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'm definitely coming round to the realisation that understitching is one of the great lies in sewing manuals.

I’m so glad it isn’t just me that doesn’t really get understitching either - I almost inevitably end up topstitching.

I’ve found my holy grail bias binding
www.higgsandhiggs.com/bias-binding/folded-bias-bindings/stretch-bias-binding.html
It’s smooth and stretchy and beautiful to sew with and I’m going to order more

I need to put aside the faff and look for the new glasses I never managed to get, early last year. Thankfully, I did find some frames that would do for new reading glasses as I've needed them a lot, especially today when I managed to sew the raglan seams of this together twisted, thanks to the massive neckline before gathering - and not paying enough attention! www.fibremood.com/en/patterns/636-jane-dress (I'm hacking it into a top as I don't wear dresses)

^^ it's varifocals I never managed to find frames I liked for. I find anything other than titanium painfully heavy.

Love a good recommendation @Jins but it must be hard trying to match up colours from the computer screen?

That's going to be an amazing top @PickAChew! Really striking, do let us know how it goes.

It's bright red so it'll either look fabulous or I'll look like a giant tomato in it 😂🍅

I don’t try too hard with matching bindings. If the bindings are a feature then I’ll use contrasting colours or I’ll make my own. If they are hidden then I’ll use black or white.

Cut out some shorts for DS while I wait for new twin needles having broken the last one on DD dress...

So I'm having a bit of a moment here with a kimono type beach cover up I'm making.

It has an inverted pleat that starts at the neck and ends about 3 inches down. The instructions say to sew from top to bottom but don't say how. It will be sewn in at the top when the collar is attached but I'm thinking of the 3 inches or so down from the top. Do you sew down both sides of the pleat? Isn't that going to be visible? It's this garment here

Think it means folder it over and stitch on the reverse?

Nice fabric @NutellaEllaElla you just see the seam from top to bottom the three inches and stop. You then usually press flat on the back and nothing is visible. Hope that makes sense.

Fold right sides together I mean and stitch down from top at marking. Does that make sense?

Oh yeah of course, you clever lot . Thank you!

I think it's wrong sides together?

I have figured it out thanks.

So, how long till I'm not so clueless??

Definitely need to see a pic of the finished robe Nutella - that fabric is beautiful.

I know, I love it. I've got loads of gorgeous fabric, I can't sew fast enough!

@Dellabob123, I just saw your other thread about your invisible zip. It's a few days old now, did you have any luck getting it sorted?

Hi @NutellaEllaElla. No.... o response, was going to ask you lovelies again. I’ve just carried on With the top u til I figure out how to sew around the very bottom of the invisible zip to stop it gaping. The invisible zip foot doesn’t go to the very bottom of the zip so always a gap and I do t know how to use normal foot to see it up. Any invisible zip experts who can help..?

I am noooo expert, having only done one myself, I just do what . You can skip to 29 minutes 42 seconds for her instructions on finishing the zip.

I love this method @Dellabob123. It gives such a nice smooth finish.

Invisible Zip Tutorial. It gives you a nice smooth finish though take a wee bit longer than the usual method as there's some hand basting as well. Basically you sew the zip and centre seam in one, the zip is done with a basting stitch the centre seam as normal. Then you unpick the basting stitch, do the zip properly and pull the end of it through.

The instructions explain it much better though. You do need a longer zip than usual then trim it to size.

I used the technique for a BHL Jenna Dress where the skirt is cut on the bias and it worked like a charm.

I'm attaching the front and back of the kimono/beach cover up at the shoulder seams. The back is wider at the top than the front pieces by a good 1.5-2 inches. I haven't cut it out incorrectly as i've double checked the pattern pieces and they are the same. There won't be any darts or anything.

So, is this normal? And where should I match the two pieces to sew together the shoulders? I guess I should match at the collar as the sleeves are yet to be attached and can hide the discrepancy?

Actually, i'm thinking i might have to match them up and ease the excess in (hopefully i'm using the terminology correctly, I mean evenly distributing the excess along the shoulder, like you do when sewing in a sleeve?)

@NutellaEllaElla aren’t there notches to match on the shoulder seam? If it’s somehow stretched a little, I wonder if you could actually re do the pleat and incorporate the excess in there without having to ease it in At the shoulders? That way you wouldn’t have the bulk at the seams?