have to put it all away for meals etc really put me off.

I have an attic (it's freezing/boiling so nobody wants to use it as a COVID office!).

I had a sewing room for a few months, then DS came home from Uni for Christmas and (very unreasonably) wanted his bedroom to sleep in. Now students have been asked to study online for a few weeks he's not going back until late January at least. I like having DS around but didn't think I'd miss my sewing room so much!

I have a sewing nook in the spare bedroom which, (like most spare rooms I suspect) is rather full of lots of other 'stuff'. However I have now claimed three largish drawers for patterns, trims and haberdashery like zips, bias binding and elastic, a shelf which holds tins of thread, buttons, pins et al and the sewing machine, when not in use; two crates - one for linings, interfacing, wadding and the other for work in progress, and one of those over the door hangers for scissors, notebook, general bits etc.
My fabric stash is now in the airing cupboard (we really didn't need that many towels anyway!).
I have a small folding table which the sewing machine sits nicely on with a folding chair that I sit nicely on, and the crates are just the right height to put bits on when I am sewing instead of a table. The folding table does quiver a bit if I sew too fast, but the machine is always on a non-slip mat anyway. I use the ironing board to cut out small items, as it lives in that room, but alas still have to crawl round the living room floor on my hands and knees for larger projects!
It all sounds very cramped and I do dream of a proper sewing room, but it's much better than using the dining table and having to pack everything away every time we need to sit and eat, and I put quite a bit of thought into how to make the absolutely best use of what space I did have. It's even warmer since we had to have a new central heating system put in last year.
The only thing I'd really like to add is a dressmakers dummy.
The only thing I really need to add is a clock ......

I need to bring my dummy up from the garage. I've mostly been working on kid's stuff and knits so haven't really needed it but I've got a pile of woven projects to do now. Need to clear up first

I think I’m going to sort out my sewing area having read what everyone has.

I’ve got my eye on a proper desk and will get a decent book case.

Oh I’ve also had a stab at embroidery in order to upcycle DS’s jeans so I can pass them on to DD... usually I just send to a clothing bank but am excited to try something new which isn’t using a machine (I did stab myself a few times with a hand needle though 😂)

@StatisticallyChallenged

I need to bring my dummy up from the garage. I've mostly been working on kid's stuff and knits so haven't really needed it but I've got a pile of woven projects to do now. Need to clear up first

Can you tell me more about a dummy? Are they adjustable?

Mine is adjustable - they come in a couple of size ranges but they adjust agood amount. I ajusted mine to get as close as possible in waist, back, hips, length etc and then added one of my slightly too small (but close enough for this) bras which I've padded and some artistically moulded wadding around the areas which aren't so flat

Such a frustrating sewing day today and I’d been looking forward to a day to myself as well.

I made a pattern from a favourite top. It all went together well and looked to be the same size as the original. Except I can’t get it on! Thank goodness I did a trial with some cheap polycotton.

Complete mystery to me.

Does the fabric have the same amount of give to it?

I did some pattern tracing, this afternoon, since I have nothing else I can be getting on with until things arrive in the post. OK for the simple top I'm making first while I get used to my machine but I started on the pieces for the shirt, then, after tracing the back, decided to re-measure the shirts I wear the most and changed my mind about the size - had been wavering between a (US) 10D and 12C but I'm now going for a 10C because there's a lot less ease in them than I thought. I could probably get away with an 8D but won't push it - I'd rather too loose than too tight.

Anyhow, I got that one piece re-traced in the smaller size and then started deliberating about sleeve length - not listed on the pattern so I had to work it out - started positioning and marking so I could lose the inch needed for my shirt arms, then Ds2 came in and turned off the overhead light so I couldn't see a thing through the tracing paper.

His special school is closed for at least another. 2 weeks, so I can't see me getting anything complicated made until we have decent daylight, again.

Both woven fabrics, the polycotton is a bit firmer but neither really give much.

I’ve probably done something stupid with seam allowances. I often do something stupid

Lockdown pattern weights :o

My lockdown project (one of them) is to finish my crumb quilt. I'm using a quilt as you go technique, backing and quilting each block separately before joining them. I've made 24 blocks in 6 colour themes but I'm thinking of making another one so it's a square quilt. The backing is a double quilt I bought reduced at Sainsburys and there's plenty left. I might make a top.

Not a quilt from Sainsburys, a duvet set.

I’ve never heard of a crumb quilt! And wish I had before I just chucked a load of scraps which I thought I’d never use 😬

I’ve got several projects on the go. Some oven gloves, a jumper for DD and will start a coat!

Can I join you stitch ‘n’ bitchers? I’ve been getting back into sewing since last year, and since we’re now in an even heftier lockdown, I’ll be getting my machine out once more. Many lovely things I want to make. 🪡 🧵 😃

Welcome welcome!

So I'm trying really hard to support local haberdashery type shops but they've closed and not got themselves together with telephone or online ordering. Shame but I know there's a recommendation on this thread for online shopping do I'll probably have to use it for now.

I've discovered my local haberdashery is doing click and collect which will be good (also helpful to discover if they have what I want before going).

A lot of the online haberdashery shops are at least someone's local shop, even if not your own.

Got my minerva order, this morning, which means I can start stitching when I get the chance. I ordered some cotton voile from the sale to make a muslin of a garment I want to alter but not convinced that it is cotton. Feels far too smooth and doesn't hold a crease at all. I'll definitely not be wearing it.

So yesterday I had to go into the loft and while I was up there I found an interesting looking bag, hiding at the back.
It's full of bits of fabric that I'd forgotten about! Most of them are too small to even be cabbage, but there are several very nice pieces in there.
Now, what can I make .....