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!

I always thought self coloured was the same as solid colour but that makes sense

I was struggling to think of many self-coloured fabrics apart from solid colours but then I remembered tartan and tweed.

Not that I'm recommending either tweed or tartan for a kaftan! Could you imagine it? Sweating cobs!

I'm thinking more along the lines of a print on a coloured fabric - less ugly reverse than where both the pattern and background colour are printed onto a white fabric. Or something like a self stripe, plaid or check. Or it would be nice project for something with texture like a dobby, cheesecloth or even broderie anglaise.

That toucan fabric is wonderful, BTW! If the reverse is ugly, rather than lining it, you could add a wide facing or hem to any areas that are likely to be flashed, eg sleeve ends

Well I’ve just sent yet another delivery of bias binding back. I’m sure it used to stretch enough to go round curves.

I hate making bias binding but it looks like I’ll have to

@kittykarate

Not that I'm recommending either tweed or tartan for a kaftan! Could you imagine it? Sweating cobs!

That'd certainly be a unique choice!

@PickAChew

That toucan fabric is wonderful, BTW! If the reverse is ugly, rather than lining it, you could add a wide facing or hem to any areas that are likely to be flashed, eg sleeve ends

Yes, a wide facing/hem would work. How would you attach it?

So it doesn't hang down

Just did this one, today, which is why it came to mind.

Ah amazing thank you!

Finished my border top apart from a button and loop at the back which I will hand sew. It does need an iron, but TBH we need a new iron anyway.

What do you lovely ladies think of this dress pattern?.
It doesn't come with instructions, presumably because it's so darn simple. I'm thinking I could hack the neckline however I want, play with the sleeves, it could be versatile?

Oh I like it!

Hi everyone - I didn't realise there was a sewing thread (no pun intended!) on MN. Happy to have found you all. I'm very much a novice but have been messing around with my machine on and off for a couple of years and have made a few bits. I want to make more clothes but tend to get a touch confused with patterns and their instructions! I found this lovely pattern which arrived yesterday and am planning to make the boat neck version. I have been wanted to make something with this fabric for a while and if it goes well will try the same dress in another fabric (partly because I love the style but also because the pattern was so expensive!).

Welcome @Titsywoo, that dress pattern is absolutely beautiful! I'm a sucker for dresses at the moment, can't stop making them! I think i'm even more of a beginner than you as i've only started sewing this February but have made 2 dresses already. The wonderful ladies on this thread have saved my bacon more than once, youtube tutorials from Made to Sew are incredible, generally, the internet has made it all possible. Just take one instruction at a time, expect to go slow and have patience!

Happy Friday and bank holiday weekend everyone! I have my private sewing lesson this weekend! I hope the weather plays ball so we will be comfortable outside.

This weekend I'm hoping to cut out fabric, buy some elastic (for PJs), and a fixing, and start this dress. I'm being brave and starting with the zip, instead of following the instructions because I hear so much that this is the better way. Definitely gets the effing and blinding out of the way first i guess!

Welcome @titsywoo

Both lovely dresses ladies.

Does the dress have a zip at the back @NutellaEllaElla and darts for the bust? It's hard to tell. I suppose if you want to make it lower neckline say you would need to duplicate that on the facings for the neckband. It's remembering the order you need to follow instructions on that would probably be my undoing!

Some patterns say to sew up the sides seams before setting in the sleeves whilst other and more rarely fit the sleeves on the flat first. I'm not sure what rules apply where.

Norma blouse is finished and I'm please with it but Ogden cami too loose fitting to be worn underneath. I did shorten it but there too much fabric without faffing around with the side seams so I'm just going to go with a stretchy vest top instead.

I'm going to make Winslow culottes over the weekend. The fabrics more a light weight denim than chambray so not as drapey as previous versions that I made with the elasticated waist at the back so I might go for the zip. Not keen on the zip at the back so I might see about transferring it to the side. I haven't done anything like that before so it's a bit of a trial and error process. Anyone else done this?

With that Isla dress, in the first instance i'm thinking that I might do it sleeveless, i'd probably have to make extra facings to finish the arm holes I guess. It does have bust darts, no markings for zip, no mention of notions or anything useful like that!

You're right though, it's a bit bizarre it comes with no instructions and I emailed sewmag to see if I could get instructions but they took a month to reply and sent me the bloody pattern again! They must be dumb as rocks because I replied saying thanks but i'm looking for the instructions and (3 weeks later) they gave me the pattern again! At that point I gave up as they're obviously a lost cause!

Sounds like you are comfortable going off piste @NutellaEllaElla! Hope you enjoy your sewing lesson. I did an overlocker class a couple of years ago and you do picked up lots. Plus it was nice being around people with the same enthusiasm for sewing as I have.

No zip? How does it it go over your head?!

I mean you raise a valid point! Maybe it's just a really half arsed pattern and i'd have to figure that out myself?

Not sure if i'm comfortable or naive! But that I can just do a toile and try to make it work reassures me.

Flat vs set in construction is mainly choice.

Hi all. I've just discovered this thread and wondered if anyone has advice on how i can make a simple yet elegant long, halter dress in stretch fabric.
Something like this
I would love to find a pattern as i have big boobs so want to make sure it fits well but can't seem to find a pattern for knits.
I could clone an existing top but the fabric is rare so i don't want to risk it.
Any tips/ pattern suggestions welcome thanks

@NutellaEllaElla - I think that the Isla Dress doesn't need a zip, the neck hole looks plenty big enough to go over your head. I have some shift dress patterns that don't include zips (not a coincidence - I bloody hate zips). While it does have bust darts, it is still relatively loose at the waist, so it should be able to get past your boobs. Don't do what I did and grade in the waist on a similar dress and then realise that I had to crush my boobs to be able to pull the dress down.

@NutellaEllaElla if there isn’t quite enough space to get it over your head you could also leave a short opening at the back and fasten it with a button and loop. Like the shell top in GBSB but without the tab. I do that quite frequently as a zip hater
@wherearthough I can’t help with that style of dress as stylish though it is it’s not something that this podgy sewist could wear 😂