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

[NutellaEllaElla]

Continuing our supportive little group until we run out of material

I’ve cut an Ogden out of the sundress skirt but the fabric is a bit too fragile to get a decent result. I’ll cut my losses and it can go in the scrap bag for linings, facings etc

I've got over my dithering and have started cutting out my pencil skirt in the main fabric. I think this weekend will be ideal for staying indoors.

Ok well i've ballsed up cutting out the lining fabric. Cut out totally the wrong pieces and now i don't have enough left. Annoying. At least it wasn't the main fabric.

If it’s any comfort I’ve just ballsed up the front pocket edge of the black trousers I’ve finally got round to making

Barely perceptible to anyone else but I know it’s there and there’s nothing I can do to fix it

Bugger Jins. I soooo CBA to go out and buy more lining.

at least it's barely perceptable Jins. There's always gonna be a flaw that bugs the shit out of you on these things (in my experience anyway 🤣)

Eek, sorry you’re having tricky days @Jins and @NutellaEllaElla

World book day sewing still for me, I’ve started making a ‘superworm’ costume for my little boy as it’s his favourite book and I’m getting a little worried that it’s going to look like a penis with eyes 🙈

I bought more lining fabric and accidentally bought a Burda pattern for a jumper dress and black quilted material that was giving me Chanel vibes.

I think I've bought a rubbish pattern actually, serves me right for impulse buying. Is got no darts, zip or anything to give it shape. I don't know whether to make it and attempt my own tailoring or if it's a waste of fabric.

@NutellaEllaElla post a pic/let us all know which pattern it is and maybe someone can advise?

Yes let’s have a look nutellaellaella.

Trousers are flying along. Except I’ve just stitched the inside leg seam ankle through crotch to ankle and the bobbin ran out near the first knee. 😥

Nipping out and I’ll have to deal with it when I get back. I should really just wind 5 bobbins of black each time as I’ve got plenty of them

So frustrating when you think you've been sewing beautifully and then find that your bobbin ran out five minutes back. ☹️

It's this one

Placemaking.

@NutellaEllaElla does it say how much stretch the jersey fabric should have? You should be able to make adjustments as you go with a stretch dress like that.

It just says Jersey knit, two way stretch. What kind of adjustments would you be thinking? Darts?

@NutellaEllaElla If you have/can find the finished garment measurements, I would grade between whichever sizes would give me the shape and fit I wanted. I can't imagine there will much ease and with the right amount of stretch and careful selection of size I think you should avoid it looking shapeless. However may be one for a wearable toile in some cheaper jersey if you really like the quilted black fabric (which does sound lovely!)

You're right about the toile. There are no closures so I have to bear in mind that I have to be able to pull it on over my head with any adjustments I end up making.

Does it say how much stretch you need?

No it doesn't, or at least I can't find it if it does.

I've only done pyjamas and a jogging suit for my godson in stretch fabric, so can't advise on that, @NutellaEllaElla. It's a nice pattern though.
As requested a picture of my Regency dress! I bought some polycotton and have gathered and attached it, so it's no longer transparent. I've added a row of narrow lace round the hem since I took the photo and am debating putting 2 more rows but I'm not sure. DD suggested a row of ribbon above the lace as I'm planning on adding a purple sash (to match the flowers), so could get a narrower ribbon to put round the bottom. I also think I need to add some kind of trim to the bodice but I'm not sure what.

I also bought a black pinafore dress yesterday and am planning on making a pattern from it, so I bought some purple cable knit fabric to make that! DD's jumpsuit has slid down the list again!

@Tinuviel that is fantastic! Well done.

@NutellaEllaElla you shouldn’t need darts. Grading between sizes will work and the old trick of wearing it inside out and pinning where you want the seam to be is another option.

I’m nearly at the end of the black trousers. After stitching and overlocking the elastic in place I was just demonstrating how strong it was and the middle elastic decided it wasn’t fixed after all and shot inside the casing. I managed to get a pin in it then I made a tiny hole in the seam allowance and used my turning tool to hook it back. Phew. It’s firmly stitched along the length now. The junction between the front and back waistband is very bulky and I doubt I’ll get it topstitched but it’s good enough.

Elastic can be a real pain! Good that you've nearly finished the trousers, @Jins - with a top worn over them, you'll never notice any waistband issues! And I've found that I'm the only person who seems to notice the mistakes in things I've made - everyone else is just impressed that I've made it myself!

I’ve not been around for ages but I have been sewing! Lovely to see what you’ve been up to and I properly laughed at @SBAM’s penis with eyes costume

I’ll post some photos tomorrow but I’ve made the Atelier Scammit Allure trousers, which were fiddly as hell but a success, and a stripy TATB Coco top with neck facing to make it a bit neater. I’ve also sewn up the Coco in a smaller size to see if it fit better across the neck (nope) so have spent this evening watching videos about narrow shoulder adjustments and cut out a test version to see if I’ve got it right. So that’s tomorrow’s task. I also have enough fabric for a denim version of the Allure trousers, so might get started on those.

Oh and I made a little jacket, top and trousers for my friend’s baby and all our friends were very impressed at my sewing skills. I stupidly didn’t take any photos so I’ll have to ask her to send me some of the little one all dressed up. She’s not quite a year yet so I made them in the 18mo size so she’ll get plenty of use out of them. Fiddly but fun to make.