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.

Ooh! I have all the gear and no idea! And I mean ALL the gear 😁

I am currently drafting a skirt. I have a sway back so bought skirts don't fit.

The skirt is part one one of drafting a capsule wardrobe ( well, I can dream).

I have lots of fabric, old curtains, quilt covers etc, so I should end up with something in the next week or so!

I love that you might make a tent @TheCountessofFitzdotterel

I’m in. I specialise in spandex 😆 not as kinky as it sounds, I sew sportswear

I zig zag seams after sewing, not a particularly beautiful finish but quick and robust. I love a French seam and one day aspire to manage a French seamed sleeve insert and waist seam but not managed those yet. Too much brain power required!

@curiousaboutsamphire I'm aspiring to a capsule wardrobe too, starting this afternoon with a dark blue denim skirt which will hopefully go with everything and it has the most ginormous pockets ever. Its this one:
thefoldline.com/product/madeline-skirt-4/

I have been playing with an overlocked seam, then french (so the overlock is in the middle) it makes the size of the french seam easier and more uniform

I'm sure there is a reason I shouldn't do it that way; but I quite like it - and it makes the clothes look more handmade somehow

I'm here, I have a sewing machine, but the fabric I bought o make tablecloths about five years ago is still in its bag . I'll do lots of reading and admiring while I build up the courage to alter some summer dresses I have that won't fit next summer as I intend to be four sizes smaller (two down, two to go) so there should be enough material to work out a full bust adjustment. And once I've cracked that, I will be sewing an entire wardrobe of dresses with pockets that actually fit my boobs .

And as always, discussing Sewing Bee and perving over Patrick.

Thank you for the invite!

I'm ok-ish with a machine, but nothing like most of you. The closest I get to clothes is costumes, and they're to be seen from a distance so I can get away with a bit more. My old dance school has me on a retainer before their shows — a few of us go along along to rehearsal days and set up our machines to help out anybody who's struggled!

I did recently learn how to use my ruffle foot though! My machine is second hand and came with eight feet. I use two regularly.

I'm currently churning out masks — my DSis is a teacher, and has made her own which her classes loved. She (rashly) promised her A-level class she'd make them all one for Christmas, and then her form were sad she wasn't making ones for them. So with about 60 to make, she's drafted DM and me in!

I started making dolls clothes and hand sewing as a child before starting to use my mum's electric machine. This lasted me until early this year before it gave up. It was from the 70's.
Not had chance to replace it yet as want a decent one, although I have got DD1 a basic one for xmas.

I've never used a pattern. Always sort of just understood the shapes but then I've never made any clothes for myself, just lots of fancy dress outfits over the years or alterations to shop bought clothes. Never really learned to sew 'properly'. Just bodge with style.

Cushions and curtains etc too. I love a retro print.

I'll join you please.

Got back into sewing over lockdown. Tote bags mostly but one dress using a pattern. I bore easily though.

Currently making pj bottoms with sweet bunny fabric. They're for me so I'm using an existing pair to create a pattern. That's harder than I thought as I don't want to unpick my existing pair. It'll have to have a drawstring waist.

Hello, can I join you? Haven't sewn much this year but I want to get my machine out again soon for something other than repairs, some inspiration would be lovely.

I'm here. Love sewing. It's my happy (occasionally sweaty place). I'm no tailor but I'll always give it a go. You can dart anything. I've done them in trousers, tops, formal shirts, skirts...to varying degrees of success but zips are my nemesis!

I'm in. I started sewing with my mum and gran in the 1960s and in theory can make clothes from a pattern but haven't done for years.

What I'd really like is to learn how to alter clothes so I can recycle good quality charity shop finds for myself.

Does anyone have YouTube recommendations for clothes alteration please? The ones I have seen in the past haven't been all that good.

@madroid

I'm in. I have so many projects on the go but haven't touched any for months - quilts, top, cushion covers, khaki play den for a child who is now at secondary...

Would love a sew-along for pjs

I have “just” the edging to finish on a patchwork cot blanket. Said DC has just done her GCSE’s and gone into 6th from and even 4 months of lock down with chuff all else to do can’t get me to finish it .

I’d love to join. I had my machine out yesterday and really enjoyed it. I’m going to focus on alterations and refashions - I’m short and often have to have things taken up and am quite into getting things altered to fit me via the tailor at the dry cleaners. But I’d love to be better about looking at things and knowing what I could do to make the fit perfect. I think things always look so much classier if they fit you just so.

Rainyrainrant.

Try putting a zip in with masking tape!!! So much easier

Although l sew them like a seam. That’s the way it’s done in industry.

I hate zips and hated teaching them. One year at GCSE l had students putting in a total of 34 zips, all at the last minute. That was just hell!

Thanks for the invite @IDontMindMarmite.

I do à lot of sewing. I make all my own clothes including bras, swimsuits jeans and coats. The only thing I don't make are socks and knickers (well I have made knickers but I have plenty of M&S ones and there is always something else to sew.)

I also make bags, cushions, curtains... If it can be sewn I've probably tried it.

I'm not an expert, I'm self taught from when I was 14, long before the Internet was invented. The Internet has made it so much easier to learn.

For pj trousers I recommend the Jalie pull on pants pattern jalie.com/jalie3243-womens-pull-on-pants-patterns. They are trouser rather than pjs, but fit much better than most pj patterns, I haven't found a decnt free one. Jalie patterns do the full size range from kids through to adukts so one pattern is very good value for money.

For seam finishes, I really recommend anyone who wants to sew a lot of clothes gets a n overlocker/serger. I made clothes for many many years without, but once I got one it was a total game changer. My homemade clothes now last so much longer and look so much more professional. It also means I can whip up a tshirt in an hour if I want.

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

Rainyrainrant.

Try putting a zip in with masking tape!!! So much easier

That's a revelation! Thank you. Any tips for e.g altering a too-big dress or top with sleeves please? How would you make the armholes smaller?

You can YouTube the masking tape thing.

Myself and a colleague were just aghast. Believe me there’s nothing more stressful than making an hysterical 16 year old put in a zip. It always ends in tears. Usually ours😭

The only way you could make the armholes smaller l think I’d buy raising the shoulder seams. But that could affect the fit. Putting in a gusset is the only other thing l can think of. Other people may know more.

There’s an amazing way of gathering too. One where you don’t pull the thread and it breaks!

@Rainyrainrant i've been looking at where he takes in the arms as well.

I'm in. I've been sewing all my life and can turn my had to most things. I seem to have lost my mojo at the moment but hoping it will come back soon. Hoping that being on here will help.

So, had a bit of a fail with the darts today. I think I tried to take them in by too much on shirts with wide stripes that started off parallel but turned into chevrons...