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

[NutellaEllaElla]

Continuing our supportive little group until we run out of material

Kittykarate how is your beautiful cat?

No sewing here sadly, busy bank holiday weekend of DIY - but this means my sewing space will be freed of all the other gubbins I was storing in there and I’ll have room to sew again!
I’ve got the fabric ready and started printing patterns for summer clothes for my children.

@kittykarate what a stunning cat! And another cat that like to help with sewing.

Our female cat is absolutely obsessed

No sewing here this weekend, although I did finish knitting a jumper and it is blocking as I type. I’ve also been perusing jumpsuit patterns - I am going to a music festival in July and this year I want to make some fabulous festival clothes. I am wearing entirely me-made today though (except underwear), which is very pleasing!

Huh. So I lurk most of the time and post occasionally (still very much a beginner with limited time to keep up with you all!). Had dedicated this weekend to a cowl-necked top. Spent ages making a toile, cutting out the "proper" fabric, did a lot of the sewing etc. And the iron broke, lost its thermostat, and melted my carefully sewn shoulder.

The man in John Lewis was very apologetic, and in fairness, honoured the 2-year guarantee (bought Dec 2020) so I have a new iron en route, but it was such a waste of a weekend! And doubly annoying because it was one of the rare times I could take over the dining table and set myself up to sew something. I've got spare fabric, but have lost some of the enthusiasm now...

So after that waste of time, my next project is turning up DS's cricket trousers. Not quite the same level of satisfaction...!

<non sewing talk>

Well my cat is much,much better thankfully. His leg got injured in a fight, the wound got infected and then cellulitis set in. He could barely walk due to pain and was lashing out at his brother if he was in range. So we'd put him on cage rest (we have a huge dog crate that we bought after one of them had a major operation) for a while while the vets gave him progressively stronger antibiotics. After about a week we were starting to worry that he might have a break as it didn't seem to be improving. Literally booked him in for x-rays... and then he started fighting off the infection and moving around more easily.

He loves helping on pattern tracing days as he launches onto the table and attacks the paper! I had to swap to tracing paper rather than tissue as that was just so much fun for him, and he'd just shred it to pieces. Also the table is super handy for climbing the book case where the treats are stored out of reach. His other favourite trick is wafting his tail through the threads on the overlocker, subtly tangling them and getting them to break next time you sew a seam.

</non sewing talk>

What a nightmare that the faulty iron ruined your hard work BookShark!

I have to get myself in gear and start those dungarees (and you know.. finish them as well) as my next sewing subscription box has just done the 'coming soon'. I opted for shop.made-by-rae.com/products/rose rather than the jersey dress pattern, as while I do wear dresses, it's not that often.

Oh no @BookShark that’s an awful thing to happen!
Pleased to hear about your cat @kittykarate. One of ours developed an abscess after a fight that took weeks to heal.
I wish my sewing assistant confined herself to pattern paper and threads. Her favourite thing in the world is cutting out so I have to cover the scissors with my hand in case she loses a paw. She’s also fascinated by the business end of the sewing machine. I just have to walk away at times

oh my gosh! Look how hard she's studying the sewing! Mine just butt the corners of the machine but keep away from the needles thankfully.

So cute it's a wonder you get anything done.

That's mega frustrating @BookShark

Thanks for the sympathy - DH has promised to get me a new iron on his way home today, so maybe I'll try again next weekend.

I also have a "helper". She likes something new to sit on... They don't have to put up with this on Sewing Bee!

That would be a great addition to the Sewing Bee and would add a bit of realism.

Every workstation should have at least one cat

I like the idea of a Sewing Bee cat. Perhaps if they didn't want to use a real cat they could just randomly plonk down a toy one on an occupied workstation and scatter some contrasting hairs over contestants' work.

Ordered some fabric from PoundFabrics just before the weekend and they are due for delivery tomorrow! Also going to have a go at making bags from some of my fabric stash. Never made a bag before.

Yes and they could randomly mess up the fabric while contestants are cutting out.

Totally agree about a Sewing Bee cat. It could tip the whole pot of pins onto the floor.

In other news, I have arranged for my elderly sewing machine (it's at least 20) to have a service next week. The company show up in their van (sewing machine ambulance) and deal with it on your drive. Sounds good to me (especially as I live miles from anywhere).

Sewing and cats - I'm in heaven 😍😍😍

Sorry about your iron woes, @BookShark , that must have been so frustrating.

Some many gorgeous cats! We have 3 and they aren't too bad but have been known to walk across the table while I'm working. He also quite likes a box!

I've had COVID, so no sewing here but I've got back into my crochet making a baby blanket for someone. I have a half-finished dress that needs completing but it will have to wait as I'm really busy with work this week.

What sort of bags are you planning on making, @GnomeDePlume ? I may have made quite a few recently (more than I need, apparently!)

@Tinuviel I have got some patterns for shoulder bags. Nothing exotic. I just fancy making a couple to go with some of the tops I have made.

The big lad is at it now.

Today I’m combining the love notions Luna bralette and the Laundry Day Tee in the hope that I’ll end up with a swing style hip length cami style top with a shelf bra. Fabric is ITY from poundametre which was given to me by a friend who wasn’t keen on it when it arrived. I’m not terribly keen on the fact that it looks like a swimming pool but it will do for wearable toile purposes

@Jins that is a very handsome cat. My cat looks like the sort of cat you warn yours about (gets into fights, has a split ear and tongue, bin dips).

Disappointed that pound fabric order didn't arrive yesterday but it is now due today. Started the cutting out for my first bag. Just need the fusible interfacing which is in the order.

Thanks @GnomeDePlume. They are both British Shorthairs, the big lad is a blue and the sewing assistant is a lilac. We’ve had moggies before and one in particular sounds like a match for your cat

The Luna/laundry day tee mash up was a bit of a disaster so it’s a good job it wasn’t fabric I loved. I think it will work with a bit of tweaking and a more structured fabric for the bands. It’s my first time sewing with ITY and I’ll not be rushing to buy more

I had a message from pound a metre to say they were working to improve their despatch process. So there is hope.

Yes I had an email saying the same and including a 15% off code. I’m sitting on my hands as I still have a lot of stash to work through

I just did a Pound a metre order ( unless it was Poundfabrics...they're one and the same to me). Some batik prints for cushion covers.