Stitch and bitch thread #5 This whole thing is fabricated.

[NutellaEllaElla]

Welcome back seamsters! It is soon to be September and Autumn is on its way.

This is why I don't trust overlockers.

how about buttoned tabs? Will be a feature and will give it a bit of shape as well?

or perhaps a wide belt?

I'm terrible at visualising what something might look like.

Does anyone else 'fold' fabric into a rough shape to decide if its going to look OK. I'm considering making this thick stretch fabric into a TATB bibi pinafore from the stretch book.

No,but I'm going to from now on - great idea! Like when fabric shops pin fabric on a mannequin to make it look like an item of clothing. I'm rubbish at visualising too.

@pastabest no but I’m going to from now on too!

I’ve added a line of embroidery over my overlocker accident! It’s a good cover up which will hopefully make this dress wearable.

I’ve got a question about shop bought bias binding. It’s so…stiff! Should I wash it before using it, or does it wash ok?

Just tried on my Chandler trousers and they have come up enormous! Before I started I was worried they would be tight. Now the operative word is voluminous.

But dagnammit, when it is too late to use it I realised what the overlocker foot was for. That would have saved me a lot of binding.

Just hems to do then trousers are done.

Such a pretty fabric @CalamityClam ! And excellent work with the embroidery - good idea.

I also find shop-bought binding is stiff, but it does soften on washing. I wonder if they starch it to make it easier to sew with?

I usually have the opposite problem @GnomeDePlume - many times I've found things are just too tight. I'm on holiday next week and considering making a pattern block for myself. I've made enough things that fit well now - hopefully should be able to fudge something together.

@dubyalass it is something I have noticed with plus sized patterns. So not the top end of standard patterns but patterns which are specifically for plus sizes. Despite measuring carefully and picking my size from that I could have done with making these trousers at least a size smaller. I have noticed this a couple of times now.

On the plus side I do now have a pair of what I can style as buffet trousers. Huge pockets (cutlery, napkins etc) and generous waistband for when I eat too many sausage rolls etc.

I have a pair of Style Arc Bob Pants that fulfill the same purpose 😁

What do you mean about your overlocker foot @GnomeDePlume?
I find the big 4 patterns come up big, everything comes up big! I try to look for finished garment measurements but it's all a bit of a 'mare.

Genius about the Buffet trousers

Morning all. Speaking of voluminous trousers, I'm making the Fibremood Betty trousers in green cord. I've cut out the fabric but I'm wishing I had a made a toile first. Apparently they are very fitted at the waist with little ease and I'm not sure about the length and the proportions given the style.

Also this is the first time I've made a proper fly fronted, zipped trousers and I'm a little daunted by the instructions on how to construct them. I am looking forward to getting stuck into a trickier project though. I'm keeping my old second sewing machine out a well as there is a fair bit of top stitching so I'll have that one ready to go with proper top stitching thread.

I like the look of those trousers @Ulysses but for sure that is a very fitted waist.

@NutellaEllaElla the overlocker foot? I recently bought a sewing machine off ebay. The feet were in a jumble and I finally got round to putting them in a divided box all neatly labelled up. Initially I thought one foot was a damaged stitch in the ditch foot. On closer examination I realised it was an overlocker foot.

Anyways, I put it in its labelled compartment and made the trousers, bound seams etc. It was only as I was finishing up that the word overlocker sank in. I tried it out on some scrap fabric and yay! It works. I can now do a simplified version of overlocking on my machine. Up until now my seam finishing has either meant zig zag stitch or binding.

As an addition to my buffet trousers DD2 suggested Dinner Dungarees with removable bib so that dinner badges aren't visible once eating is done. To this could be added a loop to hold a wine glass. This would be useful at stand up drinks parties to leave hands free for vol au vents.

I feel that a range of practical occasionwear could be a sure fire money spinner.

Oh I’d love practical occasionwear! Although if I’m honest I’ve reached the age and level of grumpiness that I refuse to force myself into something I won’t be comfortable in

Nice trousers @Ulysses and a good challenge. I avoid proper fly fronts in the same way that I avoid zips in dresses but I’d like to see if I can do them better than I used to.

I really want to do some sewing but I am at a loss as to what to sew. I ought to consider something with sleeves but before I do that I’ll have to sort out what I need to do for broad back and shoulder adjustments and I can’t face it. I’ve been meaning to make the E&M 90s dress for ages but I’d have to buy fabric.

I love the idea of buffet trousers! I don’t think wide trousers suit me, but even I am tempted by those trousers @Ulysses . Would love to see what those look like when they’re finished.

I think - but could be wrong - that commercial patterns are drafted big, so that there’s room to make adjustments as you’re going along. Great if you want to make adjustments, not so great if you just want to sew something that sort of fits straight from the packet.

@Jins I feel your pain on working out what adjustments you need. You’ve just reminded me to check the sleeve width on my dress pattern...Good thing I did, as it turns out to be exactly the same as the circumference of my biceps. Guess I better work out how to do a bicep adjustment.

Hi, would one of you sewing experts look at this thread please
www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4659110-is-this-the-right-page-for-a-jacket-alteration

The OP @PigletJohn is always helping others on here.

Nice to see the help for PigletJohn on the link. I always love seeing their responses when people are stuck on the home threads.

Well I’m wearing a famous brand of internet bought dungarees in green needlecord. I’m plus size and apple shaped. They’re loose on the body and ‘buffet style’ on the legs, I’ve already cut inches from the legs and am hesitant to trim any more!

I really should make my own but I’m really intimidated at the thought. I’ve made Twig & Tale’s Rainhaven overalls, but they’re supposed to be a baggy ‘fit’. I’ve got Waves & Wild’s Heydays, someone else’s Varzim’s and Helen’s Closet Yantas.

Any encouragement, tips or inspiration greatly appreciated, please, especially as about to have a 2 week half term with time to sew before Nativity costumes kick in!!

There was a flurry of blogs/ IG posts recently about that style of dungarees because of the Tilly and the buttons Erin release, not to complicate things further for you sorry @Craftybodger

😳🧵🪡👖 (can’t find dungarees emoji, just like I can’t choose a pattern)!
Thank you, I’ll look at TABT too.

Woah, what a price difference 😳

TABT Erin dungarees, look good, £17.50. They are quite similar in style to Waves & Wild’s Heydays, currently on offer for £4. As I’m plus size W&W have always been good but have only recently been included in Tilly’s sizes, so less experience of their patterns. Sadly with the price difference I will probably remain that way.

Thank you for the recommendation pastabest.

I've made the TatB Erin - the pattern is very clear and easy to follow.

They look great. I love the construction of the pockets, but I already have the Heydays and they’re very similar.

I think I’m going to repurpose my duvet cover into a pair of Helen’s Closet Yantas, maybe with HC’s York pockets.

I made heydays with the HC York front pockets, I’m 5ft8 and though the legs didn’t need any extra I think I could have done with a little bit of extra length in the body. I did add extra to the legs, hence the massive turn ups (which still aren’t hemmed 6 months later 🫣)
I don’t think they’re hugely flattering on me, but they’re comfy and practical for gardening/housework/trip to the park type days.

I made a dress for various Halloween/autumn parties. I'm quite pleased at how it turned out, as I didn't use a pattern and just added the darts by eye.