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's a lovely combination of pattern and fabric @Jins

Thank you very much @PickAChew. It’s part of my Abakhan haul so I have no idea what it’s made of but it’s very stretchy and quite lightweight. I bought it with the LDT in mind.

It’s been a useful project as my sewing machine really didn’t like this fabric - even with the walking foot. I took a deep breath and used the overlocker which is still only working on three threads but I’ve made it slightly loose so it should hold. Hope so anyway

I've done the fly and added pockets to my pj shorts.

I also sewed up the princess seams on the dress that I cut out too small. After stealing as much from the seam allowances, I pinned in the zip and the sides for a fitting...and...it's too big! Blimey this thing is going like a dogs dinner. I'm thinking of going over and making larger seam allowances in some areas where it was sketchy to say the least (you could see some stay stitching for example, or some of the overlocked edges) and taking in the side seams. What a mess!!!! I'm paying for not getting the toile right.

I'm having a thrilling evening unpicking the broken elastic on a fitted sheet.

Unless it was already tight I'd probably just cut the elastic off that and lose a centimetre!

We tend to wear holes in them, first.

No, the elastic has just snapped, so the only way to replace it is to unpick it.

I bought a metre of black rayon spandex on Amazon last week. It was perfect so I ordered 3m directly with the seller. What has just arrived is brown with no stretch. I rang to ‘voice my opinions’ and was assured that the other side is black. It isn’t. It’s just a much darker brown and that side doesn’t stretch either.

So annoyed. It’s going to cost £4 to return it which won’t be covered in the return so I’m just going to chuck it in the postbox with return to sender on it.

I’m having thread tension issues, and have had to step away from the machine. Will try again tomorrow with a fresh head!

I hate it when you have to pay for returns.

What are your thread tension issues @Wildernesstips?

I made an embarrassing mistake today while making pyjama shorts. I'll bare my shame with a photo. I did unpick and right it. Turns out I sewed the legs together at completely the wrong place. What a wally!

That would be a great pair of shorts for a table! I would never do that oh no

It's ridiculous, thankfully an easy fix once all unpicked. Sewing is really stretching my 3D modelling abilities.

I’ve done that too Nutella! My top thread is too tight. I’m sewing viscose so I think I need a finer needle. I’ve fiddled with the dial, and I also probably need to shorten the stitch. But I was just getting crosser!

I’ve just finished a toile for the cadence top
www.lovenotions.com/product/cadence-dress-top-xs-xxxl
Was hoping this would be a useful basic pattern I could amend as needed. It fits but it doesn’t look great. I’ve got slight pulling at high bust but I think that may be down to the fabric catching on my bra. Bust darts look as if they need moving.

I’m not terribly patient with fitting amendments even though I know I’ll end up with the perfect block for future projects. I’m going to have to force myself

Hiya, i'm sewing a waistband for the first time, using this tutorial. I'm at the end where I just have to sew the folded over bit including the elastic. Question - should I sew using a straight stitch or a stretch stitch?

The picture looks like zigzag but I'd go for straight stitch to look neater.

Yeah, the elastic is pulled taut to match the fabric, so the stitch doesn't need to stretch to match the fabric, if it's not a stretch fabric.

I have a mild latex allergy so prefer my elastic fully encased, so I've never done this.

I broke a needle attempting this just now. Does stretching it stop the feed dogs moving the fabric along? It wasn't moving through as usual.

It is feeding through ok now, I wonder why that happened though.

Love notions just sucked me in again with their feature Friday offer.
www.lovenotions.com/product/sabrina-slims
I’ve got a load of black ponte that’s been waiting for a pattern like this and the fitting workbook sounds useful. My weekend could be taken up with this

Yeah I like those trousers Jins.

I've finished my pj shorts now! I am very happy with them too. The waistband thing was mildly traumatic, my overlocker hates sewing bulk.

I really like the look of those trousers @Jins. I had been looking at a similar trouser pattern from Jalie but there are so many more pocket options on these.

The nice thing about love notions is that the FBA and the big belly adjustments are done for you.

I’ve treated myself. The other love notions patterns I’ve made I’ve been very pleased with

I have been long absent from the thread and just having a quiet coffee and looking at everyone’s makes.

I haven’t had much time for sewing recently, too much work and parenting things, but made a toile of a buffet dress that I got free in a magazine.

It didn’t go well! It’s just massive, and I followed the measurements exactly, but it’s just too big on me and makes me look like a brick shit house (very tall and sturdily built) but it was good practice at least as I did lots of new things (made bias binding, attached it to the neckline, ruffles and lots of top stitching on the bodice). It just needs the sleeves hemming and the hem done and then I can throw it in the rag recycling .

Have tried to add a picture for full comedy value - my daughter said I looked like a giant marshmallow.

Am starting these this evening in a navy linen - I thought they’ll go with lots of things and I am finding it hellishly hard since brexit to find long enough trousers in all my usual shops, everything is out of stock.... www.cashmerette.com/products/calder-pants-shorts-pdf-pattern in a linen fabric