Stitch and bitch thread #2. Sewing aficionados gather here!

[IDontMindMarmite]

The previous thread is coming up to capacity and as ever your wisdom, screw ups and accomplishments are appreciated!

Ah, I don't think I threaded up the right ones for a 3 thread overlock

I'd try it with the two needles then post a photo.

Good plan.

My overlocker tension is usually set between 4 and 5. Three might be too loose too.

Agree, I'll check but at least some of mine are higher than 3 and they're not all the same

Buttonholes done. All ends tucked in or snipped off. Just buttons then it’s on to the next project

Do any of you have any recommendations for a tutorial i can watch regarding a dress sleeve change? A much loved dress has a dropped sleeve. For design reasons that I can't fathom, the sleeve is as long as it would need to be if it had been placed at the shoulder point, and with the dropped sleeve and the length of the sleeve there's far too much fabric and it would look neater if I could change the dropped sleeve to sit at the should point. I've never attempted an alteration like this and want to study it, as it were, but my searches aren't giving me much. Do any of you have any guidance?

Not a tutorial, but do you have a dress or top pattern which fits well around the shoulder/armscye? One option would be to remove the sleeves completely, trace the armhole and armcap from the pattern to your dress, cut and reattach.

Cripes, I snapped a needle on the overlocker. I already snapped the needle on the sewing machine the other week.

They snap impressively on the overlocker too - or at least mine do!

I've discovered with mine that when the needles snap I quite often get a warning first, when I press the pedal it will sort of sound like it's struggling, and that is almost always when the needle goes. If it does that now I hand turn it for a couple of stitches and then carry on as normal, seems to help

I would honestly start again for a different sleeve type.
Almost all done on the trousers. Just a tiny hem (could have made them longer) and the bar fastening. DD has also cut out some llama pyjama bottoms. I put fabric weights on and she drew round with chalk and then I pinned the two layers together and she cut round the line. She did really well though I neatened a few bits.

All done and I’ve gone really old school with the buttons. Some old mother of Pearl ones from my grandmother’s button box.

I'm working on my coat just now. I've actually got two on the go as I did a wearable muslin in cheaper wool which I haven't finished (I probably will but I need to get a lining for it) and my more expensive one. Both wools seem to shed small fibres although the cheap one is really bad. I'm going to need to do some serious dusting once I'm finished!

I had a wonderful afternoon yesterday, watching new YouTube's from Cathy Hay, Bernadette Banner and Rachel Maksy while I tacked loads of different things together.
Tomorrow I'll have to get the machine out and actually finish them.

Does anyone know of a pattern like this dress? I can find loads of shift dresses but not with the deeper neckline.

Do you have one with a neck you like? It would be an easy adjustment.

I usually go through the Ottobre pattern database on Evernote if I am looking for something specific but I do have quite a few issues so often save myself buying something.

Do you reckon I could take this dress, leave off the sleeves and make the back symmetrical with the front neckline?

www.ebay.co.uk/p/1693150944?iid=254518667290

Could you hack the sorbetto top?

ahappystitch.com/2016/06/11/sorbetto-sundress-30-days-of-sundresses/

test

Sorry, mn isn't letting me post anything with picture attachments.

Not sure i'm confident enough to go off piste yet. Having said that, the sorbetto top is super cute. Dumb question, if you want it longer, do you just extend the existing line of the pattern? Just continue straight?

So i've slightly changed my tune and decided that I need to replicate this dress and i'm thinking probably the pattern I posted last, without the sleeves, with the v neck. Or maybe this one but shorter. www.minerva.com/mp/1000580/new-look-sewing-pattern-6340

When shopping online, how do you know the weight of a fabric? Is there a way you can guesstimate if it will be heavy enough not to be see through or need lining? I'm looking to make a dress for hot climes and won't want a clingy lining.

@NutellaEllaElla the dress I’ve just made is a similar shape but with a button front and princess seams.
peppermintmag.com/sewing-school/button-up-dress/

Yours is a style I like so I’ll definitely be interested if you find one

Fabric shopping online has been a bit hair raising for me as I prefer lightweight fabrics that flow and I’ve made a few mistakes. Most suppliers give a gsm rate but that doesn’t give the full picture. I’ve bought cotton lawn online that was virtually see through yet another one was fine.

I’m just working through my small stash and the contents of my mystery box at the moment but for a few ‘holiday’ things I’ve bought scrubs fabric in the chambray colour, or viscose which is horrible to work with but drapes beautifully.

I can’t wait for my local store to open

@Jins that dress is beautiful I love it so much but the number of buttons! I've never done buttons before but have heard that they are fearsome. My machine is not fancy and has a 4 step button guide on the manual.

Buttonholes are quite satisfying. My problem with them is that they come at the end when everything is perfect and the fear of failure is great. If you mark them well and go slow there’s no problem. I make up a practice band of the same thickness to build my confidence.

You could use different fasteners though or stitch most of the two bands together with a couple of buttons at the top.

The real issue with that pattern for me was the facings. My next one will use binding rather than facings. The facings were done with the burrito method which is clever but there’s a lot of fabric to roll around.

It’s described as an advanced beginner pattern I think and I’d agree with that but it could be done easily. The instructions are good.