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’m a bit further on with my jeans, have put the waistband on (right way round this time ) and topstitched it. Bit wonky but nobody’s going to see! Am very pleased with how they look so far, and the fit is better than I thought it would be midway through. Definitely going to make the legs much narrower too; the fabric is quite stiff and the current cut doesn’t do me any favours. When I make another pair I will also interface the front pockets so they don’t move so much.

Oh yeah, and I had to redo the fly because I tried doing the buttonholes in topstitching thread and my machine said NOPE.

@dubyalass

I’m a bit further on with my jeans, have put the waistband on (right way round this time ) and topstitched it. Bit wonky but nobody’s going to see! Am very pleased with how they look so far, and the fit is better than I thought it would be midway through. Definitely going to make the legs much narrower too; the fabric is quite stiff and the current cut doesn’t do me any favours. When I make another pair I will also interface the front pockets so they don’t move so much.

I love your pocket fabric!

It's gorgeous isn't it! I bought it earlier this year and got five metres because it's not very wide. Haven't decided what to make with it yet but it was perfect for the pockets.

Some jeans patterns have a pocket that is attached to the fly to provide more stability. Having a massive belly apron, I'm all over that!

Hmm, might have to investigate that for the next pair, it's quite sturdy denim but the pockets aren't quite right. It wasn't an issue with the stretch pair I made (the Megan Nielsen Ash) so I'll have a look at the pockets on that.

I love making pockets out of some sort of lovely fabric. I keep a stock of decent sized offcuts for the purpose.

I’m still in the middle of moving my craft stuff into another room and the set of drawers I’d earmarked for fabric stashing has been claimed so I’ve had to box it up instead. There’s quite a lot and I need to really work at reducing it before buying more.

On the plus side I get my new sewing machine in a week so I have plenty of fabric to test it with. I

May I join you all?
My mother taught me to sew and I made all my own clothes throughout my childhood. I made a dress for my brownie badge.
I haven't done any dressmaking for probably 30 years, but have bought myself a new machine and have started again.
I'm starting with basic patterns to get back into the swing of it. I've made the Elizabeth Suzann Georgia dress and tunic, and have just finished Tilly and The Buttons Indigo dress.
I swear sewing has been reinvented since I last did it. Stitch in the ditch, under sewing etc, all new to me. I'm terrified of ballsing it up, but so far my mum's teaching has held me in good stead.
My next challenges are; invisible zipper, button holes and stretch fabric.
I'm enjoying it immensely.
Any advice from all you experienced people gratefully received.

Yay! Glad you're enjoying your rediscovery of sewing. You're so sew lucky that your mum taught you at a young age, but there's an incredible amount of free advice and tutorials online with forums and YouTube videos. Sounds like you're motoring along with your projects, I'll have a little look at the patterns you've made up.

You know, I had an absolute nightmare putting in an invisible zip with my old machine (with the appropriate foot and everything), but my new machine and foot are an absolute dream, it goes in perfectly, first time! Best of luck, looking forward to hearing about it

Fuck it I'm buying a new overlocker on Friday.

I was roughly where you are, a year ago, didge. Hadn't done any serious sewing for about 20 years. I quickly got back into the swing of things and having the Internet rather than relying on books and big 4 patterns has been so useful.

Thank you both.
YouTube has been fantastic so far. I've watched loads of sewing videos and learnt loads.

YouTube is my first step when I have a new pattern, to see if there's a sewalong or if there are any techniques I'm not familiar with.

I too recently did an invisible zip and one of the videos I watched said to buy a zip that's longer than specified in the pattern, then it's easier to install. I'll see if I can find the tutorial because it worked for me.

Ah it was lovely Lucy from Sewessential. Her videos are really good.

@NutellaEllaElla - don't wait until Friday- get yourself to Lidl tomorrow. They have overlockers in the central aisle this week (I think they change over on Thursdays, so don't hang about!) My local Lidl still had some today.
I bought mine from Lidl this time last year and it's been a game changer!

hi

just placemarking as I'm hoping to try out my new overlocker in the near future.
I bought it 3 years ago and it's been sitting there ever since because I'm a bit scared of it😁
Amyway, I might need so help and/or encouragement.

Can I join you all please? My grandma taught me to sew 60 years ago - she was amazing and could make anything and everything! Hand smocked stuff she made for my mum has just gone into our local museum! I haven’t sewn for 20+ years but DD is getting married next year. Need some silk trousers and top to go under made to measure silk jacket but don’t want to really pay £500+ so wondered about making them myself! Any recommendations for flat front, side zip trousers (waist facing) and sleeveless top patterns. Will also need to line them so they hang properly. Will obviously have a couple of practice runs so I don’t trash the silk! Anyone done similar or recommend a site where I can get inspiration. I’m very impressed with all your projects by the way.

Hello to all the newcomers . I hope you get over your overlocker fear soon @ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba. They are a brilliant addition to your sewing skills. Polishes all your makes no end.

The Fold Line and Minerva are great places to start for looking at patterns. The Fold Line has a huge database of patterns that you can whittle down and Minerva has a feed of users makes and the fabric that goes along with them so that might give you inspiration.

That's amazing work by your grandma!

I love that invisible zip tutorial @dubylass, I use it all the time. The last time I used the same size zip as well and it worked okay too.

I have nasty Covid so no sewing for me. My quarantine lasts till Sunday so I am hoping I feel better then to get some sewing done.

Excuse the link fails

Welcome to the newcomers from me as well!

@bouncydog I can’t help with the trouser pattern but sleeveless tops are pretty much the only thing I wear and make. In the 18 months since my return to dressmaking I’ve put sleeves in an item once and so far it remains unworn. What sort of style are you after?

Hello newcomers!

@bouncydog - I think I saw a pair of side zip trousers on Sew Over It . I'm a bit 50/50 on their patterns - really well described, clear markings etc, but I'm just not the shape they want me to be, so there are too many alterations to get the fit.

I've had a bit of a pattern splurge on the E&M website and bought the 90s Dress, the Moto Jacket and another dress that was only $1. Uploaded them to Savvy Sewist last night, so hopefully with me by the weekend.

@bouncydog take a look at the cadence dress and top by love notions
www.lovenotions.com/product/cadence-dress-top-xs-xxxl

I’ve made a couple of scoop neck sleeveless versions in viscose and they are my go to tops to go under jackets. There’s a notched neckline option which I’ve done on another of their patterns. The openings are bound but I’ve seen examples where self drafted facings have been used and full lining would work too. You can add waistband casings as well.

It’s a simple top that wouldn’t detract from the rest of your outfit but it’s a versatile pattern for other wardrobe staples as well

@kittykarate another 90s dress purchaser! I’m definitely feeling I should stop talking and start planning mine

Thanks for the recommendation for Sinclair patterns, I was just having a browse and found a perfect looking cardigan pattern which I love the look of, and it's free! Am going to keep browsing.

Hi all! Not a total newbie to the thread but have lost track of name changes..

I have an alteration question that I thought I would ask here first - I’ve just bought a classic double breasted pure wool black coat, originally from
m&s (and old enough to have a St Michaels label and to have been made in the uk) for £3

BUT it is too big, probably two dress sizes too big. I quite like the oversized look but the shoulders are a bit ridiculous - I feel like if they could be narrowed then the whole thing would look a lot better

I make a lot of my own clothes but feel daunted about trying alterations on something so heavy and lined. Has anyone taken in shoulders on a jacket? Is it easier than I’m thinking or should I go to a professional?

I wouldn't know where to start to be honest! But