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.

Thank you, so it will be visible, albeit on the inside of the garment. I don't usually have ribbon or elastic so use stay tape but it ain't pretty.

I’ve done it before laid on the back side, so that when the shoulder seam allowance is pressed to the back it hides it. But yes, not the most attractive, though clear elastic is fairly unobtrusive.

I mainly sew stretch using my serger. The foot has a hole to feed narrow ribbon or elastic through to stabilise seams. I’ve tried it but never used it in a garment, never felt they needed it.

Hmm, I don't think mine has that. I've almost finished my dress, just hemming to do next but i'll leave that until tomorrow now.

DD2 gave me the Ahead Of The Curve book for Christmas so my next job after the waistcoat for DSIL's waistcoat is finished is to make her a dress from one of the accompanying patterns.

I am quite excited to do some real fitting.

Should have proof read that!

I need someone to talk sense into me! I came across this fabric a few weeks ago and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. It’s so bright and wacky...I keep finding myself wanting to buy it, but then I remember that anything made in this would probably make me look like a giant toddler. I have a feeling I’m going to crack at some point though 😂

Meanwhile, I’m about halfway through sewing my shirt and getting ready to do some of the more challenging stuff. I’m kind of enjoying the “precision sewing” needed for this shirt, even if my skills aren’t quite up to it. Hopefully my fabric choice (dark brushed cotton) will hide some of the mistakes.

I think that fabric could look lovely. I could imagine it in something like a dress. The shape of the garment should be formal so that the fabric would be flamboyant. A dress with a fitted bodice and full skirt.

A loose fitting shirt would be too relaxed, giving off a 'middle aged man on holiday' vibe.

Beware, I know nothing! Nobody would come to me for fashion advice.

I love it @CrimsonAlligator

I agree with @GnomeDePlume about the shape of the dress. Maybe something like the Siena dress from Sew over it's Summer dreaming book?

@CrimsonAlligator what type of fabric is it? It’s a lovely print, assuming it’s not too stiff I think it could look good as a blousy top, something like the sagebrush top or the davenport dress.

I have a similar busy leaf print and so far i've only made pyjama shorts out of it. I might make a cami top to go and have a nice summer pj set. Alternatively I was thinking a shirt dress. I don't wear many skirts lately but it could make a good skirt or shorts to be worn with a crisp black or white shirt or cami. Alternatively, for a really beachy vibe, I have seen ages ago loose trousers that are split all the way down the side seam and tied at the bottom.

I always love patterns like that but never actually buy them. I think with a 'tropical' print like that you either have to embrace it and make holiday clothes (shorts/relaxed trousers/cami/ loose blouse) or use it to make a very clean shaped garment. So I'd use it to make a knee length dress that has some form of nipped in waist probably.

Ah yes, I forgot to mention what fabric it is 🤦🏻‍♀️ It’s french terry.

I can imagine it as a pair of joggers, but even in that case I’d probably only wear them indoors when there’s no one else around. Even so, I think a pair like that would give me so much joy 😁

What else can you make with french terry? I’ve never used it before, but I’m guessing it’s more of a “leisure wear” fabric?

@crimson, joggers, sweatshirt-style top, jumpsuit...
Get it! You know you want to

French Terry is good for sweatshirts, joggers. I made the TATB Bertha cardi in one, that might be fun in that print, a loose cardi to throw over plain jeans and T-shirt?

French Terry is good for sweatshirts, sweater dresses, joggers and depending on weight could be a jumpsuit. How about a TatB Billie? Maybe with a contrast fabric for the pockets.

Wow, you guys are good! I’ve ordered the fabric 😃

I haven’t yet decided what to make with it, but will make my mind up once I get my grubby mitts on it. Thanks for all the ideas!

We're a bunch of enablers that's for sure

I made the TATB Coco dress in French terry and I think it would look great in that fabric!

I was also going to suggest a shirt dress until you said it was a French terry. I've made the Simplicity 8014 which was fun to make, not too tricky.

One week into the new year and I’ve already made something (from my make nine plan too) 🎉 A Waves and Wild Hot Coffee in a loop back jersey, it’s cream with multi coloured speckles and I predict I’ll be wearing it a lot.

I like that @SBAM ! Beautifully finished as well.

Well my sewing is somewhat stalled for this weekend as my sewing room is doing its other job as guest room. Also DSiL is staying in the guest room and doesn't know about the waistcoat so I can't use the dining table.

Good news is that the fabric I am going to use to make the toile for DD's dress has arrived as has tracing paper so I will be able to get started on that ASAP.

@SBAM a lovely Hot Coffee!
My first make of the New Year was a Hot Coffee in a brushed backed sweatshirt. Sadly not quite so successful as it has no stretch and so the drape isn’t kind either! I was trying to replicate my favourite HC made in October that’s also brushed back. So now I’m on the hunt again, for fabric that’s thick and warm for another HC. C’mon you fabric enablers, any suggestions please? Preferably dark, probably plain, prefer blues to black. TIA!

Well done @SBAM, Start as you mean to go on!
The toile I made for my friend seemed to fit well, but I'm full of cold and not in the mood to sew at the moment. Maybe next weekend.

Aww thanks 😊 you’re living up to the reputation I’ve heard that sewing people are nice people.

@Craftybodger my current fave fabric shop Northern Monkey Makes sell something called alpine fleece which looks very snuggly. They also list the weights of their fabrics which I find helpful.
This petrol blue is a nice colour and under £20 for 2m northernmonkeymakes.com/products/2mtr-petrol-fleece-back-alpine-fleece-365gsm?_pos=17&_sid=cf3027066&_ss=r

Nice work @SBAM ! That looks like a really useful garment and I love that speckled fabric 🥰

@Craftybodger I’ve been getting my sweatshirt fabric from Minerva. It’s not as thick as I thought it would be, but nevertheless really warm and cosy. Lots of colour choices too.

This is the stuff I’ve been buying:

www.minerva.com/mp/1196841/minerva-core-range-cotton-fleece-back-sweatshirt-stretch-knit-fabric-aqua&variant=1156036

I noticed they also have this type: which looks very similar, but less stretchy than the first ones:

www.minerva.com/mp/1196228/minerva-core-range-cotton-fleece-back-sweatshirt-stretch-knit-fabric-airforce-blue&variant=1243615

I hope you feel better soon @NutellaEllaElla. I can barely make things to fit my own body, so sewing for other people sounds pretty impressive to me @GnomeDePlume !