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.

They look fantastic @HalleLouja! I love the fabrics you've used and the contrasting ribbing for the Billie, it really elevates it.

I've used peach skin a few times @Jins. It drapes great and it is really quite robust I used it recently to make a toile and realised I needed a bit more but the second lot was a bit heavier so it does come in different weights. It was plain black and had too much of a sheen to make it a daytime choice but I really enjoyed using it.

Oh @HalleLouja I love your dresses. It's really inspired me to the point that I looked up TATB as I wasn't sure what it meant. I've seen the Stevie and it's what I've been looking for all my life although I didn't know it until I saw it. X

@HalleLouja

I thought I attached these earlier. Lotta and Billie from TATB. Both finished today.

Particularly love the Billie. It looks so snuggly. I was tempted to buy it but realised I can hack the neck of the Stella hoodie, which I already have. Spent last night down a French terry rabbit hole!

I love soft french terry. It's perfect for sitting around the house clothes, soft and warm but not too hot. And decent ones are a dream to sew with (by stretch standards)

Yeah, I'm planning a couple of sweatshirts and a couple of pairs of Stella joggers (which, of course, I can make on my sleep, now, though I'm going to cut a size 5, rather than the 6 I used for my jammie bottoms - just need to add a bit more room for my belly.

I might scream if the black ribbing I've ordered doesn't match the black French terry, as I couldn't get them both from the same place.

All this talk of stretch fabrics and the pics of projects inspired me to finally pluck up the courage to put together a simple sleeveless tee.

It’s in the bin. The effort to results ratio is wrong for me. It doesn’t help that I won’t wear a sturdy cotton jersey so I end up buying slippery stretchy fabric that’s even worse to work with than viscose.

I’ve learned my lesson in the past and now only buy fabrics similar to my favourite clothes. I’ve made some beautiful things in cotton lawn that I’ll never wear 😥

Tbh i didn't sew stretch much at all when I only had my sewing machine - since I got the overlocker they're dead easy and quick but my machine ate slippery stretch fabrics, just for fun.

I think that my machine may be part of the problem but the trouble I’ve had today is with all the prepping for the machine. It didn’t cut well, it needed endless tacking, despite being lightweight it stretched in all directions when trying to put pieces together...

I can’t remember what the fabric is but it’s been in the stash a while so owes me nothing.

I'm hoping that the big quilting table I have for my janome will make it a bit easier to wrangle heavy pieces of stretchy fabrics. I also have a walking foot for it. The fact that both of these came as part of the package, plus the more powerful motor, sold it to me.

I've been trying the walking foot out on the plaid shirt I'm making. My first attempt at top stitching the button band ended up with the pattern really distorted as the interfaced. Inside portion fed through a lot more happily than the outside, which dragged on the presser foot, even with the pressure reduced (another thing I specifically looked for). The walking foot didn't completely eliminate it but it's a lot less screamingly obvious.

The only misgivings I have about this particular walking foot is that it has an open sole so doesn't keep the fabric smooth. I might look for a Teflon foot to try out.

A Teflon foot sounds sensible. Although I’m still loathe to sew with stretch again I do have some jersey which I bought for a wrap dress which is a lot more robust.

Maybe one more try 😂

Has anyone got any good sites for French Terry?

@ulysses the ribbing was bought in the wrong colour but actually love the combo now.

@HalleLouja

Has anyone got any good sites for French Terry?

@ulysses the ribbing was bought in the wrong colour but actually love the combo now.

Tfg fabrics have a great selection of plains and a few patterns. ukstretchfabrics.co.uk have a relatively small selection - they release a few designs each Sunday - but the quality is lovely, very soft.

I found some lovely looking stuff at flamingo fabrics. It's extra wide, as well.

I just got this delivered from an online Etsy store called The Cornish Haberdashery. They’ve sold out now but I’m really impressed with the quality. I’ve seen this elsewhere but stumbled across it on Etsy. I’ve ordered red ribbing too and plan on making another Billie.

Flamingo are good too, not bought terry from them but their jersey is good.

I ordered some of this one. It'll go nicely with the green needlecord I've got lined up for some gingers (when I've lost my Christmas bloat!)

Hopefully when it arrives, it doesn't have Minnie mouse on it! flamingofabrics.co.uk/products/garden-black-french-terry-jersey-sold-by-half-metre

Hey,

Randomly thinking of summer dresses and I love this one someone made on Reddit. However, they created their own pattern and that is definitely beyond me. I've had a look around and do you think that this Simplicity pattern is a good copy? The orange one has the closest neckline but I wouldn't want the long sleeves.

The black and white one top left has the sweetheart neckline of the orange one.

Ah yes, thank you for pointing it out. Do you think it could look as nice as what i'm aiming for? Particularly the fitted bodice?

It has the right vibe. I've been looking to see if there's any similar indie patterns or anything with the cap sleeve.

One thing to watch out with big 4 patterns is that they have a lot of ease and can be massive across the shoulders, which can be tricky to alter if you're not.

Sew over it have some lovely styles and they're good at describing the degree of difficulty and how to make something simpler.

This is a twirly wrap dress with the pretty flutter sleeves of the reddit one and is simpler in construction
sewoverit.co.uk/product/eve-dress-sewing-pattern/

This one has the shape you're after but is more complex, being more fitted and with a concealed zip
sewoverit.co.uk/product/doris-dress-sewing-pattern/

If you fancy your chances with a freebie www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/nola-dress

Well found! It's just the sort of thing I'm after.

Thank you for looking on my behalf.

It's cheaper than looking for patterns for me 😂