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 will turn into chevrons, however much you take in.

Making armholes smaller is OK if the body of the top is too big as well - but if the top fits it's tricky

A knit or jersey top can have the neckline reduced by using a herringbone style stitch along the neckline that is then pulled/gathered up

unless you make mini inverted pleats on each stripe so one colour disappears completely?

Or move the darts to the armhole where they won’t show. It’s quite tricky but not impossible.

Really interesting @TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince! Nature bs nurture that is. And everything else you’ve said tbf.

Just having a rest from my curtain as the needle broke.

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

Rainyrainrant.

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

This is genius!

I have so much stuff cut out but my overlocker has gone kaput.

I have a pair of PJs for DD I can finish on the sewing machine. I made a new year's resolution not to buy any new fabric. So they are made from an acre of flannel sheets from eBay. I'm using the Sew a Little Seam Holiday Night pyjamas and print your own patterns are often cheaper. There are some free ones out there too. Walk the Plank PJ pants are or at least were free.

I know!!! When l found out l was just staggered. So easy.

And in terms of gathering: set machine to widest zigzag. Get length of string. Zig zag over ( but not onto) string. Pull string and lo!!! It gathers. No faffing with shitty bits of thread that break.

I like gathering with my overlocker (when it's not broken).

Ooooh how do you do that?!

I'm place marking. I have a love hate relationship with my machine. I simply cannot measure accurately for clothes. I just got the machine out today to reupholster a chair but would really like to be able to make simple dresses, tops, pjs, etc.

Most of my sewing is with fleece and waterproof fabric, I make warm waterproof clothes for family and the odd jumper and dress for myself. Curtains, Roman blinds, cushions etc.

I'm currently in that mid point between managing fine with just a sewing machine and feeling like I need an overlocker/serger to make things look a bit more professional.

Does anyone else prefer online patterns to paper patterns. I struggle with tracing and at least with an printable pattern if it goes wrong I can just print the next size....

Thank you for the invite!
Maybe you will all give me inspiration!
I managed to finish a sweater for DP during lockdown and have just started another one in a really complicated Aran pattern
Taught myself how to crochet again and made 2 cushions
Gave DD a spare sewing machine some help to get going and made some bunting with her
BUT I’m still avoiding starting sewing myself!
Bought material and a very easy beginners dress pattern but just need to get courage to start!

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

Ooooh how do you do that?!

It's in one of my books but I suggest googling it.

I'm in.

30+ years professional design, pattern cutting & make experience covering pretty much everything from high street fashion, costume, fetish wear, tailoring, bridal etc. Mostly retired these days due to my ill health & DDs. Though I was in the process of moving DDs bedroom & setting myself up a proper workroom with view to start making & selling properly again, but Covid put pay to that for now🙄.

I'm lucky to still have all of my professional machinery & a big dining table that does me for now, but I'm lazy too bloody ill lately & not sewing much at all, but have a few projects on the go that joining in, might give me the kick up the backside I need.

I'm half way through a custom made suit for DH. I started it last lockdown 👀 I might actually finish it now. He'll be pleased 😂

@Rainyrainrant I love watching Bernadette banner but she's very Olde Fashioned

I have a gathering foot for my machine, you have to calibrate a bit with some scrap but then you can see gathers onto a flat fabric in one go.

I’ve got a pleating and gathering contraption that fits on my gran’s hand wheel Singer and it does a cracking job. I’ve also got a button hole contraption, which moves the fabric because the machine only does a straight stitch. They’re both joyous pieces of engineering to watch.

Have been beaten by second set of curtains. Last set weird puckering where lining moved as I went down one side. This time lining tighter than outer leaving big bag.

I can do cushions, zips, things like that, what can I practice next that will help me? Can’t afford to keep fucking up curtains

May I join? I need to be cajoled into getting back in the saddle. I make quilts, and I'm trying toys now. I've been terribly ill the past few months, with little energy to sew, but as I look around my sewing room at all the fabric, I feel really frustrated at my lack of get up and go. Help me use it all up before I die!

Ooh, can I join too? I started sewing about 3-4 years ago, I think it was largely initially a bloody-minded attempt to convince myself that I could manage to sew, despite what my cow of a sewing teacher at school used to say. I think I'm still more enthusiastic than in any way competent, but I have made quite a few wearable items, plus seven quilts and innumerable tote bags. I tend to learn a technique or pattern and then repeat it multiple times until I can do it properly(ish). But my sewing room is student DD1's old bedroom, so when she's back in the holidays I have to stop (machine) sewing. A few weeks ago I started a hand embroidery course (am not in the UK and it counts as an 'educational course' which can carry on through lockdown), so that's something I can do by hand when she's back over Christmas.

Most proud of recent achievement: pockets. Honestly much easier than I thought. And Bernadette Banner has a really good 'adding pockets to existing clothes' video.
Next challenge: invisible zips. I can do the normal ones fine. The invisible ones terrify me.
Next item: I just took the Tilly and the Buttons jersey book out of the library and might do the empire-line dress with crossover boob. People on another thread a few months back weren't too positive about her pattern cutting though.
Main weird skill: I can sew in two languages (as in read patterns in either language).

I think I use the overlocker foot some of you have mentioned, but am not sure. It basically sews over the edge of a seam but doesn't cut it, and takes ages because it's a single thread imitating a full overlocker?

BitofFun - sorry to hear you've been ill. Maybe you could start with a small project to get back in the sewing saddle, something that won't take a lot of energy to complete but looks great at the end?

I'll join, I've mainly been making stretch clothes for myself and 6 year old. Bought loads of Ellie and Mac patterns during lockdown when they were all $1 each. Hoodies, jumpsuits, perfect for lounging. Looking to buy a new machine if anyone has any recommendations?

Am feeling a tiny bit virtuous this evening as I have finished binding a quilt which has been an UFO (unfinished fabric object) since the start of the first lockdown.

I think I saw that someone had recommended a pattern for pyjama bottoms so am going to scroll back for that ... thank you!

Hi, great idea for thread Marmite!
@1990s Do you think a walking foot might help with your curtains? They are supposed to be for quilting, as the fabric cN move at different rates. Might be worth looking into.

I have been making small items like lavender bags and face masks lately. Not much experience in clothes, but would like to find a pattern (maybe drop waist) for a dress that flatters. My figure is an awful fit for high street clothes.

Ellieandmac.com patterns sew up well and always seem to have an offer including the $1 selection that changes each week.
The thing they have is pDF layers which makes piecing for your size so much easier.
They also have a projector file included
I really want to try this you use a projector to project your pattern onto the fabric and draw it straight. Apparently there's a whole Facebook group about this

I’d love to join in a sewing chat too

Next item: I just took the Tilly and the Buttons jersey book out of the library and might do the empire-line dress with crossover boob. People on another thread a few months back weren't too positive about her pattern cutting though. I've always found Tilly's patterns a good fit. I suppose it's a question of finding a make that's your shape. I didn't get on with SewOverIt Ultimate trousers at all.