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

[NutellaEllaElla]

Continuing our supportive little group until we run out of material

@dubyalass thats lovely, I love the print and the colours.
@Ulysses is it the pattern or the fabric that’s causing a problem? I’ve never sewn with double gauze but Ive used other loose weave fabrics and it’s been tricky to keep from ravelling and getting wonky seam allowances.

You’ve all inspired me to bravery! I’ve been working on a skirt using the Your Skirt, Your Way book (with a bit of YouTube help along the way).
The skirt’s not finished yet, but it has a zip and pockets and lining and it fits and I love it. I’ve learned so much this weekend I think my head is now full. I’ve still got the waistband and hems to do.

Thanks! I'm going to make a couple more in plain colours to fill gaps in my wardrobe. Apparently you can make it in wovens as well as knits but you'd need to size up for a bit more room.

AIBU??? I should be able to cut round a pair of Lucy & Yak dungas and make myself a quick, cheap pair, shouldn't I? ( There's no data or fitting, they are basically flat)

@FuzzyPuffling at least turn them inside out first.

Yes the seam allowances were out of kilter and the channel for the waistband ended being too narrow for the elastic and then it went weird when I overlocked it. There were many, many more issues though 😂.

i just really need to step away from it a bit.

Youll need to remember to add in seam allowances and finishes for your edges and hems @FuzzyPuffling So copy for facings if that’s how they are designed.

My shorts are nearly done and I had waistband issues too! In the end I’ve cut a waistband out of shirting and run the elastic through that. just need to stitch it in place then tidy up.

They are too big really but very comfortable so I don’t care

I made 1.5 things over the weekend, to varying degrees of success - A Closet Core Ebony dress. Well, it's comfy, I'll give it that, but it's pretty shapeless. Nice easy make though, easy to follow instructions. Then I made a start on the Jalie Claudia bikini... I started with a bust adjustment, but still haven't given the puppies enough room so will have to have another go.

Ooh that's exciting and brave kitty, good luck on your bikini.

Can I get away with just top stitching on a trim at the cuffs and neckline of a dress I made a while ago?

Shorts finished. I’m pleased with how the lightweight waistband worked out even if I did need an extra line of topstitching

Great shorts Jins! Love all the straight topstitching. Mine always goes off on a little wander at some point.

seeing as we’re talking presser feet….

The standard foot on my machine is clear with faint markings and I use the marks to guide my topstitching. With my old machine I used to use a line I drew on or a 1/4 quilting foot if I could get away with it.

There is still wandering but a lot less

Lovely shorts there @Jins .

Can I ask what sewing machine you have please? I am planning to make some denim garments and I'm wondering whether I will need to upgrade my machine from a hobbycraft basic to something more robust.

I made these on a Necchi machine from Aldi @GnomeDePlume. It’s a lightweight computerised model and not a heavy duty machine. I’m pretty sure my basic Toyota would have handled the job as well. The denim was fairly thick, too thick for an elasticated waistband, but I didn’t have any issues stitching through 3 or 4 layers.

Thanks @Jins . Food for thought.

My next big project is going to be an Ilford jacket from Friday Patterns. Possibly in a charcoal denim.

This is my machine

Thread cutter, lightning stitch, needle threader and one step buttonhole were essentials. Everything else has been a bonus. It’s a lot of machine for the money

Interesting, thanks for posting that! I'm considering whether to ask for a new machine for my birthday / Christmas and it is good to know I don't need to spend a lot to get something good.

I’m really pleased with mine. It was in store in October I think and a few weeks later had been reduced to £130 or so. They sell necchi overlockers too rather than the rebadged singer ones in previous years.

I make jeans on an Elna that I inherited from my mum (who inherited it from her mum!). It's about 15 years old but copes pretty well with several layers of thick fabric.

I would highly recommend getting one of the little plastic sewing aids to help sew over the multiple seams you get with jeans.

One of these fellas.

www.amazon.co.uk/Bulky-Seam-Hemline-Machine-Sewing/dp/B07G1JYD7Z/ref=asc_df_B07G1JYD7Z/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344343428100&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18321339288961969738&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007179&hvtargid=pla-752374744967&psc=1

Finished my 2 piece!

There is a less crop top style top on the pattern, I'll make that next time.

Fab bikini @kittykarate I love the fabric!

@NutellaEllaElla yes you can usually get away with top stitching trimmings on to necklines. Fond memories of mum stitching ric rac trim over the marks from a let down hem using exactly that method

Thanks for the recommendation @dubyalass. More proof that more often than not, this thread makes me buy stuff I had no idea existed! It is a good one though because just yesterday I was struggling to pull a bulky seam through the machine and it looks a less than tidy.

It stops the machine getting stuck going up the hill, as it were - so no having loads of short stitches and then normal ones. You can also use a bit of folded cardboard.

I’ve got a button on the presser foot to deal with thick seams. I still have to use whatever tool comes to hand on occasion