Stitch and bitch thread #6. What a yoke!

[NutellaEllaElla]

The other thread is so painfully slow so lets hope a shiny new one will run a smoothly as a well behaved sewing machine. Pin your places here my lovely stitchers

Yeah I've not been 100% happy with the fit but I'm still a bit clueless as to what needs adjusting. It does feel a bit tight across the chest but how do I know if that indicates an FBA or just the next size up?

I love both of those Ogden camis, they look lovely and cool. I don't like my arms so wouldn't wear sleeveless, but definitely worth considering making a few to wear under things. I like a layered look, so v-neck dress or top with a vest or cami showing underneath.

Successfully shortened my Arthurs! They look so much better now.

I ended up having to open up the side seams and redraft the side which was fiddly but it's worked and now I know by how much to shorten the pattern.

I've not made the Ogden, but I've had success with the Seamwork Gretta which works for me. It's got wider straps and I've hacked it to add a button placket and to omit the tie straps and make them just normal straps.

I love a button front!

jumping on as I'm looking into developing my sewing skills. I can use a sewing machine and I have a basic understanding of textiles - more enthusiasm/interest than skill at this point but I have the second half of my life to develop the latter!

Welcome @rivercobbler. I don’t think there’s a better time to jump in. Loads of online resources, videos, instructions and patterns which weren’t there when I started out. Enthusiasm is key. Skills will come.

Well I’ve sorted Sauvie. I need a full size smaller with longer straps. The darts hit perfectly then and there’s no tightness over the bust. I find this rather odd but I’m going with it. I intend making the short loose version without pockets out of an old duvet just to be sure.

Welcome @rivercobbler!

I think they look spot on now @TragicMuse

Thank you!

They're magic - fitted and yet loose, without being baggy or draggy.

They look great TragicMuse

I made the Ogden cami on a course at my local sewing shop last year but made the version for size 14-30 which has wider sleeves and a dart which makes it suitable for bigger boobs.

Welcome @rivercobbler , what are you thinking you'd like to make?

Well done for working on making it fit @Jins , you'll be glad you did

Well done @TragicMuse they look perfect, you should be really proud!

I was half-made today. Wearing Rebecca Page Olivia top in double gauze ( they might be my newest addiction) with Seasalt leggings. I should have been wearing them with Staystitch Solene culottes but instead yesterday we spent 3 hours at Minor Injuries to confirm DD2 did break her toe when dropped a mirror on it.

@TragicMuse those trousers look like a really good fit. They are something I really struggle with so tend to stay away from them.

I finished my MccCall’s M7946 sundress yesterday so have obviously been wearing it today. I put in a scalloped edge to the hem which looks good until my machine decided to play up.

When are they going to invent a sewing machine which tells you exactly what’s wrong: “you need to change the needle”, “your bobbin thread ran out 40cm ago”, “what the hell are you sewing this fabric on that tension for”!

That’s really pretty @Wildernesstips . I love seeing everyone’s makes. I’ve been 50% me- made today - Tessuti Demi trousers with a RTW top. The trousers are too short and I should have heeded the stated elastic length for the waistband (I made it slightly wider because I hate feeling restricted around my middle) but they’re perfect in this weather.

I could do with some more woven summer tops so I’m going to print out the Nina Lee Fleet top tomorrow at work and run a few up.

I love seeing all the finished projects, and great news about the Sauvie @Jins.
Sending get well soon wishes for DD @Craftybodger.

I need to get on with my to-sew list for me. I did a ‘make 9’ this year, I thought I was racing ahead with 3 things finished by February and seem to have stalled. It’s perfect weather for a cami, some loose leg elastic waist viscose trousers and an orchard sundress though so I reckon they’re next up once I’ve cleared my baby-clothes backlog.

And at some point I’ll have to return to the jumpsuit of doom that’s just hanging on the back of my sewing room door glaring at me. I’m musing on adding a faux waist seam to reduce the crotch depth a little and maybe some fisheye darts to bring it in around the waist. Or abandon the whole thing in a huff and buy the Zadie pattern instead 🤷🏻‍♀️

Welcome @rivercobbler - if you have access to a printer or money to get things printed there’s a whole world of free PDF patterns for you to throw yourself into.

I can’t say practice makes perfect because I’ve been sewing for about 12 years and still make daft mistakes, but it definitely improves somewhat. And even if whatever you make is riddled with mistakes - so are the things you’d buy in a shop!

Thank you @SBAM.

I did a Make 9 too, got Covid shortly afterwards and it absolutely zapped my Sewjo! (Only sewed 2 items in the first 4 months of the year, usually it’s 1 or 2 a week!!) I’ve made 3 pairs of Solenes in the last month and an Olivia. I’ve only managed 1 from my Make 9 - a cardigan, I made TATB Pearl but made a poor fabric choice as it’s recovery is poor.

Today I’ve made a wearable toile for a dress from a pattern I’ve not used before but can’t finish it because I need to let the bias skirt hang for a couple of days. I know I’ll procrastinate about fitting it …

So now I’m doing all the hand finishing work on a summer duster coat from a Vintage Vogue pattern before I do 4 bound buttonholes. It’s in a lovely cotton sateen but it frays so I’m going to have to use double interfacing to stabilise the area around the buttonholes. I have done very unusual buttons I bought over 25 years ago and used for a jacket which died a death last year. So I’m recycling the buttons.

Then to sort out the bound buttonholes. They’re a good test of my precision (hmmmmm) and patience (ho hum). I may finish early and resort to gin.

Here’s the coat pattern - I haven’t made the dress yet because I’m not sure it’s suit me. I shortened the coat and took out some of the fullness at the back, and added pockets into the side seams. It’s lovely and swingy to wear.

Now to the bound buttonholes. Wish me
luck!

Today I've just been prepping, cutting out the Marnie cardigan by Sew Over It ( yes I know its not cardigan weather out there)

https://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/42682

Pattern Review entry - I do find that site very useful

When you hit around the £1000 mark, sewing machines do select the tension for you @Wildernesstips . They're not always right, though!

Re different results in different fabrics, I did a pattern challenge, last summer, on just that theme. It was the Remy raglan and I did 3 versions - shirt sleeves in a lightweight linen, 3/4 sleeves in a stable linen/cotton knit and some puffy sleeves in a very drapey tencel lawn. Love them all though the linen one made me realise that navy no longer works for my faded middle aged colouring.

@PickAChew they look fantastic. The Remy raglan is on my never ending list, any sizing or sewing tips?

They look fab @PickAChew. A trio of lovely blues as well.

I’d completely forgotten about Remy raglan and I meant to buy it during the SH7 sale!