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 .

I remember the difficulty into trying to get the seams to line up now that you've mentioned that! (And mine didn't match up either)

My back was really gapey at the neck. I had to move the zip opening a good inch or so to nip it in but it's included in the tutorial so that was helpful.

I should really adjust the pattern pieces this time and toile it.

Yes, exactly that! Weirdly gapey. Pic attached of the front, I will definitely nip it in more at the back. I think I might redo the sleeves in the next version; these look a bit strange but maybe it’s the fabric.

That looks great! I wonder if you pressed the shoulders over a sewing ham (or a rolled up towel) it would shape them so they are a bit more rounded.

For Sewing Bee fans looking for something similar, with a bit of history thrown in.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0010vqx/a-stitch-through-time-series-1-episode-3

Ooh that looks interesting, thanks Ulysses.

Begrudgingly my spare time today will probably be taken up with trying to fix my Overlocker and returning my sewing machine to it's pre shirring settings. Boring.

@Ulysses

That looks great! I wonder if you pressed the shoulders over a sewing ham (or a rolled up towel) it would shape them so they are a bit more rounded.

Good idea, I will give that a try.

Just spent rather too much money in the fabric shop but that should be me sorted for clothes for the foreseeable! And I haven't bought any ready to wear stuff for months and I'm due to start back in the office in a few weeks, so I don't feel too guilty, it's all nice stuff for work

I spent the afternoon making knickers from the TatB Iris pattern. Took me about 2 hours per pair, so probably won't be rushing to make more unless I'm scrap busting.

I know fold over elastic isn't popular here.. but bloody hell elastic lace is even worse!

So I think I fixed my overlocker, it may not be perfect but I think it will do the necessary, it might not be as perfect looking stitches though. I also reverted my sewing machine settings and fixed tension issues with the drop bobbin. I hate this stuff. I also cut out my pattern pieces - startlingly few pieces! A front, a back, a sleeve and a couple of facings! The fabric has been washed and is drying. Fingers crossed for some constructive sewing time tomorrow.

Cute knickers @kittykarate! I didn't get any sewing done yesterday either.

Today I am going to cut out my fabric but I'll need to get lining fabric as well. I saw a version of the pinafore that had a zip down the front and it looked great so that's another option. Decisions decisions!

Still no sewing for me. The house is still in chaos awaiting a plasterer and I’ve been concentrating on reducing the clutter (most of which is mine and mostly crafting stash). I’ve listed loads of quality knitting yarn on eBay but the only thing to sell is the acrylic and the selection of oddments

With the raincoat project shelved for now I’ve been looking at wardrobe gaps and I need some warm pull on smarter pants - probably Poppy again and some tops with sleeves so I should be able to do that from stash

@witheringrowan

I'm planning on making a cape (]], pattern A) but I haven't been able to find any wool that I like in my usual fabric shops. Anyone got any recommendations for online shops with a reasonable selection?

I've had some nice samples from fabworks.

I have about 26 buttonholes to open and buttons to attach in the next day or so. The perils of doing stuff in batches!

Sewing will happen tomorrow. I have to shorten a T shirt for DS1 and adapt a pair of old pyjamas into a fancy dress outfit for DS2.

They are in their twenties

You're all doing so well I'm in awe.

I've rescued the skirt of my abandoned Prince of Wales check Camden pinafore. I had to cut out a new waistband and I've added piping to it and now need to put in a zip and voila. I hate it when projects go wrong but looks like I can salvage this one.

I’ve been ruthless with unfinished projects in the last few days. The shirt that’s finished apart from the buttons has gone because the stripes don’t line up at the front. The horde of failed ponte pull on trousers that need serious work. The dress that would be ok if I found suitable contrast fabric. All gone along with some of FILs shirts that I’m unlikely to remake because the checks are too big.

My neighbour runs quilting classes and has a regular rag collection to weigh in for charity so I made a fairly substantial donation.

