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

[NutellaEllaElla]

Continuing our supportive little group until we run out of material

Haha @NutellaEllaElla I didn’t buy any floral fabric. Neither did I buy any black trouser fabric

Everything went wrong when I popped into Lidl for a loaf of bread and came out with overlocker thread (1.99 each or 2 for £3), a sewing machine bag for the retired Toyota (9.99) and a magnifying craft lamp (7.99)

I'd scare the horses in anything cropped.

Nice Prima pattern but the length of the zip scares me too much!

Another not-a-fan of cropped, wrapped cardigans. I'm tall so have lived much of my life with things being accidentally cropped style and so anything 'proper cropped' just looks like it's far to small and makes me look like a weirdly proportioned giant. I That's a look I'm happy to avoid! I also don't like anything that draws attention to my waistline so it's a definite no from me!

I’m trying to resist a pattern purchase but I think I’m going to succumb because I’ve been considering buying it for ages. Today it’s the feature Friday pattern at $5
www.lovenotions.com/product/vivace-dolman
The top needs just over 1m and it can be made in woven or knit fabrics so it could be a good stash buster.

In other news I’ve picked up some black heavy georgette from pound fabrics for £1 a metre. If it’s like the one I bought for mum it’ll work for poppy pants, if not I’ll make a lined skirt.

Oh it looks like a really flattering, casual drape. Love it and it's only cheap.

That's a nice top Jins. Would look very different depending on fabric choices and so could make plenty of versions without looking too same-y . Go for it I say!

I was slightly concerned that it could look like scrubs but care in fabric choice would sort that. I’m not keen on the dress version but the other two lengths look ok.

I’m going to buy it. It’s under £4 after all

I have nothing to add here but, OP, your thread title is incredible.

How's everyone doing? I'm currently messing with a toile of a blouse/top pattern that I want to make with some of the lovely viscose challis I have in my stash. At the moment it's a bit tight in the shoulders so I'm exploring broad back adjustments which is quite interesting. Hoping that investing a bit of time and thought will result in a garment that I'm really happy with. I've done a few broad shoulder adjustments in the past but on reflection I think the back adjustment is what I need.

Hope everyone is having some sewing fun.

I've tidied all of my fabric stash so it all fits under the double bed. Clearly this means I need to buy more fabric...

@InMySpareTime you are absolutely right - definitely time to increase your stash!

I have started making another 1940s tea dress in a lovely purple viscose (possibly) that I bought at Abakhan last year. I've cut it a size smaller and done a FBA again to see if it's a better fit as I felt the last one was a little baggy in places. Hopefully I'll get it finished (and it won't be too tight) by Saturday evening as we're going to a Swing Dance Social. The skirt is in one piece and I have quite a bit done on the bodice, so hopefully Friday and Saturday will get it finished!

@ABitOfAShitShow

I have nothing to add here but, OP, your thread title is incredible.

thank you

@InMySpareTime Yes of course you should buy some more fabric. Partly as a reward for tidying your stash and also to fill the spaces that are now empty.

@Tinuviel good luck with the dress adjustments. Your upcoming event sounds great fun!

Good luck with the adjustments everyone!

I’ve spent a bit of time grading the poppy pants pattern to narrow the legs slightly. The job was made easier by clear instructions in the tutorial file.

Then I tackled a couple of pairs of trousers that I don’t wear much because the elastic rolls in the waistband. It’s not going to roll now I’ve stitched it along the length. The new machine handled the job beautifully which the old one didn’t. Tomorrow I plan to make a toile of the graded pattern. I’m hoping to get a pair of shorts out of a metre of dark beige twill.

Now there's optimism and planning ahead, @Jins! Making shorts in February! To be fair, I only seem to make summer clothes, probably because I'm scared of sewing with thicker fabric!

It’s another bit of offcut use really @Tinuviel. I’ve earmarked this bit for shorts for a while and I’d be happier cutting into decent fabric if I’ve tested my amended pattern first.

I do wear summer clothes all year round but I think shorts in February is too much even for me. Nobody that knows me would bat an eyelid though. 😂.

Well, I cut it fine but got it finished in time for the Swing Dance Social! It's definitely a better fit than the last one but, as ever, I can see a couple of things I could improve on! I'm now going to make it in the rather expensive cotton lawn that I originally planned to use but was too scared to cut in case I messed it up.

That looks terrific @Tinuviel, the fit looks fantastic.

I'm still ploughing on with my jammies. Pattern matching plaid and piped cuffs is proving a headache but enjoyable as well. My seam ripper is getting worn out.

Fabulous @Tinuviel, you’ve really nailed the fit there!

My poppy pants (shorts) wearable toile is coming along with a few changes. Instead of using the twill I’d planned I’ve managed to squeeze it out of leftovers of heavy georgette that I used to make something for mum last year. Feels odd to be working with the fabric but strangely comforting as well.

Anyway it’s still a pig to work with and I haven’t helped myself by sailing ahead and forgetting that this pattern needs front and back completing first rather than making the two legs separately and sewing them together. So rather than undoing my carefully overlocked and topstitched shorts I’m going to think carefully about how to fix the waistband.

@Tinuviel wow, dress looks fab! Well done! Hope you had a great night.

Nothing to report from me. No sewing yesterday due to a busy day, will try to resolve that today! Jacket is finished and has been worn. I'll take a photo when I'm next wearing it as it doesn't look it's best on the hanger.

Thanks all! I really enjoyed it and the dress was better than our dancing! I made a bag this morning - I had quite a lot of the soft denim left from my jacket. It's the first time I've made a zipped bag and I'm quite pleased with it. Messed up one end of the zip but at that point I was past caring! Also a wrist pin cushion so I have easy access to pins.

The shorts sound lovely, @Jins and it would be lovely to see your jacket, @toomuchlikemyusername.

Next job is to make one of these with the leftovers from my jacket and dress combo. I think I'll use some kind of cord for a strap.

Shorts complete and the fit is pretty good. Could possibly grade to the next size down for the hips and thighs.

The waistband is the worst bodge job I’ve done in years. If the rest hadn’t come out so well they’d be for the scrap bag. However as I never wear anything tucked in and tend to wear hip length tops they get a stay of execution.

I’ve written ‘read the instructions’ on the pattern pieces

Yet again I’ve gone off-piste and it hasn’t quite worked out 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’ve made an elastic waist skirt in stretch denim and it’s come out unflatteringly big despite previous makes (in the actual suggested fabrics) being on the snug side. I guess I’ll take the waistband off and take it in a bit and see how it turns out.

I feel your pain @SBAM

I started on this with some rayon shirting in old school pyjama stripes. It’s not going well.

Once upon a time I’d have blamed myself for being incompetent but having just done the ballad blouse with similar banding I’m now blaming the pattern.

Luckily I sized up as I was between sizes so I’ll finish the bodice as per instructions and see how it looks. Then I’ll probably end up cutting the band off and use contrast bias binding to sew the front together. It will easily go over my head.