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

[NutellaEllaElla]

Continuing our supportive little group until we run out of material

The only elastic waistbands I've seen that don't have a hint of pyjama are ones with a flat front, and the elastic in the back. www.made-by-rae.com/rose . In that case your problems are literally behind you.

I think wider elastic waistbands also look less pyjama - either 2 elastic channels on a woven, or one large, wider band of elastic in something stretchy.

I find stitching through the elastic helps but for a recent elastic waistband I put belt keepers on and threaded a tie belt made out of the same fabric over it all.

YES @kittykarate that's perfect. Thank you.

Not me doing the Saguaro although I have been tempted, it's a lovely pattern - I really hate elastic around my middle for some reason, I find it really uncomfortable. Bit lower than my waist - fine. It looks like ideal festival wear but I'd rather not have a gap showing my midriff - those days have long passed!

Lander shorts toile for me this evening. Intrigued to see how they look on me and whether I've got the size and rise right.

Still vexed about that pattern. A replacement is on the way.

I rethreaded my overlocker to make the dress so all the other things on my list need another rethreading exercise. I might make another pair of black trousers in the interim to help fill the gap left by the ones I took to the charity shop by mistake

I've purchased some patterns for my co-ord set which i'm wanting for a holiday in September, which kiiiiiind of means abandoning postponing some half done projects to get it done in that time. A fabric shopping trip awaits!

What do you do if you fall between size ranges on patterns. For example I am looking at a Simplicity pattern that come in size 6-14 and 16-24. My body measurements put me somewhere between a 14 and 16 so I don't know whether to buy the 6-14 or 16-24 pattern? I find this very frustrating. It also happens with Butterick pattens.

I actively avoid patterns that have a crazy size split - but when I've been forced into it, I do a lot of studying of the size charts on the back to find out if their idea size 14/16 is the same as mine, and if possible check the finished garment measurements if they give them. Then I go onto somewhere like sewing pattern review and check if there are a load of people complaining that the size chart is a work of fiction.

I do have a good scout around to see if I can get something similar style without a size split, or has the size split away from my expected size.

Why couldn't they have the crossover size printed on both? That would make it so much easier.

Bessi I suspect that scenario would send me into a rage and I'd refuse to buy either of them (but I am good at cutting off my nose to spite my face!)
The more sensible me would do what Kitty suggests (while being a total grouch about it)
I really admire those companies who have one pattern with all the sizes included.

i have the same issue @Bessi as that’s the size boundary my body measurements place me in. I find that Simplicity and Butterick patterns tend to come out bigger than expected apart from on the shoulders. I’ve taken a gamble in the past and bought the smaller sizes and ended up having to take the item in which is annoying.

Like @kittykarate I try to find something similar by an indie designer as there’s usually far more flexibility in grading between sizes.

Thanks everyone. I will do a bit more investigating into the sizes. It does put me off buying the pattern but it's half-price at the moment which was making me want to buy it. I think I may well end up trying to find a similar style elsewhere.

@Bessi I’m a similar size and I’d check it out on the pattern review website, some reviewers on there leave really detailed feedback about body and garment sizing. I’d also check Instagram to see if people have posted finished photos, quite a few sewists have their body measurements in their bio.
If you wanted to post the pattern number you’re looking at here maybe one of us might have come across it before?

It's Simplicity 9136. It seems to be a newer pattern so doesn't have as many reviews. I just realised they give the actual garment measurement for the bust on the back of the packet. It says 39.5 inches for the size 14 so I think that would be big enough for an actual bust size of 37 inches? I'm quite new to sewing and have only made skirts so far.

I guess all you can do is maybe get out a tape measure and see how 39" feels looped around your body (or maybe find another similar garment and compare the size). How big a seam allowance does simplicity have? If it's 5/8, I'd be tempted to get the size 14 pattern, as there's a bit of wiggle room to be had there as well if needed.

I'm looking for inspiration. What could you make with 2 metres of seersucker fabric? I have a lovely Crew-a-like blue striped fabric but went off the pattern I had originally planned to use.

Also, I don't know if anyone wants it, but I have the pdf pattern of the gorgeous Etty camisole with a beautiful scalloped neckline which i'm willing to pass on. I haven't tried it yet but will certainly at some point.

I'm not sure if a striped seersucker fabric would work for a potential cami and shorts set?

@NutellaEllaElla is the stripe vertical or horizontal and how bold is it? Could make a lovely sun dress or maybe even the Saguro set. I guess the Nina Lee Spring Dress might be a nice floaty option, the Indigo would be a popular choice. Peppermint patterns also have some lovely patterns that might work including the Bardon dress and a very cute playsuit.

I'd be happy to put my name in the hat for the pattern if it's still available. I've been contemplating a cami pattern as I've recently purchased a few ready-to-wear ones and found them surprisingly wearable.

No sewing for me today but a day off tomorrow may see my Kalle top finished.

@toomuchlikemyusername i'll have a look at those pattern ideas, I don't think it's enough fabric for the Saguaro set. The cami is a pdf so i'll send it to anyone if you just PM me your email address!

I have the Etty pattern but haven’t made it yet. I obviously want to get my money out of the Ogden pattern. Thanks for reminding me as I have a small piece of fabric that should show off the scalloped edge.

I love the Ogden for a bra friendly cami top though. I’m planning on lengthening it into a dress

Got some very floral jersey in one of my poundametre.com shops - it didn't look quite as bad on their website. So its become a short nightie and a work at home top.

The dress is the Thread count 2 in 1 gathered dress. I'd hoped to make a longer version but couldn't make it work.

Very nice!

I've spent the weekend doing various toiles and adjusting patterns. I took advantage of the Sinclair Patterns 25% off sale to buy a top and a dress for knit fabrics so I'll get those printed this week.

That's a nice dress @kittykarate , I can't work out what the pattern on it is?

This has not been a weekend for sewing for me. The weather has been sublime and I get all excited the rare few days when that happens (spring/summer 2020 blew my tiny mind). I'm going on a long weekend this week and am planning to browse fabric shops there with my Saguaro set/ Made by Rae mash up in mind.

@NutellaEllaElla - The description claims the pattern is 'sunflowers' but perhaps the person had never seen a sunflower before in their lives! They are bit mutant daisy crossed with a thistle.

The current levels of heat have changed my plans a little and I’m currently making a pair of black linen shorts from the same pattern I used for the denim ones. Allegro . I’m making them a bit longer and looser.

The replacement Amena pattern arrived so I’ll try to get it traced off today.

The heat affected my plans too - I had a sudden wish for a floaty tiered maxi dress. After a bit of maths I conclude I’ll need 3m of fabric or preferably a little more to be sure.
Do I ever buy more than a 2m piece. Of course not. So no maxi dress for me.

Can you make it from two fabrics?