I’ve decided to give my old overlocker away. It needs the timing fixing but I haven’t the patience to try to sort it and it owes me nothing.

Mutterings are being made about how I’ve taken over the dining room so I’m sorting space in our box room to move up there. It’ll be nice to have a dedicated space for my stuff but unfortunately the process has uncovered my yarn stash which is substantial and makes my fabric stash look tiny. I’m going through it at the moment and I'm almost inspired to get my knitting needles out.

That is very well disciplined Jins!

I went to a shop to look at overlockers on Friday. Found a good Bernina but lost my nerve and left without it. You know i've been having trouble with my Lidl machine from fb marketplace. I got it working but the stitches look screwy and I don't feel confident it'll stay on track. Anyway, do I or don't i.....

Payday meant a pattern shopping spree (whoops). Got the attitude and allure trousers from Atelier Scammit and the puff top and tulip dress from the Assembly Line. That’s it now, I think I have all bases covered pattern wise although I am coveting McCalls 7330 for jumpsuit options. Now to trace, cut out, toile and adjust! Good thing I don’t have any plans for the foreseeable…

I don’t regret replacing my fb marketplace overlocker one bit. It allowed me to see whether it would be useful and it let me learn how to use one. It also made me quite fussy about what I replaced it with and the key feature was easy threading.

It sounds like a timing issue though @NutellaEllaElla (mine was) so maybe get it serviced? When I asked at jaycotts they said it’s almost always timing

Please can I pick the brains of the experienced sewists on this thread? I’m an enthusiastic amateur - so far, I’ve made a cotton lawn lined kimono and a jersey leisurewear jumpsuit.

I have a new pattern Feliz from the Foldline and I’m stuck on material. It suggests tencel, chambray, poplin, viscose crepe etc, and the trouble is that I’m worried poplin or crepe or tencel will be really thin and cold (and also poplin sticks to its shape and doesn’t really drape), whereas chambray tends to come in very faded colours which I’m not keen on. What else would you suggest? I want something natural if possible - man made fibres make me horribly sweaty. Thank you!

Lovely pattern @TooExtraImmatureCheddar

I’m no help really as I’d be making that in a viscose linen or a viscose challis. I don’t find viscose sweaty because it’s semi synthetic made from wood pulp.

If I was dragged away from my beloved viscose I’d probably go with a small check gingham or a chambray.

See - no help

I have v limited experience but the Tencel twill I used for a dress would be a good choice i think. It had a good weight to it and draped nicely too.

@NutellaEllaElla

That is very well disciplined Jins!

I went to a shop to look at overlockers on Friday. Found a good Bernina but lost my nerve and left without it. You know i've been having trouble with my Lidl machine from fb marketplace. I got it working but the stitches look screwy and I don't feel confident it'll stay on track. Anyway, do I or don't i.....

If it's the Bernina L450, that's what I have and we're getting on very nicely. If something goes wrong, it tends to be my fault eg not lifting the thread rail. It's easy to re-thread when I do something stupid. It's a lot quieter than the brother machine I had demonstrated, too.

Only just over half of the buttons went on, this week. I'm thrilled with my classic shirt now I've finished it, though. It's much bluer in real life and the red much more muted.

cheddar poplin isn't the lightest of cottons so isn't too chilly with suitable undergarments but I agree it would probably be a little rigid and could give a lot of volume to all those gathers unless you find a particularly soft one rather than one more like craft cotton. Chambray is just a type of weave with contrasting warp and weft, which is why it can look a little washed out, as the contrast is usually white or undyed/ecru.

I know what you mean about synthetics, though, and I can't even tolerate viscose.

It is one and the very same!
I haven't been able to find out how much a service for my overlocker is going to cost, being a Sunday. My fix didn't last. My pattern instructions do say that knits don't have to be finished at all, is that usual?

Well done on that shirt, how satisfying!

I got a lot of my toile done today. I just (just ) have to insert the zip and hem it. If I try it on before I put in the zip, and it's too big, would you take it in at the side seams still?