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!

Here you go @NutellaEllaElla

The next one is going to be in chambray

Ah fabulous, looks perfect! Is Chambray a heavier fabric?

Like a lightweight denim. I’ll be binding the edges rather than doing the facings with a patterned bias binding if I have enough

Yesterday I made an Ogden cami out of one of FIL’s old shirts

You just casually knocked that up in a day amazing, well done! You are very talented.

I've been considering buying a fancier sewing machine that has an automatic button facility .

Then when I was half heartedly browsing sewing machines, my DH was like "are you getting a new overlocker?" Which made me think, if I was upgrading machinery, which would be the better one to replace? Because you guys say the overlocker won't handle denim and I've got 2 denim projects planned. But automatic button holes and needle threaders on sewing machines.

Idle musing. For now

Don’t be fooled with the buttons. They were already there. The pattern has front and back pieces and facings plus straps. I didn’t even have to do a hem.

I’ve thought about an upgrade recently. I’ve thought about getting an overlocker as well. If any spare money turns up I think I’ll probably go for a heavy duty machine. My current basic Toyota meets most of my needs although it’s lacking a lightning stitch

I have upgraded my overlocker but I think I still won't use it for denim.

Would you even try it or do you think it would damage the needles?

I'd love to know what machines everyone has, if they're fancy and do automatic buttonholes etc and if you recommend them?

In the last thread @Pick**@PickAChew, @Baypony and @2Rebecca bought a new machines, how are you getting on with them?

My machine was a surprise Christmas gift from my in laws quite a few years ago. It's Elna 2100, not computerised.

@PickAChew. I screwed that up above.

I'd be cautious of my overlocker blade being able to cut a lot of denim, so I'd probably only give it a go if the pattern had 1/4 inch seam allowance so it was only expected to trim the whiskers. You'd probably have to adjust the presser foot height for the thicker material.

[quote NutellaEllaElla]@PickAChew. I screwed that up above.[/quote]
I absolutely loving it. It's currently handling really thick fleecy swearshirting, at the moment, without breaking a sweat. The extension table that came with it has seen lots of use, too. I'm appreciating being able to adjust the presser foot pressure.

This one

My project for the weekend was the cardigan from TatB Make it Simple.

I made it up in some cheap scuba from poundametre.com (was in a mixed bundle with some jersey for £10). Reasonably happy with it, though the front band was prone to flipping over until I topstitched over it. First time I've used scuba, its surprising warm for the weight.

I'm glad it has been a good investment for you!
I'm liking Sewing Machine Direct's next day delivery thing.

That's a nice fabric kitty, I wish I knew what scuba felt like.

I was surprised how quickly mine arrived from Tully's. In normal times I'd have visited in person, since the shop isn't far from me. It's not going to be ridiculously inconvenient to drop it in for maintenance, which is also a plus for me.

That looks really cosy, @kittykarate

Hopefully your warm cardi and my thick, fleecy joggers will ensure that spring is here to stay :o

Made the madeit hug hoody (without the hood). I used a gorgeous lurex and navy jersey from Croft mills and it came out really well. A few tense moments with the overlocker it has to be said and the neckband is not perfect but a really nice every day top to wear with leggings perfect for WFH - it’s just a bit more interesting than a plain hoody with the asymmetric hem. I foresee a few more. Plus I might just try to replicate my favourite jumper now I have done raglan sleeves amd arm cuffs and things. I reckon I could pull it off now

Next is to finish my chamomile dress. The prooortions were all wrong when I attached the skirt to the bodice so need to rethink it a bit. Annoying as the skirt is v heavy and full of annoying gathers. I may have to make it a coord skirt and top set as the skirt may be too much for the bodice to handle.

Also have some gorgeous nano iro fabric to make another made by Rae dress for DD. This pattern is gorgeous- really recommend. It was only the second or third thing I made and it was super.

I love nani iro fabric. My only bugbear with it is that it's not printed symmetrically so things can end up looking a bit lopsided but I've noticed that her own pattern layouts have pieces upside down to mitigate this. I will do this if I get any more.

That's a nice fabric kitty, I wish I knew what scuba felt like.

Scuba is a weird fabric. It's a knit, can have good stretch and recovery. It can be quite 'thin' and drapey, or quite thick and can be used to make fantastic architectural shapes. It can be done as a smooth knit or have a textured face (like the one I used) One thing is that you would never mistake it for a natural fabric, it does feel solidly man made and it's quite a dense knit that doesn't breathe as well as other jerseys. It's called scuba because it resembles the neoprene used to make wetsuits. Don't use it to make a summer dress or you'd be sweating cobs wearing it.

I bought a Janome Atelier 3. I haven't really challenged it so far. I made a pair of palazzo trousers and a silk kimono wrap. I've yet to do buttonholes with it. I am liking it though. My favourite feature is the fact that whenever I take my foot off the pedal it stops with the needle in the fabric. Being able to choose exact stitch width and length was useful too when topsewing in zig zag round the collar of a Tilly Billy dress which I mainly made on my overlocker

Thanks for the explanation kitty.

Ooh to the silk kimono wrap, is that for outdoor wear like a top or shrug or more neglige type wear? What's it like sewing with silk?

Well i've rather impulsively gone and bought a Brother Innov-is F420. I'm hoping it will arrive for the weekend, fingers crossed!