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!

Well I’m home with my new toy. I went for the brother as threading is a breeze. The janome is a similar method to my old one.

I’ve taken it for a spin and it’s fab. Far more variability of speed than the old one which was either off or full speed unless I was very careful. The chap in the shop reckons that the timing is off. It’s fixable and he was happy to try but I wanted the shiny new one.

I’ve always used the blade on mine.

Oh exciting! May I be cheeky and ask how much it set you back? I guess you could sell your old one too someone who wants it cheap and try to fix it

It was £219 with loads of extra feet that I’ll never use and a three year warranty
jaycotts.co.uk/collections/overlockers/products/brother-2104d-overlocker-new

This is the machine and the supplier. Jaycotts are great and also local

This was the deciding factor. Glasses not required for most of it

@Jins

This was the deciding factor. Glasses not required for most of it

I have this machine and it is so forgiving and easy to use/thread. I am a beginner and felt confident from the get-go. I always use the blade and I think it’s the reason I prefer sewing jersey, it’s just so easy (I like easy!)

Thanks @Stretchandsnap. I already thought I’d made the right choice but you used the magic words of forgiving and easy

Oh that's a really good price.

It’s just made short work of a t shirt in double jersey. Such thick fabric I doubt I’ll be able to do a twin needle hem. So I’ll have to learn on the overlocker

Oooh are you going to give faux flatlock a go?

I might have to @kittykarate

Luckily I’ve loads of offcuts

So excited for you Jins! Overlocker totally revolutionised my sewing. I haven’t used it without the blade yet.

It’s nice to have one that works as it should @Wildernesstips.

I have to confess that I twin needles the T shirt hem and ruined the job at the last step. It’s stretched and rippled. Still it’s only a T shirt and I’ll see what a good dose of steam does

I hate twin needles, it never works out very well for me. The only time it ever worked was when I did a class at Abakhan's and she got us using a weird stretchy thread underneath (Seraphim? Seraflock?) to reduce the rippling and humping up. All my Tshirts have zig zag on hems at home.

Yeah, I tried to get a twin needle working on my machine and just couldn't get the lower thread tension low enough for it to not pull straight.

I've just received my A0 print-out of the Sabrina Slims pattern - sent it to Savvy Sewist on Friday afternoon, went for their free, slow delivery service and they're here today. All 3 sheets in the pattern printed for £7.98

Still waiting for my material to arrive though, but I guess it gives me time to trace and fiddle on with the pattern.

Normally twin needling works well for me on my old Toyota but this was just too thick and stretched too much. It’s pressed reasonably well and it was a really cheap off cut so I’m not too worried. It’s a perfect garden/garage warm underlayer

With a twin needle hem, you need Steam A Seam (light version, 1/4") which stops the dreaded ripples. Plus steam it to death after sewing.

It’s amazing what a steam iron will do!

Hmm. I've made a toile of the peppermint wrap top and am now doubtful if it's the right pattern for me. I do want a wrap top but this one has bags of ease and is about 3 inches too short. If i were to lengthen it to my preference, I think the ties would be on the hip and the bagginess around the waist would be even worse.

Has anyone got recommendations for a wrap top pattern? I'm going hunting....

Or should I lengthen it, make another muslin and try taking it in at the waist?

I'm impatient and think I will persevere with the pattern I have but any suggestions about adjusting the waist would be welcomed.

Do you just pinch in the amount you want to take in on the toile and then re-draw the side seam (on the paper pattern) to curve in at the waist by that amount?

I usually make alterations at the side seam like you suggest. Turn the toile inside out and put it on. Then pin it where you think. Transfer that to the paper pattern and try again.

There’s scope for pleats at the waist on that pattern

Ooh I like the idea of that, adding pleats at the waist! Is this something you just know how to do? I'll look for a how to guide.

I just fold and pin while I’m wearing the item and baste in place.