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 .

The curved hem would be a pita.

Last month’s pattern was a good one. I’ll definitely be making this. It’s quite low on the list at the moment because I can’t match it to my stash

I like the top, but the dress looks a bit 'fashionable sack' for me. Squinting at the pictures... aren't they pretty much the same block, but with less fiddly cuffs on the top version?

They could easily be from the same block tbh. I’ll have a look when I trace the top. They are both very simple so it’s likely.

I’ve been quite pleased with the Prima patterns so far. The first one I got was a sleeveless dress with a princess seamed button up bodice and gathered skirt. I’ll be making that one. The only one I haven’t liked is this sack dress.

They do look similar. Without at least a back yoke or some darts, the fit is never going to be great.

I’m prepared to tweak the top a bit but I do fancy a boxy, woven tee to go under jackets.

I’ll be doing a toile first though

Hello everyone, i've been away for 2 weeks and we're very definitely in Autumn now.

"My lovely fiance told me he has too many PJs and if im going to make him clothes, he wants to be able to wear them out in public. So I made him more PJs." I admire your responsiveness and flexibility to his requests.

So i'm keen to move on from making summer dresses. In a similar vein to @Gizzy93, i'm thinking of expanding my horizons want to make jumper dresses now.

I actually need to make something with some fabric I bought a while ago. I intended to make a top with it but didn't realise it has zero stretch. Does anyone know of a good pencil skirt pattern for woven fabric?

I envy your abilities to look at a pattern and know if it's any good or not. I can't tell at all.

Hi @NutellaEllaElla! This might help you work out the kind of pencil skirt that will suit you best and it suggests patterns and fabric. www.stylearc.com/magazine/sewing-ideas/pencil-skirts-picking-the-best-pattern/

Hey thank you, that is a really cool page. Everything i'm finding right now is for stretch fabrics though .

Turned out I got one - and it's arrived a few days early.

Roughly adjusted with a bra added. Lots of padding needed for boobs and belly. T-shirt added to spare ds1's blushes, though he was giggling profusely when I picked it up by the pole up its bum!

Also turns out I have a really scrawny neck!

Happy birthday @PickAChew, belated or when it comes. It was my birthday this week so I'm a fellow Libran.

I've moved on from my toile to my proper version of the Davenport dress. I sewed the back yoke and the bodice the wrong way last night and I got in a tangle doing the burrito method so clearly need to concentrate a bit more.

It's a nice rainy day here, perfect conditions for locking myself in my sewing room.

Hi @NutellaEllaElla - have you tried 'vintage' style patterns for your woven pencil skirt? There's an option in the Stanwyck skirt that looks good charmpatterns.com/shop/stanwyck-skirt/ you might have some luck googling for things based on TV show characters like 'Joan Mad Men skirt patterns'.

A lot of patterns use stretch for pencil skirts as it makes getting a good fit so much easier, and so less faffing with toiles.

Apart from fixing the crotch seam of DS2s work trousers I have done no sewing for a month

DH has decided to have the clear out to end all clear outs and I’ve been running round hiding or defending my possessions 😂

On the plus side I’ve just been through my wardrobe and drawers and have found a few things to remake and a lot of things to go so when I do get round to sewing again I’ll have room to store it

Ooh lots of birthdays, enjoy the cake everyone

So, i'm looking at jumper dress patterns and wanted to pick your brains about this Patterns for Pirates All Buttoned Up Dress. In theory, it's perfect. I want to recreate this absolute beauty but flicking through the pictures, it seems to be quite wrinkly especially around the armpits and bust. Some pictures it's fine, others it's awful - see here, here, here, and here. Now I scrolled through a lot of pictures and some seemed fine but these obviously stood out. I wondered if the first one was so bad because it's just too big on her. Should I stay away from this pattern?

@kittykarate - wow that Stanwick skirt looks perfect and SO many options on it! Thank you.

I am a bit intimidated by it now though - the tailored pencil skirt. Seems above my level.

I think I'd be cautious of that dress pattern, not because it's necessarily badly designed, but that it seems to be a style that is hard to get a good fit with.

The good / bad thing about indie patterns is that they often have 'normal' sewists make them up for the promo pictures rather than a crack team of seamstresses.

I think most of the wrinkles are down to fitting or construction issues. I can see a few full bust adjustments that needed to be done and a fair number of stretched seams.

It’s designed for high stretch knits and speaking from my own experience with rayon spandex they aren’t the easiest fabrics to work with. I pinned more than I’ve ever pinned in my life and handbasted everything. The double needle hem wasn’t stretchy enough either.

Am I remembering right that you’ve not sewn with stretch before? This could really be in at the deep end but if you don’t try it you won’t get the dress you’re after

Yes you're right that I haven't sewn with stretch. Sigh, so both of my desired projects are difficult! I wouldn't need to do an FBA so that would be one saving grace.

I’ve had to cancel plans this weekend due to a positive Covid test so I’ve been busy on the sewing machine instead! Made the top using the bodice and sleeves from the Assembly Line Hoodie Dress, and the sweater is the cowl version of the Sinclair Nova sweater. Also finally finished a summer jumper I was knitting - at least that will be ready for next year!

Hope you're OK, @dubyalass. Those look quite snuggly.

Some of those are shockingly badly put together as well as too big around the shoulders, @nutellaellaella

Talking of pigs ears, my Brome top is now done, apart from buttonholes and buttons. I'm going to strike while angry(and with everything already threaded with the exact correct shade of thread, as it happens!) , though, and finish off the Classic shirt I had a tantrum with, back in darkest February when Ds2 was howling the house down and I simply couldn't concentrate on the fiddly bits. Ifi I can't fix it now, with better light and a clearer head (and Ds2 out of the house, during the week) then I will give up on it.

My machine is atrociously bad at twin needle stitches. Even with the bobbin tension adjusted, there is too much tunneling. I use triple zigzag or, occasionally, triple strain stitch for hems and top stitching. (I just happen to be about to change into some jammies!)

All good thanks ! I’ve had both jabs and I wonder if I’m coming out the other side because I had a negative PCR this morning and feel better than yesterday.

The sweater is really snuggly, I am really pleased with it. I wanted a replacement/backup for my favourite hoodie which is starting to look tatty. It’s seconds French terry for £7/m and I have enough for another jumper.

I love the owl fabric, that’s so cute.