Stitch and bitch thread #3 Sewing is harder than it seams

[NutellaEllaElla]

And i'm very glad to have you clever sewists to selvedge what's left of my dignity .

Second tempo complete and I managed to squeeze it out of the fabric I had. Then I popped into Abakhan for elastic and there was another length so I’ve added another tier. Tomorrow I’ll move onto the sleeveless top. I’ve matched pattern and fabric from the stash.

I’ve now decided a want another cami which will either be an Ogden or an adapted slip dress pattern if I don’t have enough fabric. Then right at the bottom of the list is a pair of shorts in a candy striped oddment that fell into my basket. The top and the cami are quick makes so hopefully I’ll have time for it all

You're motoring on with your sewing Jins!

I want to make one more dress for a prospective holiday so am thinking this weekend of doing some fabric shopping.

For those who are intimidated by the thought of sewing with stretch - please don’t be, it shows you’ve probably done your research! Stretch can be tricky but if you know the principles, lots of pins, the right stitch type and needle, then it can go well. An overlocker makes life easier but isn’t essential, and has it’s own learning curve.

Please give it a try - you can make lots of lovely and comfy clothes, easier to fit too!

I started with stretch and am intimidated by wovens!!

How reassuring @Datsandcogs, thank you. To be fair, I'm intimidated by every new thing I encounter in sewing shirring is my next prospect and once I've found the right fabric, that might be stretch too

Got my new project from my sewing club iampatterns.fr/en/product/sewin-pattern-women-wrap-cardigan-sweater-cupidon/ and some pale grey modal jersey to make it in.

A bit classier than my usual clothing style, but I think it should be wearable as long as I don't make a pigs ear of the sizing, or that the wrap front doesn't make me look like Titsy McTitsy.

I've also just spent a bunch on new sewing patterns

• A bikini jalie.com/products/4136-claudia-bikinis-sewing-pattern
• A workout top jalie.com/products/4128-audrey-cropped-workout-top-sewing-pattern
• Leggings with a thigh pocket and colour blockability jalie.com/products/4127-jessica-leggings-with-side-pocket

Won't get the patterns for ages because they're on pre-order and it's with Minerva who have been disappointing on delivery times recently.

I love stretch. Ordered the Jersey for some more jammies, yesterday as another pair of my shop bought ones has become embarrassingly scruffy. I've gone dual purpose - 1 green pair of bottoms with an everyday top and a christmas/winter themed top.

My line up between now and Christmas, including those, is.

Get that box box top out of my system (and put it away for some decent weather)
Brome top for the autumn.
Linden sweatshirt with some navy and red jacquard I picked up on sale.
Ginger jeans.
Opal coat (need to look for fabric for that)
Maybe fix the shirt I lost my temper with.

Love that leggings pattern, Kitty! I might have a think about that for DD. She has very expensive taste in leggings and will need a lot next year when she starts her dance course! You all sound very busy.

My dress is nearly finished - just have to nip into town as I've run out of thread! I'll post a picture when I've finished the neckline! Then knuckle down to do the hem (which I hate!)

She has very expensive taste in leggings and will need a lot next year when she starts her dance course!

I'm in a facebook group called 'Spandex Doesn't Scare Me' and it covers the full range of people from professional dance and ice costume makers to moms making their first skating dress for their 5 year old. Lots of helpful and supportive advice there if you do start making more stuff for your daughter. Though they are obsessed with rhinestones!

I could cover them with rhinestones!! She would love that, not!

I've finally got my facing done - understitched as well! It's not lying quite as flat as I would like but hey ho, it will do! Currently sewing the other 2 buttons on the front and as I have 5, I've decided to use the remaining 2 on the sleeve turn-ups.

That combination of fabric and pattern is so pretty @Tinuviel, very feminine and what a great fit.

I'm working on my shorts. They're coming together really quickly so I am hoping to get them finished today. We have a few days of sunshine ahead and they'll be good for pottering about in.

Wow @Tinuviel that looks so elegant, worth all the toile pain, well done!

Lovely @Tinuviel. I love the fabric and you got a great fit.

I had a delivery from poundametre yesterday. It’s so long since I ordered I'd forgotten about it. 5m of striped rayon for £5 and bought for toiles.

That is so pretty, tinuviel.

Thanks all! It's all finished now and I'm wearing it! I hate hemming by hand but much prefer the look, particularly on soft floaty fabrics!

I love poundametre, Jins but it can be quite variable! I bought some fabric to make DSs some pyjama bottoms as they are both very tall and the legs on bought ones are never long enough. One was lovely; the other was definitely not suitable! Described as 'soft', it would work as an exfoliator! PJs needs to be next on my list before DS1 heads back to uni.

That is truly wonderful Tinuviel!

Definitely worth the pain of all those toiles!

Yes, I find the accuracy of descriptions on poundametre to be a challenge, but to be fair, no worse than some other major players

Such a great colour on you 😍

Thanks all! I'm so enjoying my sewing again. I have a lovely blue spotty fabric that will be good for this dress, so I think I'll make that after the PJs.

Half an Ogden cami today. Could have done better but there have been many disturbances.

I’ve not understitched yet. It’s lying well so I’m considering leaving it alone

Lovely fabric, Jins.

It’s a pound fabrics viscose challis. Lovely to work with. poundfabrics.co.uk/products/multicolour-mini-floral-viscose-fabric?_pos=9&_sid=747cddf37&_ss=r

It's got to have a good drape, the fabric for the Ogden, right?

The suggested fabrics are drapey types but I’ve made an Ogden out of an old shirt and love it. This is my first in viscose (but probably not my last)

Went fabric shopping yesterday and bought some beige linen like material which is soft and hopefully less prone to creasing. I sellotaped and cut out this very basic/simple Grecian sundress pattern which uses lots of gathering and shirring so lots of new stuff for me to learn. Hope I can finish it in time for my planned holiday in 3 weeks if it doesn't get cancelled.

I like that pattern. I fear I’d look like a tank in it so have resisted temptation.

My Ogden has thrown up a mystery. I’ve made two final versions in the past and they fit well. This viscose version despite being cut from the same pattern pieces is getting on for two sizes too big. I’m going to have to take it in at the sides by at least 5cm. I’ll also need to shorten the straps but I’m just going to fold them and stitch to the facing. I doubt the bodice will survive unpicking