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.

Hmmmm.... I think I will get my mechanical sewing machine down and see if the old 4 step buttonhole does it better.

I use washi tape for where I want to mark button holes so it’s a bit easier to see where to place the fabric under the foot. It’s still something that could go either way with the sewing gods.

I’ve not got that far with my trousers. I’ve had to unpick the same pieces a few times and then I had issues with my overlocker and I eventually realised I hadn’t put the finger after the last time using it. The noises it was making - like a concrete drill!

I like the idea that sewing gods may have a hand in this!

Has anyone made a kids onesie and could recommend a pattern? I'd need it in roughly age 8 and want one definitely without a hood and, if possible, poppers or buttons instead of a zip.

So far, the only option I've found is the Jotte onesie from WISJ, but I've not made anything of theirs before and it says patterns don't include seam allowances, which just feels like an opportunity for something else to go wrong.

I'm happy for reassurance about WISJ patterns as well if anyone has used them.

I'm a philistine who doesn't use patterns, I sometimes template from existing garments and fix them so they fit properly.
Onesies are fairly forgiving and not really shaped as such. For a small child you could probably even get away with three vaguely person-shaped pieces then add the zip, collar and cuffs.

Just saw no zip. If poppers, run the front seam to the bellybutton to avoid gaping. About 5-8cm between poppers or buttons depending on the thickness of the fabric and add a good inch over the front pieces to fold over for the poppers to fit in

I’ve got the Apostrophe Pattern My Fit Onesie. I haven’t used it yet but am planning a Gruffalo outfit for world Book Day.

If you don’t know AP, you take a list of measurements and then the pattern is generated to the measurements and the stretchiness of your fabric.

Thank you. I've never self drafted before but I might be brave and give it a go. I think I've got one that DS has grown out of, so I could use that as a general idea of the shape. If not, I suppose a pair of PJs would give the same sort of guidance.

That sounds interesting - I'll have a look.

I'd love to see how the gruffalo turns out.

They're surprisingly wide in the middle for wriggle room, just remember not to draw in the waist like PJs as they don't need to hold up the same.

I'm dithering. I have an unexpected windfall coming my way (sold a week's worth of holiday back to my employer as there was no chance of taking it).

So, do I buy a new sewing machine? If so what brand would you recommend? I currently have a Singer 6180 bought secondhand. Spare parts are a problem as Singer spares seem to be very model specific.

Do I take the opportunity to move up a grade? If so what would you recommend?

I do realise I am very fortunate to be in this position though TBH I would have preferred the holiday!

Please don’t apologise! The bank balance is healthier but time is limited.

I buy my sewing machines from a local independent retailer - they really care and sales matter to them so their customer service is great. If you can find a local retailer then you can go and try them and talk to the staff who really know their offering.

@Craftybodger thank you. I think that is good advice. I will have to see if there is anyone local. Hobbycraft seems to be pushing out a lot of the opposition.

@GnomeDePlume I second the suggestion of finding a local independent retailer if you can.

Having said that, I bought my machine online as there are no retailers anywhere near me. I did literally weeks of research, read endless reviews etc and went for a mid-priced Janome in the end, having started on an entry level one.

There’s a world of difference between my first Janome, which really wasn’t bad, and the second one. It has such a smooth feed mechanism, a button hole maker with a relatively high success rate and more feet than I know what to do with. So yes, I think it can definitely be worth upgrading depending on how happy you are with your current one.

Coincidentally, the place I ended up getting my machine one was a local independent retailer, just not one that was local to me. The level of service I got was superb. The owner even drove over 3 hours to deliver the machine and show me how it all worked 🤯

If you want the machine to do a specific 'type' of sewing (e.g. ice skating costumes) it's often worth asking in a facebook group. There will be a massive flame war for several days and then people will basically settle down on one brand such as Juki.

Some of the online independent sewing machine shops have online chat facilities, so they can guide you on what they think will suit your style of sewing.

Thank you @CrimsonAlligator and @kittykarate . Sadly no independents nearby - I checked. It looks like hobbycraft has killed them all off.

No advice on sewing machines from me I’m afraid. I impulse bought a 200 stitch Necchi from Aldi last year. I love it though.

I’ve had that not Covid but horrible anyway virus and haven’t felt like sewing but I have cut out the pieces for another Barrett bralette so may have a go at it tomorrow. The plush back elastic I used last time isn’t lasting very well so I’m going to see if I can improvise

If you're anywhere near Bath, I can highly recommend Mark at the Sewing Studio. I bought my overlocker second hand from him, he's brilliant. Great range of fabric too.

Have a look at Brother machines.

Sadly nowhere near Bath

I have plunged - an entry level Pfaff. DM has an 80 year old Pfaff which I first learned to sew on - taking in jeans.

I had unexpected extra work so I had a half day with the machine so far. But I have finished the washable face pads for Dd. And quilted the back part of 5 placemats (and cut the pieces for another 2 sets of 5). So I'll finish quilting tomorrow and make up 2 sets as presents and 1 set for our house

I don't know if I'll get much more than that done, but I'll try. (House has to be cleaned and car packed tomorrow as well, as I now need to leave before 7am on Saturday...peaceful relaxing week my eyeball!)

So much for my day of sewing.

We've all had the lurgy for a few days and the house was a complete mess as a result as I've not had the energy to tidy anything so I spent all morning cleaning as I struggle to relax into sewing if I know there is housework to do.

then I remembered the VAT return for our business needed doing as well. Then got a reminder message about a parents session at school I had said I would go to and then forgot about.

in all I managed about 35 mins of sewing, it was a reasonably productive 35 mins, I gathered the skirt I'm making, made the waistband and laid it out ready to pin together to sew.

better luck next time

Ooh a Pfaff, very nice! I like their designs and they get great reviews.

Oh @BiddyPop ! That is a shame! I sympathise, my week off has now had two days bitten out of it but at least I know now.

@pastabest I know what you mean about relaxing into the sewing. Even if I am making something for the home I still feel chores should come first.

@dubyalass I am hoping for Germanic efficiency! It doesn't have a lot of different stitches but I am hoping that the ones it has it will do well.

Curtain making has moved on a step. DH and I have managed to agree on fabric. For a man who professes to have no view on soft furnishings he sure has strong opinions.

I am planning to start on a couple more Christmas cushions this weekend.

Oh dear, i've lost my sewing mojo. I have today and a large part of tomorrow to sew but my pattern matching nightmare project has put me off. I decided to scrap bust a mini skirt instead but realised I don't have a zip and that was the final nail in today's sewing coffin.