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.

Love the overalls SBAM - those pockets look more practical than the default ones.

Also great work on the improv halloween dress InMySpareTime

I haven't done any sewing for weeks now - I'm away next weekend house sitting for my mam, so maybe I'll take some projects with me and see how I go fighting her sewing machine.

I've just got back from my week away to find my parcel from Netprinter on the doormat - first up are a couple of blouses and some sweaters - I bought the Talvikki sweater and another by Hey June Handmade so am going to cut those out this evening and fire up the overlocker.

I got stopped by someone 'in the wild' sainsburys today and told they 'liked my frock' (a denim TATB Rosa dress).

I finally got to utter the words 'thanks I made it myself' to someone who didn't already know in advance I sew.

I've got used to friends and family asking if I've made because they know there is a good chance I have it so it was a real boost!

Ah wow isn't that lovely @pastabest? I've just googled the pattern and it's got some beautiful lines to it.

Oooh @dubyalass what a nice delivery. That Talvikki sweater pattern looks stunning, classically beautiful. Very tempting. I have a list as long as my arm. I don't. need. more. patterns. butIdon'thaveanysweaterpatterns

😂

I'm such an enabler. I quite like the Toaster sweater too but the Talvikki looks good on everyone who's made it.

Fabric delivery today. I will spend half term experimenting with dresses for angels from a lovely, shimmery organza which could be hell to sew!

I love the look of sweaters and that one looks particularly lovely but I need easily sheddable layers so I’ve never branched out. Maybe when my internal thermostat settles..

yesterday I tackled the old t shirt pile and adjusted the Kiki briefs pattern to get my perfect fit. The rag bag is fuller than it was but I’ve nailed it and will be making a few more pairs out of the remaining T shirts. The old t shirts in question are ones I’ve worn once or twice before realising that T shirts make me look massive so they may as well end up being useful

I was going to take photos of my most recent makes but I realised why I hadn't already. I hate photos of myself . I'll wait for better lighting or something!

So the Toile is finished. It's very toiley. Probably wearable as long as only I know what the inside looks like! Next is the main fabric which has a plaid pattern to it. Any tips on pattern matching? I think you line the pattern pieces up at the seam allowance?

So today has been all about the Christmas dance show. 4 and a half hours sewing in the basement. Adjusting trouser waistbands and cutting to rehem.

Finally sewed something! I made a pair of joggers for MrKitty - they are judged as being 'grandad trousers'

In the leftover fabric I just about squeezed out a cropped sweatshirt.

After weeks of doing nothing more than “thinking about sewing something”, I finally had a more productive day yesterday! I traced my pattern, cut the fabric and started to sew a toile...only for my machine to start playing up when I had to put some new thread in. I didn’t manage to fix it yesterday, so I guess that means this morning will also be spent trying to work out what’s going wrong 😬

I feel your pain Alligator, I’ve been there before. I would start threading the machine again from scratch. And if it isn’t that, check you are using the correct needle.

Thanks wilderness. I’ve rethreaded multiple times, but haven’t tried changing the needle, so will definitely do that. The machine has been sitting unused in a cupboard for a few years, so I guess it’s not that surprising it’s a little bit temperamental at the moment. I’m going to give it a good clean today, rethread, change the needle and hope for the best 🤞

Fixed it! Turns out I’ve been rethreading the machine without raising the pressure foot...it’s clearly been a while since I last sewed 😂 All fixed now!

Well done! 100% the kind of mistake I would make.

I've cut the front top piece but have stalled as i'm scared of pattern matching.

I mean the top and bottom pieces gather together at the waist, that's impossible.

You've all been very busy! I'm planning on doing some sewing this week. I've had a lot on workwise, so haven't done any for ages.

However, I got an order from Poundametre on Friday and it's mostly what I expected. I bought some blue fabric that I hadn't noticed was seconds but it will be good for toiles. I also got 3 metres of pure silk for £10, so I'm just trying to decide what to make with it. The other stuff is all fab and I have lots of plans!

@NutellaEllaElla if it’s gathered then I think I’d just be aiming to centre the pattern on the top and bottom so it lines up vertically at the centre. I hate pattern matching though!

Well done @CrimsonAlligator i hope you’re enjoying getting familiar with your machine again.

@kittykarate I’m not sure whether ‘grandad trousers’ is a positive or a negative 😂

@Craftybodger you are brave, if it’s the same thing as crystal organza then shimmer organza is a pain. I’d say don’t aim for perfect accuracy, it will not hold a press and it’ll slide about while you’re sewing it.

Ive done quite a bit of sewing this week, I cut out 9 things for the kids and I’ve sewn up 3 of them and got another one just needing the hems done.
My next project for me is the lander pants but I’m a bit nervy about the fitting so I’ve been putting it off. I’ve also got a T-shirt for me finished except for the hems but it was an absolute pig to sew - it’s some sort of microfibre jersey I think, every single needle I tried I got some skipped stitches so just had to go for the least worst.

Just finished a scoop neck top in blue jersey. The hemming leaves a lot to be desired and I buggered up the neckband on first go but I'm mostly pleased with the outcome. It's the Wardrobe By Me wardrobe builder and I'm not convinced about the fit under the arms, possibly a bit big so I might size down next time. Pardon the wrinkles 😁

The photo makes it look a bit matronly but it's better when it's on.

Sewing room doing its other job this weekend (being a guest room) so no sewing for me.

I have compensated by ordering some fabric: more of the dark grey denim to have another go at trousers but hopefully less generous in sizing this time. Also ordered some dinosaur fabrics to make dungarees for great nephew. Ordered a snap fastener set from Amazon.

Found a pattern online from Craftworld. These will be a bit different from the first pair I made as they open up the legs.

Have any of you ever sewn a swimming costume? I’m considering it but I don’t know if I’m being a bit ambitious.

I've sewn the TatB swimming costume, it wasn't difficult technically but getting the fit right was a challenge. Plus to be honest, it's not super bust flattering as a style.

Hi everyone been loving reading how everyone has been getting on since I first joined the thread.

Really like the dungarees from the other day @SBAM and the Halloween dress is fab @InMySpareTime!

@dubyalass your blue top looks very neat to me.

Finally finished something I can post here - a wearable toil of my first top with a zip and sleeves (got fed up of making elasticated skirts and peg bags!)!

Fairly pleased with it, need to bring the shoulders in slightly for the next version I think

Yay that’s great! I love the fabric.