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!

That looks lovely. I agree that a lot of clothes settle down after a few washes

Aww thank you so much!! I can't believe I've made two whole dresses now!

Squeeeeee!!!!! Look what's back!

Hopefully it will get my sewing mojo back (it has gone into lockdown)

Yay!! I remember watching it and following the mn thread last year. The beginning of lock down, his far we have come since then.

Excellent

I found a 4m piece of jersey that I’d bought for a wrap dress the other day. While I was wrestling it into position for cutting I realised that it was probably going to be far too heavy for the style (it’s got a long, very full skirt) and sacrificed a metre to try winter wear designs free trendy tank pattern www.winterweardesigns.com/products/v-neck-tank-for-women-size-00-24

It’s not been without problems. I did a trial fit after sewing the pieces together and while it fitted across the bust perfectly and draped really well there was an awful lot of bagginess under the arm. In the end I took it in 5cm each side and graded it to bust level which was perfect but all the test fits stretched the neckline so I’ve ended up making a tiny pleat at the centre point of the v neck. It’s a patterned jersey so it looks ok but it’s reminded me that stay stitching is worth doing.

It is however the only jersey project that I have completed that I would be prepared to wear so I’m counting it as a win.

Mum has requested some straight legged pull on trousers in an easy care non iron fabric. I’m thinking ponte.

Geranium dress in nano iro double gauze. Love this pattern. Just hem and buttonholes to do!

Super cute @FreeButtonBee!

@Jins do you already have the fabric or are you buying online?

I neglected to do the hem on my button up dress so I got DH to measure it from the floor up to make it even. In so doing, I realise that the hem will have differing amounts of excess fabric. The instructions say to turn up the hem by 1cm and stitch close to the edge - should I trim the excess fabric so it is consistent all the way around? I'd already overlocked the raw edges so i'd have to do that again. Sound right?

@NutellaEllaElla non essential shops open again soon!!!!!

Your fabric is tencel isn’t it? I’d hang it up overnight and measure again. I found tencel to be a bit of a mare for hemming

I did hang it overnight luckily! Does my plan sound ok do you think?

I can't wait for shops to reopen. I had a mare with denim. The fabric was different from the sample twice so i'm giving up with it online for now and will go to a shop asap!

Yes your plan sounds fine. I had to trim loads off a rayon top to get the hem even in the past.

It's finally finally complete

Has anyone ever made a bag before? Or something more than clothing? I saw this one on Reddit and was very impressed

I’ve only made shoe bags. Nothing in that league.

Well yesterday I announced to my family that I was saving for a sewing machine that ticked all the boxes. Later that evening I’d changed my mind and decided to carry on with my current one. Today I’ve made a cheeky offer on an overlocker which has been accepted and I collect it later. YouTube here I come

Ooh exciting Jins! Enjoy your new overlocker.

Trial of the top half of a Grainline Uniform Tunic made up in scrap cotton. Will definitely cut it out in the chambray I have in the stash.

Also a pair of high waist yoga leggings from 'sew your own activewear' book. The fabric is closer to swim lycra, but that's the magic of online shopping. I can see why the author has subsequently released a tighter legging pattern block, these are not compression tight.

Good luck with your new overlocker @Jins ! Be careful with pins when you use it - I tend to use clips now.

Well it’s here. No thread so that will have to wait until tomorrow and no instructions which is worse.

It’s an Aldi one from a few years ago. I’m hopeful there will be something online

I have the Aldi one - the youtube threading guide video is marvellous!

You'll be able to download the manual from somewhere probably too

How exciting to get an overlocker. I’ve had mine a year and use it a fair bit. Do you all match up the cones of thread with the garment? So far I have just 4 cones of white and 4 of black.

I’ve just downloaded the manual. I’ll check the threading guide when the thread arrives tomorrow. It’s missing a rolled hem throat plate but I don’t think I’ll worry too much about that at this stage. I really only want it for neatening edges and the odd t shirt

I use black, white, cream or navy for almost everything.

I'm usually 3 cones of black or white, with the left needle threaded with a colour close to the fabric in case it shows under stretch. Plus the left needle doesn't use copious amount of thread so will use a normal reel.

Ive been known to use Coats Moon threads in my overlocker if I want to colour match. They come in 5000m lengths and are quite cheap in comparison to say Gutterman threads. I don't often need to use all of the same colour either. I made a pink and red jumper recently and had a couple of different shades of each in my overlocker.

But yeah I've got black, white, blue and greys that are used for most things. I need to get creams cones too as they are a bit less stark than white. One of the real life sewing shops I go to has them on offer from time to time and they are about £4 each.

Have fun with your overlocker @Jins.

I've done very little sewing this holiday but my bra sliders have come and I've managed to put them together for my Ogden cami. The weather has went back to snow and freezing temperatures so there's no rush!

I really like the style of the top @kittykarate. I've got some chambray too and I'm needing a pattern for it so be interested in how it turns out in that.

I haven't made anything other than garments @NutellaEllaElla. Friend of mine made a gorgeous rucksack bag from this website Bag Patterns. There's some beauties on there.