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.

I oopsied a photo, there!

I shall have to try the snipping corners trick with the other lot of linen I have. I ordered a lovely armadillo patterned Jersey and was glad I pre-washed it because it shrank more than 10%. Ended up only managing some slightly less than 3/4 sleeves.

@ISBN111 thank you very much for the walking foot suggestion, it sounds like that may well help with the curtains.

No bother @1990s

Has anybody got a recommendation for a drop waist dress?
I’m looking for a pattern with sleeve options, and a gathered rather than a pleated waist at hip level.

I am definitely in the beginner category, having stagnated at a low skill level for many years...

Any suggestions would be welcome. i just can’t find anything much by googling.

Do you want the top to be loose or fitted, @isbn111?

Loose... i think I would prefer it to hang off my shoulders. Maybe a 20’s style? But plain.

I thought sew liberated might do one, but i can’t see one.

Oh,yes would love to talk about sewing. Been doing it since I was a kid, and really love sewing knits at present, making cardigans, sweaters, hoodies, pyjamas, knickers.

Sign me up too!

The fold line is good for a general search.

Some possibilities

Merchant and mills Ellis and hattie
Megan nielsen olive dress - not particularly drop waisted or flattering, mind.

There's lots of blogs about dress hacks for top and t-shirt patterns, mind. Might be worth finding a top or tee pattern that you like and adding the skirt to it.

@PickAChew there is an interesting looking simplicity one on there... i might order that . Thanks for the suggestion!

I had a rather 20s-looking drop waisted summer dress pattern many years ago, but so many I doubt it's still in production. I'll go and look.

And I'm clearly going to have to overcome my fear of knits. PickAChew's armadillo top is fabulous.

@MoonlightInVermont

Thank you, Iggly and Speminalium.

I’m interested in what you say about the better instructions, Speminalium. I taught myself to sew decades ago mostly using Very Easy Very Vogue patterns and so “speak” dresssmaking language fairly well, but clarity is always welcome! I’ve so far been deterred from trying any of the new pattern brands because one member of my sewing group tried one of them (can’t remember which) and thought the instructions were poor and she had to rely on her dressmaking knowledge to fathom it out.

Iggly - what I’ve noticed about the very few modern patterns I’ve looked at is that they all seem very boxy. I’m assuming that the lack of shaping and features (no darts, no zips etc) is to simplify the making and so make them attractive to beginners, which isn’t a bad thing in itself.

I found two more UFOs in my pile yesterday so am back on the quilt binding. Sigh.

Yes I agree about boxy patterns being easier. Although I did follow a tip which suggested as a beginner to make something simple like a top and then every time you make something new, make sure it includes something new eg darts/zip/buttons. So I’ve done that and very quickly have built confidence (even if my skill level isn’t great, I’m now willing to have a go 😂)

Birds are having a Black Friday sale. Ottobre is now quite commonly seen in Smiths.
I hate adding seam allowances on but the seam less pattern I concede is easier for adjusting.
I have asked on the dress making thread but I’m really keen to invest in a projector to project A0 and projector file patterns onto the fabric.
I just can’t think where to set this up at home but someone on the other thread seems to have done a tabletop set up of the projector. I may get one in a Black Friday sale if I can work out a good set up

That’ll be Burda not birds

Oooh! Hello - I've just found this.

Haven't time to stitch'n'bitch just now, but am marking to come back.

Welcome!

Its gone all quiet! Progress of sorts here, lapped zip inserted without too much hoohaa and skirt beginning to look fabulous. I'm particularly pleased with the pocket linings. I'm really enjoying sewing a very basic useful set of clothes for everyday, as I usually get distracted by beautifully fabrics and sew something too smart for everyday. Next stop tops to go with new skirt, I have two, the Tilly and the Buttons Agnes and the Maven Somerset.

Very nice pocket lining!
This weekend i'm going to try to take in either a jumper type top or the legs of a pair of trousers. I'm going to try a tacking stitch first because jumping straight into it with the shirts didn't work out very well and unpicking the darts just made holes in the shirts. Oh well!

Hey @IDontMindMarmite I usually pin up the bodice/top to check fit (very very carefully) and tweak the pins, then follow the pins to sew. I don't tack, lazy I guess! What top and trousers pattern are you using? I need to gather the courage to make some trousers, I have such difficulty finding trousers to fit, and always have. It looks really tricky though.

I'm just making adjustments to clothes that i've happily slimmed out of.

@Clutterbugsmum

Thank you for the invite.

I'm not sewing at the moment, I'm finishing an embroidery.

Patrick was on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning and he was saying that the next season of Sewing Bee is in editing.

Hooray!

@PickAChew

I oopsied a photo, there!

I shall have to try the snipping corners trick with the other lot of linen I have. I ordered a lovely armadillo patterned Jersey and was glad I pre-washed it because it shrank more than 10%. Ended up only managing some slightly less than 3/4 sleeves.

Are those ARMADILLOS?

Brilliant!

This thread is fabulous!

I have been sewing off and on since I bought a second hand machine in 1991 in order to make a pair of nursery curtains (they were shit quite frankly!)

I have made the odd garment from a pattern but much prefer to make home furnishings.
Cushion covers are my favourite make - piped ones and Oxfords. I take great satisfaction from knowing that most of my family have my cushions on their sofas.

My most recently completed make is a triple width, single, full length door curtain; the first that I have made with a buckram heading. (I will never go back to using curtain tape!) I discovered a set of online tutorials... www.sew-helpful.com/ They are, as they are titled, so helpful.

Really enjoying this thread. It's helped me get a bit of my sewjo back. I'm midway through the bodice of a stretch jersey dress. Trying to do a bit every day in the hope that I can complete it soonish.
This morning's task is to attach the front facing and then move onto the sleeves.