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!

DD second proper make, pyjama bottoms.

For overlocker cones you can often get them 4 for £10 on amazon in boring colours (black/cream/white), and some of the fabric sites have them for a decent price (e.g. Fabricland sells them for £2.59 in a limited set of colours, but their postage costs can be expensive, minervacrafts are a bit more expensive but wider colour range) so often I'll just bung a cone on an order if there's an interesting colour to make up to a postage limit.

Yay congratulations DD of drspouse!

Wow. drspouse you have a very talented dd

So I’ve got 4 cones of black due today thanks to Amazon prime but I really wanted a trial so used any old thread.

It took ages. I needed my glasses and a very bright light but I did it

Quite a bit of help there! But she's done really well.

A sewing thread! How have I not known about this?

I have an overlocker that I am terrified of and keep putting off getting to grips with threading. Last used it over twenty years ago.
I am using my regular sewing machine for knits but I really need to use the overlocker as I want to make little leggings. I’ve watched a few online tutorials but I’m not getting it. Can anyone point me towards instructions for the perpetually dim?

Welcome! What type of overlocker is it?

@NutellaEllaElla

Welcome! What type of overlocker is it?

Thank you! It’s a janome new home.

Thank you! It’s a Janome new home. I have dug out a load of old fluff from the insides and will research where to oil it and found a tutorial and threaded it! I can’t imagine ever wanting to do that again. There’s so little space to manoeuvre compared to my trusty old Bernina. Is there a trick to making it go round a little neck hole like on a tee shirt for a toddler? I don’t want to get my fingers in there...
So I’ve tested it, and it sews! I don’t like the way the blade chops up and down though I’m appreciating the neat finish.
I don’t know why I’m finding it so daunting but I really am.
Has anyone signed up to any of the online serger courses and found them helpful?

I’ve never used one before and I was a bit alarmed at how fast mine goes but I’m gradually getting the hang of it. I’ve been doing loads of test strips and at some point I’ll try changing stitch length. I can’t see me using it for rolled hems yet!

I’ve got some minimal stretch jersey that wasn’t what I expected at all and completely unsuitable for t shirts but I’m going to try making some shorts with it. Real shops open next week which gives me plenty of time to get used to the overlocker before I embark on t shirts.

Or I may get on with my second button up dress.

Too many projects and not enough time.

@PerseverancePays I’ve seen a few online courses but I seem to learn more by having a go and making mistakes.

You should be able to lift the blade out of the way if you want to try it without cutting. I actually prefer to use the blade because it's so neat. I haven't played around with the settings or tried the rolled hem function.

I don't know if they have any specific courses to what you're after Perseverance, but I recommend youtube videos by Made to Sew. Crystal clear instruction.

I decided to paint on my dress to finish it off.

Looks great. I bet you’re pleased with it.

Thank you, I am. I don't love the invisible imperfections that I know are there, niggling away at me

Oh I’m the same. When I finished my button up dress I hung it up to let the hem drop and DH caught me staring at it. He asked me if I was proud and I told him all I could see was errors. He reminded me that we’d been to a Vivienne Westwood exhibition and the quality of work on some of the items was so poor that even he could spot it 😂

I think my next project ought to be my second button up dress.

That's so pretty @NutellaEllaElla

I'm also in the once seen, cannot be unseen state with any mistakes. I just have to remind myself that no commercial garment is ever perfectly made and I live with their mistakes, so why can't I live with mine?

That looks great @NutellaEllaElla, it fits beautifully.

That's really interesting about the Vivienne Westwood exhibition. I always wonder about shows like Project Runway and the Sewing Bee and how well those garments must be made in such a short space of time. But you are viewing them through different eyes when you look at the full effect.

My sewing rooms become a dumping ground this week for DD's stuff while her bedroom is painted. I'm hoping to restore it back today to get some sewing done.

I'm feeling my motivation for doing anything is low at the moment so needing a run at doing something.

Thank you, you lovely lovely sewists . @Ulysses, do you have inspiration and/or materials for a new project?

I have discovered the Pattern Review website and in particular, searching pattern reviews by free pdfs. I love a free pdf. I like printing them, cutting them out and sellotaping them together. And I love people sharing their experience of making the items. However, I already have 4-5 items in my to make queue so I really don't need anymore patterns.

I also have an exciting date with a friend for the Rag market and/or other fabric shops a week on Saturday.

I'm still slowly working through my Ogden cami. At one time I could make up one in a day but it feels like it takes me weeks to finish anything at the moment. I'm very stop start.

That is an exciting date! I love the whole process of buying fabric and thinking of what I can make from it. It's super lovely when you've got someone else that share it. My DSISinLaw has bought a sewing machine so looking forward to having a mooch around the shops with her when the shops reopen in Scotland in a few weeks.

I do like an indie pattern and free ones especially but I’ve just ordered another big 4 pattern which should arrive today. Most of it, especially the pattern in the big photo, I won’t make but the top that’s supposed to be worn underneath is right up my street and will be perfect for some of the viscose challis that I’ve bought.

Initial overlocker joy has well and truly worn off.

I’ve been practising today so that I can confidently guide the fabric and it’s shown up quite a lot of skipped stitches from the left needle. Everything I’ve read seems to suggest that new needles are in order so I’ve ordered some. Then I discovered the tools are missing so I’m going to have to find something to undo the needle screw.

I tried running some lightweight scraps through and loops everywhere! Altered the tension and now can’t get it back to where it was.

I’m printing the manual and I’m going to strip it down, clean and oil it and rethread it. Hopefully the new needles will be here soon

Oh i'm having overlocker flashbacks! I think a re-thread and playing with the tension worked for me. After a good google and read up on what it all meant.

Think I've been lucky as my overlocker just works. I went to an overlocker class though ran by our local sewing shop and bought it new so keep screwdriver forceps etc handy and am always rereading my instructions. I think needles are really important. I am much fussier about using a new needle for a new garment and using the correct needle than I was 20-30 years ago

I'm planning to sew view A of this first, but want to do it in silk which isn't a recommended material. I can't see why it wouldn't be suitable though

Just read someone else found the pattern review website. I spent a couple of hours yesterday doing reviews for clothes I've recently made. It's a brilliant website despite its US bias that means some Janome machines have a different name and different patterns are popular there