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

[NutellaEllaElla]

Continuing our supportive little group until we run out of material

No sewing has happened. I've barely left my bed. I've watched an awful lot of YouTube tutorials though.

I’m doing better than Mr Jins. It’s given him a beating and I hope he improves today.

Oh Jins I hope you two recover soon. I'm impressed at your dedication even if you are bed bound.

I've finished my Jersey dress but it didn't go especially well. I removed the neck binding as it stood up and looked ridiculous. And I did a poor job of attaching the binding trim to the sleeves but have lost interest in meddling with it further.

Hope you don’t mind me asking as I’ve dipped in/out of other sewing threads. I really like this dress and wondered if anyone has seen a similar pattern in this style www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/florrie-jersey-dress-navy-dot/sty-j0849-nav?cat=C1_S2_G4 then next challenge will be finding the right weight of jersey. I’ve not made something for me for 6mths just altered kids clothes, and mended stuff as my shirt dress project is still sitting half finished by my machine then I’ve gained a stone (thanks periM) so I’d like to make something for me again that actually fits me as now.

I can’t see if it has a zip or is pull on… I’m tempted to order it just to look at its construction it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done that

Hi @SkiRun0077 it looks like it has dolman sleeves and waist darts so I’d expect there to be a zip. How annoying that there’s poor photo coverage.

I think I’ve seen some similar recently so I’ll go back through my browser history

Actually if you look at the last photo in the patterned version the construction is a little clearly. No back zip
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/florrie-jersey-dress-ivory-oriental-bird/sty-j0849-crm?cat=C1_S2_G4_G532

This is the one I was think of but the sleeve construction is different

wardrobebyme.com/products/asta-jersey-dress-curvy

Ooh thanks @Jins I will take a closer look. I’m sure my mum will have something in her stash but I won’t see her for a few weeks. It did say cotton fabric but I’d like something softer (more forgiving ) so will look for a jersey. I’m not super confident with zips, I can do them but they take me ages to get right normally so more recently I’ve avoided them preferring jersey fabric, I need to get brave again I think & try a zip again.

@SkiRun0077 the Boden dress is cotton jersey with no zip so it must have reasonable stretch and recovery.

Will keep looking for a pattern that’s closer in style

What about the Mortmain gatherkits.com/shop/product/the-mortmain although the skirt shape isn’t right?

I’ve dipped in and out of these in the past. I’m having a mare just inserting some elastic into some casing. It should be so easy 😢 but I’ve had to put it down in a temper. It’s literally the last part of finishing my dress too.

Thanks @Wildernesstips and I hope you can sort your elastic tomorrow it’s frustrating when you hit a blocker like that. I learnt the hard way when I was a teenager learning to sew and snapped the scissors in frustration unfortunately my finger was in the way. I still have a scar 30yrs later I’m now teaching periodically my youngest DD to sew so showed her the scar as she too has a tendency to snap when frustrated.

I hate threading elastic but I’ve found it an easier job with the pinch bodkins in this pack

Possibly everyone else has been using them for years but I only discovered them recently.

I'd never heard of pinch bodkins. Seem a bit less prone to getting tangled than a safety pin, which is what I usually use.

would the Sew Over It Heather dress work for you @SkiRun0077 ?

sewoverit.com/product/heather-dress-pdf-sewing-pattern/

I've never made it, I've only ever made woven garment from her patterns, and would say that they have great instructions, but might be quite narrow shouldered in fit.

My mum had one of those pinch bodkins but I had no idea what it was for 🤣I possibly may even have one. I had a big sort out yesterday and generated 4 big sacks of fabric scraps my DD kept telling me I was turning into grandma with my fabric stash! I still need to sort through my chest of random bits all those off cuts of elastic, zips and buttons, but it was too nice today so I’ve been out cycling instead.
Thanks @kittykarate I’ll take a look.

Jins those bodkins look fab. - never seen them before. Have now managed to do it. I was over complicating the whole process.

Help!

Partially sighted relative loves embroidery (very very basic with the image included)

Looking for a needle with a giant eye to aid threading

Too small on Amazon

Any help? Thanks

Have they tried a 'self threading' needle? I think the problem with looking for a giant eye is that the needle will be to too physically thick for embroidery.

visionaware.org/everyday-living/recreation-and-leisure/arts-and-crafts/sewing-and-embroidery/using-a-self-threading-needle/#2

I’ve got the self threading needles but they do tend to fall out a lot. I’ve got a needle threader with an LED light that’s good to use.

This idea LED needle threader

Thanks so much
Both

@SkiRun0077 actually I think this might be a better match thefoldline.com/product/etta-dress/ to the Boden dress.

Thanks @Wildernesstips I’ll have a closer look at that one.

Well I’m much better but still testing positive 😡

I found a piece of viscose twill in milk chocolate colour which was bought to make DH a summer shirt. I envisaged a loose t shirt shape with a 3 button partial placket. Can I find a pattern? Most men’s patterns seem to be in knit or very formal shirts with collars. So I guess I’ll be drafting my own. Luckily we still have a lot of FILs worn out shirts to practice with

@Jins - what about Simplicity S9158 ? www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/simplicity-men-s-half-buttoned-shirts-s9158-sewing-pattern

I admit the cover photo is not great, but it seems to have a non-collared version.