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.

Another reluctant sewist checking in. I'm trying to psyche myself up to work on my trousers. I know I've got an hour and half guaranteed uninterrupted sewing tomorrow morning but I would like to start this afternoon. As soon as I do though I'm sure something else will need my attention around the house. DD11 is being very quiet but I suspect as she hears my sewing machine she'll want to make something in the kitchen that will require some input. Or DD17 will need a lift somewhere with zero notice.

I'm find the trousers tricky and the next part is overlocking the pockets and I've a feeling I've not cut them out precisely enough and at that point it will become all unfixable.

OTOH I've bought some Christmas fat quarters from Aldi with the intention to make paper chains made from fabric so can perhaps do that.

No sewing for me today until the children are in bed I think, but I have put up a new pegboard and had a quick tidy of my sewing room. The fabric stash is getting really out of hand. 😬
I went to a sewing meet-up last weekend, but was quite well behaved and only bought 6m of fabric I really didn’t need 😄 though I asked for 4 of one and I’m fairly sure I’ve got nearly 5m.
I can’t decide whether to make more jumpers, start on some summer tops and dresses or make the wide leg trousers I really want (but trousers scare me).

I've just cut out the Seamwork York top having finished the Love Level blouse. I'm really pleased with it, although I don't think the colour does me any favours. I'm also about to cut out the Lander trousers, need to adjust the rise and cut a curved waistband rather than a straight one so they fit better.

Well done, looks just like the pictures.
I thought I could do an Ogden cami out of the remnants of some precious Parisian map fabric but there's not quite enough. I can't puzzle piece it at all really as there is writing on it and it's so directional. Might see if DH can help. He's got better Tetris skills than me.

Thanks! I made so many mistakes but learned lots too. I will definitely make it again but with different sleeves and in a lighter fabric.

Hi, looking for some advice please!

My new sewing machine arrived today and I can't seem to get the thread tension right. Attached photo shows the underside of stitching. Any ideas what could be causing this please? I have tried retreading and changing the needle.

It looks like your bobbin tension is out.
Are you using the right needle and thread for the fabric?

Thank you l will try that.

I'm using a brand new universal needle. The fabric is cotton - Christmas fat quarters.

I'd wait until you get more replies. First thing to check is did you thread the bobbin properly. How exciting to have a new machine! Lucky you.

From memory, problems on top come from the bobbin and vice versa. So if the problem is underneath maybe start by rethreading?

Sorry, you’ve tried rethreading! Maybe switch threads/brand of thread?

You’re productive @dubyalass I’m keen to see how you get on with the Landers, that’s the trousers I want to make.
@GnomeDePlume sorry you’re having trouble, I agree with craftybodger that it’s likely the top
thread, have you been re threading and altering the top
tension with the needle up? It could be the thread itself, I know some machines are fussy.

I will try changing the top thread.

The bobbin was filled on the machine so hopefully is filled according to what the machine wants.

I'm now suffering from new toy disappointment 😞.

Don't be sad with your new toy. I think sewing toys get better with time. I was scared to touch my overlocker for a long time, and my fancy computerised sewing machine. We're besties now (until they do me wrong, but relationships are complicated like that )

I've bought a sweater dress pattern and 2 lots of fabric from Etsy. If my sewing mojo doesn't return, i'll be joining the legions of fabric hoarders i've seen online. Pray with me for quick delivery.

I've had tension issues too, but it seems to be on the right track today after some fiddling.

I sometimes have issues like that when I've missed a step threading the needle - usually one of the little catches close to the eye of the needle.

@SBAM I did a toile of the Lander shorts which was pretty good, although too tight around the waist which pulled them up and gave me a bit of a wedgie (TMI?). Got some nice canvas for the trousers, just need to get the length right.

Thank you for all your suggestions. I changed thread and loaded a new bobbin and all problems are now forgotten!

It seems that polyester is fine but cotton is not fine!

Thank you all again.

Yay Gnome! These machines are so mystifying it scares me when they go wrong. I'm glad it is sorted now.

Happily for me, DH tetrised me an Ogden cami out of my map fabric 😃I've cut it out straight away. I'll have to do the facings in plain white so that magic understitching had better work this time.

@NutellaEllaElla my fingers, toes and eyes are crossed for you

@dubyalass the top is great well done!

@GnomeDePlume glad you got it sorted. Sometimes with my machine it goes all weird but I reload and it's fine again-think it's the sewing equivalent of switching your computer off and on again

I've finished cutting out the Tilly Lotta dress which I'm supposed to be making before I go on hols next sat. I'm starting to resign myself that it won't be finished in time! Perhaps a bit too optimistic!!!!

Front panels of Christmas cushions are done. Back panels are cut out. I decided that was enough sewing for today.

I'm enjoying doing a bit of patchwork. It's interesting trying out different techniques.

I almost completed an Ogden cami but realised that i've sewn one of the straps in twisted so now I have to unpick and re sew an already trimmed seam 😬That'll have to wait for another time now though.

I decided to have a crafty ‘recycle’. I’ve made several Helen’s Closet York pinafores in chunky cord - they’re my favourite to wear to work. Anyway I have some rather large scraps remaining so I decided to chop them up and patchwork them into another York! I must be mad!!

@Craftybodger , i'm tempted to make the York apron, and the pinafore looks great.

I made yet another toile over the weekend. This time it was a toile for a moss skirt. There’s method to my madness though as I thought it’d be a good project for practicing my fly sewing skills. I spent ages on Saturday sewing and then removing the zip, wondering why the hell things weren’t lining up...before I finally realised that I’d sewn the fly facing on the wrong side of the skirt 🤦🏻‍♀️

On a more positive note, I also visited my favourite place for cheap fabrics (Abakhan’s) and bought some more practice fabric for the trouser pattern I’m planning to revisit soon. Think I’m going to need it!

Well done for your diligent toile making.

I felt a little less intimidated about trousers since making shorts but I wouldn't have a clue if I had to adjust the rise or seat or something.