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 .

Shit, @Ulysses I'm glad he's home, now.

The spray starch is a great idea but seems it's fragranced. That's a no for me, then.

@PickAChew, see if you can find the June Tailor spray, it’s fragrance free.

£13. That's more than 2m of the fabric cost me. I'd rather experiment with cornflour!

The cornflour does work to some degree so it's worth ago. I used a water spray bottle which I use for misting plants and I don't think it's a fine enough mist so I ended up soaking my fabric for it to have any effect. I've also got a steam generator iron so it just made the fabric more wet. If you've got a normal iron you could probably just dry it that way without steam, otherwise build in time for your fabric to dry out.

@NutellaEllaElla

I just went to look at the instructions and it's unusual! Not your typical text and pictures but text and youtube sewalong video tutorials! I happen to be going in to Birmingham tomorrow so might swing by my fav fabric warehouse for some fabric . NOT THAT I NEED TO LINE UP ANOTHER PROJECT. I have my cardigan to sew up hopefully this weekend. Then a pencil skirt Then a Rhapsody blouse Then I have fabric which I had planned for pyjamas or another shirt dress but I couldn't decide.

So that's really plenty. But that top does look super cute

Would you mind telling me about your favourite fabric warehouse? I go into Birmingham quite regularly.

Just seen that it's Barry's, although I don't know where that is.

Here's a map link

Thank you.

Balls. I've hit a road block in my cardigan. I was supposed to cut 2 front bands on the fold and I didn't. I don't have enough fabric left to cut a second one now and if I piece several remnant pieces together it's going to be very prominent and look rubbish. So I have to stop now. Shame 'cos I was very close to finishing. I've been given a half day off work for a 9.30am ENT appointment tomorrow so maybe I have time to pop and get some more after that. I was thinking I can always use black ponte anyway.

I've done the vast majority on my new overlocker which is brave for me and it's gone really well so it's been a good sewing day overall.

I've been making the Nova coat I mentioned in my fabric fail above. It is such a lovely pattern and will work in light and heavy fabrics so could be really useful for lots of occasions. Here's my toile. The denim back isn't ideal but actually it looks ok and I don't mind too much!

Not letting me post pictures 🙄

I did a quick google and it said it used to be called the Sapporo coat, which i've heard of but why would they change the name? Weird.

Yes, that's the one - I think they redesigned it a bit and re-released the pattern hence the name change.

Ah ok, makes sense. What colour fabric did you choose?

So starch helped a bit with that fabric. Not enough to keep it out of the bin, though. Recut neckband. Seconds attempt at attaching as much of a dog's dinner as the first. 3rd attempt even worse because the notch that allowed the vee to open up to attach the band to both sides had grown, so it had a massive hole in and the fabric was beyond tolerating yet another set of stitches. Machine had stopped feeding it properly so I was getting tiny stitches, too. No way would a walking foot enable me to sew the precise straight lines needed, either.

God it sounds like a nightmare

I made my 2nd TatB Billie sweater dress - this one was so much more successful and less stressful. Shame its made in black velour so I feel a bit sofa like ;-)

Apologies for the lack of styling

It looks incredibly comfy yet still very flattering.

Everyone has been very busy and making some lovely stuff! I've been getting to grips with my new sewing machine making masks and some bags to wrap Christmas presents (in an effort to be more environmentally friendly).

Hopefully I can move on to some more interesting sewing very soon, once I've finished the DSs pyjamas and a quilt! I have a lovely pattern for a kimono style jacket with some lovely variations. I just need to decide which fabric from my stash would work best!

Well I’ve had a seriously shit week. Mum developed pneumonia and we lost her at the weekend 😭. Relieved for her - it was her time - but the world feels empty.

Today I decided to set up my new sewing station to keep me busy. I’ve used an old desk of FILs and a couple of IKEA drawer units that were surplus and made a workable L shaped set up. Don’t feel like actually sewing yet but when I do it will be easier

I’m really sorry to hear that Jins

Oh no Jins, I'm so sorry for your loss. 😞
Do you have siblings to help support each other? My thoughts are with you x

Thanks. Yes I have a brother. We’ve shared tasks between us and we’re muddling along.