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!

Buying online is interesting isn't it. Even two fabrics with the same composition and weight can behave very differently. And you can't properly gauge flowiness and texture so sometimes fabric turns up and it's just not suitable for what I had in mind.

I want to go to my local store and feel everything. I’m missing it very much. I’ve built up a lovely stash of irresistible offcut fabrics sold by weight.

Trousers do fit well though I'll need to reinforce the crotch.

They look really good! I pretty much always reinforce the crotch, better safe than flashing!

I know, I was in a rush!
I'm going to try to wear something I've made every day this week, may even crack out some dresses.

Great job!

I’m thinking about trousers soon but they’ll have to wait for the right fabric.

How do you reinforce the crotch? I’ve always relied on a double row of stitching but if there’s a better way to do it then I’d be very happy

That's all I do too. Maybe some zigzag.

Shopping online for fabric is such a gamble! Some websites are pretty good on their descriptions, but for example on stretch fabrics, very few give the %-age of stretch in either direction. So I've had things that say they are 4 way stretch, but are like 40% horizontal with only 10% vertical which makes it a pain.

I can't wait for Abakhan to re-open and to be able to dive head first into the fabric by the kilo sections.

I quite like my triple straight stitch for reinforcing. It's very strong

You’ll see me there Kittykarate. It’s my local store.

I’ve just been testing my jersey fabrics. One is about 40% stretch one but virtually nothing vertically yet it was described as 4 way. The other barely reaches 15% and has shocking recovery. More poly than cotton I guess. Best treat it as a woven I think. It’s quite thick so I’m thinking of using it for the jacket in love sewing this month

I've got some black jersey like that, sure I bought it as 4 way but it imperceptible. I tend to stick with cotton lycra for basics these days

Do you think drafting my own pattern from a dress almost exactly like this one would work? It seems too simple to be true?

Ignore that, i've found more pattern options.
They'll all need alterations to the neck but i've found a step by step guide for that.

@Jins, i'm looking at sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/59379 and www.hobbycraft.co.uk/new-look-womens-dress-sewing-pattern-6125/633305-1000 as they seem closest to the denim one i posted.

There's this brilliant site sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/96049 where people submit their photos and reviews of patterns. It's been awesome and check out what this person made! Looks fab.

That’s quite a useful basic pattern.

I was thinking about fiddling with the bodice of the Bardon dress pattern I found. The bodice muslin that I made is a simple over the head job and I’m sure I could lengthen it into a shift fairly easily.

I still avoid zips. I don’t mind sewing them but I hate wearing them 😂

Yeah I was hoping to find an over the head dress. I also don't want lining and they all seem to have lining. I hate the way it clings to the body when you're warm you know. Gross feeling. You can just skip it, can't you?

I always think a polyester lining defeats the object in a summery dress, anyhow!

I tend to use light cottons for linings on dresses and skirts if I can - I hate static sweaty linings!

Absolutely

I skip linings more often than not

So i'm waiting for the replacement overlocker needle to arrive and can't make any progress on dress until then. Shouldn't be too long though.

In the meantime i've bought the Simplicity 1609 dress pattern, got my sister to buy Burda 6538 with the agreement that we'll craft together soon, i've printed the button dress pattern and instructions and i've bought some fabric samples. It looks like the dining room table isn't going to be cleared for some time...

Sounds good!

I did the facings for my coat yesterday - first time I've had to move the sewing machine out of my seeing cupboard as there was just too much fabric to deal with. The facing is massive, one big loop the goes right up the front, round the big collar, down the other side and then round the skirt. The sweep of the skirt is nearly 4m so it must be about 7-8m total? Still need to understitch some of it.

Still got the lining to make but, whilst it's slippery, at least it's not very heavy!

I am not completely sure I made this top but I let out the darts yesterday (I think it was made by an African tailor).
Anyway compare the fit of these RTW trousers which are like a bag.

I’ve just thrown together a Love Notions Trendy Tank (free pattern) www.winterweardesigns.com/collections/freebies/products/v-neck-tank-for-women-size-00-24

I’ve made it in the 5m for £5 polyester jersey I bought to use for testing and I’m so happy with it it’s going in the wearable pile.

I love a free pattern I do. I'm very impressed that in the button dress pattern document, you can just print off the size you want! So much less confusing, fab.

Wait till you come to put it together! Those princess seams match perfectly. It’s one of the best drafted patterns I’ve used