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 .

@Tinuviel

Well, that was quicker than I expected! It's a bit wider than I expected, so I might go down a size when I make the next one but I'm happy with it. I have a 3rd fabric that I might use to make a fitted dress to wear under it, if I have enough!

Lovely! Well done!

That’s a great pattern Tinuviel. It’s the sort of thing I could wear a lot.

Well as it’s the last day of 2021 and as the resolution to reduce my stash starts tomorrow I’ve just enlarged it with a quick poundametre order

I’m running out of toile fabric so I’ve ordered two 3m lengths of their American crepe which should last me a while and could potentially be wearable. I couldn’t resist one of the cotton prints either which I’m intrigued by as I’m not sure what Darpan print is
www.poundametre.com/products/3-metres-premium-100-cotton-darpan-print-floral-black-blue?_pos=13&_sid=94bead3da&_ss=r

I'm not sure yet what my first project will be after my break from sewing. I’ve got a few patterns I’ve been wanting to get going on and I have a few wardrobe gaps to plug. My head tells me I need to get round to the Sabrina slims in black ponte.

Thanks, @GirlInterrupted and @Jins - I really enjoyed making it. I got the cotton from poundametre and it's really nice quality. Hope your order arrives soon, Jins and that the quality is what you need.

I think I've found a pattern for a fitted dress to wear under it but I will need to make the straps wider on the shoulder as I hate having my bra straps showing. I also spotted some nice soft denim in town which I want to use for another jacket from the same pattern but I'm planning on adding darts to reduce the volume at the back. I foresee some fiddling around with it!

Well the fabric I've ordered haven't arrived yet, got a bee in my bonnet to do something. Got it in my head to try to make a handbag from some old ones I had lying around, have worked with leather before, but think I'll use my old sewing machine. Spent a couple of hours last night unpicking old one and another one to do before I decide what approach to take, wish me luck! Going to attempt to make wallets for kids as well. Any advice?

Wow, no advice from me but good luck Girl!

I have time for sewing tomorrow so I think i'm going to tape the pattern together for the Gioiello top. I've abandoned the pencil skirt toile until I see either my experienced sewist colleague or I might see about getting a little tailoring lesson from a local seamstress.

That’s sounds amazing @GirlInterrupted. No advice from my beginner self of course, but I’m looking forward to seeing your results 🙂

I've prepared my pattern pieces today. It's not a typical pattern instruction set and I have to make my own binding so i'm a bit intimidated. Hopefully I can make a start tomorrow...

Various sewing over the past few days.

Pyjamas from Jalie Patterns Jeanne.
Various thermal layers. Long sleeve (jalie patterns) with thumb cuffs ( hacked from Sew Your Own Activewear) , capri leggings (kwik sew) and a vest (jalie patterns again)

Lovely colours kitty

I've cut out the pieces for a t-shirt and dress The Assembly Line Tulip dress), and am halfway through making the dress. Going well so far though I'm doing it in a linen that I've had for years which was tricky to cut accurately. Can't be arsed with pattern matching as it's a wearable toile but hopefully it won't look too awful. Got some patterned cotton twill from Fabrics Galore for £2.50/m for the main event.

I like the look of it @dubyalass

Grrrrr this is my second order in a row where pound a metre have sent me completely the wrong fabrics. Instead of some jersey and sweatshirt I've got 6 different viscose lengths.

Wtf?!!

Wow, @kittykarate and @dubyalass - you've both been busy. I need more bias binding (about 5 cm short on one and I didn't think to buy any to match the denim I bought yesterday, despite knowing that I would need some!) So a trip into town so I can finish my second jacket and the dress I'm making to go under the first one.

@Jins the jacket pattern is Simplicity 8172, if you fancy making one. It's very easy but needs a lot of bias binding!

Thanks for that @Tinuviel. I’ve saved that.

You’ve got me worried for my order @kittykarate although I’m a fan of viscose I do prefer to get what I order.

I’m still pondering what to make next. I’ve got loads of pdf patterns that I ought to print off or I could tick off one of the paper patterns in the to do pile.

I've done diddly squat in the way of sewing over the past couple of weeks. Fingers crossed I can hoof Ds2 out of the house on Thursday and get my head around the project I was about to start when he ended up off school a week early.

My machine will come out tomorrow but only to re-hem a couple of roller blinds that have got a bit grotty at the bottom.

All current sewing projects are finished! I now want to make my 2nd 1940s tea dress and a bag of some description as I have some denim left over from the jacket!

Wow you're really gathering steam Tinuviel! I'm still sputtering out of the gate...

I’ve decided I’m going to scrap bust as a gentle return to sewing. I’ve got nearly enough for an Ogden cami if I make the facings out of something else and I’ve probably got enough cotton lawn for a sleeveless blouse if I can cut the yoke out of a separate offcut.

I have a drawer full of reasonable sized offcuts and so far I’ve only used them for pockets. It’s time to deal with them. I’m going to make loads of bias tape as well.

It'll be good for you Jins x

Small projects sound like a great way to get back in to sewing. The denim jacket I made is from Simplicity 8172 too and is a nice easy make. Lots of bias binding needed too! I made it from about a metre of fabric.

Absolutely gorgeous, @Tinuviel!

I’ve almost finished my Tulip dress, just needs hemming.. it’s a lovely pattern and I will definitely make it again, although I might reduce the tulip effect a bit because I’m not sure it does anything for my bottom-heavy figure…

Oh and meh to pattern matching!

That's a lovely dress, @dubyalass I love both the fabric and the style. It's a shame I can't get away with higher necklines and I'm not confident that I could change the pattern to a lower one.

I don't normally suit a high neckline but this is really flattering. It seems to work for those who are large of boob too, it's not matronly.