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!

Now that looks like a possibility. Without the cap sleeves that would be a useful garment

@Jins, have you tried tailoring your own neckline? I found this "How-to" guide here which i'm thinking of using myself.

I have bought myself a shallow rectangular storage container and some clear zip lock bags for my sewing related materials and patterns. Finally some tidy. The cats will be disappointed.

I have got the neckline sorted. It’s the general shape and width of the shoulders I’m struggling with 😥

Two lots of fabric arrived today. Despite getting samples, the denim is darker than I had hoped. I'm tempted to bleach wash it but DH reckons it'll lighten up after regular wash and wearing.

The other fabric, for the button dress is stunning and I love it. I ordered the matching thread, it's 100 metres. Not close to as much as came with my last dress fabric but I don't really know how much I need. It's probably gonna be fine.

I've really got to finish my first dress. It's the fear of the zip. Should get the zip done tomorrow. Hopefully the bodice will fit, if not i'll let the side seams out. Definitely going to adjust the length of the skirt. Hopefully all done this weekend. Gotta get my butt in gear.

I've very nearly finished my Linden sweatshirt. I'm just going to top stitch the neckband with a double needle. TBF I wore it 3 days in a row, it is very comfy!

I've downloaded the Fibremood Norma blouse to refashion a Thea Liberty blouse I made. It's got huge voluminous sleeves that I'm now not keen on so hoping it is transformable. I've got another 1metre of Liberty tana lawn cotton that I can use as well.

This is my go to method for inserting an invisible zip @NutellaEllaElla

Invisible Zip tutorial

It seems a bit faffy but the results are great and you end up with a nice straight seam. Bit of a handbasting involved but I've made enough mistakes trying to sew straight on the machine to realise it's a worthwhile investment.

Thanks @Ulysses, i'll have a look

I’m glad I prefer buttons 😂. Which fabric did you choose for the button up dress?

I impulse bought Sew magazine last night as I thought the pattern showing through the wrapper would be useful. It turns out the other patterns are pretty useful as well and one of them I intend to put high on the project list.

Yeah I like that shrug!

I got this twill

Not shrug, the longer cardi wrap type thing that I don't know the name of

That twill will drape beautifully for the dress. I’d definitely use interfacing for it. Tencel is one of my favourites but can need a bit of stabilising

The Jacket/shrug/wrap is going to be useful

Oh my, my head is pounding. But the zip is IN.

My dress instructions simply say "Complete a 1cm hem". A quick google shows that there are several ways to sew a hem. Blind hem, rolled hem, turned hem, turned with an overlocker....whats best/most common?

Is it circular or curvy? Or straight?

It's the bottom of the skirt, so one big circle.

What's the fabric Nutella? Hemming circles is a bit of a pain in the ass but the fabric makes a difference (IMO it's easier with a stretch fabric)

If the fabric allows (mostly stretch) I tend to overlock and then do a simple turned hem, just a single turn.

For a flimsy/thin fabric a rolled hem works

I've also done bias binding to create the hem, and my coat (a big feck off circle) has a facing which is also an option.

It's a lightweight cotton lawn, so rolled hem?

I’ve gone old school with hems recently and now blind stitch by hand. Cotton lawn is one I’d try a rolled hem with though. Do you have any decent sized scraps to practice alternatives?

Yes I do. I try to hand sew as little as possible. I rolled hemmed the sleeves, turned out fine.

Rolled hem it is then.

It’s not long before you’ll be wearing it!

I'm hoping today will be the day! I've already tried it on and by some fecking miracle it actually fits superbly, what a fluke!

Woo-hoo well done. It's always a moment of truth when you try a garment on. Nothing more disheartening after all that effort when something just doesn't sit right.

I'm hammering in press studs this morning to finally finish off baby clothes. Two studs in, two studs gone to pot so far. Only 10 more to go.

Yesterday, I cut out the Fibremood Norma pattern and fabric. I had another metre of the Liberty print thankfully as I mixed up my pieces and cut out the back of the pattern thinking it was the front and that should have been on the fold. So I've had to recut the front pieces against the grain line. Fortunately the pattern seems to repeat at 90 degrees so it will look okay but good grief I wish I'd paid more attention.

Ok ladies. You made this happen!

At first it was too long then I made it a little too short but it's still wearable on holiday or sunny days as I had planned.

Gorgeous!

I made a Jalie Faux Wrap top. I think it would have been better if I'd used a contrast colour for the neck band.