Stitch and bitch thread #4 I needle the help I can get.

[NutellaEllaElla]

Continuing our supportive little group until we run out of material

It was a bit overwhelming and I didn't know where to start. It wasn't cheap! I was also interested in decorative trims but without a clear idea of what I wanted, I didn't have a clue and there was loads of stuff. I could have wandered around for longer but had a non sewing companion with a sore knee so felt a bit limited. I was equally pleased with the cool bag that my purchases came in

@SBAM I was careful to avoid mentioning lightweight wovens….

I have a lot of lightweight wovens

So many lightweight wovens.

I could do with some day trousers in something other than denim. Loose linen and other lightweight wovens make my arse look like two puppies fighting in a bin bag, I need something structured. Maybe a twill? Any suggestions?

It's either that or shapewear, which I don't want to wear in the summer!

@dubyalass I got this tencel linen blend last year for tailored shorts and they worked out so nice. It gives the linen much more drape and the weave isn't as loose as linen so they have more of a structure.

That is gorgeous, @Ulysses. I also like the dress they've made it up in, although I definitely don't need another pattern!

It's a lovely fabric, @Ulysses. Is Tencel the one that's very eco friendly? Blended with linen would be a good mix.

I bought some lovely fabric on Tuesday to make a bag - not quite so nice when I started using it as it frays as soon as you look at it (as did the lining), so I had to work quickly and get it finished before it frayed into pieces! Yet another thing to avoid the slithery jumpsuit! But the toile for that is on my 'to do' list for this weekend! DD really wants the jumpsuit for a theatre trip this month.

Yes, it's similar to viscose but the chemical process is either gentler or non toxic something like that. I was really nice to handle and work with I remember.

There's also tencel twill on the website that looks gorgeous too.

I need to focus on bottoms rather than tops and dresses. I think I've worn a dress once this year!

I wear lots of dresses but have more than I currently need! I could probably do with a couple of tops to go with the skirts I made last year but I can't find a pattern that I really like. I have cut out my toile for the jumpsuit! I'm making the short version and she's going to use it for pyjamas! I'm using some polyester crepe that I got for £1.50/m in Boyes! They have some real bargains at the moment because they are reducing their fabric section. But at least we now have a proper fabric shop, which is gorgeous, if a bit more expensive.

Fortunately I have a friend who lives on the Wirral, so I can visit Abakhan when we are next over there!

I had a bit of blaargh weekend of sewing.

First up - the TatB Pearl Cardigan. The pattern quality and instructions were great as usual, but jeeez it's short in the body. I'm 5ft tall and it only sits on my waist. Anyone normal height would definitely want to look at the lengthen/shorten lines. But you know - wearable at the end, will look nice over a dress, but not so good with jeans. (Photo to follow in a second).

Second - Sew Liberated Stasia Dress. So the good - the pattern instructions were fairly clear, it was a pretty quick make etc. The bad is pretty bad though.The size chart vs the garment produced is a work of fiction. I cut out at a US size 14 and while the waist and hips fit perfectly, the top feels like it belongs on a garment 2 sizes smaller. The sleeves, armholes and bust are just ridiculously tight. I mean this is all my fault for cutting out without making a toile, but I have got used to patterns doing what they claim on the chart. I think this is probably some weird indie pattern sizing up gone wrong thing because it joined up neatly at the waist, so I didn't accidentally cut the top from one size and the bottom from another.

Pearl Cardigan

Gosh that is short @kittykarate. I’m not much taller than you so can imagine where it finishes.

I’ve noticed that my ‘waist’ is a lot lower than the majority of pattern houses suggest so anything fitted needs more work than I’m prepared to put in. I’m half heartedly looking at the Sabrina slims pattern I’ve had for ages and I think the waistband will end up below my armpits.

Jins, I struggled with the Sabrina slims. I did take some space out of the rise but it still sits a bit high for me. I will have another go at them - for sure their sizing chart was truthful and helpful in terms of calf, hip, thigh. Didn't help that the ponte I bought didn't have good recovery, I think I need something with a bit more boing!

I made a knee length toile last year but didn’t bother with the waistband- I just made a casing out of the surplus. I could probably do the same again.

The ponte I have is a bit flimsy. They will probably end up looking like baggy leggings

If it's the black Ponte from pound a metre, it's definitely too flimsy. It goes really baggy at the knees. It's fine for a dress I guess (should have used it to make a toile for that stasia dress of disaster).

If I find some lightweight stretch corduroy then that might be my next go at the Sabrina slims.

Yeah it is…. . Last year’s stock but I’m sure it’s the same.

Back to the drawing board then. The ponte can become a cardi and I’ll have to shelve the Sabrina Slims for now.

I've lost my sewjo this week and need to get back into it because it's so absorbing and good for my mental health. Maybe something quick like a pair of Bob pants? Or a sweatshirt? Or both??

Both I reckon!

So after shelving the Sabrina slims idea for now I did a bit of stash diving and found a dark grey marl heavyweight poly jersey with virtually no stretch at all. I’m going to make it up into elastic waist trousers using a woven pattern I have hanging around. DH may get a pair of shorts as well. If it doesn’t work out it doesn’t matter and it’s gone from the stash whatever happens.

I love the Pearl cardigan @kittykarate - but I do like short cardigans anyway! It would also be lovely for my dance class!

I've finished my toile of DD's jumpsuit (just made the short version) and it's come out alright. I think she will want me to make the legs narrower but will be happy to wear it around the house as day pyjamas! Now I just need to bite the bullet with the slithery fabric and get the real thing made!

The Covid Fairy visited and Mr Jins and I have tested positive. So far I have a headache and possibly a slight sniffle but I’m probably a day behind the cough machine I appear to have married

I’ve announced my intention to isolate and will hopefully get to do some therapeutic sewing

@Tinuviel the pearl cardigan would be perfect for a dance class. It is a good pattern, just it's too short to for me to wear with jeans without exposing a chunk of muffin top.

Oldest DS just picked up Sew mag for me. Two good patterns out of three

@Jins I like that top! And the jumpsuit is similar to the pattern I bought for DD.

I think I’ll put view A and view C tops on the to do list. It’ll use up some of the stretch fabric I’ve got. I'm not really a jumpsuit person but I like view B which is a maxi dress.

Weird unstretchy jersey trousers complete up to the waistband as i can’t decide whether to elasticate the whole thing or just the back with a drawstring front. I’m leaning towards the drawstring option and I can still do buttonholes at this late stage.

Will decide tomorrow. I'm finding Covid tiring so far

Ooh yeah that is a good top