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 took a jacket to a pro for taking in and wouldn't again, it didn't look right.

Thanks @NutellaEllaElla will take a look at the video.
When you say it didn’t look right do you think that they didn’t do a very good job or that they were trying to achieve something that want really possible (if you see what I mean?)
I don’t want to end up with a trashed coat even it was only £3!

They didn't take in the shoulders to be fair, just the waist/side seam. The shoulders are disproportionately big.

Ah ok- I feel like my coat just needs the shoulders taking in to make it wearable. Will maybe attempt it myself but go very slowly!

Sounds like an ambitious project but could be very satisfying. Good luck!

@bouncydog have you looked at the Sew Over It Ultimate Trousers? They sound like the right sort of thing, but I believe they recommend a stretch cotton so they might need some tweaking for your fabric choice.

Get well soon @Ulysses!

I've finished my jeans, they're a bit big for me and I've definitely made quite a few mistakes but I'm still really happy with them. A very wearable expensive test run of the pattern, which I'll definitely make again.

Forgot the photo

They're lovely, @dubyalass

After my run of Jersey projects - jammies and a couple of tops, maybe some knickers, I'm planning to start on the Ginger jeans I bought all the supplies for back in the new year.

Thanks! Let us know how you get on. I’m going down the jersey road next, going to attempt a Brigitte top, maybe a Mandy boat neck top (both Tessuti).

Thank you ladies for your pattern suggestions. I shall start having a look. From the comments I’m wondering if I need to upgrade my trusty old Singer that I had for Christmas the year I started secondary school, so it’s over 50 years old!

Is it still going strong @bouncydog? I did find my newer machine a big improvement over my 25 yo one but there are older ones that are built to last and it's really satisfying hearing the mechanics of them.

Your Morgan jeans look great @dubyalass. Well done. My friend made a pair and they look really comfortable.

Even if you do upgrade, I'd still keep the Singer. I have my grandma's from the 1960s and it is a total workhorse, particularly for thick fabric. If you make jeans it's also handy having a second machine for topstitching so you don't have to keep switching threads around.

Thanks @Ulysses, would definitely recommend the pattern. I've also made the Megan Nielsen Ash jeans in stretch denim so it's good to know I can make both types.

@Ulysses I will have to try it out! Are there any recommendations for new ones if I decide to invest please?

@bouncydog I was in your situation last year with a trusty workhorse Toyota but a suspicion there was something better out there that I should be buying. It has taken me a while to make a wish list of features I’d like.

OH has bought me the latest Aldi machine (which I saw reduced to 129 in my local yesterday) for my birthday next week. I can’t comment on whether it’s an improvement yet.

I will be keeping my Toyota for the foreseeable and I have an old singer which will deal nicely with heavy duty work

I've got this one Brother Innovis 15.

It has basic stitches and can do automatic button holes but other machines can have embroidery stitches as well. It has an automatic threader but I have to say this hasn't worked for a while but needs readjusting which I've done before to get it too work. There's the next model up which does automatic thread cutting too which is something I would find personally useful.

The top loading bobbins are easier to change so that's a big plus from my older machine.

I'd definitely hang on to your old Singer bouncydog. When it came to straight stitches those old machines were really tough and could sew really heavy fabrics.

This is next up in my sewing club wardrobebyme.com/products/balloon-cardigan-sewing-pattern Buttonholes! Is it wrong I looked at that and went, yep V neck so I have to do fewer button holes?

I’ve just found this thread but I’m piping in to say that I never finish the inside of my jersey and often don’t hem it. It depends on the weight of the jersey for me and it’s tendency to curl up.

@NutellaEllaElla

Thanks! I do love it. I am looking for long sleeved dresses that I can wear for work with tights. My work is more casual then formal.

My go to is the Mayfair dress By Hand London. I’ve made it in lots of weights and hem and sleeve lengths.

Thanks for your comments @PathOfLeastResitance, I can't find the dress you mentioned though, are you sure of the name and brand?

Maybe it's this one - different pattern company, but same name, and looks to be super flexible .www.ninalee.co.uk/shop/mayfair-pdf-sewing-pattern/

I did wonder, and looking at this one and this one I friggin love it.